This empirical research study focuses on the qualities of resilient adolescents in a technical school. The study indicates why some adolescents in a technical school are resilient, while other adolescents in this technical school are not resilient. Thirty resilient and thirty non-resilient adolescents in a technical school were chosen to participate in the empirical study. The empirical study consisted of quantitative research (a questionaire that was completed by the sixty adolescents), and qualitative research (three chosen resilient adolescents took part in an interview). This study is therefore a mixed methods study. The conclusions of the study were supported by the literature. The qualities of the resilient adolescent in a technical school are similar to the qualities of resilient adolescents in other contexts. Resilient adolescents in this technical school were characterized by protective factors and processes that had their roots in the individual, the community, culture and relationships. This study is an explorative study. More rigorous research is needed before this study's findings can be generalised. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

The focus of this empirical study was on the antecedents of resilience among poor, English second-language (ESL) adolescent learners. The reasons why some adolescents in this situation are resilient and others are not, are indicated in this study. Adolescents qualify as being resilient if they are exposed to significant threat to their development, indicating high risk to the individual, and their adaptation to the threat is successful, due to support, resources or intervention. Thirty three resilient and 32 non -resilient poor, ESL adolescent learners were selected to participate in the empirical study. My study was a mixed method study because I made use of quantitative research (a survey questionnaire completed by the 65 selected learners), and qualitative research (semi-structured interviews with two identified resilient learners and a group interview with elders who are knowledgeable about young people in this community). The conclusions of my study emphasise that dynamic interactions between individual attributes, familial support, community resources, and cultural ties empower some adolescents to overcome hardships and be resilient. My findings are supported by literature. My findings cannot be generalised, as the adolescents in my study were all black, South African youth from an impoverished community in the Vaal Triangle. This is an explorative study, and themes that were identified as contributing to resilience in my study, need to be explored in future studies. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Background - Current guidelines suggest that all cancer patients with venous thrombosis be treated with long-term low molecular weight heparin. Whether treatment strategies should vary according to clinical characteristics remains unknown. // Systematic review - A systematic review was performed to determine current understanding of the association between malignancy characteristics in patients with cancer-associated VTE and the risk of VTE recurrence. Four retrospective and 6 prospective studies were included. They suggest that lung cancer, metastases, and adenocarcinomas confer an increased the risk of recurrence and breast cancer a low risk. // Survey - I performed survey to evaluate thrombosis experts’ opinion about the low risk of VTE recurrence they would consider acceptable for patients with cancer- associated thrombosis 103 specialists participated. 80% of respondents agreed that a risk of recurrent VTE during anticoagulation below 7% is low enough. 92% agreed that a CPR that categorizes risk of recurrence is relevant. // Retrospective Study - I performed a single retrospective cohort study to assess the feasibility of derivation of a CPR that stratifies VTE recurrence risk in patients with cancer–associated thrombosis. The study included 543 patients. A multivariate analysis selected female, lung cancer and prior history of VTE as high risk predictors and breast cancer and stage I disease as low risk. // Conclusion - Patients with cancer-associated thrombosis do have varying risks of recurrent VTE depending on clinical characteristics.

The association between pain and depression is well documented across various populations, but not in puerperal women. This study examined the association of childbirth pain with postpartum depression (PPD) in a nationally representative sample of Canadian women. Data from the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (n=6421) was used. Multivariate logistic regressions and partial proportional odds models were fitted and included socio-demographic, obstetric, health, psychological, and psychosocial factors. Chronic pain sufferers at mean 7.3 months postpartum had adjusted odds of PPD of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.6, 3.6) compared to women without pain. Adjusted odds of PPD increased with the number of areas of chronic pain, reaching 4.2 (95% C.I.: 0.7, 25.0) for 3 or more areas. Immigration, obesity, cesarean section and social support increased the strength of the association while smoking and the use of pain relief were protective effect modifiers. Persistent postpartum pain is a major risk factor for PPD.

