Teenage childbearing is a global social and health concern. South Africa is not spared from the problems of teenage pregnancy be they related to health or to the social sphere. Researchers have been entreated to investigate teenagers’ sexual behaviour and the determinants to their behaviour especially in light of HIV/AIDS and other sexually related diseases. Various programmes and interventions have been developed and implemented in an effort to manage prevalence rates and address the challenges of teenage pregnancy. Inspite of these concerted efforts, pregnancy rates continue to increase. These efforts have been hampered by the absence of the voice of teenagers in research as interventions implemented do not adequately capture the complexity of teenage pregnancy. Research has also divorced teenagers from the environment within which teenage pregnancy takes place and as a result come up with interventions that are not pro teenagers. The absence of teenagers’ input in these interventions results in little uptake of interventions as teenagers feel no ownership or entitlement to these intervention. This study therefore seeks to bridge the gap by addressing teenage pregnancy from the perspective of teenagers themselves and locates teenage pregnancy within the lived experiences of teenagers. Guided by the Social Ecology Model and The Health Belief Model, this study seeks to analyse teenagers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards teenage pregnancy. This study is qualitative in nature and is situated within the interpretive paradigm that enables the researcher to explore people’s lived experiences. Using the case study approach, the study employs focus group discussions to elicit information from participants on their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards teenage pregnancy. The study concludes that knowledge; attitudes and perceptions are influenced and affected by various factors such as peer pressure, lack of adequate information and gender dynamics. To address teenage pregnancy challenges, there is a need for addressing the structural factors that influence teenagers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions. Knowledge on safe sex and contraception abounds though this knowledge does not to translate to positive health affirming behaviour. This gap is attributed to the structural factors that influence and affect health behaviour. As such these factors, such as entrenched poverty and lack of proper sexual health communication need to be addressed if teenage pregnancy is to be managed.

The purpose of this study was to identify common themes which contribute to the subjective well-being of college students with disabilities. Four students with varying disabilities were recruited for participation in the study based on their well-adjusted behavior patterns and sense of well-being. Participants completed a series of quantitative instruments and three one-hour interviews. The data were analyzed and interpreted, resulting in eleven common themes. The emergent themes included: a perception of normality, a close family network, a perception of strong parental work ethic, valuing family and social support, personal independence, self-acceptance, a multidimensional view of health and wellness, a positive attitude, an emphasis on ability, being a campus leader and possessing a positive self-rating of wellness. The results of this study support the literature on adjustment for persons with disabilities and provide themes which may be useful for further study on larger groups. / Institute for Wellness

The intent of this study was to observe four at-risk adolescent females participating in a community youth choir. Their self-concept and behavior were monitored for sixteen weeks to see if this music experience had any impact on them.The four girls were institutionalized at a treatment facility for troubled juveniles and wards of the state of Indiana.The girls participated in the White River Youth Choir.Qualitative data were gathered via rehearsal observations, weekly cottage dinner visits, journal entries, formal and informal dialogues. telephone calls, written correspondence. and miscellaneous materials.Two standardized inventories were used as supplementary data.The Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 (CBCL/4-18) was filled out by a counselor. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale: Second Edition (TSCS: 2) was completed by the girls.Data management and analysis were aided by QRS NUD*IST software (Non-Numerical Unstructured Data Indexing. Searching, and Theory-Building).The naturalistic inquiry technique of triangulation was emphasized when discovering patterns among various interrelationships.Emerging themes were:music plays a role in these girls lives, a three versus one division separates the girls, the girls segregate themselves from others, a community choir may not be the panacea, and indications that the girls have been or are at-risk sexually.Behavior and self-concept changes occurred but could not be attributed specifically to choir involvement.Findings of the study suggest that uncontrolled factors (i.e. staff turnover. communication problems, absenteeism, and anti-social behavior) must be addressed before at-risk teenage girls could successfully assimilate themselves into a community youth choir.An on-campus music experience is recommended for institutionalized female adolescents. Organizing a music ensemble having support of institutional staff, emphasizing short-term commitment, using a staff member as director, allowing ownership by using familiar music as well as letting the girls have a say in its choice. providing reasonable challenges. and giving girls individualized attention is suggested. / School of Music

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rijuksuniversiteit te Utrecht, 1982. / Summary in Dutch. Includes bibliographical references.

