Need is a concept that carries intuitive appeal in moral decision-making. As it stands, need is relatively under-theorised, given its currency not just in philosophical argumentation but in news coverage, charitable appeals, and political practice. Need claims carry compelling normative force, and they are amenable to widespread support as our most basic needs are some of the things we most transparently share with our fellow human beings. However, how should we understand that normative force? Is need best understood to compel us as a matter of justice? I begin my account by considering the kind of need relevant to the project. I build from an understanding of need as a three-place relation, which is by its nature needing for a purpose. I suggest that morally important needs are those which aim at the objective interests that all people have in virtue of what is good for each of us qua human beings ('non-arbitrary needs'). Further, I distinguish the existentially urgent subset of those non-arbitrary needs as 'basic needs.' Given this understanding, I consider how basic needs theory relates to its conceptual neighbours. I focus on capabilities as the nearest neighbours, but also comment on wants, interests, and rights. I judge that the theories developed by Martha Nussbaum (capabilities) and Len Doyal and Ian Gough (needs) benefit from a complementary reading, with each supplementing the other. I then draw from Amartya Sen's early writings on capabilities to ultimately see capabilities and needs as two sides of the same coin. This helps to situate needs theory in relation to a mainstream branch of political theory more generally, and indicates that we can recognise the special significance of needs without eschewing other morally important categories. I then move to establish a scope of justice that allows us to distinguish between duties of justice and other moral duties. If we think that duties of beneficence are weak and optional, whereas duties of justice are binding and enforceable, a great deal rides on how we characterise our duties to the global poor. I offer a 'moral enforceability' account, claiming that duties of justice are those which are, in principle, morally enforceable. It is the in-principle enforceability of justice duties which gives them teeth. Returning to need, I then ask how another's need comes to give me a moral reason for action. I canvas a range of existing accounts, many of which furnish important insights. I then propose that it is the morally relevant capacities of the being in need which gives them moral status such that their needing is morally significant. We are morally required to answer this need with responsiveness, as a demonstration of appropriate respect for the sort of being that the human in need is. If this is right, we are morally required to be responsive to need, even if we are not always required to reduce it. Finally, I bring the diverse strands of the foregoing argument together to return to the relationship between need and justice. I consider what a duty of responsiveness might amount to in practice, and suggest that our duties of responsiveness are best thought of as collective duties, grounded in the capacity of the global well-off to contribute. Further, I argue that duties of responsiveness are a matter of justice, as they are the sort of duties that are, in principle, morally enforceable. A wide range of threats to the necessary conditions for human flourishing, and even human life, are on the horizon, and many of these are uniquely collective challenges. The seriousness of those challenges, and the extent to which we have treated our responsibilities to those in need as discretionary in the past, means collective action and problem solving are called for when there are no easy answers.

Emergency Departments (EDs) deliver urgent treatment at the ‘front-door' of acute hospitals. In Scotland, occupational therapists have had an increasing presence in EDs, an emerging role with limited evidence to guide its development. There are no predetermined philosophies or existing theories of ED occupational therapy. Therefore, this exploratory study examined the lived experience of ED occupational therapists in order to make an original contribution to knowledge, and to inform practice. Ethical approval was granted from Glasgow Caledonian University. Research methods were framed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), and purposive sampling was used to recruit nine ED occupational therapists from across Scotland. Individual, semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analysed line-by-line and interpreted using IPA methods. Two over-arching themes emerged from the data. Theme 1: 'On the Factory Floor' captured the experience of working in an ED. EDs are highly organised, likened to factory production-lines, but also unpredictable, even chaotic. The participants contributed their professional skills to make sense of both the order and the chaos. Theme 2: 'A Stranger in a Strange Land' encapsulated what it was like to enter the ED environment, and the participants were still discovering how they might acculturate. They experienced EDs as challenging environments, which potentially threatened the delivery of occupational therapy in terms of its core-constructs. However, they were able to maintain the values of occupational therapy, though they applied them with constraints. In addition, challenges placed clinicians at high risk of burn-out. Despite this, there were personal and professional rewards, especially enjoyment, being valued and being recognised. Occupational therapy is still emerging in the ED context, professional identity is forming and models of practice are not fully developed. Implications arising from the study are discussed in relation to health policy, future research, occupational therapy practice and occupational therapy education.

