This research project aims to explore trans people’s experience of healthcare and psychological services in the UK, with a view to helping further inform counselling psychologists and other healthcare providers of the specific needs of this client group, with implications for improving future treatment and support in this area. In the past, trans people have frequently reported experiencing difficulties when accessing healthcare and psychological support. Much of the research carried out in the UK has involved large-scale studies conducted online. Consequently, there is a need for a project using a qualitative design to explore in depth the lived experiences of this population. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 participants, and the data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The sample comprised 4 trans men and 5 trans women between the ages of 18 and 62 years old. Three master themes emerged from the data: “Challenges of Living”, “Negotiating Care”, and “Survival”. A further 10 sub-themes were also identified. These results represent my personal interpretation of the participants’ subjective experiences. The findings were explored in relation to existing theory and literature. Implications for clinical practice and considerations for working therapeutically with trans people were considered. Specifically, recommendations aimed at helping trans people feel more visible and empowered were presented. The importance of helping trans clients build resilience and develop coping strategies was also discussed.

O presente estudo procurou investigar se procedimentos de discriminações simples, que produzem classes funcionais, poderiam produzir também classes de equivalência. No Experimento 1 utilizou-se o procedimento de discriminações simples sucessivas e reversões. Quatro adultos foram expostos ao treino em que respostas aos estímulos S+ (A1, B1 e C1), mas não aos S- (A2, B2 e C2), eram reforçadas. A seguir, os participantes eram expostos a reversões repetidas das contingências. Testes de relações condicionais emergentes (BA, CB, AC e CA) foram conduzidos por meio do procedimento go/no-go com estímulos compostos, para evitar que os testes envolvessem sequências de respostas possivelmente reforçadas no treino anterior. Os quatro participantes apresentaram responder consistente com a formação de classes funcionais e, três deles, também apresentaram responder indicativo da formação de classes de equivalência. O Experimento 2, investigou se um procedimento de discriminações simples, estabelecidas por meio de respostas diferenciais, que evitava o estabelecimento de sequências de respostas ou discriminações condicionais inadvertidamente, produziria classes funcionais e de equivalência. Outros quatro adultos típicos foram expostos ao treino, em que a Reposta 1 (R1) era reforçada apenas quando emitida na presença de A1, B1 e C1, enquanto a Resposta 2 (R2) era reforçada apenas na presença de A2, B2 e C2. A seguir, uma nova resposta era treinada na presença de um estímulo de cada classe (A1-R3 e A2-R4). Por fim, foram conduzidos Testes de transferência de função e Testes de relações condicionais emergentes (AB, BC, BA, CB, AC e CA) por meio do procedimento go/no-go com estímulos compostos. Os quatro participantes apresentaram responder consistente com a formação de classes funcionais e classes de equivalência. O Experimento 3, teve o objetivo de replicar o procedimento do Experimento 2 com crianças pré-escolares com desenvolvimento típico. Oito das onze crianças formaram classes funcionais e duas delas apresentaram responder consistente com a formação de classes de equivalência, avaliadas por meio do procedimento go/no-go. Outras três crianças também apresentaram responder indicativo da formação de classes de equivalência, apenas posteriormente, quando expostas a testes com o procedimento MTS. O Experimento 4 teve o objetivo de investigar com outras onze crianças se o emprego de outras topografias de respostas, durante o treino de respostas diferenciais, diminuiria a variabilidade dos resultados observados no Experimento 3. Os resultados mostraram que em uma das condições experimentais empregadas, em que as respostas eram mover o mouse ou clicar, nenhuma das cinco crianças apresentou responder consistente com a formação de classes funcionais. Em outra condição experimental, em que as respostas motoras eram gestos, três das seis crianças apresentaram formação de classes funcionais e de equivalência (avaliadas por meio do procedimento go/no-go com estímulos compostos). Em conjunto, os resultados dos quatro experimentos demonstram que procedimentos de discriminações simples podem produzir classes funcionais e também classes de equivalência e apontam que a variabilidade dos desempenhos caracteristicamente encontrada nos experimentos com crianças pode sugerir o efeito de variáveis críticas na aquisição das discriminações e formação de classes funcionais com esta população / This study investigated if simple discrimination procedures, which produce functional classes, could also produce equivalence classes. In Experiment 1, a simple successive discrimination reversal training was used. Four adults were exposed to training in which responses to S+ (A1, B1 and C1), but not to S- (A2, B2 and C2), were reinforced. Next, the participants were exposed to repeated-reversal training. Finally, Emergent conditional relations Tests (BA, CB, AC and CA) were conducted using the go/no-go procedure with compound stimuli to avoid tests involving response sequences adventitiously reinforced during the previous training. The four participants responded consistently with functional class formation and three of them also showed performance indicative of equivalence class formation. Experiment 2 investigated whether a simple discrimination training via differential responses would produce functional and equivalence classes. This training procedure avoided the inadvertently establishment of conditional discriminations or response sequences. Four additional adults were exposed to training procedure in which Response 1 (R1) was reinforced only when emitted in the presence of A1, B1 or C1 and Response 2 (R2) was reinforced only in the presence of A2, B2 or C2. Next, a new response was trained in the presence of one member of each class (A1-R3, A2-R4). Finally, a Transfer of function Test and Emergent conditional relations Tests (AB, BC, BA, CB, AC e CA) were conducted. The four participants responded consistently with functional and equivalence class formation. The purpose of Experiment 3 was replicating Experiment 2 with typically developing preschool children. Eight of the eleven children showed performance indicative of functional class formation and two of them also responded consistently with equivalence class formation, evaluated with the go/no-go procedure. The performance of other three children was also indicative of equivalence class formation, evaluated in tests with the MTS procedure. Experiment 4 investigated, with eleven additional children, if simple discrimination training with different responses topographies would decrease the between subject variability observed in Experiment 3. The results indicated that none of the participants responded consistently with functional class formation in one of the experimental conditions. In the other experimental condition, in which the differential responses were gestures, three of six participants responded consistently with functional and equivalence class formation (evaluated by the go/no-go procedure with compound stimuli). All together, the results of the four experiments demonstrate that simple discrimination procedures can produce functional and also equivalence classes. The variability between subjects specifically found in Experiments 3 and 4 suggests the effects of critical variables on the acquisition of the simple discriminations and functional class formation with children

