This study aimed to explore the relationship between ideas and practices of masculinity and help-seeking behaviour amongst young South African men. The need for this research has been motivated by both the limited amount of previous research in this area, and the importance of this kind of research. It was hypothesized that there would be a relationship between the intended and actual help-seeking behaviour, and the common ideas and practices of masculinity amongst the young men taking part in this research. It was hypothesized that where young men agreed with traditional conceptualizations of masculinity their intention and rate of actual help-seeking would be less. The sample included a diverse group of 100 young men attending the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Participants included young men from various religious, language, sexual orientation and faculty groups. The data for this research was collected using a questionnaire assessing intended and actual help-seeking behaviour, and participants‟ acceptance of traditional conceptualizations of masculinity. The findings of this study have shown that young men in this context have a low intention and rate of help-seeking behaviour from various help sources, but especially from formal sources such as mental health professionals and general practitioners. It has also found that there are differences in the common ideas and practices of masculinity between young men from different religious, faculty and sexual orientation groups. However, despite the initial hypothesis, this study has been unable to show a clear relationship between ideas and practices of masculinity and help-seeking behaviour. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, PIetermaritzburg, 2008.

Over the past fifty years, numerous cultural and structural changes have profoundly altered how heterosexual women and men in North America envision and live out their intimate lives. As key social structures where individuals typically sought guidance about their relationships have lost cultural potency, and insecurities about social and economic structures have grown, people have turned increasingly to alternative sources of advice, of which self-help books are a readily available option. In three interrelated studies, this dissertation considers one of North America’s most popular and lucrative book genres—relationship advice—and its readers. On a textual level, it examines connections between ideological shifts in advice and macro-level changes; with regard to audiences, it asks what generates particular modes of self-help reading. All studies then consider the implications of ideological shifts and modes of reading for the creation or maintenance of social boundaries and attendant inequalities. While prior theoretical and empirical work on relationship advice products and audiences has considered time-limited samples of women’s texts, and research in reception studies has emphasized the importance of gender in generating modes of reading, this dissertation contributes new insight by looking longitudinally at bestselling advice books, offering the first detailed look at books for men, and considering the influence of variables beyond gender in channeling readers toward particular modes of reading. Findings demonstrate strong coupling between ideological trends in advice and broader social changes, and an interlocking effect of readers’ biographical, demographic and psychological factors on modes of reading. Analyses of texts and readers also reveal how the genre reinforces social inequalities. Paper 1 corrects presumptions about advice book content by identifying new ideological trends, Paper 2 develops a conceptual and theoretical vocabulary for understanding constructions of ideal masculinity, namely through identification of a process of “masculinizing” intimacy, and Paper 3 newly identifies two modes of reading—targeted and habitual—and generates theoretical insight broadly applicable to reception studies.

Health, housing and much more recently, assistive technology, are key determinants of elderly independence in British Columbia. This thesis discusses these three determinants in some detail, and also stresses their interrelationship with each other. Throughout the entire thesis, the elderly's preference to age-in-place (Blackie, 1986; Wheeler, 1982) is stressed. In the issue of health, the current community-based health care delivery system of the British Columbia Ministry of Health's Continuing Care Division is compared and contrasted with a "counterpart" in the United States: the On Lok Health Services System in San Francisco, California. On Lok is discussed to highlight its effectiveness in delivering a community-based holistic health care system for a group of aging-in-place elderly in need of long term care with relatively low cost. In the issue of housing, the thesis investigates three avenues in which architects can apply their skills to maximize aging-in-place possibilities for our elderly in the context of British Columbia. Constraints by building codes, health care regulations, real estate market expectations and the aging characteristics of British Columbia's elderly are also highlighted to bring context to the discussion. In the issue of assistive technology, given the huge range of product development, the thesis focuses on one particularly interesting communication device - the Videophone. The Videophone is discussed to explore its potential impact for elderly independence, especially for the future.

The individualization and medicalization of the emotional distress of those given psychiatric diagnoses deny the social, political, and economic context in which the presenting behaviours arose and leads away from making changes to society. Some people who are psychiatrically labelled join in groups for solidarity in the face of being stigmatized. In these groups the members can resist the disempowerment and helplessness learned in the psychiatric system. With co-researchers from a self-help group this study gives expression to the usually silenced voices of psychiatrized people. Feminist and standpoint theories, co-cultural and living systems theories form a framework for this narrative study. A structural narrative method is used to analyze the stories, found in the transcripts of six individual interviews, told by the co-researchers about their experiences in psychiatric services and in the recovery process. The stories reveal how the ideology and practices of psychiatry use stigma, oppression and the creation of the identity of psychiatric patient for control and management. The stories also reveal the reality of hope for recovery through the support of peers and from the role models of those who have significantly recovered their mental health. Two focus group interviews were conducted with members of the self-help group where suggestions for programs were developed to address issues raised within the groups and in the individual interviews. The findings of the research will be reported to the self-help group who will use the study to back proposals for the funding of recovery-oriented programs. When social workers and other mental health professsionals recognize the importance of supporting the process of recovery, consumer/survivor-run programs will be acknowledged as effective and integral parts of any mental health system

