In this explorative study internet dating is studied as shared commitment to a common collective activity. Focus is on social formative emotions and internet dating in the rhythm of everyday life. The study is based on an interactionist theory/method package related to grounded theory and situational analysis. Sixty-eight participants of a Swedish internet dating site have been interviewed by e-mail. Fifteen of these interviews were followed up by a second one. Internet dating mainly occurs during evenings at home. It is kept separate from other commitments in daily life, such as work, as collisions of activities might lead to emotional and tension-ridden situations. The essential social process involved in internet dating is searching for a future someone/something. This process is given strength by the future- and action-oriented emotion of hope of happiness. The future is represented in imagination by talk about sought for emotions. The internet daters want to end their commitment to internet dating, while the internet dating company, for economic reasons, wants them to continue with the activity. The internet daters learn to manage their spontaneous emotions; they learn not to show "too much" future-oriented emotions. Instead a "relaxed" attitude, based on the present, is encouraged among participants. The act of imagining and searching for a future someone/something is formalized and organized by means of internet dating sites. Emotions are thus being commercialized in the interest of the internet dating company.

The aim of this study was to reach an understanding of how young adults with permanent residence permit, who came to Sweden as unaccompanied asylum seeking minors, experience their confrontation with the Swedish society. Another purpose was to understand how these young adults view Sweden and its inhabitants, as well as the experience of starting a new life in Sweden. In order to investigate these questions, a qualitative method consisting of five interviews with five young men was conducted. The results showed that the respondents feared the meeting with the immigration board and that they feel that school is divided in two groups, Swedes and immigrants. People with nonethnic Swedish background who have lived in Sweden for a long time are seen as Swedes, and in that meaning assimilated. One important conclusion we made was that the division between Swedes and immigrants have a negative influence on the immigrants´ integration in the society. Another conclusion is that school has to take more responsibility to give the children a more meaningful life.

This study aims to examine how adolescents with diabetes describe and value their experience of participating in a support group and how they describe the issues of being a teenager with diabetes. This is a qualitative study and we have interviewed three young women who have been participating in a support group. The results of the interviews were analyzed through a phenomenological method and then compared to earlier research and interpreted through symbolic interactionism and Erikson's development-theory, which were our theories of choice. Our findings support earlier research when stating that support groups are important and necessary for adolescents with chronic illnesses. Our interviewees stated that they think that one of the most important benefits of support groups is to meet other people in their situation; same age and same chronic illness.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka och förstå gymnasieelevers attityder till invandring. Faktorer som vi valt att undersöka och som kan påverka attityder är bland annat kön, nationell bakgrund och erfarenheter av olika kulturer. Studien är genomförd på en gymnasieskola i en mindre stad i Mellansverige. Totalt deltog 195 elever i den genomförda enkätundersökningen och fyra uppföljande intervjuer genomfördes. Begrepp som attityder, invandrare och social distans är centrala i den teoretiska förståelsen av studien. Resultatet har analyserats med hjälp av teoretiska utgångspunkter såsom symbolisk interaktionism och stigmatisering. Utgångspunkterna har underlättat förståelsen av hur invandrare tillskrivs negativa egenskaper och diskrimineras därefter. Tidigare forskning och studier har använts i utformandet av denna studie samt för att jämföra resultat och på så vis kunna se förändring över tid. Slutsatser som har kunnat dras utifrån studien är att negativa attityder till invandring ofta grundar sig i en rädsla inför förändring och att invandrare ofta betraktas som en samhällelig belastning, ett hot och ökar konkurrensen om materiella tillgångar. Den viktigaste bakomliggande faktorn till negativa attityder till invandring är klasstillhörighet där kunskap och utbildning har en central betydelse. Upplevelser och erfarenheter av andra kulturer än den egna ökar även toleransen inför invandring. Generellt sett ökar positiva attityder till invandring jämfört med tidigare, även om resultatet ger uttryck för att det fortfarande finns extremt negativa attityder. Ungdomar behöver ges utrymme att diskutera dessa frågor. Skolan såväl som det sociala arbetet står inför utmaningen att möjliggöra en öppen diskussion baserad på grundläggande demokratiska värderingar för att öka toleransen inför minoriteter. / The purpose of this study is to examine high school students´ attitudes towards immigration. Several factors that may influence the attitudes were presented, including gender, national origin and experiences of different cultures. The study was conducted in a small town in central Sweden. A total of 195 students participated in the survey and four follow-up interviews were conducted. Concepts such as attitudes, immigrants and social distance are central to the theoretical understanding of this study. The results have been analysed using theoretical frameworks such as symbolic interactionism and stigmatization. The theoretical foundations have assisted our understanding of how immigrants are assigned negative characteristics and the discrimination against them. Previous research and studies have been used in designing this study, as well as to compare results and thus being able to see changes over time. A conclusion that has been drawn from this study is that negative attitudes towards immigration are often based on a fear of change and that immigrants are regarded as social burdens, a threat and an increased competition for tangible assets. The most important underlying factor to negative attitudes towards immigration is class affiliation where knowledge and education has central influence. Experiences of cultures other than ones own also increase tolerance concerning immigration. Compared to previous studies results show that, generally, positive attitudes toward immigrants increases, although there are still some extremely negative attitudes. Young people need to be given possibility to discuss these issues. The fields of social work as well as education are faced with the challenge to allow open discussion based on fundamental democratic values to increase tolerance towards minorities.

