The hospice volunteer is viewed as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, with various roles directed at enhancing the quality of life of patients and their families. The purpose of this study is to provide an integrated picture of the hospice volunteer, their role, the human dimensions of this role and the impact this has on their lives as not much has been written in literature about this specific sub-group of hospice workers. The context of the study is a hospice in Gauteng where the researcher works as a volunteer. The ethnographic case study has been chosen as an appropriate research design as it explores the above phenomenon from the volunteers' point of view. The subjects are three volunteers who have been active at the hospice for at least twelve months. Evidence in terms of specific interviews and observations are used to draw conclusions. The interviews are based on a minimal number of open-ended questions. The primary method of analysis is the examination of transcripts from these in-depth interviews. A thematic analysis is carried out in which a detailed description of the emerging themes are given. Four major themes are identified and explored: Description of the role; The experience of being a volunteer; A way of coping; and The influence of the hospice culture. Sub-themes that emerge within each case study vary due to the individual nature of the experience of the role. Themes are explored in light of current theory and findings. This was to note the similarities and differences of this specific sub-group of volunteers compared to others found in the literature reviewed for this study. As there is a scarcity of literature pertaining specifically to hospice volunteers, the study depends mostly on writings pertaining to hospice staff and volunteers in general. A summary and integration of the core findings of the three case studies is given and their similarities and differences are explored. How some of the different themes interlink is also discussed. Although various sub-themes found in the individual case studies are significant to the individual cases, some of them can be incorporated into common themes when looking at the volunteers as a group. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed as well as recommendations for the hospice organisation and further research. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / This study is aimed at the development of a guiding framework for fathers and their adolescent sons by focusing on male identity as the main binding factor in the relationship between father a and son. The establishment, as well as the confusion regarding male identity, have been stated as starting point and problem statement of the study. The need regarding the way in which the father and son can be guided within this dynamic relationship in order to establish male identity, has been stated as motivation for the study. The need regarding the guidance of fathers and their sons was thus the primary aim with the research question, namely what the most applicable factors in a guiding framework should be that would guide fathers and their sons in order to support the formation of male identity within the sons. The research methodology that has been followed, was from a Gestalt perspective as meta theoretical assumption from which qualitative, explorative and descriptive strategies were followed. The qualitative strategy consisted of an auto-ethnography and semi-structured interviews. The trustworthiness of the research has been strengthened by a quantitative component of the research by utilizing questionnaires, after which data was collected and analysed. A purposive sample was drawn that included respondents from the Drakenstein municipal area in the Boland district. Categories that were identified from data from the semi-structured interviews, as well as indicators from the questionnaires, have been integrated, from which propositions were constructed. Six themes and resulting guiding strategies were presented in the form of a guiding framework. / Hierdie studie is gerig op die ontwikkeling van 'n begeleidingsraamwerk vir vaders en hulle adolessente seuns deur te fokus op manlike identiteit as die samebindende faktor in die verhouding tussen vader en seun. Die vestiging, asook die verwarring ten opsigte van manlike identiteit, is as vertrekpunt en probleemstelling vir die studie gestel. Die behoefte ten opsigte van die manier waarop vader en seun binne hierdie dinamiese verhouding begelei kan word ten einde manlike identiteit te vestig, is as motivering vir die studie gestel. Die behoefte aan begeleiding vir vaders en huile seuns was dus die primere doel met 'n navorsingsvraag, naamlik wat die mees toepaslike faktore sal wees wat in 'n begeleidingsraamwerk aan vaders en hulle seuns leiding sal bied ten einde die vorming van manlike identiteit by die seuns te ondersteun. Die navorsingsmetodologie wat gevolg is, was vanuit die Gestaltperspekief as metateoretiese aanname waaruit kwalitatiewe, verkennende en beskrywende strategies gevolg is. Die kwalitatiewe strategie het bestaan uit 'n outoetnografie en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude. Die vertrouenswaardigheid van die navorsing is deur 'n kwantitatiewe komponent van die navorsing versterk deur vraelyste te benut waarna data ingesamel en geanaliseer is. 'n Doelgerigte steekproef is getrek, wat respondente ingesluit het uit die Drakenstein munisipale gebied in die Boland distrik. Kategoriee wat vanuit die data van die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude geidentifiseer is, asook indikatore vanuit die vraelyste, is geintegreer waaruit proposisies saamgestel is. Ses temas en voortspruitende begeleidingstrategiee is aangebied in die vorm van 'n begeleidingsraamwerk. / Social Work / D.Diac. (Spelterapie)

