A large body of empirical research has documented strong beneficial effects of educational attainment on a wide range of health outcomes. In addition, there has been growing interest in the links between religion and health, and some studies have suggested that the benefits of religious involvement on health are strongest for persons with low-to-moderate levels of education. To date, however, the bulk of this work has been conducted in the U.S. or other nations in the developed West. Although researchers have called for more comparative and cross-cultural studies on these topics, few if any studies have focused on the interplay of education, religion, and multiple health outcomes in China, particularly among its most elderly citizens. This project aims to address this gap in the research literature, with the following objectives: (1) to examine whether and how education is related to emotional and cognitive well-being, and reflects possible gender differences; (2) to explore whether and how religious participation is associated with various health indicators; and (3) to examine whether religious practice may complement or moderate the association between individual-level SES or community-level SES and health in this distinctive population. To investigate these issues, I use data from the Chinese Healthy Longevity Survey, a nationwide survey of the oldest old adults in China; my analyses involve the 1998 baseline survey, as well as data from the 2000 and 2002 follow-up surveys. Findings suggest that: (1) education impacts emotional and cognitive well-being through different mechanisms; (2) the indirect effects of religion on health are primarily mediated by psychological resources and lifestyle, but not by social resources; (3) females report higher levels of religious participation and get more cognitive benefits from it than males; (4) individual-level SES is negatively associated with religious participation, whereas community-level SES is positively associated with religious participation; and (5) the beneficial effects of religion on psychological wellbeing are more pronounced for residents in poorer areas. The theoretical and policy implications of the findings are discussed and elaborated.

Scholars agree that global climate change is a major threat to the physical environment, affecting all aspects of life on the planet. However, the general public do not feel that climate change is a major risk or threat, especially to humans. It is important to understand the public’s perception and opinions of climate change as it affects and influences the creation and passing of climate change adaptation and mitigation policies. Specifically, little is known about public perceptions in regards to the greater health risk imposed by global climate change. This study examines the public's perception of health risks related to climate change in Broward County, Florida by using mixed methods. An online survey was conducted along with in-person interviews with the general public and a physician. The study found majority of respondents to believe climate change affects health, but lacked an understanding of how it is harmful to their health. It also found that gender affects their perceptions and political ideology appears to have an effect, but the effect of socioeconomic status on their perceptions were unable to be determined at this time. Broward is just developing policies to adapt and mitigate the health effects of climate change. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Intimate partner violence is endemic in the United States. According to the American Medical Association (1992), one-fifth to one-third of women will sustain violence from a partner or ex-partner in their lifetime. The relevant literature was organized by ICD-9-CM categories. This study examined the health consequences of partner abuse in a sample of community women using a sample consisting of 564 women in three ethnic groups. Because prior research has failed to account for variations by type of abuse on health consequences, this study assessed psychological abuse, violence and sexual aggression by women's partners. To determine whether or not different types of abuse had an effect on women's health, hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. The regression equations were calculated for women within each ethnic group to facilitate identification of similarities and differences and to control for ethnic differences in risk for specific diseases. The results were consistent with past research on health consequences of abuse and extended the prior literature by showing that psychological abuse had a pervasive effect on health conditions, distress and use of health care resources. Additionally, ethnic differences emerged. As expected, ethnicity appeared to function as a moderator. Clinical implications and recommendations are made for future research, suggesting the development of a new assessment tool for partner abuse screening.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction is found in heavy alcohol users. Negative urgency is a personality trait reflecting the tendency to act rashly in response to negative emotional states, and is associated with problematic alcohol consumption. The current study examined the relationship between negative urgency and HPA axis functioning following (1) negative mood induction and (2) intravenous alcohol administration among heavy social drinkers (proposed n = 40). I hypothesized the following: (1) Negative mood induction would result in an increase of cortisol release as compared to neutral mood induction; (1a) Negative urgency would be related to increased cortisol release in response to negative mood induction; (1b) Negative urgency would partially mediate the relationship between mood induction and cortisol release; (2) Acute IV alcohol administration would result in increased cortisol levels in the neutral mood condition, but decreased cortisol levels in the negative mood condition; and (2a) Negative urgency would be related to the suppression of cortisol release in the negative mood condition in response to acute IV alcohol administration. Repeated measures analyses of variance, the PROCESS macro, and paired samples t-tests were used to examine study hypotheses. Hypotheses were largely unsupported. Writing mood induction procedures reduced salivary cortisol levels in negative mood (t(35)= 2.49, p= 0.02) and there was a trend decrease in neutral mood (t(35)= 1.87, p= 0.07). Alcohol administration also reduced salivary cortisol levels in both negative mood (t(35)= 3.99, p< 0.01) and neutral mood (t(35)= 2.60, p= 0.01). However, salivary cortisol changes were no different than typical circadian patterns in response to mood induction (t(231)= 0.37, p=0.71) or in response to acute alcohol administration (t(231)= 0.44, p= 0.64). Negative urgency had a trend main effect on salivary cortisol level in response to acute IV alcohol administration, such that those higher in negative urgency were more similar to typical circadian patterns (F(19,28)= 1.59, p=0.13). This could serve as preliminary support for a psychological mechanism for the alcohol sensitivity hypothesis. Overall these findings suggest the current study failed to sufficiently manipulate salivary cortisol levels. Future studies should consider methodological techniques when exploring these relationships, including IV compared to oral alcohol administration, mood compared to stress manipulations, and cortisol compared to other HPA axis biomarkers.

