Itumeleng P. Khumalo

Exploring the Validity of the Values-In-Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) in an African Context

This study explored the validity of the Values-In-Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) in an African context. A convenience sample of 256 African students completed the VIA-IS in English. The majority of strengths subscales had good reliability coefficients and mean scores comparable to those reported in a Western context. Satisfactory criterion-related validity was established through correlations with other well-being indices. First and second order confirmatory factor analyses only partly supported construct validity. All strengths subscales consisted of more than one factor. The hypothesised six-virtue cluster pattern was partially supported. Exploratory factor analysis suggested the possibility of an emic factor pattern of strengths consisting of 3 components: Within the first factor, Intrapersonal and Relationship Strengths, two clusters are distinguished, namely, Intrapersonal Strengths, and Horizontal and Vertical Relationship Strengths. The second factor was Integrity in Group Context. Thus, the VIA-IS has merit, but is not completely valid in its original form.

Development and Initial Validation of a General Psychological Well-being Scale (GPWS) in an African Context

This study aimed to develop and validate the General Psychological Well-being Scale (GPWS) in an African sample, based on the empirical overlap between hedonic and eudaimonic facets of well-being as found in previous research. The quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in three phases: secondary data analysis (n = 2005), pilot study (n = 296) and main study (n = 459). The pilot and main study included the GPWS as well as other psychological well-being measures for criterion-related validity. The pilot study yielded satisfactory psychometric properties. The main study yielded a high, reliable Cronbach alpha of.89 and evidence of construct validity. The GPWS appears to be a unidimensional scale suitable for research use with Setswana-speaking people.

Coping self-efficacy as mediator in the dynamics of psychological well-being in various contexts

The aim of this study was to explore whether coping self-efficacy mediates between various distress related variables on the one hand (symptoms of stress and depression), and the degree of psycho-social well-being as measured on the upper end of the mental health continuum on the other hand. Participants were two multi-cultural student groups (n1 = 568; n2=1480) as well as two community samples of Setswana speaking adults (n3=477; n4=1275). Students completed the English versions of measures, and the community samples of adults the Setswana versions. Mediation was evaluated through the testing of structural equation models. Coping self-efficacy mediated significantly between distress and wellbeing, although stressors also influenced the level of psychosocial well-being directly.

Validation of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire in a South African context

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) in a South African sample. A multi-cultural group of undergraduate students (N = 326) completed the MLQ and other measures. Descriptive statistics, reliability, inter-item correlations, construct and convergent validity are reported. Internal consistency indices indicate satisfactory reliability for both the Presence of Meaning (MLQ-P) and Search for Meaning (MLQ-S) sub-scales. The theoretically intended two factor structure was supported by the data. The MLQ-P was associated with mental health, satisfaction with life, sense of coherence and spiritual well-being; whereas the MLQ-S was associated with depression. The findings of this study support the applicability of the MLQ for further research on meaning and well-being in a South African context with similar groups.

Processes and functions in Higher education students adjusting to a new learning environment: applying the Mmogo(tm)-method

This article explored the processes and functions amongst a community of students who had to adjust to new social and academic settings. Thirteen university students of a predominantly seTswana ethnic background participated in the study (males = 5, females = 8; age range = 25 to and 45 years). An inductive qualitative research approach was followed by using an expressive projective technique, called the Mmogo™-method. The Mmogo™-method involves the creation of visual representations to get a deeper understanding of the processes and functions that assisted in the adjustment to new social and academic settings. Individual and group discussions were conducted to discuss the visual presentations. Visual data were analysed by means of determining the explicit and implicit meanings elicited in the visual presentations, while the textual data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The students progressed in their construction of interpersonal relational processes for empowerment within the community. Culturally embedded meanings promoted opportunities for optimal participation and engagement in a transforming education system.

