published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Darbe keliama problema- neatitikimas tarp tobulėjančių ugdymo metodų, griežtėjančių reikalavimų mokytojo asmenybei ir atsiliekančio visuomenės požiūrio į mokytojo darbą bei bandymo spręsti suaugusiųjų ir ugdytinių santykio problemą senais, nebeveikiančiais metodais. Darbe siekiama atskleisti globalizacijos kontekste pakitusios visuomenės socialinių grupių lūkesčius mokytojo asmenybei ir jos būdo bruožams deformuoto tautos būvio sąlygomis, išsiaiškinti, kokie asmenybės būdo bruožai ir savybės labiausiai padėtų mokytojui sėkmingai spęsti iškilusias ugdymo proceso problemas pokyčių laikais. Darbe pateikiami įvairių socialinių grupių požiūrio į mokytojo asmenybės būdo bruožus kokybinio tyrimo rezultatai, kurie nurodo patraukliausius ir labiausiai pageidaujamus mokytojo būdo bruožus. / The problem - the new improving teaching methods and the requirements for the teacher’s personality do not correspond with the aging society’s point of view to teacher’s job and attempt to solve the adult and the students’ problems using old-fashioned, useless methods. What character features could help the teacher solve the problems during the time of changing methodology. Theoretical relevance of the thesis – the changing social groups’ expectations of teacher characteristics are revealed in the context of globalization. The aim of the research - to investigate different social groups’ attitude towards teacher’s personality and to find out which are the most attractive and the most wanted character features in the teacher’s personality.

The overall objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a social group work empowerment programme which is aimed at alcohol dependent elderly people's needs and strengths. The thesis consists of four sections: Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives and procedures which were followed. Furthermore the limitations of this study, the definition of key words as well as the composition of the research report are discussed. The problem statement can be condensed as follows: o Journals all over the world have been pleading for decades that alcohol dependent clients should be exposed to special developed treatment programmes. Opposed to this, it was found that treatment centres in South Africa use one programme for all their clients, irrespective of age. This entails an unfair and unjust service delivery model. From these findings a need for a specialized treatment programme for alcohol dependant clients was identified. o The strengths perspective has been successfully implemented in various service areas of social work. Unfortunately it has not yet been implemented in a controlled study with alcohol dependent elderly through group work services. The problem statement leads to four research aims. Developmental and Utilization Research (DR & U-model) was used as the overall research model. This model was implemented within a mixed methodological design model. Interviews and experimental research were used as quantitative approaches, although some qualitative data were also reported. A case study, as a qualitative approach, was also used. Literature studies were conducted on the themes of alcoholism, social group work, as well as the strengths perspective. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report about the research outcomes. Each article is a report about a particular sub-project of the research and each has, as a self-contained unit, an own research aim, research method and report. Each of these is linked with the central aim, objectives and content of the umbrella research project. The four articles are: Article 1: Profile of alcohol dependent elderly people A comprehensive profile of alcohol dependent elderly is drafted based on the results of interviews and case studies with 56 aged participants. Various strengths, such as a spouse, of alcohol dependent elderly were identified. On the other hand needs, such as effective communication skills, were also identified. Article 2: The nature and practice of a strengths perspective with alcohol dependent elderly people The history of the strengths perspective is outlined within a South African and international context. From the literature study as well as interviews with the aged participants (N=56) and social work practitioners (N=27) various strengths and qualities group work services with alcohol dependent elderly people. Opposed to this, it was found that although this perspective holds many advantages for the alcohol dependent elderly person, it is presently not practised at registered treatment centres in South Africa that were involved in this investigation. Advantages, disadvantages and principles of this perspective are also discussed. Article 3: A social group work empowerment programme with alcohol dependent elderly people A social group work empowerment programme was developed for alcohol dependent elderly, aimed at their special needs, strengths and challenges. The programme was developed in the spirit of empowerment, a strengths perspective, healing and wholeness, as well as music therapy. Thirteen group meetings, such as communication, conflict management, handling of mild depression, managing of loss, HIV/Aids and the aged person, as well as religion and spirituality in old age, were developed and presented to the client group. Special concerns for group work with the aged, such as to use a loud voice and to speak clearly, were