In the following essay, I will present my fieldwork that I've conducted in Radhakund India. For three weeks I was living in a hindu monastery (eg. ashram) that primarily houses a group of swedes who have formerly suffered from substance-abuse and have gone through medical detoxification, rehabilitation and 12-step treatment. They have all eventually taken up the religious/spiritual practice that the monastery focuses on; meditative and ritual practice in the tradition of gaudiya-vaishnavism. The monastery, namned Bhajan Kutir Ashram, was formed by the psychologist and author Torbjörn Fjellström, who himself is a practitioneer of gaudiya-vaishnavism. Besides rituals and meditation, pilgrimage to Radhakund is part of the religious practice and tradition these people adhere to. My ambition has been to investigate if their religious/spiritual practice in this tradition has been helpful in their recovery. My conclusion is that they have recovered through the cognitive and emotive tools, analytically called Sense of Coherence (SOC) that are found both in the 12-step treatment and the gaudiya-vaishnava-tradition. While the 12-step treatment has helped the respondents to recover from substance-abuse, their religious/spiritual practice in the context of gaudiya-vaishnavism is seen as a natural continuation of the 12 steps and a deepening of its principles. Another theoretical conclusion drawn from the material is that the way the respondents describe recovery, is practically impossible to separate from their religious/spiritual practice and perspectives.

Bakgrund: Fibromyalgi är en kronisk sjukdom som påverkar kroppen på olika sätt, och orsaken är fortfarande okänd. Den bryter ut i samband med ett fysiskt eller psykiskt trauma, infektion eller smärta. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva personers upplevelser av att leva med fibromyalgi. Metod: En litteraturöversikt gjordes med en induktiv ansats, baserad på 13 artiklar med kvalitativ design. Tre kategorier och sex underkategorier skapades utifrån analysen. Resultat: De upplevda fysiska symtomen var smärta i kroppen, trötthet och sömnsvårigheter. Sjukdomen gav även upphov till psykiska symtom där depression, ångest, nedstämdhet och kognitiva problem förekom. Upplevelsen var även att det sociala livet påverkades då familj, vänner, kollegor och vårdpersonal ofta ifrågasatte sjukdomen och inte trodde på personerna. Slutsatser:  Fibromyalgi påverkar livet på många olika sätt, både fysiskt, psykiskt och socialt. Arbetet ger en ökad förståelse och kunskap till vårdpersonal, framförallt sjuksköterskor, för den här patientgruppens situation. Fortsatt forskning behövs för att ta reda på vad som orsakar fibromyalgi, och därmed öka förståelsen. / Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that affects the body in several ways, and the cause remains unexplained. It emerges from physical or psychological trauma, infection or pain. Aim: The aim was to describe people’s experiences of living with fibromyalgia. Method: This study was made as a literature review with an inductive approach, based on 13 articles with qualitative design. Three categories and six subcategories evolved from analysis. Results: The experienced physical symptoms were pain in the body, fatigue and sleeping problems. The illness also affected the persons psychologically which could occur as depression, anxiety and cognitive issues. The social life was also affected since family, friends, colleagues and health care personnel often questioned the illness and did not believe in their experiences. Conclusion: Fibromyalgia affects the life in several ways, both physically, psychologically and socially. The essay provides an increased understanding and knowledge to health care personnel, especially nurses, for these patients’ situation. Further research is required to determine the cause of fibromyalgia to increase the understanding.

Lithuania has one of the highest suicide rates for men in the world (81.7 per 100,000 men). 21.7% of the population feels depressed. A salutogenic model of health developed by Antonovsky provides new knowledge for betterunderstanding of the behaviour of individuals and explains why some individuals fall ill under stress and why some do not. The study is focussed on the analysis of sense of coherence (SOC) on the population sample of Lithuania (n=3390) using a simplified way of measuring SOC developed by Lundberg and Nyström Peck at the Swedish Institute for Social Research of Stockholm University. The data of the study showed that people with low SOC (60.1%) predominate among the Lithuanian population. A strong correlation between low SOC, depression and stress was found. Additional studies, preferably longitudinal, are needed to identify possible relationshipsbetween cognitive processes (SOC) and biological mechanisms, causing adverse effects on mental health / <p>ISBN 91-7997-106-7</p>

The aim of this study is to qualitatively examine the individual's perspective of work-related stress. The research has been delimited to one of Postnord's offices. The study is based on Antonovsky (1979) Theory Sense of Coherence (SOC) to investigate the individual's experience of stress. With the help of Sense of Coherence (SOC), the study investigated how postmen express their experience of work-related stress with the key components of comprehension, manageability and meaningfulness. In response to the goal of the study, semistructured interviews were conducted on eight participants from Postnord. The results of the study showed that high work demands were one of the reasons behind the stress they felt. The lack of support from colleagues due to the structure of the work was another reason that affected the individual's experience of stress. Finally, the results also revealed that the participants perceived that they were unable to decide on their own work, which affected the experience of a lack of opinion in the workplace.

No description available.

