Mobile wireless communication technology is a fast developing field and every day new mobile communication techniques and means are becoming available. In this thesis multi-view video (MVV) is also refers to as 3D video. Thus, the 3D video signals through wireless communication are shaping telecommunication industry and academia. However, wireless channels are prone to high level of bit and burst errors that largely deteriorate the quality of service (QoS). Noise along the wireless transmission path can introduce distortion or make a compressed bitstream lose vital information. The error caused by noise progressively spread to subsequent frames and among multiple views due to prediction. This error may compel the receiver to pause momentarily and wait for the subsequent INTRA picture to continue decoding. The pausing of video stream affects the user's Quality of Experience (QoE). Thus, an error resilience strategy is needed to protect the compressed bitstream against transmission errors. This thesis focuses on error resilience Adaptive Intra Refresh (AIR) technique. The AIR method is developed to make the compressed 3D video more robust to channel errors. The process involves periodic injection of Intra-coded macroblocks in a cyclic pattern using H.264/AVC standard. The algorithm takes into account individual features in each macroblock and the feedback information sent by the decoder about the channel condition in order to generate an MVV-AIR map. MVV-AIR map generation regulates the order of packets arrival and identifies the motion activities in each macroblock. Based on the level of motion activity contained in each macroblock, the MVV-AIR map classifies frames as high or low motion macroblocks. A proxy MVV-AIR transcoder is used to validate the efficiency of the generated MVV-AIR map. The MVV-AIR transcoding algorithm uses spatial and views downscaling scheme to convert from MVV to single view. Various experimental results indicate that the proposed error resilient MVV-AIR transcoder technique effectively improves the quality of reconstructed 3D video in wireless networks. A comparison of MVV-AIR transcoder algorithm with some traditional error resilience techniques demonstrates that MVV-AIR algorithm performs better in an error prone channel. Results of simulation revealed significant improvements in both objective and subjective qualities. No additional computational complexity emanates from the scheme while the QoS and QoE requirements are still fully met.

Dans la partie introductive (Partie A), le Chapitre 1 présente la schizophrénie et la prise en compte encore rare de la qualité de vie subjective dans cette population. La fiabilité de l’appréciation subjective de la qualité de vie a longtemps été critiquée compte tenu des fréquents troubles de l’insight relevés dans cette population. Ce chapitre souligne un paradoxe, où, d’un côté, les politiques d’empowerment encouragent l’intégration du sujet comme acteur de sa prise en charge, alors que, d’un autre côté, les troubles de l’insight peuvent limiter voire empêcher l’engagement thérapeutique.Le Chapitres II et III présentent les conceptualisations classiques de l’insight clinique dans la schizophrénie (définitions, évaluations, modélisations). Parmi les modélisations classiques, les prédicteurs sont essentiellement personnels (ex. ressources cognitives) et cliniques (symptômes). Les travaux ont progressivement intégré des variables modératrices ou médiatrices, n’ayant pas toujours relevé de relation directe entre ces facteurs classiques et l’insight. Cependant, les modélisations tiennent essentiellement compte des capacités propres au sujet, en omettant de relever le processus éminemment interactif en jeu dans l’insight ou dans son évaluation. Le Chapitre IV présente les études ayant porté sur les relations entre insight et certains indicateurs centraux du soin. Ce chapitre permet de situer le débat encore vif autour de la balance potentielle bénéfices/coûts d’une intervention thérapeutique centrée sur l’insight. Là encore, les résultats des études demeurent contradictoires. Ils laissent supposer que les facteurs interpersonnels pourraient apporter des informations cruciales pour préciser les conditions d’une intervention centrée sur l’insight. Le Chapitre V décrit les quelques études internationales sur l’insight ayant inclus des facteurs interpersonnels. Seules les caractéristiques personnelles impliquées dans les relations interpersonnelles (cognition sociale) ont été étudiées comme variables explicatives de l’insight. Les caractéristiques de l’environnement proche impliquées dans les relations interpersonnelles ont été partiellement interrogées afin d’expliquer les relations insight-corrélats cliniques. Plus rares encore sont les études ayant porté sur les variables interpersonnelles expliquant