identified from the literature and empirical research, and was taken into account during the programme presentation. Article 4: The effect of a social group work empowerment programme on the social functioning of alcohol dependent elderly people The programme was implemented with eight (N=8) aged participants in an experimental group. Eight (N=8) aged participants was in a comparative group and they received the current group work programme offered by the targeted treatment centre. The shortened Affectometer 2 (Kammann & Nett) and Personal Multi-Screening Inventory (Perspective College) were used as quantitative measuring tools at four occasions with both groups. Added to that, the experimental group completed a self-developed qualitative questionnaire once after intervention. According to the quantitative data neither the empowerment programme, nor the current group work programme improved the social function of the alcohol dependent elderly people The qualitative data showed exactly the opposite findings for the experimental group. In Section C a summary of the findings and conclusions of the full research project is provided. Furthermore some recommendations are provided, followed by a discussion on the contribution of the study. Section D consists of various addenda, such as the interview schedules that were used for data collection purposes. The thesis is concluded with a compound bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

This research examines the disclosure of psychological distress by university students on an anonymous mobile application called Yik Yak which allows users to communicate anonymously with other local individuals, creating virtual communities. Using online ethnography and qualitative analysis, I examine what the narratives presented by Yik Yak users reveals about the mental health concerns of University of Manitoba students and the characteristics of this virtual community. The findings show that exam anxiety and academic stress, depression, suicidality, anxiety, sleep disturbance, excessive stress, loneliness, sadness, and loss of motivation, were significant sources of distress, especially during final exam periods. Thematic analysis indicated that emotion-sharing on the app fosters social support, a sense of belonging, and helps build community. Individuals are also able to disclose repressed selves and counter stigmatizing beliefs. Examining distress disclosure by individuals on this anonymous platform may help develop better interventions and mental health programming for students. / October 2016

A estreita relação entre saúde da criança e fatores sociais e econômicos é reconhecida há muito tempo, mas ainda a grande maioria das crianças pobres que adoece morre mais. Portanto, é necessário ampliar o conhecimento a respeito da rede de determinantes (distais, intermediários e proximais) dos problemas de saúde mais prevalentes nas crianças. As doenças respiratórias constituem uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade infantil no Brasil e no mundo Justifica-se, pois, reconhecer os processos determinantes dos problemas respiratórios, considerando a determinação social do processo saúde-doença. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram estimar a prevalência dos problemas respiratórios nos diferentes grupos sociais homogêneos; caracterizar como esses problemas se relacionam às formas de reprodução social das famílias e avaliar os determinantes proximais, intermediários e distais associados à sua ocorrência. Este estudo populacional transversal foi realizado no município de Itupeva (SP), numa amostra representativa de 261 crianças menores de dois anos. A partir de um modelo teórico hierarquizado, centrado na categoria da reprodução social, foram compostos os perfis de reprodução social, utilizando-se uma base teórico-metodológica-operacional que predefiniu três grupos sociais homogêneos (GSH): formas de trabalhar e de viver adequadas (GSH1); formas de trabalhar ou de viver adequadas (GSH2) e formas de trabalhar e de viver inadequadas (GSH3). Os problemas respiratórios foram detectados segundo informações obtidas por meio de inquérito recordatório do último mês. Associações foram verificadas pelo teste Qui-quadrado (variáveis categóricas) ou teste de Fischer, e teste t de Student (variáveis contínuas). Utilizou-se o modelo de regressão logística não condicional para a análise múltipla. Para evitar exclusão de variáveis importantes, utilizou-se um nível de significância de 0,20 e para indicar associação estatisticamente significativa, nível de 0,05. Na análise múltipla, as associações foram expressas em odds ratio e seu intervalo de confiança [IC] para 95%. A prevalência de problema respiratório foi de 71,6% (IC95% 65,8 - 77,0), sendo maior nos estratos inferiores, porém sem diferença estatisticamente significativa: 64,0% no GSH1, 75,8% no GSH2 e de 71,5% GSH3 (p>0,05). Com relação ao total da amostra, a escolaridade do pai se mostrou estatisticamente diferente entre as crianças que haviam apresentado problema respiratório e aquelas que não haviam apresentado: 56,1% dos pais das crianças com problemas respiratórios tinham menos de 7 anos de estudo, enquanto 62,9% dos pais das crianças sem problemas respiratórios tinham mais de 7 anos de estudo. A escolaridade materna seguiu a mesma tendência. A ocorrência de problemas respiratórios foi discretamente maior nas crianças do sexo feminino, e naquelas de 12 a 18 meses. A primeira etapa da regressão