<p>“What characterizes an acceptable theory of self-realization?” The thrust of the present dissertation is towards seeking an answer to this central problem, which stems from the fundamental human experience that life involves change, and that in a modern society such change is often expected to be towards a realization of potentials and the good life for the individual. </p><p>The dissertation has a three-fold purpose. The first is to clarify the content of five modern theories of self-realization from three academic fields. The theories are those of the psychologist Abraham H. Maslow, the philosophers Charles Taylor and Alan Gewirth, and the theologians Reinhold Niebuhr and Bernard Lonergan. These are methodologically studied by the help of seven analytical questions. The second purpose is to perform a lengthwise comparatative analysis of the five theories, the results of which lead to the third; namely to critically discuss several elements of the reality of human life which have proven to be missing or supressed in much of the material.</p><p>The theoretical framework for the dissertation runs along two axes: one concerns what is developed as a distinction between internalism and relationalism, and the other is to cast a critical light on the lack of attention paid by the the theories of self-realization to experiences which run counter to optimistic ideas of individual development, such as death, loss and dependence. </p><p>The dissertation concludes with an outline for a constructive position based on the necessity of a theory’s closeness to experience, and on the need for reconcilitation of what may seem to be unabridgeble in human life. A theory of self-realization must do more than formulate positive conditions for change. It must also take into consideration conditions that are not directly related to, and sometimes even run contrary to, realization of the self.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

“What characterizes an acceptable theory of self-realization?” The thrust of the present dissertation is towards seeking an answer to this central problem, which stems from the fundamental human experience that life involves change, and that in a modern society such change is often expected to be towards a realization of potentials and the good life for the individual. The dissertation has a three-fold purpose. The first is to clarify the content of five modern theories of self-realization from three academic fields. The theories are those of the psychologist Abraham H. Maslow, the philosophers Charles Taylor and Alan Gewirth, and the theologians Reinhold Niebuhr and Bernard Lonergan. These are methodologically studied by the help of seven analytical questions. The second purpose is to perform a lengthwise comparatative analysis of the five theories, the results of which lead to the third; namely to critically discuss several elements of the reality of human life which have proven to be missing or supressed in much of the material. The theoretical framework for the dissertation runs along two axes: one concerns what is developed as a distinction between internalism and relationalism, and the other is to cast a critical light on the lack of attention paid by the the theories of self-realization to experiences which run counter to optimistic ideas of individual development, such as death, loss and dependence. The dissertation concludes with an outline for a constructive position based on the necessity of a theory’s closeness to experience, and on the need for reconcilitation of what may seem to be unabridgeble in human life. A theory of self-realization must do more than formulate positive conditions for change. It must also take into consideration conditions that are not directly related to, and sometimes even run contrary to, realization of the self.

This study explores the concepts of vulnerability, agency, and actors with relation to the capability development and deprivation of women with physical disabilities in Lusaka, Zambia. Based in the human development paradigm and Sen and Nussbaum’s Capabilities Approach, it seeks to critically explore what impact being born, raised, and living as a woman with a physical disability in a developing country has on the development of capabilities. It also seeks to identify and analyze the involved processes, actors, and environmental factors. A main finding is that capability deprivation for women with physical disabilities is not simply caused by disability, or by gender, but by a multitude of factors. These include: the environment, social contexts, and relative poverty in which the women live; the particular cultural repertoires that surround them; and the actors with whom they interact. However, disability can, and often does, exacerbate the complex life situations in which the women find themselves.