Text in Afrikaans / Gemotiveerde onderwysers speel 'n belangrike rol in suksesvolle onderrig en leer. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om faktore te identifiseer wat 'n invloed uitoefen op onderwysermotivering. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp van individiduele onderhoud-voering met agt doelgerig geselekteerde deelnemers is gebruik ten einde antwoorde te kry op faktore wat „n invloed uitoefen op die motivering van grondslagfase-onderwysers. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was ook om riglyne aan onderwysers te verskaf oor hoe om hulself te motiveer en aan skoolhoofde oor hoe om hul onderwysers te motiveer. Daar is bevind dat faktore wat 'n invloed uitoefen op die motivering van onderwysers verband hou met die spesifieke skoolomgewing, die finansiële vergoeding van onderwysers, die werksverhoudings met ander onderwysers, die invloed van ouers, die verhoudings met die skoolhoof en die gedrag van leerders. As belangrikste motiveringsfaktor geld die onderwyser se eie lewensingesteldheid wat of op 'n positiewe of negatiewe lewensuitkyk gesentreer kan wees. / Motivated teachers play an important role in successful teaching and learning. The aim of this study was to identify factors that have an influence on teacher motivation. A qualitative research design was used. Individual interviews with eight purposefully selected participants were held to get answers to the factors that have an influence on the motivation of foundation phase teachers. The aim of this study was also to give guidelines to teachers on how to motivate themselves and to school principles on how to motivate teachers. The results indicate that factors influencing the motivation of teachers have to do with the specific school environment, the financial reward of teachers, the work relationship with other teachers, the influence of parents, therelationship with the school principal and the behaviour of learners. The most important motivation factor is the teacher‟s own attitude towards lifewhichcanrepresenta positive or negative life view. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Onderwysbestuur)

Cette étude traite de la complexité des enjeux de la mise en lumière urbaine et de sa conception. Le but est de déceler les mécanismes opératoires du projet d’éclairage afin de générer une analyse et une compréhension de ce type d’aménagement. Cette recherche met à jour les enjeux lumineux à différents niveaux comme l’urbanisme, l’environnement, la culture, la communication, la vision et la perception mais aussi au niveau des acteurs et de leurs pratiques sur le terrain. En utilisant une approche qualitative déductive, cette recherche théorique cherche à mieux comprendre les différentes significations du phénomène lumineux : comment dans la réalité terrain ces enjeux de la lumière sont compris, interprétés et traduits au travers de la réalisation des projets et des processus mis en place pour répondre aux besoins d’éclairage ? La pertinence de cette recherche est de questionner les enjeux complexes de la mise en lumière afin de savoir comment concevoir un « bon éclairage ». Comment se déroule un projet d’éclairage de sa conception à sa réalisation ? Quels sont les différents acteurs, leurs modes d’intervention et leurs perceptions du projet d’éclairage ? Le but est de vérifier comment ces enjeux se concrétisent sur le terrain, notamment au travers de l’activité et de l’interprétation des professionnels. Nous souhaitons créer un modèle opératoire qui rende compte des enjeux et du processus de ce type de projet. Modèle qui servira alors de repère pour la compréhension des mécanismes à l’œuvre comme le contexte, les acteurs, les moyens et les finalités des projets. Une étude des recherches théoriques nous permettra de comprendre la polysémie du phénomène lumineux afin d’en déceler la complexité des enjeux et de créer une première interprétation de ce type de projet. Nous déterminerons théoriquement ce que recouvre la notion de « bon éclairage » qui nous permettra de créer une grille analytique pour comparer notre approche avec la réalité sur le terrain. Ces recherches seront ensuite confrontées au recueil des données des études de cas, des stages en urbanisme et en conception lumière, et des interviews de professionnels dans le domaine. Nous confronterons les enjeux définis théoriquement aux collectes de données issues du terrain. Ces données seront collectées à partir de projets réalisés avec les professionnels durant la recherche immersive. La recherche-action nous permettra de collaborer avec les professionnels pour comprendre comment ils sélectionnent, déterminent et répondent aux enjeux des projets d’éclairage. Nous verrons grâce aux entretiens semi-dirigés comment les acteurs perçoivent leurs propres activités et nous interprèterons les données à l’aide de la « théorisation ancrée » pour dégager le sens de leurs discours. Nous analyserons alors les résultats de ces données