Pilot Mudhovozi’s research while affiliated with Great Zimbabwe University and other places

The study sought to examine the relationship between optimism and general health amongst unemployed graduates in Zimbabwe. Most of the studies on unemployment have focused on job loss but this study is based on failure to get employment after graduating with a university degree in a resource-constrained environment. One hundred and twelve (112) graduates were selected using non-probability sampling methods. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilised to analyse data. Age and period after graduation were found to be negatively related to both general health and optimism amongst the unemployed graduates. Overall optimism and general health were found to be inversely related. The study calls for the need for psychological interventions for unemployed graduates in Zimbabwe.

The current study sought to identify the social agents that influenced Black African students in choosing a career-related field. An ex post facto study was used to conduct the study. Participants were a random sample of 200 students drawn from a rural-based university in South Africa (gender: male = 98, female =101; mean age = 22.31 years; ethnicity = Black African). Data was collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings suggest that several social agents influenced students to choose psychology as a career field. They relied mostly on social agents who had limited career information.

Globally, there has been a realisation that patient health issues are best understood in relation to biological, spiritual, psychological, and social factors rather than viewing illness in purely biological terms. The current study investigated the medical health practitioners’ views on collaboration with psychologists. A descriptive study was conducted. Stratified random sampling was employed to select practitioners from the different areas of specialisation. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The study produced mixed feelings. Although the participants felt that psychologists could be core members of the integrated health team, they however indicated that health institutions did not need psychologists, their patients did not require psychological intervention and they did not refer patients to psychologists. The study recommends that opportunities for collaboration between medical health practitioners and psychologists be explored and implemented at both informal and formal levels for the benefit of the patients.

This study investigated the role of the social environment in the onset of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). A case study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three informants (maternal grandmother, aunt, class teacher) in conjunction with the perusal of educational progress reports. The child presented with symptoms that fit the criteria for ODD. Her oppositional defiance is attributable to environmental factors. Inconsistent parenting was a factor as Tino grew up with a presumably more tolerant maternal grandmother before moving to stay with her strict aunt and teacher where she started to behave in an inappropriate manner. The study recommends further study with a big sample to obtain generalisable findings.

This instrumental case study analysed gender-stereotyping of occupations in a pre-school book. The pictures sample (n=37) were from a book for the age group 5 to 7 years that was selected for its widespread use by a department of education. The pictures were analysed for several aspects of gender stereotyping, including occupational variations of the pictures and gender representation in each occupation. Data were analysed thematically. The picture book presented with males as active and directing events mostly outdoors. Females were portrayed performing mainly child and family care responsibilities.

Bullying is widespread and perhaps the most underreported safety problem in public schools. It occurs more often at school than on the way to and from there. As schools continue to address the problem of bullying and its consequences, an understanding of the perpetrators of bullying and their victims is important for creating successful prevention and intervention strategies. The present paper sought to understand bullies and victims from the perspective of teachers at a public school. An exploratory design was employed. Eight participants were purposefully sampled for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. It emerged from the study that bullying was prevalent at the public secondary school. There are diverse factors associated with both bullies and victims. There is need for early identification of learners who are likely to engage in bullying as well as those likely to be victimised by their peers.

Traditionally, both men and women were known to choose careers that suit their family traditional obligations. Therefore, choosing a career is a crucial decision that needs to be made from an informed position. An ex-post facto research design was employed to examine gender differences in the altruistic motives of psychology students. Stratified random sampling method was used to select 368 participants. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Mann Whitney U test. Overall, the participants’ lifestyle motives for career choice were moderate. Only one construct (my career will suit my lifestyle) had a high mean score of 4.11.Gender differences in lifestyle inclinations of the students were not statistically significant. Future research needs to target a larger cross-geographic sample to increase the generalisability of the findings.

This study sought to explore the influence of distant parenting on the cognitive and emotional development of adolescents at a secondary school in the Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe. A sample of twenty Form 2 adolescents took part in the study. A quasi-experimental research design was used to minimize threats of external validity. Data were collected using the Burns Anxiety Inventory. Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics and the paired samples t-test. The study found that the presence of parents had a significant impact on the psychological wellbeing of adolescents. It was also established that the absence of parents increased the stress levels of adolescents on the Burns Anxiety Inventory. The study recommends that parents should try as much as possible to stay with their adolescents as the value of the family unit has no substitute.

The number of people enrolling for psychology degree programmes is growing, yet men continue to be outnumbered by women. At school, boys and girls take the same subjects in similar numbers. After completing high school education, many boys and girls go to universities to pursue degree programmes of their choice. However, fewer men than women pursue psychology as a career field. The exploratory study sought to investigate the underrepresentation of men in psychology at a Historically Black University. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study revealed that gender-stereotypes influence male students to shun psychology. The findings of the study would help the University and Heads of Psychology Department to understand the underrepresentation of men in their psychology degree programmes.

The present study explored university students’ perceptions of cigarette smoking. A sample of 60 participants who were attending a leadership training course for student leaders was selected. A 16 – item questionnaire was administered to the participants to gather their opinions on cigarette smoking. The study found that there was a high prevalence of cigarette smoking among the students. The onset of smoking was high at high school with a comparable proportion at university level. The main agents of influences were peers, television and radio. There was a high level of awareness of the effects of cigarette smoking, although, perceived benefits were cited as self-justification for smoking. Most of the participants expressed willingness to quit smoking and suggested the use of lectures and graphic images as effective strategies for anti-smoking campaigns. The study recommended further research to explore gender differentiation on smoking.