Bakgrund: Brist på daglig fysisk aktivitet ökar risken för folksjukdomar samt påverkar ungdomars fysiska förmåga negativt. Ungdomar som gör värnplikten i Försvarsmakten behöver ha en viss nivå av fysisk förmåga för att klara av krav och träning som militärtjänstgöring kräver. Social Ecological Model används för att förklara hur ungdomars fysiska förmåga påverkas av många faktorer i ungdomarnas omgivning. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att studera vilka uppfattningar anställda i Försvarsmakten har kring förutsättningar och påverkansfaktorer för ungdomars fysiska förmåga innan och under värnplikten. Metod: Studien har använt en kvalitativ metod och semistrukturerade telefonintervjuer har genomförts med tre anställda inom Försvarsmakten. Data har analyserats med manifest innehållsanalys. Resultat: Skolidrott samt förberedelser lyfts fram som förutsättningar inför värnplikten medan tidig elitsatsning och idrottsspecialisering upplevs som problem för den fysiska förmågan innan värnplikten. Ungdomars fysiska förmåga under värnplikten upplevs ha försämrats och skador är vanligt. Under värnplikten påverkas den fysiska förmågan av kravnivåer, träning samt psykiskt välmående. Slutsats: För att förbättra ungdomars förutsättningar innan samt höja den fysiska förmågan under värnplikten krävs att skolan, föreningsidrotten och Försvarsmakten möjliggör ungdomars fysiska aktivitet. I bedömningen av den fysiska förmågan under värnplikten måste även krav, träning och psykiska påverkansfaktorer beaktas.

Mass shootings have been a persistent issue in the United States, and the underlying factors that continue to influence this crime are not yet evident. This study explored the effects of social media as an influence on mass shootings in the United States. Its purpose was to address the role of social media in spreading opinionated ideologies. The research question addressed the role of social media in influencing the actions of perpetrators of mass shootings in the United States. The study framework was based on the social-ecological model to facilitate classification of the susceptibilities of social media users to adverse ideologies; 7 experts on mass shootings were interviewed in the study. Findings revealed that social media tend to influence mass shooting in 4 capacities: as enablers of the conceptualization process of the crime until the final act of mass violence; as facilitators of the individual or personal agenda of the mass shooter; as platforms that harness emerging technology for knowledge building during the planning phase and create operational efficiency for the final act; and as coordinators of group or symphonic terrorism. Government authorities in charge of combating mass shootings perform their tasks through actionable intelligence, legislation and policy, training of police and other first responders, mechanical barriers or deterrents, and brainstorming for new techniques and strategies. They are, however, constrained by considerable odds, which often come conjointly with their methods of crime resolution and strategies. Predictive technologies, as vehicles to fight or prevent mass shootings, have limiting influences on government action, particularly relating to the First and Fourth Amendments and the culture of hate that is nurtured and sustained through social media.

