Syftet med studien är att undersöka huruvida interna och externa variabler påverkar personers friskhet samt utreda hur långtidsfriska skiljer sig från övriga medarbetare. Undersökningen genomfördes med ett frågeformulär bland personal med olika arbetsuppgifter. 150 medarbetare besvarade enkäten. De undersökningsvariabler som ingår i den interna skalan är personlighetsdrag, locus of control, KASAM och optimism. Den externa skalan består av krav, kontroll, stöd, ledarskap samt organisationskultur. Resultatet visar att långtidsfriska är mer optimistiska, stresståliga och självsäkra än övriga. Den interna skalan har ett signifikant samband med långtidsfriskhet och ledarskap är den bästa prediktorn tillsammans med kontroll, optimism och locus of control. En slutsats är att både interna och externa variabler är viktiga för hälsan och för att nå friskhet är det viktigt att arbeta med alla delarna. / The purpose of this study is to investigate whether internal and external variables affect individual’s health and examine how long-term healthy people differ from other co-workers. The examination was carried out with a questionnaire among employees with different work. The internal scale contains variables of personality trait, locus of control, sense of coherence and optimism. The external scale contains demand, control, support, leadership and organizational culture variables. The result shows that long-term healthy people are more optimistic, self-confident and endure stress better than others. The internal scale has a significant relation with long-term health, and leadership is the best predictor for long-term health together with control, optimism and locus of control. One conclusion is that both internal and external variables are important for the health and it is important to work with all parts to achieve health.

Syfte: Avhandlingens övergripande syfte var att öka kunskapen om perspektiv på ungdomars hälsa som utgångspunkt för att utveckla hälsofrämjande insatser i skolan. Metod: Studie I hade en kvantitativ beskrivande tvärsnittsdesign. Datamaterialet inhämtades från 948 ungdomar (11-15 år) som analyserades med multivariat logistik regressionsanalys. Studie II hade en kvalitativ utforskande design. Datamaterialet inhämtades från 117 ungdomar (14-17 år) och analyserades med grundad teori. Studie III hade en kvalitativ beskrivande design. Datamatmaterialet inhämtades från 42 ungdomar (14-15 år) och analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Studie IV hade en kvalitativ beskrivande design. Datamaterialet inhämtades från 27 intressenter och analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Ungdomarna strävar mot att lyckas och att bli framgångsrika i nuet och i framtiden. En strävan som för ungdomarna upplevs som en kamp om sin tid, en kamp som de hanterar genom att använda sig av olika strategier för att balansera skolarbete och fritid. Flickors strävan handlar om att nå framgång i skolan för att bli självständig i framtiden. För pojkarna innebär framgång att bli framgångsrika inom någon av sina fritidsaktiviteter så som sport, som visar deras fysiska styrka. Framgång i nuet är av betydelse för pojkarna till skillnad från flickorna som ser på sin framgång i ett längre perspektiv. Det hälsofrämjande arbetet bör inrikta sig på att stödja ungdomars känsla av sammanhang och stärka optimism redan tidigt i tonåren samt synliggöra organisatoriska och kontextuella strukturer och normer som påverkar flickors och pojkars hälsa och livsstil. Konklusion:Sammanfattningsvis visar avhandlingen att perspektiv på ungdomars hälsa bör förstås på olika nivåer i samhället och också inkluderar perspektiv på kön. Vidare bör faktorer som är av betydelse för ungdomars livsstil diskuteras utifrån ett salutogent perspektiv och det hälsofrämjande arbetet i skolan bör utveckla insatser med kontextuella och könsspecifika utgångspunkter för att främja flickors och pojkars hälsa och livsstil. / Aim: The overall aim of the dissertation was to gain greater knowledge about perspectives on adolescent´s health as a basis for developing actions to promote health in schools. Methods: Study I had a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design, in which the data was collected from 948 adolescent (11-15 years old) and analyzed with multivariate logistic regression. Study II had a qualitative, investigative design, in which the data was collected from 117 adolescent (14-17 years old) and analyzed with Grounded Theory methodology. Study III had a qualitative, descriptive design, in which the data was collected from 42 adolescent (14-16 years old) and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Study IV had a qualitative, descriptive design, in which the data was collected from 27 stakeholders and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Results: The adolescent aspire to make out and be successful both in the present and the future. This aspiration is experienced by the adolescent as a struggle about time, a struggle that they cope with by using various strategies to balance schoolwork and leisure. The girls’ aspiration is to achieve success in school in order to be independent in the future. Success, for the boys, entails being successful in one of their leisure activities such as sport, which demonstrates their physical strength. Success is of importance for the boys in the present, while on the other hand the girls view their success in a longer time perspective. The focus in health promotion should be aimed at supporting the adolescent´s sense of coherence, at strengthening their optimism early in their teenage years as well as making more visible the organizational and contextual structures and norms that affect the health and lifestyles of girls and boys. Conclusions: In summary, the dissertation shows that perspectives on adolescent’s health should be understood at different levels in society and include a gender perspective. Furthermore, factors that are important for adolescent’s lifestyle should be discussed from a salutogenic perspective and the health promotion performed in schools should develop actions that have contextual and gender-specific points of departure in order to enhance the health and lifestyles of girls and boys.

