Thesis (M.A.)--University of Madison, 1982. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-150).

Background Harmful use of alcohol is the fifth leading risk factor for global burden of disease, disability and death. While the level of alcohol consumption varies around the world, it causes numerous preventable health and social issues in many countries and around 3.3 million deaths per year globally. In the UK alcohol consumption is decreasing; by contrast, alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka has been rapidly increasing over recent years. However, in both settings alcohol misuse represents a major public health concern. Therefore, it is important to evaluate existing alcohol control policies or contextual factors affecting alcohol consumption in these settings and to identify existing data sources that can be used for alcohol control policy evaluation. This thesis aimed to investigate the suitability of existing data sources in the UK, identify potentially suitable measures and use those measures to evaluate the impact of Licensing Act 2003 in England, which allowed flexible opening hours including 24-hour drinking at on-trade premises in England and Wales from November 2005 onwards. This thesis further aimed to apply the lessons learned from the UK to Sri Lankan context, identifying potential data sources and using these to evaluate the effect the end of conflict in 2009 on alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka. Methods A range of sources of data on alcohol consumption and consequences in the UK were reviewed to identify those appropriate for alcohol control policy evaluation, and in particular for time series analysis which requires consistent data collected at regular intervals for a long period of time. The suitability of UK primary care data on alcohol consumption was assessed by identifying the proportion of patients with a record of alcohol consumption status in the last year, as well as ever since their registration with a practice. The quality of alcohol consumption measures collected by English national surveys was assessed by comparing them with the international guidelines for measuring alcohol consumption in population surveys. Existing data sources on alcohol consumption and consequence in Sri Lanka were also identified and reviewed to identify their suitability for alcohol control policy evaluation. Interrupted time series analysis was then conducted on these measures to establish the effect of the Licensing Act 2003 on alcohol consumption among adults (age≥16) in England, and the end of the conflict on recorded alcohol consumption among adults (age≥15) living in the areas that were not directly affected by the conflict in Sri Lanka. Findings In the UK, there are numerous sources of alcohol consumption and consequence data. However, few provide frequently collected data from large samples over long time periods for time series analysis. The recording of alcohol consumption in primary care remains low, particularly when recent recording within a given year is considered. Moreover, alcohol consumption recording in primary care is higher among at-risk groups such as women in child bearing age, older men and women who are likely to have an illness linked to alcohol. Therefore, primary care data are currently unsuitable for alcohol control policy evaluation. Comparison of the alcohol data collected in English national surveys with recommendations from international guidelines showed that they have failed to maintain the consistency of data collection over time and to collect information on some of the key alcohol consumption measures such as the frequency of binge drinking. However, Health Survey for England (HSE) measured alcohol consumption on the heaviest drinking day of the last week consistently over time and this measure was available on a quarterly basis for a nationally representative sample. Interrupted time series analysis of HSE heaviest drinking day data from 2001 to 2013 showed that prior to the implementation of the Act alcohol consumption among adult male and female drinkers remained constant at around 8.3 units and 5.5 units of alcohol respectively. After the Act, there has been a gradual decline (less than 0.03 units per quarter) in the heaviest drinking day consumption among both male and female drinkers in England. However, it is difficult to attribute this decline in consumption to the Licensing Act as there was no step change in the consumption soon after the Act and the decline in heaviest drinking day consumption was small and gradual over a period of seven years. When compared with the UK, Sri Lanka has a limited number of data sources on alcohol consumption and alcohol consequences. The Department of Excise alcohol sales database was identified as the only data source that can be used for alcohol control policy evaluation in Sri Lanka. However, these population-level data cannot be used to identify the characteristics of people who drink and patterns of drinking such as binge drinking. Interrupted time series analysis showed that recorded alcohol consumption among Sri Lankans living in areas that were not directly affected by the armed conflict increased markedly after the end of the conflict in 2009, with a dramatic acceleration in the trend of adult per capita consumption. Annual adult per capita alcohol consumption among Sri Lankans increased from 1.59 litres of pure alcohol in 1998 to 2.56 litres of pure alcohol in 2013. Prior to the end of war in 2009 adult per capita alcohol consumption was increasing by 0.051 litres of pure alcohol per year (95% CI 0.029-0.074, p < 0.001). After 2009, it increased by 0.154 litres per year (95% CI 0.082-0.226, p=0.001). it increased by 0.166 litres of pure alcohol per year (95% CI 0.095-0.236, p < 0.001), almost a three-fold increment in the increase per year compared to the trend prior to the end of the conflict. Beer consumption showed the highest per capita growth compared with other beverages. Conclusions This thesis identified the existing data sources that can be used for alcohol control policy evaluation purposes in two settings; UK and Sri Lanka. It has highlighted the further improvements required in existing alcohol consumption related data sources in both countries and discussed the potential of applying lessons learned from the UK context to Sri Lankan context. Despite the current trend in alcohol consumption, both countries experience a significant public health burden due to alcohol misuse. Therefore, both countries will require formulation and implementation of new policy measures. However, Sri Lanka does not have high-quality individual level alcohol consumption data to support the monitoring and evaluation of alcohol control policies. Therefore, this thesis has emphasised the need to generate high-quality alcohol consumption data in Sri Lanka and carry out monitoring and evaluation of alcohol control policies to tackle the alcohol-related burden.