les relations insight et qualité de vie subjective. Le Chapitre VI présente les deux objectifs de cette thèse. Dans le cadre d’une étude transversale, il s’agissait d’explorer la pertinence de l’inclusion de facteurs interpersonnels i) dans les modèles explicatifs de l’insight, et ceci selon le mode auto ou hétéro-évaluatif ; ii) dans l’explication des relations insight et qualité de vie subjective. La Partie B décrit en détail la méthode utilisée, avec la procédure et les différentes analyses réalisées afin d’explorer ces questions. La Partie C présente les caractéristiques de l’échantillon constitué et les résultats significatifs aux différentes analyses conduites, en les resituant face aux recherches internationales. Les facteurs interpersonnels permettent d’améliorer la qualité des modèles classiques de l’insight, quelle que soit la méthode d’évaluation (auto versus hétéro-évaluation). Cependant, les facteurs interpersonnels isolés sont différents pour chacune de ces méthodes. Enfin, les résultats suggèrent que certains facteurs interpersonnels modèrent la relation insight-qualité de vie subjective. La Partie D discute les résultats principaux de cette thèse, en insistant sur les limites de la recherche et les perspectives qu’elles ouvrent en conséquence. Quatre points d’intervention spécifique autour de l’insight sont développés, chacun propre à considérer et intégrer les facteurs interpersonnels comme leviers thérapeutiques. / In the Part A, the Chapter 1 presents schizophrenia and the subjective quality of life, rarely considered in this population. The reliability of subjective quality of life assessment has been frequently criticized because of the frequent lack of insight in schizophrenia. This chapter highlights the following paradox. On one hand, the empowerment policies induce the consideration of the subject as playing an active role with regard to the treatment that they receive, whereas, on the other hand, the lack of insight can limit or prevent therapeutic engagement. Chapters II and III present classical conceptualizations of clinical insight in schizophrenia (definition, assessment, models). Among the classical models, predictors of insight have been mostly investigated in terms of personal (e.g. cognitive resources) and clinical factors (symptoms). These studies have gradually integrated moderating or mediating factors since data about linear relationships between insight and classical factors were inconsistent. However, models are essentially based on the subject abilities, without taking into account the interactional process involved in insight. The Chapter IV presents studies investigating associations between insight and clinical outcomes. This chapter highlights the debate still active on the cost/benefit potential balance of a therapeutic intervention focused on insight. Here again, consensus is lacking. Interpersonal factors might also give crucial information to define more thoroughly the conditions of interventions focused on insight. The Chapter V describes the few international studies dealing with insight and interpersonal factors. Only personal characteristics involved in interpersonal relationships (e.g. social cognition) have been studied as predictors of insight. The close environment characteristics that are involved in interpersonal relationships have been partially questioned in order to explain relationships between insight and clinical outcomes. Very few studies have been focused on interpersonal variables that could explain relationships between insight and subjective quality of life. The Chapter VI presents the two main objectives of this work. Through a cross-sectional study, we explored whether including interpersonal factors i) in explanatory models of insight, ii) in explanation of relationships between insight and subjective quality of life could be relevant. The Part B gives details about the method, the procedure and the different analyses that have been conducted in order to explore these questions. The Part C presents sample characteristics and significant results of analyses. These results are compared to those of international research. Interpersonal factors significantly improved the quality of classical insight models, whatever the assessment method (self-reported versus expert-rated insight). However, depending on the assessment method, distinct interpersonal factors were identified. Finally, results suggest that several interpersonal factors moderate the relationships between insight and subjective quality of life. Finally, the Part D discusses the main results of this work, insisting on the limits of the present research and giving some perspectives for future research. Four points for clinical interventions on insight are developed, each integrating interpersonal factors as therapeutic lever.

