Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects thousands of people in South Africa. Our knowledge regarding this phenomenon has expanded rapidly and the problematic psychological wellbeing of persons who have been injured through TBI has been well documented. When reviewing the published literature regarding TBI it would appear that the majority originate from a positivist epistemology, quantitative methodology, and focus mainly on cognitive and/or motor ability changes of the injured individual. Furthermore, literature regarding interaction between the injured person and others tend to focus on uninjured family members’ experience of and adaptation to the injured person – generally ignoring the injured person’s experience of others. This study addressed this gap in the literature by making use of a qualitative research design to explore how injured persons' experience of others might contribute to the challenges, other than those related to cognitive and physical changes, persons face following TBI. Specifically, this study investigated whether themes that suggest a "loss of self" could be identified in the narratives of the participants' experiences of others. While not being able to support the idea of “loss of self” in the participants' narratives, there are indications that experiences of others may add to the challenges injured persons face following TBI. / Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / MA / unrestricted

HIV/AIDS has assumed epidemic proportions in the world of today. The main age group infected by this disease is between the ages of 20 – 40 years. The result of this is that the children who are not infected by the disease will be orphaned and forced to assume the role of head of the house and breadwinner, at a stage in their lives when they should not be burdened with these responsibilities. Orphans are perhaps the most tragic long-term legacy of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS exacerbates the trauma, hampers the bereavement process and exposes children to discrimination and victimization in their community and their extended family. Investigation into existing literature has revealed that insufficient previous studies have been conducted on HIV/AIDS orphans and even fewer pertaining to the emotional needs of the HIV/AIDS infected population in the South African context. For the purpose of this study it was decided to assess the emotional needs of HIV/AIDS affected orphans in the developmental stage of middle childhood. A literature investigation into the historical background of HIV/AIDS was done and the demographic impact of the disease on South Africa was given. The impact that HIV/AIDS has on the patient was discussed along with the impact that it has on the affected significant others of the patient. Secondly a literature investigation on middle childhood was done. The child in middle childhood as well as the family with children in middle childhood was discussed. Attention was given to the developmental tasks, developmental characteristics and the child’s comprehension of death during middle childhood. Attention was also afforded to the family with children in middle childhood with specific emphasis on the developmental tasks and needs of the family and the developmental tasks of siblings. The aim of the research study was to assess the emotional needs of HIV/AIDS orphans. An exploratory research design by means of a qualitative approach was followed. Five respondents were purposively sampled that complied with the set criteria. They were assessed through the utilization of six different Gestalt therapy techniques over a period of one week. Themes were identified through the empirical study. The research question “What are the emotional needs of HIV/AIDS orphans?” was answered and the following emotional needs of the respondents were identified: · Longing for the deceased mother. · Loneliness. · Stigmatization. · Preoccupation with the physical features of the deceased. · Anger. · Insecurity. · Preoccupation with death. · Fear of death. The following themes can be considered for further research in this field: · Establishment of a therapeutic program for affected children. · A comparison between the emotional needs of those children who have knowledge regarding their parent/s status and those who do not. / Dissertation (MA (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The subject of the Master´s thesis is a financing of business activities in the conditions of the Czech Republic before the outbreak of the global pandemic COVID 19, at present and the possible future development of financing. The first part focuses on the theoretical analysis of individual financing options, their distribution and a detailed overview and description. The second part of the thesis is focused on the hotel industry and a selection of appropriate forms of financing for the investment´s implementation in the hotel for the future. The Emphasis will be placed on the optimal selection of state compensation and re-start of business for its future viability and operation.