Sveriges Riksdag beslöt våren 2012 att även ensamstående kvinnor ska få tillgång till assisterad befruktning i Sverige. Hittills, och än så länge, har ensamstående kvinnor rest utomlands för att fertilitetsbehandlas. Syftet med denna studie har varit att undersöka hur solomammor (kvinnor som valt att skaffa barn som ensamstående) resonerat och resonerar kring sitt val, samt hur de ser på faderskapsprocessen och den kommande lagändringen. Deltagare söktes via en förenings Internetsajt, där medlemmarna alla är frivilligt ensamstående mammor. Fem solomammor berättade om sina resonemang i semistrukturerade intervjuer. Sedan kategoriserades, kodades och tematiserades materialet, och analyserades med hjälp av symbolisk interaktionism, värderingsförändringar och samhällsutveckling. Resultaten visar bland annat att respondenterna verkligen tänkt igenom sitt beslut att bilda familj som ensamstående förälder. De ser främst ser lagändringen som symboliskt viktig, då deras familjeform i och med denna erkänns av samhället. Respondenterna tror att donatorbrist och åldersgränser i Sverige kommer att medföra att ensamstående kvinnor även fortsättningsvis reser utomlands för assisterad befruktning. De negativa åsikter som kommit fram rör sjukvårdskontakter i Sverige och hur en del ensamstående mammor blivit bemötta av socialtjänsthandläggare. Faderskapsprocessen skulle kunna bli mer rättssäker om tydliga, nationella regler utfärdades även för faderskapsutredningar som rör donatorbarn. / The Swedish Riksdag decided in the spring of 2012 that single women also should have access to assisted reproduction in Sweden. Up until now, and so far, single women have travelled abroad for fertility treatment. The purpose of this study has been to explore how solo mothers (women who have chosen to obtain children as a single parent) reasoned and reason about this choice, and how they view the paternity process and the upcoming legislative changes. Participants were sought through an Internet site for an association where all members are single mothers by choice. Five solo mothers talked about their reasoning in semi-structured interviews. The material was then categorized, coded and thematized, and analyzed by using symbolic interactionism, changes in values and the development of society. The results show that the respondents really thought through their decision to found a family as a single parent. They see the legislative changes mainly as symbolically important, as their form of the family will be recognized by society. They believe that the lack of donors and the age limitations in Sweden will result in that single women continues to travel abroad for assisted reproduction technology. The negative opinions that have emerged during interviews are related to health care contacts in Sweden and how some single mothers have been treated by social service caseworkers. The paternity process could become more legally secure if clear, national regulations were issued also for the paternity process regarding donor children.

The purpose of this study was to reveal typical strategies used by beggars in Sweden and how interactions between beggars and passers-by affect behavioral patterns. The study aimed to analyze the results of the observation through a symbolic interactionistic perspective in order to reveal meanings of symbolic interactions in the begging encounter. The study was conducted in an ethnographic manner and the method of use was covert observation. The result showed that there are several types of strategies and symbols used by beggars in Sweden. The most used strategy is the passive, sitting type of begging where signs and photographs are used as symbols to convey distress. The study showed that the use of strategies are general, meaning there is no difference in use of strategies dependent on gender or age.  Furthermore, the study indicated that a connection between begging and organized crime is improbable. Moreover the study showed different counter strategies used by passers-by in the begging encounter. / Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka strategier som används av tiggare i Sverige och hur samspelet mellan tiggare och förbipasserande påverkar beteendemönster. Studien syftade till att analysera resultaten av observationerna med hjälp av ett symbolisk interaktionistiskt perspektiv för att belysa b   betydelser av symboliska interaktioner i mötet med tiggaren. Studien genomfördes i en etnografisk anda där insamlingsmetoden var dolda observationer. Resultatet visade att det finns flera typer av strategier och symboler som används av tiggare i Sverige. Den mest använda strategin är den passiva, sittande typen av tiggeri där skyltar och bilder används som symboler för att förmedla nödställdhet. Studien visade att användningen av strategier är generella, vilket innebär att det inte finns någon skillnad i användning av strategier som är beroende av kön eller ålder. Studien indikerade också att ett samband mellan tiggeri och organiserad brottslighet ter sig osannolikt. Därutöver visade studien olika former av motstrategier som används av förbipasserande.

The aim of this study was to understand how staff at residential homes for unaccompanied children experiences their professional role. The main focus of the study was on how the staff defines their professional role and how they handle the situation to be close and at the same time keep a distance towards the children in care. Five women and two men were interviewed at five different residential homes for unaccompanied children. By symbolic interactionism we are able to see that the professional roles are shaped through interaction with the children in care as well as in relation to colleagues. The main role for the staff is to build up a relationship with the children. This also includes an emotional aspect which demands ability to closeness at the same time as there is a need to be able to keep a distance. This also marks the interviewee’s definition of how to be professional. How the children’s age defines has also an impact on the staff’s definition of their profession which means that both staff and children are forced to redefining their role in the residential home. We also found that a main purpose in the role as staff was to actively work with integration towards the children in care. Another interesting result that affects the ability to closeness and distance is the fact of being a young woman as staff, because of the cultural differences that exists between staff and the children in care.

