Abstract in English / The overall aim of this study was to construct and describe a conceptual framework that can serve as a frame of reference for organisational stakeholders to sustain a community coalition to manage alcohol misuse as a risk factor of HIV infection in a specific community in the North West Province, South Africa. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) design that was qualitative and theory generative in nature was followed in this study. A phased approach with specific objectives aligned to the PAR cycle, namely observe (Phase One), reflect (Phase Two), plan (Phase Three) and act (Phase Four), was followed. These phases were actualised through an exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design, guided and theoretically influenced by critical theory. Data in Phase One were collected through 10 key informant interviews. Data were collected in Phases Two to Four through 10 dialogue meetings. Data collected in the four phases were used to construct and describe the conceptual framework that was evaluated by five experts in the field of mental health and substance misuse for refinement (Phase Five). Thematic data analyses was done to identify emerging themes. Key issues identified were that the community is characterised by fragile community coalitions that hamper the management of alcohol misuse as a risk factor of HIV infection. Factors to be considered to sustain the coalition were identified as sharing a common vision, promoting a trusting relationship, formalising the coalition, transformational leadership, strengthening organisational unity, and access to financial resources. This research adds knowledge in the field of mental health and substance misuse by providing a sustainable community coalition conceptual framework for organisational stakeholders to manage alcohol misuse as a risk factor of HIV infection. The conceptual framework could be used to inform policy, further research, education and improve practice in the field of mental health and substance misuse. Although the study was limited to a specific geographical area of a community in the North West Province, South Africa, the findings can be adapted to fit a specific setting. / Health Studies / D Litt et Phil. (Health Studies)

Det övergripande syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka levnadsförhållanden bland arbetslösa ungdomar. Syftet var även att undersöka vilka konsekvenser som arbetslösheten kan föra med sig för ungdomarna. Konsekvenser som har undersökts är inom livsområdena 1)hälsa 2) sociala relationer och fritid 3) konsumtion 4) rökning, alkohol och droger 5)kriminalitet och 6) livet i sin helhet. Metoden som använts är en kvantitativ metod med enkäter, som har delats ut till arbetslösa ungdomar i två kommuner i Sverige. För att ta reda på varför vissa ungdomar påverkas negativt av arbetslösheten, medan andra förblir nästintill opåverkade har ekonomi- skammodellen använts. Utgångspunkten för ekonomi-skammodellen är att desto högre den ekonomiska påfrestningen är i relation till skamgörandeeffekter, vilka uttrycks genom en negativ attityd från omgivningen, ju mer negativ inverkanhar arbetslöshet i människors liv. Studiens resultat och analys bekräftar denna teori. En större andel av ungdomarna som upplever högre grad av ekonomisk påfrestning och skamgörande effekter har även en sämre hälsa, röker mer, dricker oftare och har provat droger i högre utsträckning samt uppskattar livet i sin helhet att vara sämre, jämfört med ungdomar som upplever lägre grad av ekonomisk påfrestning och skamgörande effekter. Oavsett påfrestning bedömer ungdomarna generellt sett sina sociala relationer och fritid på likartade sätt, varpå modellen ej kan användas för att förklara variationer inom detta livsområde. I föreliggande studie undersöktes även hur ungdomarna påverkas av att vara arbetslösa i ett konsumtionssamhälle där normen är att konsumera. Resultat och analys visar att det är de ungdomar med mest påfrestning som konsumerar i högre grad, vilket förklaras utifrån att de kompenserar för den statusförlust som arbetslösheten medfört. / The aim of the study was to investigate living conditions amongst unemployed youths. The aim was also to examine the effects unemployment can have on young people. Consequences that have been explored are within the following areas of life: 1) Health 2) Social relationships and leisure activity 3) Consumption 4) Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse 5)Crime and 6) Life in its entirety. The method used is a quantitative method with questionnaires, which were distributed to unemployed youths in two towns in Sweden. To find out why some young people are adversely affected by unemployment, while others remain virtually unaffected the economy-shame model was used. The starting point for this model is that the higher the economic stress is in relation to the humiliating effects, which are expressed through a negative attitude from people in the environment, the more negative impact unemployment has in people's lives. The results and analysis in this study confirms the theory. A greater proportion of young people who experience higher levels of economic stress and shame also have poorer health, smoke more, drink more often and are more likely to have tried drugs and have a negative outlook on life, as opposed to adolescents who experience lower levels of economic stress and shame. Overall the model can not be used to explain variations in areas of life concerning social relations and leisure activities. The study also looked into how young people are affected by being unemployed in a consumer society where the norm is to consume. Results and analysis shows that it is young people who experience a greater level of economical distress and shame who consume the most. The explanation for this might be that they are compensating for the loss of status resulting from unemployment.