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into a teacher’s experience in implementing the asset-based approach to teach Life Orientation to a Grade 7 class. More specifically I explored expected and unexpected benefits as well as challenges in relation to the implementation of asset-based teaching. My working assumptions were that both teachers and learners possess assets that may support teaching and learning and that the process of asset-based teaching can support teachers to attend to a variety of needs in one classroom. Nested within the wider positive psychology paradigm I relied on the asset-based approach as theoretical framework. I conducted qualitative research following an instrumental case study research design, applying participatory action research principles. Meta-theoretically I framed the study within Interpretivism in order to obtain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. One Grade 7 teacher was selected as participant through purposeful sampling. A government primary school in Pretoria was selected conveniently. I used semi-structured interviews, analysis of existing documents and artefacts, and observation to collect data, that were documented in the form of verbatim transcripts, photographs, field notes and a research journal. Following thematic data analysis three main themes emerged related to the process of asset-based teaching, positive changes of assetbased teaching, and challenges associated with asset-based teaching. In identifying assets within the classroom (Theme 1), the teacher in this study became aware of both the learners’ and her own assets that could be mobilised to support teaching and learning. Assets identified within the different systems of the bio-ecological model and own action plan were used to support the mobilisation of assets. Ownership and commitment formed an essential part of the phase of managing assets. Positive changes that were identified subsequent to implementing asset-based teaching (Theme 2) relate to increased confidence and self-knowledge of learners and the teacher, identification of assets, enablement in the classroom, recognising the value of reflection in teaching, focusing away from learners’ needs towards their assets and strengths, increased motivation and trust amongst learners, a decrease in behaviour difficulties, and learners working more independently. Challenges that were identified in implementing asset-based teaching (Theme 3) include an increased workload and responsibility in teaching, difficulty to focus away from needs to strengths, lack of sustainability of positive changes, behaviour challenges, limited understanding of asset-based terminology, difficulty to integrate asset-based teaching into the curriculum of various learning areas, high teacher-learner ratios, socio-economic challenges, the needs-based orientation of society, and limited support to learners from home. Based on the findings of the study I conclude that asset-based teaching can be viewed as a suitable alternative way of teaching, following the dynamic process of identifying, mobilising and managing assets. In this manner, the diverse needs of learners may be addressed in one classroom. In addition the study indicates that asset-based teaching may support adolescents in dealing with developmental changes. # Additional information of the Appendices are kept on Level 3 Merensky Library. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Educational Psychology / Unrestricted

Matematik är ett debatterat ämne som diskuteras i såväl skolans och medias värld. Få andra skolämnen skapar så mycket känslor som detta ämne (Olèn, 2016). Detta arbete syftar till att undersöka attityder till matematik hos unga elever samt dess bakomliggande faktorer i den sociala närmiljön. Vidare ämnar även studien att undersöka om det förekommer skillnader i attityder på två grundskolor i Malmö med olika socioekonomiska förutsättningar. För att undersöka detta har en enkät blivit besvarad av elever i en klass från varje skola. Tidigare nationell och internationell forskning visar på elevers negativa attityder gentemot matematik. Trots det visar resultatet i denna studie att en majoritet av eleverna uttrycker positiva attityder oavsett socioekonomiska förutsättningar. Framträdande skillnader mellan skolorna är användandet av matematik utanför skolmiljön. Tendenser påvisar att vårdnadshavare med högre utbildning har en prevalens av att vara mindre involverade i elevers matematik-utveckling i hemmet, enligt elevernas uppfattning. Samma elever uttrycker i högre utsträckning att de sällan får hjälp i eller samtalar om matematik i hemmet. Däremot visar resultatet att de elever som uppgett att deras vårdnadshavare saknar utbildning på högskola eller universitet erbjuds mer stöttning genom hjälp och samtal om matematik i hemmet. Studiens resultat belyser att läroboken, av eleverna, anses utgöra en central roll i matematikundervisningen på båda skolorna. Övriga likheter uppvisas genom att samtliga respondenter anser att ämnet är viktigt och en majoritet uppger även att de vill fortsätta att arbeta i läroboken i matematikundervisningen. Det framgår av resultatet att en merpart av eleverna upplever att undervisningen utgörs av kommunikation i form av diskussion och samtal i tillägg till lärobokens centrala roll. Flera svar tyder också på att mottagarna av undervisningen uppfattar lektionerna som varierade. Studien visar vidare att lärare eller vårdnadshavare är de som, ur elevernas perspektiv, har störst inverkan på attityden till matematik. / Mathematics is a topic which is up for debate and discussion in school as well as the media. Few other educational subjects induces emotions in the same manner as mathematics. The purpose of this paper is to examine the attitude towards mathematics in young students and the underlying influences by the immediate social environment. Further, the papers intends to examine if there are differences in attitudes towards mathematics in two different elementary schools in Malmö, Sweden, with different socio-economic conditions. In order to examine the topic, a questionnaire has been conducted with one class from each school. Pre-existing national as well as international research indicates a negative attitude towards mathematics in students. In contrary to this, the results of this study concludes a majority of the students expresses positive attitudes on the subject regardless of socio-economic basis. Augmented differences between the two schools are found to be in the use of mathematics outside of the educational environment. There are tendencies at display which indicates parental guardians with higher education are prevalent to be less involved in the students development in mathematics at home, according to the students perception. To a higher extent, the same students expresses that they receive less assistance or discussion regarding mathematics at home. On the contrary, the result indicates that students who stated their parental guardians lack higher level education such as a university degree receives more support through assistance and discussion regarding mathematics at home. The result illustrates that the textbook is, by the students, perceived as a central role of the mathematical education on both schools. Other similarities are at display through the fact that all respondents are of the opinion that mathematics is an important subject and a majority of them reports that they would like to continue working in the text book during mathematics education. It also apparent from the result that a majority of the students experience that the learning is conducted through communication in the form of discussion and conversation in addition to the central role of textbooks. Several answers also indicates that the recipients of the education acknowledges the classes or lessons as varied. Further, the study demonstrates that teachers or parental guardians are the ones, out of the students perspective, who implicates the students attitude towards mathematics the most.