The purpose of the research was to explore the challenges faced by both employer and employee when the later undergoes active cancer treatment from a systemic perspective. A qualitative research was conducted using a case study of six sessions with both employer and employee. The study revealed that the employer and employee defined their relationship and boundaries as a system. The research project made a great impact on the researchers’ map regarding cancer or any other symptom, the person with cancer and the employer. In the researcher’s old map, before the research project, cancer implied a very threatening disease which rendered both the employer and the employee helpless and powerless. Through the research project the researcher discovered the significance of not having preconceived ideas as according to this study both the employer and employee had the freedom to punctuate their challenges in relation to the latter undergoing active treatment. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

A new administrative scenario - the virtual office - emerged in organisations because of the influence of technological developments that drastically changed the traditional office scenario. The virtual office is a worksite that is situated outside of the traditional office, where people still do the work associated with a traditional office, whilst maintaining their status as full-time employees. Although telework has been practiced internationally for several decades, it is a new concept in South Africa with only a few large organisations embarking on telework. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which organisations in trade and industry are aware of and comply with the required policies, regulations and legislation in terms of ergonomics, technology and health in the e-environment. The preferred kind of telework and information and communication technologies for the South African context was determined. The study investigated the prevalence and extent of health and wellness aspects that teleworkers could be exposed to in the e-environment. The role that ergonomics could play in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders that could lead to compensation claims and other legal actions was investigated. The elements that could ensure the successful implementation of a telework programme were identified and were presented as a conceptual telework framework. Within the parameters of applied research, a descriptive quantitative research design has been followed. The mode of enquiry followed in this research was a quantitative, non-experimental, survey method. A baseline study has been conducted followed by an empirical study using two structured online questionnaires, one for managers of teleworkers and one for teleworking employees. The findings indicated that although the policies, regulations and legislation existed, organisations did not diligently comply with it. The lack of training for the managers and teleworkers on the applicable policies and legislation caused concern. The application of ergonomic specifications on the use of equipment, furniture and services at the preferred home office, is mainly done to avoid ergonomic risk factors that may lead to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Although teleworkers suffered from disorders, there was a lack of knowledge on ergonomic interventions and on the processes to claim compensation. The need for an instrument that will assist organisations to implement telework successfully has been identified. Therefore, a conceptual telework framework that provides a structure of the elements that need to be in place to implement a telework programme successfully has been proposed. / Business Management / D. Admin. (Business Management)

