Conflict resolution and reconciliation within congregations

‘Being church’ in today’s world is frought with challenges to traditional practice and contemporaneous opportunities. These challenges, differences, dilemmas and paradoxes, when not handled effectively, have the propensity to escalate into and along a conflict continuum. Conflict can arise at any time within a congregation and needs to be understood and handled theologically. This article addresses some areas within congregations that attract or incubate conflict and provides an overview of related theory of conflict. The research explores current perceptions, understandings and behavioural responses to conflict, personal and corporate experiences and observed outcomes of conflict within congregations. The exploratory study reveals certain disconnects between individual and corporate practice. Congregations in general are biased towards conflict avoidance, peacekeeping and reconciliatory measures – frequently at the expense of long-term resolution. Attaining both resolution and reconciliation appears to be a luxury and not the natural outcome one may expect within Christian fellowship. The perception, understanding and views of most congregants are not aligned to good theological principles and practice. The resultant behaviour mostly observed within congregations does not lead to reconciliation and to a lesser extent resolution. Despite the seemingly high presence of conflict within congregations, no specified education on the understanding, appreciation and handling of conflict in commonly used discipleship resources or dedicated programme was found. The article concludes with a view towards a future praxis of discipleship and leadership, which incorporates the theological understanding and handling of conflict. Broader means of assisting congregations in or post conflict to recovery are also presented

Conflict resolution and reconciliation within congregations

‘Being church’ in today’s world is frought with challenges to traditional practice and contemporaneous opportunities. These challenges, differences, dilemmas and paradoxes, when not handled effectively, have the propensity to escalate into and along a conflict continuum. Conflict can arise at any time within a congregation and needs to be understood and handled theologically. This article addresses some areas within congregations that attract or incubate conflict and provides an overview of related theory of conflict. The research explores current perceptions, understandings and behavioural responses to conflict, personal and corporate experiences and observed outcomes of conflict within congregations. The exploratory study reveals certain disconnects between individual and corporate practice. Congregations in general are biased towards conflict avoidance, peacekeeping and reconciliatory measures – frequently at the expense of long-term resolution. Attaining both resolution and reconciliation appears to be a luxury and not the natural outcome one may expect within Christian fellowship. The perception, understanding and views of most congregants are not aligned to good theological principles and practice. The resultant behaviour mostly observed within congregations does not lead to reconciliation and to a lesser extent resolution. Despite the seemingly high presence of conflict within congregations, no specified education on the understanding, appreciation and handling of conflict in commonly used discipleship resources or dedicated programme was found. The article concludes with a view towards a future praxis of discipleship and leadership, which incorporates the theological understanding and handling of conflict. Broader means of assisting congregations in or post conflict to recovery are also presented

The validity of arterial measurements in a South African embalmed body population

INTRODUCTION : Knowledge of the normal arterial diameter at a given anatomical point is the first step toward quantifying the severity of cardiovascular diseases. According to several studies, parameters such as weight, height, age and sex can explain morphometric variations in arterial anatomy that are observed in a population. Before the development of a reference database against which to compare the diameters of arteries in a variety of pathological conditions, the compatibility between embalmed body measurements and computed tomography (CT) measurements must first be established. PURPOSE : The aim of this study was to compare embalmed body measurements and CT measurements at 19 different arterial sites to establish whether embalmed body measurements are a true reflection of a living population. METHODS : A total of 154 embalmed bodies were randomly selected from the Department of Anatomy at the University of Pretoria and 36 embalmed bodies were randomly selected from the Department of Human Anatomy at the University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus. Dissections were performed on the embalmed body sample and the arterial dimensions were measured with a mechanical dial-sliding caliper (accuracy of 0.01 mm). 30 CT images for each of the 19 arterial sites were retrospectively selected from the database of radiographic images at the Department of Radiology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Radiant, a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) viewer was used to analyze the CT images. RESULTS : The only statistically significant differences between the embalmed body measurements and CT measurements were found in the left common carotid- and the left subclavian arteries. The null hypothesis of no statistically significant difference between the embalmed body and CT measurements was accepted since the P value indicated no significant difference for 87% of the measurements, the exception being the left common carotid- and the left subclavian arteries. CONCLUSIONS : With the exception of two measurements, measurements in embalmed bodies and living people are interchangeable and concerns regarding the effect of distortion and shrinkage are unfounded. Even small changes in arterial diameter greatly influence blood flow and blood pressure, which contribute to undesirable clinical outcomes such as aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. This study completes the first step towards the development of a reference database against which to compare the diameters of arteries in a variety of pathological conditions in a South African population.The South African National Research Foundation and the University of Pretoria Research Development Program.https://link.springer.com/journal/2762019-01-01hj2018AnatomyPhysiologyRadiologyStatistic

The perceived value of mobile devices to passengers across the airline travel activity chain

This paper investigates the determinants of air travellers ‘readiness’ to interface with airlines via mobile devices. A multi-dimensional measure is used based on factors influencing consumer adoption and use of mobile devices as well as perceptions of value across the air travel activity chain. The findings indicate that consumers’ mobile readiness is directly related to their perception of the value of receiving information or making bookings on their mobile devices, but that certain predictors such as the purpose and frequency of travel and certain demographic characteristics are significant

