30 research outputs found
A mathematics vocabulary questionnaire for use in the intermediate phase
No full textTeachers and psychologists need an instrument to assess learners' language proficiency in mathematics to enable them to plan and evaluate interventions and to facilitate best practice in mathematics classrooms. We describe the development of a mathematics vocabulary questionnaire to measure learners' language proficiency in mathematics in the intermediate phase. It covers all the steps from designing the preliminary questionnaire to standardising the final instrument. A sample of 1 103 Grades 4 to 7 Afrikaans-, English- and Tswana-speaking learners in North West Province completed the Mathematics Vocabulary questionnaire (Primary) (MV(P)), consisting of 12 items. We analysed the data by calculating discrimination values, performing a factor analysis, determining reliability coefficients, and investigating item bias by language, gender, and grade. We concluded that there was strong evidence of validity and reliability for the MV(P)
Influence of the practice environment on community service nurses’ subjective well-being, compassion practice and psychological capital
No full textBackground
The practice environment as experienced by community service nurses (CSNs) has not been explored in the South African context, and few studies have explored the influence of the practice environment on intrapersonal resources such as subjective well-being, compassion practice and psychological capital.
Aim
To describe the influence of the practice environment on CSNs’ subjective well-being, compassion practice and psychological capital, and the association between these variables and selected personal and situational demographic factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional design was employed with self-report questionnaires used to collect data from an all-inclusive sample of CSNs that studied in North West Province and began their community service year there in 2016 (N = 284; n = 60).
Results
CSNs perceive the practice environment as favourable (M = 2.60; SD = 0.65). CSNs are satisfied with life (M = 24.89; SD = 5.68), have high levels of positive affect (M = 39.13; SD = 7.97), compassion satisfaction (M = 5.44; SD = 0.71) and psychological capital (M = 5.67; SD = 0.95). Nurse foundations of quality of care and nurse participation in hospital affairs had the most influence on intrapersonal resources. The positive components of subjective well-being, compassion satisfaction and psychological capital were highly correlated. Situational demographic factors were associated with intrapersonal resources and perceptions of the practice environment.
Conclusion
Healthcare facilities should provide a positive practice environment for CSNs, that includes an orientation programme with formal organisational and supervision structures, in order to strengthen CSNs’ intrapersonal resources, improve their perceptions of the practice environment, and ultimately improve nurse and patient outcome
Problematic Factorial Validity of Three Language Versions of the Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS): Why and What are the Implications?
No full textSelf-determination theory is a macrotheory of human motivation that describes fundamental matters such as personality development, goals and aspirations, and self-regulation. Basic psychological needs theory, a subtheory of self-determination theory, postulates that the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are universal and the satisfaction thereof essential for human functioning. Despite the theory’s strong universality claim, almost no studies tested the assumption on the African continent. The present study addressed this by exploring the factorial validity of English, Afrikaans, and Setswana versions of the Basic Psychological Needs Scale (N = 1056). After incorporating a negative-worded method effect and removing several problematic items, the fit of the intended three-factor model was good for the Afrikaans version, marginal for the English version, and poor for the Setswana version. The resulting factors’ reliabilities were low. Configural, metric, and partial scalar invariance were established between the English and Afrikaans versions. Although these findings primarily highlighted problems with the particular scale, there is also the possibility that it could have implications for the validity of the universality assumption of basic psychological needs theory and/or assumptions about denotations or manifestations of the main constructs in various cultural contexts. The study indicated the conceptual and linguistic complexities involved in assessment across diverse and multicultural context
Triglyceride concentration and waist circumference influence alcohol-related plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity increase in black South Africans
No full textDoes loyalty pay? First-time versus repeat visitors at a national arts festival
