If you have ever used your phone while on a date to send a text message, or snapped a picture with a friend to upload to Facebook, or cut a sentence down to 140 characters to broadcast on Twitter, you may agree with some leading Social Scientists that technology is changing the way we relate with one another. Our interactions through technology seem to be getting increasingly short with less sophisticated language. More and more, our thoughts are broadcast to everyone instead of intended for someone special. Yet, there is something profoundly human and central to our development that is neglected in these interchanges. Close human relationships---with families, significant others, friends---need complex, intimate, ongoing conversations in order to create and maintain empathic connectivity. In these types of conversations, individuals become part of one another, defined by each other. Together, they change, they grow, they find meaning in life. This is, in essence, what I call Empathic Communication. Until now, this concern has been largely neglected in the field of Human-Computer Interaction, a community of researchers and technology designers who are arguably best positioned to address it. To suggest one path forward, in this dissertation I raise the question of whether computer technologies can become brokers of Empathic Communication between people who care about each other, with a specific focus on intimate partners. How can we conceptualize Empathic Communication, how can we build tools that support it, and how do we know if we have succeeded? I address these questions by creating a simplified model of the therapeutic process of intimate reconnection, or the 4Rs framework---Repattern, Reflect, Restory, Reconnect. Using the 4Rs framework as an ideation tool, I designed and field-tested a technology concept for a dyadic journaling application, Diary Built for Two, that might help romantic partners reconnect through deep communication. Using the 4Rs framework as an evaluation tool, I found that Diary Built for Two enabled more intimate, more thoughtful, more Empathic Communication that changed the way partners saw themselves, one another, and their relationship. Unexpectedly, I found that research interviews I conducted with intimate partners had the same type of therapeutic effect. Simply asking partners questions about their relationship caused them to reflect on and change their understandings of their relationship and each other. To guide other researchers and designers of Empathic Communication Technologies (ECTs), I present a set of specific outcomes of my study. First, I present Symmetric and Asymmetric interface profiles, which identify new human-technology configurations that may better support deep communication---for example, having one shared device between two people, as opposed to one separate device for each. I also share some of the ways in which research interviews may positively and negatively affect study participants towards reconsidering current informed consent practices. Both of these findings showcase the utility of selectively conceptualizing our technology designs as well as our research methods as therapeutic interventions; when we apply the therapy metaphor, new design and research opportunities become apparent. / Ph. D.

Den 1 april 2024 trädde regeringens nya proposition 2023/24:31 i kraft, som syftar till att stärka rättigheterna för barn och vuxna som befinner sig i skyddat boende. Denna kvalitativa studie undersöker hur socialtjänsten i Skåne arbetat med reformen om skyddat boende för barn. Målet för denna studie är att tillföra ny kriminologisk kunskap inom forskningsämnet. Studien har även som målsättning att analysera förändringar i hur socialtjänsten betraktar våldsutsatta barn som rättssubjekt. Studien vill också belysa de åtgärder och strategier som utarbetats i förberedelseprocessen. Detta görs genom en undersökning av hur Socialtjänstlagen förändrats från före till efter reformen. Denna förändring ges med bakgrund i hur skyddat boende såg ut innan reformen trädde i kraft. Studiens frågeställningar besvaras genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer bestående av nio respondenter från socialtjänsten, som har direkt erfarenhet av att arbeta med reformen. Genomförandet av studien utgår från implementeringsteorin och tidigare forskning. Resultatet kom fram till fyra huvudteman som är anpassning och samordning av resurser, tidsaspekten i tillämpningen av reformen för barn och utsatta, barns rättigheter förstärks inom ramen för skyddat boende och individanpassad bedömning för barns behov. Resultatet visar att kommunerna har förberett sig till den nya lagen genom att ta fram rutiner och checklistor vilket vägleder dem genom beslut om skyddat boende för barn. Efter implementeringen av reformen stärks barnets ställning som rättssubjekt, detta genom en individuell bedömning av barnet och tilldelning av en egen socialsekreterare. Detta leder till en förstärkt känsla av säkerhet och trygghet för barnet. Studien föreslår en senare utvärdering av reformen för att analysera hur den har förändrats över tid. En sådan utvärdering skulle kunna bidra med insikter om hur lagförändringen verkställs av yrkesverksamma inom socialtjänsten. / On April 1, 2024, the new proposition 2023/24:31 of the government came into effect, aiming to strengthen the rights of children and adults in sheltered housing. This qualitative study examines how social services in Skåne have worked with the reform of sheltered housing for children. The goal of this study is to contribute new criminological knowledge within the research field. Additionally, the study aims to analyze changes in how social services view children exposed to violence as legal subjects. The study also seeks to highlight the measures and strategies developed during the preparation process. This is done by investigating how the Social Services Acts have changed from before to after the reform. This change is contextualized by examining the state of sheltered housing before the reform came into effect. The research questions are addressed through semi-structured interviews with nine respondents from social services who have direct experience working with the reform. The study is conducted based on implementation theory and previous research. The results identified four main themes which are adaptation and coordination of resources, the time aspect in applying the reform for children and the vulnerable, strengthening children's rights within the framework of sheltered housing, and individualized assessment of children's needs. The results show that municipalities have prepared for the new law by developing routines and checklists, which guide them through decisions regarding sheltered housing for children. Following the implementation of the reform, the child's status as a legal subject is strengthened through an individual assessment and the assignment of a dedicated social worker. This leads to an enhanced sense of safety and security for the child. The study suggests a future evaluation of the reform to analyze how it has evolved over time. Such an evaluation could provide insights into how the legal changes are being implemented by social service professionals.