logística testou cada variável que se associou com a ocorrência de problemas respiratórios (p<0,20). A segunda etapa foi verificar em cada nível hierárquico (determinantes distais, intermediários e proximais), as variáveis que mantinham associação com a ocorrência de problemas respiratórios, quando analisadas em conjunto com as outras variáveis do mesmo nível. A terceira etapa incluiu, no modelo, os determinantes distais (variáveis sociodemográficas e de trabalho do chefe) e intermediários (formas de viver). Nessa fase, o modelo selecionou, como significativamente associadas com a ocorrência de problemas respiratórios, a escolaridade do pai e a ventilação da casa. Variáveis essas que permaneceram na quarta etapa, em que se incluíram os determinantes proximais (características infantis e de atendimento à saúde). Permaneceram significativamente associadas à ocorrência de problemas respiratórios, até a última etapa do modelo hierarquizado, a escolaridade do pai e a idade da criança, o que demonstra a importância dos determinantes distais no desfecho do processo saúde-doença. Embora a melhoria nas formas de trabalhar e de viver das famílias aparentemente não seja atribuição de profissionais de saúde, uma vez que se atrelam a transformações estruturais, estes são responsáveis pela conscientização da população e sua mobilização em torno de objetivos comuns, em busca de uma melhor integração social / The close relation between children\'s health and socioeconomics factors is recognized for a long time; however, even so the most majority of poor children which become sick die more than others. Therefore, it\'s necessary to enlarge de knowledge about the determinants (distal, intermediate and proximal) of most prevalent children\'s health problems. Respiratory disease is one of the main causes of infant morbidity and mortality in Brazil and in the world. So it\'s justified to recognize the processes that determine the respiratory problems, considering the social determination of health-disease process. Thus, this work aimed to estimate the prevalence of respiratory problems at different homogeneous social groups; to characterize how these problems are related to social reproduction of families and to evaluate the proximal and distal determinants related to their occurrence. This transverse population study was carried out at the city of Itupeva (São Paulo, Brazil), with a representative sample of 261 children under 2 years old. Based on a hierarchical theoretical model, focused on social reproduction, the profiles of social reproduction were composed by using an operationalmethodological- theoretical basis that pre-defined three homogeneous social groups (HSG): proper ways of working and living (HSG1), proper ways of working or living (HSG2); improper ways of working and living (HSG3). The respiratory problems were detected through information got from the remainder inquiry of the last month. Associations were observed through Chi-square test (scaled variables) or Fischer Test, and Student t-test (continuous variables). The non-conditional logistic regression model was used to accomplish the multiple analyses. In order to avoid exclusion of important variables, it was used a significance level of 0.20, and a level of 0.05 was used to indicate a statistically significant association. At the multiple analysis, the association were expressed by odds ratio (OR) and their confidence interval (CI) to 95%. The prevalence of respiratory problem was 71.6% (CI95% 65.8 - 77), being greater at inferior layers, but without a statistically significant difference: 64.0% at HSG1, 75.8% at HSG2 and 71.5% at HSG3 (p>0.05). With regard to the total of sample, father\'s schooling level has showed to be statistically different among children which have presented respiratory problem and children which not presented: 56.1% of fathers (children with respiratory problems) have less than seven years of schooling, while 62.9 of fathers (children without respiratory problems) have more than seven years of schooling. Mother\'s schooling follows the same tendency. The occurrence of respiratory problems was a little bigger to female children and to those with ages among 12-18 months. The first step of logistic regression has tested each variable associated with the occurrence of respiratory problem (p<0.20). The objective of the second step was to check in each hierarchical level (distal, intermediate and proximal determinants) the variables that kept an association with the occurrence of respiratory problems when analyzed together with others of the same level. The third step has included (in the model) the distal determinants (socialdemographics variables and work of household variables) and intermediate determinants (ways of living). At this stage, the model has chosen, as significantly related to respiratory problems, the father\'s schooling level and the house ventilation. These variables have remained in the fourth step, and in these same step it has been included the proximal determinants (infant characteristics and health care). Also the father\'s schooling level and children\'s age have remained significantly associated to until the last step of the model respiratory problems; this demonstrates the importance of the distal determinants in the conclusion of the process health-disease. Although the improvement of the ways of working and living of the families appear not to be part of attributions of health professionals (once these ways are linked to structural transformations), they are responsible to aware and mobilize the population around a common objective, that is a better social integration