For more than a decade tourists originating in developed nations have been giving various gifts to locals of tourism communities in developing nations. This occurrence is commonly associated with the Caribbean, and is particularly well known to occur in Cuba. Tourism has often been adopted as a part of economic development strategies of developing nations, however due to a lack of studies on tourists’ philanthropic gift-giving it is unclear how the occurrence affects both human and economic development, and likewise its impacts such as possibilities of population disparity. There are current restrictions in Cuba which forbid locals from accepting the gifts of international tourists (Taylor & McGlynn 2009; Mesa-Lago 2005), however the island’s unique need for material goods seems to over-rule this policy. The implication herein indicates benefits to accepting gifts from tourists. Tourism employees most frequently come in contact with tourists and the potential of gift receipts by tourism employees is heightened. This in turn carries implications of social disparities amongst the population resulting from unequal gift receipts by tourism employees. Furthermore, current research suggests that complex social relationships are created through gift-giving yet little is understood within the context of tourist-to-local community member. The goal of this thesis is to determine whether international tourist philanthropic gift-giving contributes to social disparity within a local community as well as its affects on human and economic development. This has been achieved through case study research from a mixed-methods approach in Trinidad, Sancti Spirtus, Cuba. The results of this research point to significant economic gains and improvement in access-to-material-goods through tourists’ gift-giving, which in turn have been found to contribute to economic development. However, the external nature of tourists’ gift-giving limits using the phenomenon as a reliable tool for economic development. Impacts on human development are not as clearly defined. Although tourists’ gift-giving contributes to some aspects of human development, the phenomenon cannot be considered to contribute to overall human development. Although population disparity was found to be an impact of tourists’ philanthropic gift-giving, community members viewed the occurrence as a positive benefit of tourism. The policy in Cuba restricting locals from accepting tourists’ gifts has been largely ineffective as this type of economic gain was found to be well integrated in the informal economy. The general public is largely unaware of the policy and it is likely Cubans will continue to accept tourists’ gifts. Although this research has revealed interesting insight regarding tourists’ philanthropic gift-giving much remains to be known of its impacts and several recommendations for future studies are suggested.

The aim of this study was to use stories from three people who previously lived in homelessness to increase the knowledge of the social network's impact on the process of exiting homelessness. In order to answer our questions, whether the social network facilitated or hindered the way out of homelessness, we have used a narrative method to take advantage of these person's life stories. As a theoretical perspective, we used the ecology of human development, based on the idea that human development occurs in interaction with their environment at different levels. Results showed those interviewees' networks had a significant impact on their path out of homelessness and that these relationships both facilitated and hindered this process. At the same time, these relationships affected our interviewees in different ways and were found in various areas of life, which indicates that there is more than one way out of homelessness. However, common patterns emerged in these stories that said that the relationships facilitated consisted of those who have supported and encouraged our interviewees in their way out of homelessness. While hindering relations consisted of those who disbelieved in the interviewees abilities and not supported when needed most.

This study was the foundation for an evaluation of an employment project in Sweden. The project offers occupations in carpentry as well as kitchen work for people with psychiatric disorders, substance abuse and other social difficulties. This studies purpose was to analyze the projects significance to its participants and also to distinguish weather the project influences the participant’s life in a professional or private way. The methodological tool was five qualitative interviews with the participants and three qualitative interviews with the employees. The theoretical framework was Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model of human development.  Results of the study showed that the employment project has had a notable value for its participants, in a professional as well as in a private way. By using the bioecological model of human development, we have also gained an understanding of how the project creates new roles for the participants. We found that interpersonal relationships emerged throughout the project. These relationships, which had a positive influence on the participants, were established between the participants and the employees as well as among the members themselves. In conclusion, the support given by the employees has had a deep impact on the participants’ developmental processes.

