Thesis (doctoral)--Universität München.

The notion of business involvement in helping to improve public schools is not new. Although business involvement faded somewhat in the 1960s and 1970s, a resurgence in business involvement began in the late seventies and early eighties. School-business partnerships have been steadily on the rise from around 40,000 in 1983 to over 200,000 by the mid-1990's. When schools and businesses become involved in partnerships certain conditions must be present for the partnerships to succeed. Those conditions include awareness, clear and measurable goals and objectives by both partners, the necessity of identifying potential resources and talent, reciprocal benefits for participants, and the ability to carry out formal evaluation of the program. The purpose of this study was to attempt to save a school-business partnership that had the potential to make a significant contribution to both a middle school and a large employer in Southside Virginia. By identifying the variables involved in both the erosion and revitalization of a school-business partnership, the information could prove valuable to others who may be struggling to maintain or renew partnerships in their schools or businesses. This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved the identification of the variables which contributed to the disintegration of a school-business partnership. The second phase involved using a 12-step partnership development process created by the National Association for Partners in Education to revitalize the partnership. A series of interviews, surveys, and questionnaires, as well as a search of current school data were used to determine the variables present in both phases. In phase I of the study, a serious lack of communication, perhaps even miscommunication, appeared to lead to the total shutdown of the partnering process. This breakdown in communication prevented other possibilities for success. The absence of goals or a formal agreement on the nature of the partnership also appeared to be one of its major downfalls. Phase II of the investigation involved partnership renewal. The major ingredients necessary for partnership development were communication; awareness; reciprocal benefits to participants; mutually acceptable, clear goals and objectives; the ability to carry out formal, on-going evaluation of the partnership; continuous recognition of good works by the stakeholders; and the use of the National Association for Partners in Education 12-step process as both a diagnostic and prescriptive resource for partnering. School-business partnerships, like all other human endeavors, require understanding, nurturing and support. By attempting to understand and embrace the needs of each partner, the true promise of this very human endeavor may be realized. Developing and revitalizing school-business partnerships is not only possible, but essential if we hope to create the type of learning communities necessary to the total education of children. / Ed. D.

Rationale and Aims: Grief research has highlighted the difficult reactions experienced by people bereaved by suicide, with studies also looking at the importance of sense and meaning making. There is limited research looking at experiences of individual kinships, for example partners of people who have taken their own lives. The current study therefore aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of people who have lost a partner to suicide, using a qualitative approach. The research sought to explore the following:What are the experiences of people whose partners have taken their own lives and how do people experience trying to make sense and meaning of their partner’s death? Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with seven participants (two men) who had lost their partner to suicide more than two years previously. Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were then analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: The analysis produced four master themes, including: “Pervasive impact of loss – “oh god, its such a disaster”; “The search for understanding – “There are so many questions that are unanswerable, like ‘why’?”; Challenges and ways of coping – “All the challenges they just come daily, hourly, minute by minute”; and, “Looking to the future – Its been a turning point for me, and a catalyst for change”. A description of these master themes and the related subordinate themes is presented. Conclusion: The results of the analysis are considered in light of existing theory and their clinical implications.

There is extensive debate on how the condition of vaginismus is understood, classified and diagnosed. A significant amount of literature argues that no school of thought has adequately explained the condition, and no terminology sufficiently describes the experience of sufferers and their partners. This study explores the experiences and perceptions of male partners to contribute towards a more meaningful understanding of the condition. The participants were volunteers who, together with their partners had sought treatment at a sexual and reproductive health clinic. Each participant consented to a semi-structured interview which explored themes around their relationship and sexual interaction, and understanding of and response to vaginismus. The interview data was analysed using content analysis and themes were drawn from the patterns identified. These themes provide a rich description of the experience of men in relationships with women diagnosed with vaginismus. There is also some support for the literature findings on the characteristics of the male partners. The participants appear to have particular personality characteristics, which are sustained in the context created by the sexual and relationship difficulties associated with vaginismus. It is aspects of the participants’ personalities and their social and cultural identities which mediate their experience in the context of the relationship. In addition, the participants’ understanding of sexual identity is strongly influenced by culturally defined norms. Although the problem may be conceptualised as a sexual difficulty, it can become pervasive and affect other aspects of the relationship. However, the condition also has the potential to amplify the importance of the relationship and lead to increased commitment. The time periods before seeking treatment varied considerably, though all the participants reported finding ways in which to manage the sexual difficulties. The couples’ main objective for seeking treatment was to have penetrative intercourse and/or conceive children. The experience of seeking treatment was hampered by inconsistent diagnoses and a lack of specialized knowledge. It is recommended that future research focuses on improving assessment and diagnosis of vaginismus

No description available.