In Volume I two papers are presented which focus on the practice of Assertive Outreach Teams (AOT) in the United Kingdom. In chapter 1 of this volume a review of the literature on Assertive Outreach Teams in the UK is presented. This review focuses on studies from the UK as it is argued that generalizations cannot be made from USA based studies. This is followed in Chapter 2 by an empirical study on the relationship between the factors of shame, stigma, engagement and ethnicity in AOTs in Birmingham. This study investigated whether black clients and white clients differed with respect to how engaged they were with services, and what role the factors of shame and stigma play in his. In Volume II five clinical practice reports (CPR) are presented. In CPR 1 the case of a client from secondary care is formulated from two theoretical perspectives. The perspectives are compared and contrasted and references are made to clinical implications. CPR 2 outlines a qualitative service evaluation into the use of interpreting services by those carrying out psychological therapies. The outcomes of this evaluation are linked to policy and legislation and the report makes recommendations with regard to future practice. In CPR 3 a single case experimental study is presented. The case presented is that of a 7 year old with Aspergers syndrome. A Cogntive Behavioral Intervention was utilised and its effectiveness is examined. CPR 4 outlines a case study of a man with learning disabilities who engages in cigarette pica. The behavioral intervention used in this case is outlined and assessed. Finally in CPR 5 a précis of a Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) intervention is presented. A case study approach is taken and reflections are made on all aspects of the work carried out (assessment, formulation, intervention and outcome).

This thesis is concerned with understanding and describing the nature of 'community' within digital domains. A literature review indicates multiple media use within communities. The increasing range of personal and organisational technologies available suggests digital communities are more than just online communities. As such they require a new method of assessment. The design of digital communities should be based on an understanding of 'community' in digital domains. Previous assessments, often focusing exclusively on the Internet, failed to recognise the ways in which technologies are integrated within communities. A new assessment method should allow the examination of integrated technology effects on communities through an analysis of important community features. To assess digital communities a framework consisting of five headings was developed. The framework allows the effects of technologies to be examined across a range of communities. Taking a convergent methodologies approach five studies were undertaken covering a range of technologies and media integration issues. The results suggest that digital communities are groups of people using technology to support their social interaction needs. Media use within digital communities is heavily integrated and the social needs of community members drive technology use. Designers should provide communities with flexible technology that permits integration and member adaptation.

The increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) amongst South Asians (SAs) is unclear. This thesis examined potential biomarkers to address this. Cross-sectional data on SAs from community (n=1304) and hospital (n=148) populations was collected. Biomarkers were analysed by genotyping, mass spectrometry, automated-immuno-colourimetric-assays, ELISAs, and a new in-house assay for a novel marker, ferritin bound to apolipoprotein B. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating curves, logistic and linear regression models. C-reactive protein (CRP) was a comprehensive marker of CVD risk, where a range of 1.43-2.30 mg/L maximised sensitivity and specificity. CRP SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) -390C>T/A contributed minimally to variation in CRP levels. Non-fasting triglycerides discriminated SAs at increased CVD risk, where APOA5 SNP -1131T>C was an independent predictor of triglycerides but APOC3 SNP -455T>C and -482C>T were not associated with triglycerides. The performance of IL-6, vWF, D-dimer and P-selectin were poor in comparison to CRP and triglycerides. BNP discriminated SAs with systolic heart failure with a cut off value of 36.4 pmol/l. Of the newly investigated biomarkers, a link between haemoglobin abnormalities and CVD was observed potentially through a mechanism involving iron transportation on lipoproteins. CRP and triglycerides should be considered in the routine CVD risk assessment of SAs.