Text in English / The problem of leadership and corruption in Nigeria is a known fact. A good number of Nigerian politicians and top government officials do not think that politics has anything to do with ethics. Currently, injustice is displayed in all spheres of Nigerian life. Indigenous moral values are almost completely ignored and abandoned. Nigeria no longer operates according to the hallowed observance of the rubric ‘Aa kii see’ (it is not done). It is no longer a society of law and order, crime and punishment, good behaviour and adequate reward. It is no longer a society which recognises the principles of abomination/taboos, or what the Yorubas describe as eewo. Taboos represent the main source of guiding principles regulating and directing the behaviour of individuals in the community. However, experience has shown over the years that politics’ functional peak is only attainable with the help of ethics. Politics based on the ethical principle of social equality is one of the indispensable features of true democracy. For politics to be effective and meaningful, ethics must not be forgotten. Politics without morality produces unethical leadership. This study claims that, the much desired political moral uprightness is achievable in Nigeria, if African traditional ethics is harnessed as a tool in solving the problem of unethical leadership and corruption, especially embezzlement. The thesis also attempts to show that, through reinforced moral education for both young and old, it will become more accepted that morality is the backbone of politics and it must not be ignored. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Philosophy)

Following the heuristic research method of inquiry and using in‐depth interviews as the vehicle of investigation with five gay South African men; ‐who have either attained a high standing in gay society or have achieved a high level of functioning ‐ the real life experiences of these men were investigated. The premise was that their experiences would be similar in terms of rejection and non‐acceptance in a prevailing homophonic South African society. The core investigation was to plot the spiritual development they underwent in order to attain the high level functioning evident in their social standing and position. The theoretical backdrop, against which the research was investigated and the findings described, was Viktor Frankl’s theory of Logotherapy, with specific emphasis on his descriptions of the avenues to meaning in human existence. Historical perspectives on gay history and legal breakthroughs were provided to further illuminate the real life experiences of gay men. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This study analyses the role and influence of rural Khmer women on their families and society, focusing on their formation of religious identity. Based on literature research, the role and influence of Khmer women is examined from the perspectives of history, the belief systems that shape Cambodian culture and thinking, and Cambodian social structure. The findings show that although very few Cambodian women are in high leadership positions, they do have considerable influence, particularly within the household and extended family. Along the lines of their natural relationships they have many opportunities to influence the formation of religious identity, through sharing their lives and faith in words and deeds with the people around them. A model based on Bible storying is proposed as a suitable strategy to strengthen the natural influence of rural Khmer women on forming religious identity and use it intentionally for the spreading of the gospel in Cambodia. / Research Institute for Theology and Religion / M. Th. (Missiology)

