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Research was undertaken to investigate the demographics of the pet population in a local community. A sample of the general dog population and owners was then compared with a sample of relinquished dogs and their surrendering owners, to identify dog and household characteristics associated with canine relinquishment to an animal welfare centre (AWC). The investigation was carried out in Strathclyde Region, Scotland. A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted to establish the pet owning status of a randomly selected sample of households. The dog and cat populations were then estimated by extrapolation of results to local census data. Using an area based approach, the association between deprivation, community setting and pet ownership were assessed using available census data. A Geographical Information System approach was applied to the data to display the spatial distribution of pet ownership in Strathclyde Region. Dog owning households identified by the telephone survey were invited to participate in a second study. This case-control study compared information regarding dog and household characteristics of these successful owners (controls), with a sample of unsuccessful dog owners and their pets (cases). The control sample was assessed by mailed questionnaire. Case households were selected by AWC staff at the time of relinquishment and data collected using self-administered questionnaires. Results revealed that 36.1% of households were pet owners, with dogs and cats being the most prevalent species owned. The canine population of Strathclyde Region was estimated to be 248,649 and the feline population estimated to be 170,044. These dogs and cats were owned by an estimated 185,589 and 121,235 households, respectively. Deprivation and urban communities were negatively associated with pet ownership. A sample of 360 of the dog owning households agreed to participate in the second study. Based on a response rate of 89.2%, 321 of these households returned usable questionnaires. Comparison of data from these questionnaires with data obtained from 49 case households revealed that several factors were associated with relinquishment. Although certain dog characteristics were identified as important, most of the predisposing characteristics were owner-related. Uneducated, inexperienced dog owners who impulsively acquired their dog for little cost, were more likely to relinquish their pet after a short duration of ownership because of inappropriate care expectations, lack of planning and the dog failing to meet their expectations. Surprisingly, dog behavioural problems were no more prevalent in relinquished animals. These data were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Variables retained in the final model associated with relinquishment included ownership of a small mammal pet, no history of previous pet ownership, young dogs, mixed breed dogs, lack of veterinary care, short duration of residence in the present home and absence of a garden. The study identified several risk factors associated with canine relinquishment, many of which could potentially be modified to decrease the numbers of animals abandoned at AWCs. Use of the multivariable logistic regression model could enable the assessment of the likelihood of future relinquishment. In particular, application of the model in AWCs could decrease the number of adopted dogs that are subsequently relinquished.

This thesis explores the difficulties of talking about cancer. Conversational interviews with 17 people diagnosed with cancer are analysed from the perspective of discursive psychology which treats accounts and the description of events as discourse practices and categories. Cancer is considered a mysterious and frightening disease associated with myths and taboos. It is a sensitive topic and talking about it can be a delicate and difficult thing to do for all concerned. If a person with cancer (PWC) is not seen or heard to be 'being positive' or 'adopting a fighting spirit, they could be left with a sense of blame, guilt or failure. It is proposed that not only do they have to contend with managing to live with a life threatening illness but the metaphorical descriptions attributed to cancer, the 'heroic model' and its accompanying discourses and expectations construct the ill person as being morally accountable. Narrative themes of discovery, diagnosis, doctors and delay, social relationships, the indignities of treatment and talk of death and dying are analysed. The analysis reveals some of the problems and interactional difficulties that participants have to manage, and it considers some of the dilemmas and problems produced in cancer narratives and how discursive Practices, such as laughter, are displayed. It considers the way participants discursively construct notions such asdoing being responsible, 'complaining and blaming' and 'doing being positive' and it reveals how participants' concerns of identity and moral accountability are rhetorically accomplished and managed. The findings of this thesis emphasise how PWC work to maintain the identity of someone who is bearing their illness 'patiently", without complaining and are seen to be a 'good patient'. The analysis reveals that participants construct their identity as someone who is being positive and that they not only have to manage the interactional problems that their illness poses for others and their inadequacies to cope with people with cancer, but additionally they have to manage the moral restrictions on not being able to admit that they are not coping. It is suggested that an increased awareness of the psychological burdens and interactional difficulties people with cancer report in their accounts can contribute to a better understanding of what and how people with cancer manage these additional burdens in their social lives.

The diminishing provision of services by the state, coupled with the escalating numbers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zimbabwe, represents a crucial concern for Non-Governmental Organisations. The socio-economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe has created a vacuum for social service provision. In this gap, Non-Governmental Organisations have stepped in as alternatives playing a critical and positive role in caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Notwithstanding the generally valid critique of the imperialist role of Non-Governmental Organisations as agents of multi-lateral institutions and dominant western governments, the repressive despotism and the consequent socio-economic crisis in Zimbabwe has necessitated that Save the Children play a prominent role in caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. This study builds upon fieldwork undertaken in the Marondera district in Zimbabwe. This fieldwork was conducted amongst children who have been left orphaned and vulnerable because of various reasons, and investigates the interventions of Save the Children in the lives of these orphans. Ethnographic research, encompassing three kinds of data collection methods, was used. These data collection methods are interviews, observation and documents. This, in turn, produced three kinds of data namely, quotations, descriptions, and excerpts of document on the basis of which narrative descriptions where derived. Interviews were transcribed and later analyzed through content analysis. The findings indicated that, as a consequence of the failure of the state in Zimbabwe, Save the Children has played a primary role in addressing the needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children despite the idea that non-governmental organisations have expanded and consolidated the neoliberal hegemony, at a global level, in the name of mitigating the social and economic dimensions of Structural Adjustment Programmes (Kothari, 1993). Save the Children’s interventions for orphans and vulnerable children take many forms, including educational assistance, legal protection, HIV/AIDS mitigation programs, psychosocial support and material support. The formal and informal systems also act as safety nets for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. However, these have failed to appropriately assist the Orphans and Vulnerable Children with sustainable initiatives. The vacuum created by the Zimbabwean context has however necessitated the growing importance of the activities of Save the Children in caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

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Counselors must have innovative knowledge and approaches regarding the multidimensional aspects of sexuality and gender identity. This session provides an overview of the five dimensions continuum model of biology, gender identity, gender expression, sexual/affectional orientation and sexual behavior. A case study is provided as an example of using the model with clients. The presentation will focus on the application of this multilayered approach in conceptualizing clients who identify as a sexual minority.

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Within the past 10 years, mobile devices have been widely adopted by adults and are now present in the lives of almost all U.S. children. While phones are common, our understanding of what effect this technology has upon children's development is lagging. Bioecological theory and attachment theory suggest that this new technology may be disruptive, especially to the degree to which it interferes with the parent-child relationship. This article reflects a National Organization for Human Services conference presentation and shares preliminary results from semi-structured interviews conducted with 18 youth, ages 7 through 11. Only four of eighteen interviewees voiced any negative thoughts concerning their parents’ use of mobile devices. However, those who reported feeling ignored by their parents experienced the negative emotions deeply. Themes that emerged from analysis of transcripts included devices as tools and boundaries.