OCCUPATIONAL STRESS IN THE NAMIBIAN POLICE FORCE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY FROM A PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE A RESEARCH THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF THEOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA BY MICHAEL LINEEKELA LINOVENE KANGUNGA STUDENT NO: 200341413 MARCH 2016 MAIN SUPERVISOR: PROF. PAUL JOHN ISAAK CO-SUPERVISOR: PROF. JANNIE HUNTER CO-SUPERVISOR: DR. ARMAS SHIKONGO TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages Abstract..........................................................................................................................................vi Acknowledgements......................................................................................................................vii Dedication....................................................................................................................................viii Declarations....................................................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Orientation of the study.......................................................................................... 1 1.3 Statement of the problem....................................................................................... 3 1.4 Purpose of the study............................................................................................... 5 1.5 Research Objectives............................................................................................... 5 1.6 Significance of the study........................................................................................ 6 1.7 Theoretical Framework………………………………………………………….. 6 1.8 Definitions of the key variables……..................................................................... 6 1.8.1 The Namibian Police Force……..………………………………………………. 6 1.8.2 Occupational Stress……………………………………………………………… 7 1.8.3 Spiritual counselling……………………………………………………………... 7 1.8.4 Chaplaincy services……………………………………………………………… 7 1.9 How this research is structured.............................................................................. 8 i CC CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 9 2.2 Definition of the term Stress.................................................................................. 9 2.3 The Bible and Stress............................................................................................... 11 2.4 Stress and Illness.................................................................................................... 12 2.4.1 Stress and the Endocrine System........................................................................... 12 2.4.2 Stress and the Immune System............................................................................... 13 2.4.3 War Related Trauma.............................................................................................. 14 2.4.4 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder................................................................................ 15 2.5 Psychological Factors……………........................................................................ 16 2.6 Stress Management................................................................................................ 16 2.6.1 Spiritual Perspectives............................................................................................. 16 2.6.1.1 Social Support Groups........................................................................................... 17 2.6.1.2 Professional Counsellors........................................................................................ 19 2.6.1.3 Out-Reach Programs.............................................................................................. 20 2.6.1.4 Learning to Handle Anger and Guilt...................................................................... 21 2.6.2 Psychological Perspectives.................................................................................... 22 2.6.2.1 Physiological Resources......................................................................................... 22 2.6.2.2 Behavioural Resources........................................................................................... 24 2.6.2.3 Cognitive Resources............................................................................................... 25 2.6.2.4 Expressing Emotion Resources.............................................................................. 25 2.7 Summary................................................................................................................ 26 ii CHAPTER 3: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 27 3.2 The Etymology of the word “Chaplain”................................................................ 27 3.3 The Establishment of Chaplaincy in the Namibian Police Force........................... 28 3.4 The Motivational Factors....................................................................................... 28 3.5 The Functions of Chaplains.................................................................................... 29 3.5.1 Combined Services................................................................................................. 30 3.5.2 Coming together of Namibian Police Force Members........................................... 30 3.5.3 Ministry of Prayers and Personal Contact.............................................................. 30 3.5.4 Morals and Morale of Members............................................................................. 31 3.5.5 Pastoral Care to the Sick........................................................................................ 31 3.5.6 Memorial and Funeral Services............................................................................. 31 3.5.7 Pastoral Work......................................................................................................... 31 3.5.8 Practical Mandate................................................................................................... 32 3.6 Christian Counselling and Secular Psychologies................................................... 34 3.6.1 Behaviourism......................................................................................................... 34 3.6.2 Psychoanalysis....................................................................................................... 34 3.6.3 Personalism............................................................................................................ 35 a) Humanistic Psychology.............................................................................. 35 b) Existential Psychology............................................................................... 35 c) Transpersonalism....................................................................................... 35 3.7 What makes Christian Counselling Unique?......................................................... 36 3.7.1 Unique Assumptions.............................................................................................. 36 3.7.2 Unique Goals.......................................................................................................... 36 3.7.3 Unique Methods..................................................................................................... 37 iii 3.7.4 Unique Counsel Characteristics............................................................................. 38 3.8 Christian Hope....................................................................................................... 38 3.9 Can Psychology help?............................................................................................ 40 3.10 Summary................................................................................................................ 41 CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY 4.1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 42 4.2 Research Design..................................................................................................... 42 4.3 Population of the Study: Sample and Sampling..................................................... 42 4.4 Ethical Considerations…...………………………………………………………. 43 4.4.1 Credibility………………………………………………………………………... 43 4.4.2 Transferability…………………………………………………………………… 44 4.4.3 Confirmability………………………………………………………………….. 45 4.5 Data Collection…………………………………………………………………... 45 4.5.1 Interview guide…………………………………………………………………... 45 4.5.2 Preparations for interviews..................................................................................... 46 4.5.3 Conducting the In-Depth Interview……………………………………………... 46 4.5.4 The Role of the Research……………………………………………………….. 47 4.5.5 Communication Techniques……………………………………………………... 47 4.6 Data Analysis......................................................................................................... 49 4.6.1 Data Management and Reduction……………………………………………….. 49 4.6.2 Immersion in the Data……………………………………………………………. 49 4.6.3 Data Reduction…………………………………………………………………… 50 4.6.4 Developing the Themes and Categories…………………………………………. 50 iv 4.7 Research Ethics.....................................................................................................