Literature has found that some minority groups with diabetes have a negative perception of medical professionals when a health problem occurs. This trend is particularly problematic with the diabetes epidemic in the United States. African Americans are more than 2 times as likely to die from diabetes than are Whites, and diabetes prevalence has increased exponentially in New York City where a majority of Afro-Caribbeans live. To address this problem, a cross-sectional design was used to recruit Afro-Caribbeans diagnosed with type 2 diabetes across 7 churches to examine whether shared knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors about diabetes screening and its complications exist, and whether they would attend a type 2 diabetes class or workshop at their church. A 114-item questionnaire, adapted from reliable and validated national health surveys, was administered to a convenience sample of 67 participants aged 35 to 90 to collect demographic, health, and cultural belief information. The conceptual frameworks of the social ecological and cultural consensus models were used for discovery of social influences and shared knowledge of type 2 diabetes. A cultural consensus analysis of 28 eligible participants was used to infer trustworthy answers to cultural questions. Participants demonstrated an above-average knowledge of type 2 diabetes, with a level of agreement of .52 ('.192 SD); further, 85.2% reported that they would attend a diabetes class or workshop at their church. These findings promote social change by educating Afro-Caribbeans about diabetes, and by facilitating partnerships between churches and doctors. Future community-based research with churches could help to improve glycemic control and delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

No description available.

No description available.

The McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU) was founded at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, Canada. The MCYU delivers free educational programming to children and youth to empower and prepare youth, especially those at a socioeconomic disadvantage, to aspire to higher education (MCYU, 2022). Parents are invited to attend the lectures alongside their children, making parent involvement a key component of the program (MCYU, 2018; Paquin et al, 2018). Participation in educational activities, such as out-of-school programming, school-run field trips, or extracurriculars have been correlated with improved academic achievement and social adjustment (Holloway & Pimlott-Wilson, 2014; Weininger et al., 2015). However, children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to participate in learning enrichment activities outside of school (Siddiqui et al., 2019). These barriers to participation have often been attributed to lower economic status (Chanfreau, et al., 2016; Farthing, 2014; Holloway & Pimlott-Wilson, 2014; Siddiqui et al., 2019). A grounded theory study was employed addressing the following question: How do socio-ecological factors shape parental decision-making for childhood involvement in the MCYU? Twenty parents who participate in the MCYU were interviewed and asked to complete an accompanying survey. After thorough data collection and analysis, the results indicated that positive educational experiences in the lives of parents shape their approach to their children’s education. Their life experiences have led to an intrinsic and extrinsic desire to learn, and the MCYU is an invaluable tool for parents to instill these values in their children through 1) education, 2) exposure, 3) enjoyment, and 4) engagement. This research may inform an expansion of MCYU type programs across Canada as well as aid the MCYU in reaching members of the community who are unable to benefit from the program. While the MCYU is for kids, the appeal for parents should be emphasized in future iterations. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA) / The McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU) was founded at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, Canada. The MCYU delivers free educational programming to children and youth to empower and prepare youth, especially those at a socioeconomic disadvantage, to aspire to higher education (MCYU, 2022). Parents are invited to attend the lectures alongside their children, making parent involvement a key component of the program (MCYU, 2018; Paquin et al, 2018). This research addresses the following question: How do socio-ecological factors shape parental decision-making for childhood involvement in the MCYU? The results indicated that positive educational experiences in the lives of parents shape their approach to their children’s education. Their life experiences have led to an intrinsic and extrinsic desire to learn, and the MCYU is an invaluable tool for parents to instill these values in their children through 1) education, 2) exposure, 3) enjoyment, and 4) engagement.