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLH) struggle with depression. Recent research suggests that depression affects medical regimen adherence, disease progression, and risky sexual behaviors. The present study uses a stress and coping theory viewing HIV-related stigma and physical symptoms as stressors in PLH. Results suggest whereas symptoms and stigma consistently predict negative affect, positive affect, and overall depression, the role of optimism, pessimism, active coping, denial, and behavioral disengagement is not as clear. Pessimism and denial predict negative affect and depression. Optimism and behavioral disengagement predict depression and positive affect. Active coping only predicts positive affect. Focusing on positive and negative affect as distinct components that contribute to overall depression may help researchers develop interventions more effectively.

Gigekonomin är ett växande fenomen på den svenska arbetsmarknaden. Gigarbete har både hyllats som en möjlighet att komma in på arbetsmarknaden och kritiserats för sin prekära natur. I den här studien undersöks den sociala konstruktionen av gigarbetare utifrån ett ideologiskt perspektiv. Den empiriska basen är intervjuer med sex gigarbetande matbud. Studiens övergripande argument är att gigföretagens nyliberala strukturer driver fram exploaterande relationer på arbetsmarknaden, samt att genusassociationer och ond optimism används för att kamouflera dessa exploaterande relationer. Tidigare forskning har lagt vikt vid att synliggöra hur femininitet används för att driva fram den nyliberala utvecklingen, men mindre uppmärksamhet har givits till maskulinitet. Den här studien illustrerar hur maskulinitet används för att interpellera gigarbetarna genom associationer till frihet och entreprenörskap. Därtill skildras hur ond optimism – en falsk förhoppning om uppåtgående social mobilitet – bidrar till att locka gigarbetarna att kontinuerligt eftersträva otillgängliga ideologiska drömmar. Vidare behandlas även socialt motstånd till gigekonomin och ideologi. Det teoretiska ramverket vilar på Althussers begrepp ideologi och interpellation. Ett begreppsligt bidrag i studien är formuleringen av dubbelbindande interpellation. Begreppet avser interpellationer som har en dubbelbindande natur, det vill säga situationer där individer anropas på motstridiga vis, exempelvis hur gigarbetare omväxlande tilltalas som servicearbetare och entreprenörer, vilket orsakar osäkerhet och väcker frågan: Vem är jag för er? Genom att undersöka och identifiera ideologiska konstruktioner av arbetare kan framväxande orättvisor och ojämlikheter på arbetsmarknaden belysas ur förbisedda perspektiv. / The gig economy is a growing phenomenon in the Swedish labor market. Gig work has been hailed as an opportunity to enter the labor market, but it has also been criticized for its precarious nature. This study examines the social construction of gig workers from an ideological perspective. Interviews with six food delivery workers form the empirical basis. The overall argument of the study is that the neoliberal structure of the gig companies propels exploitative relations in the labor market, and that gender associations and cruel optimism are used to camouflage these exploitative relations. Previous research has emphasized the importance of femininity in propelling the neoliberal development, but less attention has been given to masculinity. This study illustrates how masculinity is used to interpellate the gig workers through associations to freedom and entrepreneurship. In addition, it depicts how cruel optimism – a false hope of upward social mobility – contributes to attracting the gig workers to continuously pursue inaccessible ideological dreams. Moreover, social resistance is discussed in relation to the gig economy and ideology. The theoretical framework rests on Althusser's concepts of ideology and interpellation. A conceptual contribution in the study is double-binding interpellation. The concept refers to interpellations that have a double-binding nature, meaning situations where individuals are interpellated in contradictory ways. The food delivery workers are exposed to a double-binding interpellation when they are alternately interpellated as service workers and entrepreneurs, which causes uncertainty and raises the question: Who am I to you? By examining and identifying ideological constructions of workers, emerging injustices and inequalities in the labor market can be highlighted from overlooked perspectives.

