The current study was designed to analyze the roles of both α7 and α4β2 nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) in behavioral sensitization and its effects on Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the neonatal quinpirole model of schizophrenia. Animals were treated neonatally with either quinpirole (1 mg/kg) or saline starting on P1 and treatment persisted through P21. Starting on P33, animals were sensitized to nicotine (0.5 mg/kg free base) every other day up to P49. Following sensitization, brains were harvested at 1 h and 24 h post-drug treatment and BDNF protein and total mTOR activity were assessed in the nucleus accumbens. Results revealed that α7 antagonism failed to block nicotine sensitization regardless of neonatal quinpirole treatment, and appears to block the initial hypoactive response to nicotine in males but not females. In addition, α7 antagonism effectively blocked the enhanced BDNF response to nicotine in both saline and quinpirole treated animals but was ineffective at blocking mTOR at the 1 h time point, and resulted in decreases of mTOR at the 24 h time point. Antagonism of the α4β2 nAChR effectively blocked nicotine sensitization in both males and females but the higher dose resulted in a significant initial hypoactive response to nicotine. In addition, α4β2 nAChR antagonism blocked nicotine induced increases in BDNF. Total mTOR revealed that neonatal quinpirole produced a decrease in mTOR that was reversed by nicotine at the 1h but not the 24h time point and antagonism of nAChRs resulted in sex dependent effects. There results have implication towards the mechanisms underlying enhanced smoking in schizophrenia.

In the last thirty years there have been many research studies which have examined the reasons why adolescents and young adults engage in sexual behaviours. Most of these studies have lacked a theoretical basis, Consequently there are many links made between variables, but no consistency across studies, or attempts to develop an underlying theory to explain the results. However, there have been theoretical models developed to explain adolescents’ and young adults’ sexual decision making. Unfortunately, many of these models have not been empirically validated. This thesis attempts to address these deficiencies in the literature by utilising a theory of behaviour and applying it to adolescent and young adult sexual decision making. This theory is the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Two longitudinal studies were conducted to examine the utility of an adaptation of the TPB to sexual decision making among adolescents and young adults. In the first study 58 adolescent males, aged between 14 years and 18 years participated in a longitudinal study using a questionnaire adapted from the Depth of Sexual Involvement Scale. In the second study, 194 young adults (156 female, 38 male) aged between 18 years and 21 years participated in a similar study. The first study found that intention to engage in behaviour was well predicted, although some of the variables in the model, did not in fact, contribute significantly to the prediction. The prediction of behaviour was less strong than that of intention. Study two found that intention to engage in behaviours was well predicted by the model. However, the degree to which intention led to behaviour was not well predicted. Overall, the results of these studies suggest that the TPB is a good theoretical basis from which to launch a systematic and theoretically informed explanation of adolescent and young adult sexual decision making. However, other factors may need to be added to the model to fully describe the decision making process and accurately predict behaviour. Suggestions are made for future research, as well as interventions that may arise as more knowledge is gathered using this paradigm.

<p>I tidigare empatiforskning har könsskillnader studerats betydligt mer änåldersskillnader. Syftet med den aktuella undersökningen var att studera hurförmågan till empati skiljer sig mellan tonåringar, medelålders och äldre. Iundersökningen deltog 68 personer varav hälften kvinnor. Empatin varhögst i den äldsta gruppen och lägst i den yngsta för både kvinnor och män.Däremot kände tonåringarna mer för vissa känslor som mättes utanförempatiskalan. Kvinnorna i alla tre åldersgrupperna har högre empati änmännen. Att empati ökar med åldern säger samtidigt att yngre hade mindreempati. Resultaten kan tyda på att samhället blivit kallare. Avslutningsvisdiskuteras betydelsen av generationsskillnader i empati, en eventuellutveckling mot ett mindre empatiskt samhälle, samt om ungas empati kanstärkas i framtiden.<em></em></p>

I tidigare empatiforskning har könsskillnader studerats betydligt mer änåldersskillnader. Syftet med den aktuella undersökningen var att studera hurförmågan till empati skiljer sig mellan tonåringar, medelålders och äldre. Iundersökningen deltog 68 personer varav hälften kvinnor. Empatin varhögst i den äldsta gruppen och lägst i den yngsta för både kvinnor och män.Däremot kände tonåringarna mer för vissa känslor som mättes utanförempatiskalan. Kvinnorna i alla tre åldersgrupperna har högre empati änmännen. Att empati ökar med åldern säger samtidigt att yngre hade mindreempati. Resultaten kan tyda på att samhället blivit kallare. Avslutningsvisdiskuteras betydelsen av generationsskillnader i empati, en eventuellutveckling mot ett mindre empatiskt samhälle, samt om ungas empati kanstärkas i framtiden.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 1997. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-153).

