Personal growth initiative among Industrial Psychology students in a higher education institution in South Africa

Angelique De Jager-Van Straaten,Jan Alewyn Nel,Carin Hill,Lené Jorgensen

doi:10.4102/sajip.v42i1.1283

Angelique De Jager-Van Straaten, Jan Alewyn Nel + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v42i1.1283

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Abstract

Orientation: Personal growth initiative (PGI) is an important characteristic of workplace counsellors. Industrial and organisational (I-O) psychologists often assist employees with counselling for work-related and personal problems, and therefore PGI is an important research topic for this profession.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the PGI of I-O psychology students in a higher education institution in South Africa, as well as to explore differences in PGI between demographic groups.Motivation: According to the scope of practice for psychologists, growth and development of employees form part of an I-O psychologist’s responsibilities. PGI is an important characteristic of I-O psychologists as it enables them to efficiently assist employees in growth and development processes.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A purposive non-probability sample (N = 568) of I-O psychology students was taken from a higher education institution in South Africa. A biographical questionnaire and the personal growth initiative scale (PGIS) were used as measuring instruments.Main findings: The results indicated that (1) the PGIS is a valid and reliable measure of PGI, (2) PGI is prevalent amongst I-O psychology students and (3) PGI differs between certain demographic groups.Practical implications: The findings of this study will assist in the future development of a training programme for I-O psychology students to equip them with the counselling skills they need to function in a counselling role.Contribution: This study contributes to knowledge regarding the importance of PGI for I-O psychology students. The study will also assist higher education institutes to adapt their training programmes in order to prepare I-O psychology students for their role as counsellors. More knowledge will also be provided with regard to the functioning of the PGIS.

Highlights

Empowering employees to manage their stress and problems at work is one of the major domains of industrial and organisational (I-O) psychology practitioners
This study’s literature review highlighted the importance of being proactive in relation to personal development and suggested that I-O psychologists need to be willing to spend a considerable amount of energy seeking their own identity (Luyckx & Robitschek, 2014)
It can be concluded that the personal growth initiative scale (PGIS) is a valid instrument for measuring I-O psychology students’ Personal growth initiative (PGI)

Summary

Introduction

Empowering employees to manage their stress and problems at work is one of the major domains of industrial and organisational (I-O) psychology practitioners. The tasks of I-O psychologists as workplace counsellors relate to nurturing well-adjusted employees and enabling their optimal growth (Bergh, 2012), as well as remodelling fixed mindsets to allow individuals to become more flexible and develop growth mindsets (Veldsman, 2014). When training I-O psychology practitioners as counsellors, particular attention should be paid to the trainees’ intrapersonal awareness. Intrapersonal awareness refers to a process of personal growth and striving for functioning at an intrapersonal optimal level (Wissing & Cilliers, 1993). Stimulating intrapersonal awareness is a prerequisite for helpers working with people (Barkhuizen, Jorgensen & Brink, 2014; Cilliers, 2000; Rothmann, 1996)

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