Cette thèse s'inscrit dans le cadre des recherches réalisées sur l'intervention organisationnelle, et plus particulièrement dans le domaine du bien-être dans les PME. À partir d'une critique sur les interventions en bien-être au travail fondées sur un diagnostic quantitatif, nous proposons une démarche d'intervention systémique qui vise à transformer les situations de travail plutôt qu'à diagnostiquer leurs dysfonctionnements. Cette démarche a été construite à partir des travaux théoriques menés en systémique. Elle a ensuite fait l'objet d'un guide dédié aux intervenants et a été mise en pratique dans cinq PME. Cette finalité pratique s'est doublée d'une volonté de compréhension des processus de changement induits par la démarche. Pour ce faire, cinq interventions ont été menées dans des contextes d'activité variés : secteurs public et privé, activités de service,commerciales et médico-sociales. Les cas ont été suivis d'une démarche d'évaluation, axée sur les représentations, par rapport au changement, des acteurs impliqués. En termes destratégie de recherche, l'étude de cas multiples est apparue comme la plus adaptée pour approfondir notre connaissance des processus de changement ; les résultats issus des premiers cas ont été considérés comme provisoires et nécessitant d'être confrontés à d'autres, dans unelogique itérative. En parallèle, cette stratégie a permis de procéder à un enrichissement continu de la démarche d'intervention proposée. Quatre des cinq entreprises ont mis en oeuvre des transformations des situations de travail. Dans les deux entreprises dites « entrepreneuriales », les changements ont été instaurés avant ou à l'occasion du départ des intervenants. En revanche, dans les structures « réglementaires », il a fallu au minimum cinq mois pour voir apparaître les premières améliorations de l'environnement de travail. Cette temporalité accélérée dans les structures entrepreneuriales s'explique principalement par la stratégie de participation mobilisée : les changements étaient instaurés à l'initiative spontanée des équipes et de l'encadrement, ce qui n'était pas le cas dans les structures réglementaires, où nous avons été confrontés à des freinages décisionnels. Ces résultats permettent de mieux orienter l'action des intervenants en santé au travail, en fonction des milieux dans lesquels ils interviennent. Ils mettent également en avant les intérêts de la démarche d'intervention proposée, ainsi que les futures améliorations à apporter. / This thesis is part of the research on organizational intervention, and more specifically on employee wellbeing in small and medium-sized companies. Starting from a criticism of wellbeing at work interventions based on a quantitative diagnosis, we put forward a systemic intervention method aiming to transform work situations rather than simply diagnose their malfunctions. This method was built from theoretical work based on systems thinking, and was then used as a guide for consultants implemented in five small and medium-sized companies. The purpose was not only practical, as we strived to understand the change processes associated with such a method. We carried out five interventions in various sectors: private or public, service, commercial or medico-social. Each case was then followed by interviews focused on the change representations of the involved parties. In terms of research strategy, a multiple case-study approach seemed best suited to further our knowledge of change processes; the results of the first few cases were deemed temporary and needed checking against other cases, with an iterative logic. This strategy allowed us to further enrich the proposed intervention method in parallel.Four of the five companies involved then initiated changes of work situations. In "entrepreneurial" companies, the changes were implemented before or upon our departure. In "bureaucratic" companies, it took at least five months to see the first improvements of the work environment. The accelerated temporality in entrepreneurial companies is due to the mobilized participation strategy: the changes were implemented at the spontaneous initiative of both the staff and management. This wasn't the case in the bureaucratic companies where we faced slow decision making processes. Those results allow us to better direct theoccupational health practitioners in taking whatever steps they deem necessary, according to the environments in which they operate. The results also emphasize the benefits of the proposed intervention method, and further improvements where necessary.

Potential influences from using sexually explicit Internet material (SEIM) are controversial, however, the underlying psychological mechanism(s), which potentially can explain these found associations with SEIM consumption, have not been well studied. In the present research, I examine the relationship between SEIM consumption and subjective wellbeing (i.e., sexual and general wellbeing). In particular, I address the circumstances under which the consumption of SEIM is negative for wellbeing by assessing an ideal-actual sexual discrepancy in the context of intimate relationships. I drew on perspectives from self-discrepancy theory to explore whether SEIM consumption generates disparities between ideal and actual sexual experiences, which then may influence consumers’ sexual and general wellbeing. I expected this hypothesized ideal-actual sexual discrepancy to function as one of many underlying psychological mechanisms to explain SEIM’s negative impacts on various types of subjective sexual wellbeing (SSW). I also expected that via SSW, the discrepancy would also explain the ambiguous relationships between SEIM consumption and subjective general wellbeing (SGW) found in the past. That is, I predicted a serial mediation model with sexual self-discrepancy mediating the relationship between SEIM consumption and SSW, and SSW mediating the relationship between sexual self-discrepancy and SGW. Two studies together demonstrated the general progress from consuming SEIM to the evaluation of self-perceived wellbeing under the condition of evaluating sexual experiences with intimate partner(s). In Study 1, the data-driven gender specific sexual preference highlighted the need of model testing separately for men and women because of the potential difference in experiencing the negative impacts from consuming SEIM through the different progress of formation of ideal sex scripts influence by pornographic sex, and generation of an I-A sexual discrepancy in men and women. Results of Study 2 from male SEIM consumers further supported the hypothesized mediation role of I-A sexual discrepancy and SSW (i.e., sexual esteem and sexual satisfaction) in understanding the relationships between SEIM consumption and wellbeing. Overall, the present research illustrated the consumption of SEIM can shape one’s sexual preferences of pornographic sex and generate unrealistic expectations of pornographic sexual experiences with intimate partner(s). Hence, the experience of I-A sexual discrepancy from unachievable ideal sex is a key factor in identifying SEIM’s negative impacts on wellbeing. Moreover, parsimonious serial mediation paths through I-A sexual discrepancy and SSW also demonstrated the relationship between SEIM consumption, SSW, and SGW in one model. This finding indicates SSW works as an important indicator of ones’ SGW. The present research provides a theoretical explanation to understand the impact of consuming SEIM on wellbeing and implicates the importance exploring different types of sexual discrepancy associated with SEIM consumption and ways to mitigate the experienced I-A sexual discrepancy in intimate relationships.

