Original Research

Perspectives of female leaders on sense of coherence and mental health in an engineering environment

Claude-Hélène Mayer, Llewellyn E. Van Zyl
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology | Vol 39, No 2 | a1097 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v39i2.1097 | © 2013 Claude-Hélène Mayer, Llewellyn E. Van Zyl | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 22 February 2013 | Published: 14 November 2013

About the author(s)

Claude-Hélène Mayer, Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Llewellyn E. Van Zyl, Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Orientation: Positive organisational behaviour impacts strongly on various individual and work-related outcomes. Gender perspectives in this paradigm have not yet been comprehensively researched.

Research purpose: This article explores female perspectives on mental health and sense of coherence. The aim is to promote an understanding of gender-related subjective perceptions on mental health and sense of coherence from an emic perspective.

Motivation for the study: Limited research exists regarding the perceptions of positive leadership behaviour of female leaders within South African who experience unique challenges within the business environment and remain healthy at the same time.

Research design, approach and method: Data from a mixed-method research study are presented, thereby providing insights into quantitative and in-depth qualitative empirical data from 15 female leaders. The study followed a single, embedded case study approach.

Main findings: The main findings show that sense of coherence, mental health and gender awareness are connected. Female leaders with a high sense of coherence refer to gender in a positive or neutral way in a male-dominated work environment. The results emphasise individual and social health-promoting strategies in an organisation and the way personal life orientation contributes to individual (mental) health.

Practical/managerial implications: Organisations need to focus more on promoting mental health in terms of gender and gender-related positive psychology frames.

Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the literature on gender within the positive organisational behaviour paradigm, presents recommendations for future research and highlights the practical implications for organisations.


Keywords

Positive organisational behaviour; Leadership; Sense of coherence; Mental health

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Crossref Citations

1. Enhancing Sense of Coherence and Mindfulness in an Ecclesiastical, Intercultural Group Training Context
Claude-Hélène Mayer, Rian Viviers, Aden-Paul Flotman, Detlef Schneider-Stengel
Journal of Religion and Health  vol: 55  issue: 6  first page: 2023  year: 2016  
doi: 10.1007/s10943-016-0301-0