Rian Viviers

An overview of research on positive psychology in South Africa.

The paradigm of positive psychology was publicly launched by Martin Seligman in his Presidential Address to the American Psychology Association in 1998. Since then, the scientific study of optimal human functioning gained new momentum. This article provides an overview of research on positive psychology in South Africa. The article explores general trends and the main developments in the field, internationally as well as nationally. South African research in the paradigm of positive psychology was categorised according to a framework developed for the purposes of this article. Results indicate frequencies of South African research undertaken over the last 36 years. Possible future directions for research in the field are pointed out and integrated with recommendations from prominent South African and international authors.

‘I still believe...’Reconstructing spirituality, culture and mental health across cultural divides

Abstract Whilst striving to create a balanced and healthy life, individuals experience challenges across their life span. Spirituality can contribute to mental health and well-being, as can cultural constructs. In South Africa, apartheid categories are still vivid, which affect spiritual, cultural and racial mental constructs and impact on the mental health of individuals across cultural groups. This article focuses on the long-term development of spiritual and cultural concepts within a selected individual in Cape Town, South Africa, during 11 years of field work. It also explores the impact of spirituality and culture on the researcher–researched relationship. A mixed-method approach was used, including various qualitative methods of data collection as well as content analysis to analyse the data and intersubjective validation to interpret them. Findings show a strong intrapersonal interlinkage of spirituality, culture and mental health and the researcher–researched relationship having a strong impact on spiritual, cultural and mental health constructions. We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. (52)

'Following the word of God': Empirical insights into managerial perceptions on spirituality, culture and health.

Abstract This article focuses on managers in a selected South African organization and the connections they draw between mental health, culture and spirituality within the workplace. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the interrelationships in this complex and growing scientific discourse and to respond to the research question of how mental health, culture and spirituality are interrelated from a managerial perspective. The study follows an inductive single case study approach within the phenomenological paradigm. Qualitative research methods using in-depth interviews and observation were used. The sample comprised 27 managers within the international South African automotive organization. The findings show that not only culture, but also spirituality and religion in particular, influence mental health and well-being of managers at work. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made.

A Longitudinal Case Study: The Development of Exceptional Human Experiences of Senior Ecclesiastical Professionals in the Catholic Church

Exceptional human experiences (EHEs) impact on health and well-being and can contribute to enhanced intercultural and interreligious awareness and understanding. The aim of this longitudinal study was to explore the development of EHEs in a group of senior professionals in the German Catholic Church. Exceptional human experiences were measured through the EEQ in pre- and post-test questionnaires which were qualitatively analysed. The results of this study reflect an increase in the frequency of positive spiritual experiences and visionary dream encounters, as well as a more positive evaluation of these spiritual phenomena. The findings seem to suggest that it is possible to raise people’s awareness of spiritual practices and to enhance intercultural and interreligious competence through training interventions.

Constellation Work and Zulu Culture: Theoretical Reflections on Therapeutic and Cultural Concepts

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to reflect on constellation work (CW) as a therapeutic intervention method and its commonalities and differences with Zulu cultural concepts. It has been stated that Bert Hellinger, a pioneer in CW developed this intervention method whilst being inspired by the Zulu culture in South Africa where he worked for 16 years as a missionary. The connections, commonalities and differences have never been explored in-depth. The paper endeavours to fill the gap in understanding the connection of Zulu cultural concepts and CW. The analysis shows similarities and differences in terms of values, cultural concepts, the acknowledgement of life, relationships with ancestors and family members and healing rituals within CW and Zulu culture. CW seems to be an adequate transcultural intervention method to contribute to healing, therapeutic work and understanding of systemic family constructs across cultures, not only in South Africa, but also abroad.

Enhancing Sense of Coherence and Mindfulness in an Ecclesiastical, Intercultural Group Training Context

Sense of coherence (SOC) and mindfulness (MI) are believed to promote the health and well-being of individuals and organisations. The aim of this longitudinal study was to contribute to the literature on the development of SOC through training and interventions and thereby explore the development of these constructs in a group of senior professionals in the German Catholic Church. A sample of eight participants voluntarily enrolled for a 12-day training programme spread over a period of nine months to develop intercultural and inter-religious competencies, SOC and MI. Quantitative scores of the pre- and post-test SOC and MI questionnaires were qualitatively analysed. Results indicate that the majority of participants scored lower in the post-test on SOC and slightly higher in MI. The discussion explores the pitfalls in the development of these constructs in the study’s participants and highlights the implications for theory and practice. Practical training implications for developing SOC and MI are offered.