No full textThe aim of this research is to segment visitors to one of South Africa's biggest arts festivals based on the frequency of visits in order to distinguish between first-time and repeat festival attendees. Both first-time and repeat visitor groups play a fundamental role in the overall well-being and success of a festival, and festival organisers must strive to achieve a balance between first-time and repeat visitors. Festival managers should therefore be aware of the festival attributes that differentiate between the first-time visitor group and repeat visitors attending the festival. These differences include socio-demographics, behavioural characteristics, destination perception, perceived value and travel motivations. This article therefore compares first-time and repeat visitors to the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival based on these categories. A questionnaire survey (N = 555) was conducted at the festival, and the findings indicate that there are significant differences between first-time and repeat visitors at the festival. First-time visitors spend a significant amount of money during the festival and are mainly motivated by Relaxation and socialisation and Festival shows / productions, while repeat visitors are loyal visitors who stay longer and spend more money, especially on tickets supporting the festival's shows / productions. Results reveal that both first-time and repeat visitor groups are important for the long-term sustainability of the festival. This method of segmentation has proved to be successful and is used as the basis for proposing managerial and marketing implications for the festival organisers.http://www.sabinet.co.za/abstracts/sabr/sabr_v14_n1_a4.htm
A profile analysis of some selected health risk indicators in South African women (30 -65 years)
No full textThe objective of this study was to compile a profile of some selected health risk indicators (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, smoking and physical inactivity) of South African women, aged 30-65 years (x = 41.6 ± 12.8 years) which can be influenced by lifestyle. The respondents comprised 3 818 women who were members of a comprehensive national health insurance in South Africa. Data were collected by means of a demographic questionnaire (including smoking habits), a physical activity questionnaire as well as field tests assessing non-fasting total cholesterol, blood pressure and obesity (BMI). The respondents were selected in two age groups (< 49 and > 50 year) primarily representing the pre and postmenopausal life stages of women. From the descriptive data it appears that the younger group (< 49) tends to be physically less active than the older group (> 50). In all the other parameters the older group revealed higher mean values. However, none of these differences are of practical significance. When a profile is constructed, results indicate that a higher percentage of the younger group fall into the poor category suggesting a more destructive lifestyle in this category. The only exception is smoking where the older group indicated that 5.2% and 9.3% are in the poor and moderate category in comparison with the 2.4% and 11.5% of the younger group respectivel
Relationship of nurses’ intrapersonal characteristics with work performance and caring behaviors: A cross-sectional study
No full textThis study aimed to describe intrapersonal characteristics (professional values, personality, empathy, and job involvement), work performance as perceived by nurses, and caring behaviors as perceived by patients, and to examine the relationships among these variables. A cross‐sectional design was employed. A sample was recruited of 218 nurses and 116 patients in four private hospitals and four public hospitals. Data were collected using self‐report measures. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, hierarchical linear modelling, correlations, and structural equation modeling. Nurses perceived their work performance to be of high quality. Among the intrapersonal characteristics, nurses had high scores for professional values, and moderately high scores for personality, empathy and job involvement. Patients perceived nurses' caring behaviors as moderately high. Professional values of nurses were the only selected intrapersonal characteristic with a statistically significant positive relationship, of practical importance, with work performance as perceived by nurses and with caring behaviors as perceived by patients at ward level. Managers can enhance nurses' work performance and caring behaviors through provision of in‐service training that focuses on development of professional value
Non-nursing tasks, nursing tasks left undone and job satisfaction among professional nurses in South African hospitals
No full textAim:To investigate the relationship between non-nursing tasks (NNTs), nursing tasks left undone (NTLU) and job satisfaction among professional nurses (PNs) in South Africa (SA).
Background: This study adds to the international debate about the relationship between non-nursing tasks, nursing tasks left undone and job satisfaction by studying the variables at individual nurse and hospital unit level.
Method: A cross-sectional survey design of 1166 PNs in 60 medical and surgical units in 55 private hospitals and seven public hospitals.
Results: Nationally, the three main non-nursing tasks performed were clerical duties (M = 1.81), arranging discharge referrals and transport (M = 1.38) and performing non-nursing care (M = 1.31), while the main nursing tasks left undone were comfort/talk with patients (62.2%), educating patients and family (57.9%) and develop/update nursing care plans/pathways (51.6%). Nursing tasks left undone were only related to three non-nursing tasks, and job satisfaction correlated most highly with nursing tasks left undone.
Conclusion: Professional nurses conduct many non-nursing tasks, and leave several important nursing tasks left undone. Nursing tasks left undone cause the greatest degree of job dissatisfaction amongst professional nurses.
Implications for nursing management: Role overlapping and work performed by professional nurses below their skill level should be identified and re-organised; support services should be employed and efficiently used