This study is an exploration of a change management intervention tool described here as the Hypothetical'. This tool is not described in organisation literature, but many of its functions and features can be found in theories relating to, for example, organisational communication, change management, leadership and team dynamics. The Hypothetical does, however, appear as a discussion forum in the popular media. In the 1980s and 1990s, the high profile television program, Hypotheticals, hosted by Geoffrey Robertson QC, dramatised decision making processes, and teased out some of the moral dilemmas inherent in social and political problems, utilising high profile panelists from the social, political and business elites. In the 1990s, the Hypothetical made a transition from the television screen to the management meeting room and the executive suite. The researcher of this study has similarly used the Hypothetical in his capacity as a communications consultant for a number of public and private client organisations. With this background, this study was undertaken to explore the Hypothetical and to identify those functions and features that define its appropriateness as an intervention for organisational communication and change. The findings from this study are founded on two aspects a review of relevant organisation literature, and data from the presentation of a specific Hypothetical intervention to the public organisation Centrelink Queensland. The Hypothetical tool, as identified in this study, is a one-off, 90 minute performance involving a facilitator, audience, and members of a panel who represent the organisation in which semi-fictitious storylines are meant to symbolise elements in the cultural life of the organisation. The study also identifies a Hypothetical process in which research methods that are applied, before and after the intervention performance, help to identify the functions and features of the intervention. The features of the Hypothetical, as an intervention are viewed through the lens of Goffman's 1959) classic theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism, where the organisation is conceptualised as 'theatre', and the motivations and actions of its members are interpreted through the symbolism of theatrical performance and interaction. The study also draws on symbolic convergence theory to explain what happens inside an organisation through the language, conflicts and shared cultural experiences of its members. The Centrelink Hypothetical in this study reflects aspects of the shared organisational culture, and presents its fictitious storylines in the context of dialogues between its panelists. The panelists are representatives of their organisation and are heard reflecting the values of that organisation's culture. Consequently, the analysis of text through the Hypothetical transcript the deciphering of shared narratives, mindsets, motivations and visions of the future, and so forth forms a significant aspect of the study for conceptualising Centrelink organisational culture, and for identifying how problems of communication and change have become embedded in that culture. More specifically, it is through the Centrelink Hypothetical that this study seeks to identify the functions of the Hypothetical and to determine how they may contribute solutions to Centrelink's management problems. The literature consulted for this study reveals that the Hypothetical is closely allied, as an intervention process, with the relatively new management practice of scenario planning. It scenario planning that attempts to build a generative learning capability within organisations a continuously looping process of deep learning that takes place within each organisation's unique strategic conversation. This study draws on scenario planing to identify similar performance features within the Hypothetical process stimulating the organisation to be responsive to, and to embrace, change; finding appropriate methods of communication; identifying and modifying mental models. This study also highlights a significant difference between the scenario planning process and the Hypothetical. Emerging literature in management psychology asserts the importance of the emotionally intelligent team, which demonstrates its social skills and empathy. However, the driving force behind scenario planning is 'the business idea', or the organisation's mental model and what drives it, and there is little or no attention paid to the importance of emotional capabilities in the scenario planning literature. Findings from the Centrelink case demonstrate that a significant dimension of the Hypothetical experience is the impact of symbolically convergent scripted roles and the related capacity to utilise emotional intelligence. Consequently, this study recommends that suitable emotional frameworks be employed throughout the Hypothetical process to help discern appropriate members' behaviours and suggest how the combination of such behaviours may be used to enhance the organisation's future generative learning process.

The past decade has witnessed students with disabilities attending university in everincreasing numbers. In particular, many countries, including Australia, now report that students with so-called 'invisible disabilities' comprise the vast majority of those seeking support from Student Disability Services at university. Despite this increase, relatively few researchers have investigated the processes involved in the university education of students with disabilities, particularly during their crucial first year, when the highest rate of student attrition occurs across the board. The substantial body of research which has investigated the 'first year experience' for university students in Australia and the United States of America has ignored the issues unique to students with disabilities during this critical period. At the same time, some researchers, predominantly in the United States of America and the United Kingdom, have studied the tertiary education of students with disabilities. However, the subject has received less attention in Australia. Also, certain categories of university students with disabilities have been overlooked. In particular, university students diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) appear to be one of the groups that have attracted little attention worldwide, despite the vast body of research that exists on children and, increasingly, on adults with the diagnosis. These students constituted the focus of the study reported in this thesis. The aim of this study was to develop substantive theory about how university students who are diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) deal with their first year. The study is conceptualised within the social theory of symbolic interactionism. A central research question and a series of related guiding questions were used as the starting point for data collection. Data collection was conducted largely through in-depth, individual, face-to-face semistructured interviews, and participant observation consistent with the interpretivist qualitative research tradition. In addition, informal interviews, telephone interviews and documents provided supplementary data for the study. Data analysis, which occurred concurrently with data collection, employed the open coding method consistent with the grounded theory model and the development and testing of propositions. The central proposition of the substantive theory generated from this study is that students diagnosed with AD/HD experience a sense of developing empowerment as they progress through three stages in their first year at university. The first stage in the theory of developing empowerment is entitled the development of empowerment through realising a dream. The second stage is entitled the development of empowerment through becoming proactive. The final stage is entitled the development of empowerment through the feeling of belonging. The theory of developing empowerment provides a new perspective on how university students with a diagnosis of AD/HD deal with their first year of study. A number of implications for further theory development, policy and practice are drawn from it. There are also several recommendations for further research.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 194-208).