Bakgrund Bröstcancer är den vanligaste cancersjukdomen världen över. Samtidigt som antalet drabbade ökar, minskar dödligheten bland annat relaterat till bättre behandlingsmetoder och tidigare upptäckt av cancern. Därmed kommer fler kvinnor leva med ett eller två bröst borttagna efter mastektomi, vilket kan påverka kvinnornas upplevda hälsa. Syfte Syftet var att belysa kvinnors upplevelser av hälsa efter mastektomi vid bröstcancer. Metod En icke-systematisk litteraturöversikt genomfördes med hjälp av en integrerad dataanalys. Inkluderade artiklar är publicerade mellan 2016 - 2021 och hittades i databaserna PubMed och CINAHL. Resultat Med grund i de 15 inkluderade artiklarna identifierades tre kategorier: välbefinnande, identitet och kroppsbild, med tillhörande subkategorier. Det framkom att kvinnorna upplevde en försämrad livskvalitet och att stödet var viktigt för acceptans. Upplevelsen av en ny identitet som kvinna var genomgående och även påverkan på upplevd femininitet och sexualitet. Ingreppet resulterade i en förändrad kroppsbild, där acceptansen infann sig en tid efter operation. Slutsats Majoriteten av de kvinnor som genomgått mastektomi vid bröstcancer upplever en försämrad hälsa efter operation. Detta i form av en försvagad kvinnlig identitet, en sämre upplevd kroppsbild samt en minskad känsla av välbefinnande. / Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer disease worldwide. While the number of new patients increases, the mortality decreases. This due to better treatment options as well as an earlier discovery of the breast tumor. Therefore, more women will live with one or two breasts removed after a mastectomy, which may effect their experience of health. Aim The aim was to illuminate women's experiences of health after mastectomy in breast cancer. Method A non-systematic literature review was conducted using an integrated analysis. Included articles were published between 2016 - 2021 and were found in the databases PubMed and CINAHL. Results Based on the 15 included articles, three themes were identified: well-being, identity and image, with associated sub-themes. It showed that women experienced a lower quality of life and that the support was of essence for acceptance. The experience of a new identity as a woman was common and also the effect on femininity and sexuality. The surgery resulted in a changed body image, where acceptance appeared a time after surgery. Conclusions The majority of women who have undergone mastectomy for breast cancer experience a decreased health after surgery. This in the form of a weakened female identity, a worse perceived body image and a reduced feeling of well-being.

I denna kvalitativa studie undersöks positiva aspekter av att vara verksam inom socialt arbete, hur erfarna socialarbetare beskriver sina drivkrafter och vilka faktorer som påverkar välbefinnande i arbetet. Intervjuer gjordes med fem socialarbetare som arbetat inom yrket i 30 år eller mer. Intervjumaterialet analyserades utifrån Antonovskys teori känsla av sammanhang (KASAM) och begreppen begriplighet, hanterbarhet och meningsfullhet. Under analysen framkom några områden som centrala för syftet. Dessa handlade om en god atmosfär på arbetsplatsen och i arbetsgruppen, relationer med klienten, vikten av humor, rörlighet som strategi samt hur påfrestning kan vändas till drivkraft. Resultaten visade att påfrestningar som en socialarbetare möter utgör en viktig del för att känna drivkraft och meningsfullhet i arbetet. Viktigt för att känna välbefinnande är en god arbetsgrupp, en god atmosfär på arbetsplatsen och relationer med klienter. / In this qualitative study, the positive aspects of social work and how experienced social workers describe their motivation and well-being, are examined. Five experienced social workers, who all had worked for 30 years or more, were interviewed. The theory Sense of coherence (SOC) by Antonovsky, and the constructs comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness, were used to analyze the material from the interviews. During the analysis a few themes appeared to be of more importance for the purpose of the study. These were: a good atmosphere at the workplace and among colleagues, relations with clients, the importance of humor, mobility as a strategy and how stress can be turned into motivation. The results showed that the stress the social worker meets, is a significant source for the ability to be motivated and feel meaningfulness in social work. A good atmosphere at the workplace and among colleagues and good relations with clients were of importance for a sense of well-being among the social workers in the present study.