Barn och unga på landsbygden tenderar att bli mer stillasittande än barn som växer upp i staden. Landsbygden besitter särskilda utmaningar som gör det svårt att få barn och unga att öka sina aktivitetsnivåer. I denna studie används intervjuer och dokumentanalys för att undersöka hur Uppsala kommun arbetar med att öka den fysiska aktiviteten bland barn och unga som växer upp på landsbygden. Utifrån den socio-ekologiska modellen skapas en förståelse för hur påverkansfaktorer för fysiska aktivitetsnivåer hänger samman med synen kring hur utmaningarna ska hanteras. Resultatet från studien visar att Uppsala kommun tar itu med utmaningarna på ett holistiskt sätt, med en övergripande syn på hela kommunen. Landsbygdens utmaningar tenderar således att hamna mellan stolarna där ansvaret att hantera dem förs över mellan olika aktörer. / Children and adolescents in rural areas tend to be more sedentary than children who grow up in the city. Rural areas have specific challenges that make it difficult to get children and adolescents to increase their physical activity. In this study, interviews and document analysis are used to investigate how the municipality of Uppsala works to increase physical activity among children and adolescents who grow up in rural areas. Based on the socio-ecological model, an understanding is created of how influencing factors for physical activity levels are connected with the view of how challenges should be handled. The results from the study show that the municipality of Uppsala works with the challenges from a municipal perspective, which creates problems when the countryside has its own challenges. The challenges of the countryside thus tend to fall through the cracks where the responsibility for handling them is shifted between different actors.

Youth tobacco use is a public health concern in the United States (U.S.) with about 2.8 million middle and high school youth reporting current tobacco use in 2023. Healthcare providers (HCPs) can play a crucial role in addressing youth tobacco use through screening and counseling, yet rates of these interventions are suboptimal. Tennessee has a high prevalence of youth tobacco use and not much is known about these interventions in Northeast Tennessee. This study has several objectives: 1) conduct a scoping review of available evidence on screening and counseling for youth tobacco use and identify related gaps; 2) assess youth self-reported rates of HCPs’ screening and counseling for tobacco use among U.S. youth, and identify associated factors; 3) explore HCPs’ experiences and identify barriers and facilitators in implementing screening and counseling interventions for youth tobacco use in Northeast Tennessee; and 4) provide recommendations for policy and practice based on identified gaps. This multi-method study employed 1) a scoping review, adhering to the Johanna Briggs Institute methodology; 2) a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey using logistic regression models; 3) a qualitative study using a blended-inductive coding of semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, and 4) a research brief highlighting the policy and practice implications of study findings. The scoping review analyzed 22 articles and revealed disparities in HCPs’ tobacco screening and counseling interventions. The quantitative study showed tobacco screening and counseling rates of 43.7% and 3 45.6%, respectively. Younger youth (9–12 years) and non-Hispanic (NH) Black, Hispanic, and NH Asian youth were less likely to receive screening and counseling compared to NH White youth. In-depth interviews with 12 primary care providers (PCPs) revealed varying levels of confidence in screening and counseling for tobacco use. PCPs primarily conduct formal screening for older youth (12–18 years), and barriers such as time constraints, lack of confidentiality, and resistance from youth were frequently mentioned. Efforts should be made to improve screening and counseling interventions for youth tobacco use by implementing policies to reduce barriers and increase HCPs’ awareness regarding early intervention for all age groups, races, and ethnicities.