This is a qualitative study that researches the definition and meaning of resilience in intimate relationships. A constructivist perspective guides the theoretical framework of this study and a systemic approach to intimate relationships provides a theoretical foundation. Apart from an extensive literature survey, three different sources of information were included in this study on relational resilience. Three family therapists were interviewed to gain some understanding of their experiences with couples in distress. Three participant couples examined visual stimuli (excerpts of couple interactions from five films) and discussed their responses and personal experiences in semi-structured interviews. The participants’ themes were analysed through thematic network analysis in order to explore their definitions of resilience in light of their own experiences. It was found that resilience in intimate relationships can be defined as the ability of the couple to endure adversity. It involves the relational capacity to adapt, grow, and recover from adversities and it includes relational processes that allow the couple as a system to rebound from shared difficulties and become more resourceful. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology))

South Africa has not escaped the rising prevalence and severe impact of HIV/AIDS in relation women. From an economic and social vantage point, the HIV/AIDS epidemic hits women the hardest, with underprivileged black women the most susceptible to the virus. The theoretical framework of this research focuses on the intersection between HIV/AIDS, gender inequality and gender violence, and more specifically, on certain cultural practices and customs that contribute towards and exacerbate women’s subordination and inequality, which in turn, increase women’s exposure to become infected with HIV. Relevant to this focus is inevitably an investigation of perceived threats to specific fundamental human rights as a result of some entrenched practices that continue to reinforce women’s subordinate position in society, aggravated by the high incidence of gender violence. / Constitutional, International & Indigenous Law / LL.M.

