Conclusions in Terms of the Specific Theoretical Aims of the Research

The conclusions in terms of the theoretical analysis of Salutogenic constructs and interpersonal styles will be discussed in the next section.

6.1.1.1 First Aim: Conceptualisation of Salutogenic Constructs

The first specific aim of the study was to conceptualise selected Salutogenic constructs, namely Sense of Coherence, Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy, and to indicate how individuals with certain Salutogenic dispositions theoretically tend to cope better with work and life stresses. This aim was achieved in Chapter 2.

In order to fulfil this aim, each of the three selected Salutogenic constructs (Sense of Coherence, Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy) selected for the purpose of this study were discussed in turn and evaluated in terms of the literature. The following conclusions can be made:

Salutogenic thinking is a break from the medical model, which focuses on what is wrong with people and the pursuit of fixing what is wrong, and a move towards what is right with human functioning and how people cope in specific situations. This is particularly relevant to the field of Industrial and Organisational Psychology which focuses on people in an organisational context and the optimisation of individual and organisational performance and development within that context.

The following conclusions were made with regard to each of the Salutogenic constructs which were chosen for this study:

Sense of Coherence is a strong contributor to any individual‟s ability to cope with stress, avoid burnout and function more effectively. It manifests in a feeling of enduring confidence that stimuli deriving from an individual‟s internal and external environment in the course of living are structured, predictable and explicable (comprehensibility), the necessary resources are available to meet the demands of the environmental stimuli (manageability) and that the stimuli present demands and challenges worthy of investment and engagement (meaningfulness).

An internal Locus of Control and a greater sense of autonomy (which are related concepts) are associated with the ability of an individual to cope better with life stressors and reach their goals despite setbacks and obstacles, while external Locus of Control is associated with behaviour and events being attributed to chance or luck which negatively impacts on individual performance and personal success.

Higher levels of Self-Efficacy contribute to individuals coping better with demanding and challenging situations, having more confidence and higher levels of perseverance when faced with challenges.

From the literature, the conclusion can be made that the three chosen Salutogenic constructs are recognised as related constructs which make a contribution to an individual‟s general wellbeing, mental health and ability to cope with stress. This conclusion is in agreement with that expressed by Jackson and Rothmann (2001), and has been adopted as a premise for this study.

6.1.1.2 Second Aim: Conceptualisation of Interpersonal Psychology

The second aim, which was to conceptualise the construct of Interpersonal Style, using Kiesler‟s 1982 Interpersonal Circumplex as a foundation, was achieved in Chapter 3.

It was concluded that Interpersonal Psychology in general and the Interpersonal Circumplex of Kiesler (1982) is characterised by a strong bias towards psychopathology; therefore, a study looking at the Interpersonal Circumplex and its relation to wellness constructs was both justified and needed.

It was concluded that Kiesler‟s 1982 Interpersonal Circumplex is a useful and powerful model for conceptualising, organising, assessing and describing interpersonal behaviour preferences and interactions.

It was concluded, for the sake of this study, that the octant version of the Circumplex was most useful for doing research as it provides more defined classifications for the adjacent categories than the original 16 categories, where distinctions become more subtle and difficult to make. Further to this, it was concluded that the octant version shows more stability across situations. The octant version of the interpersonal circumplex was therefore adopted.

Several conclusions were reached regarding the dynamics of interpersonal relationships with regard to Kiesler‟s 1982 Interpersonal Circumplex. These include:

Interpersonal behaviour can be learned and reinforced over time. As such, individuals are essentially responsible for their own interpersonal relationships which are controlled by the way they treat others and respond in turn.

Interpersonal behaviour is based primarily on two dimensions (dominance-submission and hostility-affect) within the circumplex framework.

Interpersonal Styles are developed out of a need to reduce personal and social anxiety.

Interpersonal behaviour is made up of an “evoking” message and an “impact”

message, where behaviour is intended to evoke specific responses from others and where behaviours impact upon the receiver of the “impact”

message so as to elicit a desired response.

Complementary responses confirm, reinforce or validate an individual‟s self presentation.

Acomplementary or Anticomplementary responses do not confirm, reinforce or validate an individual's self presentation but force a change in behaviour, or create an unsustainable relationship.

It was also concluded that despite some valid criticisms of Kiesler‟s (1982) Interpersonal Circumplex, outlined in Section 3.5, it remained nonetheless a powerful tool for assessing interpersonal behaviour.

6.1.1.3 Third Aim: Theoretical Relationship between Salutogenic Constructs and Interpersonal Style

The third aim was to theoretically describe the relationship between Interpersonal Style and Sense of Coherence, Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy.

This aim was dealt with in Chapter 3, the overriding conclusion being that significant research with regard to the relationship between Salutogenic constructs and Interpersonal Style has not been conducted in the past.

It was however concluded that the literature does acknowledge theoretically that some of the interpersonal styles in the repertoire are more healthful and functional than others. For example, it is acknowledged in the literature that psychologically healthy individuals affect others with specific behaviours which elicit appropriate responses, while maladjusted individuals affect others by applying inflexible and

strong interpersonal pressures (Hafenscheid, 2005). Further to this, the literature points to many discussions regarding how specific Interpersonal Styles utilised by a psychologist in therapy impact positively on the wellness of the client (Lillie, 2007), which implies a link between the Interpersonal Circumplex and wellness. Research conducted by Lock and Sadler (2007) looked at and confirmed the impact of Self-Efficacy on Interpersonal interactions.

The conclusion was drawn that the field of Industrial and Organisational Psychology has a primarily Salutogenic disposition, seeking to move people from normal to superior levels of functioning and therefore warranted a more Salutogenic approach.

Given the prevalence of studies which have acknowledged a link between psychopathology and interpersonal style, it was further concluded that there is place for a more Salutogenic approach to Interpersonal Styles, which emphasises the link between psychological wellness and Interpersonal styles.

Based on the literature, it is further concluded that specific Interpersonal Styles are more healthful and relevant in a working environment and particularly that there is a specific repertoire of styles which are more useful for leadership and management, as is pointed out by Koortzen and Mauer (2005). These styles fall predominantly in the Dominant-Friendly quadrant of the Interpersonal Circumplex, but also include, to some degree, competitiveness, which is a Dominant-Hostile trait, as well as warmth and trust which are found in the Friendly-Submissive quadrant of Kiesler‟s 1982 Interpersonal Circumplex.

The conclusion was drawn that if good management and leadership behaviour are associated with Interpersonal Styles described in the Dominant-Friendly quadrant of Kiesler‟s 1982 Interpersonal Circumplex, as asserted by Koortzen and Mauer (2005), and Psychopathologies are associated with the Dominant-Friendly quadrant, as attested by Anderson (2001) and Kiesler (1996a), then the Dominant-Friendly quadrant could be linked to specific Salutogenic constructs, which indicate and promote wellness. This conclusion formed the foundation of the study.