Bakgrund: Cancer är idag en vanlig sjukdom och vid sidan av en person med cancer finns närstående som kan riskera att glömmas bort. Att vara närstående kan vara en påfrestande upplevelse och riskerar att leda till ohälsa. Närstående bör involveras i vården och deras välmående bör tas hänsyn till. Syfte: Studiens syfte var att beskriva de närståendes upplevelse av stöd som fenomen, när en person i deras närhet drabbats av cancer. Metod: En deduktiv litteraturöversikt med KASAM som teoretisk utgångspunkt. För att besvara syftet användes kvalitativa artiklar. Sökningar i CINAHL gjordes och resulterade i 16 resultatartiklar. Resultat: Närstående upplevde den nya livssituationen som ofattbar, information kring sjukdom och behandlingsmöjligheter från vårdpersonal gjorde situationen mer begriplig. De närstående använde olika strategier för att anpassa sig till situationen och fann stöd i vänner och familj. Att närvara vid behandlingar ledde till delaktighet i vården vilket gjorde att de närstående upplevde ett syfte. Slutsats: Genom stöd kan en känsla av sammanhang upplevas trots närvaro av sjukdom. Att som närstående bli sedd och lyssnad till underlättar för att hantera den nya situationen och att finnas där för den sjuka personen. / Background: Cancer is a common disease and is often associated with death, although the treatments are getting better and the number of survivals is growing. In the shadow of a person with cancer there will always be loved ones who should not be forgotten.    Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the next of kin’s experience of support as a phenomenon, when a loved one is affected with cancer. Method: A deductive literature review with sixteen qualitative articles was made, using Sense of Coherence [SOC] as a theoretical approach. Searches for result articles was made in CINAHL. Result: Relatives experienced the new life situation as unimaginable, information from healthcare staff about the disease and possibilities of treatment made the situation understandable. Relatives used different strategies to adjust to the new situation and found friends and family to be a source of support. Being present during treatment gave the relative a sense of purpose. Conclusion: With support a sense of coherence can appear even in the presence of disease. To be seen and listened to makes it easier for the next of kin to handle the new situation and be able to be there for the ill person.

Bakgrund: Obstruktiv sömnapné (OSA) är en vanlig och mycket utbredd sjukdom förknippad med betydande hälsoproblem, samsjuklighet och mortalitet. De flesta vuxna med OSA är utan diagnos och behandling. Primärvårdens distriktssköterskor spelar en viktig roll vid identifiering och vägledning av patienter med misstänkt OSA. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva distriktsköterskans erfarenheter av att identifiera och vägleda patienter med misstänkt OSA inom primärvården. Metod: En kvalitativ ansats i form av en kvalitativ manifest innehållsanalys genomfördes där sju distriktssköterskor intervjuades. Analysprocessen genomfördes enligt Graneheim och Lundmans innehållsanalys. Resultat: I studien framkom fem kategorier: att möta patienten, att ställa rätt frågor, anhörig som motivator, att vidta åtgärder och att samverka med övrig vård. Distriktssköterskorna beskrev att de mötte patienterna med misstänkt OSA oftast antingen via telefonrådgivning eller på diabetesmottagningen. Deltagarna i studien belyste att det var viktigt att ställa rätt frågor till patienter och känna till de vanliga tecknen på OSA. Det framkom även att anhöriga hade en viktig roll vid identifiering av patienter med misstänkt OSA och fungerade som motivator. I studien upptäcktes även strävan efter att vägleda patienter med misstänkt OSA. Slutsats: För att underlätta arbete med OSA patienter i primärvården behövs forskning med fokus på distriktssköterskor samt gemensamma riktlinjer för utredning av patienter med misstänkt OSA anpassade för primärvårdspersonal. / Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and very spread disease associated with significant health problems, comorbidity and mortality. Most adults with OSA are without diagnosis and treatment. Primary care district nurses play an important role in identifying and guiding of patients with suspected OSA. Purpose: The purpose was to describe the district nurse's experience of identifying and guiding patients with suspected OSA in primary care. Method: A qualitative approach in the form of qualitative manifest content analysis was conducted where seven district nurses were interviewed. The analysis process was conducted according to Graneheim and Lundman's content analysis. Result: The study revealed five categories: to meet the patient, to ask the right questions, relative as motivator, to take workarounds and to interact with other care. District nurses described that they met the suspect OSA patients most often by telephone counseling or at the diabetes reception. The participants in the study illuminated the importance of how to ask the right questions to patients and to know the common signs of OSA. It was also found that relatives had an important role in identifying of patients with suspected OSA and they worked as motivators. The study also identified the strain for guiding patients with suspected OSA. Conclusion: In order to facilitate work with OSA- patients in the primary care, research is needed which is focusing on district nurses and common guidelines for investigating of patients with suspected OSA adapted for primary care staff.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to find variables related to positive attitudes to physical education (PE) and strong sense of coherence (SOC) among adolescents. METHODS: The study included three parts: seven physical tests; a questionnaire which included ways of living, attitudes to PE, and subjective health, the 13-question version of SOC; and information on every student's grades. The study group comprised 301 teenagers (131 girls and 170 boys, aged 16-19 years) attending upper secondary school. Positive odds ratio was used in the logistic regression analyses with SOC and attitudes to PE as dependent variables. RESULTS: Variables related to positive attitudes to PE were strong SOC, high physical capacity, high leisure-time physical activity (PA), high grades in PE, and little time spent watching TV. Variables related to strong SOC were positive attitudes to PE, high grades in PE, very good subjective health, and feeling comfortable in school. Highest physical capacity, highest mean grades, and highest grades in PE were found among adolescents who reported exercise four times or more per week. CONCLUSIONS: An interrelation between attitudes to PE and SOC was shown. The relation between positive attitudes to PE and high scores in SOC indicated that past experiences of PA and PE could contribute to the development of SOC, and actual levels of SOC could influence the persistent attitudes to PE and be important for lifelong PA. One means of identification of favourable or unfavourable health behaviour among young people might be through PA patterns, and relations between attitudes to PE and SOC.