Leung Wai-Chung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-62). / Abstracts in English and Chinese ; appendix in Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.2 / ABSTRACT --- p.3 / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.5 / INTRODUCTION --- p.6 / Chapter PART 1 --- VALIDATION OF PANCULTURAL LIFE SATISFACTION MODEL --- p.8 / Chapter PART 2 --- INCORPORATING OPTIMISM IN THE LIFE SATISFACTION MODEL --- p.21 / Chapter PART 3 --- INVESTIGATION OF MEDIATING EFFECT OF HEALTH & FINANCE --- p.32 / CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS --- p.41 / REFERENCES --- p.44 / FOOTNOTES --- p.57 / LIST OF TABLES --- p.65 / TABLE 1 TO TABLE 8 --- p.66 / FIGURE CAPTIONS --- p.77 / FIGURE 1 TO FIGURE 4 --- p.78 / APPENDIX 1 --- p.82 / APPENDIX 2 --- p.83

Research regarding employee well-being has generally been neglected in the non-profit organisation (NPO) sector. In many aspects NPOs function similar to for-profit organisations, but face challenges such as more financial restraints. Despite these difficulties, many people choose to work at and remain employed with NPOs. The NPO sector is expanding at a rapid pace and therefore needs to recruit and retain people more effectively without spending too many resources. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of psychological capital (PsyCap) in the decision to work in the NPO sector, and determine further reasons to choose and remain with this sector. An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used with an availability sample (N=108) of employees at an NPO in the social services sector in Gauteng and North West provinces. In the quantitative study, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) was used as measuring instrument. The qualitative study entailed semi-structured interviews with participants with lower (n = 8) and higher (n = 8) PsyCap. The results indicated that NPO employees had a higher level of PsyCap. Differences with regard to their preference to work at an NPO were found between individuals with higher and lower levels of PsyCap, specifically pertaining to the reasons for joining an NPO, motivation, meaning, fulfilment and viewing their work as a calling. No clear inconsistencies with regards to rewards and the choice of working in the NPO, public and private sectors were found among individuals with higher and lower PsyCap. The main reasons influencing the decision to work at an NPO were altruism, type of rewards, job satisfaction, organisational factors, positive social influence, and experiencing their work at an NPO as a calling. The study addresses the lack of research on employee well-being in the NPO sector and extends PsyCap research to NPOs. Characteristics of employees who choose to work in NPOs are emphasised. Recommendations for the organisation and suggestions for future research are presented. / MA (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015

Research regarding employee well-being has generally been neglected in the non-profit organisation (NPO) sector. In many aspects NPOs function similar to for-profit organisations, but face challenges such as more financial restraints. Despite these difficulties, many people choose to work at and remain employed with NPOs. The NPO sector is expanding at a rapid pace and therefore needs to recruit and retain people more effectively without spending too many resources. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of psychological capital (PsyCap) in the decision to work in the NPO sector, and determine further reasons to choose and remain with this sector. An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used with an availability sample (N=108) of employees at an NPO in the social services sector in Gauteng and North West provinces. In the quantitative study, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) was used as measuring instrument. The qualitative study entailed semi-structured interviews with participants with lower (n = 8) and higher (n = 8) PsyCap. The results indicated that NPO employees had a higher level of PsyCap. Differences with regard to their preference to work at an NPO were found between individuals with higher and lower levels of PsyCap, specifically pertaining to the reasons for joining an NPO, motivation, meaning, fulfilment and viewing their work as a calling. No clear inconsistencies with regards to rewards and the choice of working in the NPO, public and private sectors were found among individuals with higher and lower PsyCap. The main reasons influencing the decision to work at an NPO were altruism, type of rewards, job satisfaction, organisational factors, positive social influence, and experiencing their work at an NPO as a calling. The study addresses the lack of research on employee well-being in the NPO sector and extends PsyCap research to NPOs. Characteristics of employees who choose to work in NPOs are emphasised. Recommendations for the organisation and suggestions for future research are presented. / MA (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015

