In focus for this thesis is a village in a sparsely populated area in the county of Västerbotten, Vil­helmina, and its encounter with a relatively large, unusual, and modern company within the service sector, MRF Assistance, that established itself in Vilhelmina. This event is interesting because it implies the encroachment of "the informati on-age" on the local labour market of Vilhelmina. Previous negative experiences made many citizens sceptical to the establishment, while others saw it as a solution. The theoretical point of departure in illuminating this encounter is Ferdinand Tönnies' classical concepts "Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft", and their role when people make decisions and evaluate and reflect upon different perceived choices in their lives. I will describe this encounter from the perspective of the youths who were employed by the company. The aim of the study is to illuminate the modernisation processes in sparsely populated areas. More spe­cifically the research questions are as follows: How do the informants perceive their lives and an­choring in Vilhelmina ("Gemeinschaft")? How do they perceive the establishment of MRF As­sistance ("Gesellschaft")? What are the experiences of the employees regarding the time they were employed by the company, was it possible to combine "Gemeinschaft" and "Ge­sellschaft"? Different methods have been used in this thesis in order to triangulate the information and re­ach valid results. Most obvious is the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The data used in the quantitative part of the investigation have been collected from a survey administe­red to the employees of the company. The qualitative part is based on qualitative interviews with employees on different occasions. The qualitative interpretations have applied the grounded theo­ry - approach. The discoveries, which were generated with help of codes and categories, were than discussed in relation to relevant research and especially to the theoretical points of departure. Some of the tracers identified as empirically grounded and possible to integrate in a comparative analysis were the following: The norm-system of the company sometimes proved to be in conflict with the one of the village. In spite of this, it proved to be easy for the young employees to deal with the situation. The ambivalence was there but they were able to handle it. The young employ­ees showed trust and confidence in the company as a modern component of their society. Feelings of reliance on what was new were possible to combine with feelings of confidence in the habitual. They could easily live with ambivalence. Their cognitive maps were flexible and more context dependent than rigid. The young employees, in evaluating options and reflecting upon conse­quences of decisions, tend to activate the social representations of "Gemeinschaft" and "Gemein­schaft". The classic ideal-type proved still to be in use. A final remark is that taken together, the results and interpretations indicate at least hypothetically, that young people in rural areas rise to the standards that companies like MRF Assistance demand from its employees. The apprehension of potential contractors seems to be based more on myths than on reality. / digitalisering@umu

Alkohol är ett vanligt berusningsmedel i Sverige. Tidigare forskning har visat att familj och vänner påverkar ungdomars alkoholkonsumtion. Studiens syfte var att undersöka ungdomars upplevelse av vad som påverkade deras alkoholkonsumtion samt om skillnader fanns mellan landsbygd och stad. Den teoretiska utgångspunkten i undersökningen var Bronfenbrenners ekologiska modell. Metoden som användes var berättelser där ungdomar skrev om en situation där de druckit alkohol eller avstått samt öppna enkätfrågor. Deltagarna kom från två gymnasieskolor och var i åldrarna 15-20 år. Totalt 96 personer medverkade varav 68 tjejer. Resultatet visade att fest, vänner, eget beslut och resor var de faktorer som påverkade mest. På landsbygden påverkades ungdomarna mer av familj och släkt. I staden upplevde många det som jobbigt att vara ensam om att vara nykter. De vanligaste orsakerna att avstå från alkohol var dåliga erfarenheter, inget behov och roligt utan. Överlag hade ungdomar på landsbygden en mer avslappnad syn till alkoholkonsumtionen.

Damage to motor areas of the brain, caused by stroke, can produce devastating motor deficits, including aberrant control of force. After stroke, reorganization of the brain’s motor system has been identified as one of the fundamental mechanisms involved in recovery of motor control after stroke. Yet, few studies have investigated how force production and modulation are encoded in the brain after stroke and how this relates to motor outcome. Thus, the purpose of this study was to (1) understand how past neuroimaging literature has contributed to establishing common patterns of brain reorganization during both relative and absolute force production after stroke, (2) examine how brain function is reorganized during force production and modulation in individuals with stroke, and (3) relate this task-related reorganization of brain function to the amount of paretic arm use after stroke. In the second chapter, we systematically reviewed all relevant literature examining brain activation during force production after stroke. The following chapters (chapters 3 and 4) applied functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural correlates of force production and modulation after stroke. Chapter 2 supports differences in task-related brain activation dependent on features of stroke, such as severity and chronicity, as well as influence of rehabilitation. In addition, results suggest that activation of common motor areas of the brain during force production can be identified in relation to functional outcome after stroke. Results from the subsequent two chapters (3 and 4), demonstrate that brain function reorganizes in terms of absolute, and not relative force production after stroke. Specifically, stroke participants exhibit greater activation of motor areas than healthy controls when matched for absolute force production. Moreover, there is a relationship between paretic arm usage and brain activation, where stroke participants having less paretic arm use, as measured using wrist accelerometers, exhibit higher brain activation. Results of this thesis suggest that during absolute force production, brain activation may approach near maximal levels in stroke participants at lower forces than healthy controls. Furthermore, this effect may be amplified even further in subjects with less paretic arm usage, as increased activation in motor areas occurs in participants with less arm use after stroke. Ultimately, the results from this thesis will contribute to research relevant to brain reorganization in individuals with stroke and may lead to the development of new, beneficial therapeutic interventions that optimize brain reorganization and improve functional recovery after stroke.

