Eating disorders have been studied from different points of view lately. They have occured in the centre of various psychiatric and psychologic diagnostics and therapy surveys and they have also been analysed as a sociocultural element of our lifestyle norms, our values and image standards. The number of men and women suffered from these disorders cannot be neither compared nor omitted. It is statistically clear that about ten per cent of anorexics and bulimics are male patients. Going West, the number of male patients is increasing. These disorders in men are usually connected with jobs, mostly those such as jockeys, gymnasts and dancers. Bulimia and anorexia are reported as typically women disorders therefore men hardly any time concede they can suffer from this problem and need a specialist´s advice.. The aim of the work has been to map eating behaviour, a lifestyle, physical activities and risk factors responsible for eating disorder incidence such as a distorted view of the body and being on a diet among men between the ages of 15 to 30. A quantitative technique approach using questionnaires was applied. There were stated four hypotheses concerning the relation between body acceptance and physical activities, methods used for body weight control and differences in lifestyles of secondary school students.

O presente estudo tem como escopo examinar os limites constitucionais da influência da tributação nas atividades econômicas dos Contribuintes, à luz dos princípios e postulados da livre iniciativa, da livre concorrência, da igualdade, da proporcionalidade e da proibição do excesso. A indagação geral que impulsionará a pesquisa é a seguinte: pode a tributação, de forma indistinta, determinar como os Contribuintes devem agir ao plasmar suas atividades econômicas, ou há algum limite a partir do qual a influência da tributação sobre as livres escolhas dos Contribuintes não pode mais avançar? Quais as normas resultantes das interações entre direito tributário e direito econômico? Quais limites a igualdade impõe ao uso de medidas extrafiscais? De quais ferramentas dispõe o aplicador para realizar a liberdade econômica e a igualdade? Como a tese do legislador negativo representa um entrave para a realização dos princípios e postulados em questão? Quais paradigmas estão por trás de tal tese? Mais especificamente, examinaremos alguns casos concretos que ilustrem os problemas em questão e permitam um aprofundamento dos pontos discutidos na pesquisa. O primeiro caso será o das empresas excluídas do SIMPLES cuja exclusão esteja motivada pelo simples exercício de determinada atividade econômica, buscando elucidar se tal discriminação encontra suporte no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, considerando o seguinte: existindo um critério objetivo para definir quais empresas podem gozar dos benefícios do SIMPLES, qual seja, a receita bruta anual da empresa, pode o Poder Legislativo adotar critério distintivo diverso (a atividade econômica desenvolvida pela empresa) para fins de enquadramento no referido regime tributário? Tal discriminação em função da atividade econômica do Contribuinte encontra respaldo na Constituição Federal? Se a liberdade econômica é um limite à tal discriminação, quais são seus elementos e eficácia jurídica? O segundo caso, que impõe questionamentos semelhantes, é o da exclusão da possibilidade de creditamento da mão-de-obra de pessoas físicas utilizada como insumo por Contribuintes do PIS e da COFINS não-cumulativos. / This paper aims to verify which are the constitutional limitations to the influence of taxation over taxpayers’ economic activities, in the light of the principles and postulates of freedom of enterprise, free competition, equality, proportionality and the prohibition of excessive influence. The general enquiry that will guide this research is the following: can taxation, indistinctly, determine how taxpayers shall act when choosing and directing their economic activities, or are there some limitations that compel the government to not influence taxpayers' economic choices? What are the norms resulting from interactions between tax law and economic law? What limits does equality imposes to the use of behavior influent taxation? Which are the tools available to the judges to promote economic freedom and equality? How does the thesis of negative legislative power represents an obstacle to the achievement of such principles and postulates by the courts? What are the paradigms behind such thesis? More specifically, we are going to examine some cases that illustrate the problems abovementioned and allow us to go deeper in points discussed in this research. The first case is the exclusion of companies from tax benefit program called SIMPLES (for small business), whose exclusion is determined by the simple fact of exercise of a specific economic activity. We are going to exam it in order to elucidate if Brazilian law sustains such discrimination, considering the following: if the law choses one criteria to grant the tax benefits of SIMPLES (company's economic size measured by gross income), can the legislator choose another criteria (company's economic activity) to exclude it from the tax benefit program? Is it grounded in Brazilian Constitution the discrimination based upon the simple adoption of an economic activity? If freedom of enterprise is a limitation to such discrimination, which are its elements and legal effectiveness? The second case, which implies similar questions, is the exclusion of the possibility of crediting the labor of natural persons used as an input for taxpayers of non-cumulative PIS and COFINS (social contributions over gross income - VAT).