Aus der Einführung: "Betrachtet man die Jahre von ca. 1880 bis ca. 1970 unter technikhistorischen Aspekten, kann man sie – abweichend von gängigen Periodisierungen – als Einheit auffassen und als technokratische Hochmoderne bezeichnen. Zentrales und durchgehendes Kennzeichen dieser Zeitspanne war der fast uneingeschränkte Glauben an eine bessere Zukunft, die auf technischem Fortschritt basierte. Zwischen dem Beginn der Hochindustrialisierung und dem Ende der Atomeuphorie wurden technischer und sozialer Fortschritt vielfach gleichgesetzt. Das lag zum Einen am Eindringen technischer Artefakte und Lösungen in die Lebenswelt breiter Massen, die unbestreitbar das Leben erleichterten, zum Anderen an einem sich immer weiter ausbreitenden Glauben an die prinzipiell unbegrenzte Weiterentwicklung technischer Systeme und der damit verbundenen Lösung komplexer gesellschaftlicher Probleme. Dieser Glaube wurde nicht einmal durch die verheerenden Auswirkungen von zwei technisierten Weltkriegen gebrochen. Zentrale Signatur der technokratischen Hochmoderne blieb ein auf Technikoptimismus beruhendes Fortschrittsversprechen."

<p> </p><p> </p><p>Att föda barn är förenat med smärta. Fokus ligger idag på att minska eller göra smärtan hanterbar för att ge kvinnan en positiv förlossningsupplevelse. Copingstrategier är effektiva hjälpmedel för smärthantering och personligheten kan påverka effektiviteten av dem. Studiens syfte var att undersöka vilka copingstrategier som förknippas med en tillfredsställande förlossningsupplevelse och om graden av optimism kan ses påverka valet av dem. Enkäter besvarades av 26 förstföderskor inom 24 timmar efter barnets födelse. De mer optimistiska kvinnorna använde sig mer av närmande coping (<em>r </em>= 0,53; <em>p </em>= 0,001) som innefattas av att söka emotionell och instrumentell support, att acceptera och agera aktivt för att hantera sin situation. Och användandet av närmande strategier var i sin tur förknippat med en mer positiv förlossningsupplevelse (<em>r </em>= 0,50; <em>p </em>= 0,05) där optimism och närmande coping tillsammans stod för 30 % av variansen. Kunskapen om hur optimism påverkar copingbeteendet kan effektivisera strategianvändandet under förlossningen.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

Humans are limited in their capacity to process information about the environment; to choose the most salient details to process, we have to make rapid value appraisals and prioritize our attentional resources. In this proposed study, it is expected that attention is required to learn from affective information. Learning is measured by the difference between update (the difference between the first and second estimation) and the estimation error (the difference between the average likelihood and the first estimation). Using a belief-updating paradigm, participants will be asked to estimate their likelihood of encountering a negative event, once before and once after they receive the average likelihood information. By comparing the difference in estimations after being exposed to desirable or undesirable information and a positive or negative reinforcer across three levels of attentional load, the effects of attention on learning from affective reinforcement can be examined. It is proposed that attention mediates learning from affective information. This is demonstrated by the failure to learn differentially from affective information under high attentional load, while in a no load condition participants will learn differentially according to the type of news and affective reinforcer that they receive. The expected result would indicate that attention is a necessity for optimal learning outcomes, especially when learning from affective information. This has implications in the effectiveness of communicating affective information, such as in the health care field.