The overall aim of this thesis was to explore the impact of workplace social relations on the implementation of return-to-work interventions. The thesis consists of four separate papers with specific aims. In Paper I, the overall purpose of the study was to analyse how a multi-stakeholder return-to-work programme was implemented and experienced from the perspective of the stakeholders involved, i.e. supervisors, occupational health consultants and a project coordinator. The objective was to identify and analyse how these stakeholders perceived that the programme had been implemented in relation to its intentions. In Paper II, the objective was to explore how workplace actors experience social relations, and how organisational dynamics in workplace-based return-to-work start before and extend beyond the initial return of the sick-listed worker to the workplace. In Paper III, the objective was to explore the meaning of early contact in return-to-work, and how social relational actions and conditions can facilitate or impede early contact among workplace actors. In Paper IV, the objective was to explore the role of co-workers in the return-to-work process, and their contribution to the process, starting from when a colleague falls ill, continuing when he/she subsequently becomes sick-listed and finally when he/she re-enters the workgroup. The general methodological approach to the papers in this thesis has been explorative and interpretive; qualitative methods have been used, involving interviews, group interviews and collection of employer policies on return-to-work. The data material has been analysed through back-and-forth abductive (Paper I), and inductive (Papers II-IV) content analysis. The main findings from Paper I show that discrepancies in the interpretations of policy intentions between key stakeholders (project coordinator, occupational health consultants and supervisors) created barriers for implementing the employer-based return-to-work programme, due to lack of communication, support, coaching and training activities of key stakeholders dedicated to the biopsychosocial intentions of the programme. In Papers II-IV, the workplace actors (re-entering workers, co-workers, supervisors and/or human resources manager) experienced the return-to-work process as phases (time before the sick leave, when on sick leave, when re-entering the workplace, and future sustainability). The findings highlight the importance and relevance of the varied roles of the different workplace actors during the identified phases of the return-to-work process. In particular, the positive contribution of co-workers, and their experience of shifting demands and expectations during each phase, is acknowledged. During the period of time before sick leave the main findings show how workplace actors experience the meaning of early contact within a social relational context, and how early contact is more than an activity that is merely carried out (or not carried out). The findings show how workplace actors experience uncertainties about how and when contact should take place, and the need to balance possible infringement that early contact might cause for the re-entering worker between pressure to return to work and their private health management. The findings in this thesis show how the workplace is a socially complex dynamic setting, which challenges some static models of return-to-work. The biopsychosocial and ecological/case management models and policies for return-to-work have been criticised for neglecting social relations in a return-to-work process at the workplace. This thesis provides increased knowledge and explanations regarding important factors in workplace social relations that facilitate an understanding of what might “make or break” the return-to-work process.

