The general objectives of the study were to evaluate a social work support group programme with informal caregivers that aimed to enhance the quality of care provided to older persons in an urban and rural community setting in Namibia. In order to achieve the general objectives of the study, the following specific objectives were formulated: * To explore how informal caregiving situations in urban and rural communities lead to elder abuse and neglect. * To describe existing literature on the various factors that contribute to elder abuse and neglect within community settings. * To develop a support group programme for informal caregivers of older persons in urban and rural community settings that aimed at preventing elder abuse and neglect. * To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the support group programme for informal caregivers that aimed at preventing elder abuse and neglect. The thesis consists of 5 sections: Section A consists of the problem statement, research objectives, central theoretical argument and the theoretical approaches that underpin the study. Furthermore, the research methodology, the definition of key concepts and the limitation of the study are presented. Section B contains four articles that together formed part of the research outcomes. Each article can function independently with it’s own objectives and distinctive content. However, each article is also a sub-project of the umbrella research study. Therefore, some of the data have to be repeated in different sections. The four articles are: Article 1: Informal caregiving, elder abuse and neglect in urban and rural areas of the Khomas region in Namibia: A needs assessment A needs assessment on informal caregiving situations and how it may lead to elder abuse and neglect of older persons from an urban and rural constituency in the Khomas region was explored. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with professional and community leaders. In addition, focus group discussions were held with older persons and informal caregivers in the urban and rural constituency. Article 2: Factors contributing to elder abuse and neglect in community settings In this article, a comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to the risk and protective factors to elder abuse and neglect was done. The ecological theory was worthwhile to describe the risk factors to elder abuse and neglect. Article 3: Designing a social work support group programme with informal caregivers of older people in Namibia A social work support group programme was developed for informal caregivers of older persons in community settings. The eight-week support group programme was developed based on a needs assessment and a comprehensive literature review, and included the following topics; the normal processes of aging, handling of difficult caregiving situations, caregiver stress, self-care of the caregiver, elder abuse and neglect and caregiver grief and loss. The planning model for group work was also utilised to design the group. Article 4: Evaluation of the effectiveness of a support group programme with informal caregivers to prevent elder abuse and neglect An eight-week support group programme with ten female informal caregivers from an urban group and twelve informal caregivers from a rural group setting was implemented and evaluated. Standardized measuring instruments that assessed the outcome of the group at pre-test, post-test and postponed post-test were the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Potentially Harmful Behaviour (PHB) scale and the Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE). The Group Engagement Measure (GEM) assessed the group processes at the fourth, sixth and eight group sessions. In addition, open-ended questions were used to collect qualitative data. The quantitative and qualitative evaluations indicated that both the urban and rural groups gained knowledge on aging and caregiving, and caregivers acquired vital qualities such as patience, compassion and communication skills. The process evaluation showed that caregivers from the urban group were more engaged in the group process than the rural group. Elder abuse was underreported in the study, while personal stress of caregivers reduced significantly because of the intervention. Section C consists of the summary of the most important findings and conclusions to the research study. In addition recommendations are provided. Section D consists of the annexures to the research report, such as the measuring instruments and interview schedules used for data collection. Section E contains a consolidated list of references. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

An ICT tool is not only used in healthcare as an aid for caregivers, but can also help enhance the care experience of care recipients as these tools can bring benefit to the recipient. The positive care experience can also have the opposite effect, depending on the quality of information conveyed to the recipient. This study deals with SMS reminders information related to the quality of the care experience. It examines whether SMS reminders within the health system contains sufficient quality information to influence recipients care experience to the positive. This study was conducted by a qualitative method of semi-structured interviews with both care recipients and caregivers. This is to get two different perspectives on the information and quality care experience – from a care recipients perspective as receiving the SMS reminder, and from a caregivers perspective that send out the SMS reminders. By conducting a literature review, we acquired material that formed the basis of our interview questions. The results of the study show that SMS reminders in the current situation does not contain sufficient high quality information in order to reach a positive care experience for patients. In addition to information quality, we have also identified communication as a major factor contributing to increasing health care experience. Besides these two factors, we could also deduce that health care consumers have different needs depending on the life situation they are in.

