Background: Many interventions aim to alleviate well-documented problems of malnutrition in residential care homes and improve residents’ health and wellbeing. Despite some positive findings, little is known about how and why mealtime interventions might be effective, and in particular, what effects residents’ experiences of mealtimes have on health outcomes. Aim: The aim of this project was to gain an insight into residents’ experiences of mealtimes in order to inform the development of a mealtime intervention. By addressing the issues that impact on residents’ enjoyment of meals, interventions may target improvements in the health and wellbeing of residents more effectively. Methods: This thesis is comprised of three pieces of empirical work conducted using multiple methods. In a systematic review of stakeholder perceptions of mealtimes, five databases were searched from inception to November 2015, followed by thematic analysis of extracted data. In a second study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven residents from four care homes in the South West UK. Thematic analysis was used to derive content and meaning from transcribed interviews. These studies informed the development of a staff-focussed training programme (study three) using the process of Intervention Mapping (IM) as a guide. The feasibility of this intervention was assessed using qualitative surveys and analysed using multiple methods. Fourteen staff from two care homes participated in the feasibility study, which investigated the deliverability of the training programme and the acceptability of its content. Findings: The systematic review and resident interview study revealed that the dining experience was a focal point for residents’ broader experiences of residing in a care home. Whilst meal quality and enjoyment impacted on the dining experience, the provision of care was pivotal in determining mealtime culture and resident agency within the home. This had implications for self-efficacy and social relationships, particularly in the context of transitioning from independent living to a care home community. These findings informed the development of a mealtime intervention, which was found to be deliverable and acceptable to staff. Conclusion: Mealtimes are a mainstay of life in a care home through which residents’ experiences are characterised, exemplified and magnified. Understanding how residents interact with one another, accommodating their preferences and encouraging autonomy may enhance their mealtime experiences. Evidence from the empirical work supports the development of interventions aimed at mealtime staff to improve resident self-efficacy. This thesis has established the necessary groundwork for a pilot trial and future definitive trial to assess resident (and staff) outcome measures including social (e.g., collective engagement) and psychological outcomes (e.g., wellbeing), as well as health outcomes (e.g., nutritional status).

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-27 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Psicofarmacologia (AFIP) / Objetivo: Analisar entre usuários diários de cannabis, os sinais e sintomas da Síndrome de Dependência de Substância, tendo como referência os critérios diagnósticos do DSM-IV. Métodos: Foi utilizado o referencial qualitativo de pesquisa. A amostra intencional, de usuários diários de maconha da omunidade, foi composta por “bola de neve”. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas, individuais e anônimas, com base nos critérios do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (DSM-IV). As entrevistas foram gravadas, para posterior transcrição e análise de conteúdo categorial. Resultados: Participaram deste estudo 24 pessoas (15 homens), com idades entre 18 a 49 anos. Apenas um entrevistado relatou compulsão para o uso. Os demais mencionaram planejamento do uso em suas rotinas diárias,sem identificar redução de atividades consideradas importantes. Prejuízo de memória foi citada por 17 entrevistados.Não foi relatada tolerância para a sensação de relaxamento, principal motivação para a continuidade do uso. Sintomas nos períodos de abstinência (irritação, insîonia e redução do apetite) se aproximaram mais de sentimentos de frustração e/ou dos conceitos de efeito rebote ou off-set. Apesar de apenas quatro terem preenchido diagnóstico de dependência, 16 se consideravam dependentes. Conclusões: Os critérios diagnósticos do DSM-IV podem não identificar usuários diários de cannabis como dependentes, ainda que eles se considerem. As especificidades em relação à tolerância e controle/compulsão parecem diminuir a probabilidade de preenchimento de critérios diagnósticos. / Aim: To study the DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence among daily cannabis users. Methods: A qualitative method and an intentional sample of daily cannabis users in the community were adopted in this investigation, which was conducted in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In-depth, semi-structured interviews based on the DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence were held individually. The interviews were recorded and transcribed for posterior content analyses. Results: 24 people (15 men) aged 18-49 years participated in this study. Only one participant reported compulsive use, while the others planned cannabis use through their daily routine without reducing the frequency in which engaged in important activities. Impairments on the short-term memory were reported by 17 participants. There was no report of tolerance towards the sensation of relaxation, which was claimed to be the main motivation for continued use. Symptoms during the abstinence periods (irritation, insomnia and appetite reduction) were more likely to be some frustration feeling for not being able to smoke marijuana and/or rebound or off-set effects. Despite the fact only four participants were diagnosed dependent (DSM-IV), 16 considered themselves dependent. Conclusions: The DSM-IV diagnoses criteria might not identify cannabis daily users as dependents, despite the fat that they considered themselves dependents. The specificities regarding tolerance and control/compulsion seem to reduce the probability of establishing diagnoses of dependence. / FAPESP: 06/58658-8 / FAPESP: 07/50783-0 / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Master of Science / Family Studies and Human Services / Joyce Baptist / This qualitative study explored 65 rural adolescents' perceptions of health issues and needs. Focus groups were conducted with adolescents in six rural communities in Kansas. Analysis of transcripts suggested that the adolescents’ face numerous health issues that strongly influence their behaviors and expressed need for assistance. Adolescent health issues stemmed across biological, psychological, and social factors. Major themes evolved around challenges pertaining to healthy choices in food and nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sexual health, perceptions of invincibility, and poor role-modeling. To improve well-being adolescents need privacy, effective conversations, accessible health services, reliable education, and prioritization of healthy lifestyles. Implications for clinical and research are discussed.

