Although the public understands that participation in clinical research is necessary to advance the knowledge and skills of medical science, the rates of participation have been demonstrated to be trending downwards. Inadequate participation rates can have dramatic scientific and economic effects that ultimately affect the advancement of science. The attitudes and reasons for participation and non-participation in clinical research have been examined by a multitude of researchers. However, willingness to participate research is typically focused on a narrow range of populations, that is those diagnosed with an illness or disease and minority populations. The purpose of this study is to examine the demographic and knowledge factors which influence community-dwelling young adults' attitudes, as the future generation of clinical research volunteers, towards willingness to participate in clinical research. Knowing which factors are associated with young adults' attitudes and intention of willingness to participate will be of benefit to those who conduct research by identifying and rectifying barriers to participation. Quantitative data, in the form of a one-time questionnaire administered by a paper and pencil instrument, were collected from a purposive sample of Grade 12 (seniors) students recruited from Iowa public high schools. My findings suggest that knowledge, acquired both by formal education and informal education, was associated with behavioral beliefs and attitudes about clinical research in this sample of students as a precursor to being willing to participate in clinical research. Fewer demographic factors, such as gender, race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, were associated with the behavioral beliefs and attitudes measures. This is excellent news to those who conduct research as informational factors may be changed. Aiming interventions at informing young adults about clinical research process and procedures may be of benefit to attitude formation with hopes to impact future enrollment in clinical research. Media, as a method of informal education, may be of use as a way to provide information.

This dissertation study sought to explore the hidden resilience among a homeless young adult population (ages 18-24). The majority of research conducted on homeless young adults remains limited to examining their multiple challenges and risk factors. While the high rates of substance use issues, mental health problems and trauma implicit in their lives warrant attention, research on the unconventional resilience of this group may enable service providers to better understand their unique needs. Recently researchers have begun to address the strengths and unique personal capabilities of this population. This dissertation follows this trend and utilizes the social estrangement model as a conceptual framework to examine predictors of resilience. Variables were examined within the context of four domains implicit in the social estrangement model that represent the amount of estrangement that exists in the lives of homeless young adults. The four domains explored within this conceptual framework included, institutional disaffiliation, psychological functioning, human capital and identification with the homeless culture. Findings from this study revealed that homeless young adults' self-esteem and optimistic perspectives of the future predicted higher resiliency, while drug dependency predicted lower resiliency. Additionally, homeless young adults' coping served as a mediating variable between their levels of self-esteem and optimistic perspectives of the future with resiliency. Implications for professionals working with a homeless young adult population include developing and strengthening substance preventions programs tailored to uniquely address their resiliency needs. Additionally, social workers and other direct service providers may incorporate intervention strategies that focus on improving self-esteem and increasing young adults' optimistic perspectives of the future. Homeless young adults will benefit from working with professionals who have a better understanding of their lives on streets and the unique coping strategies and survival skills that enable them to persist in a dangerous environment. Recognizing the strengths and resilience that homeless young adults are capable of, and incorporating strength-based perspectives in work with this group may empower these young adults to make positive choices and increase the likelihood of transitioning out of homelessness. / text

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the School of Information Studies. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/02/12). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (PhD) -- Australian Catholic University, 2006. / Submitted total fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Bibliography: p. 315-338. Also available in an electronic format via the internet.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, 2007. / Abstract. Includes annotated bibliographical references (leaves 205-211).

Thesis (Psy.D.)--Carlos Albizu University, 2005. / Adviser: Richard Gaudet. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2009.

Background: Curtailing adverse social determinants of health is pivotal to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development`s vision for a healthy and inclusive society. In Zimbabwe, fulfilling Vision 2030 may involve adopting socially inclusive approaches, particularly for young people dually afflicted with HIV and substance use disorders. However, social inclusion remains conceptually unclear and underutilized in relation to marginalized groups in low resource settings. This study sought to explore and understand how dually afflicted young adults with substance use disorders and HIV in Zimbabwe experienced and negotiated their social inclusion. Methods: This study utilised a qualitative instrumental case study design. Primary qualitative and quantitative data were collected to develop a thorough understanding of the case of an occupational perspective of social inclusion among dually afflicted young adults in Zimbabwe. The multiple methods used in this study included: i) narrative inquiry with five dually afflicted young adults; ii) in-depth interviews with five key informants; iii) document analysis of seven policies; and, iv) exploratory cross-sectional survey of social inclusion and associated factors (n=105). These multiple methods and sources contributed to the study`s trustworthiness. Multi-level case study analysis was applied as follows; 1st level: narrative analysis of each of the five young adults` stories, descriptive analysis of key informant interviews, document analysis and descriptive statistical analysis of the cross-sectional survey data. 2nd level: thematic case analysis drawing from all four data sources. 3rd level: theorised conceptual occupational constructs. Findings: Five narratives illustrated how using agency and having occupational choices were central to the young adults` experience and negotiation of social inclusion. The overarching Case theme was “Navigating an already troubled life: Striving for belonging and well-being”. This consists of three categories: 1) Dealing with a context of mixed realities, 2) Trying to adjust to new challenges and, 3) Life on the margins. These findings show how dually afflicted young adults in Zimbabwe respond and resist the influences of dominant discourses through dynamic and interconnected actions that shape their realities. Conclusion: The study describes and explains how dually afflicted young adults experienced and negotiated their social inclusion. The data affirms the role of agency and proposes a more critical view of occupational choice, activist occupational choice, in understanding social inclusion. As an emergent concept it is categorized by occupational choices, largely defying standard norms of engagement, and aims to break away from oppressive systems and problematic situations. Recognising the diverse manifestation of agency yields an appreciation for how occupations that are indigenous, collective, and resist oppression contributes to experiences of social inclusion.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Arts in Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, 2017 / This study examined the young adults views on parenting styles in uMlazi KwaZulu-Natal.The main objectives of the study were: 1) to explore young adults’ views on the type of parenting styles that they have been brought up with; 2) to find out if there are any differences in the parenting styles from the views of young adults raised by single or both parents and 3) to explore how parenting style has influence the developmental outcome of young adults. A sample of twelve (12) young adults raised by either parents or a single parent from birth to at least 18 years were conveniently selected to participate in the study. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect data and the transcribed data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that the majority of the young adults have been raised by authoritative parents. A good quality relationship between parents and young adults was found to have made a significant difference in the young adults’ lives as it has taught them to be independent, self-sufficient, perform well at school and aspire to be great individuals in the community. It was also observed that authoritative parenting style proved to be the optimal parenting style which majority of the participants preferred to adopt and use on their children. These findings underscore the need for community counsellors to provide relationship training/ family therapy to help families with parental problems.