Följande undersökning behandlar förskolans uppdrag och samverkan kring barn som upplevt trauma. Syftet är att undersöka hur olika professionsföreträdare för yrken närliggande förskolepersonalens (BVC-sjuksköterskor, socionomer, förskolepsykologer &amp; förskolechefer) upplever förskolans roll i arbetet med barn som drabbats av trauma. Studien fokuserar hur olika professionsföreträdare nära förskolan upplever förskolans uppdrag och vilken relevans deras förväntan har gentemot de styrdokument som förskolan lyder under. Därtill undersöks hur samverkan för att öppna möjligheter för barn som drabbats av trauma, att utvecklas, lära och bidra, ser ut i praktiken. Kvalitativa intervjuer har genomförts med åtta personer. Intervjuer och styrdokument har bearbetats fenomenologiskt så att essensen av det sagda och skrivna tagits fram. Resultatet visar på förväntan på att förskolan tar en aktiv roll i arbetet för barn som upplevt trauma. Förskolans omgivning önskar enligt intervjupersonerna ett mer tillitsfullt samarbete mellan förskolepersonal och vårdnadshavare. Likaså efterlyses ett förebyggande hälsoarbete mellan deltagarnas egna professioner och  förskolepersonal. Ett inslag av misstro mot förskolepersonal blandas med tilltro till förskolan som potentiell arena för positiv samhällsutveckling. Resultatet analyseras först i jämförelse mellan intervjuer och styrdokument. Därvid framkommer att intervjupersonernas förväntan på förskolan är i samklang med styrdokumentens uppdragsbeskrivning. Samverkansupplevelserna analyseras utifrån Danermarks teori för samverkanskvalitet vilket visar på samverkansbrister i styrning, struktur och samsyn enligt intervjupersonernas upplevelser. Ett tänkt barn sätts som fallstudie in i Bronfenbrenners utvecklingsekologiska modell, som belyses med Ungars, Ghazinours och Richters resiliensteori. Då synliggörs hur intervjupersonernas upplevelse av samverkan kring barn som erfarit trauma berör hela barnets utvecklingsekologiska sammanhang. Analysen visar att kvalitativ samverkan är en förutsättning för att barnet ska ta sig ur ett posttraumatiskt stress-syndrom. Det samhälleliga uppdraget för förskola och nätverk blir att ge barnet många användbara verktyg och tillfällen för att ta sig genom kaos till fortsatt utveckling och lärande.

L’objectif général de cette thèse était d’explorer le développement personnel de jeunes à risque de délinquance et de décrochage scolaire à travers leur participation à un programme d’intervention psychosociale nommé « Bien dans mes Baskets » (BdmB). Ce programme utilise le basketball parascolaire comme outil d’intervention et il a comme particularité qu’une bonne partie de ses entraineurs-intervenants détiennent une formation professionnelle en travail social ou domaines connexes. Cette thèse présente les résultats de trois études faisant partie d’un projet de recherche plus vaste portant sur l’évaluation du programme BdmB. Une première étude a exploré le processus de transfert, à d’autres domaines d’activités, des habiletés de vie ciblées par le programme BdmB. Des entretiens semi-directifs ont été réalisés auprès de 14 anciens participants et sept anciennes participantes du programme. Nos résultats suggèrent que trois principaux facteurs semblent avoir joué un rôle dans le processus de transfert des habiletés de vie développées au sein de BdmB, soit la présence de contextes favorisant l’apprentissage expérientiel, la valeur relative accordée aux différents domaines d’activités et la trajectoire de vie. Il ressort également de nos données qu’au-delà du processus de transfert sur une base individuelle, il est possible qu’un transfert puisse s’opérer dans la communauté. L’objectif de la deuxième étude était d’explorer comment et dans quelle mesure les expériences au sein de BdmB ont pu servir de levier au processus d’empowerment. Des entretiens semi-directifs ont été réalisés auprès de sept anciennes participantes de BdmB. Nos résultats suggèrent que la pratique sportive, combinée à une intervention psychosociale, peut contribuer au développement d’un plus grand contrôle sur sa vie. Cette amélioration serait la résultante cumulative de divers apprentissages, dont le développement et le transfert d’habiletés de vie et la capacité à résister aux influences externes négatives présentes dans leurs milieux de vie respectifs, ainsi que l’impact positif des expériences vécues au sein de BdmB sur la persévérance scolaire et les aspirations professionnelles. Une troisième étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer l’impact du programme BdmB sur le sentiment d’appartenance à l’école et la perception de soutien social. Un devis quasi expérimental a été utilisé pour évaluer l’impact du programme auprès des athlètes-étudiants(es) actuels. Le groupe d’intervention était composé des athlètes-étudiants de BdmB et les groupes de comparaison étaient constitués des étudiants de la même école ne participant pas au programme et pratiquant ou non un autre sport. Les individus ont été sondés à deux reprises à l’aide d’un questionnaire auto administré sur une période de deux années scolaires. Les résultats de l’étude indiquent que le groupe BdmB a développé un meilleur sentiment d’appartenance et a perçu un meilleur soutien social par rapport aux groupes de comparaison. / The main objective of this thesis was to explore the personal development of youth at risk of delinquency and dropout through their involvement in a psychosocial intervention program named "Bien dans mes baskets" (BdmB). This program uses extracurricular basketball as an intervention tool among youth facing various difficulties. It is worth noting that almost all the coaches have professional training in social work or related fields. This thesis presents the results of three studies as parts of a broader research project dealing with the evaluation of the BdmB program. The first study explored the transfer process of the life skills targeted by the BdmB program to other activity fields. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 men and seven women former athlete-students. Our results suggest that, throughout the adult life, three main factors seem to have played a role in the transfer process involving life skills developed as part of BdmB, namely the presence of contexts favoring experiential learning, the relative value granted to the different activity fields and the life trajectory. Our data also shows that beyond the transfer process on an individual scale, a transfer can also occur within the community. The aim of the second study was to explore how participation in BdmB could foster the process of empowerment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven former female participants of BdmB. Our results suggest that a team sport can lead to empowerment through positive socialization, especially when combined with psychosocial intervention. This improvement was most likely the result of cumulative learning experiences including the development and transfer of life skills, the capacity to resist negative external influences as well as the positive impact of experiences in BdmB on their academic aspirations and persistence. The aim of the third study was to evaluate the impact of BdmB program on sense of belonging to school and the presence of social support. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the impact of the program among current participants. The intervention group consisted of the athlete-students of BdmB and the comparison groups consisted of the students from the same school who are not participating in the program, and taking into account whether they are involved or not in sport participation. Individuals were surveyed two times using a self-administered questionnaire over a period of two academic years. Results indicate that the intervention group has developed a better sense of belonging to school and has a better social support compared to comparison groups.

