The central premise of this dissertation is that a pastorally sympathetic assessment of cultural bereavement healing approaches in the light of a biblically informed understanding of death, bereavement and afterlife provide a basis for the bereaved to cope with the angst associated with bereavement through death and engenders pastoral care among the Abaluyia. It is noted that although many Abaluyia Christians consciously or otherwise lurch back to cultural approaches for consolation and healing during bereavement, there is a lack of meaningful engagement between the Abaluyia culture and the gospel. The result of this lack of engagement has not been syncretism as commonly assumed but rather parallelism whereby, on the one hand, the gospel is held as though it were alien and whimsical in contrast with traditional beliefs and practices which are perceived as practical and consequential. On the other hand, cultural approaches are dismissed as being part of ancestor worship or superstition and thus contrary to the gospel. In view of these extreme perceptions, Abaluyia Christians often feel guilty for either engaging in or shunning cultural approaches thus raising a pastoral concern in relation to caring for the bereaved. In response to the aforementioned pastoral concern, this dissertation firstly examines the role of cultural beliefs and practices in mediating healing for the bereaved among the Abaluyia. It is suggested that the persistence of cultural models is informed largely by their therapeutic value. Consequently, attention is put on the efficacious beliefs and practices employed by the Abaluyia which include community based approach to bereavement, rituals, systems of inheritance and care, conduct of the bereaved, procedures for forgiveness and reconciliation, hospitality, acts of benevolence and performances. Secondly, the identified cultural approaches are reflected upon in the light of the normative biblical teachings. The reflection is done in order to expose and isolate cultural beliefs and practices that are at odds with biblical teachings. The reflection follows a systematic analysis undertaken to establish the biblical understanding of death and the afterlife as well as a biblical hermeneutical analysis of pertinent biblical passages in order to draw paradigmatic biblical practices in bereavement. It is argued that the biblical ministry of healing in bereavement is rooted in the hope of resurrection and the conception of God as compassionate in his character. Lastly, an integrated pastoral care model, namely, Circle for Pastoral Concern, is proposed as a tool for bereavement healing among the Abaluyia. The proposed integrated model is cognisant of local cultural milieu in engaging in pastoral care for the bereaved. According to the Circle for Pastoral Concern model, the community of believers in their local setting, under the Triune God, form the context for healing. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Research recognises the clear links between nurses’ experience of professional burnout and the quality of the work environment. To that end it is extremely important for nurse managers to create an organisational climate that promotes the emotional stability of nurses. This could help to improve global patient safety by reducing the frequency of adverse events. Many of the factors commonly associated with burnout, also causes unsafe patient care, and poor quality of care. Effectively managing patient safety must be a priority in units where nurses face high pressure. Staff in critical care units (CCUs) spends a tremendous amount of time with people, including the patient, family members, physicians, and other members of the multidisciplinary team that might lead to emotional and physical exhaustion and burnout. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nurse burnout and the safety and quality of patient care in private critical care units in Gauteng. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A quantitative correlational design was selected to address the research question at hand. A previously developed checklist was used to describe the demographic characteristics of the critical care units that participated in the study (n=31). A total of 298 critical care nurses participated in the study (n=298). Burnout among registered nurses working in these units was explored by means of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale (MBI). The registered nurses’ perceptions of the safety and quality of patient care in their units were explored by means of the RN4CAST questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. FINDINGS: The mean scores for emotional exhaustion measured 2.69, for depersonalisation 1.55 and for personal accomplishment 4.43. From the mean scores of each of the sub–scales of the MBI it was evident that registered nurses working in private critical care units in Gauteng province did not experience burnout. The relationship between burnout and the safety and quality of patient care was investigated by means of a Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The results indicated that emotional exhaustion demonstrated a negative relationship with the quality of nursing care in the unit (r = –0.275; p=0.00), and patient safety in the unit (r = –0.245; p=0.00). Depersonalisation demostrated a negative relationship with the quality of care in the nursing unit (r = –0.249; p=0.00 and patient safety in the unit (r = –0.205; p=0.00). Personal accomplishment demonstrated a weak positive relationship with the quality of nursing care in the unit (r = 0.197; p=0.003) and a moderate positive relationship with patient safety in the unit (r = 0.204; p=0.00). The results demonstrated a relationship between burnout and the safety and quality of patient care in private critical care units in Gauteng. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The central premise of this dissertation is that a pastorally sympathetic assessment of cultural bereavement healing approaches in the light of a biblically informed understanding of death, bereavement and afterlife provide a basis for the bereaved to cope with the angst associated with bereavement through death and engenders pastoral care among the Abaluyia. It is noted that although many Abaluyia Christians consciously or otherwise lurch back to cultural approaches for consolation and healing during bereavement, there is a lack of meaningful engagement between the Abaluyia culture and the gospel. The result of this lack of engagement has not been syncretism as commonly assumed but rather parallelism whereby, on the one hand, the gospel is held as though it were alien and whimsical in contrast with traditional beliefs and practices which are perceived as practical and consequential. On the other hand, cultural approaches are dismissed as being part of ancestor worship or superstition and thus contrary to the gospel. In view of these extreme perceptions, Abaluyia Christians often feel guilty for either engaging in or shunning cultural approaches thus raising a pastoral concern in relation to caring for the bereaved. In response to the aforementioned pastoral concern, this