Background: South Asians constitute the single largest ethnic minority group in the United Kingdom, yet little is known about their perspectives and experiences on end of life and its related care. Aim: To explore and critically examine views and perceptions about end of life issues among older South Asians living in East London. Methodology and methods: After gaining ethical approval, five focus groups and 29 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with total of 55 older adults (24 men and 31 women) aged between 52 to 78 years. Participants from six South Asian ethnic groups were recruited through 11 local community organisations. Where possible the focus groups and interviews were conducted in the participants' preferred language. Tape recorded multilingual data were translated and transcribed into English. Using a constructive grounded theory approach, data analysis resulted in the development of a theory of “continuity and reconstruction” that captured three categories of ‘home’; ‘family’ and ‘trust’ at end of life. Findings: The theory of “continuity and reconstruction” is explored in three ways. Firstly, the theory is explored through examination of beliefs, attitudes and expectations about the place of ‘home’ and ‘homeland’ in care of the dying. Secondly, the theory is explored as accounts of “family” in terms of how family are bound towards caring for their dying relatives at end of life and the importance of support from social networks in family care giving. Finally, the theory is explored in terms of how participants place “trust” in their family and medical professionals to lead any related discussion and to make decisions related to their death and dying. Conclusion: The theoretical framework of “continuity and reconstruction” explains how older South Asians make efforts to adhere to important social and cultural values relating to death and dying, while rebuilding and adapting those values during the challenges of living in an emigrant society. This study highlights the need for further exploration of family care giving needs among South Asian population and concludes by drawing attention to some practical implications for health professionals who are responsible for initiating end of life discussions and are involved in end of life decisions when caring for people from these ethnic minority groups.

This thesis presents a pluralistic evaluation of the services provided for women with long-term mental health problems receiving care and support within the Rehabilitation and Community Care Service (RCCS) in Nottingham. The thesis is grounded in data collected within an evaluative research framework and developed within a mental health policy framework. The evaluation consists of a series of six studies which are informed by a set of evaluation criteria which reflect a range of stakeholder perspectives. The first study examines the socio-demographic and psychiatric characteristics, social functioning and service use of all 480 clients registered with the RCCS. The clients' characteristics are similar to those described in previous studies. There are some• differences between the men and the women, notably that the women are under-represented amongst those receiving a high level of input from the services. The second and third studies explore the extent and adequacy of services for women with long-term mental health problems in the Nottingham district through interviews with small groups of service providers working throughout the RCCS, and through a postal questionnaire to thirty eight organizations outside the RCCS. Special provision made for women is patchy, and there is no overall strategy to ensure even provision throughout the RCCS and the organizations outside the service, or co-ordination between them. The fourth study assesses the initial socio-demographic and psychiatric characteristics, social functioning, satisfaction with services, and quality of life of 31 men and 10 women at their time of entry into the RCCS and one year later, and their use of all services during this time. The women experienced a greater number of life events than the men, changed their accommodation more frequently, and the services appear to be less responsive to their particular needs. The outcome after twelve months shows that overall the social functioning and quality of life of the clients had not improved. There were some changes in service use, notably the greater number of clients living independently. The fifth study uses semi-structured interviews to explore the problems service providers experience in planning and delivering a service to women with long-term mental health problems. Two overriding themes emerge from the data; service providers as empathic women, and service providers as professionals, which lead them to experience a conflict between respecting the rights of women with long-term mental health problems and protecting them. The final study uses focus groups to explore the impact of mental health problems on the lives of women with long-term mental health problems, and their views of the services they currently receive. Three themes emerge from the data; loss, hope and views about services. Despite overwhelming losses many of the women retain hopes and aspirations for the future. The women identify negative and positive aspects of the services they are receiving together with some recommendations for change. The thesis contributes to current knowledge about the experiences of women with long-term mental health problems in a number of ways. First, the findings of the six studies which make up the evaluation highlight the ways in which the RCCS was successful in meeting these women's needs, and the many gaps in existing provision. Second, women with long-term mental health problems can give coherent and comprehensive accounts of their experiences. Third, the findings illuminate the current predicament of women with long-term mental health problems which is that they remain excluded and marginalised from the communities where they are now living.