Submitted by Morgana Silva (morgana_linhares@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-01T17:21:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1628548 bytes, checksum: fb798522a1279863368e92d753053596 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Morgana Silva (morgana_linhares@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-01T20:15:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1628548 bytes, checksum: fb798522a1279863368e92d753053596 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Morgana Silva (morgana_linhares@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-01T20:20:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1628548 bytes, checksum: fb798522a1279863368e92d753053596 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-01T20:22:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1628548 bytes, checksum: fb798522a1279863368e92d753053596 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-25 / This dissertation addresses three main issues: materialism, Subjective Quality of Life (SQL) and adolescents. Being the teenagers considered the subjects of this research. In the field of marketing, issues such as these are being extensively studied. Materialism is considered a characteristic of the consumer field in its general aspects, which translates the identification with the possession and acquisition of material goods as a central factor in their lives, a source of happiness and success. It is also considered aspects such as possessiveness, lack of generosity and jealousy. The subjective quality of life is the perception of the individual regarding their own quality of life, treated in this study as well as life satisfaction and subjective well-being. That said the study was meant to examine the influence of materialism on the subjective quality of life of adolescents and thus identify the background of materialism in these individuals; verify their perception of subjective quality of life, as well as its relationship with the levels of materialism. In this sense, hypotheses were elaborated from the theoretical construction, the objectives and the proposed research model. To enable the implementation of empirical research, 705 questionnaires were applied in person in public and private schools in the city of João Pessoa/PB, resulting in 667 valid questionnaires, with adolescents aged from 12 to incomplete 18 years. Therefore, two scales were utilized (materialism and SQL) validated for the target public, the first from Goldberg et al. (2003) Youth Materialism Scala - YMC and the second from Patrick et al. (2002) Youth Quality of Life Instrument - YQOL. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed in a general way that adolescents from this sample showed intermediate levels of both materialism and SQL. The only antecedent of materialism confirmed by the hypotheses was the influence of the possessions of the pairs. All other antecedents: age, social class, family relationships, self-esteem were rejected. In the same way that it has not been confirmed a direct influence of materialism level with the level of subjective quality of life, the latter treated as resultant in this study. / A presente dissertação aborda três temas principais: materialismo, qualidade de vida subjetiva (QVS) e adolescente. Este último considerado os sujeitos desta pesquisa. No campo do marketing, temas como esses estão sendo bastante estudados. O materialismo é considerado uma característica do campo de consumo em seus aspectos gerais, que traduz a identificação com a posse e aquisições de bens materiais como fator central em suas vidas, motivo de felicidade e sucesso. Também são considerados aspectos como possessividade, falta de generosidade e inveja. A qualidade de vida subjetiva é a percepção do próprio indivíduo com respeito a sua qualidade de vida, tratada neste estudo também como satisfação com a vida e bem-estar subjetivo. Dito isto o trabalho teve como objetivo principal analisar a influência do materialismo na qualidade de vida subjetiva dos adolescentes e assim identificar os antecedentes do materialismo nestes indivíduos; verificar sua percepção de qualidade de vida subjetiva, bem como a relação desta com os níveis de materialismo. Neste sentido, foram elaboradas hipóteses a partir da construção teórica, dos objetivos e do modelo de pesquisa proposto. Para viabilizar a operacionalização da pesquisa empírica, foram aplicados presencialmente em escolas públicas e particulares na cidade de João Pessoa/PB 705 questionários, resultando em 667 válidos, com adolescentes de 12 até 18 anos incompletos. Para tanto foram utilizadas duas escalas (materialismo e QVS) validadas para o público em questão, a primeira de Golberg et al. (2003) Youth Materialism Scala – YMS e a segunda Patrick et al. (2002) Youth Quality of Life Instrument – YQOL. Os dados foram analisando utilizando o software SPSS. Os resultados mostraram de maneira geral que os adolescentes desta amostra apresentaram nível intermediário de materialismo bem como de QVS. O único antecedente do materialismo confirmado pelas hipóteses foi a influência das posses dos pares. Todos os outros antecedentes: faixa etária, classe social, relacionamento com familiares, autoestima foram rejeitadas. Da mesma forma que não foi confirmada uma influência direta do nível de materialismo com o nível de qualidade de vida subjetiva, esta tratada como consequente neste estudo.