Thesis (PhD(FoodSc))--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Potential beneficial and/or adverse modulatory effects of polyphenol-enriched extracts of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) on the antioxidant homeostasis in the liver were investigated. Phase II metabolism of aspalathin and mangiferin, the major polyphenols of rooibos and honeybush respectively, was assessed for potential glucuronidation and sulphation. Glucuronidation resulted in a loss of antioxidant activity for aspalathin and mangiferin in post-column HPLC-DAD-DPPH• and HPLC-DAD-ABTS•+ assays and also a decreased activity of iron chelating properties of mangiferin in the FRAP assay. Two independent studies for 28 and 90 days with polyphenol-enriched extracts (PEEs) of unfermented rooibos [Aspalathus linearis (PER)] and honeybush [Cyclopia. subternata (PECsub) and C. genistoides (PECgen)] in male Fischer rats were conducted to assess possible beneficial and/or adverse biological effects. PECgen was only included in the 28 day study. PEEs were characterised by in vitro antioxidant assays and HPLC analysis. The importance of detailed chemical characterization of rooibos and honeybush when investigating biological effects in vivo is clear as distinctive biological effects and major differences in compositions were evident. Biological parameters included were serum chemical parameters, activities of selected antioxidant enzymes, levels of glutathione and the modulation of expression of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense related genes in the liver. Sub-chronic (90 days) exposure of rats to PER and PECsub both adversely affected iron absorption significantly (P<0.05) and significantly (P<0.05) and markedly lowered levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver. The high levels of polyphenol intake were implicated and interaction with glutathione was postulated to occur via catechol o-quinone conjugations with GSH. This was also implicated in the significantly (P<0.05) increased activity of glutathione reductase (GR) following 28 days. These findings suggest that PEEs from rooibos and honeybush have the potential to alter the glutathione homeostasis, which could contribute to oxidative status in the liver. PECsub resulted in alterations in the liver biliary system which was manifested as significantly (P<0.05) increased serum total bilirubin (Tbili) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), depending on the age of the rats, level of total polyphenols and duration of exposure. The expression of a number of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense related genes were differentially altered by the PEEs of rooibos and honeybush in rat liver and further indicated potential oxidative stress. Modulatory effects of PEEs on expression of 84 of these genes in rat liver were assessed with a quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) array and provided additional insights into the possible adverse and protective effects of rooibos and honeybush. Further investigation on total polyphenol dose levels and time of exposure in the application of PEEs of rooibos and honeybush as dietary supplements and functional foods is recommended and will also be of value in anticipated regulatory requirements for future substantiation of safety and efficacy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die moontlike voordelige en/of nadelige modulerende effekte van polifenol-verrykde ekstrakte van rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) en heuningbos (Cyclopia spp.) op die antioksidant homeostasis in die lewer is ondersoek. Die fase II metaboliete van aspalatien en mangiferin, die hoof verbindings in rooibos en heuningbos onderskeidelik, is ondersoek t.o.v. glukuronidering en sulfonering. Glukuronidasie het gelei tot n verlies in antioksidant aktiwiteit van aspalatien en mangiferin soos bepaal in post-kolom HPLC-DAD-DPPH• en HPLC-DADABTS•+ toetse, asook verminderde interaksie met yster van mangiferin in die FRAP toets. Twee onafhanklike studies van 28 en 90 dae is onderneem met polifenol-verrykde ekstrakte (PVEs) van ongefermenteerde rooibos [Aspalathus linearis (PVR)] en heuningbos [Cyclopia. subternata (PVCsub) and C. genistoides (PVCgen)] in manlike Fisher rotte om die moontlike voordelige en/of nadelige biologiese effekte te ondersoek. PECgen was slegs in die 28 dae studie ingesluit. PVEs is gekarrakteriseer deur in vitro antioksidant en HPLC analises. Die belang van chemiese karaktirisering van rooibos en heuningbos tydens ondersoeke na biologiese aktiwiteit is duidelik aangesien verskeie en variërende biologiese aktiwiteite en verskille in die komposisie in die huidige studie gesien is. Die biologiese parameters wat ondersoek is om die effek van die PVEs te bepaal het serum kliniese parameters, aktiwiteit van geselekteerde ensieme, glutatioon en evaluering van die ekspressie van oksidatiewe en antioksidant verwante gene in die lewer, ingesluit. Sub-kroniese (90 dae) blootstelling van rotte aan PVR en PVCgen het yster absorpsie negatief beïnvloed. Die beduidende (P<0.05) verlaagde vlak van gereduseerde glutatioon in die lewer was toegeskryf aan die hoë vlakke van polifenole ingeneem tydens die studie en word moontlik veroorsaak deur n spesifieke katekol o-konjugasie van GSH. Hierdie interaksie was ook moontlik die oorsaak van n beduidende (P<0.05) toename in die aktiwiteit van glutatioon reduktase. Dié bevindinge het moontlike implikasies t.o.v die glutatioon homeostase en is n moontlike indikase dat PVEs van rooibos kan bydra tot oksidatiewe stres. PVCsub het veranderinge in die lewer gal-sisteem tot gevolg gehad aangesien daar n beduidende (P<0.05) verhoging in die serum totale bilirubin en alkalien fosfaat was. Hierdie veranderinge is beïnvloed deur die ouderdom, vlakke van die totale polifenole en die periode van blootstelling. Die uitdrukking van oksidatiewe en antioksidant verwante gene is op verskillende maniere beïnvloed deur die PVEs van rooibos en heuningbos in rot lewer and dien as n verdere indikasie van onderliggende oksidatiewe stres. Die modulerende effekte van PVEs op geenuitdrukking het gelei tot additionele insig aangaande die moontlike skadelike of beskermende eienskappe van PVEs vir gebruik as kruie produkte of dieet aanvullings. Die indikasies van moontlike oksidatiewe stres was duidelik van biologiese parameters en modulering van geenuitdrukking in die lewer, en vereis verdere ondersoek na die polifenool dosis en periode van toediening voordat PVEs van rooibos en heuningbos as funksionele voedsel produkte gebruik word. Hierdie ondersoek sowel as toekomstige ondersoeke in hierdie verband sal van waarde wees vir regulatoriese vereistes omtrent die veiligheid en effektiwiteit van rooibos en heuningbos kruie produkte.