This thesis focuses on different impacts of an important change in Brazil's child labour legislation. In December 1998, Brazil raised the minimum employment age from 14 to 16 banning from the labour force children who turned 14 just after the law passed. Two year later, in December 2000, Brazil institutionalised an apprenticeship programme aimed at children aged 14 to 17. In chapter one of this thesis I investigate the short run effects of both laws on children's time allocation using a regression discontinuity design technique. I look at the impact of both laws on schooling and labour market outcomes for two cohorts: children just under age 14 and teenagers just under age 16. The second chapter turns attention to the long-term effects of the 1998 ban, comparing the labour market and schooling outcomes of the cohorts who turned 14 before and after the law came into effect. The analysis is conducted for white and non-white males to check how the ban affected individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This is the first study that looks at the long-term effects of a child labour ban. The third chapter investigates whether the ban had spillover effects on time allocation of younger siblings and parents. This is chapter covers a broad set of outcomes, exploring family composition and potential liquidity constraints to shed light on potential underlying mechanisms. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the consequences of child labour legislation, looking at immediate impacts on children themselves, long-term effects, and spillover effects on other household members. Its main results show that such legislation may have unintended consequences, long-lasting effects, and affect time allocation of other household members in ways policy makers might not be able to foresee.

This thesis investigates the ways in which ‘gender issues' are incorporated into, and understood within, two Ghanaian NGOs. It contributes to an extensive body of literature which examines the take up and implementation of gender issues by development institutions. It argues that much of this literature tends to evaluate the gender work of development institutions against normative criteria; assessing whether ‘gender issues' and/or a ‘gendered approach' are ‘successfully' and ‘correctly' understood, incorporated into, and implemented by such institutions. This often concludes there is a disjuncture between what should and what does take place. I focus instead on providing an emic account of the gender work of these two organisations. Based on 10 months of ethnographic fieldwork, and focusing specifically on the theme of gender violence, I explore the particular ways in which staff understand, and therefore implement, their ‘gender work'. What emerges might be viewed by some, specifically from an outside (‘Western') perspective as at odds with a perceived ‘correct' meaning and intent of ‘transnational' and ‘feminist' gender goals. However, I argue that, when viewed from an emic perspective, what takes place in this particular instance, is not a ‘conscious' translation of transnational gender ideas into ‘something else', or a rejection of such ideas. Nor is it necessarily a ‘mediation' between two sets of conflicting ideas – the ‘local' and ‘transnational'. Rather, what occurs is a specific understanding of ‘gender' ideas and concepts in ways that make sense to those involved; in relation to the broader context in which they live and work, the ideas that they hold, and their ways of seeing the world. I suggest that this is fundamentally shaped by, and must be understood in relation to, the normative assumptions and hegemonic discourses which pertain within a particular context, and the everyday lived gendered experiences of the staff involved. In this case, particular ideas and practices regarding marriage and the everyday usage of certain words are of central importance.

This thesis is based upon ethnographic research conducted in Singapore between September 2008 and October 2009 and over a decade of observation and experience as an expatriate woman. It explores the relationship between two migrant women, an expatriate woman and a migrant domestic worker (MDW), focusing on interrelated processes shaping migrant subjectivities. The relationship between between 'upper circuit' transnational elites and 'lower circuit' migrants is an area of transnationalism that has received little attention. Yet, expatriates and MDWs routinely live together. I consider how overlapping transnational fields impact how both groups of women deal with class, racial and cultural differences and how they negotiate versions of femininity in their domestic interactions. I argue that the women‘s dual migrant status renders visible coexisting and competing forms of power that are often overlooked in studies of domestic work. A crucial aspect of my research design is that I include the perspectives of both expatriate women and MDWs as well as those of expatriate men. Most studies of domestic work focus on either the employer‘s (usually female) or the employee‘s (usually female) viewpoint and overlook male influence on household dynamics and the shaping of domestic femininities. My approach allows for a richer analysis of how class, racial/ethnic and sexual positionings (among others) both motivate and constrain how individuals identify themselves vis-à-vis 'others' across national, racial, class and cultural divides. My findings are organised along four dimensions. First, I examine how shared migrant status is utilised by expatriate women and MDWs in their respective distance-making processes. Second, I explain how through performing domestic labour both groups of women are 'doing' different versions of femininity that are simultaneously accomplishments of class and racial identities. Third, I focus on how sexualised and racialised discourses about migrant women‘s bodies permeate expatriate women‘s and MDWs‘ relationships. Finally, I link my study of the micro-politics of migrant women‘s relationships with the larger context of increasing transnational migration and globalisation.

