| Summary: | This study explored the effect of the Lifeplan® programme, an Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary
Health Research (AUTHeR) initiative, on the psychological well–being of the rural community
of Taung, in the North West Province of South Africa. A mixed method sequential explanatory
research design was followed where quantitative data were obtained in a pre– and post–evaluation
phase. Participants were adult individuals (N=99) between the ages of 20 and 83 years, with a
mean age of 43 years, living within six rural towns in the Taung community. Participants were
randomly divided into an experimental group (n=47) and a control group (n=52). Four
standardised scales, the General Psychological Well–being Scale (GPWS) (Khumalo, Temane, &
Wissing, 2010), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ–9) (Kroenke, & Spitzer, 2002), the
Coping Self–Efficacy Scale (CSE) (Chesney, Neilands, Chambers, Taylor, & Folkman, 2006),
and the Mental Health Continuum - Short Form (MHC–SF) (Keyes, 2006; Keyes, Wissing,
Potgieter, Temane, Kruger, & van Rooy, 2008), validated for use in a Setswana–speaking group,
were administered to measure psychological well–being. Qualitative data were obtained through
conducting semi–structured interviews with a simple random sample of 30 participants three
months after presentation of the programme. The quantitative findings reflected a small increase in the general psychological and emotional well–being of the experimental group. Between–group
comparisons showed small practical significant differences (d=0.19 - 0.40) in the experimental
group on most of the measuring instruments. Qualitative results suggest that the participants in
this study experienced the Lifeplan® programme as educational, and contributing positively
towards their general well–being. Participants felt that they have become more attentive to their
health needs especially through exercise, a healthier diet and better attendance to overall
hygiene. Suggestions for further research and possible programme interventions include a
follow–up study to evaluate the sustainability of skills obtained and changes made as a result of
the Lifeplan® programme. === Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
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