It is increasingly acknowledged that the proper objective of government efforts towards economic development should be aimed at improvements beyond simple measures of growth, poverty and inequality towards richer measures of human well-being. Herein, the economic and non-economic quality of life, as well as the quantity of life, becomes important indicators. Economists and other social planners therefore need to develop more meaningful indicators of the quality of life. Objective and subjective indicators of the quality of life can be distinguished. For various reasons, this thesis will focus on the search for more meaningful objective indicators of the quality of life. One of the most wellknown objective indicators of quality of life is the Human Development Index (HDI). There is, however, a growing dissatisfaction with the HDI. In this thesis, two recent methodological advances in the measurement of quality of life are applied and combined and, in particular, in the measurement of the non-economic quality of life, to the sub-national quality of life in South Africa. As such, this thesis’ contribution is twofold. First, it investigates the extent to which the quality of life differs within a developing country, as opposed to most studies that focus on either inter-country differences in quality of life, or studies that focus only on spatial inequalities within countries using a restricted set of measures such as per capita income or poverty rates and headcounts. Secondly, this thesis applies a recent methodology proposed by McGillivray (2005) to isolate the non-economic (non-monetary) quality of life in various composite indices and to focus on the non-economic quality of life across 351 South African magisterial districts Indices for the non-economic quality of life are compiled for geographical quality, for demographic quality, and based on the human development index. Furthermore, given that composite indices used in the construction of measures of quality of life consist of weightings of multiple proxies, this thesis implements the method of Lubotsky and Wittenberg (2006) which proposed a new estimator for the case where multiple proxies are to be used for a single, unobserved variable such as quality of life. This thesis establishes that when the non-economic quality of life of the demographic index is considered, the top ten regions in 1001 were as follows: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Soweto, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Inanda, Pietermaritzburg, Wynberg, Mitchellsplain and Vanderbijlpark. It is important to note that, when interpreting these results, one should take caution since variables such as the number of people, number of households etc. is included in this index and as a region grows in population size the more negative consequences such as a higher crime rate can be associated with the particular region. The top ten regions in which to reside in 1004 as determined by the geography quality of life index were: Calvinia, Gordonia, Namaqualand, Kenhardt, Carnarvon, Ubombo, Williston, Hlabisa, Ceres and Ingwavuma. This geography index measures a region's natural beauty which, according to Wey (2000), contributes positively to one's perceived quality of life. Considering changes in non-economic quality of life indices between 1996 and 2004, the conclusion can he drawn that the South African government has been successful to a certain degree in addressing non-economic quality of life. Social policies such as health care, education, housing, water and sanitation appear to have had a positive effect on people's perceived non-economic quality of life in areas that were relatively deprived in 1996. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007