Physical inactivity is identified as one of the major risk factors for the development of coronary heart diseases. It has been well documented in research literature that regular engagement in physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits has a positive influence on the risk of developing coronary heart diseases. Research literature reveals that these diseases have a negative influence on the productivity of the employee. In the light of the above mentioned, the fact has become clear that the health of the employee is of major concern to the employer. Healthy employees mean better productivity and better financial benefits for the company. The aim of this research is therefore to determine the physical activity, lifestyle and coronary index profiles of employees working at an electricity supply company in South Africa. Furthermore the aim is to determine the influence of physical activity and lifestyle on the coronary health of the same population. A total of one hundred and seventy nine (N=179) voluntary subjects between the ages of 26 and 65 years (46.1 ± 9.5), who were part of a non-random availability population, took part in the study. Data was collected by means of questionnaires. The Physical Activity Index questionnaire of Sharkey and Gaskill (2007) was used to collect data on the physical activity of respondents, the Lifestyle Index questionnaire of Belloc and Breslow (1972) was used to determine the lifestyle practises of the respondents and the Coronary Risk Index of Bjiirstrom en Alexiou (1978) was used to determine the coronary risk index of the respondents. The physical activity index profile of the respondents was classified as average (25.6 ± 35.6), as was the case with their lifestyle index profile (4.5 ± 1.3) and coronary risk index profile (25.5 ± 7.5). In spite of these findings, it was found that the majority of respondents in fact led a sedentary life (58.1%). That means that the respondents have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. The results further showed that age, exercise, gender and stress was identified as the major contributors to increased risk of developing coronary heart diseases. The fact emerged that the majority of respondents were unaware of their cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure status. These findings are problematic, for it is well documented in research literature that these three factors are major contributors to the development of coronary heart disease. In terms of the influence of physical activity and lifestyle on coronary health, a statistic meaningful (p < 0.05) difference was found in terms of physical activity and lifestyle habits on the coronary health of the employees. Wellness programs that are implemented by companies are of great value. These programs give the workers the opportunity to take responsibility for their health and provide them with the necessary tools to manage their health on optimal levels. Companies that succeed in motivating their staff to engage in these wellness programs, can empower their staff to care for their own health. This means less risk of developing coronary heart diseases, increased productivity and decreased absenteeism, sick leave and medical costs. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

From the researcher’s personal work experience it was found that there appeared to be a cycle of poverty and welfare dependency in multi–problem poor families. This research was undertaken as a means to lay foundational work in identifying risk and protective factors in multi–problem poor families living in Cape Town. A qualitative research approach was utilised and interviews were conducted with participants that met the selection criteria. The objectives of the research were to gather data in the form of deep, descriptive narrative accounts of multi–problem families’ chronosystems and current life issues, with a focus on the life challenges and difficulties that put the family at risk. The data was collected by means of interviews utilising a semi–structured interview schedule as well as tools such as genograms, ecomaps, and life lines (see Addendum 4). Analysed data indicated themes of intergenerational risk factors that included substance abuse, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and early school dropout. It was also found that within the current generation, absent parents was a major risk factor for children. Protective factors and variables that promoted resilience in families were also explored. It was found that religious beliefs, community support systems and personal resources were the major protective factors in these families. The research findings led to the identification of a number of early–intervention projects and programmes that could be implemented to address the identified risk factors in multi–problem poor families. These interventions include school literacy and support programmes, improved sex education in schools and community support forums. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

This thesis examines the relationship between stock market returns and systematic risk factors in twelve industrial countries. Using the APT framework, the thesis investigates the notion of international stock market integration versus segmentation in terms of pricing risk, international stock market efficiency in terms of eliminating arbitrage opportunities across domestic markets, and the validity of the international version of the APT according to a model that specifies purely domestic factors. Starting with ordinary least squares estimation the thesis investigates the responses of investors in their national stock markets to systematic shocks. By employing iterative non-linear multivariate seemingly unrelated regression estimation, this work avoids the statistical problems encountered in the second-pass test of the two-stage procedure. This study found that the international stock market was neither integrated nor efficient and that the IAPT was not supported by the results during the period investigated. It was demonstrated that partial and regional integration, regional efficiency, and regional IAPT validity cannot be ruled out. Moreover, the alternative model proved to be practically valid.

