28th International Congress of Psychology August 8 ... - U-netSURF

(N = 600) of support staff members of higher education institution in South Africa was taken.
Structural equation modelling analysis confirmed the ASSET model. Acceptable internal
consistency was found for the subscales of the ASSET.
2059.4 Stress and burnout of academic staff in higher education institution in South Africa, S.
Rothmann, N. Barkhuizen, M. Wissing, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
This study investigated the relationships between burnout, health, job characteristics and
dispositional optimism in a higher education institution in South Africa. The Maslach Burnout
Inventory, The Life Orientation Test, Job Characteristics Scale and the ASSET were used as
measuring instruments. The results showed that overload was associated with high exhaustion and
low professional efficacy. Job resources were negatively related to exhaustion and cynicism, and
positively related to professional efficacy. Exhaustion and low professional efficacy were related
to health problems. Optimism moderated the effects of a lack of resources on exhaustion and the
effects of job resources on professional efficacy.
2059.5 Work engagement academic staff in higher education institutions, N. Barkhuizen, S.
Rothmann, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
The objective of this study was to validate the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for staff members
of higher education institutions in South Africa, and to determine the relationships between work
engagement, job characteristics and dispositional optimism in higher education institutions. The
study population (N = 1500) consisted of academic and non-academic staff working in higher
education institutions in South Africa. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, The Life Orientation
Test Revised, and the Job Characteristics Scale were used as measuring instruments. The results
confirmed a three factors structure of work engagement consisting of vigor, dedication and
absorption, Job resources were positively related to work engagement. Optimism moderated the
effects of job resources on work engagement.
2060 INVITED SYMPOSIUM
The contemporary meanings of coping with stress
Convener and Chair: I. Heszen-Niejodek, Poland
Co-convener: J. Strelau, Poland
2060.1 Sensitivity to resource loss: A lifespan perspective, S. Hobfoll, Kent State University,
Kent, OH, USA
According to Conservation of Resources (COR), people are particularly sensitive to loss of
resources. Sensitivity to loss is both biologically imprinted and then also learned through personal
and cultural experience. This process is so automatic as to result in responding that is below the
level of awareness. On a personal level, early traumatic experience seems to have a dual effect. It
sensitizes trauma survivors to a particular set of loss cues and also results in depletion of the very
resources they need to combat new stress challenges that occur.
2060.2 Individual differences approach to coping: Theory and data, J. Strelau, Warsaw School
of Social Psychology, Warszawa, Poland
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