Factors influencing career maturity in the South African National Defence Force: A diagnostic approach

Abstract

ii Declaration I declare that the entirety of the work contained herein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author hereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication hereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Carien van 't Wout 8 September 2014Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za The CM of the MSDS members was found to be moderate. MSDS members seem to have high levels of confidence in their abilities to make career decisions (self-efficacy) and they perceive themselves as being hardy and having very good life skills. Moderate and weak, positive relationships were discovered between all twenty of the factors (scales and subscales of independent variables) and CM (dependent variable); however, they were not all significant.Multiple regression analysis resulted in a set of predictor variables (factors) which were used as the focus for recommendation on how CM may be improved for MSDS in the SANDF. These factors include: self-efficacy, seeking occupational information, self-appraisal, commitment, challenge, conscientiousness and continuous improvement.Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSFirst and foremost, all glory is given to God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. With Him, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13). I never would have completed this study without His guidance, support, love and forgiveness. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will inall you do and He will show you which path to take I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the following people without whom this study would not have been possible:Prof G.A.J. van Dyk, my supervisor, I appreciate your motivation, leadership and guidance as well as the opportunity and freedom you gave me to learn and explore throughout the process of this research project. I have grown. Thank you for your patience and always being there.My husband, Anton and children (Carmen and Henk) for your patience, understanding and support. We may finally take the pause-button off our lives.My loyal and patient family and sincere friends, thank you for all your prayers and ongoing support -asking me how things were coming along and always telling me "you can do this," especially when I frequently had the "hare-in-the-headlights" look on my face. Thanks to my mother, Hetta, for all the extra help and support.Prof M. Kidd, from Stellenbosch University, for his assistance with the statistical analysis of this study.Dr H.J van Zyl for your prayers, encouragement and constantly challenging me to push myself, to believe in myself and to never give up.The Department of Industrial Psychology, Stellenbosch University, for equipping me with the necessary knowledge to produce this study.Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za v The SANDF, the organisation that allowed me the opportunity...