Thesis (LLM. (Development and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / Occupational health, safety and wellbeing of employees is an important factor in the socioeconomic development of a country hence the need for South Africa as a developmental state, to give priority to the health and safety of employees in the country as employees are key to socio-economic development. The right to an environment that is not detrimental to the health and wellbeing of employees is also entrenched in the Constitution of the Republic making it a fundamental right which should be enjoyed by all. Laws related to occupational health and safety have been enacted in South Africa with a view to, on the one hand, prevent occupational injuries, diseases or deaths and on the other hand to provide compensation where such occurs. This study seeks to determine which of the laws are applicable, whether they are reasonable when compared to the constitutional requirements and South Africa’s obligations as a member of the international community. Comparisons are also made with other countries and recommendations made for the South African government to adequately ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of employees in the country.

Doctor of philosophy (PhD) / Abstract As one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, Australia has a high proportion of minority communities. However, its ageing population, particularly within these ethnic minorities, faces a range of barriers or difficulties in gaining access to and using health and aged care services. This study aims to identify the acculturation factors that affect the health status of Iranian-born elderly immigrants to Australia and their utilisation of health and community aged care services. The results of this study will be of value to Iranian elders, their families, and Australian aged health care service providers. The findings could also contribute towards enriched multicultural policy and improved social fairness, access to services, and equity for the aged from different ethnic backgrounds. 302 Iranian migrants aged 65 years who had lived in the Sydney Metropolitan area for at least six months were surveyed via a written questionnaire, face-to-face interviews, and telephone interviews. The results were analysed using SPSS and then compared to the findings from a 1999 survey of NSW elderly. The results indicate that Iranian migrants suffer higher levels of psychological distress and are more limited in their physical functioning than the general population of older Australians. They are in greater need of assistance with activities of daily living, have a lower sense of wellbeing, and are far less likely to utilise aged care services. Iranian migrant who do not speak English at home experience these disadvantages to an even greater extent English language proficiency was the only acculturation factor found to affect whether Iranian elderly utilised health and community aged care services, while ability to engage in activities of daily living (ADL) was the only health variable associated with their utilisation of community supportive aged care services. This variable did not predict the use of community aged care services in the broader sample of NSW respondents. Since limited proficiency in English placed elderly Iranian migrants at greater health risk and impeded their access to necessary assistance, the findings suggest that they would clearly benefit from English classes and from access to health and community care services and information regarding these services in the Farsi language.

<p><strong>Background: </strong>To suffer from diabetes type II affects peoples new situation of life and therefore even their experiences of quality of life. <strong>Aim: </strong>The aim with this study was to describe how people with diabetes's type II experiences their quality of life. <strong>Method:</strong> The method that was used was a literature study with describing and deductive approach, where people’s experiences have come forth on the basis of Rustoens (1993) definition of quality of life. In total we analyzed 16 scientific articles that were categorized in four themes through a systematic content analysis (Evans, 2003) which resulted in four themes and nine subthemes. Orems (2001) theory of self-care has been used as the theoretical frame of reference. <strong>Result: </strong>In the result, it appear that people with diabetes's type II experiences quality of life differently on the basis of those four different themes, being active, to have fellowship, to have ego and to have a base spirit of happiness. The different themes conduct in different ways to create a good quality of life among people with diabetes type II. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> People with diabetes type II have a need to increase their knowledge and understanding to cope with the disease. A continuous contact with health-care and belonging to a group was important. From without the four different themes the individual can self choose to see its own needs to be able to obtain good quality of life.</p>