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-16T14:48:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotal.pdf: 3432916 bytes, checksum: 06ebabeb3515c6c652f37aea891a36c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study analyses consumer s subjective quality of life according to the suposition that its quality is influenced by the satisfaction of consumption access, its preparation and construction, consume of products, satisfaction with public services, necessary ones or leisure ones, satisfaction with the possession of a product, maintenance and repair, and its discard. The study aims to identify and analyse the subjective quality of life and satisfaction conditioned to people who live in the northeast cities of Brazil. Through this analysis, the conditions of quality in northeastern contexto were measured as well the measurement of consumers satisfaction with their consumption conditions according with the availabilty of products and services offered in their cities. For this, it was realized a research with 500 paricipants from the cities of Teresina (PI), Fortaleza (CE), Natal (RN), João Pessoa (PE) e Recife (PE). It was used a quantitative approach by using a descriptive analysis and an exploratory factorial analysis. The data analysis presented through the participants answers and Pearson s and Spearman s coefficient correlations that the adopted hypotheses probably influence in the subjective quality of life. So the sample presented that the satisfaction with the consumption of products and services tend to influence in consumer s perception according to their quality of life. Howver, it was verified through the data analysis that some cities presented huge differences among them. It was probably due to the sample or due to an item which did not represent a local reality. Thereby, this study presents elementary perspectives of marketing which may contribute to the development of quality of life, as well as with public policies as these concepts can be easily introduced into the society as it is indispensable to the knowledge of population, its importance to understand better a society s functioning, its practices which are developed through their social interactions and which impacts are resulted in the consumer s and society s perceived quality of life. In the end, this work is concluded with the presentation of theoretical and practical implications, as well as its limitations and suggestions of new researches related to this theme. / Este estudo analisa a qualidade de vida subjetiva do consumidor com acordo com a suposição de que a qualidade de vida é influenciada pela satisfação com o acesso ao consumo, preparo e montagem, consumo de produtos e bens, satisfação com serviços: públicos, necessários e de lazer, satisfação com a posse, manutenção e reparo, e com a satisfação com as condições de descarte. O estudo tem o objetivo de identificar a analisar a qualidade de vida subjetiva e a satisfação com as condições de consumo em cidades do Nordeste do Brasil, através dessa analise foi mensurada a qualidade de vida subjetiva, verificando as condições de qualidade de vida no contexto nordestino, bem como mensurando a satisfação com as condições de consumo de acordo com disponibilidade de produtos e serviços oferecidos na localidade do respondente. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa com 500 participantes das cidades de Teresina (PI), Fortaleza (CE), Natal (RN), João Pessoa (PE) e Recife (PE). Foi adotado como procedimento metodológico uma abordagem quantitativa, sendo realizada a análise descritiva e análise fatorial exploratória. A análise dos dados apresentou, a partir da participações dos respondentes e das correlações do coeficiente paramétrico de Pearson e do não paramétrico de Spearman, que as hipóteses adotadas supostamente influenciam na qualidade de vida subjetiva. Nesse sentido, a amostra levantada apresentou que a satisfação com o consumo de produtos e serviços tende a influenciar na percepção do consumidor quanto à qualidade de vida. Entretanto, verificou-se no decorrer da analise dos dados que algumas cidades apresentaram diferenças significativas entre si, esse fato pode ter ocorrido devido à amostra, bem como o item que se estava sendo mensurado pode não corresponder a uma realidade local. Dessa forma, o estudo apresenta perspectivas elementares de marketing que podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de qualidade de vida, assim como de políticas públicas, visto que, esses conceitos são rapidamente inseridos na sociedade, sendo, por isso, indispensável o conhecimento por parte da população do significado e aplicação de cada termo, sua importância para entender melhor o funcionamento da sociedade, das práticas desenvolvidas a partir das relações sociais e quais os impactos resultantes na qualidade de vida percebida pelo consumidor e para a sociedade. Por fim, o trabalho é concluído com a apresentação das implicações teóricas e praticas, assim como das limitações e sugestões para pesquisas futuras relacionadas à qualidade de vida subjetiva.

This thesis is focused on the subjective measurement of the quality of experience on streaming video through a mobile application. After wide analysis of possibilities how to realize subjective measurement of quality of experience, the mobile and web application were created. These tools enable to obtain user ratings of streaming videos and then evaluate them. The user ratings are stored to the central database via secured REST API.