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

The purpose of the research was to explore the challenges faced by both employer and employee when the later undergoes active cancer treatment from a systemic perspective. A qualitative research was conducted using a case study of six sessions with both employer and employee. The study revealed that the employer and employee defined their relationship and boundaries as a system. The research project made a great impact on the researchers’ map regarding cancer or any other symptom, the person with cancer and the employer. In the researcher’s old map, before the research project, cancer implied a very threatening disease which rendered both the employer and the employee helpless and powerless. Through the research project the researcher discovered the significance of not having preconceived ideas as according to this study both the employer and employee had the freedom to punctuate their challenges in relation to the latter undergoing active treatment. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

A new administrative scenario - the virtual office - emerged in organisations because of the influence of technological developments that drastically changed the traditional office scenario. The virtual office is a worksite that is situated outside of the traditional office, where people still do the work associated with a traditional office, whilst maintaining their status as full-time employees. Although telework has been practiced internationally for several decades, it is a new concept in South Africa with only a few large organisations embarking on telework. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which organisations in trade and industry are aware of and comply with the required policies, regulations and legislation in terms of ergonomics, technology and health in the e-environment. The preferred kind of telework and information and communication technologies for the South African context was determined. The study investigated the prevalence and extent of health and wellness aspects that teleworkers could be exposed to in the e-environment. The role that ergonomics could play in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders that could lead to compensation claims and other legal actions was investigated. The elements that could ensure the successful implementation of a telework programme were identified and were presented as a conceptual telework framework. Within the parameters of applied research, a descriptive quantitative research design has been followed. The mode of enquiry followed in this research was a quantitative, non-experimental, survey method. A baseline study has been conducted followed by an empirical study using two structured online questionnaires, one for managers of teleworkers and one for teleworking employees. The findings indicated that although the policies, regulations and legislation existed, organisations did not diligently comply with it. The lack of training for the managers and teleworkers on the applicable policies and legislation caused concern. The application of ergonomic specifications on the use of equipment, furniture and services at the preferred home office, is mainly done to avoid ergonomic risk factors that may lead to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Although teleworkers suffered from disorders, there was a lack of knowledge on ergonomic interventions and on the processes to claim compensation. The need for an instrument that will assist organisations to implement telework successfully has been identified. Therefore, a conceptual telework framework that provides a structure of the elements that need to be in place to implement a telework programme successfully has been proposed. / Business Management / D. Admin. (Business Management)