隨著西方工業革命之後「第二現代」社會的來臨，人們越來越關注自身，親密關係轉而成為個人日常生活中最重要的事務之一，親密關係也逐漸擺脫外在社會的約束，而將其基礎置於關係之中兩人對彼此的承諾上。這樣的特性，符合了英國社會學家Antony Gddens所謂民主化發展的「純粹關係」。本研究從社會學的角度，透過質性研究方法，以理解個人在現代社會中實踐多重親密關係之特性與其意義。 研究結果指出，臺灣現代社會的親密關係正邁向Giddens所指之「匯流愛」的發展趨勢，並有著下列幾個特點：第一，現代社會環境所組成的機會結構，暗助多重親密關係的醞釀與發展：；第二，「曖昧」是為多重親密關係逾越社會對於親密關係規範的跳板；第三，多重親密關係更能使當事人滿足自我；第四，實踐多重親密關係具有「堅守一對一」與「被揭穿」的雙重風險；第五，經濟與性別在多重親密關係的脫勾性。 然而，正處於轉型期的臺灣社會，多重親密關係的實踐仍面臨父權社會殘留與新舊價值的衝突現象。於是，我們也同時從經驗資料中發現類似英國社會學家Jamieson對Gidden論述的質疑，包括：第一，「性別」在多重親密關係中是最終的影響變數；第二，自我內在對於實踐多重親密關係所存在的矛盾感；第三，「一對一關係」的交往規則對多重親密關係來說，具有「限制」與「機會」的雙重意義；第四，現代社會下的「婚姻制度」對親密關係來說是更嚴格的「遊戲規則」，但卻也是多重親密關係的實踐者願意接受的遊戲方式。 / After the western Industrial Revolution comes the so-called “second modernity.” As people are more concerned about themselves, they cherish intimate relationships much more in their daily life. Intimate relationships have thus disposed of external social control and focused more on the promise between two lovers. This feature is similar to the democratization of pure relationships presented by English sociologist Antony Giddens. From a sociological perspective and through qualitative research methods, this study aims at understanding the characteristics and meanings of multiple intimate relationships as well as the individuals practicing multiple intimate relationships in modern Taiwan. The findings show that intimate relationships in the modern Taiwan society are approaching the “confluent love” stated by Giddens. Multiple intimate relationships are found in this study to carry five characteristics. First, the opportunity structure in modern society facilitates the fermentation and practice of multiple intimate relationships. Second, dubious relationships serve as a jumping board for individuals to bypass the social canons of intimate relationships. Third, people are more satisfied by involving in multiple intimate relationships. Fourth, the double risks of practicing multiple intimate relationships involve the risk for keeping monogamy and the risk for revealing the practicing multiple intimate relationships. Fifth, there is a disjunction between economy and gender in multiple intimate relationships. As Taiwan go through social transformations, the practice of multiple intimate relationships nevertheless remains controversial in a society in which the patriarchic elments remains and the modern values are in conflict with the traditional ones. The empirical evidence demonstrated in this study supports some challenges raised by English sociologist Lynn Jamieson to Giddens’ arguments. First, gender still serves as an ultimate variable in affecting the practice of multiple intimate relationships. Second, individuals often experience a dilemma between a sense of guilt and the pursuit of gratification in maintaining multiple intimate relationships. Third, monogamy implicates both a restraint and an opportunity to develop multiple intimate relationships. Fourth, in the “game” of intimate relationships, the marital system is considered a stricter rule and yet individuals practicing multiple intimate relationships are willing to accept it.

This is a qualitative study that researches the definition and meaning of resilience in intimate relationships. A constructivist perspective guides the theoretical framework of this study and a systemic approach to intimate relationships provides a theoretical foundation. Apart from an extensive literature survey, three different sources of information were included in this study on relational resilience. Three family therapists were interviewed to gain some understanding of their experiences with couples in distress. Three participant couples examined visual stimuli (excerpts of couple interactions from five films) and discussed their responses and personal experiences in semi-structured interviews. The participants’ themes were analysed through thematic network analysis in order to explore their definitions of resilience in light of their own experiences. It was found that resilience in intimate relationships can be defined as the ability of the couple to endure adversity. It involves the relational capacity to adapt, grow, and recover from adversities and it includes relational processes that allow the couple as a system to rebound from shared difficulties and become more resourceful. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology))

South Africa has not escaped the rising prevalence and severe impact of HIV/AIDS in relation women. From an economic and social vantage point, the HIV/AIDS epidemic hits women the hardest, with underprivileged black women the most susceptible to the virus. The theoretical framework of this research focuses on the intersection between HIV/AIDS, gender inequality and gender violence, and more specifically, on certain cultural practices and customs that contribute towards and exacerbate women’s subordination and inequality, which in turn, increase women’s exposure to become infected with HIV. Relevant to this focus is inevitably an investigation of perceived threats to specific fundamental human rights as a result of some entrenched practices that continue to reinforce women’s subordinate position in society, aggravated by the high incidence of gender violence. / Constitutional, International and Indigenous Law / LL.M.

No description available.