Meaning as perceived and experienced by an African student group

This qualitative study explored what a Batswana group of African students (N = 73) find most meaningful in their life and why those sources of meaning are important to them. Findings showed that, in line with previous Western studies, the most important source of meaning is relationships, and in particular family which provides support, but is also intrinsically valuable. Relatedness in this African group is also different from Western conceptualisations and previous empirical findings in the sense that horizontal (interpersonal) and vertical (spiritual) relationships are deeply intertwined. Education as a domain of life is also an important source of meaning to this cohort of students. The reported perceived meanings and experienced reasons bring forth a picture that resonates with values and expectations from the specific cultural and life phase contexts in which these African students are embedded. The meaning of these meanings for the enhancement of well-being in students merits exploration.

Presence of meaning and search for meaning as mediators between spirituality and psychological well-Being in a South African sample

Spirituality and meaning in life are important pathways to well-being. Research has conceptually and empirically linked spirituality, religiousness and meaning in life. The present study was concerned with investigating presence of meaning (MLQ-P) and search for meaning (MLQ-S) as mediators between spirituality (religious and existential well-being) and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. A multi-cultural sample of 326 South African students completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being (QEWB) and the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF). Structural equation modelling in Mplus was used to study direct and indirect effects. Findings show that the presence of meaning in life explains more paths between spirituality and psychological well-being than search for meaning. MLQ-P mediated the paths between existential well-being and four of the five indices of psychological well-being. MLQ-S did not mediate any path between spirituality (existential and religious well-being) and psychological well-being outcomes.

Further validation of the questionnaire for eudaimonic well-being (QEWB)

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the structural and external validity of the recently developed Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being (QEWB), scrutinising the parcelling approach used by Waterman and colleagues to confirm the unidimensional structure of the scale.MethodA multicultural South African student sample (n = 325) was used. Parcel- and item-level confirmatory factor analysis and item-level exploratory factor analysis were conducted to explore the scale’s structural validity. External validity was examined via attenuation corrected correlations with scores on criterion measures.ResultsOn parcel-level a one-dimensional structure fitted well, but since the assumption of unidimensional parcels was violated, the use of parcelling was contra-indicated. Item-level analyses revealed a multidimensional factor structure. The scale showed good convergent and discriminant validity.ConclusionsThe QEWB shows potential for future use, given that the multidimensionality of the scale is acknowledged. Some items may need revision.

Well-being in the Batswana cultural context: constructs and measures

The study investigated wellbeing in a Setswana-speaking sample. Participants (n=459, males =141 females =318; 22% = aged between 30 and 40 years) completed the General Psychological Well-being Scale (GPWS: Khumalo, Temane & Wissing, 2010) and the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF: Keyes, 2005b). Data were analyzed applying classical test theory (CTT), structural equation modelling (SEM; measurement model) and item response theory (IRT; Rasch model). Both GPWS and MHC-SF measures yielded a multidimensional wellbeing factor structures indicative of a hedonic-eudaimonic wellbeing overlap. Further qualitative research could explore the cultural contextual meanings of wellbeing in Setswana culture.

Psychosocial Health: Disparities Between Urban and Rural Communities

Some baseline data are available on the impact of urbanization on physical health and mental illness, but very little on psychosocial well-being, notwithstanding the fact that this facet of health is intricately linked to total health and well-being as described by the World Health Organization (Basic documents, 36th edn. WHO, Geneva, 1986). There is specifically a dearth of knowledge on psychosocial well-being in urban versus rural areas in South Africa. Therefore, this study explored the psychosocial well-being of an African group in rural and urban areas of the North West Province of South Africa as found in four samples from 1998 to 2010. Results showed that urban participants manifested higher levels of psychosocial well-being on most facets of individual and social well-being, but rural participants manifested higher levels of well-being on some facets, such as spiritual well-being. Both rural and urban groups manifested relatively high levels of symptoms of distress, especially the rural groups. Psychosocial well-being decreased in both urban and rural areas between 1998 and 2008, but increased thereafter in 2010. Gender differences are noted in patterns of well-being in urban versus rural areas. On a theoretical level, the current findings underscore the distinction between pathology and well-being as two separate, but correlated dimensions of psychosocial health, as well as the relevance of context for well-being. On a practical level, the findings suggest the importance of implementing measures of various facets of well-being for a comprehensive understanding of well-being during urbanization. Findings add to a body of knowledge that may inform public health policy and the development of specifically targeted interventions.