Då tidigare forskning har stort fokus på psykopatologi finns intresse att undersöka ungas vanor online i förhållande till psykiskt välbefinnande. I denna enkätbaserade tvärsnittsstudie undersöktes hur ungas vanor online (socialt användande, huvudsaklig aktivitet och tid), mattering, anti-mattering, och upplevelse av restriktioner under Covid-19-pandemin relaterar till ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet. Svar från 125st ungdomar mellan 18–25 år analyserades med hjälp av deskriptiv statistik, Spearman’s sambandsanalyser, Multipel regressionsanalys, MANOVA och loglinjär analys. Resultatet gav blandade svar angående tid (<4, 4+ h/dag) där tid inte på egen hand kunde predicera subjektiv livskvalitet, samtidigt visades ett samband mellan att spendera över 4 h/dag aktivt online och lägre subjektiv livskvalitet. Socialt användande var inte relaterat till något av utfallsmåtten. Huvudsaklig aktivitet (‘Gaming’, ‘Sociala medier’, ‘Gaming och sociala medier lika mycket’) uteslöts ur analys på grund av snedvridet urval. Resultaten av denna studie kunde alltså inte fullt ut stödja vikten av unga människors vanor online med avseende på ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet. Dock gav resultaten att mattering och anti-mattering tillsammans kan förklara varians i subjektiv livskvalitet och ensamhet. Dessutom erhölls samband mellan upplevelsen av att pandemins restriktioner påverkat hur betydelsefull och betydelselös den unge kände sig med mattering, anti-mattering, subjektiv livskvalitet och ensamhet. Föreliggande studie bidrar till ny kunskap om mattering, anti-mattering, ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet hos unga. Detta genom att visa hur viktiga mellanmänskliga upplevelser är i tider av osäkerhet. Studien problematiserar också att ungas vanor online kan behöva operationaliseras på andra vis för att representera kvalitet snarare än kvantitet. / Previous research has a strong focus on psychopathology rather than psychological well-being regarding online habits of young people. This cross-sectional study based on a survey explored how online habits of young people (social usage, main activity and time), mattering, anti-mattering, and experience of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic relates to loneliness and subjective quality of life (QoL). Responses from 125 people between the ages of 18–25 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation analyzes, multiple regression analysis, MANOVA and loglinear analysis. Results were indecisive regarding time (<4, 4+ h/day). Time on its own could not predict subjective QoL, whereas spending over 4 h/day actively online was associated with lower subjective QoL. Social usage was not related to the outcome measures. Main activity(‘Gaming’, ‘Social media’, ‘Gaming and Social Media equally’) was excluded from analysis due to skewness. Thus, the results of this study could not fully support the importance of young peoples’ habits online regarding loneliness and subjective QoL. However, the results showed that mattering and anti-mattering together could predict subjective QoL and loneliness. In addition, the experience of how restrictions affected how significant and insignificant the participants felt was associated with mattering, anti-mattering, subjective QoL and loneliness. Present study contributes knowledge about mattering, anti-mattering, loneliness and subjective QoL in young people. This by showing how important interpersonal experiences are in times of uncertainty. The study also problematizes that young people's online habits may need to be operationalized in other ways to represent quality rather than quantity.

The Item response Theory and its Application in the Sociology Abstract The focus of this master's thesis is an item response theory, a modern methodological approach, which models a relationship between a latent variable and measured responses to the particular item. A theoretical introduction, which explains fundamentals of the theory, is followed by a comparison with the classical test theory and suggestions of its possible applications in a field of sociology. The thesis is completed with an illustrative example using real data to evaluate an instrument for measuring subjective quality of working life in the framework of item response theory. Keywords: Item response theory, scale, reliability, model, subjective quality of working life

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 renata.pdf: 371724 bytes, checksum: f0b40f387c25267fae17fdcaca6b0f24 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-08-28 / Objective: Know the importance that metallurgic workers and musicians attribute to the hearing and its preservation and observe if the information access do implicate a distinguished way to attribute importance to them. We chose twelve subjects, six metallurgic workers and six musicians of rock and roll. Method: Interviews. We utilized as method Content´s Analysis by Bardin (2004). Results: we have the categories: definition of the hearing, loss, protection of the hearing and pleasurable and unpleasurable sounds. The importance of the hearing is present in every category. Metallurgic workers and musicians, attribute high value to the hearing and its preservation. The access to the information do not implicate a distinguished way to attribute importance to the hearing and its preservation, on the contrary shows that the information given, sometimes, do not goes by chance to their reality and questions, is a simple transference of data and do not become knowledge. The musicians have the access of the information and the professional dependence that they present related to