<strong>Orientation:</strong> The work of industrial/organisational (I/O) psychologists presents an interesting and relevant context for studying meaning and engagement as components of happiness.<p><strong>Research purpose:</strong> The aim of this study was to determine how I/O psychologists experience the meaning of their work and to investigate the relationships between their experiences of work-role fit, meaning of work, psychological meaningfulness and work engagement, utilising the happiness framework proposed by Seligman (2002).</p><p><strong>Motivation for the study:</strong> I/O psychologists spend more than 88% of their working day with people, and they are primary role models for happiness in the workplace. Information about their work engagement and experiences of meaning is therefore needed.</p><p><strong>Research design, approach and method:</strong> A survey design was used. A convenience sample (n = 106) was taken of I/O psychologists in South Africa. A biographical questionnaire, the Work-Role Fit Scale, the Work-Life Questionnaire, the Psychological Meaningfulness Scale, the Work Engagement Scale and a survey measuring the actual and desired time spent on six broad categories of work were administered.</p><p><strong>Main findings:</strong> Work-role fit predicted psychological meaningfulness and work engagement. The calling orientation to work predicted both psychological meaningfulness and work engagement. Work-role fit mediated the relationship between the meaning of work and psychological meaningfulness. Work-role fit partially mediated the relationship between a calling orientation to work and work engagement.</p><p><strong>Practical implications:</strong> A calling orientation to work should be fostered in I/O psychologists because it contributes to experiences of work-role fit, psychological meaningfulness and work engagement.</p><p><strong>Contribution/value-add:</strong> The results of this study contribute to scientific knowledge about work-role fit, engagement and meaning as components of happiness of I/O psychologists.</p><p><strong>How to cite this article:</strong><br /> Van Zyl, L.E., Deacon, E., & Rothmann, S. Towards happiness: Experiences of work-role fit, meaningfulness and work engagement of industrial/organisational psychologists in South Africa. <em>SA Journal of Industrial Psychology/SA Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde</em>, <em>36</em>(1), Art. #890, 10 pages. DOI: 10.4102/sajip.v36i1.890</p>

Orientation: Worldwide transformation and change in education has placed increased demands on teachers, which has resulted in teachers experiencing a potentially negative work attitude.Research purpose: The aim of this article was to expand the understanding of the relationship between a sense of calling, work attitude and meaningful work. Motivation for the study:The international community has rated the quality of education in South Africa as being substandard. Therefore, work attitudes and the impact of meaningful work in the current educational system was investigated.Research approach, design and method: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was used with a representative sample of teachers in South Africa (N = 270). Data were gathered by means of questionnaires and analysed through structural equation modelling.Main findings: A significant positive relationship was found between a sense of calling and work attitude. Meaningful work was found to mediate the relationship between a sense of calling and positive work attitude. Practical/managerial implications:Retention of teachers displaying a positive work attitude as well as those finding meaning in their work is paramount. Communication pertaining to the broader mission and common goals of the Department of Education should transpire. Support and training should be provided and teachers should be allowed autonomy in a school atmosphere that is pleasant and disciplined.Contribution/value-add: Sufficient support to enhance meaningful work may contribute to the delivery of quality education.

In this study, to explore the illness perceptions of adolescents with well-controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus in South Africa, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine, purposively selected adolescents (mean = 13.9 years; median = 12). Themes that emerged from the thematic analysis include the following: accepting diabetes and the diabetes care plan as part of their lives; viewing diabetes as manageable and as their responsibility; and the important role of gaining information on diabetes and diabetes management. These perceptions contributed to adherence to diabetes care plans and should be explored and developed among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus to improve their diabetes management.

Background: The impact of a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle on cardiovascular health is well-documented, however the current obesity and hypertension trends among children is concerning. The ExAMIN Youth SA study aims to investigate the impact of lifestyle behaviors (physical fitness/activity, dietary intake and psychosocial factors) involved in early vascular aging among South African children.Methods: This study is an analytical, multidisciplinary, observational cohort study in a school-based setting. We aim to phenotype a cohort of ∼1,000 primary school children (black and white boys and girls between ages 5-9 years) based on current clinical childhood conditions including hypertension and obesity. The primary phenotype is large artery stiffness and retinal microvascular diameters, both biomarkers of early vascular aging. The risk factors and mediators of early vascular aging and also responsible for the clinical conditions include physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and life stress. Additionally, urinalysis and salivary analyses will be performed to identify biomarkers related to the pathophysiology of early vascular aging. Discussion: In line with the growing prevalence of obesity and hypertension responsible for the development of early vascular aging from childhood to adulthood, this study will address the critical areas in which we observe unfavorable arterial modulation related to dietary behaviors, physical inactivity, and early life stress. Implementation of novel biological markers may further contribute to our understanding of early cardiovascular adaptations in childhood, and aid in the development of primary prevention programs. Trial registration:The study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 15 August 2019 (NCT04056377).