Background: The sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has always existed. In the early 1990's, researchers discovered that prone position was associated with a significantly higher risk for SIDS. This resulted in a lowered incidence of SIDS in the world. The campaign showed the value of risk knowledge and risk reducing methods, that's why new information campaigns about other risks regarding SIDS must occur. Aim: The aim was to describe the risk factors and preventive actions for SIDS, and the nurse's role regarding the preventive work. Method: A literature review based on 16 articles based on qualitative and quantitative studies. Result: This study shows that there are much more risk factors concerning SIDS than just the sleeping position. Use of a pacifier and breastfeeding have a risk reducing effect on SIDS, meanwhile high tog values, bedsharing and smoking during pregnancy increases the risk. SIDS is a very sensitive subject and parents can react with fear; this implies that the nurse has to have good communicating skills. Individual education gives the best parental compliance of risk reducing behavior regarding SIDS. The information that parents' should be given are risk factors and preventive methods in relations to SIDS. Conclusion: The risk factors and preventive methods that are of importance for SIDS, must be further investigated. Methods for how the nurse can inform the parents' is also a subject for further research on SIDS.

Pregestational and gestational diabetes (GDM) places the mother and her offspring at an increased risk for later development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Oxidative stress may mediate long-term disturbances in glucose homeostasis associated with type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. This thesis describes a cross-sectional study examining serum concentrations of free radical generated oxysterols as markers of oxidative stress in a cohort of teenage daughters from pregnancies with and without GDM. Daughters of GDM-pregnancies had a tendency of higher levels of serum oxysterols (7beta-hydroxycholesterol); however, this difference was not statistically significant after adjustment for total cholesterol. Serum oxysterols were significantly correlated with obesity measures such as waist circumference and BMI, which likely accounted for the tendency for higher measures of oxysterol concentrations in the GDM daughters. Oxysterols represent potentially important biomarkers for oxidative stress in adolescent girls as their levels track with the metabolic syndrome risk factors. / Le diabète pré-gestationnel et le diabète de gestation (DG) augmentent le risque dedéveloppement d'une future résistance à l'insuline et de diabète de type 2 autant pourla mère que pour l'enfant. Le stress oxydatif est un facteur potentiel impliqué dans ledéséquilibre du glucose sanguin associé au diabète de type 2 et au syndromemétabolique. La présente thèse est une étude sectionnelle croisée, ayant pour but demesurer des marqueurs du stress oxidatif, notamment la concentration des oxystérolsgénérés par les radicaux libres dans le sérum d'adolescentes, nées de mères ayantprésenté ou non un diabète de gestation. Nos résultats montrent des concentrationsd'oxystérols (7P-hydroxycholesterol) plus élevées dans le sérum de filles issues degestations diabétiques à comparer aux filles de mères n'ayant pas eu de DG.Cependant, la différence entre les deux groupes n'était pas statistiquementsignificative après un ajustement au cholestérol total. La concentration d'oxystérolsétait significativement corrélée aux marqueurs d'obésité, notamment la circonférencede la taille et l'index de masse corporelle, possiblement à l'origine de la tendance desoxystérols à être plus élevés dans le cas des adolescentes issues de gestationsdiabétiques.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a prototypic multi-organ autoimmune disease, is associated with a dramatically increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) manifesting as angina, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Traditional cardiac risk factors such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, measured at baseline in accordance with the Framingham model, only partially account for the increased risk of CAD in SLE. In this thesis, I have shown that blood pressure (BP), lipids and novel risk factors such as the inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), take a dynamic course in SLE, with more than half of the variance in serial measurements over time occurring within rather than between individuals. This variability is due to changes in disease activity, treatment, accrual of other cardiac risk factors, and complications such as infection. I have demonstrated that by capturing cumulative exposure over time, ‘summary measures’ such as arithmetic mean and time-adjusted mean (AM) are better able to quantify CAD risk in patients with SLE than single-point-in-time measurements of risk factors. By incorporating ‘summary measures’ such as mean and AM into time-dependent covariate survival analysis models, I was able to quantify the magnitude of increase in CAD risk associated with increments in systolic and diastolic BP, and to demonstrate and quantify the association between several lipids / lipoproteins and CAD risk in SLE. Using this methodology, I was also able to demonstrate that despite marked variability over time, ‘summary measures’ of hsCRP are independently predictive of CAD risk among patients with SLE, highlighting the pivotal role of inflammation in atherosclerosis. Furthermore, I was able to determine lipid and hsCRP ‘cut-points’ that will aid clinicians in identifying a subgroup of patients with SLE who are at significantly increased cardiac risk.