Background: To suffer from diabetes type II affects peoples new situation of life and therefore even their experiences of quality of life. Aim: The aim with this study was to describe how people with diabetes's type II experiences their quality of life. Method: The method that was used was a literature study with describing and deductive approach, where people’s experiences have come forth on the basis of Rustoens (1993) definition of quality of life. In total we analyzed 16 scientific articles that were categorized in four themes through a systematic content analysis (Evans, 2003) which resulted in four themes and nine subthemes. Orems (2001) theory of self-care has been used as the theoretical frame of reference. Result: In the result, it appear that people with diabetes's type II experiences quality of life differently on the basis of those four different themes, being active, to have fellowship, to have ego and to have a base spirit of happiness. The different themes conduct in different ways to create a good quality of life among people with diabetes type II. Conclusion: People with diabetes type II have a need to increase their knowledge and understanding to cope with the disease. A continuous contact with health-care and belonging to a group was important. From without the four different themes the individual can self choose to see its own needs to be able to obtain good quality of life.

Denna uppsats handlar om den andra generationens ursprungsfolks urbana migranter i El Alto området Bolivia. ALBOR är en kulturförening som arbetar med ledarskapsutbildning och tala offentligt genom skapandet och framträdandet av poesi och scenkonst. Uppsatsen bygger på idéen att socialt kapital är främst något positivt som främjar sammanhållning inom samhällen och dess medlemmar. De frågor som tas upp i studien är hur kan ALBOR genom sitt arbete öka socialt och humant kapital bland ungdomar från marginaliserade ursprungsfolkgrupper i El Alto och därmed förbättra deras välbefinnande genom aktivt deltagande i föreningens verksamhet. Metoden som användes var kvalitativ där data som rör frågorna för studien samlades in genom intervjuer och materialet analyserades sedan i enlighet med teorierna om socialt kapital och andra kapital. Studien visar att ALBOR spelar en viktig roll för dessa unga människor när det gäller att skapa och upprätthålla socialt kapital. Den visar också att det är ett incitament för ungdomarna att delta politiskt så väl som ett verktyg för att få inflytande och erkännande i samhället. Det aktiva deltagandet i föreningens verksamhet har inte bara gett dem möjligheten att skapa och upprätthålla sitt sociala kapital internt inom föreningen, men även externt genom deltagande i kultur festivaler för ungdomar och därmed möjliggjort skapandet av breda sociala nätverk i hela Bolivia genom konst.

Denna socialpsykologiska studie handlar om receptionistens mående och hur måendet påverkasberoende på olika faktorer i arbetsklimatet grundat i receptionistens rollstil. Studien är gjord på ettträningsföretag i en större stad i Sverige. Studien är en kvalitativ studie där metoden som använts ärsemistrukturerade intervjuer. Fyra receptionister har blivit intervjuade på företaget. Studien ärfrämst grundad i Goffmans rollteori samt Asplunds teorier kring konkret och abstrakt socialitet.Andra teoretiska ansatser är Karaseks krav och kontrollmodell kring stress, Maturanas och DávilaYánez förståelse kring emotioner samt Alvessons teorier kring organisationskultur. Jag har utgåttfrån hermeneutiken som min vetenskapliga teoretiska ansats. Genom dessa socialpsykologiskateorier samt resultaten av intervjuerna önskade jag besvara uppsatsens syfte kring vilken betydelserollstilen har i utövandet i arbetet som receptionist. Jag kom fram till att receptionistens välmåendehelt klart påverkas av dennes personstil. Receptionistens personstil påverkas av personligheten menockså på grund av det som händer omkring dem, såsom organisationskulturen. Jag kom fram till attreceptionisten har ett stort ansvar över sitt välmående genom att denna kan välja att vara stressadeller inte genom sitt utövande i de olika delarna av att vara receptionist. / This socialpsychological study regards the receptionists wellbeing and how that wellbeing depends on various factors in the work environment caused by the receptionists rolestyle. The study is made in a fitnesscompany in a major city of Sweden. The study is based on a qualitative method which is semi-structured interwievs. Four receptionists in the fitnesscompany has been interviewed. The study is mainly based on Goffmans roletheory and Asplunds theory on concrete sociality and abstract sociality. Other theoretical approaches are Karaseks demand and controle model on stress, Maturana och Dávila Yánez understanding in emotions and Alvessons theories of organizational culture. I have used a hermeneutic approach as the scientific theoretical approach for the study. Through These socialpsychological theories together with the results from the interviews I wanted to answer what the importance of the rolestyle for the work as a receptionist is. I concluded that the receptionists wellbeing influenced by their rolestyle. The receptionists rolestyle is influenced by of course their own personality but also by the work environment. I concluded that the receptionists has a great responsibility over their own wellbeing because of their own choice to be stressed or not in their practice of the different parts of being a receptionist.