L’homme est un animal social. La majorité des décisions que nous prenons se font dans un contexte social et dépendent d’autrui, ce qui implique des calculs cérébraux complexes qui incluent tous les facteurs contextuels et environnementaux. La majorité des études ultérieures de la prise en compte d’autrui dans la décision ont utilisé des tâches de partage de récompenses entre soi et autrui. Les choix possibles amènent le décideur à considérer autrui, mais dans le but de gagner soi-même une récompense ; donc dans un contexte où les récompenses liées à soi et les récompenses liées à autrui sont confondues. Le travail présenté dans cette thèse avait pour but une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes cérébraux soutenant l’intégration d’autrui dans la prise de décision, sans que la récompense pour autrui n’interfère directement avec soi. Nous nous sommes appuyés sur le cadre théorique de la décision perceptuelle et des modèles de diffusion pour l'étude i) des modifications du processus décisionnel induites par une récompense monétaire allant à autrui et ii) de l’impact de l’effet d’audience (le fait de se sentir observé) sur la décision. Nos résultats computationnels montrent qu'une récompense pour autrui, par rapport à une récompense pour soi, et une audience, par rapport au secret, modifient le taux de dérive de la variable de décision. En magnétoencéphalographie, nos résultats indiquent que les décisions pour soi et pour autrui diffèrent pendant, mais aussi après, la prise de décision dans des zones cérébrales associées avec la transformation sensori-motrice, l'ajustement du compromis entre rapidité et justesse et avec la cognition sociale. Ainsi, le cortex temporal montre des différences de -1170 millisecondes (ms) à -1023 ms, de -993 ms à -915 ms et de -343 ms à -188 ms en amont de la réponse. Ce qui suppose une influence sur l’intégration des preuves sensorielles. Après la décision, les régions frontales ont également montré des différences entre soi et autrui, de 153 ms à 303 ms post-réponse, suggérant une différence entre soi et autrui dans l’ajustement du compris entre justesse et rapidité. Le bénéficiaire de la récompense associée à la décision modifie les paramètres décisionnels et les corrélats cérébraux de la décision perceptuelle, démontrant l’importance du contexte social dans l’implémentation de la prise de décision chez l’Homme. Ce travail appuie également l’utilité des modèles mathématiques tels que les modèles de diffusion dans la compréhension des processus décisionnels, même de ceux découlant de la cognition sociale / Humans are inherently social: most of human’s decisions are within a social context and depend on others. For more than a century, researchers explore aspects of social cognition. Aiming to understand human behavior in social contexts, neuro-economic researches showed that taking others into account involve complex brain computations that include all environmental and contextual factors. However, most of the work was made using money allocation tasks; mixing self-affecting and other-affecting rewards into the decision making process. The present work intended the understanding of the brain mechanisms underpinning the integration of others into the decision making process for decisions that include others and do not interfere with self-rewards.Taking advantage of mathematical models from the drift diffusion models framework, we conducted experiments investigating how others influence the mechanistic of perceptual decisions and their correlates in the human brain. We showed that taking rewards for others into account and being observed by others influence the drift rate of the decision variable. The drift rate is higher in audience than in secret and higher for self-rewards than for other-rewards. These results indicate that others are integrated into the accumulation process together with the evidence available for making a decision. At the brain level, we found difference between self and other decisions over the anterior temporal and centro-frontal cortices during decision making. This suggests that the beneficiary of a decision modifies sensory-motor transformation processes. In addition, self- and other-affecting difference showed difference over the medial frontal sensors after the decision making process, indicating a variation in the speed-accuracy tradeoff adjustment process

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of changes that take place in surviving HIVpositive spouses’ explanations of themselves in relation to their acquired positive status, and in relation to the role that forgiveness may play, all through Hermans’ theory of dialogical self in the self-identity reconstruction process. The interpretive qualitative paradigm was used, along with a phenomenological research design. Research was carried out in a rural area of Gwanda South Constituency in Zimbabwe. Homogenous purposive sampling was used to select five HIVpositive widows and five HIV-positive widowers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used and thematic, narrative and interpretive phenomenological analyses were employed to analyse the data. The results showed that the surviving HIV-positive spouses faced