Le village wa-paraok de Wengding, qualifié de « dernière tribu primitive de Chine » par les autorités chinoises locales et nationales, est au centre d’un projet de développement touristique. Dans ce cadre, il est l'objet d'aménagements pour préserver et (re)présenter la « culture de la nationalité wa » chinoise. Cette thèse analyse les changements socio-culturels au cœur de l’arène touristique, en considérant la profondeur historique des relations entre autorités chinoises centrales et ses périphéries. Si le projet, porté par des acteurs extérieurs reconfigurent le quotidien des villageois, ces derniers négocient continuellement leurs manières d’être au monde et d’être dans le monde. Le tourisme est ainsi un acteur de recomposition dynamique des identités. / The Wa-Paraok village of Wengding, described as "China last primitive tribe" by local and national chinese authorities, is the target of an ethnic tourism development plan. It has been staged to preserve and (re)present the Chinese “Wa nationality culture”. This thesis analyzes the socio-cultural transformations that happened in the tourism arena, considering the long history of relations between Chinese authorities and their outskirts. If the tourism plan, initiated by external agents, reconfigure the villagers’ daily life, they constantly reinvent their being in the world. The touristic arena is thus a place of dynamic reshaping of identities.

Psychological research on expatriation has been dominated by North American researchers, and expatriation models have been tested using predominantly US employee samples. This dominance may bias our understanding of expatriation and influence the practice of expatriate assignments within organisations. This thesis addresses the need for European expatriation research, and investigates expatriate assignment success from a British employee perspective. A sequential mixed-methods design was used to examine whether existing knowledge on predictors for successful expatriate assignments can be generalised to British samples. The first phase of the research was a qualitative exploration of factors that contribute to expatriate assignment success from the British employee perspective. Four focus groups were conducted with formerly expatriated British employees (n=14). An inductive thematic analysis was conducted on the focus group transcripts, which resulted in nine themes highlighting the importance of individual, organisational, and contextual-level variables. Moreover, the analysis highlighted an important outcome variable that has been largely ignored in previous research: whether or not the employee would go on another expatriate assignment. From the results of phase one, an initial model of British expatriate assignment success was hypothesised. Phase two involved the practical application of the variable considered most important in contributing to expatriate assignment success from study one: personality. A new expatriate assignment personality instrument was developed in phase two using a sample of British employees (n=402). The third phase of the research combined the results of the previous two phases, and employed an embedded mixed-methods design to further investigate British expatriate assignment success. Data (n=155) was collected using an online questionnaire sent to currently expatriated (n=91) and formerly expatriated British employees (n=45), as well as their accompanying partners (n=19 expatriate/partner dyads). The quantitative element explored the influence of several individual, organisational, and contextual variables on various expatriate assignment success outcome measures. Qualitative data was also collected through open-ended questions placed within the questionnaire to help explain and support the quantitative results, and identify potential areas for future research. Finally, the newly developed personality instrument from phase two was further examined for psychometric robustness. Overall, this thesis presents an initial model of British expatriate assignment success and a new personality instrument for British expatriate selection and assessment contexts. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed together with suggestions for future research.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2004. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michelle Maskiell. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-82).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Department of Anthropology and Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, March 2000. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2005. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 257-267). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

The rise of Swahili in the American academy in the 1960s was prompted by two forces: African identity politics among African Americans, on the one hand, and the politics of the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union, on the other. Both these sources of Swahili ascendency were themselves a response to the unfolding dynamics and counter-dynamics of independence politics in “Swahiliphone” Africa, that is in the East African nations where the Swahili language was in wide use. But now that the Cold War is over more or less, and the nature of African American politics has undergone significant change in focus, what is the fate and direction of Swahili studies in the USA? This is the central question that this article will seek to address as it considers, at the same time, the shifting disciplinary areas with which the study of Swahili has been associated. In the process the article will also touch on the state of Swahili studies in some other spaces of the world.