This thesis focuses on the projects and experiences of social justice organizers who place an emphasis on working to address heteropatriarchy and its impacts, work that I call men’s work. In particular, these are organizers who take an intersectional, social justice approach to this work. In order to recognize who organizers are and the kinds of projects they engage in, I describe four major project themes within men’s work and briefly explore their potentials and pitfalls according to those who are involved in them. I then analyze a number of the various considerations, tensions, and difficulties that arise for these organizers, particularly the personal and interpersonal components. In order to support organizers to be resilient and successful when faced with these issues, I conclude by sharing a variety of ways they may choose to navigate the various complexities they encounter in their organizing and in their communities. / Graduate

Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare auto-immune inflammatory disease in which the patient’s immune system attacks their spinal cord resulting in an unpredictable degree of neurologic disability, ranging from complete recovery to quadriplegia. TM patients often experience insufficient assistance towards understanding causes of the illness and have little to depend on in trying to deal with it. This study explores psychological strengths and coping strategies used by TM patients in coping with the illness. A theoretical framework of positive psychology with a strong focus on seven constructs, namely positive coping, searching for meaning, benefit finding, hope, sense of humour, resilience, as well as religion and spirituality is presented. The main data collection strategy for this study was the gathering of stories as a form of conversation. These were subjected to thematic analysis by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) focused on identifiable themes and patterns of living and behaviour. The emerging patterns and identified fortigenic qualities were then considered, analysed and argued in relation to corresponding coping strategies. A model for the psychological coping and well-being of TM patients, based on emphasising the positive and constructive and considering existing models and strategies for the well-being of patients, was developed. The strategic and therapeutic model is presented in easily understandable language for the benefit of any care-giver (e.g. family member, friend or nurse) or the patient him/herself. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lk2013 / Psychology / unrestricted

Studies have shown elementary teachers may not be well prepared to use technology in their classrooms. This study examines one elementary teacher’s feelings of technology self-efficacy (TSE), needs and pedagogical strategies when using the interactive whiteboard (IWB) to teach elementary science. It employed a single case study design, where the researcher and participant worked together during supportive professional development (PD) sessions. Data sources are twelve PD sessions, the Computer Technology Integration Survey (adapted for IWB use in the classroom), and two interviews, three in-class observations of IWB science lessons, and three lesson debriefs. Descriptive and thematic analysis show the participant’s TSE was positively influenced by the PD. Five factors were determined to influence TSE: the participant’s level of interest, attitude, experience with technology, student assistance, and familiarity with the setting. Teacher, contextual and IWB- level needs were explained. Pedagogical strategies for technology use based on interactive IWB features are also discussed. Findings could contribute to current trends in teacher PD, continuing education, and preservice teaching programs related to science teaching. / Plusieurs enseignants ne sont pas bien préparés pour utiliser la technologie en classe. En particulier, le tableau blanc interactif (TBI) n’est pas utilisé de façon optimale par les enseignants lorsqu’ils enseignent les sciences et la technologie à l’élémentaire. Cette thèse présente l’étude de cas unique d’une enseignante de l’élémentaire ayant cheminé dans un processus de développement professionnel (DP) pour l’aider à intégrer le TBI en sciences et technologie. Douze sessions de DP, un questionnaire sur l’efficacité avec le TBI (CTIS adapté), deux entrevues, trois sessions d’observation en classe et trois discussions sur les leçons constituent les sources de données. La participante est devenue plus confiante pour utiliser le TBI suite au DP. Elle a rehaussé son sentiment d’autoefficacité et accru son intérêt et sa connaissance du TBI. Elle a acquis des compétences techniques et une connaissance des contenus d’enseignement adaptés au TBI, bien que plusieurs besoins perdurent. Certaines stratégies pédagogiques avec le TBI expérimentées en classe par l’enseignante sont discutées. Cette thèse peut contribuer à fournir des pistes pour aider les enseignants au primaire à mieux intégrer le TBI en sciences et technologie, que ce soit lors de leur formation initiale à l’enseignement ou en cours d’emploi.