Very little research focuses on a follower's perception of leadership. Furthermore, black African female employees' perception of a male leader's botho and authentic leadership style in Botswana parastatals has never been researched. Research has made it evident that leadership not only needs to be viewed from a leader-centric perspective but a follower-centric perspective should also be taken into consideration. Botho and authenticity are phenomena that are unique to a specific context. The conundrum to apprehend is how this influences a leader. This study thus aimed to identify how botho and authentic leadership is perceived and experienced by black African female employees, to explore whether male leaders are perceived to possess botho and authentic leadership styles, and enquire how important black African female employees regard botho and authentic leadership styles in male leaders. The study adopted a qualitative, grounded theory methodological approach to investigate the research purpose. Unstructured and semi-structured interviews were used to investigate the particular focus area. The data collection was split into two phases. Phase one comprised of focus groups, followed by phase two with individual interviews. A sample consisting of seven black African female employees from three parastatals in Botswana was used. This sample was selected as they had experience in the field of interest. The discussions were recorded and transcribed prior to being captured in Excel. Thematic coding was adopted to scrutinise the data. The findings of the study indicated that the followers would love for their opinions to be taken into consideration more. Facets mostly illuminated by the participants included the need for better communication, transparency and guidance. Respect and compassion were found to be the cornerstone of botho. Social awareness and self-awareness were found to be the grounding factors to being an authentic leader. Furthermore, it was found that cultural context is evidently an important factor to consider when approaching leadership. Due to the subjective nature of the study, the researcher could not generalise the findings. The participants' responses were based on their social construction and experiences. Future research should focus on developing constructs that participants regard as vital when measuring botho and authenticity. Developing a measurement tool that is valid and reliable for botho and authentic leadership whilst taking into consideration the cultural context would be beneficial to the development of the constructs. / Mini Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Human Resource Management / MCom / Unrestricted

This qualitative study utilized the action-project theory and method to investigate the close, long-term friendships (two to ten years in duration) of female, early adolescent dyads. Ten early adolescent girls between the ages of 11 and 13 were studied. The purpose of this study was twofold; first, to determine the characteristics of best friendship projects and how they manifested within early adolescent friendship conversations and; second, to investigate the nature of self-representations (descriptions of the self) made by the participants. The processes (cognitive, affective, and behavioural) and meaning (goals) of friendship jointly expressed within the conversations were identified. As well, self-representations were analyzed from the perspective of whether they functioned to advance friendship projects. In addition to the friendship conversations, collages explicating the girls’ meanings and processes around their close friendships were also explored through an individual interview with each participant. The participants engaged in five friendship projects within their friendship conversations. First, an overriding project to preserve and maintain the friendship was demonstrated. Other sub-projects demonstrated within the conversations were the desire to have fun, to provide support to each other, and to connect with each other. Simultaneously, while jointly enacting other friendship projects, the participants also demonstrated through action, the project of exploring and discovering aspects of their identities. Multiple functional steps (the means) to achieve these projects were utilized. Gossip, fictional and factual storytelling, teasing, joking, problem solving, asking for advice, and displaying physical affection are examples of these means. Self-representations from the conversations were not always consistent with those revealed during self-confrontation interviews, at times in the service of achieving friendship goals. Self-representations between the collage interviews and the friendship conversations were very consistent, suggesting the complementary nature of the data sources. Meanings and processes gleaned from the friendship conversations were also very consistent with those found within the friendship collages. Implications of these findings for parents, educators, and counsellors are discussed. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Background: When a family encounters the problem of adolescent substance misuse, the burden of managing it often falls primarily on the mother. Objective and methods: This research was conducted in two phases to explore the experiences of mothers of adolescents who misuse substances. Phase one was a systematic qualitative evidence synthesis of qualitative studies on the experiences of mothers of adolescents who misused substances. In this phase, conventional content analysis was used to create a narrative synthesis of themes and categories. Phase two was a qualitative study using thematic analysis to describe mothers’ experiences of parenting an adolescent who misused drugs. Findings: Eleven qualitative studies were included in the literature review. New categories regarding mothers’ experiences emerged from the review and synthesis: 1) I love you and we can talk no matter what; 2) So this is really happening . . . My kid’s on drugs; 3) What have I done?; 4) My family is shattered: a) I can’t believe what you’re doing, b) I can’t face this, c) I’ve lost my baby; and 5) It’s not my addiction. Four mothers were interviewed for the qualitative study. Mothers described their realities and the challenges they faced parenting an adolescent who misused drugs. Their experiences were represented in the following categories:1) recognition, 2) punishment/surveillance, 3) negative emotions, 4) relationships, 5) escalating effects, 6) strategies, and 7) home–a safe place. Conclusions: The findings from this research contribute to our understanding of the everyday lives and struggles that mothers face with their adolescents’ substances misuse. Nurses, by implementing early targeted interventions, will meet the needs of these mothers and assist themselves and ultimately their adolescents to attain optimal wellbeing.