The following research study aimed to discover the relationships and contributions that parent partners have in the reunification process of parents and children within the child welfare system. The study utilized a quantitative secondary data analysis design and the data were obtained from a Southern California Children and Family Services agency within the CWS/CMS database, as well as the parent partner database. Data were analyzed through SPSS software and descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were conducted to describe and assess the variables of interest. A total of 296 participants were used in the study and the majority of parents (73%) had an open case due to multiple allegations. The study found that there existed a statistically significant relationship between the utilization of the parent partner service and the likelihood of reunification. Furthermore, the study also revealed that as the number of contacts between a parent and a parent partner increased, the more likely the parent was to accomplish his/her goals. The study found that, specifically, during their open case, as 60% of parents reunified when they met 11 to 20 times with their parent partner. This study suggests that it would be a beneficial resource for child welfare agencies to incorporate the parent partner program as part of their practice. Furthermore, the agencies and counties that have already implemented the parent partner program may encourage their social workers to continuously recommend a parent partner for their clients. The research study would benefit from further research to assess the types of interactions parents and parent partners have during contacts.

The consequences of imprisonment are felt not only by prisoners themselves but also their family members. Prisoners may be alone in a cell or on trial but most have families and friends that often feel as though they are imprisoned along with their loved ones. There is a limited body of research conducted on partners of incarcerated men and the far-reaching effects of imprisonment on these secondary victims within the Canadian context. However, the research that is available suggests that families face many difficulties when one of its members is incarcerated. This study explores the experiences of female partners of incarcerated men. Crisis Theory directs qualitative data collected from in-depth interviews with ten women. The results indicate that women whose male partners are incarcerated experience many difficulties including stigmatization, financial barriers and emotional stresses. The findings not only highlight the difficulties female partners of male prisoners face but suggest some effective coping mechanisms that the women use to endure such difficulties. This research serves as an exploratory work for larger works that can provide basic policy recommendations. / UOIT

The aim of this study is to explain and try to get an understanding for how women who are partners to substance missusers handle their lifesituation. To fulfill the aim of the study a qualitive method is used with a focus group as a data collection method. The theoretical framework is coping theory and system theory. The results show that women who are partners to substance missusers describe that they have a lifesituation filled with stress and worry. Because of their situation the women create and adjust their behaviors. We have been able to define the behaviors the women describe as ways to cope with their situation by using different coping strategies. Another part of the results show that women as a result of living with a substance missuser have developed new routines that have both positive and negative effects in the women’s everyday life. Furthermore the results show that those around the women try to influence the women´s ways to cope with their situations. The women describe that they only in a few cases considerate the opinions from those around them.

Kejsarsnitt har använts som förlossningsmetod sedan slutet av 1800-talet och idag förlöses 15 – 20 % av alla barn med kejsarsnitt. Syftet med studien var att kartlägga nyblivna föräldrars upplevelser av kejsarsnitt och deras upplevelse av bemötande och information från personalen. Syftet var också att undersöka om det fanns skillnader mellan födande kvinnor och deras partners samt mellan föräldrar som genomgått planerat respektive akut kejsarsnitt. Tjugo födande kvinnor och 19 partners besvarade en studiespecifik enkät under sin vistelse på BB. Resultaten visade att de som genomgått kejsarsnitt är i stort sett nöjda eller mycket nöjda med upplevelsen som helhet, samt med upplevelsen av bemötande och information från personalen. Ett fåtal personer svarade att de varken är nöjda eller missnöjda på några av frågorna. Det finns inga skillnader i upplevelse mellan föräldrarna eller mellan de som genomgått planerat respektive akut kejsarsnitt. Detta tyder på att det inte behöver spela så stor roll för förlossningsupplevelsen av vilken förlossningsmetod som används. Det viktiga verkar vara kvaliteten på bemötandet och den information som ges. Några kommentarer rörande bemötandet framkom när föräldrarna fick utrycka sig fritt i den öppna frågan.

Abstract Due to the development of venture practices worldwide, many scholars have been studying ways of creating successful ventures; most of which are related to web-based individual ventures, organizational ventures or co-operative ventures. However, during an organizational venture, the interactive relationship among the partners might affect the venturing process. Although this type of research is limited, it still has its importance, and thus arouses a motivation for this research. This research is based on a case study relating to an organization that is undergoing an internal venture. Through interviews and analysis with the necessary information, this research concludes the following results: 1. According to the organization, the goal of internal venturing is to establish the possibility of different industry with the aid of government funding. After the failure of the bidding, the partners have decided to carry out the blueprint that was drawn for the bidding, and search for the possibility of other support. 2. The time for the venturing process is very tight. During the first 6 months of the plan, meetings were held regularly; after that there was a 1-month preparation and the organization was established. So, the partners have to cooperate in a short time, and conflicts and emotions are resulted. Competitions are common and conflicts cause the loss of professional skills. 3. After six months of operation, because of different opinions and insistence within the organization, as well as the eager to create revenue in a short period, the strategies of the organization have begun to fall away from the original plan. The amount of revenues does not meet the expectation and conflicts among the staff are increasing. Managers have begun to have doubts about the plan, and the venture partners are beginning to resign and the organization is beginning to collapse. Keywords: Internal Venture, Venture Partners, Interactive Relationship.