Black radical politics are comprehensively defined and the aim is to understand how such a political ideology can be used to overcome racial inequalities in contemporary Britain. A Black radical challenge to mainstream racial theory within the academy is outlined, along with an interrogation of the principle limitation of Black radical thought, that of essentialism and cultural authenticity. To illustrate how a Black radical approach can be understood, the position was applied to inequalities in schooling. Black radicalism argues for a Black independent education. Black supplementary schools are spaces organised by concerned members of the Black community and offer extra teaching of mainstream curricula and also Black studies. These are presented as potential spaces for Black radical independent education. A Black supplementary school was selected as a case study, where a critical participatory ethnography was undertaken. The researcher spent 7 months working as a teacher in the supplementary school, collecting extensive fieldnotes. Experiences in the programme revealed strengths in the relationships, diverse curriculum and empowering nature of the environment for students. A number of challenges also arose including structure, coordination and decline in attendance. Overall, the potential for a Black radical independent education exists within Black supplementary school movement.

The mechanism through which goals influence stereotype activation/control is unclear. This thesis aimed to shed some light on the mechanism through which internally-generated and externally-imposed goals influence stereotype activation by applying Fishbach and colleagues’ model of goal progress. Across six experiments, I demonstrated that (1) internal, but not external, egalitarian goals result in less stereotype accessibility (consistent with egalitarian goal pursuit) following a potentially large goal–behaviour discrepancy (Experiment 2), (2) external, but not internal, egalitarian goals result in less stereotype accessibility (consistent with egalitarian goal pursuit) when contemplating past success (Experiment 1), but not following a potentially small goal–behaviour discrepancy or a potential goal–behaviour match (Experiments 3 & 4), and (3) internal egalitarian goals result in concern over including ambiguous faces in the ingroup, but only following a potential goal–behaviour discrepancy. External egalitarian goals irrespective of goal–behaviour discrepancy size, and internal egalitarian goals following a potential goal–behaviour match, both result in concern over accurate categorisation (Experiment 6). These findings suggest that the source of a goal (i.e., internal vs. external), and discrepancy size for internal, but not external, goals, are important parts of the mechanism through which goals influence social categorisation and stereotype activation.

Volume I is comprised of two papers; the literature review and a research paper. The literature review presents a narrative account, exploring the literature related to understanding the experience of ethnic minority therapists. The research paper follows on from this review and is therefore a qualitative exploration of the experience of identity in Black British psychologists. Volume II contains five Clinical Practice Reports (CPR‘s) that were completed during the course of training.

The portrayal of migrants in Spanish and British media and political discourse has been the focus of much recent academic study and is largely concerned with negative images. Where positive or sympathetic portrayals have been examined, they alert us to pitfalls: compassion aroused by the portrayal of migrants as victims is a double-edged sword because victims need an external agent to empower them and, therefore, are deprived of their own agency. The image of the 'passive' and 'rightless' migrant has been counteracted by literature that portrays migrants as 'political activists' mobilising to demand legalisation of their immigration status. This portrayal of the 'activist migrant' can be viewed as 'utopian' whereby migrants are transformed into a new historical subject for social change and, as such, become the site for the projection of political hopes and desires. This study focuses on an area of research that has received little attention - how migrants' rights organisations portray migrants. Two organisations provided the research sites for the case studies: Sevilla Acoge, based in Seville, Spain, and Praxis, based in London, Britain. As demonstrated in this thesis, both of them were strongly influenced by the radical leftist ideas of liberation theology. The thesis argues that over a period of approximately thirty years (from the 1980s to the early 2010s) the portrayal of migrants shifted from a political to a humanitarian framing. More specifically, it shows that these changing portrayals reflected shifts in the organisations' values and expressed a sense of disappointment in the politics of the past that had aimed to change society through collective political action. This cross-country, comparative and longitudinal study uses a mixed-methods approach to investigate the changing portrayals of migrants. The case studies illustrate the consequences of the humanitarian trumping the political approach to migrants' rights and the implications of this for the possibilities of political action and empowerment.

Since the first high speed railway came into operation in 2008, China has stepped into a new era of rapid development based on efficient transport connections and a strong economic engine. Subsequently, an unprecedented urban extension campaign of ‘High Speed Railway New Town’ emerged and has attracted immense attention. Local governments have demonstrated great ambitions on urban development around high speed rail stations and shown huge enthusiasm for its potential. A great many cities with connection to high speed rail have set up grand plan and design for the so called ‘High Speed Rail New Town’. Although authorities tend to put great confidence in HSR construction and station area development, the process is, in fact, by no means easy. It is a rather tortuous and complicated process, full of fierce debate, conflicts of interest and ambiguous impact. The major objective of this thesis is to investigate the current development strategies of high speed railway new towns in China in relation to their node value and place value, with the ultimate intention to provide guidelines for the rational development process for this new type of urban settlement. A specific case, Wuxi East New Town, as the earliest constructed ‘High Speed Railway New Town’ in China with the fastest development speed at present, was selected and critically explored to show the current development picture and evaluate its strength and weakness. Due to the uniqueness and the initial development stage of ‘High Speed Railway New Town’ in China, comprehensive lessons from international experience in new town development and urban development around high speed railway stations were critically studied. Hence, synthesising existing literature and knowledge related to China's HSR New Town and relating this to international experience is an important and original contribution to the research.