de manière interprétative afin de déterminer les points convergeant et divergent entre les enjeux théoriques définis en amont et les enjeux définis en aval par la recherche-terrain. Cette comparaison nous permettra de créer une interprétation des enjeux de la mise en lumière urbaine dans toutes leurs complexités, à la fois du point de vue théorique et pratique. Cette recherche qualitative et complexe s’appuie sur une combinaison entre une étude phénoménologique et les méthodologies proposées par la « théorisation ancrée ». Nous procéderons à une combinaison de données issues de la pratique terrain et de la perception de cette pratique par les acteurs de l’éclairage. La recherche d’un « bon éclairage » envisage donc par une nouvelle compréhension l’amélioration des outils de réflexion et des actions des professionnels. En termes de résultat nous souhaitons créer un modèle opératoire de la mise en lumière qui définirait quels sont les différents éléments constitutifs de ces projets, leurs rôles et les relations qu’ils entretiennent entre eux. Modèle qui mettra en relief les éléments qui déterminent la qualité du projet d’éclairage et qui permettra de fournir un outil de compréhension. La contribution de ce travail de recherche est alors de fournir par cette nouvelle compréhension un repère méthodologique et analytique aux professionnels de l’éclairage mais aussi de faire émerger l’importance du phénomène de mise en lumière en suscitant de nouveaux questionnements auprès des activités liées au design industriel, à l’architecture et à l’urbanisme. / This study examines urban lighting, its conception and complexity. The study explores the operational mechanisms of lighting design projects, through an analysis and understanding of this type of project. Issues of urban lighting are studied to understand how these are perceived from different perspectives, including urban design, the environment, culture, visual communication, as well as the perception of various actors and their practices. This empirical research uses a qualitative research approach to understand the different meanings of light as a phenomenon and how these meanings are used within the creation of real projects. The fundamental question asked is what constitutes an appropriate lighting approach for urban lighting design in the context of an urban milieu? How does a project evolve from conception to final realisation? Who are the different actors and what are their perceptions of a lighting design project? The study investigates how professionals create lighting projects and how these get realised, through a complex understanding of multiple factors. The literature review explores different theories and meanings of light as a phenomena and how these become a catalyst to creating interpretations when designing in the urban milieu. The research proceeds with case studies and work experiences that demonstrate the complexities inherent in conceiving lighting projects. A complex research approach was used that integrates phenomenological and “Grounded theory” methods with case study analysis. This qualitative approach allows for an understanding of both the complexity in this type of projects and a perspective from the various players. Data is collected to combine practices from the field with the perception of this practice by the actors in lighting design. First, case studies both from urban sites and from lighting sites were used to situate the theoretical ideas explored. Second, the methodology included case study data collection and interviews with professionals who work on urban lighting projects. This data is collected using action research and semi-directed interviews to collect data about how the actors perceive their own activities. The analysis includes both interpretive and grounded theory methods. The data is analysed incorporating an interpretative approach, to determine the convergent and the divergent points between the theorical issues defined before and the issues defined after by the research on the field. This comparison will permit us to create an interpretation of the complexity of the issues of the urban lighting design, both from a theorical and a practical point of view. The results show how the complexity of lighting as a phenomenon demands complex tools for the conception and realisation of lighting projects. The emergent phenomenon from the analysis help to create a proposed model that shows these different complexities as an integrated system. This system could be used as a guide to understand the mechanisms which work from the point of the context, the actors, the means and the issues of the projects. The final theoretical model proposed suggests a way to understand this complexity of the urban lighting design project, what different elements constitute these projects, their roles and their inter-relationships. This model helps to form a basis for what determines the quality of a lighting design project and could be used as a tool for lighting professionals. This study contributes to providing a methodological and analytical guideline and reveals the importance of the lighting design phenomenon by questioning these activities linked to the industrial design, architecture and urbanism. Finally, we return back to the idea of what constitutes “good lighting” through an analysis comparing the theory to what actually occurs in the field.