Life-long learning for knowledge societies becomes fundamental for educational process. Motivation, expectations and contentment of people take a very important place in today’s learning. The most important objectives of today’s educational process are providing answers to current challenges and essential questions as well as helping to seize new opportunities for society and individuals. The objective of this research is to explore the motivation, motives and problems of life-long learning of residents in Visaginas town. The tasks of the research are following: • to explore residents’point of view towards life-long learning; • define the motives of adults which force them to start studying again; • analyze what conditions residents of Visaginas have; • define issues which impede more active involvement of adults into life-long learning; • provide with recommendations on how to nurture residents’point of view on life-long learning. The analysis was done in November, 2005 and took place in Visaginas National Language Center, in “Draugystes” secondary school (adult classes) as well as in other public institutions. During this research the residents of Visaginas town were asked to answer a question on how they perceive and value life-long learning and what is their point of view towards it. After the answers were figured out it could be concluded that the greatest part of residents think that life-long learning is obligatory (91,5 %). Only 9 % of residents perceive life-long... [to full text]

The actuality of the problem. The subject on educational dimensions of self-help of primary teachers in Utena region is topical in social, scientific theoretical and practical regard. As it is noted in the guideline of education of Lithuania, Lithuania like all the Europe is taking a step to the age of Knowledge full of new challenges. “The globalization, burst of information. The fast change, the solution of society – are the challenges, which raise a claim for the individual, society and the system that develops them” (Guideline of education. 2003–2012 m. project). The authoress does the survey of educational dimensions of self-development (methods, forms, motives, sources, means, levels and trends, role) of primary teachers of Utena region in this work trying to clear what are the dimensions of self-help of primary teachers in Utena region. 204 primary teachers participated in the survey. The survey was done in December 2005, in January – February 2006. The questionnaire was filled in all schools of Utena region, where are primary classes by the teachers who worked the last 5 years in primary forms. The most important methods of self-development of primary teachers of Utena region are the following: self-education, self-estimation and self-control. Many see these most important motives of self-help: sense of duty, search of purpose of life and improving the professional activity. As the most acceptable form of self-help... [to full text]

The use of coercion to induce entry to addiction treatment is controversial and a large body of research has accumulated considering ethical issues, benefits, and repercussions. However, development of evidence-based policy and practices is hampered by limitations of existing literature. Theoretical and empirical work on self-determination suggests that perceptions of coercion have negative implications for motivation, behaviour change, and psychological well-being; however, these insights have not generally informed research on coerced treatment. The present work seeks to further understandings of the meaning and effectiveness of coerced addiction treatment through a theory-based, prospective study of coercion and treatment processes. The sample includes 276 adults admitted to an outpatient counseling program for alcohol- and drug-related problems. At admission, participants completed questionnaires on motivation, perceived coercion, and pressures to enter treatment. Two months later, a second questionnaire assessed engagement in treatment and substance problem severity (follow-up rate = 74.3%). Retention was determined via self-report and agency records. Analysis was guided by a conceptual model based on Self-Determination Theory. Perceived coercion at admission was associated with greater pressures from legal and informal sources, and lower substance problem severity. Fewer than half (45.7%) of participants were still attending treatment at 2-month follow-up. Clients who reported greater coercion were more likely to leave treatment within the first 2 months, and to qualify that decision by statements indicating a lack of perceived need for continued treatment. Greater autonomous motivation was associated with higher client confidence in treatment, and lower perceived coercion and greater informal pressure were associated with greater resolution of substance problems in the weeks following admission. This work contributes empirical evidence to ongoing debates over the legitimacy of coerced addiction treatment by reframing relevant concepts in terms of client perspectives and evaluating the impact on treatment processes. Results raise questions about previous conclusions of the effectiveness of coerced treatment and suggest many future avenues for research. In particular, research is needed to evaluate the longer-term implications of coercion and the changing nature of perceptions and motivation during treatment.

