Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are a problem among young adults. Problem solving deficits have been implicated in suicide outcomes and may be especially relevant to young adults given the developmental demands and increased risk for STBs during this life stage. Emerging research suggests that problem solving and related cognitive processes (e.g., episodic memory) can be modified through a brief cognitive training session, hereafter referred to as the specificity induction. However, it is unknown whether benefits of this specificity induction extend to suicidal populations. The present study tested a web-based version of the specificity induction intended to improve problem solving skills, episodic memory and divergent thinking among suicidal young adults. We recruited and consented a sample of 105 young adults with past year STBs and randomly assigned them to receive either the specificity induction or a control condition (i.e., general impressions induction). Regarding feasibility of conducting an online study with this population 81.90% (n=86) of those who provided informed consent completed the study protocol. Regarding clinical acceptability of the web-based specificity induction, the majority of participants which received this cognitive training rated that they would be unlikely to “use again”, while endorsing that it was “easy to use” across several items of a user experience self-report questionnaire. Contrary to hypotheses,young adults assigned to complete the specificity induction did not show improvement in their performance on measures of problem solving and related cognitive processes compared to those assigned to the control condition. Through post-hoc analyses we investigated candidate sources of systematic variability in task performance (e.g., attention, mood, task order effects), but none were found to account for participants’ demonstrated problem solving performance. In sum, we conclude that testing this brief cognitive training through an online experimental study was feasible, the cognitive training was modestly acceptable in its online format, and it does not immediately improve suicidal young adults’ problem solving or related cognitive processes. By demonstrating what does not necessarily work with suicidal young adults, there remains room for future research to pursue alternative design or modes of single session interventions.

There is a lack of research on the effects of racial discrimination on the mental health of emerging Polynesian American adults (ages 17-29). This study examines the effects of racial discrimination and the indirect effects of forgiveness on mental health among 423 Polynesian American emerging adults. Correlations were conducted in preliminary analysis then data was further analyzed through multiple regressions to determine if racial discrimination predicts psychological outcomes. A mediation analyses with Hayes PROCESS macro bootstrapping was conducted to examine the indirect effects of forgiveness. Lastly, a point-biserial correlation was conducted to examine the effects of education level on perception of racial discrimination. Elevated experiences of racial discrimination were linked to increase of negative psychological outcomes including depression, anxiety, stress. In addition, experiences of racial discrimination were inversely correlated with anger and self-esteem. Participants with a high school education or less were more likely to report experiences of racial discrimination. Forgiveness mediated the relationship between racial discrimination and depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life. Implications are included regarding the necessity of mental health professionals to be aware of the psychological impacts of racial discrimination among Polynesian emerging adults. Additional results are provided, and implications of these findings are outlined.

Community violence (CV) is a social phenomenon that touches societies around the globe and exhibits alarming prevalence, especially among South African youth. Considering that CV exposure often causes severe internalising and externalising effects, it is not surprising that it can be one of the most destructive experiences for children. Since childhood informs further development, it is significant that factors influencing the general well-being of children be understood and discussed. This includes the exploration and study of a child’s perception, as perceptions have substantial influence over behaviour and well-being. However, few studies have been employed to understand how the youth perceive CV, despite the extensive literature available on this phenomenon. The current study was thus imperative in understanding how adolescents make sense of and perceive CV, which may contribute invaluable knowledge to the intervention efforts and strategies of social workers working with communities. The goal of this study was to explore and describe young adults’ perceptions of CV experienced in a South African context during adolescence. The major objectives of this study were to explore and describe how the participants were exposed to and perceived CV during adolescence, as well as how they believe they were affected by this exposure. The study followed a qualitative research approach and the participants, who comprise of the study population of young adults between the ages of 20 and 25 residing in the City of Tshwane, were attained through means of non-probability sampling, specifically the purposive and snowball sampling methods. An instrumental case study design was applied to the cases of ten (10) participants, who voluntarily participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews that were analysed according to the process phases of Thematic Analysis and were interpreted from the theoretical underpinning of Gestalt theory. The results show that adolescents’ exposure to CV took many different forms and infiltrated their everyday lives. In addition, adolescents’ perceptions of CV were greatly informed and influenced by various factors, both within themselves and within their environments. Furthermore, perceptions of CV were found to largely determine and affect their appraisal thereof, their relative interest therein, as well as their behavioural responses thereto. It can thus be concluded that the study on perceptions of CV is significant towards understanding adolescents’ internal and external functioning and for determining some of the threats encapsulated in CV exposure on adolescent development. Another conclusion drawn was that adolescents’ perceptions of CV may have certain limitations, which could negatively influence reasoning and decision-making and may place various restrictions on their lives. Through socialisation, beliefs and behaviour regarding CV can become normalised, which may lead to the desensitisation thereof. Moreover, perceptions of CV are highly complex and can shape adolescents’ worldviews and self-perception, which might go on to threaten their moral ground and cause disempowerment. The results provide some support for social workers working in violent communities by highlighting various protective factors that may curb the normalisation of CV, as well as its negative effects. Further research should be conducted to determine the degree to which CV has been normalised in South African communities, and the researcher recommends the use of a longitudinal and mixed-method research approach. / Mini Dissertation (MSW (Play-based Intervention))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / 2022/12/31 / Social Work and Criminology / MSW (Play-based Intervention) / Unrestricted