A new model was developed to enhance the understanding of the full context of work associated hazards, to explore the connection between OHS performance and a systematic approach to safety, and to simplify approaches to OHS management. This Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems model was derived from the literature and used as the basis for the development of a framework, consisting of 60 elements which was transformed into an assessment tool. This assessment tool was trialled with a pilot study on a medium sized manufacturing plant in the plastics industry, and the tool and Preliminary Report peer reviewed by an expert panel using the Nominal Group Technique. After refinements were made to the assessment tool it was applied to eight case studies that were drawn from advertisements. This qualitative study consisted of two parts: firstly the assessment using the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework; and secondly a controlled self assessment exercise to target improvements to three of the elements over a period of four months. The study illustrated that the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework could be successfully applied in a range of industries to promote OHS improvements and to provide a systematic, planned approach to fulfilling OHS responsibilities. The application of this framework highlighted that: there is a need for further education on the correct application of the risk assessment process and the responsibilities owed to contractors; techniques such as dynamic risk assessments are more suitable where the place of work is variable and hazards are unpredictable; more focus is needed on the appropriate management of hazardous substances with long term health consequences; and that the level of formality invoked for treating hazards does not necessarily equate to improved risk reduction outcomes. The Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework was found to be applicable to small, medium and large organisations provided the assessment was scoped to a small division of relatively homogeneous activity to ensure a more representative hazard profile. This approach has provided a way forward to simplify OHS management and also offers practical direction for implementing a targeted OHS improvement program.

Cette étude traite de la complexité des enjeux de la mise en lumière urbaine et de sa conception. Le but est de déceler les mécanismes opératoires du projet d’éclairage afin de générer une analyse et une compréhension de ce type d’aménagement. Cette recherche met à jour les enjeux lumineux à différents niveaux comme l’urbanisme, l’environnement, la culture, la communication, la vision et la perception mais aussi au niveau des acteurs et de leurs pratiques sur le terrain. En utilisant une approche qualitative déductive, cette recherche théorique cherche à mieux comprendre les différentes significations du phénomène lumineux : comment dans la réalité terrain ces enjeux de la lumière sont compris, interprétés et traduits au travers de la réalisation des projets et des processus mis en place pour répondre aux besoins d’éclairage ? La pertinence de cette recherche est de questionner les enjeux complexes de la mise en lumière afin de savoir comment concevoir un « bon éclairage ». Comment se déroule un projet d’éclairage de sa conception à sa réalisation ? Quels sont les différents acteurs, leurs modes d’intervention et leurs perceptions du projet d’éclairage ? Le but est de vérifier comment ces enjeux se concrétisent sur le terrain, notamment au travers de l’activité et de l’interprétation des professionnels. Nous souhaitons créer un modèle opératoire qui rende compte des enjeux et du processus de ce type de projet. Modèle qui servira alors de repère pour la compréhension des mécanismes à l’œuvre comme le contexte, les acteurs, les moyens et les finalités des projets. Une étude des recherches théoriques nous permettra de comprendre la polysémie du phénomène lumineux afin d’en déceler la complexité des enjeux et de créer une première interprétation de ce type de projet. Nous déterminerons théoriquement ce que recouvre la notion de « bon éclairage » qui nous permettra de créer une grille analytique pour comparer notre approche avec la réalité sur le terrain. Ces recherches seront ensuite confrontées au recueil des données des études de cas, des stages en urbanisme et en conception lumière, et des interviews de professionnels dans le domaine. Nous confronterons les enjeux définis théoriquement aux collectes de données issues du terrain. Ces données seront collectées à partir de projets réalisés avec les professionnels durant la recherche immersive. La recherche-action nous permettra de collaborer avec les professionnels pour comprendre comment ils sélectionnent, déterminent et répondent aux enjeux des projets d’éclairage. Nous verrons grâce aux entretiens semi-dirigés comment les acteurs perçoivent leurs propres activités et nous interprèterons les données à l’aide de la « théorisation ancrée » pour dégager le sens de leurs discours. Nous analyserons alors les résultats de ces données de manière interprétative afin de déterminer les points convergeant et divergent entre les enjeux théoriques définis en amont et les