O presente estudo tem como escopo examinar os limites constitucionais da influência da tributação nas atividades econômicas dos Contribuintes, à luz dos princípios e postulados da livre iniciativa, da livre concorrência, da igualdade, da proporcionalidade e da proibição do excesso. A indagação geral que impulsionará a pesquisa é a seguinte: pode a tributação, de forma indistinta, determinar como os Contribuintes devem agir ao plasmar suas atividades econômicas, ou há algum limite a partir do qual a influência da tributação sobre as livres escolhas dos Contribuintes não pode mais avançar? Quais as normas resultantes das interações entre direito tributário e direito econômico? Quais limites a igualdade impõe ao uso de medidas extrafiscais? De quais ferramentas dispõe o aplicador para realizar a liberdade econômica e a igualdade? Como a tese do legislador negativo representa um entrave para a realização dos princípios e postulados em questão? Quais paradigmas estão por trás de tal tese? Mais especificamente, examinaremos alguns casos concretos que ilustrem os problemas em questão e permitam um aprofundamento dos pontos discutidos na pesquisa. O primeiro caso será o das empresas excluídas do SIMPLES cuja exclusão esteja motivada pelo simples exercício de determinada atividade econômica, buscando elucidar se tal discriminação encontra suporte no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, considerando o seguinte: existindo um critério objetivo para definir quais empresas podem gozar dos benefícios do SIMPLES, qual seja, a receita bruta anual da empresa, pode o Poder Legislativo adotar critério distintivo diverso (a atividade econômica desenvolvida pela empresa) para fins de enquadramento no referido regime tributário? Tal discriminação em função da atividade econômica do Contribuinte encontra respaldo na Constituição Federal? Se a liberdade econômica é um limite à tal discriminação, quais são seus elementos e eficácia jurídica? O segundo caso, que impõe questionamentos semelhantes, é o da exclusão da possibilidade de creditamento da mão-de-obra de pessoas físicas utilizada como insumo por Contribuintes do PIS e da COFINS não-cumulativos. / This paper aims to verify which are the constitutional limitations to the influence of taxation over taxpayers’ economic activities, in the light of the principles and postulates of freedom of enterprise, free competition, equality, proportionality and the prohibition of excessive influence. The general enquiry that will guide this research is the following: can taxation, indistinctly, determine how taxpayers shall act when choosing and directing their economic activities, or are there some limitations that compel the government to not influence taxpayers' economic choices? What are the norms resulting from interactions between tax law and economic law? What limits does equality imposes to the use of behavior influent taxation? Which are the tools available to the judges to promote economic freedom and equality? How does the thesis of negative legislative power represents an obstacle to the achievement of such principles and postulates by the courts? What are the paradigms behind such thesis? More specifically, we are going to examine some cases that illustrate the problems abovementioned and allow us to go deeper in points discussed in this research. The first case is the exclusion of companies from tax benefit program called SIMPLES (for small business), whose exclusion is determined by the simple fact of exercise of a specific economic activity. We are going to exam it in order to elucidate if Brazilian law sustains such discrimination, considering the following: if the law choses one criteria to grant the tax benefits of SIMPLES (company's economic size measured by gross income), can the legislator choose another criteria (company's economic activity) to exclude it from the tax benefit program? Is it grounded in Brazilian Constitution the discrimination based upon the simple adoption of an economic activity? If freedom of enterprise is a limitation to such discrimination, which are its elements and legal effectiveness? The second case, which implies similar questions, is the exclusion of the possibility of crediting the labor of natural persons used as an input for taxpayers of non-cumulative PIS and COFINS (social contributions over gross income - VAT).