Uppsatsen “Vem man (inte) är” skrevs av Daniela Vergara-Guerrero och Denise Melki. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka hur unga vuxnas inställning till deras bostadsområde Tensta ser ut samt undersöka hur respondenterna uppfattar omgivningens bild av deras bostadsområde. Vi vill även undersöka hur detta påverkar deras identitetsskapande och självbild. Uppsatsens frågeställningar är följande: Hur beskriver respondenterna deras bostadsområde? Hur upplever respondenterna att framställningen av deras bostadsområde ser ut i relation till identitetsskapande? Empirin samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex unga vuxna i åldrarna 16–20 från Tensta. Teorierna som tillämpades var Goffmans teori om stigma samt Hammaren & Johanssons teori om identitet.  Studiens resultat visar att de unga vuxna har en omfattande känsla av gemenskap och stolthet till bostadsområdet och dess invånare. Trots den heta diskursen från media om bland annat kriminalitet och arbetslöshet som råder i Tensta lyfter respondenterna fram att deras verklighet i Tensta skiljer sig från medias yttrande. Respondenterna har kännedom om hur omgivningen ser på området dock menar de att deras bostadsområde inte alls är som media framställer den. Det visar sig att deras gemenskap överväger den negativa stämplingen som omgivningen tilldelar dem. / The study "Who you are (not)” was written by Daniela Vergara-Guerrero and Denise Melki. This study aims to examine how young adults view their living area Tensta. The intention is to examine how the respondents think society views their living area and how it affects their identity creation. The study was answered through the following questions: How do the respondents describe their living area? And how do the respondents feel about the representation of their living area looks in relation to identity creation? The empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six young adults aged 16-20 from Tensta. The study is based on Goffman's theory about stigma and Hammaren & Johannsson's theory about identity.  The study's results show that young adults have an extensive sense of community and pride in Tensta and its inhabitants. Despite the heated discourse of crime and other social dilemmas in the media, the respondents point out that their reality in Tensta differs from the medias' opinion. The respondents are aware of the disturbance that occurs in the living area, but they feel that their residential area is not at all like the media portrays it and their positive view outweighs the negativity they hear about their suburb.