This thesis explores factors in the low rates of maternal employment in South Korea through a quantitative analysis of a large-scale survey dataset, the Korea Labour and Income Panel Study (KLIPS). This thesis elaborates Western debates and theories of women's labour market participation within Korean contexts, develops hypotheses on a theoretical basis accommodating both individual factors such as human capital, children and spouse factors and structural factors like the workplace and class practices, and examines them through descriptive, cross-sectional linear and logistic regression analyses. The thesis finds that mothers' decisions toward paid work are responsive to children's ages, implying that lifestyle preferences adapt in accordance with the family's life cycle. Also, it is found that precarious employment and a long work-hour culture contribute to career interruptions while parental welfare such as child care leave and provision have a negative association. The thesis finds social class to be a critical factor linked to mothers' labour force participation. Middle class mothers tend to delay their career by trading off time for childrearing, including attending to children's educational needs, whereas lower class mothers tend to return more quickly to work. A key finding is that whilst married women's labour market behaviour appears to be explained in part by individual factors, such as work experience and the presence of children (as neo-classical theorists have argued), this thesis strongly suggests that structural factors are key to explaining the low level of maternal employment in Korea with a gendered labour market and welfare regime – such as the long work-hour culture and low parental welfare – sitting alongside social class as primary explanatory factors.

This qualitative exploratory study sought to explore and analyse the perceptions of first year nursing students aged 18-25 years toward older persons in aged care facilities. The expectations of first year nursing students in relation to performing nursing care on older persons was also examined. The students’ perceptions were explored using a photo-elicitation technique to evoke an emotive response. By challenging and confronting the participants with realistic photographs of nursing care, this technique encouraged the research participants to engage in anticipatory reflection prior to their first aged care clinical placement. Data were gathered through demographic questionnaires and semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews. Findings were analysed using thematic analysis. Themes included dissecting what it means to be a nurse, recognising dependence, and the re-visioning of therapeutic relationships including considering patient dignity and empathising with older persons. A youthful reflection on the differences between young and old included participants’ fearing for themselves in future, and this was another identified theme. The photo-elicitation technique challenged and confronted participants as they became aware of the responsibilities of performing nursing care and their belief that they lacked emotional preparedness. Experiencing sensitivity and awkwardness to nakedness of older person’s bodies was also highlighted by most of the participants’ responses. The findings suggest that it is essential in this time of demographic change and the growing ageing population that nursing education responds to the challenge of an evolving health care system by providing qualified, experienced aged care nurses who are familiar with the reality of older people. Therefore, first year nursing students’ transition to aged care nursing clinical placement and the adoption of positive attitudes is paramount. Despite a large number of research studies highlighting nursing students’ disinterest in caring for older persons, there have been few studies investigating educational interventions that could assist in overcoming this negative trend. The findings from this study have important implications for teaching strategies aimed at understanding undergraduate nursing students. Using photography to elicit emotional responses can also assist with reflective practice, which can be useful to enhance self awareness and an aesthetic and personal knowing. Encouraging anticipatory reflection can help socially prepare nursing students, increase their readiness for learning and foster more positive attitudes to caring for older people prior to the students’ initial aged care clinical placement.