Generation Z undergraduate social work students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward older persons : implications for professional training

Appropriate gerontological social work services are, amongst others, dependent on social workers’ knowledge of and attitudes toward older persons. The current cohort of students, known as Generation Z, are global citizens. This study determined and described South African undergraduate social work students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward older persons. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken with B Social Work students (N = 395) at two universities. Data collection included the three scales of Palmore’s First Facts of Aging Quiz in multiple-choice format (1996) and four scales of Fraboni’s Scale of Agism (1990). Age and five categorical factors were considered to determine their simultaneous impact on each of the seven scales/subscales of the two instruments by performing multi-way ANOVA models. An unexpected finding was that the factor ‘completed a course in gerontology’ did not have any impact on any scale. Year level of study, area of childhood residence and consideration to work exclusively with older persons after graduation simultaneously impacted respondents’ ‘overall attitude’ toward older persons. Two factors (i.e., year level of study and area of childhood residence) mutually impacted respondents’ ‘overall knowledge’ of aging. Recommendations for the training of Generation Z students are offered concerning course content and pedagogical interventions.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wger202021-01-21hj2020Social Work and CriminologyStatistic

Conflict resolution and reconciliation within congregations

‘Being church’ in today’s world is frought with challenges to traditional practice and contemporaneous opportunities. These challenges, differences, dilemmas and paradoxes, when not handled effectively, have the propensity to escalate into and along a conflict continuum. Conflict can arise at any time within a congregation and needs to be understood and handled theologically. This article addresses some areas within congregations that attract or incubate conflict and provides an overview of related theory of conflict. The research explores current perceptions, understandings and behavioural responses to conflict, personal and corporate experiences and observed outcomes of conflict within congregations. The exploratory study reveals certain disconnects between individual and corporate practice. Congregations in general are biased towards conflict avoidance, peacekeeping and reconciliatory measures – frequently at the expense of long-term resolution. Attaining both resolution and reconciliation appears to be a luxury and not the natural outcome one may expect within Christian fellowship. The perception, understanding and views of most congregants are not aligned to good theological principles and practice. The resultant behaviour mostly observed within congregations does not lead to reconciliation and to a lesser extent resolution. Despite the seemingly high presence of conflict within congregations, no specified education on the understanding, appreciation and handling of conflict in commonly used discipleship resources or dedicated programme was found. The article concludes with a view towards a future praxis of discipleship and leadership, which incorporates the theological understanding and handling of conflict. Broader means of assisting congregations in or post conflict to recovery are also presented.This research is part of the research project, ‘Congregational Studies’ directed by Prof. Malan Nel, Department Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria.http://www.hts.org.zaam2019Practical TheologyStatistic

Predictors of pediatric cochlear implantation outcomes in South Africa

OBJECTIVE : To identify and describe predictors of pediatric cochlear implantation outcomes in a South African population. METHODS : A retrospective study of 301 pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients from five CI programs was conducted and cross-sectional outcome data were added at the time of data collection. Twenty potential prognostic factors were identified from the retrospective dataset, including demographical, CI, risk and family factors. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictor variables that influence outcomes in terms of auditory performance (CAP scores), speech production (SIR scores), communication mode and educational placement. RESULTS : Although implanted children within this sample did not have equal opportunity to access a second implant, bilateral implantation was strongly predictive of better auditory performance and speech production scores, an oral mode of communication and mainstream education. NICU admittance/ prematurity were associated with poorer auditory performance and speech production scores, together with a higher probability for non-oral communication and non-mainstream education. The presence of one or more additional developmental condition was predictive of poorer outcomes in terms of speech production and educational placement, while a delay between diagnosis and implantation of more than one year was also related to non-mainstream education. Ethnicities other than Caucasian were predictive of poorer auditory performance scores and a lower probability for mainstream education. CONCLUSION : An extensive range of prognostic indicators were identified for pediatric CI outcomes in South Africa. These predictive factors of better and poorer outcomes should guide pediatric CI services to promote optimal outcomes and assist professionals in providing evidence-based informational counseling.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijporl2017-05-31hb2016Speech-Language Pathology and AudiologyOtorhinolaryngologyStatistic

Predictors of health-related quality of life in adult cochlear implant recipients in South Africa

<p><i>Objective:</i> To identify and describe predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes for adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients in South Africa. <i>Design:</i> A retrospective study of adult CI recipients was conducted and cross-sectional HRQoL outcome data were added at the time of data collection, using the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ). Twenty-two potential predictive factors were identified from the retrospective dataset, including demographic, hearing loss, CI and risk-related factors. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictor variables that influence HRQoL outcomes. <i>Study sample:</i> The study sample included 100 adult CI recipients from four CI programs, implanted for at least 12 months. <i>Results:</i> History of no tinnitus prior to CI, bilateral implantation and mainstream schooling were strongly predictive of better overall HRQoL outcomes. Factors such as age, age at implant, gender, onset of hearing loss, duration of CI use and presence of risk factors did not predict HRQoL scores. <i>Conclusion:</i> A range of significant prognostic indicators were identified for HRQoL outcomes in adult CI recipients. These predictors of HRQoL outcomes can guide intervention services’ informational counselling.</p