What certainty is there for personal survival after death? Five key authors, critically analysed in this thesis, think that OB/ND experiences offer such assurances. Most OB/ND events follow severe clinical crises profoundly embarrassing cerebral function. At the nadir of brain function, invariably resulting in unconsciousness, authors aver that the escape of soul (Sabom), mind, or free consciousness (Moody, Ring, Grey, Fenwick), in providing glimpses of heaven, offers proof of immortality. I disagree. The semantic content of early-phase ND experiences reveals dream-like bizarreness and illogicality, consistent with de-activation of critical cortical controls. Conversely, late-phase experiences, tinged with 'moral' compulsions about earthly responsibilities, herald the progressive intrusion of conscious-awareness into that subconscious mentation. These experiences, abruptly terminating as conscious-awareness erupts, are transient - as demonstrated by narrative word counts - indicating origins from reawakening, not moribund, brains. My argument is underpinned by these latter crucial observations. Pain, intruding into ND phenomenology, is another occurrence hardly consistent with an escape of mind or 'free consciousness' into the hereafter. "Tunnel" phenomenology, a rapid movement from darkness into heavenly brightness, involves a retrospective synthesis of vestibular-generated rotation/accelerations, and a progressively enlarging and engulfing light, signalling re-establishment of an effective circulation to associative visual centres. The content of ND experiences, as with dreams, involves the temporo-parietal cortex. OB experiences derive from central vestibular activity (superior and inferior parietal lobules) in dormant, recumbent patients. Allied aberrations of allocentric space create bodily reduplications and sensed invisible presences. Thus, OB do not warrant "mystical" interpretations. The spiritual overtones accorded OB/ND experiences by authors are inconsistent with classical (Judaeo-Christian) accounts of divine disclosure. The eschatology adumbrated in published texts implies immortality, and seriously fails to embrace a preferred resurrectional eschatology as professed credally. I therefore conclude that OB/ND phenomenology, rather than offering alleged glimpses of eternity, reflects living, not dead, brains re-awakening to full conscious-awareness from antecedent metabolic insults.

Background Migraine is a comprehensive endemic disease who is affecting both women and men, but with higher prevalence among women because of hormonal factors. Risk factors for the disease are female gender, hereditariness, depression and socio-economic factors. Migraine can be triggered by factors like stress, menstruation, irregular routines for sleep and unbalanced meals and diet. Migraine is a condition that causes a big suffering for the affected individuals. Aim The aim of this study was to describe individuals' experiences of how migraine is affecting the daily life, out of the aspects like working life, family life and social life. Method A literature overview was maintained, and eight qualitative studies and two quantitative studies between the years 2003- 2014 were analyzed. Results The analysis of the articles lead to one main theme; "Guilt, compensating and restrictions" and seven subthemes "Not being able to perform their best", "Met with incomprehension", "Not being able to take care of home and children", "Not enough", "Avoiding activities", "Always be prepared" and "Living with restrictions". Conclusion Migraine is affecting the daily life among these individuals in a great extent. The disease makes it hard to perform well at work. The individuals where met with incomprehension which made them feel questioned. It was though for the individuals to take care of their home and family. The restricted life that they had and not being able to participate in activities caused isolation. All of this caused feelings of guilt.

Background; Gynecological cancer is a common term for cancer in the female genitals and 2013 there were about 2800 women in Sweden that was diagnosed. This form of cancer and the treatment that is used, affects the sexuality and also the fertility of the women. Aim; The purpose with the essay was to illustrate the experience of the sexuality after the treatment of gynecological cancer. Method; The method used in the essay was a systematic translation of different literature. Of all the articles used there were eight that was qualitative, two quantitative and one was a combination of both methods. The analytic process was accomplish with the support of the Friberg (2006) analytic method. Results; The analysis resulted in two categories; Physical changes after the treatment and the treatments impact on the sexuality of the women. The physical changes that occurred because of the treatment was recurring and it showed that it was primarily surgery that hurt the woman body. It was also shown that the biggest impact that the treatment had on sexuality was pain and reduced desire for sex. And it also showed that sexuality got a new meaning for the women and they found new ways to express their feelings towards their partner. Conclusion; It was showed that the sexual experience primarily was affected by the physical consequences that the treatment had and not only because of the cancer itself. And it can because of this conclution be of significance that the nurse focus on the effects of the treatment, like vaginal anatomy and physical and psychological effects to be able to support the womans sexual well-being

The Teacher Cadet Program began in South Carolina as a means of introducing high school students to the career of teaching. Although implemented in 1986, little research exists about the perspectives of stakeholders in the Teacher Cadet Program. The purpose of this research study was to explore the participants' perspectives concerning the structure and experiences offered in the TCP and describe how those experiences influenced college and career decisions. This qualitative case study investigated how 46 Teacher Cadet participants in a rural public high school perceived their experiences in the Teacher Cadet Program. The study also examined the stories of four participants who represented each of the groups studied. Data collection methods included survey information, interviews, and focus group discussions analyzed using a constant-comparative approach. Focusing on a single site allowed the researcher to explore the stories of program participants and uncovered three elements they viewed as the most important characteristics of the program: the contributions of hands-on experiences, the significance of early exposure to the field of teaching, and the importance of the relationships that were established. Study results provided a framework for understand in the affects of the Teacher Cadet Program on participants. The findings documented overall positive perceptions. This study added to the body of knowledge about the perspectives of stakeholder in the Teacher Cadet Program in regards to the value participants placed on their experiences and subsequently how those experiences influenced their career and college plans.