The use of coercion to induce entry to addiction treatment is controversial and a large body of research has accumulated considering ethical issues, benefits, and repercussions. However, development of evidence-based policy and practices is hampered by limitations of existing literature. Theoretical and empirical work on self-determination suggests that perceptions of coercion have negative implications for motivation, behaviour change, and psychological well-being; however, these insights have not generally informed research on coerced treatment. The present work seeks to further understandings of the meaning and effectiveness of coerced addiction treatment through a theory-based, prospective study of coercion and treatment processes. The sample includes 276 adults admitted to an outpatient counseling program for alcohol- and drug-related problems. At admission, participants completed questionnaires on motivation, perceived coercion, and pressures to enter treatment. Two months later, a second questionnaire assessed engagement in treatment and substance problem severity (follow-up rate = 74.3%). Retention was determined via self-report and agency records. Analysis was guided by a conceptual model based on Self-Determination Theory. Perceived coercion at admission was associated with greater pressures from legal and informal sources, and lower substance problem severity. Fewer than half (45.7%) of participants were still attending treatment at 2-month follow-up. Clients who reported greater coercion were more likely to leave treatment within the first 2 months, and to qualify that decision by statements indicating a lack of perceived need for continued treatment. Greater autonomous motivation was associated with higher client confidence in treatment, and lower perceived coercion and greater informal pressure were associated with greater resolution of substance problems in the weeks following admission. This work contributes empirical evidence to ongoing debates over the legitimacy of coerced addiction treatment by reframing relevant concepts in terms of client perspectives and evaluating the impact on treatment processes. Results raise questions about previous conclusions of the effectiveness of coerced treatment and suggest many future avenues for research. In particular, research is needed to evaluate the longer-term implications of coercion and the changing nature of perceptions and motivation during treatment.

Prekyba žmonėmis – tai reali grėsmė bet kokio amžiaus, socialinio statuso ar lyties žmogui. Remiantis JAV valstybės departamento Prekybos žmonėmis pranešimu (2006), kiekvienais metais yra parduodama apie 600 000 – 800 000 vyrų, moterų ir vaikų kertant tarptautines sienas. / At the moment trafficking in women is considered to be one of the basic sources of revenue of the criminal word. According to different sources from 800.000 up to 4 million persons, mainly women and children, are trafficked abroad for sexual exploitation every year word-wide. The profit of this criminal business is calculated in billions of US dollars.

Magistro darbe „„Dainų dainelės“ ir pedagogų vaidmuo formuojant teigiamą vaikų požiūrį į muzikinę saviugdą“ nagrinėjama vaikų ir moksleivių televizijos festivalio-konkurso „Dainų dainelė“ įtaka vaikų ugdymui. Pedagoginė problema aktuali tuo, kad analogų neturintis per 30 metų gyvuojantis festivalis-konkursas tapo tikru fenomenu ir puikiu postūmiu reikštis jauniems dainininkams tiek ansambliuose, tiek solo. Pasirodymas „Dainų dainelėje“ dažnai tampa pirmuoju, tačiau anaiptol ne paskutiniu viešu pasirodymu. Tyrimo objektas – vaikų muzikinė saviugda dalyvaujant „Dainų dainelėje“. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti „Dainų dainelės“ ir pedagogų įtaką vaikų muzikinei saviugdai. Reikšminiai žodžiai: muzikinė saviugda, pedagoginė įtaka, dainininkų ugdymas. Darbe apžvelgiama „Dainų dainelės“ istorija, renginio kaita, pedagoginės ugdymo subtilybės – ugdytojo autoriteto svarba, scenos baimės apraiškos, balso higienos ypatybės. Juk rengimasis „Dainų dainelei“ gali skatinti ne tik mokinį, bet ir jo ugdytoją, kadangi šis turi tapti tikru, pilnaverčiu autoritetu. Šiuo aspektu labai daug lemia ne tik pedagogo gebėjimas komunikuoti, bet ir jo profesinis pasirengimas, uždegantis tikėjimas savo veikla, atraktyvi dėstymo metodika, didinanti pedagoginę įtaką. Siekiant sužinoti „Dainų dainelės“ dalyvių nuomonę apie šį festivalį-konkursą, buvo apklausti 50 dalyvių. Empirinis tyrimas atskleidė, jog daugeliui dalyvių festivalis-konkursas „Dainų dainelė“ teikia teigiamas emocijas, žadina atsakomybės jausmą... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Influence of children’s and schoolchildren’s festival “Dainu dainele” examined in Master‘s final scientific work “The role of “Dainu dainele“ and educationalists formative positive opinion of infants to musical self-help“. Pedagogical problem is relevant because festival – contest exist more than 30 years, it haven‘t any analogues in Lithuania and it became sure phenomenon and perfect push of young vocalists convey both in companys and in solo. The Appearance in „Dainu dainele“ often become the first but not the last public appearance. The investigative subject of Master‘s final scientific work is musical self-help of infants when they involve in “Dainu dainele”. The investigative purpose of Master‘s final scientific work is to find the role of “Dainu dainele“ and educationalists to musical self-help of infants. Significant words: a musical self-help, the role of educationalists, education of singers. The history of „Dainu dainele“, alternation of event, refinement of educationalists education, importance of educationalist, manifestatons of scene‘s fear, internal of voice‘s hygiene are reviewed in Master‘s final scientific work. After all arrangement to “Dainu dainele” can motivate not only schoolchildren but also his educator because he must to become real and full – fledged standing. Instance very much determine educationalist not only ability to comunicate but also his professional readiness, inspirational belief in his work, methodology of enunciation that enhance... [to full text]