This thesis aims to explore a topic of attachment and its influence on adolescents' risk behaviour. First, the theoretical part provides an overview of important milestones of the developmental period of middle adolescence. Afterwards, it introduces the concept of attachment and finally, it deals with risk behaviour with great emphasis on researches addressing the substance abuse, antisocial behaviour and sexual risk behaviour in the Czech Republic. The practical part focuses on correlation between attachment styles (secure, preoccupied, dismissive avoidant and fearful avoidant) and risk behaviour using a questionnaire survey. In addition, it deals with the prevalence of above-mentioned types of risk behaviour and their relationship. Survey dealing with the prevalence of risk behaviour showed that respondents of this research were more likely to engage in risk behaviour in comparison to participants of other studies. It was also confirmed that there was a close association between different types of risk behaviour, so it could be beneficial to perceive them as a unitary syndrome. As far as the main aim of this thesis is concerned, adolescents with the preoccupied attachment style were proved to be at highest risk of development of risk behaviour. These individuals were more likely to use drugs,...

STARTING POINT: The presence of ADHD symptoms is one of the possible causes of risky behavior. Adolescent risk behaviors bring many challenges that can affect the quality of future life. One of the consequences of risky behavior may be to place a teenager in institutional care. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this diploma thesis is to describe in detail the occurrence of risk behavior in the children's home with the school and then to look into the possible occurrence of symptoms of ADHD. Consequently, we will attempt to characterize the risk behavior of children in institutional care by gender, age and educational program. METHODS: The data were obtained using questionnaire methods, for the presence of the ADHD symptoms the BRIEF questionnaire was used (Gioia et al., 2011). The VRCHA questionnaire the occurrence of risk behavior in adolescents (Dolejš & Skopal, 2015) was used to map the occurrence of risk behavior. The data was also obtained with the study of the documentation, when we worked with existing documents, the subject of the examination was the report of the respondents. RESULTS: The most common risk behavior in children's homes with the school is delinquency and abuse of addictive substances. Risky behavior is more common among girls than among boys in a children's home with a school....