No description available.

This qualitative study sought to understand better the experiences of women leaders in México, a predominantly male-dominated culture. Seven women leaders were interviewed. They shared personal experiences, reflections, feelings, ideas, and actions related to their leadership positions in different arenas, such as corporate, political, academic, and non-profit organizations. Phenomenology was the most appropriate tye of inquiry for this study because its objective was to develop a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of women in leadership positions in México, a predominantly male-dominated culture. I conducted a thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews to discover commonalities among the experiences of the participants. A list of preliminary themes emerged. I made follow-up contacts with the participants to verify the findings, and themes were revised and accepted. The analysis revealed insights into six themes: preparation, innate characteristics, move under principles and ethical values, the job itself is very important, to find a balance between personal and professional time as a goal, and benefits that the leadership position give to them. A total of five subthemes emerged under four of the six themes: academic, the women leaders want to have an impact in social responsibility activities, they like challenges and being competitive, independence, and recognition.

Thesis (M.A.)--University--State, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-121).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-151).

In many African countries, women’s disempowerment and subjugation affect their reproductive health services utilization. This situation becomes even more problematic for women during their vulnerable moments of childbirth. Although copious literature exists on women’s experiences in navigating socio-cultural, religious, economic and structural barriers during childbirth, there is paucity of literature on women’s perceptions of childbirth globally. Extant studies generally focus on health professionals’ and researchers’ perspectives on childbirth. This case study was conducted in two rural communities in Girar Jarso woreda of Ethiopia to explore women’s experiences and perceptions of childbirth. The purpose of this study was to understand the local contexts in which women live and their implications for women’s choice of place of birth and/or birth attendants in Girar Jarso woreda. It is hoped that this study would inform efforts to improve maternity health services delivery and uptake in Ethiopia. This case study was conducted within intersectionality theoretical framework. Data were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, observation, fieldnotes and cultural interpretations. The data were analyzed and interpreted through social constructionist epistemological lens. This study employed inductive thematic analytical approach. The findings of this study were presented under themes consistent with research questions and were later analyzed and discussed in detail. The findings revealed that institutional birth is gaining popularity in Girar Jarso woreda in the face of socio-cultural, religious, economic, structural and personal barriers. The improvements in institutional birth can be attributed to the Ethiopian government’s persistent efforts to improve maternal, newborn and child health through policies, programs and initiatives. Despite improvements, transportation, health system characteristics, communal decision-making, preference for traditional birth among others, impede efforts to increase institutional birth. This study concluded that women’s experiences and perceptions of childbirth in Girar Jarso woreda are varied. Women’s powerlessness and men’s dominant decision-making position in Ethiopian society affect women’s birth experiences. To improve women’s overall birth experiences, mechanisms need to be established to address patriarchy, women’s rights, transportation challenges, and attitudes of health professionals towards laboring women. The health development program needs reconfiguration to involve men, elderly women and community leaders in reproductive health communication efforts. Efforts should be made to integrate traditional birthing practices into modern obstetric services in the health system. Finally, there is a need for greater collaboration between health extension workers, traditional birth attendants and women development armies in the delivery of community maternity health services.

This research is in two phases. The aim of phase one was to explore the school experiences of learners identified as having literacy barriers to learning. Learners were in Year 8 (age 12-13) at the start of the research and Year 9 (age 13-14) by its conclusion. A case study design and the participatory method of ‘photovoice’ was used to elicit and foreground students’ views and experiences. To date there has been little research in this field using participatory methods. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings suggest that the student photographers’ (N=4) were keen to share both their positive and negative experiences of school and in particular the importance they placed on relationships with peers and key staff. The aim of phase two was to use students’ photos, which were developed into individual ‘experience boards’, as a tool to facilitate staff reflections on practice. Three discussion groups (N=7) were held and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings were viewed and discussed using the framework of Maslow’s (1943) hierarchy of needs. Staff showed a high level of empathy and a desire to interpret and reflect on the photos. The constructs of feeling safe and secure were significant themes across all discussion groups. Furthermore, the lack of photos explicitly about learning challenged staff beliefs about student experiences and enabled them to acknowledge the importance the student photographers placed on these constructs. The use of photovoice stimulated reflection and is likely to have aided staff to better understand student experiences. There are implications for educational psychology practice in relation to taking a more holistic view of understanding and supporting learners with literacy difficulties and also the use of ‘photovoice’ to elicit and foreground student views and experiences as part of consultation or at a more systemic level.