Adolescensutvecklingen är en känslig period, då övergången från att vara ett beroende barn till att bli en självständig vuxen skall äga rum. Under denna kritiska process sker identitetsutveckling och strävan efter att vara oberoende föräldrar ökar. År 2013 rapporterades att cirka 50000 personer i Sverige har typ 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) och statistik pekar på en ständig ökning av sjukdomen. T1DM är en ämnesomsättningssjukdom som kännetecknas av brist på hormonet insulin. Sjukdomen behandlas med insulin, kost och motion och kräver dessutom regelbundenhet och daglig egenvård. Syftet med studien var att identifiera hälsorelaterade utmaningar med T1DM under adolescensutvecklingen, ur ett personperspektiv. Studien är utförd som en litteraturstudie där 13 vetenskapliga artiklar har granskats och bearbetats. Resultatet visar att T1DM under adolescensutvecklingen medför speciella utmaningar och problematik kring föräldrarelationen, vikten av kunskap och stöd samt behovet av att vara som alla andra. Vidare forskning bör fokusera på föräldrars samt hälso- och sjukvårdspersonals perspektiv kring T1DM under adolescensutvecklingen, för att få ett helhetsperspektiv och kunna stödja den drabbade ungdomen på bästa sätt. / The adolescence is a sensitive period with the transition from being a dependent child to becoming an independent adult. During this critical process ones identity develops and the desire to be self-sustaining without parents increases. In 2013 it was reported that approximately 50 000 people in Sweden have type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and statistics point to a steady increase of the disease. T1DM is a metabolic disease characterized by a lack of the hormone insulin. The disease is treated with insulin, diet and exercise and also requires regularity and daily self-care. The purpose of this study was to identify health related challenges with T1DM during the period of adolescence, from a person perspective. This is a literature study in which 13 scientific articles have been reviewed and processed. The result shows that T1DM during the period of adolescence poses special challenges and problems relating to the parental relationship, the importance of knowledge and support, and the need to be like everyone else. Further research should focus on the perspectives of both parents and healthcare staff on T1DM during adolescence, to get an overall perspective and be able to assist the affected youth in the best possible way.

Up to 90% of adolescents in the U.S. experience a loss of a family member or friend. However, prior research on loss of a family member has focused predominantly on the adult experience (e.g., loss of a spouse), parental bereavement (loss of a child), or grief counseling as an intervention for dealing with loss. Little is known about the sibling loss experience, particularly from the point of view of the surviving sibling who suffered the loss when they were young. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the narratives of young adults who experienced the loss of a sibling during adolescence, and to understand the role of family, friends, and resources. This research utilized three theoretical models: Erik Erickson's theory of Psychosocial Development, Murray Bowen's theory of Family Systems, and Theresa Rando's 6 R's theory of loss. Eight participants (all female) between 18 and 30 years who lost a sibling between 13 and 18 years were invited through posting in 4 closed sibling loss groups on Facebook. Using Reissman's thematic analysis, data from semi-structured interviews revealed five themes: returning to school (refuge vs. struggle); being there (sources of support); emotional separation (family, friends, and the lost sibling); identification of self/moving forward (turning points following the loss); and family dynamics with departed and surviving (maintaining the lost connection). Future research should intentionally sample other demographics to broaden the understanding of sibling bereavement across age, gender, ethnicity, and religion. Positive social change implications include efforts to promote training and programs sensitive to the unique needs of bereaved young adults in secondary school and college settings.