A apneia obstrutiva do sono é uma síndrome que produz múltiplas comorbidades, aumentando significativamente a taxa de mortalidade dos seus portadores. A atresia maxilar vem sendo descrita como um dos fatores etiológicos da SAOS, entretanto não existem estudos que demonstrem a eficácia no tratamento em adultos com consequente redução dos eventos obstrutivos durante o sono. Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal a verificação da expansão rápida da maxila cirurgicamente assistida (ERMCA), nos eventos obstrutivos do sono e demais parâmetros polissonográficos, na sonolência diurna e no comportamento morfométrico da via aérea. A amostra foi realizada em indivíduos adultos com apneia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS), atresia maxilar e mordida cruzada. O método adotado foi um ensaio clínico prospectivo com 16 participantes (7 mulheres / 9 homens) com idade de 40,23 ± 10,23, todos portadores de SAOS comprovada por polissonografia (PSG) de noite toda (IDR superior a 5), atresia maxilar e mordida cruzada posterior. Previamente todos participantes foram submetidos a uma tomografia computadorizada (TC) da via aérea superior e foi aplicado o teste da Escala de Sonolência de Epworth (ESE). Todos os pacientes foram então submetidos à ERMCA, e posteriormente, todos os exames foram refeitos para comparação. Foi constatada uma redução no IDR de 35,46 ± 38,54 para 16,07 ± 19,73, uma redução média de 54,68% (p=0,0013) e no IAH em 56,24% (33,23 ± 39,54 para 14,54 ± 19,48: p=0,001), uma redução dos índices de microdespertares e dessaturação, além da melhora de diversos parâmetros polissonográficos. O ESE apresentou uma melhora de 12,50 ± 5,32 para 7,25 ± 3,53 (p<0,001). A via aérea total ampliou em média 23,99% (p=0,016), mas de uma maneira mais expressiva na sua metade inferior (28,63% p=0,008). Em relação aos resultados obtidos por meio da ERMCA observou-se uma melhora da SAOS, redução dos índices relacionados aos distúrbios respiratórios durante o sono, de microdespertar e de dessaturação, ampliação da via aérea, principalmente na metade inferior, além de melhorar a sonolência diurna, devolvendo- a para a normalidade. / Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a condition that produces multiple comorbidities, significantly increasing the mortality rate of affected individuals. Maxillary atresia is being described as one of the etiological factors of OSAS, although there are no studies demonstrating the efficacy of treatment in adults with a consequent reduction of obstructive events during sleep. The main objective of the present study was to determine the effects of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) on obstructive sleep events and all other polysomnography (PSG) parameters, on daytime sleepiness and on the morphometric behavior of the airways. The study was conducted on adult individuals with OSAS, maxillary atresia and crossbite. The method involved a prospective clinical assay with 16 participants (7 women/9 men) aged 40.23 ± 10.23 years, with OSAS confirmed by all-night PSG (respiratory disorder index (RDI) higher than 5), maxillary atresia and posterior crossbite. All participants were first submitted to computed tomography of the upper airways and to the Epworth Sleepines Scale (ESS) test. All patients were then submitted to SARME and all exams were later repeated for comparison. RDI was reduced from 35.46 ± 38.54 to 16.07 ± 19.73, (a mean reduction of 54.68%, p=0.0013), the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was reduced from 33.23 ± 39.54 to14.54 ± 19.48 (a mean reduction of 56.24%, p=0.001), and micro-awakenings and desaturation were also reduced. The ESS score improved from 12.50 ± 5.32 to 7.25 ± 3.53 (p<0.001). Mean total airway area was increased by 23.99% (p=0.016), although in a more expressive manner in the lower half (28.63%, p=0.008). The results obtained by SARME revealed an improvement of OSAS, a reduction of the indices related to respiratory disorders during sleep, of micro-awakennings and of desaturation, as well as airway expansion, especially in the lower half, and improvement of daytime sleepiness with a return to normality.