Background: Elder abuse and its effects are a serious public health issue. However, little is known about therelation between psychological abuse, other factors (e.g. social support) and quality of life (QoL) by domain. This studyaddressed differences in QoL by domain between psychologically abused and non-abused. While considering otherfactors such as social support. Methods: The respondents were 4,467 (2,559 women) randomly selected persons aged 60-84 years living in7 European cities. The mean response across countries was 45.2%. The cross-sectional data were analyzed withbivariate/multivariate methods. Results: Abused respondents contrasted to non-abused scored lower in QoL (autonomy, 67.42 ± 21.26 vs. 72.39± 19.58; intimacy, 55.31 ± 31.15 vs. 67.21 ± 28.55; past/present/future activities, 62.79 ± 19.62 vs. 68.05 ± 18.09;social participation, 65.03 ± 19.84 vs. 68.21 ± 19.77). Regressions showed that abuse was negatively associated withautonomy, intimacy and past/present/future activities, and positively with the social participation. All QoL dimensionswere negatively associated with country and depressive/anxiety symptoms, and positively with social support. Further,variables such as age, sex and somatic symptoms were negatively associated with some of the QoL dimensions andothers such as family structure, education, health care use and drinking positively. The regression model “explained”32.8% of the variation in autonomy, 45.6% in intimacy, 44.8% in past/present/future activities and 41.5% in socialparticipation. Conclusions: Abuse was linked to lower QoL in most domains, but other factors such as depressive symptomsalso carried a negative impact. Social support and to some extent family structure had a “protective” effect on QoL.Abuse, health indicators (e.g. depressive symptoms) and social support should be considered in addressing the QoL ofolder persons. However, QoL was influenced by many factors, which could not be firmly disentangled due to the crosssectionalapproach, calling for longitudinal research to address causality.

While some individuals can successfully age at home, others with similar levels of need may require facility based long-term care (LTC). The question addressed in this thesis is: “What factors determine whether or not older persons age at home?” I argue that in addition to the characteristics and care needs of individuals (the demand side); access to home and community care (H&CC) at the local level (the supply side) determines whether or not older people receive care at home relative to other settings. In emphasizing the role of the supply side, I draw on Neoinstitutional Theory and the Theory of Human Ecology to examine how institutions of the state (policies, norms, values, and organizational structures) facilitate or constrain opportunities to age at home across urban and rural areas. In conducting my analysis I draw on the Balance of Care (BoC) framework to analyze the characteristics of individuals waiting for LTC placement in Thunder Bay (urban community) and the surrounding Region (rural communities) of Northwestern Ontario. The BoC framework provides the means to estimate the extent to which their needs could potentially be met in the community if home and community care (H&CC) services were available. The results show that individuals waiting for LTC placement in Thunder Bay experienced higher levels of impairment than those in the Region. However in both areas, most individuals required assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (e.g. housekeeping, meal preparation, etc). In both areas there was limited access to informal caregivers. If a H&CC package were to be made available, 8% of those waiting for facility based LTC in Thunder Bay could potentially be supported safely and cost-effectively at home compared to 50% in the surrounding Region. The results confirm that the supply side matters. When H&CC cannot be accessed, LTC may become the default option, particularly in rural and remote areas. If given access to H&CC, a significant proportion of individuals can potentially age at home.

While some individuals can successfully age at home, others with similar levels of need may require facility based long-term care (LTC). The question addressed in this thesis is: “What factors determine whether or not older persons age at home?” I argue that in addition to the characteristics and care needs of individuals (the demand side); access to home and community care (H&CC) at the local level (the supply side) determines whether or not older people receive care at home relative to other settings. In emphasizing the role of the supply side, I draw on Neoinstitutional Theory and the Theory of Human Ecology to examine how institutions of the state (policies, norms, values, and organizational structures) facilitate or constrain opportunities to age at home across urban and rural areas. In conducting my analysis I draw on the Balance of Care (BoC) framework to analyze the characteristics of individuals waiting for LTC placement in Thunder Bay (urban community) and the surrounding Region (rural communities) of Northwestern Ontario. The BoC framework provides the means to estimate the extent to which their needs could potentially be met in the community if home and community care (H&CC) services were available. The results show that individuals waiting for LTC placement in Thunder Bay experienced higher levels of impairment than those in the Region. However in both areas, most individuals required assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (e.g. housekeeping, meal preparation, etc). In both areas there was limited access to informal caregivers. If a H&CC package were to be made available, 8% of those waiting for facility based LTC in Thunder Bay could potentially be supported safely and cost-effectively at home compared to 50% in the surrounding Region. The results confirm that the supply side matters. When H&CC cannot be accessed, LTC may become the default option, particularly in rural and remote areas. If given access to H&CC, a significant proportion of individuals can potentially age at home.