Emotional Intelligence and leadership in a South African financial services institution

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness among senior leaders in a South African financial services organisation. The sample consisted of 973 participants. A convenience sample was used because the leaders were part of a strategic organisational initiative that included the completion of the measurement instruments used for the current study. The participants completed the Bar-On EQ-i, a measure of emotional intelligence, and the leadership effectiveness data were obtained from an organisation specific Multi-rater that accessed self-ratings, peer and subordinate ratings, as well as manager ratings in terms of leadership behaviours linked to organisational worldviews of leadership effectiveness. Partially due to the large sample size, the results showed that there were statistically significant correlations between emotional intelligence and the leadership variables as measured for the leaders, but the prediction value between these variables was not practically significant.

Experiences of shame by race and culture: An exploratory study

This study explored experiences of shame in the context of racial and cultural belonging. Participants were a multiracial purposive sample of 11 South Africans (five females and six males, four white, two coloured, two Indian and three black Africans; in the age range between 40 to 61 years). The participants completed a semi-structured interview on their perceptions of shame in the context of family and community. The interview data were analysed utilising interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Participants from all racial groups considered shame experiences primarily in relation to violation of family and community norms and values. Findings show that male white Afrikaans-speaking participants narrated shameful experiences mainly with regard to the violation of religious (Calvinist) norms and values. Furthermore, the violation of racially constructed boundaries was also likely with females with an Indian and white Afrikaans culture background. Overall, the findings suggest white Afrikaans culture to be less shaming of individuals in comparison to black, coloured, or Indian cultures. Shame beliefs appear to be culturally nuanced in their salience to members or racial-ethno groupings.

The Development of a Sense of Coherence in Family Therapy Trainees in Germany: A Three-Year Investigation

ABSTRACT Research on family therapy training and sense of coherence is lacking. Sense of coherence has been proposed as a meta-model for salutogenic family therapy. This study aims to explore the development of sense of coherence among systemic family therapist trainees in Germany over a 3-year period. The sample consisted of 66 trainees (1st year) with 55 and 43 respondents in the 2nd and 3rd years, respectively. Biographical and sense of coherence data were analyzed. Findings indicate an increase in total sense of coherence, particularly for meaningfulness. Certain subgroups developed sense of coherence and subscales more so than others. Conclusions are provided and recommendations for family theory and practice given.

Systemic Thinking and Transcultural Approaches in Coaching Psychology: Introducing a New Coaching Framework

Coaching in organizations has become a prominent tool to address challenges experienced by individuals and teams. Different approaches in coaching are used, such as individual, team or business coaching. Certain approaches to coaching, such as psychological coaching, aim to increase optimal functioning, wellbeing and mental health for personal growth and development. The effect of psychological coaching in organizations has been empirically researched and discussed in the literature. In today’s organizations, coaching is a well-established domain in theory and practice. However, studies show that transcultural (In this chapter the authors refer to the concept of “transculturality” due to the fact that the coaching framework presented is based on a “transcultural” approach. “Transculturality” refers to a world view which is based on the notion of hybridity and blurring spheres of cultures which are interconnected, mixed and integrative (Welsch W. Kultur aus transkultureller Perspektive. In Treichel D, Mayer C-H (eds) Lehrbuch Kultur. Lehr- und Lernmaterialien zur Vermittlung kultureller Kompetenzen. Munster, Waxmann, pp 149–157, 2011). In transcultural settings, culture is viewed as a dynamic and “active factior” (Welsch W. Transculturality – the puzzling form of cultures today. In Featherstone M, Lash S (eds) Spaces of culture: city, nation, world. Sage, London, pp 194–213, 1999, 2003) that is inclusive and the opposite of exclusive, homogene and fixed.) organizational contexts require particular systemic and transcultural perspectives to adequately address the challenges of individuals, teams and the organizations within their local and global contexts. Yet these systemic and transcultural approaches have hardly been explored in coaching transcultural organizations. The aim of this chapter is to show that systemic thinking and transcultural approaches in coaching psychology can provide a sound theoretical base and practical intervention method for psychological coaching within globalized and transcultural organizational contexts. A new coaching framework is introduced that is based on three phases: the input, the process and the output. Within these phases systemic and transcultural approaches and aspects are discussed, the profile of a coach is presented, and practices and interventions are explored. Recommendations are made for theory and practice.