Há evidências que associam a prática de atividade física (AF) nos transtornos alimentares (TA) como método compensatório na busca do controle do peso e apetite. O objetivo da pesquisa foi determinar o perfil de AF dos pacientes atendidos no Programa de Transtornos Alimentares (AMBULIM) do Instituto de Psiquiatria da Faculdade de Medicina da USP. A amostra foi composta por pacientes com diagnóstico de anorexia nervosa (AN, n=27), bulimia nervosa (BN, n=31) e um grupo controle (GC, n=13). A coleta de dados envolveu avaliar as variáveis da AF por meio de uma medida objetiva (acelerômetro), atividades físicas autorreferidas, e o grau de compromisso com o exercício. Variáveis nutricionais e psicológicas foram mensuradas por meio de escalas de atitudes alimentares, de insatisfação corporal, depressão e ansiedade para análise de associações. A comparação entre os grupos de AN, BN e GC, foi feita por meio de Kruskal Wallis. Para analisar as prevalências e os possíveis fatores relacionados à prática de AF foram realizados o teste Quiquadrado, a razão de prevalências (RP) e a medida de Odds Ratio (OR). Nas variáveis antropométricas, nutricionais e psicológicas o grupo controle apresentou resultados adequados, dentro das faixas limítrofes à saúde, com baixo risco para TA, níveis de depressão e de ansiedade em comparação aos grupos de TA (p<0,05). Na medida objetiva, a BN apresentou o maior tempo de duração na AF leve, em comparação aos demais grupos (p<0,001). Nas associações de RP, ao assumir uma nota de corte pela mediana, aquelas que permaneceram na AF leve no acelerômetro, por um tempo superior a 973 minutos apresentaram 2,1 vezes a prevalência de ter BN, quando comparado com quem ficou um tempo igual ou inferior; na AN a medida de risco não foi significativa. Limitações da pesquisa exigem cautela na observação dos resultados. A prática compulsiva, baseada no escore total do grau de compromisso com o exercício, não interferiu na prevalência de TA na amostra estudada. Também não foram encontradas associações entre a prática de AF e as variáveis antropométricas, nutricionais e psicológicas, exceto a insatisfação corporal. Aquelas que apresentaram insatisfação corporal tiveram 3,4 vezes mais chances de praticar AF. É necessário aprofundar os estudos e buscar instrumentos validados que auxiliem na investigação da prática excessiva e/ou compulsiva nos TA / Evidence shows that physical activity (PA) for eating disorder (ED) individuals is a compensatory behavior seeking weight and appetite control. The purpose of this research was to determine the PA of the patients from the Eating Disorders Program (AMBULIM) at the Sao Paulo Universitys Psychiatric Institute. The sample was composed of patients diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN, n=27), Bulimia (BN, n=31) and a control group (CG, n=13). The data collection involved assessing PA by using an objective instrument (accelerometer), self-reported physical activities, and commitment to exercise. Nutritional and psychological variables were measured with scales of eating attitudes, body dissatisfaction, depression, and anxiety. Comparison between AN, BN and CG groups, was tested by Kruskal Wallis. In order to analyze the prevalence and the possible factors related to PA, Chi Square, Prevalence Ratio (RP), and Odds Ratio (OR) were performed. In the anthropometric, nutritional and psychological variables, CG presented the expected low risk for ED, depression and anxiety levels when compared to the ED groups (p<.05). In the objective instrument, BN presented the longer duration time of light PA, when compared to the other groups (p<.001). Considering the median as the cutoff for RP associations, those who exercised at light intensity measured with by accelerometer for over 973 minutes, presented 2.1 more prevalence of developing BN, when compared to those exercising equally or less time. The risk was negligible for AN. Limitations for this study are warranted: the compulsive exercise, based on the degree of the commitment to exercising, did not interfere in the prevalence of ED. Associations between the practice of PA and the anthropometric, nutritional and psychological variables, except for body dissatisfaction were not found. Those who presented dissatisfaction had 3.4 more chances of practicing PA. It is necessary to further study this population and use validated tools to investigate ED and levels of PA

