This work was undertaken with a view to developing a textbook for United States secondary schools on the subject of death and dying through a religious lens. The purpose of this work is to provide high school teens with the means of coping with loss and a foundation for crafting their own meaning of life and death. Taking a close look at death attitudes among young people in the United States, as well as high school faculty and staff for the purpose of determining whether or not death education can be provided for public high school students, the work starts from the premise that said death education, using a religious model, should be provided for teenagers because the religious model provides the necessary elements of idea, ritual, and community, so necessary for building a world-view. Research was conducted in the form of survey and historical review to determine the efficacy of the proposed course of study. Upon analysis of the available information on death education history and course offering, as well as analysis of the survey results, the conclusion was reached that the provision of death education in the nation‟s public high schools would go a long way to reducing death anxiety amongst United States teenagers, and also give the adolescents a model for creating their own sense of meaning for all of life that includes death. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

Denna studie handlar om Celebrity Endorsements, det vill säga samarbeten där kändisar borgar för en produkt eller ett företag i syfte att utbyta värden och förhoppningsvis öka försäljningen. Tidigare forskning inom detta område är fokuserat på vad en kändis kan tillföra företaget. Denna uppsats undersöker fenomenet från andra hållet, det vill säga vad företaget gör för kändisen. Vi vill ta reda på om svenskarna, fotbollsspelaren Zlatan Ibrahimovic samt Robin Carlsson, även känd som popartisten Robyn, genom respektive celebrity endorsement-aktion gällande kampanjen “Made By Sweden” med Volvo, övertar värden från företaget. För att applicera våra resultat på existerande teoretiska ramverk och därigenom kunna besvara våra frågeställningar har vi valt att förhålla oss till tidigare forskning om celebrity endorsement, teorier om hur budskap överförs exempelvis Meaning transfer model, samt marknadsteorier om varumärkesidentitet. Genom tre fokusgruppsintervjuer fick vi av respondenterna fram en image av de två utvalda kändisarna som låg till grund för vår analys. Genom att jämföra intervjupersonernas image med företagets profil kunde vi avgöra huruvida värden hade överförts från företaget till kändisen. Vår studie kom fram till att värden inte överförs från företag till kändis. Värdeord inkodade av företaget fanns inte representerade i den image som våra svarspersoner redovisade gällande de två olika kändisarna. Studien visar dock på att en kändis kan få helt nya värden genom en celebrity endorsement- kampanj. / This study regards Celebrity Endorsements, meaning collaborations where celebrities vouch for a product or a company in order to exchange values and hopefully increase sales. Previous research within this field is focused on what a celebrity can provide for the company. This essay examines the phenomena from the other direction, meaning what the company can provide to the celebrity. We want to find out if the swedes, football player Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robin Carlsson, also known as the pop artist Robyn, through separate celebrity endorsement actions regarding the campaign “Made by Sweden” by Volvo, assumes values from the company. In order to apply our results on existing theoretical frameworks and thereby enabling ourselves to answer our questions, we have chosen to relate to previous research regarding celebrity endorsements, theories regarding how messages are transmitted, for instance the Meaning transfer model, as well as marketing theories regarding brand identity. Through three focus group interviews, we received an image of the two celebrities from the respondents, making the foundation for our analysis. Through comparing the image created by the respondents with the profile of the company, we could determine whether values had been transmitted from the company to the celebrity. Our study concluded that values are not transmitted from company to celebrity. Values encoded by the company were not represented in the image pictured by our respondents regarding the celebrities. The study does however show that a celebrity may gain new values through a celebrity endorsement action.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to measure the influence of a logotherapy activity, the mountain range exercise on the purpose in life and values of Grade 11 scholars of a specific culture community in the Western Cape. Two research hypotheses were formulated; firstly, that the logotherapy activity will help to heighten the meaning in the lives of Grade 11 scholars and, secondly, that the logotherapy activity would influence the values of Grade 11 scholars. The fifty-nine subjects used in the study were Grade 11 scholars at Macassar High School in the Western Cape. The subjects were divided into an experimental and control group. Two questionnaires were used in the study: the Purpose in Life-test (PIL) and the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values (AVL). After the experimental group completed the logotherapy activity they were divided into four discussion groups, each group consisting of seven or eight subjects. The groups underwent two discussion sessions. The experimental group completed the logotherapy activity and a post-test was carried out on both groups. Results showed a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test of the experimental group on the Purpose in Life-test. The first research hypotheses is hereby supported; that is the implementation of the logotherapy activity heighten the meaning in the lives of the experimental group. The pre-test and post-test results of the experimental group differed significantly with regard to the economic value. The second research hypotheses is hereby supported, that is, the implementation of the logotherapy activity will influence the values of Grade 11 scholars. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die ondersoek was die meting van die invloed van die logoterapeutiese groepsaktiwiteit, naamlik die bergreeks-oefening, op die doel van die lewe en waardes van Graad 11 leerlinge van en bepaalde kultuurgemeenskap in die Wes-Kaapland. Twee navorsingshipoteses is geformuleer, naamlik dat die logoterapeutiese groepsaktiwiteit die sin en betekenis in die lewe van Graad 11 leerlinge sal verhoog en tweedens dat die groepsaktiwiteit die waardes van die leerlinge betekenisvol sal beïnvloed. Die nege-en-vyftig subjekte was Graad 11 hoërskool leerlinge van Macassar Sekondêr in die Wes-Kaapland. Die ondersoekgroep is ewekansig in en eksperimentele en kontrole groep verdeel. Twee vraelyste is toegepas: Die Betekenis in die lewe-vraelys (PIL) en die Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Waardeskaal (AVL). Nadat die eksperimentele groep die logoterapeutiese groepsaktiwiteit voltooi het, is hulle in vier diskussiegroepe verdeel, elk met sewe of agt lede. Die diskussiegroepe het twee groepsbesprekings ondergaan. Die nameting is op albei groepe gedoen om sodoende te bepaal of die logoterapeutiese groepsaktiwiteit die navorsingshipoteses ondersteun. Die eksperimentele groep se voor- en nametingsresultate ten opsigte van hulle sinsbelewing het beduidend verskil. Die eerste navorsingshipotese is hierdeur ondersteun, naamlik dat die implimentering van die logoterapeutiese groepsaktiwiteit die sin van die lewe van die eksperimentele groep verhoog. Die eksperimentele groep se voor- en nametingsresultate ten opsigte van die ekonomiese waarde het beduidend verskil. Die tweede navorsingshipotese is ierdeur ondersteun, naamlik dat die implimentering van die logoterapeutiese groepsaktiwiteit die waardes van die lewe van die Graad 11 leerling beïnvloed.

ALS är en förkortning av Amyotrofisk lateral skleros. Nervceller som styr kroppensmuskulatur förtvinas och leder till förlamning. Till slut påverkas andningsmuskulaturen och man får svårigheter med andningen, vilket till sist leder till döden. Sjukdomen delas in i grupper och det skiljer sig åt i symptom och aggressivitet dock är utgången densamma. Överlevnaden är vanligtvis 3-5 år. Det bedrivs mycket medicinsk forskning men än så länge har man inte hittat botemedel. Orsaken är oklar men det finns vissa teorier. Behandlingen går ut på att lindra symtom och bromsa sjukdomförloppet. Syftet med denna studie är att belysa upplevelsen att leva med ALS.  Därför gjordes en litteraturstudie ur ett vårdvetenskapligt perspektiv, utifrån nio forskningsartiklar. Sökningar har gjorts i databaserna Cinahl, PubMed och Medline.I analysen framkom två teman: Förändrad livsvärld och Välbefinnande. Under Förändrad  livsvärd  framkommer  tre  underteman:  Lidande,  Skuld  och  skam  samt Vården av en anhörig. Under Välbefinnande hittades två underteman: Finna mening i livet och Konsten att leva i nuet. Studien visar att ALS skapar mycket lidande och existentiella funderingar både för patient och anhöriga. Den visar också att det är de anhöriga som står för den mesta vården och tar ett stort ansvar för patienten. Mitt i allt lidande kan man trots allt finna glädje och välbefinnande, vilket familj och vänner bidrar till.

This dissertation examined the relationship between attachment insecurity and complicated grief by testing a path model of variables that were hypothesized to mediate this relationship. Three meaning-making variables were tested as potential mediators: benefit-finding, sense-making, and positive reappraisal. First, a series of principal components analyses were performed to determine the factor structure of these meaning-making variables. After these constructs were identified, a series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine the unique contribution of each of the primary variables in predicting either complicated grief or one of the meaning-making variables. As hypothesized, some of the attachment and meaning-making variables were highly associated with complicated grief. Attachment insecurity variables were also associated with some of the meaning-making variables suggesting that attachment may have some influence on how individuals use meaning-making strategies in the midst of a loss. These variables were then entered into a path analysis that accounted for other relevant risk factors. It was found that, contrary to the main hypothesis, the meaning-making variables did not appear to mediate the relationship between attachment insecurity and complicated grief. Multiple regression was used to determine the relative impact of meaning-making and attachment variables on complicated grief because these variables have not been previously included in one statistical model. The results suggested that both meaning-making and attachment insecurity variables can play an important role as risk factors for complicated grief and that these relationships are still present after accounting for the closeness that an individual reported towards the deceased. It was concluded that both sets of variables, attachment and meaning-making, should be included in models of the development of complicated grief and that both may have clinical implications in terms of how to approach counseling for individuals struggling with complicated grief. More research on this topic is needed to look at similar research questions within specific populations. It was also suggested that in the future, researchers need to find better ways to measure meaning-making constructs because the current findings suggest that meaning-making may be even more multifaceted than has been suggested in previous literature. / text

Pragmatic Conceptual Analysis is a proposed methodology for attributing correct application conditions, or 'meanings', to concepts. This methodology involves two stages: first, we seek an empirical understanding of the ways in which usage of a given concept has regularly delivered benefits, and, second, we seek an explication of that concept which is optimally capable of delivering benefits in these ways. Such an explication captures the 'pragmatic meaning' of a given concept. Chapters 1-3 articulate Pragmatic Conceptual Analysis and the notion of pragmatic meaning, and show how these are related to other philosophical methodologies and accounts of concept-meaning.Chapter 4 uses a 'bootstrapping argument' to establish that Pragmatic Conceptual Analysis has two important virtues. The first phase of this argument establishes that Pragmatic Conceptual Analysis has normative authority - it reveals explications that we have practical and epistemic reason to adopt, whether we take these explications to be semantically revisionary or not. This normative authority licenses using Pragmatic Conceptual Analysis, in the second phase, to explicate our shared concept of concept-meaning. This yields the conclusion that we have epistemic reason to adopt the notion of pragmatic meaning as our explication of 'concept-meaning'. Having explicated our concept in this way, we see that Pragmatic Conceptual Analysis also has descriptive authority - it is a semantically conservative tool that reveals concept-meaning, thus explicated.The initial presentation of the bootstrapping argument considers only one sort of work that our concept of concept-meaning does - helping to guide our application of other concepts. But this concept also regularly delivers benefits in a second way - by helping us to give good explanations for the behavior and behavioral success of various concept-users. Chapter 5 uses the normative authority of Pragmatic Conceptual Analysis to justify a particular account of how good explanations work. Chapter 6 draws upon this account to argue that, in order best to explain people's behavioral successes, we need an explication of concept-meaning that is closely related to the one presented in Chapter 4.Chapter 7 considers several objections and hard cases, and argues that Pragmatic Conceptual Analysis weathers these storms in good shape.

It is a terrible shock to parents when they hear from a medical specialist that their child is not normal like other children, bUt retarded. Such parents are traumatized to the same extent as other parents may be when they lose a child to death. They go through the same phases of shock, denial, anger and mourning. A complicating factor is that these parents cannot recover from this loss as they are reminded of this sorrowful fact on a daily basis and to an increasingly difficult level. The aim of this investigation is firstly to determine the effect that severely retarded child has on the functioning of the family. Secondly, to determine what the needs of such a family are in respect of pastoral care; and finally, to provide guidelines for the care of a family with a severely retarded child. This research Is based on the practical-theological model of Zerfass and comprises: • A basis-theory that reveals Biblical perspectives that have been researched about the topic; • A meta-theoretical assessment based on the literature survey (also in related fields), as well as empirical research. The empirical study Is based on a number of interviews that were undertaken with families who have severely retarded children; • Theory for application that proposes guidelines for the pastoral care of the family with a severely retarded child in their care. The research resuits reveal lacunas that exist in available literature in respect of pastoral care for families with a severely retarded child. It is also clear from the resuits of the empirical research that ignorance about this type of pastoral care is common. The conclusion of this research is that these families who have severely retarded children do not enjoy the benefit of proper pastoral care. This happens because both pastoral care-givers as well as members of the parish underestimate the influence that such a child has on the family. The research results could assist in educating people who are, to a large extent, Ignorant in this regard; as wen as equipping pastoral care-givers with guidelines to care for families with severely retarded children. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This research explores the meaning that older persons ascribe to the friendships in which they engage. Previous research mostly focuses on the strain that the older population places on the self-reliant community. The older person is faced by many challenges, such as sickness, loss of social and emotional support and death. Friendships serve as a support for physical and emotional needs which could not always be addressed by the family. The aim of this research is to explore the type of friendships in which older persons prefer to engage and the meanings they assign to it. A qualitative study was identified as the most appropriate method and focus groups and personal interviews were used as methods of data collection. Data was analysed by means of thematic content analysis. Findings indicated that different types of friendships exist and that different meanings were attached to friendships. Meaning in friendships is promoted by trustworthy friends who are able to form a deepened level of connection through the support and the compassion they are able to give each other. The experience of connection in friendships is furthermore enhanced through mobility, proximity and technology that facilitate better emotional as well as physical support for the older individual. Informal friendships with younger people ensure that older people are more mobile and are able to maintain their friendships. It is also a great source of support in cases where family members are not able to provide support, due to whatever reason. Further exploration of the value of friendships is recommended, so as to plan more specific intervention strategies. Some insights have already been gathered in this study concerning the way in which mobility, proximity and modern technology can make it possible to sustain a friendship. Further studies could explore ways to empower older people through providing better mobility, proximity and the use of modem technology. Such studies may also explore the needs which an old age home fulfils, such as improving the residents' access to one another, for mutual support. Proximity might be a solution for the immobility experienced in the older community, and when older people are taught to use modern technology they will be enabled to maintain their friendships better. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This thesis is an exploration of the symbolic dimensions of activism in the SOA Watch movement, which seeks to close the School of the Americas (SOA), a U.S. training facility for Latin American military and police. Through historical analysis, participant observation, and ethnographic interviews with activists, I examine the practices of activism in the SOA Watch movement and the systems of meaning that inform them. As activists in the movement engage a system of power they seek to change, they construct and locate this system in space and time. By inserting themselves into the history and geography of the SOA through practices of resistance, activists construct and enact their own agency.

No description available.