Magister Artium - MA / As a minister who is deeply involved in Christian counselling I am constantly reminded just how many problems marriages are facing today. There is no question that the failure of this fundamental relationship has unquantifiable devastating results in the lives of couples, their children, and society as a whole. The more one works with people one realises that many couples in relationships are just hurting individuals in search of happiness and wholeness. Marriage provides the perfect relationship with elaborate promises and expectations of love and warmth, where all needs and dreams are to be met by the husband or wife. Sadly, however, as substantiated by divorce statistics, too many couples find this sacred space intended for love and fulfilment become the most vulnerable, unsafe space. As a minister searching for a systematic process to unravel this mystery of failed or failing marriages, I discovered a psycho-social model for therapy, called Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT), which not only produced excellent counselling results, but also seemed compatible with more theological approaches to couples therapy. IRT unravels for me the “why” and gives me a quantifiable aspect to my work which helps me grasp conceptually that which I instinctively have discovered and known theologically. I have embarked on this research, firstly, to understand the problem and the extent thereof facing our society; secondly to identify the strengths and shortcomings in Pastoral Care theory and praxis (such as the recurring problem of a realistic and workable Biblical counselling model for pastors), and thirdly to investigate the feasibility whether and how the Imago Relationship Theory could be integrated in Pastoral Care praxis. The intention was, and remains, that after I have done this research to make it available, in appropriate format, to help pastors in assisting couples to avoid pitfalls in their marriages. In turn, it is hoped that this new found perspective would also benefit the pastor and his wife, since many pastors find their marriages also under strain. Every pastor who works with the lives of congregants understands the volatility of relationships. This understanding has been built over long periods of time with them and he has witnessed how their lives have morphed under pressure due to problems that at times have been overwhelming. Sadly some of the pain is self-inflicted or has been inflicted upon them. As one delves into this subject matter one becomes aware of just how inadequately equipped some pastors really are and how important it is to equip them to effectively help others. I chose to examine Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT), knowing its efficacy, and wondered how this would fit into a Pneumatological counselling model. Various practical theologians (such as DJ Louw and JJ Rebel) have recently been discovering Pneumatology – the reflection on the work of the Holy Spirit, through whom the work of God the Father and God the Son is being applied and appropriated in the person, in the congregation, and in the fullness of life in the world – as the framework for practical theology, especially Pastoral Care. I thus deliberately explored Pneumatology as such a theological Sitz im Leben for reflecting on IRT integrated into a Biblical model for counselling. I needed an affective therapeutic model which would could be integrated, and enhance the biblical framework in counselling. Furthermore this therapeutic mechanism needed to be subservient to attain the greatest goal of God and that is to serve and help transform humankind created in His Image. I conducted a systematic literature review of IRT and relevant theological insights from Pastoral Care theory. This investigation is to establish the viability of an integration of IRT into a Pneumatological Pastoral Care theory and praxis to be used as a Pastoral Tool for ministers dealing with the crisis of broken marriages. It was surprising to see how well IRT fits into the theological framework and can enhance an already effective psychological therapy process.

Developing an identity with self-esteem and a sense of self-worth is a child’s fundamental right (Vandenbroek, 2001). To encourage identity formation children need to ask and answer questions such as: ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where do I belong?’ and ‘Is it ok to be who I am?’ A child’s identity is shaped largely by his/her experiences with regards to relationships and belonging within communities and familial structures. However, South Africa faces a host of problems, including poverty, violence, HIV/AIDS, all of which contribute to the breakdown of these familial and community structures. Utilising a participatory action framework, this research aims to provide insight into how children living in a disadvantaged community negotiate identity and belonging. This insight into children’s perceptions of identity and belonging is useful for identifying resources within the community which promote a positive sense of identity and belonging, and also to identify areas where support and intervention are required.