La consommation d’alcool (CA) à l’adolescence est souvent associée à des conséquences négatives. L’un de ses meilleurs prédicteurs est la CA des amis. Deux mécanismes peuvent l’expliquer, soit la socialisation et la sélection des pairs. Les études comparant les deux mécanismes ont des résultats incohérents, peut-être dus à des variations et des limites méthodologiques. D’autres études sont donc nécessaires et l’analyse de modérateurs possibles est encouragée. L’attachement des adolescents pourrait en être un, vu son association avec les relations interpersonnelles. Objectifs. À l’aide de modèles à décalage croisé, cette étude vise à analyser, à l’aide d’une cohorte de participants de 14 ans au premier temps de mesure, (1) les relations bidirectionnelles entre la CA et la CA excessive des participants et celles autorapportées des amis et (2) le rôle modérateur de l’attachement dans ces relations. Méthode. Les participants proviennent d’une étude longitudinale Québécoise, où 182 d’entre eux et jusqu’à cinq de leurs amis ont rapporté annuellement leur CA et leur CA excessive lorsque les participants avaient entre 14 et 16 ans. Les participants ont complété les échelles« Évitement des relations sociales » et « Préoccupation d’être aimé » du Questionnaire des styles d’attachement à 15 ans. Résultats et conclusion. Pour les deux types de consommation, les coefficients des relations entre la CA du participant à 14 ou 15 ans et celle de ses amis un an plus tard étaient plus grands que les coefficients des relations entre la CA des amis à 14 ou 15 ans et celle du participant un an plus tard. Cela supporte le mécanisme de sélection plutôt que celui de socialisation. Deux modérations utilisant l’échelle d’évitement avec le modèle de CA étaient significatives, indiquant que les coefficients correspondant à la sélection (de 14 à 15 ans) et à la socialisation (de 15 à 16 ans) étaient plus faibles pour les adolescents évitant. Cela suggère que les adolescents non évitant sont plus sensible à l’influence des pairs. / Alcohol use (AU) in adolescence is often linked with immediate or long-term negative consequences. Among the best-known predictors of adolescent AU is friend use. Two mechanisms can explain this association: socialization and peer selection. Studies comparing both mechanisms have had inconsistent results, perhaps because of methodological variations or limitations. Thus, further studies are needed and examination of possible moderator is advised. Adolescent attachment is an interesting potential moderator as it is closely linked with interpersonal relationships. Study aims. Thus, using cross-lagged models to account for bidirectional associations and independent assessments of adolescent and friend alcohol use, this study aims to examine in a cohort of 14-year-old children followed over two years (1) the relations between participant and friend self-reported alcohol use and binge drinking frequency and (2) the moderating role of attachment style in these relations. Method. Participants come from a Quebec longitudinal study where 182 adolescents and up to five of their friends reported annually on their AU and binge drinking (BD) frequency between 14 and 16 years. Participants completed the “Avoidance of social relations” and “Preoccupation with being loved” scales of the Attachment Style Questionnaire at 15. Results and conclusion. Results show that the cross-lagged path coefficients between participant AU at 14 or 15 and friend use a year later were stronger than the ones between friend use at 14 or 15 and participant use a year later for both the AU and BD models. As such, the selection mechanism prevails over the socialization one between 14 and 16. Two significant moderation using the avoidance scale in the AU models were found, showing that selection (14-15 years old) and socialization (15-16 years old) weights were weaker for avoidant adolescents, suggesting that adolescents with low avoidance are more susceptible to peer influence related to alcohol use.