Submitted by Elânia Francisco Lima (lima.elaniafrancisca@gmail.com) on 2018-05-01T16:04:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO ELÂNIA F LIMA.pdf: 2692284 bytes, checksum: c03d6e941f3395fdf5b5b4374e1c6726 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Maria Rodrigues null (milena@fclar.unesp.br) on 2018-05-02T17:46:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 lima_ef_me_arafcl.pdf: 2692284 bytes, checksum: c03d6e941f3395fdf5b5b4374e1c6726 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-02T17:46:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 lima_ef_me_arafcl.pdf: 2692284 bytes, checksum: c03d6e941f3395fdf5b5b4374e1c6726 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-22 / A adolescência, culturalmente construída, ocorre de forma simultânea à puberdade, período marcado por intensas mudanças físicas e psicológicas. É na adolescência que a pessoa está mais sensível e atenta para o modo como sua imagem corporal é julgada, fato que pode interferir diretamente na construção de sua autoestima. Para adolescentes negros, ainda há a intersecção da questão racial. Assim, além de ter a autoestima influenciada pelas mudanças hormonais e emocionais, adolescentes negros podem ter sua autoimagem fragilizada pelas situações de racismo vivenciadas na infância e perpetuadas na adolescência. Realizando um recorte ainda mais específico, podemos dizer que as questões de gênero também são fatores importantes que influenciam na autoestima e imagem corporal de adolescentes do gênero feminino, uma vez que há um ideal de beleza branco estabelecido na sociedade brasileira. Entendendo que adolescentes negras trazem em seus corpos marcas da intersecção das opressões de gênero, raça e classe, buscamos compreender como, e se, o racismo afeta as vivências afetivo-sexuais de adolescentes negras periféricas. Para isso, entrevistamos seis adolescentes negras, moradoras do distrito do Grajaú, localizado na periferia do extremo sul da cidade de São Paulo. As entrevistas ocorreram em dois momentos: inicialmente com entrevistas individuais utilizando como recurso metodológico a História de Vida e, por fim realizamos um Grupo Focal de Finalização com a presença de todas as adolescentes. Tanto as entrevistas individuais quanto o Grupo Focal foram transcritos e analisados com o recurso da Análise de Conteúdo. Como resultado, a pesquisa revelou que, desde a infância, essas adolescentes foram vítimas de racismo que, na puberdade geraram fragilização em sua autoestima e preterimento, além disso, as entrevistadas revelaram não se considerarem tão belas quanto adolescentes brancas. A hiperssexualização não se fez aparente nos discursos, ao contrário, o que observamos foram relatos de situações de rechaçamento por parte de outros adolescentes. As seis histórias de vida narradas, foram atravessadas pela presença intensa de situações em que o racismo gerou fragilidades no olhar de cada adolescente sobre si e sobre seu desenvolvimento afetivo-sexual. Essa pesquisa traz reflexões sobre os impactos do racismo na afetividade e sexualidade de adolescentes negras periféricas, além de chamar atenção para a importância de considerar a intersecção de raça, gênero, classe, faixa etária e afetividade nos trabalhos de Educação em Sexualidade com adolescentes. / Adolescense, culturally built, occurs simultaneously with puberty, a period marked by intense physical and psychological changes. Is in the adolescence that the person is more sensitive and attempt to how your body image is judged, fact that can directly interfere in your self esteem construction. For black adolescents, there is still the intersection of racial question. Thus, besides having the self esteem influenced by emotional and hormonal changes, black adolescents can have your self image fragilized by racism questions lived in childhood and disturbed in adolescence. Making an even more specific cut, we can say that gender questions can also be important factors that influence in self esteem and body image of female gender adolescents, once there is a white beauty ideal stabilized upon brazilian society. Comprehending that black black adolescents bring in their bodies marks of the intersection of gender, race and social class oppression, we seek to understand how, and if, racism affects the affective-sexual experiences of black peripheral adolescents. For this, we interviewed six black adolescents, living in the Grajaú district, located on the outskirts of the southern tip of the city of São Paulo. The interviews occured in two moments: initially with individual interviews using as a methodological resource the History of Life and, finally, we held a Finalization Focus Group with the presence of all