a plethora of challenges following the deaths of their partners. Identified key relations to the reconstruction of a new self were found to be: a good knowledge of HIV; being at peace with the past self; forgiveness of self; and reconciliation with what has happened. These were found to be good ingredients for quick recovery and self-identity reconstruction. Significant others play an important role in self-identity reconstruction as they offer an environment that is supportive of HIV disclosure, thereby reducing the occurrence of stigma and discrimination. The study recommends that HIV activists and all education systems that are involved in the HIV campaigns in Gwanda South Constituency incorporate teachings about and awareness of forgiveness, reconciliation, stigma and discrimination at all levels of their education efforts and campaigns. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Syftet med denna studie är att klargöra bakomliggande yttre och inre drivkrafter i samband med yrkesväxling mitt i livet, vad som bidrar till att våga ta klivet att börja studera, som en del av den personliga utvecklingen. Teoretiska utgångspunkter är följande: Abraham Maslows (1989/1943) behovspyramid, George Herbert Meads (2001/1934) signifikanta andra, Fuchs Ebaughs (1988) teori om vändpunktsprocesser och teorin om Planned Happenstance som Kathleen Mitchell, Al Levin och John Krumboltz (1999) är grundare till. Metoden som har använts är fokusgruppsintervjuer. Resultaten visar att de bakomliggande drivkrafterna i samband med yrkesväxling kan kopplas till behoven i Maslows (1989/1943) behovspyramid. De mest grundläggande behoven måste vara tillgodosedda för att individen ska känna sig motiverad till att påbörja en självutveckling. Ett hinder för att våga satsa på utbildning är sviktande självförtroende. För att överbrygga detta får omgivningens, signifikanta andras, (Mead 2001/1934) inställning en avgörande betydelse. En vändpunktsprocess innebär en identitetskris där en ny yrkesroll ska inträdas, en påfrestning för såväl deltagaren som hela familjen (Fuchs Ebaugh 1988). Andra drivkrafter, förutom självförverkligande, är en efterlängtad förändring av sin arbetslivssituation och deltagarnas önskan om att komma in i gemenskapen i en arbetsgrupp som de ser upp till. För att nå dit ser deltagarna utbildning som en väg och ett sätt att öka sin anställningsbarhet. Deltagarna i studien menar i flera fall att det var slumpen som avgjorde vilken utbildning de hamnade på men med Planned Happenstance som förklaringsmodell framgår det att valen egentligen byggde på medvetna ställningstaganden (Mitchell, Levin och Krumboltz 1999). Studiens resultat redogör med andra ord för några av de drivkrafter som motiverar individer att våga ta klivet till att börja studera, vilket kan öka kunskapen för studie- och yrkesvägledare, om hur individer bör bemötas och vilka områden som professionen bör fokusera på för att hjälpa individer nå framtida yrkesambitioner genom ett välgrundat val. / The aim of this thesis is to clarify the underlying human motives, both external and internal, in career choices of professional change, of which contributes to career changes. This thesis enlightens some of the societal conditions or obstacles that exist to a future study start, as part of the participants personal development, and clarify what led them to take the decisive step towards a new career path. Theoretical framework used is Abraham Maslow's (1989/1943) needs pyramid, George Herbert Meads (2001/1934) concept of significant others, Fuchs Ebaugh's (1988) theory of turning point processes and the theory of planned Happenstance which Kathleen Mitchell, Al Levin and John Krumboltz (1999) are the founders of. Method used is focus group interviews. Results show that the underlying human motivation processes in participants' professional exchange can be linked to the needs of Maslow's (1989/1943) needs pyramid. The most basic needs must be met in order for the individual to feel motivated to begin self-development. One obstacle whether to decide to invest in education or not, is failing self-confidence. To overcome this, the attitude of the significant other (Mead 2001/1934) takes on a decisive importance. A turning point process involves an identity crisis in which a new professional role is to take place, a strain for both the participant and the whole family (Fuchs Ebaugh 1988). Other human motivation processes, besides self-realization, are a long-awaited change in their working life situation and the participants' desire to enter the community in a working group they look forward to. To get there, participants see education as a fulfilling way and a way to increase their employability. The participants in this study believe that it was random that decided which education they ended up with in many cases, but with Planned Happenstance as an explanatory model it appears that the choice were really based on conscious attitudes (Mitchell, Levin and Krumboltz 1999). This thesis can increase the knowledge for study and career counselors, about how individuals should be approached and what areas the profession should focus on to help individuals reach future career aspirations through an informed choice.