This study explored the Object Relations of a sample of 45 subjects who were using alcohol and were diagnosed with co-morbid Depressive or Bipolar disorders and/or Personality disorders. All subjects were receiving treatment at a government psychiatric hospital in South Africa. The similarities and differences in the Object Relations of these individuals were identified. A biographical questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorder Test (AUDIT), which was used as a screening measure, and the Bells Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI) were administered to obtain information from a purposive sample. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the results of the assessment measures. Analysis of the BORRTI data indicated a high rate of depressive and personality disorders within this sample. Results of the sub-sample (n=29) whose scores were included in the Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient analysis indicate that higher levels of alcohol consumption result in increased levels of hallucinations and delusions. Other correlations were identified between high levels of alcohol consumption and heightened levels of reality distortions and more uncertainty in the perceptions of these individuals. Significant differences in the scores of the male and female participants were identified. With the female participants, the higher the level of alcohol consumption, the lower the individuals scored in terms of pathological levels of egocentricity, uncertain perceptions, insecure attachments, alienation, social incompetence as well as hallucinations and delusions. Alternatively, in the male sample, higher levels of alcohol consumption result in increased hallucinations and delusions, reality distortions, uncertainty in perceptions, alienation, social incompetence and egocentricity. / Psychology / M.A. (Research Psychology)

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur professionella som är verksamma inom socialtjänst, äldrevård och HVB-hem arbetar med individer som visar tecken på kognitiv svikt, demens och alkoholmissbruk. Datainsamlingsmetoden utgjordes av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Sex (6) intervjuer genomfördes totalt och transkriberades sedan ordagrant. Det insamlade materialet analyserades sedan genom kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Det analyserade materialet tolkades sedan genom den socialekologiska systemteorin. Vissa delar av resultatet från intervjuerna visar att kunskapsbristen inom området skapar olika förutsättningar för arbetsgruppen. Andra delar visade även positiva och negativa exempel på samverkan mellan olika verksamheter. Dessutom visade resultatet även hur politiska beslut och avsaknaden av evidens kan orsaka förändrade förutsättningar för de professionellas arbete. Sammanfattningsvis visade resultaten vikten av samverkan i en kontext där klientens behov kan erbjudas av flera olika verksamheter. Dessutom visade även resultatet hur verksamheterna påverkas av både kunskapsbrister och svårigheter med att samla in evidens. Det kan även föreligga ett behov att reflektera över tidigare socialt arbete för att förstå hur framtidens sociala arbete eventuellt kan förbättras. / The purpose of this study is to examine how professional employees working at social work offices and care homes experience possible opportunities and obstacles while working with individuals showing signs of both cognitive impairment, dementia and the misuse of alcohol. The method of which the material was collected was through semi-structured interviews. In total, six (6) interviews were conducted and later transcribed verbatim. The material was compiled through qualitative content analysis. The compiled material was then later analysed through the social ecological systematic theory. Some of the contents provided through the interviews showed a lack of knowledge regarding the work surrounding the group mentioned above. Other parts of the interview showed both positive and negative examples within cooperation between multiple organisations. The contents also gave examples of how the work is affected by political decisions and also obstructed by the lack of evidence surrounding the group. In conclusion, the results showed how crucial cooperation can be in a context where the afflicted is in need of several instances of help from several different organisations. Moreover, the results also showed a lack in both knowledge and the acquiring of evidence. There may also be a need to reflect on earlier social work to see how future social work can be improved.

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)