La transition du milieu de soins pédiatrique au milieu adulte est un processus exigeant pour les jeunes atteints de maladies chroniques, puisqu’elle a lieu durant une période de leur vie où beaucoup de changements se produisent simultanément. N’étant pas encore tout à fait autonomes, les jeunes doivent apprendre à prendre soin d’eux-mêmes alors qu’ils se retrouvent parachutés dans un nouvel environnement, au sein d’une nouvelle équipe médicale. La diminution de l’encadrement peut en mener certains à prendre leur médication de manière erratique ou à manquer des rendez-vous. En transplantation rénale, une baisse de l’observance thérapeutique peut avoir pour conséquences des épisodes de rejet qui conduisent parfois à la perte du greffon. Pour pallier ces problèmes, deux néphrologues du CHU Sainte-Justine et une néphrologue du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) se sont consultées afin de mettre en place une clinique de jeunes adultes greffés du rein. Cette clinique s’adresse spécifiquement aux jeunes adultes, tant ceux ayant vécu la transition que ceux greffés à l’âge adulte. L’objectif de cette thèse est de mener l’évaluation des processus ainsi que l’évaluation des effets médicaux et psychosociaux de la clinique des jeunes (CDJ), en comparant le groupe de patients qui y sont suivis aux jeunes patients suivis à la clinique adulte régulière (CAR). Dans le premier article, qui présente l’évaluation des processus, des entrevues semi-structurées sont réalisées auprès de 10 patients de la CDJ, afin de décrire leur expérience de la clinique et d’identifier les composantes contribuant à son succès ainsi que des pistes d’amélioration du service. L’analyse thématique propose six thèmes caractérisant l’expérience des patients: (a) le soutien à l’autonomie versus la surprotection, (b) les garanties de sécurité à travers l’incertitude, (c) l’identification et le sentiment d’appartenance, (d) la complémentarité des approches entre les milieux de soins pédiatrique et adulte, (e) un environnement s’harmonisant avec le mode de vie des jeunes adultes et (f) les raisons de non-adhérence au traitement. Dans le deuxième article, qui présente l’évaluation des effets, une méthodologie mixte quantitative et qualitative est utilisée afin de mettre en contraste l’expérience de 17 patients de la CDJ avec celle de 16 patients de la CAR, de vérifier l’efficacité de la CDJ et de vérifier l’utilité de la théorie de l’auto-détermination (TAD) dans notre contexte. Les analyses quantitatives comparatives révèlent que la CDJ semble efficace surtout dans la période critique post-transition ou post-greffe en milieu adulte. Le fait d’être suivi à la CDJ semble minimiser l’incidence des complications médicales, améliorer l’adhérence au traitement et la qualité de vie physique des patients. Les analyses corrélationnelles établissent des liens entre les variables de la TAD (perception de soutien à l’autonomie, motivation autonome ou contrôlée, sentiment de compétence), l’adhérence au traitement et la qualité de vie. L’analyse thématique met en lumière quatre thèmes: (a) la résilience, (b) les besoins relationnels et l’alliance thérapeutique, (c) la quête d’équilibre et (d) la quête de normalité. Sur la base des résultats présentés dans les deux articles, des recommandations sont formulées afin d’améliorer le service à la CDJ et de servir de lignes directrices pour le développement d’initiatives similaires en transition. / Transition from pediatric to adult care is a demanding process for chronically ill young patients, because it takes place during a period of their life when many changes happen simultaneously. Because they are not entirely autonomous yet, youths must learn to take care of themselves while they are being parachuted in a new environment, within a new medical team. The lack of guidance can lead some to take their medicines erratically or to miss appointments. In kidney transplantation, decreased treatment adherence rates can have consequences such as rejection episodes, which sometimes lead to graft loss. To mitigate these problems, two nephrologists from the CHU Sainte-Justine and one nephrologist from the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) consulted one another to set up a young adult clinic for kidney transplant recipients. This clinic is specifically destined to young adults, those who transitioned as well as those transplanted as adults. This thesis aims to conduct the process evaluation as well as the evaluation of the clinical and psychosocial outcomes of the young adult clinic (YAC), by comparing its group of patients to the young patients who are attending the regular adult clinic (RAC). In the first article, which presents the process evaluation, semi-structured interviews are conducted with 10 YAC patients, to describe their experience of the clinic and identify its key components as well as possible areas of improvement. Thematic analysis highlights six themes that characterize patients’ experience: (a) autonomy support versus overprotection, (b) stability anchors through uncertainty, (c) identification and belongingness, (d) complementarity of approaches between pediatric and adult care settings, (e) an environment matching young adults’ lifestyles and (f) reasons for non-adherence. In the second article, which presents the outcome evaluation, a quantitative and qualitative mixed methodology is used to contrast the experience of 17 YAC patients with the experience of 16 RAC patients, to verify the YAC’s efficiency and to check if self-determination theory (SDT) is relevant in our context. Comparative quantitative analyses reveal that the YAC seems efficient especially during the critical period post-transition or post-transplant in adult setting. Attending the YAC seems to minimize the incidence of medical complications, to improve treatment adherence and patients’ physical quality of life. Correlational analyses establish relationships between SDT variables (perceived autonomy support, autonomous or controlled motivation, perceived competence), treatment adherence and quality of life. Thematic analysis highlights four themes: (a) resilience, (b) relational needs and the therapeutic alliance, (c) quest for balance and (d) quest for normalcy. On the basis of the findings presented in the two articles, recommendations are formulated in order to improve the YAC services and to serve as guidelines for the development of similar transition initiatives.