enjeux définis en aval par la recherche-terrain. Cette comparaison nous permettra de créer une interprétation des enjeux de la mise en lumière urbaine dans toutes leurs complexités, à la fois du point de vue théorique et pratique. Cette recherche qualitative et complexe s’appuie sur une combinaison entre une étude phénoménologique et les méthodologies proposées par la « théorisation ancrée ». Nous procéderons à une combinaison de données issues de la pratique terrain et de la perception de cette pratique par les acteurs de l’éclairage. La recherche d’un « bon éclairage » envisage donc par une nouvelle compréhension l’amélioration des outils de réflexion et des actions des professionnels. En termes de résultat nous souhaitons créer un modèle opératoire de la mise en lumière qui définirait quels sont les différents éléments constitutifs de ces projets, leurs rôles et les relations qu’ils entretiennent entre eux. Modèle qui mettra en relief les éléments qui déterminent la qualité du projet d’éclairage et qui permettra de fournir un outil de compréhension. La contribution de ce travail de recherche est alors de fournir par cette nouvelle compréhension un repère méthodologique et analytique aux professionnels de l’éclairage mais aussi de faire émerger l’importance du phénomène de mise en lumière en suscitant de nouveaux questionnements auprès des activités liées au design industriel, à l’architecture et à l’urbanisme. / This study examines urban lighting, its conception and complexity. The study explores the operational mechanisms of lighting design projects, through an analysis and understanding of this type of project. Issues of urban lighting are studied to understand how these are perceived from different perspectives, including urban design, the environment, culture, visual communication, as well as the perception of various actors and their practices. This empirical research uses a qualitative research approach to understand the different meanings of light as a phenomenon and how these meanings are used within the creation of real projects. The fundamental question asked is what constitutes an appropriate lighting approach for urban lighting design in the context of an urban milieu? How does a project evolve from conception to final realisation? Who are the different actors and what are their perceptions of a lighting design project? The study investigates how professionals create lighting projects and how these get realised, through a complex understanding of multiple factors. The literature review explores different theories and meanings of light as a phenomena and how these become a catalyst to creating interpretations when designing in the urban milieu. The research proceeds with case studies and work experiences that demonstrate the complexities inherent in conceiving lighting projects. A complex research approach was used that integrates phenomenological and “Grounded theory” methods with case study analysis. This qualitative approach allows for an understanding of both the complexity in this type of projects and a perspective from the various players. Data is collected to combine practices from the field with the perception of this practice by the actors in lighting design. First, case studies both from urban sites and from lighting sites were used to situate the theoretical ideas explored. Second, the methodology included case study data collection and interviews with professionals who work on urban lighting projects. This data is collected using action research and semi-directed interviews to collect data about how the actors perceive their own activities. The analysis includes both interpretive and grounded theory methods. The data is analysed incorporating an interpretative approach, to determine the convergent and the divergent points between the theorical issues defined before and the issues defined after by the research on the field. This comparison will permit us to create an interpretation of the complexity of the issues of the urban lighting design, both from a theorical and a practical point of view. The results show how the complexity of lighting as a phenomenon demands complex tools for the conception and realisation of lighting projects. The emergent phenomenon from the analysis help to create a proposed model that shows these different complexities as an integrated system. This system could be used as a guide to understand the mechanisms which work from the point of the context, the actors, the means and the issues of the projects. The final theoretical model proposed suggests a way to understand this complexity of the urban lighting design project, what different elements constitute these projects, their roles and their inter-relationships. This model helps to form a basis for what determines the quality of a lighting design project and could be used as a tool for lighting professionals. This study contributes to providing a methodological and analytical guideline and reveals the importance of the lighting design phenomenon by questioning these activities linked to the industrial design, architecture and urbanism. Finally, we return back to the idea of what constitutes “good lighting” through an analysis comparing the theory to what actually occurs in the field.

