Background: Integration of immigrants is an interactive process of learning a new culture, an obtaining of rights, access to a position and status and building of personal relations between migrants and the receiving society.  Their ability to reciprocally adjust to intercultural encounters is one of the most important factors of successful integration. Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate Swedish young adults perception and attitudes towards immigrants and immigrants’ integration into the Swedish society. Furthermore the aim is to study their perception of social interaction of immigrants and the Swedish host society. How Swedish young adults perceive their country’s immigration policy. Method:  A qualitative research, using an online open-ended questionnaire and in-depth telephone interviews were applied to collect the data about Swedish young adults perceptions and attitudes. The transcribed data were subjected to thematic analysis. Result:  The results of the qualitative research helped to understand Swedish young adults perceptions and attitudes. The findings showed that two of the biggest reasons that Swedish young adults support immigration are: humanitarism and labor force. Swedish young adults are very aware of immigrants’ integration in Sweden. They socialize with immigrants and have contact with them in daily basis. Swedish young adults, have a negative opinion regarding Sweden’s immigration policy Conclusion: Swedish young adults define immigrants as a people born in one country but move to another (particularly in Sweden) with an intention to reside there permanently. Regarding their acculturation expectations, they support integration as the best acculturation strategy. They think that immigrants in Sweden are “half way” integrated, geographically segregated, discriminated, prejudiced in different degrees and immigrant woman are the most excluded category.

In connection to an existing research project, Micro-migration and Integration with relevance for Uddevalla, this study aims to analyse and compare the subjective understandings of Somali women’s experiences in the integration process in the Swedish society. Integration is a multifaceted and ongoing process in which the self-understandings of this notion is bound to change over time in relation to socio-economic and cultural contexts. In light of this, the thesis employs a comparative case study that is based on data collected through focus group discussions with newly arrived women and women who have stayed in Sweden for a longer time. The analytical framework utilizes acculturation theory to study what traces of integration, assimilation, separation and marginalization can be identified in the selfunderstandings and how they develop over time. Some of the conclusions from the study by the interviewees notify language being crucial. Both groups understand that Swedish constitutes a step in the overall process for establishment and the newly arrived women showed an awareness about it being the ultimate factor that can speed up their own integration process. The findings of the research include that there is a deviation of the understandings between the groups when it comes to housing and identity. The group of newly arrived women with the exception of one participant, indicated a clear separation in regard to both aspects above whereas the women who have lived in Sweden for 9-10 years showed clear traces of integration. Hence, in the beginning of the integration process a person might have a theoretical understanding that indicates separation but experience a discursive shift towards the lens of integration.