The interface of religion, spirituality and mental health was investigated by conducting interviews with a group of Protestant evangelical pastors, and a group of registered counselling/clinical psychologists. The participants were selected through snowball sampling and were asked to describe their perceptions of, and experiences with religion, spirituality, and mental health in their respective positions as pastors and psychologists. The interview protocols were analysed through thematic analysis where themes were drawn from the data provided by participants. The data showed that both the pastors and the psychologists perceived a distance between the disciplines of religion, spirituality and mental health. The pastors described this distance as representing “two worlds”, a world of religion and spirituality and, a separate world of mental health. The psychologists similarly described an “unnamed conflict” that arises between the two worlds that can, at times, be characterised by perceived tension, discomfort and uncertainty. This tension has been amplified by the cultural climate of secularism in which religion had been marginalised and relegated to the private, rather than the public sphere of societal functions. With the shift to post-secularism has come greater acknowledgement of the role of religion and spirituality for individuals in society, bringing the necessity to consider the interface of religion, spirituality and mental health within mainstream psychological science. The data showed, however, that neither the psychologists nor the pastors had received formal training in this interface, which had resulted in high levels of ignorance and stigmatisation both between, and within the disciplines. Some of the stigmatisation about the interface of religion, spirituality and psychology could be attributed to the socio-political history of South Africa, making such stigmatisations indigenous to this country. Not only is training required on this interface, but as part of the findings of this study, an official position statement is proposed regarding Psychology’s approach to the interface of religion, spirituality and mental health, so that the proposed position statement can guide ethical psychological practice within the South African context. Despite the perception of the “two worlds” and the “unnamed conflict”, both the pastors and the psychologists agreed that collaboration between the two disciplines would be optimal, were committed to such a collaborative process, and provided suggestions about how that collaboration could be fostered. By naming the dynamics that characterise the “unnamed conflict”, greater levels of knowledge, transparency, respect, communication, openness, understanding, and ethical astuteness would serve to diminish the distance between the “two worlds”. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Psychology)

After the transition from the Apartheid government to the first democratically elected government of South Africa in 1994, massive challenges of inequality had to be addressed. The career development and ability of those individuals who were discriminated against, to participate economically, are still a challenge today which indicate that past inequalities have not yet been addressed. The study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how inequality influence the career development of emerging adults in South Africa. The findings indicated that the legacy of inequality in South Africa is still a highly influential factor in the career development of emerging adults with regards to the lack of mentorship and access to information experienced. The inability of South Africans as a collective to address the legacy of inequality also influence prospects for career development with regards to emerging adults not being financially able to gain access to career development opportunities. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The electric vehicle industry is under rapid development and the fleet of chargeable cars in society is increasing fast. As a result, a high demand for public chargers has emerged. Simultaneous to the expansion of the electric vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure the power grid is occasionally highly strained. Additionally, factors like cities expanding and the digitization of society also have a large effect on the power grid. This master's thesis investigates the characteristics of electric vehicle users and presents a prototype of an information display for electric vehicle charging stations. The design is is based on the user studies and founded in theory about sustainable user behaviour with the goal of encouraging behaviours that minimize the strain on the local power grid of Uppsala. It concerns the research topic of how to design for sustainable behaviour and address research questions of how to design electric vehicle charging station information to communicate multiple charging alternatives to a broad variety of users. The work reveals that electric vehicle users suffer from the charging infrastructure being underdeveloped, feel frustration towards payment solutions available and lack information regarding electric vehicle use. Also, electric vehicle user's common passion for tech and environmental consciousness are revealed in the study. These facts are used as the foundation for the mobile application design prototype suggested.

Transpersoner lider en ökad risk jämfört med övrig befolkning att utveckla psykisk och fysisk ohälsa, samt en rejält förhöjd risk för suicid. Trots detta mår många transpersoner bra och är generellt nöjda med sitt liv och sitt mående. Fram till idag har inga svenska studier gjorts kring vad i transidentiteten som gör att många transpersoner också mår bra. Detta arbete har därmed ämnat undersöka positiva aspekter med att vara trans, hur dessa kan ta sig i uttryck och hur deltagarna upplevt dem, i ett försök att konceptualisera begreppet minoritetsglädje. Fem transmän och sex transkvinnor har genom semistrukturerade intervjuer besvarat frågor om vad minoritetsglädje innebär för dem, och med hjälp av en tematisk analys genererades sju teman.  Temana beskriver hur deltagarna upplevt och upplever mycket glädje och lycka tack vare sin identitet, där den mest återkommande glädjen beskrivs i samband med att kunna leva autentiskt för sig själv och omgivningen. Även aspekter som att känna könseufori, att ha tillgång till och kunna bidra till communityt samt att få en ökad insikt och förståelse för samhällsstrukturer och privilegier gav deltagarna en känsla av syfte, och glädje. Precis som minoritetsstress är unika hälsopåfrestningar för minoritetspersoner är minoritetsglädje för dessa deltagare den unika glädjen som bara kan upplevas som minoritet, eller bara som transperson. Resultaten går i linje med tidigare positiva aspekter som framkommit i studier med transpersoner, men arbetet bidrar också med viktig information som aldrig tidigare konceptualiserats på svensk nivå och som kan nyansera såväl den vetenskapliga som den samhälleliga debatten om transpersoners mående.