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The most commonly searched for topic on the internet revolve around sexuality. These searches, known as online sexual pursuits, may be influenced by one’s personality traits, such as sexual sensation seeking (Kalichman et al., 1994), which has been associated with various sexual risk behaviours and could increase one’s chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and infections. It is therefore vital for researchers to examine the association between sexual sensation seeking and the internet. This study collected data from 336 participants who responded to instruments on an online survey which consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale (Kalichman et al., 1994), the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (Kalichman & Rompa, 1995), the Big Five Inventory (John, Naumann, & Soto, 2008), the Real Me Questionnaire (Amichai-Humburger, Wainapel, & Fox, 2002), Klein’s Sexual Orientation Grid (Klein, 1993), and items associated with sexual risk behaviour (Mashegoane, Moalusi, Ngoepe, & Peltzer, 2002), online deception (Capri & Gorski, 2006; Stieger , Eichinger, & Honeder, 2009), and internet use. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, sexual compulsivity, sexual risk behaviour, and online self-disclosure were statistically significant (p < .05) predictors of sexual sensation seeking. The study used product-term regression analysis to examine the influence that time spent on the internet has on sexual sensation seeking and its relationship with the statistical predictors thereof. Three distinct third variables were used, namely, hours spent on the internet for work purpose (work hours), hours spent on the internet associated with online sexual pursuits (sexual hours), and hours spent on the internet for personal purposes (personal hours). Through the use of product-term regression analyses I was able to show that work hours as a third variable moderated the relationship between extraversion and sexual sensation seeking; work hours indirectly influenced sexual sensation seeking through sexual compulsivity; and that work hours as a third variable moderated the relationship between online self-disclosure and sexual sensation seeking. Furthermore, sexual hours as a third variable moderated the relationship between sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking. Finally, I have shown that, within the sample, personal hours as a third variable moderated the relationship between sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking; personal hours indirectly influenced sexual sensation seeking through sexual risk behaviour; and personal hours indirectly influenced sexual sensation seeking through online self-disclosure. It thus seems that time spent online influences sexual sensation seeking. It is advised that internet use policies be put in place to establish and maintain a professional culture within the workplace, and to ensure that job performance is consistently met. Internet software packages may be used to identify and report unauthorized online activity, and monitor hours spent online in order to identify individuals who may require treatment with regards to problematic internet use, sexual compulsivity, and inappropriate sexual behaviour in the workplace. Furthermore, the results of this study highlight the internet’s influence on the relationship between sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking, and as such, may be of interest to sex therapists and counsellors in the field of hypersexuality. Finally, corporations, university officials, and youth and sexual health organisations may want to create awareness and provide educational resources with regards to the health risks associated with exploring sexuality via the internet. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Temas wat rondom seksualiteit gefokus is, is die mees algemeenste onderwerp wat op die internet nagevors word. Hierdie internet soeke, naamlik aanlyn seksuele strewe, word deels beïnvloed deur persoonlikheids-eienskappe, soos seksuele sensasiesoeke. Verder, seksuele sensasiesoeke is geassosieer met ‘n wye reeks riskante seksuele gedrag en kan die kanse tot seksueel oordraagbare siektes en infeksies verhoog. Hieruit volg dus die noodsaaklikheid dat navorsers die assosiasie moet ondersoek tussen seksuele sensasiesoeke en die internet. In ‘n aanlyn-opname is data van 336 respondente versamel deur die gebruik van instrumente soos 'n demografiese vraelys, Seksuele Sensasiesoekende Skaal (Kalichman et al., 1994), Seksuele Kompulsiwiteit Skaal (Kalichman & Rompa, 1995), Groot-Vyf Inventaris (John, Naumann, & Soto, 2008), Ware Ek Vraelys (Amichai-Humburger, Wainapel, & Fox, 2002), Klein se Seksuele Oriëntasie Rooster (Klein, 1993), en items wat verband hou met riskante seksuele gedrag (Mashegoane, Moalusi, Ngoepe, & Peltzer, 2002), aanlynmisleiding (Capri & Gorski, 2006; Stieger , Eichinger, & Honeder, 2009), en internetgebruik. Resultate van 'n meervoudige regressie-analise het aangedui dat ekstraversie, pligsgetrouheid, welgevalligheid, neurotisisme, seksuele kompulsiwiteit, riskante seksuele gedrag, en aanlyn self bekendmaking statisties beduidende (p < .05) voorspellers van seksuele sensasiesoeke is. Hierdie studie het produk-term regressie-analise (toets vir interaksie met behulp van meervoudige regressie) gebruik om die derde veranderlik van tyd wat op die internet gespandeer word te analiseer met betrekking tot die verhouding tussen seksuele sensasiesoeke en die statistiese voorspellers van seksuele sensasiesoek. Die derde veranderlike bestaan uit drie verskillende kategorieë naamlik, ure wat aanlyn gespandeer is vir werksdoeleindes (werksure), ure wat op die internet gespandeer is wat verband hou met aanlyn seksuele strewe (seksuele ure), en ure wat aanlyn vir persoonlike doeleindes gespandeer is (persoonlike ure). Resultate dui daarop neer dat werksure die verhouding tussen ekstraversie en seksuele sensasiesoeke gemodereer het, werksure het seksuele sensasiesoeke indirek gebeïnvloed deur seksuele kompulsiwiteit, en dat werksure die verhouding tussen aanlyn selfbekendmaking en seksuele sensasiesoeke gemodereer het. Verder het seksuele ure die verhouding tussen seksuele kompulsiwiteit en seksuele sensasiesoeke gemodereer. Persoonlike ure het die verhouding tussen seksuele kompulsiwiteit en seksuele sensasiesoeke gemodereer, persoonlike ure het seksuele sensasiesoeke indirek gebeïnvloed deur riskante seksuele gedrag, en persoonlike ure het seksuele sensasiesoeke indirek beïnvloed deur aanlyn selfbekendmaking. Dit blyk derhalwe dat die tyd wat op die internet gespandeer word het 'n invloed op seksuele sensasiesoeke. Daar word voorgestel dat beperkende beleidsriglyne binne internetgeledere ingestel word ten einde ‘n professionele kultuur binne die werkplek te verseker. Internet-programme kan gebruik word om ongemagtigde internet-aktiwiteit te identifiseer en aan te meld, aanlyntyd te kontroleer en persone te identifiseer vir moontlike behandeling vir internetverwante probleme, seksuele kompulsiwiteit en ontoepaslike seksuele gedrag binne die werkplek. Voorts fokus hierdie studie op die invloed van die internet met betrekking tot die verhouding tussen seksuele kompulsiwiteit en seksuele sensasiesoeke, en kan van beduidende belang wees vir seksterapeute en beraders wat spesialiseer in die veld van hiperseksualiteit. Ten slotte skep hierdie studie ‘n platform vir organisasies, universiteite, jeug- en seksuele gesondheidsorganisasies om bewustheid en programme te bevorder wat die gesondheids-risiko’s aanspreek wat verband hou met seksuele strewe op die internet.