Våld i nära relation är ett mångfacetterat begrepp som innefattar olika aspekter av en människas utsatthet. Kvinnor utsatta för våld i nära relation där mannen är våldsutövaren är en vanlig företeelse i samhället. Var tredje kvinna utsätts någon gång i livet för våld i nära relation, och många kvinnor söker vård för sin våldsutsatthet. Det är däremot få kvinnor som nämner att våldet är den bakomliggande orsaken till besvär, symtom och känslor. Sjuksköterskor träffar vårdsökande kvinnor oavsett arbetsplats, därför ingår det i sjuksköterskornas profession att ställa frågan om våldsutsatthet och samtala, stötta och hänvisa kvinnorna beroende på behov och vilja. Syftet med litteraturöversikten var att belysa hur sjuksköterskor upplever att möta kvinnor som är utsatta för våld i nära relation. Metoden utgjordes av en litteraturöversikt baserad på tio empiriska tidskriftsartiklar som kvalitetsgranskats och analyserats av författarna, nio kvalitativa samt en kvantitativ. Analysen genererade fyra kategorier; Arbetsplatsens förutsättningar skapar ramar för mötet, Ett behov av att skydda sig själv från utsatthet, Att överta en del av kvinnornas börda samt En professionell utmaning och nio underkategorier. Med stöd från resultatet diskuteras faktorer som bidrar till en direkt påverkan på mötet med kvinnorna utsatta för våld i nära relation. Sjuksköterskorna upplevde motgångar i form av tidsbrist, avsaknad av kunskap, förutfattade meningar och inre konflikter med emotionella reaktioner så som sorg, frustration och förtvivlan. Dessa faktorer samverkade till att identifieringen av våld i nära relation inte genomfördes av sjuksköterskorna. Det anses vara betydande för sjuksköterskorna att få ökad utbildning inom våld i nära relation för att på så sätt erbjuda kvinnorna omsorgsfull omvårdnad. / Intimate partner violence is a multifaceted concept that includes different aspects of a person's vulnerability. Women exposed to intimate partner violence where the man is the perpetrator is a common phenomenon in society. Every third woman is at some point in her life exposed to intimate partner violence, and many women seek treatment for their exposure to violence. However, few women mention that violence is the underlying cause of problems, symptoms and feelings. Nurses meet women seeking care regardless of their workplace, therefore it is part of the nurses' profession to ask the question of exposure to violence and talk to, support and refer the women depending on their needs and wishes. The purpose of the literature review was to highlight how nurses experience meeting women who are exposed to violence in close relationships. The method consisted of a literature review based on ten empirical journal articles that were quality reviewed and analyzed by the authors, nine qualitative and one quantitative. The analysis generated four categories; The conditions of the workplace create a framework for the meeting, A need to protect oneself from vulnerability, To take over part of the women's burden and A professional challenge and nine subcategories. With support from the results, factors are discussed that contribute to a direct impact on the meeting with the women exposed to violence in a close relationship. The nurses experienced setbacks in the form of lack of time, lack of knowledge, preconceived notions and inner conflicts with emotional reactions such as sadness, frustration and despair. These factors combined to make the identification of intimate partner violence not carried out by the nurses. It is considered important for the nurses to receive increased training in intimate partner violence in order to offer the women adequate care.

Emotional abuse is a problem experienced worldwide, crossing all economic, educational, social and ethnic segments of all societies. Overtime, many empirical researchers concentrated on studying the occurrence and impact of physical abuse on women but neglected to study the effects of emotional abuse on the woman's physical and mental health. But with time, researchers began to realise that emotional abuse also had a great impact on the lives of women. Therefore, a detailed exploration of emotional abuse between intimate adult partners has only recently emerged in the literature. Though it is difficult to separate emotional abuse from other forms of abuse, many women in our research who were provided with a definition of emotional abuse identified and confirmed that they have been emotionally abused in their past or are being abused in their current intimate relationships. This research project focused mainly on women who suffered and have survived the wounds of emotional abuse in intimate relationships. Group work is aimed at the growth and development of the individual. This study reports on an in-depth analysis of the arrangements and formulation of the structure of support groups, and the effectiveness of the functioning of these groups. Participants who joined the support groups in this research, were women who have undergone therapeutic intervention and are/or were engaged in a healing process that involved reintegration, implementation and maintenance of therapeutic goals. Support groups do provide a place where people can share their experiences in a safe environment, and where they can symbolise their experiences and consequently make them more acceptable to the self. It has been concluded in this research that support groups were effective in giving members the opportunity of helping each other to heal from the wounds of emotional abuse by being supportive, giving feedback, making helpful suggestions and providing useful information necessary for their growth and development. Therefore, participants who joined the support groups agreed that they have benefited by receiving the encouragement and support from one another, which contributed towards their process of healing emotionally, and in turn, caused them to change from being helpless victims to survivors of emotional abuse. / Sociology / D. Phil (Sociology)