Despite the many technological advancements made in the music industry in recent years, there is still not a single widely adopted platform for musicians to play music together online. In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent quarantine pushed the need for such a platform into the spotlight. As a response, the music company Elk Audio launched their new product: Aloha. Aloha is a combined hardware and web application that allows musicians to play music in real-time over the Internet. Aloha is currently only intended for musicians who already know each other to connect and play. However, Elk's ambition is to make it the go-to platform for musicians to expand their network.  The purpose of this Master's Thesis is to design the next version of the web application of Aloha, focusing on social interactions. This Master's Thesis investigates musicians' current social and musical behaviour, and their opinions of how this can be done online. Qualitative data was collected by performing semi-structured interviews with musicians of different backgrounds. The study revealed many different goals and needs of potential users of Aloha. Furthermore, we found several determining factors which enable and encourage musicians to form new musical relationships online. The final suggested design is based on the analysed data and founded in theory regarding persuasive and recommending system design, among others. / Trots de tekniska framstegen som gjorts inom musikindustrin de senaste åren, finns det fortfarande inte ett enda allmänt accepterat alternativ för musiker att spela musik tillsammans online. Covid-19 pandemin och den åtföljande karantänten förde behovet för en sådan plattform till rampljuset. I början av år 2020 insåg musikföretaget Elk Audio att de kunde fylla denna lucka med sin nya produkt: Aloha. Aloha är en kombinerad hårdvara och webbapplikation som möjliggör musiker att spela musik i realtid över Internet. Aloha är för närvarande endast avsedd för musiker som redan känner varandra. Elks ambition är dock att göra Aloha till en plattform för musiker där de kan utöka sitt musikaliska nätverk. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att utforma nästa version av Alohas webbapplikation, med fokus på sociala interaktioner. Detta examensarbete undersöker musikers nuvarande sociala och musikaliska beteenden och deras åsikter om musikaliska interaktioner online. Kvalitativa data samlades in genom att utföra halvstrukturerade intervjuer med musiker från olika bakgrunder. Studien avslöjade de många olika målen och behoven hos potentiella användare av Aloha. Dessutom fann vi flera avgörande faktorer som möjliggör och uppmuntrar musiker att skapa och underhålla nya musikrelationer online. Den slutliga föreslagna designen baseras på det analyserade datat och grundas i teori om design av rekommendationssystem, m. fl..

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) has been adopted in various countries in the world. This is especially true in an EFL context in Ethiopia where it has received considerable attention both at policy and classroom levels. This study aimed to investigate English as Foreign Language (EFL) instructors' conceptions and applications of CLT in teaching grammar lessons in private universities in Ethiopia. Due to the nature of the issues addressed in the study, the mixed-methods approach was employed. The data for the study were collected from 25 EFL instructors teaching in four private universities through semi-structured interviews, quantitative questionnaire, and classroom observation. The qualitative data collected from the semi-structured interviews and classroom observation were analysed thematically, using deductive thematic analysis. The quantitative data garnered through the questionnaire were analysed using the latest version of SPPS (Version 20) available at the time of data analysis. While the study highlighted four major EFL instructors' misconceptions stemming from the discrepancies in understanding the term communicative, it revealed that the majority of the EFL instructors' conceptions of CLT were consistent with the CLT literature. To that effect, the study illuminated the EFL instructors' conceptions of grammar and CLT concerning the teacher’s role, the learners’ role, the types of teaching materials, the place for grammar in CLT as well as the methods of teaching grammar lessons and assessing the learners’ performance in grammar lessons. Nevertheless, the classroom practices of the majority of the EFL instructors were inconsistent with their conceptions of CLT because they predominantly employed the lecture method to teach grammar lessons. The study also found various socio-cultural and economic variables practically affecting the application of CLT in teaching grammar lessons in private universities in Ethiopia. Consequently, the study identified teacher-related factors, student-related factors, institutional factors, curriculum-related factors, and system-related factors as the main difficulties of implementing CLT in teaching grammar lessons. The study recommends that measures that align policy with practice should be taken to ensure that the instructors' conceptions are realised in classroom situations, thereby minimising the discrepancies between their conceptions and their classroom practices. / English Studies / Ph. D. (Languages, Linguistics and Literature)