the hearing, also make that they attribute a great value to it, in the mean time, the need of a good performance on their presentations seems to be one of the most important factors to the non use of the hearing protection on those moments. Considerations: This directed us to a most humanist view, where is need to valorize a psychosocial reality and to know the subjects doubts, for that, going by chance to their truly wishes, they could be affected to the information, allowing the reflection, the knowledge and stimulate the act of having an idea about / Objetivo: Conhecer a importância que metalúrgicos e músicos atribuem à audição e sua preservação e observar se o acesso à informação implica uma maneira distinta de atribuir importância a elas. Método: Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin (2004). Entrevistas com doze sujeitos, seis metalúrgicos e seis músicos de uma banda de rock and roll, todos expostos ao ruído há mais de dez anos. Resultados: Categorias à priori: Definição da audição, Perda, Proteção auditiva (subcategorias: Protetor auditivo, Outras formas de proteção e Avaliação da audição) e Sons agradáveis e desagradáveis. A importância da audição está presente em todas as categorias. O acesso à informação não implicou uma maneira distinta de atribuir importância à audição, mostrou que as informações nem sempre suprem as questões, constituindo simples transferência de dados. Os músicos mostraram ter informações sobre a audição e a dependência profissional que sentem fez com que atribuíssem grande valoração à ela, embora em suas apresentações implique a não utilizem protetores auriculares. Considerações: Isso nos direcionou à uma melhor compreensão da dimensão subjetiva e de como o fonoaudiólogo pode lidar com ela em relação à saúde auditiva. É preciso valorizar a realidade psicossocial e conhecer as reais questões dos sujeitos para irmos de encontro aos seus verdadeiros anseios e assim afetá-los, permitindo a reflexão, o conhecimento e a conscientização

The literature review of doctoral dissertation discusses body image and body image attitudes, reviews psychological theories of body image attitude development, and discusses possible sources and causes of the development of a thin body ideal and body dissatisfaction. It also reviews the research of other authors concerning the relationship of body dissatisfaction to gender, age and some personality traits. Empirical part of the dissertation is focused on the description of a quantitative study, carried out with 419 respondents. The study results were processed using quantitative methods of data analysis. The study discusses the differences of body image attitudes between men and women, the relationship of body image attitudes to age, occupation, marital status, and personality traits, it also discusses the cultural differences of body image attitudes. / Teorinėje darbo dalyje apibrėžiamas kūno vaizdas ir požiūris į savo kūną, apžvelgiamos psichologinės požiūrio į savo kūną formavimosi teorijos, aptariamos priežastys, skatinančios liekno kūno idealų formavimąsi bei nepasitenkinimą savo kūnu, nepasitenkinimo savo kūnu sąsajos su lytimi, amžiumi bei kai kuriomis asmenybės savybėmis, aptariami kitų autorių atlikti tyrimai. Empirinėje dalyje aprašomas atliktas kiekybinis tyrimas, kuriame dalyvavo 419 studentų. Tyrimo duomenys apdoroti kiekybinės duomenų analizės metodais. Įvertinti vyrų ir moterų požiūrio į savo kūną skirtumai, jo sąsajos su amžiumi, užimtumu, šeimine padėtimi ir asmenybės savybėmis, aptariami kultūriniai požiūrio į savo kūną skirtumai.

A disease has consequences not only for the afflicted person but also for those who interact with him or her. A low-grade glioma is a brain tumour whose regarding its psychosocial implications for adult patients and their next of kin has received little attention in the literature. In the light of this the overall aim of the present thesis was to provide increased knowledge about how patients with low-grade glioma and their next of kin experience and deal with everyday life. The methods of the studies were mainly qualitative. Thirty-nine patients and 28 next of kin were interviewed and all except one next of kin completed a quality of life questionnaire. The onset of low-grade glioma was described from the patients’ perspective as a process, either rapid (up to a few months) or prolonged over several years. This phase of low-grade glioma encompassed repeated visits to physicians and care institutions. The onset of low-grade glioma was accompanied by stress, anxiety and uncertainty in the case of both the patients and those nearest. The symptoms and problems the patients experienced covered a broad range of consequences, physical, psychological and social. The patients presented a wide range of ways to cope with illness-related problems. The next of kin were often deeply involved in the patients’ situation and many of them experienced extremely stressful emotions mainly in the early period of the illness. They had experience of positive encounters in health care but more often they had had a sense both of powerlessness and of being invisible and neglected. Relations and roles changed in ways that mostly were experienced as negative. Enabling strength in everyday life had to do with alleviation of strain and having a positive outlook upon life. By means of the questionnaire Subjective estimation of Quality of Life (SQoL) the patients and those nearest estimated their quality of life as being comparatively high. Only one variable, among the patients the absence of work/meaningful occupation and among the next of kin the absence of own children, being estimated at below 60% of the maximum score.