Bakgrund: Förekomsten av psykisk ohälsa så som depression, ångest och stress (DÅS) är vanligt förekommande bland unga vuxna, framförallt hos kvinnor. Evidensen för att fysisk aktivitet har en reducerande effekt på DÅS är stark. Forskning visar också på en variation i stress och psykosomatiska besvär relaterat till typ av program på gymnasiet.    Syfte: Att undersöka tänkbara samband mellan nivå av fysisk aktivitet och upplevd DÅS hos 18-åringar som läser naturvetenskapligt program. Samt undersöka eventuella könsskillnader inom upplevd DÅS och självrapporterad nivå av fysisk aktivitet.   Metod: Studien var en kvantitativ, icke-experimentell tvärsnittsstudie med komparativ design. Vid datainsamling användes två självskattningsformulär (IPAQ-SF och DASS-21). Genomförandet skedde inom Uppsala kommun på fyra gymnasieskolor med naturvetenskapligt program. Totalt deltog 35 elever från nio klasser.   Resultat: Samtliga deltagare översteg rekommendationer för fysisk aktivitet. Inga signifikanta könsskillnader förekom. Majoriteten av deltagarna visade på ingen eller låg nivå av DÅS. Resultatet visade på skillnader i nivå av ångest, där kvinnorna rapporterade en högre nivå. Ett negativt samband mellan uppskattad fysisk aktivitet och DÅS gick att se hos gruppen som helhet, samt hos männen. Konklusion: Majoriteten av de 18-åriga män och kvinnor som undersökts i denna studie rapporterade höga nivåer av fysisk aktivitet och ingen eller låg nivå av DÅS. Kvinnorna rapporterade dock högre nivåer av ångest. Studien fann inget samband mellan självrapporterad fysisk aktivitet och DÅS för kvinnor men ett starkt samband för män. Dessa könsskillnader bör undersökas vidare. / Background: The presence of mental illness, like depression, anxiety and stress (DAS), is common among young adults, especially among females. There is strong evidence of physical activity having a reducing effect on DAS. Furthermore, research shows variation in stress and psychosomatic disorders related to different programs in high school.   Purpose: To investigate possible correlations between level of physical activity and experienced DAS among 18-year olds, studying natural science programme. Also, to investigate possible gender differences regarding experienced DAS and self-reported level of physical activity.   Method: The study consisted of a quantitative, non-experimental cross section study with comparative design. For data collection, two self-administered forms (IPAQ-SF and DASS-21) were used. The implementation took place at four high schools that had natural science programs within Uppsala municipality. A total of 35 students from nine classes attended.   Results: All participants exceeded recommendations for physical activity. There was no significant difference between the sexes. Most of the participants showed none, or low levels of DAS. The results showed differences in level of anxiety, where females reported a higher level. A correlation between DAS and physical activity was detected among males and females together as a group, as well as among the males.   Conclusion: Most of the 18-year old males and females investigated within this study reported high levels of physical activity, and none or low levels of DAS. The females reported higher levels of anxiety. Among the females, no correlation was found between level of physical activity and perceived DAS, but a strong correlation was found among the males. These gender differences should be further investigated.

The diploma thesis deals with the concept of "coupledom" and the opinions of young adults, who are defined as young people from 26 to 30 years, on couple relationships. Based on semi-structured interviews, there is examined the basis on which young adults decide in the context of "coupledom", what changes they perceive in relationships and, last but not least, how they feel "coupledom" in relation to their private lives. The theoretical basis of the work is the introduction of the concept of "pairing" and what shapes it. In particular, the work deals with the democratization concept of a "pure" relationship and reflections on a progressive view of relationships. The analytical output of the work is the presentation of young adults' view of couple relationships, which shows that couple relationships are a constructed normative model with regulatory functions on the lives of young adults. Key words coupledom, relationships, pure relationship, young adults, love, norm