This study explores the one-child policy as viewed by the present generation of single daughters who grew up in urban China, and the extent to which this policy has affected their family values. Through snowball sampling methods, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 unmarried only-child daughters from urban China now studying in Victoria and Vancouver. For purposes of comparison, 11 unmarried only-child daughters of the same generation were also interviewed in Hong Kong during the same time period. The findings revealed that some only-child daughters from urban China experienced low dissemination and enforcement of the one-child policy and expressed noncompliance and dissatisfaction towards the policy. A comparison between the China and Hong Kong samples indicates that the one-child policy has limited effect on the family values of the only-child daughters in urban China. By exploring the concept of governmentality, the demographic transition theory, and the concept of resistance, this thesis aims to address the dynamics between action of state power and the reaction of only-child daughters from urban China born under the one-child policy.

Bakgrunn og hensikt: Astma er den hyppigste kroniske sykdommen i barnealderen, den påfører barn og familierpersonlige og sosiale påkjenninger samtutgjør et betydelig folkehelseproblem. For å handtere hverdagen trenger barna og foreldrene kunnskap. Det overgripende målet med avhandlingen er å utvikle læringstilbud til barn og foreldre der den pedagogiske tilnærmingen tar utgangspunkt i barns, foreldres og helsepersonells vurderinger om hva som er viktig å lære. Metode: Avhandlingen inkluderer 5 studier (I–V) ut fra 2 prosjekter som forgikk på en barneavdeling i Norge, i 1995–1998 og 2004–2007. I studie I og IIble hermeneutisk fenomenologi brukt der 9 foreldre deltok i dypintervju. I studie IIIble innholdsanalyse brukt i et aksjonsforsknings prosjekt, handlings-orientert forskningssamarbeid, der 90 personer deltok. I studie IV ble hermeneutisk fenomenologi brukt der 15 barn i alderen 7–10 år tegnet og deltok i dypintervju. I studie V ble innholdsanalyse brukt der samhandlingen mellom 3 barn og 2 helsepersonellble observerti et læringstilbud. Resultateneviser at både barn med astma og foreldrene erfarte engstelse og redsel i hverdagen (I,IV). Foreldrene uttrykte følelser av usikkerhet,hjelpeløshet og skyld (I). Barna var redde for forverrelser av astmaenog hvordan sykdommenpåvirket kroppen. De brukte mange forskjellige ord når de beskrev astma.De kjente astma i hele kroppenogsituasjonenkunne endre seg raskt fra vanliglek til at all energi var borte. Barna var redde for å bli utestengt fra lek og aktivitet, og opplevde det som et dilemma om de skulle fortelle om astmaen til andre eller holde det hemmelig(V). Både barn og foreldre erfarte det å dele erfaringer i gruppe som betydningsfullt (II, V). Barnas perspektiv og deltakelse ble ivaretatt gjennom intervensjonsfasen, mens barneperspektivet ble ivaretatt av voksne gjennom hele prosjekt 2 (III). I læringstilbudet kjente barna seg trygge, var aktive, lærte av hverandre og satte ord på egne følelser(IV). Fortellinger og bilder fungerte godt i pedagogisk tilnærming til barn. Barnas egne tegninger var et godt redskap for å kommunisere med barn og for å få tilgang til deres livsverden(V). Konklusjon: Denne avhandlingen viser at for å støtte barn og foreldre til å handtere astma i hverdagen, er det viktig at helsepersonell legger tilrette for læring ved å utforme læringstilbud som tar utgangspunkt i deres perspektiver. Det at barna selv er aktive, at deres egne erfaringer brukes og verdsettes i dialogen, viser et nedenfraperspektiv som er en god kilde til empowerment-prosesser. Slike prosesser styrker barna i troen på egne krefter og gir dem handlekompetanse. Læringsprosessene som er beskrevet i meningsfull læringvil styrke barnas begripelighet, handterbarhet og meningsfullhet og derved styrke barnas Sense of Coherence (SOC). Ved styrket SOC vil barna i større grad mestre utfordringer i livet og derved oppnå bedre helse og livskvalitet / Background and aim: Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease,many children and families are personally and socially affected which makes asthma a public health problem. The overall aim of this thesis was to develop an asthma education programme for children with asthma and their parents, where the pedagogic approach takeschildren’s, parents’and health care personnel’s experiences and views as a starting point. Methods: This thesis includes 5 studies (I–V) from 2 projects performed in a paediatric ward in Norway in 1995–1998 and 2004–2007. In studies I and IIa hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used, in which 9 parents participated in qualitative research interviews. In study III, 90 persons participated in a co-operative inquiry. Data were analysed by content analysis. Study IV used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach: 15 children (7–10 years of age) participated in qualitative research interviews. In study V, 3 children and 2 health care personnel participated in an observational study. Content analysis was used in the analysis. The results showed that both the children and the parents experienced