Ecotourism is one of the fastest expanding tourism markets. It has received much attention in developing countries and economically impoverished regions around the world. As an agent of change, ecotourism has been linked to sustainable development strategies and initiatives in many places. However, ecotourism can induce a variety of both positive and negative environmental, cultural and socioeconomic impacts at a destination. Operating in its ideal form (according to some), ecotourism provides the tourist with a quality nature experience, generates funds and support for conservation efforts, has minimal environmental impact and provides socioeconomic benefits to local host communities. While there is evidence that ecotourism's espoused benefits can be realized, there are equally as many, if not more, cases where ecotourism has fallen short of its proposed objectives. Indeed, ecotourism's impact has been highly variable. At the same time, some have criticized that there have been relatively few practical assessments of ecotourism's status at specific destinations. This study sought to assess the current status of ecotourism at two destinations where it is being promoted as a regional development strategy. The existing tourism-park/resource-community relationships and impacts are evaluated at Jianfengling and Diaoluoshan National Forest Parks, in Hainan Province, China. Hainan, although endowed with a wealth of natural resources, is one of China's most economically backward provinces. Ecotourism has been identified as an important provincial strategy for balancing economic growth and conservation. The study is intended to enhance the capacity of ecotourism to generate benefits for both the local communities and destinations (the protected areas), and thus contribute to the sustainable development of the region more generally. Given the exploratory nature of the research, qualitative analysis was used. Interviews, observations and secondary sources were the main vehicles of inquiry employed in this study. Basic quantitative analysis was used to aid in the interpretation of interview results. Triangulation, in terms of both data sources (primary and secondary) and methods (document collection, observations, interviews, quantitative analysis), was used wherever possible to limit personal and methodological biases. Similar results were found in both the Jianfengling and Diaoluoshan case studies. Ecotourism development is at an early stage. As such, socioeconomic benefits for the local communities have been very limited. At the same time, residents have had to cope with reduced access to resources since the Parks were established in the mid-1990s. Nevertheless, community residents generally support conservation and are optimistic that tourism growth will yield benefits. Both Parks receive relatively few tourists, and neither Park charges a user fee. As a result, (eco)tourism has not, to date, contributed revenues towards conservation efforts. Although the Parks offer spectacular tropical scenery, facilities are basic and educational opportunities for tourists are few. Planning direction and recommendations are offered based on the study findings and the salient ecotourism literature. Identified opportunities, constraints and recommendations are used to provide a potential framework for the development of a park (eco)tourism plan at each study site. Results and recommendations could inform planning and management processes, and thus enhance the capacity of ecotourism to generate benefits at the study sites and, more generally, throughout Hainan.

Governance is widely discussed in various government sectors or agencies such as Health Care and Education and throughout the private sector. Yet, it is only recently that reference to governance with regards to parks and protected areas has come to the for-front within various political and ecological circles. Parks and protected areas are increasingly threatened by climate change and political influences and therefore, there is a current need to assess the design and operations of protected areas so that they can be properly managed for the changes that have and will continue to occur. The current study examined how five stakeholder groups perceived 12 governance factors under Ontario Parks’ management model. Results revealed that Ontario Parks’ management model is perceived as having good levels of governance for all 12 factors by the entire population and within each of the five stakeholder groups. Differences in perception were observed primarily between the Park Staff participants when compared to the Contractor and Local Resident participants

No description available.

Ecotourism is one of the fastest expanding tourism markets. It has received much attention in developing countries and economically impoverished regions around the world. As an agent of change, ecotourism has been linked to sustainable development strategies and initiatives in many places. However, ecotourism can induce a variety of both positive and negative environmental, cultural and socioeconomic impacts at a destination. Operating in its ideal form (according to some), ecotourism provides the tourist with a quality nature experience, generates funds and support for conservation efforts, has minimal environmental impact and provides socioeconomic benefits to local host communities. While there is evidence that ecotourism's espoused benefits can be realized, there are equally as many, if not more, cases where ecotourism has fallen short of its proposed objectives. Indeed, ecotourism's impact has been highly variable. At the same time, some have criticized that there have been relatively few practical assessments of ecotourism's status at specific destinations. This study sought to assess the current status of ecotourism at two destinations where it is being promoted as a regional development strategy. The existing tourism-park/resource-community relationships and impacts are evaluated at Jianfengling and Diaoluoshan National Forest Parks, in Hainan Province, China. Hainan, although endowed with a wealth of natural resources, is one of China's most economically backward provinces. Ecotourism has been identified as an important provincial strategy for balancing economic growth and conservation. The study is intended to enhance the capacity of ecotourism to generate benefits for both the local communities and destinations (the protected areas), and thus contribute to the sustainable development of the region more generally. Given the exploratory nature of the research, qualitative analysis was used. Interviews, observations and secondary sources were the main vehicles of inquiry employed in this study. Basic quantitative analysis was used to aid in the interpretation of interview results. Triangulation, in terms of both data sources (primary and secondary) and methods (document collection, observations, interviews, quantitative analysis), was used wherever possible to limit personal and methodological biases. Similar results were found in both the Jianfengling and Diaoluoshan case studies. Ecotourism development is at an early stage. As such, socioeconomic benefits for the local communities have been very limited. At the same time, residents have had to cope with reduced access to resources since the Parks were established in the mid-1990s. Nevertheless, community residents generally support conservation and are optimistic that tourism growth will yield benefits. Both Parks receive relatively few tourists, and neither Park charges a user fee. As a result, (eco)tourism has not, to date, contributed revenues towards conservation efforts. Although the Parks offer spectacular tropical scenery, facilities are basic and educational opportunities for tourists are few. Planning direction and recommendations are offered based on the study findings and the salient ecotourism literature. Identified opportunities, constraints and recommendations are used to provide a potential framework for the development of a park (eco)tourism plan at each study site. Results and recommendations could inform planning and management processes, and thus enhance the capacity of ecotourism to generate benefits at the study sites and, more generally, throughout Hainan.