the adolescents. Both the individual interviews and the Focus Group were transcribed and analyzed using Content Analysis. As result, the research revealed that, since the childhood, these adolescents were victims of racism that, in puberty generated embrittlement in their self-esteem and preterity, in addition,the interviewees revealed that they did not consider themselves as beautiful as white adolescents. The hypersexualization was not made apparent in speeches, on the contrary, of what we have observed was reports of situations of rejection by other adolescents. The six stories of life narrated were crossed by the intense presence of situations in which racism generated grooves in each teenager's gaze on himself and his affective-sexual development. This research brings reflections on the impacts of racism on the affectivity and sexuality of peripheral black adolescents, and draws attention to the importance of considering the intersection of race, gender, class, age group and affectivity in the studies on Sexuality Education with adolescents.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T14:37:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernanda Helena de Freitas Miranda.pdf: 1296403 bytes, checksum: 658220c408305eea86bfc9391000cbcf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-11-20 / Petroleo Brasileiro SA / Esta pesquisa consiste em um estudo no campo da ética e da moralidade, e buscou investigar a existência de projetos de vida em adolescentes, identificando o lugar do outro nestes projetos. Foram analisados os projetos citados pelos participantes de maneira espontânea. Participaram do presente trabalho 24 adolescentes com idade entre 15 e 20 anos, igualmente divididos em relação ao sexo e classe social (média e baixa). Foram realizadas entrevistas individuais semi-estruturadas utilizando o método clínico proposto por Piaget (1926-s. d.;1932/1994). Os resultados obtidos permitem verificar que todos os adolescentes apresentaram estabelecimento de projetos de vida. Entre os principais resultados, foi encontrado o total de 87 planos divididos em cinco categorias: 1) Bens Materiais, 2) Relacionamentos Afetivos, 3) Atividade Profissional, 4) Formação Acadêmica e 5) Outros Projetos. Cada justificativa dos motivos pelos quais esses projetos foram mencionados foi considerada, como Conectada ou Desconectada, termos que designaram a relação que se estabelece com a existência de um outro no projeto de vida. Foram denominados projetos Conectados, aqueles que incluíram outras pessoas, grupos ou instituições, em papeis de protagonismo. Em outras palavras, reservavam ao outro um lugar central. Por outro lado, os projetos de vida chamados de Desconectados, foram aqueles que, tanto não consideraram a existência de outras pessoas, grupos ou instituições, em seu estabelecimento, quanto os que mencionaram o outro, mas em um lugar secundário, onde este foi visto como um meio para que o projeto de vida fosse atingido. Do total de 87 justificativas dos projetos, 52% eram Conectadas e 48% Desconectadas. De modo geral foi possível identificar que os valores morais permeiam alguns projetos de vida dos adolescentes, mas não sua totalidade. A análise indica que houve estabelecimento de projetos de vida morais e imorais, no que concerne a inclusão de outras pessoas, grupos ou instituições / This research is about ethics and morality. Its aim is the investigation of the existence of life projects in adolescents identifying someone else s place in these projects. The projects mentioned were analyzed by the participants spontaneously. There were 24 adolescents from 15 to 20 years old divided by genre and social class. Semi- structured interviews were done using the clinic method proposed by Piaget (1926-s.d.; 1932/1994). The results prove that all of the adolescents have projects in life. Amongst the main results 87 aims divided into 5 categories were identified: 1) Properties 2) Relationships 3) Career 4) Academical Improvement 5) Other projects. Each justification of the reasons why these projects were mentioned was considered as Connected or Disconnected, terms that name the relation between the existence in another project in life. Connected projects are the ones which included other people, groups or institutions as protagonists. On the other hand, those that did not considered the existence of other people, groups or institutions were considered Disconnected. Out of 87 project justifications, 52% were Connected and 48% were Disconnected. The existence of life projects considered as Connected and Disconnected could means that moral and ethic values that allows social life are part of some projects in life for the adolescents, but not all of them