Studien syftar till att undersöka brottsförebyggande åtgärder i den fysiska planeringen, för att skapa ett tryggare samhälle. Huvudfokus har varit att utföra en jämförande studie av stadsdelarna Vallastaden och Skäggetorp i Linköping. Uppsatsen syftar till att undersöka hur dessa skiljer sig åt utifrån de teoretiska utgångspunkter studien behandlar gällande brottsförebyggande planering. De teoretiska utgångspunkter som behandlas i studien är valda utifrån dess lämplighet för uppsatsens syfte, därmed läggs fokus på teorier och begrepp som behandlar brottsförebyggande åtgärder i den fysiska planeringen i relation till trygghet. Bland annat används CPTED, Defensible space och Broken Windows, där inflytelserika författare är Oscar Newman, C. Ray Jeffrey, James Q. Wilsson, och George L. Kelling. Ytterligare teoretiska utgångspunkter som studien behandlar är trottoarer/gators upplevda trygghet, kameraövervakning, kvinnors upplevda trygghet och brottsförebyggande planering, där Jane Jacobs, Boverket, Carina Listerborn och BRÅ bland annat är ledande författare. För att undersöka studiens syfte har tidigare teoretiska utgångspunkter använts och även utförda observationer i respektive stadsdelar. För att vidare erhålla ytterligare empiri har en intervju med en kommunpolis i Linköping ägt rum. Detta för att få en ökad förståelse för hur polisen arbetar kring brottsförebyggande åtgärder och hur de samarbetar med andra aktörer för att skapa en minskad brottslighet och ökad trygghet i samhället. Studiens empiriska material bestående av observationer och intervju har sammanställts och därefter har en analys genomförts för att få svar på syfte och frågeställningar som studien behandlar. Resultatet av studien visar att den upplevda tryggheten påverkas av städers fysiska form, och att detta i sin tur har betydelse för brottsligheten i samhället. En god placering och utformning av bland annat byggnader, parker, centrumfunktioner och gång- och cykelvägar är en förutsättning för att en informell övervakning överhuvudtaget ska kunna ske. Detta bidrar i sin tur till ett konstant rörelseflöde av människor, vilket kan minska brottslighet. Det framkommer även att det inte är en enkel uppgift där endast en ensam aktör bär ansvaret, utan det krävs att ett flertal aktörer samverkar för att öka tryggheten och minska brottsligheten.

Scholars have studied incarceration among women in the United States of America for more than a decade, but few studies have explored the influence of repeated incarcerations among African American women and their family relationships. The research question for this study examined how African American women describe the effects of multiple incarcerations on family trust relationships and their ability to reintegrate into the family system and society. This multiple case study was conducted in Chicago, Illinois, and drew a sample of 4 African American women released from prison with histories of multiple incarcerations. The study explored their perspectives through a series of semistructured, in-depth interviews. Data consisted of narrative interview transcripts and artifacts collected and analyzed using a framework of feminist theory and critical criminology. Findings from the analysis indicated these African American women experienced profound and long-term devastation to relationships with family and friends following periods of multiple incarcerations. Repeated periods of imprisonment negatively altered their perceptions of themselves and reduced their social engagement with others. Results of repeated incarcerations included (a) broken trust with loved ones; (b) resentment, anger, and blame; and (c) permanent damage to social and family networks. This study contributes to social change by increasing understanding of the repercussions and effects of multiple incarcerations on African American women and family continuity, and the study offers insight into guiding program development to help families rebuild and stabilize.

No description available.

The problem herein undertaken is to compare the educational growth and personal characteristics of children from broken homes with those of children from normal homes. Plans were made to carry out the study described herein. If the broken home had any effect, could it be determined and measured in such a manner as to draw reasonable conclusions? An investigation was made to determine the effect, if any, which the broken home was having on the children in the school.