dissertation firstly examines the role of cultural beliefs and practices in mediating healing for the bereaved among the Abaluyia. It is suggested that the persistence of cultural models is informed largely by their therapeutic value. Consequently, attention is put on the efficacious beliefs and practices employed by the Abaluyia which include community based approach to bereavement, rituals, systems of inheritance and care, conduct of the bereaved, procedures for forgiveness and reconciliation, hospitality, acts of benevolence and performances. Secondly, the identified cultural approaches are reflected upon in the light of the normative biblical teachings. The reflection is done in order to expose and isolate cultural beliefs and practices that are at odds with biblical teachings. The reflection follows a systematic analysis undertaken to establish the biblical understanding of death and the afterlife as well as a biblical hermeneutical analysis of pertinent biblical passages in order to draw paradigmatic biblical practices in bereavement. It is argued that the biblical ministry of healing in bereavement is rooted in the hope of resurrection and the conception of God as compassionate in his character. Lastly, an integrated pastoral care model, namely, Circle for Pastoral Concern, is proposed as a tool for bereavement healing among the Abaluyia. The proposed integrated model is cognisant of local cultural milieu in engaging in pastoral care for the bereaved. According to the Circle for Pastoral Concern model, the community of believers in their local setting, under the Triune God, form the context for healing. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Research recognises the clear links between nurses’ experience of professional burnout and the quality of the work environment. To that end it is extremely important for nurse managers to create an organisational climate that promotes the emotional stability of nurses. This could help to improve global patient safety by reducing the frequency of adverse events. Many of the factors commonly associated with burnout, also causes unsafe patient care, and poor quality of care. Effectively managing patient safety must be a priority in units where nurses face high pressure. Staff in critical care units (CCUs) spends a tremendous amount of time with people, including the patient, family members, physicians, and other members of the multidisciplinary team that might lead to emotional and physical exhaustion and burnout. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nurse burnout and the safety and quality of patient care in private critical care units in Gauteng. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A quantitative correlational design was selected to address the research question at hand. A previously developed checklist was used to describe the demographic characteristics of the critical care units that participated in the study (n=31). A total of 298 critical care nurses participated in the study (n=298). Burnout among registered nurses working in these units was explored by means of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale (MBI). The registered nurses’ perceptions of the safety and quality of patient care in their units were explored by means of the RN4CAST questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. FINDINGS: The mean scores for emotional exhaustion measured 2.69, for depersonalisation 1.55 and for personal accomplishment 4.43. From the mean scores of each of the sub–scales of the MBI it was evident that registered nurses working in private critical care units in Gauteng province did not experience burnout. The relationship between burnout and the safety and quality of patient care was investigated by means of a Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The results indicated that emotional exhaustion demonstrated a negative relationship with the quality of nursing care in the unit (r = –0.275; p=0.00), and patient safety in the unit (r = –0.245; p=0.00). Depersonalisation demostrated a negative relationship with the quality of care in the nursing unit (r = –0.249; p=0.00 and patient safety in the unit (r = –0.205; p=0.00). Personal accomplishment demonstrated a weak positive relationship with the quality of nursing care in the unit (r = 0.197; p=0.003) and a moderate positive relationship with patient safety in the unit (r = 0.204; p=0.00). The results demonstrated a relationship between burnout and the safety and quality of patient care in private critical care units in Gauteng. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Studiens syfte är att undersöka äldres upplevelser av stöd i samband med sorg, vid förlust av livskamrat, samt att undersöka professionellas erfarenheter av sörjandestöd för äldre. Syftet preciseras genom följande frågeställningar: Vilket stöd finns att tillgå äldre i sorg, utifrån samhällets insatser? Vilka eventuella brister finns i sörjandestödet för äldre? Vilka aspekter har varit avgörande för de äldres sorgebearbetning? Studien har genomförts utifrån kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer som datainsamlingsmetod. Intervjuer har genomförts med två respondentgrupper, den ena med tre äldre personer vilka erfarit förlust av livskamrat, den andra med tre professionella vilka via sitt arbete kommer i kontakt med äldre. De teoretiska utgångspunkterna har utgjorts av kristeori, rollteori och ålderism. Studiens resultat visar att det finns visst stöd att tillgå för sörjande äldre men att det är begränsat och till viss del svårtillgängligt. Vidare visar resultatet att de brister och begränsningar som idag finns inom sörjandestödet till stor del kan förklaras utifrån ekonomiska aspekter. Resultatet belyser även faktorer, utöver det professionella stödet, vilka kan ha betydelse för sorgeprocessen. / The study aims to examine the elderly’s experiences of support in grief at the loss of a life partner and to explore professionals' experiences of bereavement support for elderly. The aim defined by the following questions: What support is available from society for elderly in grief? What possible deficiencies are there in bereavement support for elderly? What aspects have been crucial for elderly in their grieving process? The study was conducted using qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews as data collection method. Interviews have been conducted with two respondent groups, one with three elder people who have experienced the loss of a life partner, the other with three professional who through their work get in contact with elderly. The theoretical approaches have consisted of crisis theory, role theory and ageism. The results of the study show that there is some support available for bereaved elderly, but it is limited and partly inaccessible. Furthermore, the results show that the deficiencies and limitations that currently exist within the bereavement support can largely be explained by economic factors. The result also highlights aspects, in addition to professional support, which may be important for the grieving process.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. Malmö : Malmö högskola, 2007.