Abstract The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of each component layer constituting the structure of organic bulk heterojunction solar cells (OSC-BHJ) contribute significantly towards its overall performance. One of the prevalent issues resulting in reduced device efficiency is due to the conformational inhomogeneities in the active and buffer layers. The mechanical stress, extended thermal exposure and presence of mutually reactive component layers etc., affects negatively on the device stability. Effective methods to address these issues will be extensively benefited by the industry since the current commercialisation of the technology is hindered owing to the lower efficiency and stability of these devices. This dissertation focuses on methods to coherently enhance the performance and longevity of the OSC-BHJ devices. The efficiency enhancements of the devices in this work were achieved through two main routes. The first route was through morphological improvement of the active layer. The second route was through boosting the electrical characteristics of hole transporting conducting polymer layer (HTL) by controlled annealing conditions. The introduction of a suitable additive in the active layer was found to reduce unfavourable phase segregation thus resulting in enhanced morphology. Further, the annealing conditions in different atmospheres (air, nitrogen and vacuum) were found to have a clear influence on the optimum functioning of the HTL in the device. Regarding the stability improvement study done in this work, a method of employing suitable interlayer was developed to effectively abate the internal degradation occurring in the device due to etching reaction on the indium tin oxide (ITO) anode by the HTL. Moreover, experimental investigations were carried out for drawing fundamental understanding of stability degenerating issues such as the influence of mechanical defects on transparent conducting metal oxide (ITO) anode on the performance of the device and heat induced degradations in the low band gap polymer-fullerene active layer. The highlight of this research is that the discovered methods are inexpensive, efficient, and easy to adopt. The results of the study could help the technology to overcome some of its limitations and accelerate its progress towards commercialisation. / Tiivistelmä Orgaanisten heteroliitosaurinkokennojen kerrosrakenteen ominaisuudet ja laatu vaikuttavat merkittävästi aurinkokennojen toiminnallisuuteen. Erityisesti rakenteelliset epähomogeenisuudet aktiivi- ja puskurikerroksissa heikentävät kennon hyötysuhdetta. Kennojen stabiilisuutta tarkasteltaessa myös mekaanisella rasituksella, pitkittyneellä lämpöaltistuksella ja materiaalien reagoinneilla keskenään kerrosten välillä, on selkeä negatiivinen vaikutus kennojen stabiilisuuteen. Orgaanisen aurinkokennoteknologian kaupallistamisen rajoitteina ovat kennojen heikko hyötysuhde ja stabiilisuus, joten menetelmät jotka tarjoavat ratkaisuja edellä mainittuihin ongelmiin, ovat erittäin tärkeitä teknologiaa kaupallistavalle teollisuudelle. Tämä väitöskirja keskittyy johdonmukaisesti selvittämään tapoja, joilla voidaan parantaa heteroliitosaurinkokennojen hyötysuhdetta ja elinikää. Hyötysuhteen tehostamiseksi valittiin kaksi eri lähestymistapaa, joista ensimmäisessä keskityttiin aktiivikerroksen morfologian parantamiseen ja toisessa aukkoja kuljettavan kerroksen sähköisten ominaisuuksien parantamiseen lämpökäsittelyprosessin avulla. Sopivan lisäaineen avulla aktiivikerroksen ei-toivottua kiteytymistä voidaan pienentää ja parantaa näin kerroksen morfologiaa. Lisäksi työssä todettiin, että lämpökäsittelyn aikaisella ympäristöolosuhteella (ilma, typpi, tyhjiö) on merkittävä vaikutus puskurikerroksen optimaaliseen toimintaan aurinkokennossa. Stabiilisuuden parantamiseksi kehitettiin välikerroksen hyödyntämiseen perustuva menetelmä, jolla voidaan tehokkaasti vähentää kennojen sisäisessä rakenteessa tapahtuvaa toiminnallisuuden heikkenemistä, joka aiheutuu aukkoja kuljettavan kerroksen syövyttävästä vaikutuksesta indiumtinaoksidi (ITO) pohjaiseen anodiin. Tämän lisäksi työssä tutkittiin kokeellisesti stabiilisuuteen heikentävästi vaikuttavia tekijöitä, kuten mekaanisen rasituksen aiheuttamia vaurioita metallioksidi (ITO) anodissa ja lämpöaltistuksesta aiheutuvia vikoja polymeeri-fullereeni rakenteeseen perustuvassa aktiivikerroksessa. Tutkimuksen keskeisin tulos on, että esitellyt keinot aurinkokennojen hyötysuhteen ja stabiilisuuden parantamiseen ovat edullisia, tehokkaita ja helppoja hyödyntää. Tulokset voivat merkittävästi edistää orgaanisten aurinkokennojen teknistä kehitystä ja kiihdyttää niiden tuloa kaupallisiksi tuotteiksi.