Abstract 1: A multi-level assessment of disproportionate population sex ratios and high-risk sexual behaviors among STD clinic patients Low male-to-female sex ratios in a population may influence high-risk sexual behaviors, such as multiple sex partners and inconsistent condom use, which facilitate the transmission of STDs. This study used multi-level modeling to assess whether population sex ratios were associated with these two individual-level behaviors. All analyses were stratified by gender. Interview data were collected from patients (N = 9,203, 48% male) attending participating STD clinics. Interviews included information on socio-demographics and sexual behavior, including number of sex partners in the previous 3 months and condom use at last sex. The sex ratio per census tract was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. There was no association between sex ratio and multiple sex partners or condom use for either men or women. That is, we found no evidence that a shortage of men in census tracts was associated with increased engagement in high-risk sexual behavior.   Abstract 2: A multi-level assessment of neighborhood vacancy rates and high-risk sexual behaviors among STD clinic patients The “broken windows” theory posits that physical neighborhood deterioration, and its association with reduced social cohesion, can lead to changes in individual behaviors. Thus individuals living in neighborhoods with high levels of deterioration may be more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. This study used multi-level modeling to evaluate the extent to which high residential vacancy rates increased the likelihood of individuals having multiple sex partners. Interview data, including data on patient demographics and sexual behaviors, were collected from patients (N = 6,347, 52% male) attending participating STD clinics in the Richmond, Virginia area from 2008-2010. Neighborhood vacancy rates were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Fifty-one percent of men and 36% of women reported having 2 or more sex partners in the previous 3 months. Men who lived in census tracts with high vacancy rates were slightly more likely to report multiple sex partners (53.9%) compared to men who lived in low vacancy tracts (49.7%). In multi-level models, there was no association between high vacancy rates and having multiple sex partners among either women (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.20) or men (1.18; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.42). That is, we found no evidence that increased neighborhood deterioration, as measured by high residential vacancy rates, was associated with increased risk of having multiple sex partners among STD clinic patients.   Abstract 3: Residential segregation and gonorrhea rates in U.S. metropolitan statistical areas The residential segregation of black populations, often in areas of high economic disadvantage and low social status, may play a crucial role in the observed racial inequities in STD rates. An ecological analysis of 2005-2009 average gonorrhea rates was performed across 277 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). The black isolation index and Gini index of income inequality were used as proxy measures for racial and economic residential segregation respectively, derived from 2005-2009 U.S. Census estimates. We used logistic regression modeling to produce estimates of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between a high black isolation index and Gini index, both independently and in combination, on gonorrhea rates in MSAs. Effect measure modification was assessed by calculating the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) between the two indices. Compared to MSAs with low levels of racial segregation, MSAs with high levels of racial segregation had increased odds of high gonorrhea rates (adjusted OR 5.54; 95% CI: 2.29-13.44). Adjustment for potential confounders did not noticeably impact the relationship between the Gini index and gonorrhea, with higher levels of income inequality predicting higher gonorrhea rates (adjusted OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.21-5.03). In combined models, the influence of racial residential segregation on gonorrhea rates was stronger than that of income inequality-based segregation; there was no evidence of additivity or a multiplicative interaction. Residential segregation by race or income equality may be a key component in the perpetuation of high rates of gonorrhea and other STDs among black populations in the U.S.

Nous présentons un travail expérimental contribuant à l'étude de contacts ponctuels métalliques et moléculaires à l'aide de dispositifs de jonctions brisées développés dans notre équipe. Ces techniques de jonctions brisées, utilisables dans les conditions ambiantes, sont particulièrement adaptées à deux champs disciplinaires : l'électronique moléculaire et la nano mécanique.Nous avons étudié la durée de vie de contacts métalliques d'or, qui excède rarement la dizaine de millisecondes à température ambiante. Par le biais d'une analyse statistique de mesures de conductance, nous montrons que leur durée de vie est limitée par la contrainte mécanique appliquée à la jonction. Ces résultats nous ont permis de proposer un mécanisme de rupture, et de définir des conditions optimales pour la formation des contacts à température ambiante.Nous présentons ensuite une étude préliminaire de mesure de conductance d'une molécule unique, utilisant un dispositif à jonction brisée ainsi qu'un microscope à effet tunnel.Les résultats obtenus indiquent que, si la mesure de la conductance d'une molécule unique est possible, la stabilité observée est à considérer avant d'envisager des applications. / We present here an experimental work which contributes to the study of metallic and molecular point contacts using broken junctions-based devices developed in our team. Under ambient environmental conditions, these techniques are particularly adapted to two disciplinary fields: molecular electronics and nano-mechanics.We have studied the lifetime of gold contacts, which rarely exceed ten milliseconds at room temperature.Through statistical analyses of conductance measurements, we show that this lifetime is limited by the mechanical strain applied to the junction. These results allowed us to propose a breaking mechanism, and to define optimal conditions for the formation of the contacts at room temperature. We present then a preliminary study of conductance measurements of a single molecule, using a broken junction device as well as a scanning tunneling microscope.The results indicate that, despite the conductance measure of a single molecule is possible the observed stability should be considered before envisaging applications.

Hip Hop graffiti has been marking our urban landscapes for decades. However street art, a much less researched topic, has claimed notoriety in recent years. Much of the existing research groups hip-hop graffiti, gang graffiti and street art together and calls for a uniform response from communities, city officials and law enforcement. While street artists have made their mark in the urban landscapes of the United States as well as internationally, it is important to define the terms "street art"and "graffiti" and where they deviate from one another in order for cities to begin to address these expressions with any level of success. As municipalities grapple with visual public expression--street art and graffiti--a framework must be established taking into consideration legal parameters for both cities and artists.

No description available.