The diploma work is about research of bioproducts. The opinion of the people and the interest of buying bioproducts.

In managing organisations for peak performance, managers have to deal with the strategic paradox of either exploiting their current resources, skills and competencies, or exploring and finding new alternatives. Managers are constantly challenged with this complex paradox and must decide how to leverage these seemingly opposite tensions for best performance. This study investigates the factors that affect exploitation and exploration, the implications of not balancing them, and finally whether they should be traded off against one another or done ambidextrously, which is a metaphor for organisations that are equally dexterous at exploiting and exploring. To this end, a qualitative research study with an explorative design was conducted in order to delve deep into this quandary. Interviews with 14 leading executives and four strategy experts were held to uncover their unique insights into this paradox. The insights from these in-depth interviews formed the basis of the data that was analysed using content analysis to produce the research findings of this study. The research identified the factors that could influence the degree to which an organisation explores or exploits. The research confirmed that exploitation and exploration are interdependent and should be done ambidextrously. The exploitation versus exploration management model emerged from these research findings. This model will assist managers in understanding the paradox and will put them in a position to better manage exploitation and exploration in order for the company to be sustainable. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

This research aimed to investigate how GE developed an organisational ambidexterity capability to significantly accelerate its growth in emerging markets. Dissatisfied with its growth in emerging markets, GE launched the Global Growth & Operations organisation (GGO) in November 2010. The internationalisation process had been led by its P&Ls with an exploitation focus and needed a shift towards an exploration focus that would develop disruptive capabilities required to promote growth. The research was undertaken as a case study of GGO in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) to gain an in-depth understanding of how the OA capability was developed and managed at GE. A qualitative research approach was adopted that consisted of a literature survey and 14 semi-structured interviews with senior leaders of the P&Ls and GGO for SSA. The study found that a top brass leadership, supported unequivocally and well-resourced were key to GGO’s ability to shift GE’s centre of gravity to the emerging markets. A paradox mindset at ease with tension was characteristic of the leaders allowing them to engage constructively. GGO, ambidextrous itself, developed exploration and exploitation capabilities enabling the P&Ls to do business as usual in the emerging markets. A model to develop OA for market expansion was developed. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Commercial capital markets have started to recognise that the context of investment must be considered, this is seen via the widespread adoption of the United Nation’s Principals for Responsible Investment. Impact Investing, has developed into a recognised mechanism for achieving a triple bottom line returns (financial returns, social returns, and environmental returns). Governments are recognising the benefits of this capital resource, by structuring policy to attract capital towards achieving impact. Private equity impact investing is a new alternative asset class that is regarded as a highly efficient instrument for allocating capital whilst achieving impact. This paper investigates the factors that are influencing Private Equity Impact Investing in South Africa, and it provides an exploratory investigation into the landscape of public policy that affects this asset class. This research is relevant through identifying trends and best practice for Private Equity Impact Investing in emerging markets, and evaluating their suitability for adoption in South Africa. This study was a qualitative study using data collected via 16 semi-structured interviews. These interviews included 8 private equity fund managers, 4 investment intermediaries, and 4 policy makers. The data was processed with the use of a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software. Thematic coded analysis was performed on the data, and relationships were defined in accordance with the categorisation of themes. Findings were triangulated to ensure validity. The research found that whilst Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment provided an opportunity for targeted investment, it has the potential for expansion to incorporate additional impact areas. The poor implementation of policy by government agencies is resulting in failure to effectively feed soft capital into the investment spectrum, thereby creating a gap in the capital continuum. This has resulted in a shortfall in investment in SME and VC, thereby inhibiting the pipeline for Private Equity Impact Investment / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted