Zugl.: Berlin, Humboldt-Univ., Diss., 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [583]-593).

Thesis (D Phil (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.F.A.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 27 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 25).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2005. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-128).

Thesis (D.A.)--Illinois State University, 1994. / Title from title page screen, viewed April 17, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Ronald J. Fortune (chair), Lucia C. Getsi, Douglas Hesse. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-212) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center; full text release delayed at author's request until 2010 Aug 30

In this thesis I propose that emotions and rationality are integrated, and jointly constitute our moral agency. I argue against the influential ‘sentimentalist’ claim that emotions are the only constituents of the moral reasons for which we act, by showing that emotions are inextricably bound up with our sensory and conceptual capacities. In contrast, I propose we act for moral reasons when we act in light of the narratives we create and understand. Narrative understanding here is the capacity to inhabit a chain of events. It is embodied and action-­‐ orientated, and is co-­‐constituted through our emotional, conceptual and sensory capacities.

Increasing longevity in Western society means that older adults will spend more of their later lives as retirees, or as older workers. In this respect, what it means to live as an older adult represents a shifting landscape, where the health and well-being of older adults are guided by the socio-cultural narrative of decline (being aged passively), and ageing in the era of the Third Age (actively growing old). As such, there is a need for research to examine how older adults can age well as retirees, or as older workers. To date, research in this field has seldom considered the role of the natural environment in this respect, despite a burgeoning body of research that indicates the beneficial impact of natural environments upon health and well-being. The aim of this research, therefore, was to examine the role of natural environments in the lives of older adults during the retirement process, and in the lives of older workers, and the potential implications for ageing well. Pluralistic methods were utilised within a longitudinal design in order to generate narrative data. Specifically, 7 retirees and 3 older workers were interviewed in 3 stages, over a time period of 2 years. Narrative analysis revealed that, initially, pre-retirees’ stories were guided by notions of being aged passively, facilitated by a relational narrative and often illustrated by dys-appearing body-self relationships. In contrast, older workers’ stories were driven by notions of actively growing old, facilitated by an individualistic narrative. In the later stages of data collection, retirees’ stories developed to also be guided by actively growing old, where embodied decline was overshadowed by aspects of being such as spirituality, intellectual stimulation, and mindfulness. Such stories were complemented by a developed sense of self, highlighting the importance of self-awareness in later life. Natural environments played a role by providing a multi-dimensional platform from which to age well. For example, on a physical level, spending time in natural environments often involved being active in a non-prescriptive way coupled with a sense of autonomy, calmness and relief from stress. On an emotional level, pleasurable memories from childhood were re-ignited when in natural environments, which participants found invigorating. On a cognitive level, whilst in natural environments, participants were able to engage in a spiritual and intellectual process of negotiation whereby selves were re-discovered from the past, contemplated in the present, and constructed for the future. Implications of these findings for policy and practice, and the original contribution to knowledge made by this research, are discussed within.

The aim of this research is to reveal the reality negotiation process for finding hope in people who have Depression. In the traditional, modern and medical models of depression, and biological, psychological, social or even contextual perspectives, it is considered that people who are affected by depression are stigmatized in a sick role with different kinds of dysfunctions or deficiencies. They are not considered to have much hope. Their reality is singular and absolute which prevent the use of personal agency to make choices, take action and narrate preferences and experiences to address their problems. In the school of positive psychology, there is a theory that focuses on pathways to hope which aim at positivity as people have the ability for reality negotiation. The postmodern and humanistic views have allowed people to start to see that even though one may be affected by mental illnesses, one will still have his/her expert knowledge, unique experiences, and strategies through narratives of hope. This research is collaborative narrative research. Twelve individuals, males and females of different ages and backgrounds, have been invited to take part in semi-structured in-depth narrative interviews. They have also been invited to provide feedback and reflections during the interview process. They are given the opportunity to comment on their own verbatim and review the script at a second interview for further storytelling and reflection. When these individuals are given the space and time to narrate their accounts of negotiating depression, the hope that is previously hidden will then emerge. Throughout the conversation, they reconstruct their preferred self by revisiting the negotiation process. They have the agency to perform their preferred life and self-strategies and over techniques to manage life problems and compete with the power of dominant discourses within the mainstream context. It is shown that they have to lead their life with hopeful stories that are applicable to their future life circumstances. A theory is consequently formulated based on the findings of the process of reality negotiation in finding hope. Recommendations are provided in light of the current situation of mental health services in the Hong Kong Chinese cultural context, which include recommendations on the allocation of resources and human resources that are oriented towards the expertise of the persons who are facing depression. It is based on their knowledge and experience found by the everyday stories of the persons through collaboration with them.

Employability has become a key consideration for graduates, and society. Increasingly the trajectory of individuals at age 18 involves the completion of an undergraduate level degree qualification. This thesis presents a sociologically grounded study into the dialogic construction of employability in final year hospitality students and recent hospitality graduates. Drawing on a nationwide sample of UK based hospitality graduates, as they transition beyond undergraduate level higher education, a new understanding of the way in which employability is narrated and individuals position themselves within the competitive context surrounding employability, has been uncovered. The study therefore evaluates the way in which employability is constructed and narrated as a result of graduates’ social and cultural capital, their experience of higher education, career focus and way in which identity is constructed. Through the utilisation of a dialogic narrative approach the social dimensions of employability have been considered within this study. As a result this research sits in contrast to the dominant conceptions of employability, whereby agency is elevated in importance, which pertain within society. The duality between structure and agency is taken into consideration by drawing on the work of Bourdieu and Giddens. Assumptions surrounding the somewhat linear trajectories into employment which are anticipated by many, are challenged and structural influences, identified through the multivoiced nature of dialogue are analysed in conjunction with the agency exhibited by individuals. Identity is also used in order to help understand employability and to frame the narrative and reflexive processes that are undertaken within the construction of graduates’ narratives of employability. Drawing on 28 interviews this study reveals how individuals narrate employability in different ways, based on their experience of higher education and intended trajectory, upon completion of their degree. The socio-cultural background of individuals is also highlighted as a mediating and influencing factor within the process of engagement with learning and development within higher education, and subsequent constructions of employability. It is argued that hospitality graduates are not effectively prepared for the transition into employment on completion of their degrees and therefore work needs to be done in order to better prepare them for employment both within and beyond the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry itself is also not doing enough in order to support the development of students and graduates in order to encourage career development within the field. This has led to a number of recommendations being made in order to better help the development of employability in hospitality graduates through undergraduate curriculum and associated work related experience.