Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2006. / Title from title screen (site viewed June 8, 2007). PDF text: vii, 136 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 0.51Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3243736. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Texas, May, 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Substance abuse and dependence has been a problem in the United States for over 100 years (Whitebread, 1995). In the past two decades the abuse and dependence of methamphetamine has increased and the rates have remained steady (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2004). Advances have been made in the development of treatments for substance abuse and dependence. Research has continued to show that treatment modalities enhanced by case management services are more effective in the treatment of substance abuse and dependence. There has also been progress made in the research regarding the therapeutic benefits of employment for persons with substance abuse and dependence. However, the research regarding methamphetamine abuse and dependence is lacking in regards to the effects of employment, and the case management needs of this population. The aim of this study is to expand research on methamphetamine abuse, dependence, and treatment. By using variables including measures of demographics, education, income, utilization of substance abuse treatment services, healthcare coverage, measures of mental health status, measures of physical health status, and measures of arrest record to predict employment status of persons who report methamphetamine use, implications were developed for treatment providers and case managers to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment. The present study utilized the 2006 and 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to determine if measures of demographics, education, income, utilization of substance abuse treatment services, healthcare coverage, measures of mental health status, measures of physical health status, and measures of arrest record have significant associations to employment status of persons who report methamphetamine use. A chi-square analysis was used to determine which variables have significant associations to employment status. In addition, this study sought to determine if these independent variables are significant predictors of employment status among methamphetamine users. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict employment. The results of the study showed that several of the independent variables had significant associations to employment status of persons who report methamphetamine use. However, the binary logistic regression analysis only resulted in one significant predictor. The results of this study were used to develop implications for case managers.

In recent decades, social movements in general and Social Movement Organisations (SMOs) in particular have been going through processes of professionalisation, adopting market goals and methods, and employing on a large scale. Whilst most literature focuses on the impact of such processes for SMO activism, this research focuses on the impact of such moves for SMO staff. This thesis looks at employment and professionalisation in Israeli peace and anti-occupation SMOs, using Social Movement Theory, labour market literature, and a Weberian approach to conceptualise professionalisation, working conditions, and careers in SMOs. The mixed-methods data collection process included a phone survey of 200 workers in 32 SMOs, administrative data collected from the Israeli Bureau of Associations, 5 in-depth interviews and 2 workshops. The quantitative analysis mainly includes a comparison of SMO workers and representative data on the Israeli population and labour market (using the surveys ISSP 2005, ESS 2010, and the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics’ Social Survey 2011), and multilevel analysis using variables at both the organisational and the individual levels. The interviews and workshops used participants as partners, ensuring that the analysis is valid, meaningful, and relevant. Findings reveal that the researched SMO workers are highly educated, with an overrepresentation of women and Palestinians. They have a higher proportion of part-time positions, shorter tenure, and lower pay considering their educational levels, compared to the general Israeli labour market. While inequalities between Jews and Palestinians are not maintained in SMOs, inequalities between men and women are. Whilst working conditions are not ideal, SMO workers are motivated more by helping others and by professional interest, and less by practical considerations – although these do have a place in their decisions. They tend to stay within the Social Movement Sector, and develop an activism career – in which the organisational style and goals of SMOs compared to those of other sectors make it hard for them to leave the Social Movement Sector. The conceptualisation of professionalisation as bureaucratisation presented in Social Movement Theory matches actual data, and a professionalisation scale was created. Professionalisation may have negative effects on salary and tenure, and no positive effects were seen. These findings are true for SMOs that already employ workers, and they are interesting given that one consequence of professionalisation is creating more SMO employment. Different activity areas seem to offer different working conditions. This dissertation offers a contribution to SMOs and their workers, by highlighting inequalities and problematic issues regarding working conditions. It also enhances our theoretical understanding of SMO workers’ careers and careers in general, as well as of the possible consequences of professionalisation processes.

The aim of the research was to assess the significance of higher education qualifications in the determination of the employment potential of mature students, having regard to other factors which may influence employment potential. The mature student was defined as being aged 25 and over on entry, attending a higher education establishment in pursuit of a qualification, within the parameters of the Department of Education and Science's definition of advanced further education. The research was based on the assumption that adults, in re-assessing their career development, sought to increase their stock of human capital and portfolio of educational credentials via the pursuit of a higher education qualification, in order to move upwards in the occupational hierarchy and across the boundary between the secondary and primary labour markets, whilst at the same time reducing the likelihood, and duration, of unemployment occurring. An initial survey of mature students indicated that 65% of respondents entered higher education for career purposes, with the percentage lower for females and declining with age. All students anticipated more problems than were actually experienced, whilst females anticipated more problems than males but actually experienced fewer. Furthermore, all students received greater benefits than they had anticipated and this was especially true of females. A follow-up survey produced results that showed some 65% of all students achieved employment and nearly 17% continued their studies, with more males achieving employment and more females continuing their studies. Such results formed the basis of the construction of a statistical model which enabled an indicator of the employment potential of mature students, given various characteristics,to be produced. The results indicated that employment potential declined after the age of 40 was reached, was much higher with six years of relevant experience, was very dependent on mobility and was highest for diplomates amongst the qualification category. Finally, the model was developed to incorporate local labour market conditions and highlighted the different probabilities of employment between regions and the 'general' probability of mature students with higher education qualifications achieving employment within Great Britain.

This thesis is concerned with the rehabilitation and employment of mentally ill people. It focusses on a Community Programme which offers a year's employment to people with a mental illness. Fifty -three people recruited to the Sprout project were interviewed at various stages during their career on the project. The study sets out to evaluate the project's impact on participants, both during their employment there and subsequently. Participants' views on employment in general and on Sprout were obtained, along with details of their employment and psychiatric histories and of their social circumstances. At a time of high general unemployment, there is much debate about the emphasis work should be given in rehabilitation. In the thesis, I rehearse some of the arguments and counterarguments and consider what light the views of service -users can throw on the issue. It emerges that many mentally ill people believe that they benefit from being in work. They want to work and, given a supportive setting, are capable of doing so. However, there were few opportunities for those leaving Sprout to take up either sheltered or open employment elsewhere. The outcomes for Sprout participants were highly diverse and it seems imperative that such diversity should be reflected in a range of provision which catered for variations in ability and interest. To polarise discussion and debate whether or not work has a place in rehabilitation seems unhelpful. The project had, on the whole, disappointingly little long -term effect on the abilities and quality of life of participants. However, when viewed in the context of other research findings, these results are not surprising as rehabilitation rarely succeeds in bringing about lasting improvements in ability. Moreover, it was evident that Sprout participants often faced substantial difficulties in their lives outside work and yet received little or no support from health or welfare services. This may have affected outcome. The thesis points up deficiencies in current services for mentally ill people and suggests ways in which the employment opportunities of this group might be enhanced. It is insufficient to look only at the employability of the individuals concerned, without also considering the wider social factors which influence access to and retention of employment.

The research presented in the thesis is a case-study of attempts to develop socially useful and environmentally sound technology (suest), products or services, as undertaken by alternative employment and training projects in West Berlin. The research is important for the exploration of several issues: the limits of training as a process of changing employment patterns and technological practices; the role of the voluntary/alternative sector; the role of "suest" generally. The initiator group and the eight member groups of the Kooperationsverbund Entwicklungswerkstatt comprised the focal point of the research. Findings from the study suggest that the "training" focus has nearly as many limits as the "products" focus: there were internal problems which in part reflect the confusion about the role of training as a social/technological change agent. The fate of these initiatives will depend largely on what happens to the German economy: will it re-expand conventionally or will "alternative" models prevail?

This work deals with sex discrimination in employment. It traces the origins of discrimination and considers the meaning of equality and the role which the law can play in attaining equality in the work place. International and regional norms, as well as the British and American legal systems, are analysed. The position in South Africa is then considered against that background, and reforms are proposed. These include the formulation of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation which draws upon the American and British systems, but is adapted to suit local needs. The establishment of an independent administrative body to monitor the legislation, as well as a specialised judicial body through which the legislation is to be enforced, is also proposed. / School of Law / Thesis (LL.D.)--University of South Africa, 1992.

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