Flooding of residential property is a real and growing phenomenon in the UK causing short and long-term detriment of various kinds to its victims. The issue of potential decrease in value of those properties which are located on the floodplain, though much discussed in the media, has received scant attention in the UK research literature. An extensive literature survey has revealed a need for methodological innovation in the field of temporal impact of flooding and the inadequacy of the current paradigms for inclusion of insurance into flood modelling. A wide-ranging review of data sources, including discussion with industry experts, has identified the requirement to generate primary data on the availability and cost of flood insurance. A novel framework has been developed for this research. This framework is an extension of the recent research in flood modelling and incorporates ideas from the wider house price analysis literature. Data collected via a questionnaire survey of householders has been combined with secondary data on property prices and flood designation in order to attribute any loss in property value to the correct vector of underlying flood status. The output from this study makes a contribution to the understanding of the impact of flooding on house prices, allowing for better valuation advice. Empirical findings are that the understandable concerns of residential property owners at risk of flooding regarding long term loss of property value are largely unfounded. Price discounts are observed for some recently flooded areas but they are temporary Improved appreciation of the impact of claims and flood risk on the cost of insurance has also emerged. The insurance market was not found to be instrumental in reducing the price of property. The output from the study also makes a methodological contribution in extending concepts relating to the relationship between flooding, insurance and house prices. This development is anticipated to facilitate refinement and updating of the empirical findings with reduced effort in the light of future events.

Title: Comparing the risk behaviour of adolescents aged 16 - 17 in different secondary schools in two chosen regions ABSTRACT: The diploma work focuses on adolescent drug abuse and it is especially targeted on sixteen and seventeen-year-old students of secondary schools. The work is divided into theoretical and practical parts. The theoretical part is written as a literature search /recherche/, in which the targeted group is described and also the characteristics of chosen addictive drugs and risks connected to the drug abuse are introduced. In addidtion to this, the realised researches aimed to addictive drugs are delivered there and also at the end of this part the prevention policy is briefly entered up. In the practical part the provided researches are described. The questionnaries were handed out to students of secondary schools in Prague and Klatovy. The results are analysed and discussed in this part as well as the confrontation of results got in both places. The results confirmed that the place, or more precisely the town, does not influence the addiction to smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. On the contrary, talking about illegal drugs, the Prague respondents are more experienced with illegal drugs than those in Klatovy. Based on these results and other literature information there is a...

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Given the devastating and debilitating impact of spinal cord injuries (SCI) globally and the effects on any population, its impact extends far beyond just the victim to people and institutions surrounding them and supporting them post-injury. Of growing concern is the increased risk that individuals with SCI have been seen to have a three-fold greater risk of developing cardio-vascular disease (CVD) than their able-bodied counterparts. Prevention strategies to curtail the onset of CVD in the SCI population is limited, and often developed for individuals from developed countries. The overall aim of this study was to assess and explore the need to implement CVD prevention programmes in a regional South African population with individuals after sustaining a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). The study employed a mixed methods approach and was conducted in four (4) phases. Permission and ethics clearance were obtained from the Research Ethics Committee at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the Western Cape Department of Health. Phase One of the study utilized a questionnaire to collect TSCI incidence data of which 108 of the eligible 132 cases consented to take part in the study. The demographic findings of this study indicated that a person sustaining a TSCI in the Cape Metropolitan area in South Africa is most likely to be a male, young (20 to 29 years of age), from a Black African or Coloured race group and living in the Cape Flats suburbs. The male to female ratio was 6.2:1. The main cause of TSCI was assault at 58.33% (n=63) with males accounting for the majority of cases (88.89%, n=65). According to the AIS classification, ASIA A and D were the most common classification seen in 38.89% (n=42) and 39.81% (n=43) of the cohort respectively. Phase Two utilized a questionnaire and looked at CVD risk factors of the original cohort. A large portion of the cohort was engaged in high-risk behaviours, i.e. smoking and alcohol consumption. A low number of individuals reported a baseline history of hypertension diagnosis prior to their TSCI (5.56%, n=6). Phase Three of the study emplored semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion to explore the experiences of persons with a TSCI regarding their ability to be physically active once reintegrated back into the community. Despite understanding the associated benefits of physical activity, several barriers to being physically active were reported; factors within their homes, access within their community, and transportation. The present study’s findings illustrated a growing concern among the SCI population for increased risk for developing CVD due to decreased physical activity. Phase Four of the study utilised a scoping review to identify CVD prevention programmes for individuals with a TSCI. Physical activity has been shown to have numerous health benefits of which reducing the risk of CVD is one. Engaging in physical activity, whether it be structured, unstructred or through a sporting activity can play a major role in combating the onset of CVD. Other tools used in reducing the onset of CVD were seen to be self-management strategies of which contrayer views were seen both for and against their use. Conclusion: Better education during the rehabilitation phase might be a key component to individuals with TSCI injury making more informed decisions about prioritising physical activity as they attempt to reintegrate back into their respective communities. The removal of socio-environmental barriers could allow motivated TSCI individuals better access to choosing how to increase their physical activity levels.