Folksagan har påverkat barnböcker ganska tydligt genom åren, mest innehållsmässigt. Men det jag undersöker i min uppsats är själva sagoberättandet som grepp och hur dess närvaro i böcker som framställer svåra ämnen kan påverka barnets hantering av sorg. Syftet med denna uppsats är att analysera hur teman som sorg, sjukdom och död skildras i barnlitteraturen, och om sätten att skildra har förändrats med tiden. Vidare är syftet att fokusera på ett särskilt sätt att framställa sorg i litteraturen, nämligen genom sagoelement i barnböcker. Jag tror att just detta sätt är ganska populärt och effektivt för att gestalta svåra teman för barn, och jag vill granska och jämföra särskilda element i två böcker Bröderna Lejonhjärta (1973) av Astrid Lindgren och Min mormor hälsar och säger förlåt (2013) av Fredrik Backman. Ingen av dessa böcker är en typisk saga, men med hjälp av teoretiska utgångspunkter vill jag visa att de innehåller vissa sagoelement och därefter redogöra för hur de utnyttjar sagoprinciper och sagoelement i sin framställning av det svåra. Efter en utförlig granskning av romanerna samt en jämförande analys kan konstateras att böckerna förvisso har många skillnader, men det finns också grundläggande budskap som är gemensamma. Böckerna skrevs i olika tider, av olika författare, den ena handlar om pojkar, den andra om en flicka, i den ena blir sagovärlden ”den nya verkligheten”, medan i den andra är sagovärlden något som förenas med verkligheten och existerar samtidigt. Men båda böckerna använder sagomotiv för att framställa och behandla död och sorg för barn, vilket pekar på att sagoberättande och sagoelement är något universiellt som kan utnyttjas av alla författare i alla tider.

Varje år suiciderar 800 000personer världen över. I Sverige 2016 avled 1 129 personer till följd av suicid. Efter ett suicid är det ett stort antal närstående som lämnas kvar. Ett suicid kan av närstående upplevas traumatiskt och leda till en stor sorg och ett enormt lidande. Syftet med denna litteraturstudie var att beskriva närståendes upplevelser av att en anhörig suicideraroch tiden därefter. Studiens resultat bygger på en kvalitativ innehållsanalys med manifest ansats där narrativ i en bok har analyserats. Detta resulterade i tre kategorier: Att nås av beskedet och söka förklaringar; Att klandra sig själv och känna skuld; Att det är viktigt att få dela sin sorg med andra och få stöd. Närstående har ett behov av stöd och tröst, både professionellt samt från vänner och familj. Sjuksköterskan kan hjälpa dessa personer genom att lyssna och identifiera deras styrkor och behov, på så vis kan närstående erbjudas rätt hjälp och stöd.

As a teacher, I will come in contact with different students with different prior knowledge and experience. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate how the grief after losing a parent is made out in four children's books, and to compare how or when these depictions correspond to the research on child grief management and processing. This to see how it can be used in my future profession. The theoretical starting points were Vygotsky's theories of learning as well as previous research in the topics of grief management in children and children's literature on the subject of death. The method used for this study was a qualitative study of documents, more particularly a text analysis on four separate children's books. In the result the importance of reading with the children is discovered, but also the importance of talking with them about difficult subjects for them to grow up and being able to handle future difficulties. / Då jag ska arbeta som lärare kommer jag komma i kontakt med olika elever med olika förkunskaper och erfarenheter. Syftet med den här studien var därför att undersöka hur sorgen efter att ha förlorat en förälder framställs i fyra barnböcker samt att jämföra hur eller om dessa skildringar motsvarar forskningen om barns sorghantering och bearbetning. Detta för att se hur det kan användas i mitt framtida yrke. De teoretiska utgångspunkterna var Vygotskijs teorier om lärande samt tidigare forskning i ämnena sorghantering hos barn och barnlitteratur med tema döden. Metoden som användes till denna studie är en kvalitativ dokumentstudie, närmare bestämt en textanalys på fyra skilda barnböcker och i resultatet uppdagas vikten av att läsa med barnen men även vikten av att samtala med dem om svåra ämnen för att de ska kunna växa upp och kunna hantera svårigheter i framtiden.