Background: Although research in healthcare transition is not novel, youth with chronic health conditions (YCHC) and parents still struggle with this complex process. Currently, there is limited theoretically-driven studies to inform transition research. The key foundation of this thesis is on the integration and application of theories and conceptual frameworks to studying the complexities of the transition process to inform research on a conceptual level. Purpose: Three study objectives were: 1) to gain a better understanding of the experiences of YCHC, parents, and healthcare providers with self-management during the transition process; 2) explore theoretical frameworks to guide research in transition and inform the planning and delivery of holistic transition services that is developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive; and 3) to identify strategies to facilitate knowledge mobilization in transition. Methods: This “sandwich thesis” includes four individual scholarly works (Chapters 2-5) positioned between the introduction (Chapter 1) and the conclusions (Chapter 6). The Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework was used to framed all of my four scholarly works together. Chapter 2 was a qualitative study to examine the collective experiences YCHC, parents, and healthcare providers with self-management during transition. Chapter 3 was a critical appraisal of the literature to explored the potential application of acculturation theory in transition through the use of a clinical vignette. Chapter 4 was a scoping review about the current use of the ICF and transition research and practice. Chapter 5 was a demonstration project with the primary aim of working with youth (i.e. university students with and without a disability) and researchers to identify engagement strategies in research to develop partnerships to facilitate knowledge mobilization. Results: Key findings of Chapter 2: i) the process of self-management is interconnected and interdependent between YCHC, parents, and healthcare providers, and ii) results began to uncover cultural nuances between pediatric and adult healthcare. Key findings of Chapter 3: i) acculturation theory provides a concrete conceptual framework to guide thinking about the process of change within an individual with a change in culture to another; and ii) acculturation can become a natural framework for health systems practitioners when integrated into clinical practice frameworks. Key findings of Chapter 4: i) the ICF broadens our view on health to include personal and environment factors, and ii) the ICF enhances multidisciplinary communication and collaboration. However, the ICF is not without limitation. Specifically, there are limited descriptions around personal and environmental factors and the underlying processes, defining differences between the domains of activity and participation, and the ICF’s static nature which does not address change over time. Key findings of Chapter 5: five engagement strategies: 1) creating a physical or virtual hub with updated information or updating current websites to ensure usability and accessibility (e.g. for course selection), 2) hosting “speed dating” events between students and faculty/researchers to enhance communication and knowledge exchange, 3) hosting monthly lectures/workshops/webinars, 4) capacity building via emailing lists for new opportunities, and 5) peer mentoring to connect stakeholders within the University and Hamilton communities. Conclusions: Synthesis of the knowledge from this thesis contributes to the thinking and doing of transition research. Specifically, acculturation theory (a social science and psychology theory) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) (a bio-psycho-social theory) are offered as complementary conceptual frameworks to inform transition research. Stakeholder involvement in transition research is critical in facilitating knowledge mobilization, however, researchers need to consider the challenges of research partnership with YCHC. It is recommended to explore and assess opportunities for YCHC to have experiences starting in childhood and through adolescence; these experiences can assist in building YCHC’s capacity to assume adult roles and responsibilities for self-management. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Today, one in five Canadian children, adolescents, and young adults live with a chronic physical, developmental, behavioural or emotional condition that impact their developmental trajectories. Youth with chronic health conditions (YCHC) and their families find it difficult to go from pediatric to adult healthcare. Although the topic of transition is not new, YCHC and parents continue to experience barriers in the adult system for meeting their needs (e.g. fragmented services, accessibility to available services, and biomedical focus of healthcare to name a few). Moreover, research evidence is not reaching the people who need it most, YCHC and their parents, and they are not benefitting optimally from advances in research. Thus, research is needed to carefully examine the process of transition to better understand the underlying processes, to identify current knowledge gaps, and to facilitate knowledge mobilization. The overall aim of this thesis is on the application of theories (acculturation theory) and frameworks (International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-ICF) to provide a new outlook and lens to unraveling the complexities and underlying processes of transition, which has not been examined before. The Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework is used to inform the research process and stakeholder consultation to facilitate knowledge mobilization. The goal is to ultimately produce meaningful and relevant outcomes for YCHC and those involved in the transition process. YCHC and other stakeholders (parents, healthcare providers, community partners, and policymakers) were consulted throughout all of the components of the thesis ensure their voices and needs were heard. Results from this thesis will bring new insights and knowledge to those involved in transition research and practice.

<p>This paper aims to examine how employee motivation is affected during the operational combination stage of a merger between two relatively small Swedish professional service firms. This is done through a quantitative study conducted by examining the relationship between employee motivation and three approaches; social identity, role conflict and acculturation. Those approaches were first by themselves tested in order to examine the relationship between their respective indicators that represent respective approach. The main result of this study is that the three approaches have a positive significant impact on employee motivation. Therefore, it is important for the professional service firm to take those variables into consideration when formulating future strategies and when trying to improve the organizational climate.</p>

This paper aims to examine how employee motivation is affected during the operational combination stage of a merger between two relatively small Swedish professional service firms. This is done through a quantitative study conducted by examining the relationship between employee motivation and three approaches; social identity, role conflict and acculturation. Those approaches were first by themselves tested in order to examine the relationship between their respective indicators that represent respective approach. The main result of this study is that the three approaches have a positive significant impact on employee motivation. Therefore, it is important for the professional service firm to take those variables into consideration when formulating future strategies and when trying to improve the organizational climate.

The Hispanic population is the largest and fastest growing population in the United States, which necessitates research on the acculturation process, especially because of the current events regarding the Texas–Mexico border. Although research has indicated the need to develop coping skills to support positive mental health during acculturation, there is a lack of empirical information regarding acculturation and mental health among Mexican alumni of U.S. colleges and universities. Based on social identity theory and acculturation theory, this quantitative, correlational study was conducted to examine the relationship between acculturation and psychological well-being (PWB) among Mexican alumni of colleges and universities in the United States. Forty-seven participant surveys were obtained via an online survey on acculturation, as measured by the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II, and PWB, as measured by the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being. An ANCOVA was implemented with a hierarchical multiple regression with gender and amount of time spent at the U.S. college or university as covariates. However, the results were statistically nonsignificant regarding relationships between levels of acculturation and PWB, gender, and number of years at the college or university. Thus, the results promote positive social change by encouraging the development of updated instruments and inclusion of additional demographic information in the research of Mexican alumni.

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