The main aim of this study was to apply the Information, Motivation and Behavioural Skills (IMB) model in a school-based programme for the reduction of HIV-risk behaviour among adolescents in South Africa. The study also aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the model in improving levels of information, motivation to act upon the information, and imparting behavioural skills aimed at reducing HIV-risk behaviour in high school adolescent learners. Prior to the main study, a preliminary study was conducted to identify existing and prior intervention initiatives targeting HIV-risk behaviour within the schools in Alexandra township, Johannesburg. This was a qualitative study in which participating learners from two secondary schools reported on the HIV and AIDS education they were exposed to prior to the main study and intervention. The study sample consisted of 259 Grade 11 learners of which 123 were from School 1 (ES) and 136 from School 2 (CS). The findings from the preliminary study indicate that, while much HIV/AIDS education was done through the LoveLife campaigns, important gaps still existed in the levels of HIV/AIDS information, motivation and behavioural skills among the learners in the participating schools. The main study was quantitative in nature, and involved the same sample as the preliminary study. Data was collected with the use of a questionnaire adapted from the Teen Health Survey instrument. School 1 (ES) was the Experimental group, while School 2 (CS) was the Control group. A baseline assessment (Time 1) was conducted at both schools. This assessment was followed by a 3-week HIV/AIDS intervention programme at School 1 (ES) which focused on HIV/AIDS information, motivation and behavioural skills. A post-test (Time 2) was carried out at both schools. The intervention at School 1 (ES) was then repeated at School 2 (CS). This was followed by another post-test (Time 3) at both schools. A final test (Time 4) was done at both schools. This was followed by another post-test (Time 3) at both schools. A final test (Time 4) was done at both schools. Data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA including univariate ANOVA and paired t-tests. The results show significant increases in information across time for both schools. However, while there was clear change, it was not directly linked to the intervention. Overall estimates for all three variables, for instance, indicate that the mean scores at School 2 (CS) rose at Time 2, despite the absence of the intervention between Times 1 and 2 at that school. The fluctuating pattern of mean scores further attests to the deviation of the mean scores from the hypothesized pattern. In some of these fluctuations, the results showed the same trend for both groups, irrespective of the difference in the timing of the intervention. It is recommended, among other things, that when applied in the South African context, the IMB model should be used along with other HIV/AIDS prevention strategies to incorporate the social, cultural, economic and other structural challenges faced by learners.

<p> <p>&nbsp / </p> </p> <p align="left">In this minithesis the researcher explores the experiences of recipients of the HIV/AIDS peer education abstinence programme at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), with a particular focus on their perceptions of the extent to which, and the manner in which, the programme influenced their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding sexual risk behaviour, HIV and abstinence.</p>

<p>South Africa is overwhelmed by the increase of substance abuse among adolescents. Having consulted the literature, South Africa is not the only country faced with this problem. It raises concerns with regard to the social health of adolescents in this country. In order to develop effective intervention strategies to reduce the wide spread abuse of substances, it is important to first understand how adolescents perceive this problem. In this study the perceptions of boys will be explored with regard, to substance abuse among adolescents. A purposive sampling method was used to select the participants. The eleven participants were interviewed by means of a semi structured interview / an interview guide was applied to collect the relevant information. The goal of the study was to explore the perceptions of boys regarding substance abuse amongst adolescents. After data collection which was indicated by the saturation of the data, the recorded data was transcribed. Transcripts were analysed to determine the emerging themes from the collected data. The main findings of the study were interpreted and discussed according to the themes and sub themes, which were derived from the participants&rsquo / narratives. Based on the research findings, recommendations have been suggested for service providers with regard to substance abuse amongst adolescents.</p>

Background: Teen pregnancy is associated with an array of negative social and health related outcomes for the mother as well as the baby. The risk of becoming a parent before the age of 20 is clearly elevated for former child welfare clients. Aim: The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the elevated birth rates among female adolescent child welfare clients by examining the relationship between contraceptive behaviour and pregnancies. Method: The study was based on a set of compiled register data. The study population were all females between the ages 14 and 19 during the years 2006-2008 (n. 487 115). The study group of main interest were child welfare clients who were compared to peers in the majority population as well as international and national adoptees. Analysis was conducted with multivariate logistic regression and the observed association was controlled for maternal, socio-demographic and behavioural factors. Results: The two sub-populations of child welfare clients both had much higher rates of retrieved hormonal contraceptives compared to the majority population, the international and the national adoptees up to age 17. In the ages 18 and 19 the rates were instead lower than the majority population. The child welfare clients had a stronger association to births than all groups of comparison, which was consistent with earlier research. All findings persisted after controlling for socio-demographic, maternal and behavioural factors. Conclusion: The child welfare clients showed a specific pattern of contraceptive behaviour over the age groups which was not consistent with the groups of comparison or with the expected relationship to birth rates. This suggests that teenage births cannot unanimously be predicted by the rates of retrieved hormonal contraceptives. The results imply that other factors than those investigated in this study are more influential regarding the contraceptive behaviour of this adolescent population.