The introduction of negative interest rates, as an additional tool of unconventional monetary policy in recent years, leads to many, yet largely polarized debates about the implications of the unconventional monetary policy of central banks. The main reason for their introduction in some economies, namely the threat of deflation, is also questioned, as well as the negative side effects of this instrument on financial stability and economic growth, and finally, their limited scope is under scrutiny. Due to the still insufficient research in this field, the aim of the diploma thesis is to evaluate the concerns and the main long-term risks and impacts of the monetary policy using negative interest rates in the context of deflation threats. The analysis of available data confirms both the concerns about the negative effects of negative interest rates on the banking sector, the recovery process of public finances, the possible rise of a price bubble on the financial markets and real estate markets, or on the possibility of excessive risk taking, and on the other hand draws attention to the direct dependence between negative impacts and the duration of monetary policy using negative interest rates.

Although aggression as social phenomenon is widely researched, this research study aimed to illuminate the importance of early identification of excessively aggressive children specifically. The aim was to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of excessive aggressive behaviour during the preschool years. A qualitative research methodology was employed consisting of a parent interview, observations of the research participant and numerous play sessions consisting of various activities including free drawings; ‘Draw-a-Person ‘, a family drawing; the ‘Children’s Apperception Test’, and free play activities. The study explored various factors possibly leading to the onset and continuation of excessive aggressive behaviour. It seems clear that no single factor is responsible for the display of excessive aggression, but rather, multiple factors contribute to the problem of aggression as a whole. Play therapy is suggested as an effective method in the assessment and counselling of excessive aggressive behaviour in preschool children / Psychology / M.Sc. (Psychology)

The thesis concerns factors that affect the intensity of MMORPG playing and the gaming addiction symptoms. In the theoretical part, I discuss approaches to the excessive and problematic gaming. I argue for the shift of perspective from gaming addiction disorder toward self-regulation, time perspective, activity theory and habitual regulation. Two inventory-based studies were conducted in order to empirically verify the effect of proposed variables on MMORPG usage. First, the significant role of Time Perspective (TP), measured by Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), has been confirmed. Second, the habitual regulation had been identified to significantly affect the usage. The habits related to usage were measured by the new psychometrical tool - Cues Sensitivity Scale (CSS). TP and habits influence the usage together - the effect of TP is partially mediated through Cues Sensitivity as well as through the players' deliberate regulation of playing time. All measured variables showed stability in time (measured after three years in subset of respondents). Data was analyzed with statistical methods, mainly with Partial-Least-Squares Path- Modelling (PLS-PM). The part of the data - respondents' strategies of playing time regulation - were analyzed qualitatively.