fear in their experiences of asthma in everyday life (I, IV). The parents expressed feelings of uncertainty, helplessness and guilt (I). The children experienced fear of exacerbations and how the asthma affected their bodies. They used many different words when they described how asthma affected them. They felt asthma in their whole body,and the condition could change quickly. The fear of being ostracised concerned all aspects of the children’s livesand they related a dilemma of keeping the asthma secret or being open about it (V). Sharing experiences in group settings was experienced as meaningful to both children and parents (II, V). The adult’s child perspectives were taken into account throughout the project, while the children’sown perspectives were taken into account during the period of intervention (III). During the asthma education programmethe children actively participated and learned from each other. As the pictures and stories were related to their experiences made it easier for them to express their own feelings. Drawings were a good way toinitiate a dialogue with the children and to get access to their lifeworld (V). Conclusion: This thesis shows that in order to support children and parents to cope with asthma, it is crucial to build on their perspectives in learning processes. Active involvement of the children shows a bottom-up perspective that can lead to confidence in their own strength and empowerment. Overall, this approach corresponds to an educational approach and learning theory that takes meaningful learning into account. Meaningful learning strengthens children’s comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness and their Sense of Coherence (SOC). A strong SOC leads to better health and a better quality of life

A new model was developed to enhance the understanding of the full context of work associated hazards, to explore the connection between OHS performance and a systematic approach to safety, and to simplify approaches to OHS management. This Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems model was derived from the literature and used as the basis for the development of a framework, consisting of 60 elements which was transformed into an assessment tool. This assessment tool was trialled with a pilot study on a medium sized manufacturing plant in the plastics industry, and the tool and Preliminary Report peer reviewed by an expert panel using the Nominal Group Technique. After refinements were made to the assessment tool it was applied to eight case studies that were drawn from advertisements. This qualitative study consisted of two parts: firstly the assessment using the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework; and secondly a controlled self assessment exercise to target improvements to three of the elements over a period of four months. The study illustrated that the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework could be successfully applied in a range of industries to promote OHS improvements and to provide a systematic, planned approach to fulfilling OHS responsibilities. The application of this framework highlighted that: there is a need for further education on the correct application of the risk assessment process and the responsibilities owed to contractors; techniques such as dynamic risk assessments are more suitable where the place of work is variable and hazards are unpredictable; more focus is needed on the appropriate management of hazardous substances with long term health consequences; and that the level of formality invoked for treating hazards does not necessarily equate to improved risk reduction outcomes. The Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework was found to be applicable to small, medium and large organisations provided the assessment was scoped to a small division of relatively homogeneous activity to ensure a more representative hazard profile. This approach has provided a way forward to simplify OHS management and also offers practical direction for implementing a targeted OHS improvement program.

This study explores the one-child policy as viewed by the present generation of single daughters who grew up in urban China, and the extent to which this policy has affected their family values. Through snowball sampling methods, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 unmarried only-child daughters from urban China now studying in Victoria and Vancouver. For purposes of comparison, 11 unmarried only-child daughters of the same generation were also interviewed in Hong Kong during the same time period. The findings revealed that some only-child daughters from urban China experienced low dissemination and enforcement of the one-child policy and expressed noncompliance and dissatisfaction towards the policy. A comparison between the China and Hong Kong samples indicates that the one-child policy has limited effect on the family values of the only-child daughters in urban China. By exploring the concept of governmentality, the demographic transition theory, and the concept of resistance, this thesis aims to address the dynamics between action of state power and the reaction of only-child daughters from urban China born under the one-child policy.