Governance is widely discussed in various government sectors or agencies such as Health Care and Education and throughout the private sector. Yet, it is only recently that reference to governance with regards to parks and protected areas has come to the for-front within various political and ecological circles. Parks and protected areas are increasingly threatened by climate change and political influences and therefore, there is a current need to assess the design and operations of protected areas so that they can be properly managed for the changes that have and will continue to occur. The current study examined how five stakeholder groups perceived 12 governance factors under Ontario Parks’ management model. Results revealed that Ontario Parks’ management model is perceived as having good levels of governance for all 12 factors by the entire population and within each of the five stakeholder groups. Differences in perception were observed primarily between the Park Staff participants when compared to the Contractor and Local Resident participants

Syfte Huvudsyftet med denna studie var att undersöka om det finns ett samband mellan graden av fysisk aktivitet och nedstämdhet/depression bland elever i årskurs 3 på gymnasiet. Vidare syften var att undersöka om nedstämda/deprimerade elever upplever känsla av meningsfullhet, glädje och lycka, lugn och harmoni samt kontroll över sin vardag i samma utsträckning som icke nedstämda eller deprimerade elever. Dessutom är ambitionen att undersöka om den upplevda stressnivån samvarierar med graden av fysisk aktivitet. Slutligen skulle alla dessa aspekter undersökas ur ett genusperspektiv. Metod Till denna studie har en kvantitativ enkätmetod använts. Deltagarna i undersökningen bestod av 252 gymnasieelever i årskurs tre från olika gymnasieprogram på två gymnasieskolor. Enkätsvaren behandlades statistiskt med hjälp av SPSS där signifikansnivån var satt till (p<0,05) Resultat Resultaten visar att mer än var tredje elev på de aktuella skolorna var nedstämda eller deprimerade, flickorna i högre grad än pojkarna. Den fysiska aktivitetsnivån var låg, 37 % av flickorna och 28 % av pojkarna var fysisk inaktiva. De fysiskt aktiva eleverna hade signifikant lägre CES-D värde dvs. var i betydande lägre grad nedstämda och deprimerade. Resultaten visade att elever med hög fysisk aktivitetsgrad upplever sig ha en betydligt lägre stressnivå än eleverna med lägre eller obefintlig fysisk aktivitetsgrad. De nedstämda och deprimerade eleverna visade i denna studie med god signifikans att såväl flickor som pojkar till mellan 70 % och 90 % sällan eller aldrig upplever följande känslor: Lugn och harmoni, Glädje och/eller lycka, Kontroll över sin vardag samt Meningsfullhet  Slutsats Resultaten i denna studie tyder på att den fysiska aktiviteten samvarierar med nedstämdhet och depression, men för att undersöka vad som är orsak och verkan måste interventionsstudier och vidare longitudinella studier i frågan utföras. Den fysiska aktiviteten verkar således samvariera med graden av nedstämdhet och depression. / The aim The main aim of this study was to investigate if there is a correlation between the extent of physical activity and low-spiritedness/depression among students in the third year of upper secondary school. Further aims were to investigate if low-spirited or depressed students experienced the feelings of sense of meaning, joy and happiness, calm and harmony, and control of the weekday to the same extent as non low-spirited/depressed students. Moreover to investigate if the experienced level of stress relates to the amount of physical activity. Finally all these aspects where investigated with a gender perspective. Method In this study a quantitative questionnaire method was used. The participants were 252 students in the third year of upper secondary school from different study programmes. The questionnaire answers were statistically analyzed with SPSS, and the level of significance was set at p<0, 05. Results The results showed that more than a third of the students at the current schools where low-spirited or depressed, the girls to a higher degree than boys. The extent of physical activity was low, 37 % of the girls and 28 % of the boys where physically inactive.  The students who were very physically active had lower CES-D value i.e. they where less low-spirited and depressed. The results also showed that the students who had a higher extent of physical activity experienced a lower level of stress then students with lower extent or non physical activity. Seventy to ninety percent of those in this study who were low-spirited or depressed exhibited, girls as well as boys, that they seldom or never experienced the following feelings: sense of meaning, joy and happiness, calm and harmony, and control of the weekday. Conclusion The results from this study indicate that the extent of physical activity has a covariance with low-spiritedness and depression. To investigate what the cause and effect is intervention studies and longitudinal studies of this effect must be done. However, it appears that physical activity covariates with the extent of low spiritedness and depression.