This study aims to, against the background of the change in viewership figures, identify the factors that explain SVT Neuter’s increasing popularity within the age group young adults during the corona pandemic in the spring of 2020. The study wishes to receive answers to the questions: How do the interviewed young adults reason about their own media use and use of SVT Nyheter during the corona pandemic? And how do the interviewed young adults reason about increases/decreases in their own consumption of news based on the changed needs that have arisen as a result of the corona pandemic? The framework of uses and gratifications are taken into concern when analysing the results of this study.  Four participants, within the study selection group, were placed in a focus group to be interviewed and discuss with each other. Where the participants consisted of people with different genders and background, however with a common daily news consumption. One participant, with responsibility for SVT´s newsroom, was also interviewed after the focus group, to get an insight from the inside of SVT and as a compliment to the answers from the focus group. The analyse method is qualitative in order to find codes, define themes with the purpose to find patterns.  The conclusion of the findings is that need-satisfying factors were those, based on the results and gratifications, that affected the use of SVT Nyheter most within the focus group. The main theme, and finding, is the media use of the interviewed young adultsˈ during the pandemic. Where the influence of the media structure and individual factors such as housing situation has been important for news consumptions and the choice of media. Within the focus group, all participants agreed that the use of news mostly took place on digital and social media platforms, including news from SVT. This study is relevant as it examines a phenomenon during an ongoing crisis, where research is lacking, and may also enable today´s media society to gain an understanding of why young adultsˈ increased their use of SVT Nyheter during the pandemic. This is to understand young adults need for news for further research.

The purpose of this thesis is to find out how young adults perceive gambling companies' video commercials in Sweden. A fast rise of commercials from gambling companies have evolved in recent years. As of January 2021, 102 companies have been approved for a Swedish gambling license. The total number of people gambling has not increased, but the total turnover has increased rapidly. Online casinos are considered one of the most addictive forms of gambling and therefore researchers claim that commercials from online casinos have the largest effect on people compared to other gambling forms. This makes it interesting to investigate video commercials in relation to young adults who are considered to be the biggest risk group to develop a gambling problem. To gain insight, we selected three video commercials and performed an in-depth analysis based on the method multimodal content analysis. Two focus group interviews were conducted with participants between the ages of 18-24 years. The focus groups were shown three commercials from three different gambling companies and were then asked about their opinion and interpretation of the commercials. The results were further analysed by the study’s theoretical framework of Stuart Hall's (1973) communication model encoding/decoding was used to analyse the video commercials and the answers from the focus groups.  The data from the focus group interviews indicated that gambling commercials could potentially have an impact on influencing young adults ages 18-24 years. The respondent's interpretation was generally negative since the majority of the participants disliked the video commercials and thought that the commercials were disturbing. Among the fifteen participants, three of them responded positively to some of the commercials and got more interested in wanting to start playing at online casinos after viewing the three video commercials. This suggests that gambling video commercials could have a negative influence.

Although, it is well established that regular exercise has a positive effect on various domains of cognitive functions, effects of a single session (acute) exercise on cognitive functions of an young adult is under debate. While a numbers of research have found positive associations between acute exercise and cognitive performance, multiple research have found no effect of acute exercise on the cognitive functions. There are also evidences that suggest that acute exercise reduces brain function of healthy young adults. This thesis took on a meta-analytical approach to determine the effect of a single session exercise on the cognitive functions of healthy young adults, and metaregression analyses were performed to identify the moderators that may influence the effect of acute exercise on cognitive functions of healthy young adults. After a comprehensive electronic search 59 experimental studies were found to be eligible for inclusions based on the pre-specified criteria. Results indicated that acute exercise has a small but significant effect on the cognitive functions of healthy young adults. However, larger effects are possible for particular cognitive outcomes (reaction time), when specific exercise parameters are used (5 minutes of exercise duration, moderate intensity exercise), and when specific assessment task is used (visual span board task, and serial subtraction of 7). The overall findings of this study is consistent with previous research. However, more research is needed to get a clear understanding of the acute exercise effect moderators.

This dissertation investigates how adolescents and young adults engage with social media in the context of health and wellness and explores new directions for the design of informatics interventions that utilize social media for promoting healthy nutrition among this population. Adolescence and young adulthood are critical points in the formation of life-long health habits, including healthy eating. Social media presents a unique opportunity for health promotion interventions for this population, given their high levels of engagement with social media in various areas of their lives. Yet contemporary interventions for promoting healthy eating utilize only a limited set of social media capabilities. In this dissertation, I approached these questions though a combination of studies of young adults’ attitudes, preferences, and behaviors with social media, a deployment study of a novel informatics intervention for healthy eating among adolescents and young adults, and explorations of novel ways to incorporate machine learning approaches in identifying opportunities to inspire healthy behaviors.