This study investigated employees’ perceptions about workplace spirituality in a national government department located in KwaZulu-Natal. A constructivist and qualitative approach was followed to gain an in-depth understanding of employees’ perceptions of spirituality, based on their personal understanding and experiences. A sample of 16 participants employed in the department was interviewed using a semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was used to transcribe and assess the interviews. The findings revealed different notions of spirituality and the significance of workplace spirituality. In the workplace, employees continue to search for meaning in their work – meaning that transcends economic gain. Spirituality was perceived as being valuable for the interconnectedness and harmony that it brought to members of the organisation. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Orientador: Alpina Begossi / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T02:56:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lopes_PriscilaFabianaMacedo_D.pdf: 4700329 bytes, checksum: bbc9137dcc5a651ed9a7ac7fd9349c6d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: O enfoque deste estudo está centrado na dinâmica da pesca artesanal de caráter comercial da Praia do Perequê, Guarujá, SP, sob a perspectiva da ecologia comportamental humana e da análise do processo de decisão por parte dos pescadores. Assim, o objetivo geral foi avaliar a dinâmica da pesca artesanal local, comparando-a a outras pescarias artesanais brasileiras, levando em conta seus aspectos sócio-econômicos, ecológicos e comportamentais, a fim de fornecer subsídios básicos, mas essenciais, para o manejo dos recursos pesqueiros locais. Os resultados de quatorze meses de estudos de campo são integrados ao longo de três capítulos através de conceitos derivados da ecologia evolutiva, tais como otimização e territorialidade, e conceitos que provêm da Teoria dos Comuns, como regimes de propriedade. Os métodos utilizados incluem entrevistas semi-estruturadas para o levantamento sócio-econômico (n=51), acompanhamento de desembarques (n=424) e de viagens de pesca (n=21) e mapeamento (pontos georreferenciados) e etnomapeamento (identificação pelos pescadores) dos principais pontos de pesca. O primeiro capítulo traz uma caracterização sócio-econômica da comunidade, analisando as similaridades e diferenças entre os dois principais grupos de pescadores: os pescadores de camarão (camaroeiros) e os pescadores de peixes. Foram registradas as principais e poucas espécies de camarão (n=2) e peixe (n=5) de interesse para a pesca, os equipamentos utilizados (e.g.: arrasto de fundo e rede de espera), a influência da migração de pescadores de outros estados para o local, especialmente os vindos da região Sul, e as interrelações econômicas e familiares que direcionam a vida local (e.g: economia centrada na pesca e comércio do camarão). O segundo capítulo aborda a pesca e o processo decisório por parte do pescador. O esforço de pesca é analisado sob a perspectiva temporal, mostrando a influência de fatores sazonais (e.g.: vento) em decisões que governam, por exemplo, o simples fato de ir ou não pescar diariamente. Além disso, é uma área de livre acesso, onde nem regras locais nem o poder público fiscalizam e limitam a exploração dos recursos, contribuindo para que o processo de decisão se dê apenas em nível individual e não comunitário. Apesar disto, alguns conflitos em função da sobreposição entre as áreas de pesca de camaroeiros e demais pescadores podem ser observados. O ultimo capítulo traz uma análise a partir da Teoria do Forrageio Ótimo, testando-se se o pescador obtem a maximização (otimização) calórica e financeira. Foram encontradas evidências de sobre-exploração de peixes, já que o pescador precisa ir cada vez mais longe para conseguir espécies que normalmente são pescadas próximas à costa. Além disso, o fato de ambos os grupos de pescadores obterem a otimização de seus ganhos calóricos e financeiros sugere um comportamento que visa somente o retorno a curto prazo, uma estratégia claramente não conservacionista. O levantamento de alguns pontos principais ao longo deste estudo no que concerne à pesca no Perequê (como migração de pescadores, conflitos sobre o direito de acesso às áreas de pesca, exploração não controlada, intensa dependência de poucos recursos) subsidia e mostra a relevância de se adotar medidas de manejo imediatas, que visem coibir ou diminuir o impacto ambiental e social que uma eventual crise dos recursos locais poderia causar. Entre tais medidas de manejo, cita-se a aplicação efetiva da legislação existente, o desenvolvimento de acordos locais próprios que visem diminuir conflitos e tornar a exploração mais sustentável, e principalmente a reforma das instituições formais e informais, as quais facilitariam a efetivação de tais medidas / Abstract: This study focus on the dynamics of the commercial, but still artisanal fisheries in Perequê Beach, Guarujá, SP, under the perspective of human behavioral ecology and decision-making processes analyses by local fishermen. Its main goal was to evaluate the conditions of the local fisheries, comparing it to other artisanal fisheries in Brazil, taking into account social-economic, ecological and behavioral factors, in order to provide basic but essential information to local fisheries management. The results of 14 months of fieldwork are integrated throughout three chapters using concepts from evolutionary ecology, such as optimization and territoriality, and concepts from the Commons Theory, such as property regimes. The methods used include semi-structured interviews applied to the social-economic characterization, fish landings samplings (n=424), participant observations in some fishing trips (n=21) and fishing spots mapping (georeferenced spots) and ethnomapping (identified by the local fishermen). The first chapter brings up a socialeconomic portrait of the community, showing the similarities and differences between the two fishing systems: shrimp trawl and gillnet fishery. Few targeted shrimp (n=2) and fish (n=5) species were identified. The kinds of equipment used (bottom otter trawl and gillnet), the importance of fishermen migration from other Brazilian states to the place, especially from the south region, and the economic and family based interrelations that lead the local life (economy based on fishing and commerce of shrimp) were also studied. The second chapter addresses the local fisheries and fishermen¿s decision-making processes. Fishing effort is analyzed under a temporal perspective, investigating the influence of seasonal factors (e.g.: wind) in decisions that rule, for example, the simple daily act of going fishing or not. In addition to that, Perequê represents an open access area, where neither local rules nor government enforces the existing laws or curtails the resource exploitation, which makes the decision making processes be solely at the individual level and not at the community level. Despite that, some conflicts due to the overlap of fishing areas between trawlers and gillnetters can be observed. The last chapter bringsup an analysis based on Optimal Foraging Theory, testing if a fisherman tries to maximize (optimization process) his caloric and financial returns. Pieces of evidence concerning fish overexploitation were found, as the fisherman needs to go further to fish species that are usually caught close to the coast. Moreover, the fact that both fishing groups aims at maximizing their financial and caloric return suggests a kind of behavior that is directed towards the short term return, a strategy clearly non-conservationist. The main points showed by this study concerning Perequê¿s fishing (fishermen¿s migration, conflicts over the rights to use the fishing spots, non regulated exploitation, intense dependence on a few fishing resources, etc.) ground and show the need of adopting immediate management measures, aiming at restricting and decreasing the environmental and social impacts caused by an eventual resource crises. Among them, it is suggested the fleet control, the effective enforcement of existing regulations, the development of local agreements that aim to decrease conflicts and to make resource exploitation more sustainable, and mainly the restructuring of formal and informal institutions, which would make the application of such measures easier / Doutorado / Ecologia / Doutor em Ecologia

M.Cur. / Please refer to full record to view abstract