This thesis is a theoretically framed and historically informed political analysis of ethnicity in the Bamyan Valley, Afghanistan. Existing literature o ethnicity in Afghanistan is conceptually fragmented and lacks sufficient empirical analysis. To address this, I draw on theoretical literature, the Afghan ethnicity literature, and twelve months of fieldwork (2010-2012) to present a coherent analysis of the emergence and working of ethnicity, and also a much-needed empirical account of ethnicity in the Bamyan Valley. I view ethnicity as relational, interactional and context-dependent. Moreover, to accomodate the intersectional and punctuated nature of identity I perceive ethnicity as operating through ethnic categories. I also adopt a constructionist approach to ethnicity acknowledging that it is (re)-constructed by broad structural forces, the state, political elites and ordinary people. Additionally, I view ethnicity as (re)-constructed through "everyday ethnicity". In this regard, I take ethnicity to be experienced in commonplace social situations in Bamyan Valley. Ethnicity is embodied, performed, expressed in interpersonal interactions; and variably emphasised in different institutional settings. Methodologically, I adopt a critical realist standpoint and utilise an ethnographic method, incorporating a range of qualitative research techniques. My empirical findings demonstrate the differential impacts of post-2001 political reconstruction and socio-economic development in the Bamyan Valley. I explain the acquisition of productive resources by Hazarahs, their improving status, and the corresponding nature of tensions between Hazarahs and Saadat and Tajiks, respectively. Two case studies demonstrate this dynamic, whilst also exemplifying the role of individuals in the (re)-construction of ethnicity. The first illustrates the increasing salience of sectarian identity between Hazarahs and Tajiks, which has emerged since recognition of the Jafari school of Islam in the 2004 Afghan Constitution. The second concerns the use of ethnicity to legitimise, contest and violently enforce unequal marriage arrangements between Saadat and Hazarhs.

This thesis examines the relationship between segregationist organisations, publications and individuals in the United States and their pro-apartheid counterparts in southern Africa. It uncovers a sustained and extensive foreign policy of segregationists that has hitherto been overlooked and a relationship between the countries that goes beyond existing analyses of Cold War cooperation or comparative studies of the countries' racial systems. When the civil rights movement began, steadfast segregationists in the American South looked further afield for support, inspiration and ideological affirmation of their belief in white supremacy. They found this in South Africa and its apartheid policies as well as in other right-wing organisations and individuals outside the American South. Through the archives of segregationist organisations, civil rights organisations, anti-communist groups, individuals, governmental records and newspapers, this thesis charts the journey southern segregationists took from the creation of massive resistance in 1954 – a movement focused on regional problems – to a dramatically less isolationist standpoint one decade later. By 1965, white southern Africa had really captured the imagination of segregationists, alliances had been forged and when massive resistance failed, segregationists did not retreat from their international agenda. Although South Africa was a focal point of segregationists' attention during massive resistance, they also became committed to white rule in Rhodesia after 1965. This thesis examines the groups across America that supported the isolated bastions of white supremacy in southern Africa and demonstrates that the Cold War alliance between U.S. and southern African governments inadvertently helped to maintain and conceal the racism that drove segregationists to form fruitful links in southern Africa. The tangible and ideological links segregationists made abroad internationalised a concept of white supremacy in which race trumped nationality. This global white supremacy has endured and reveals that segregationists were not insignificant reactionaries with a short lived movement but people who affected race relations in the long term.

<p>It is reported that adolescents' health is deteriorating, when their mental illness has increased. Adolescents' social conditions have also become worse. The mental illness is linked to the individual living conditions. The purpose of this study is to investigate which factors adolescents experience have been contributing to making a lifestyle change. The apparent factors can be used to promote adolescents´ health. The method that was used is the survey. Through two of Young-KRIS´s local organizations, ten adolescents´ were contacted. Which have a history of problems as abuse, crime or other destructive behaviour. The result that emerged was compiled and then common features were emerged. The adolescents´ stated that the most important to make a lifestyle change was the consequences, motivation, will, other people, trust, support, reflective and a change of attitude.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.