curiosity and coping with uncertainty among psychologists-in-training
Year: 2011
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Stress-related problems amongst psychologists-in-training are common and involve being confronted with the inherent uncertainty of their professional work. Research in the past has concerned itself with the dysfunctional behaviour of psychologists rather than on factors of resilience that facilitate professional growth. By adopting a positive psychology framework, the study on which this article is based sought to determine the levels of curiosity of a purposive sample of psychologists-in-training at three South African universities. It also aimed to describe how a subsample of these participants dealt with uncertainty during their professional development. A mixed exploratory descriptive design was used to collect the quantitative data by means of the Curiosity and Exploratory Inventory and the qualitative data by means of semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed using mixed-method data analysis. The quantitative results indicated that participants possessed moderate to high levels of curiosity, that they actively sought new information, and frequently searched for new opportunities to grow as persons. The qualitative results are supported by the quantitative finding that participants dealt actively with uncertainty during their professional development. Strategies employed to deal with uncertainty included reliance on clinical supervision, consultation with peers, self-enhancement, reliance on theoretical knowledge, learning from practical experience, using certain positive cognitive appraisals, and selfcare. Certain conclusions were drawn and recommendations made based on the findings of the study.
Authors: Ora Gerber, Christopher Norman Hoelson
Institution: Nelson Mandela University
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2993608817