Denna studie syftade till att jämföra dagspressens konstruktioner av två gärningspersoner med olika etniska tillhörigheter, den ena svensk och den andra uzbekisk. Vid urvalet av tidningsartiklar inkluderades samtliga användbara artiklar som publicerats under en tidsperiod på sju dagar. Artiklarna studerades därefter genom en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Av detta återfanns att dagspressen genomgående konstruerade gärningspersonerna på olikartade sätt med fokus på den svenska gärningspersonens normalitet och den uzbekiska gärningspersonens utifrånskap. Resultatet analyserades med hjälp av det teoretiska förhållningssättet Orientalismen och begreppsparen “Vi” och “De andra”. En återkommande slutsats var attdagspressen rapporterade om den svenska gärningspersonen på ett tilltalande sätt vilket kunde uppfattas som “Vi” medan den uzbekiska gärningspersonen framställdes med en negativ betoning, förenligt med “De andra”. Sammantaget kunde etnicitet förstås ha varit en betydande faktor vid dagspressens konstruktion av dessa gärningspersoner. / The aim of this study was to compare the daily press’ constructions of two culprits with diverse ethnicities, one Swedish and one Uzbek. When sampling for news articles, all usable ones that were published within a time span of seven days were included. The articles were studied through a qualitative content analysis. The main result was that the daily press consistently constructed the culprits in different ways, by focusing on the normality of the Swedish and on the alienation of the Uzbek. The result was analyzed using the theoretical perspective Orientalism as well as the concept pair of “Us” and “The others”. A recurring conclusion was that the daily press presented the Swedish culprit in a pleasant way which could be understood as “Us” while the Uzbek culprit was described in negative manners, consistent with “The others”. Altogether, ethnicity could be understood as a considerable factor in the daily press’ constructions of these culprits.

Bakgrund: Öppenhet om psykisk ohälsa är något som har fått allt mer medial uppmärksamhet. Konceptet öppenhet är brett och innefattar flertal definitioner såsom transparens, som i att vara ärlig och inte gömma information, samt ett förhållningssätt som präglas av bland annat tolerans och förmågan att acceptera nya perspektiv och idéer. Öppenhet avhandlas i denna studie från perspektivet av sjuksköterskor med egen erfarenhet av psykisk ohälsa. Syfte: Denna studie syftar till att utforska sjuksköterskors upplevelser och erfarenheter av öppenhet gällande psykisk ohälsa samt att avtäcka öppenhetens meningsbärande enheter utifrån ett omvårdnadsperspektiv. Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ studiedesign med en fenomenologisk hermeneutisk forskningsansats. Information samlades in via semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i 3 övergripande teman: öppenhet som transparens, öppenhet som förhållningssätt och öppenhetens kraft och fundamentala växelverkan. Helhetstolkningen  visade att öppenhet är en förutsättning för all typ av medmänsklig interaktion och kommunikation. Att dela med sig av erfarenheter av psykisk ohälsa är transparens med intentionalitet kopplat till både strävan efter en bättre värld och ett sätt att visa omsorg. Helhetstolkningen mynnade ut i att sjuksköterskors öppenhet gällande egen erfarenhet av psykisk ohälsa i hög grad påverkades av upplevd stigma. Slutsats: Öppenhet har en inre självförstärkande kraft: öppenhet leder till öppenhet. Att dela med sig av egna erfarenheter av psykisk ohälsa ter sig har en stor potential i att skapa relationer präglade av ömsesidighet och medmänsklighet. Att bemöta med öppenhet är nyckeln till att ge transparensen en möjlighet att skapa en mer humanistisk och rättvis vård. / Background: Openness around mental health issues has gained increased media attention. The concept of openness is vast and includes multiple definition like transparency, as in to be honest and not hiding information, and also an approach characterized by, among others, tolerance and the ability to accept new perspectives and ideas. In this study openness is presented from the perspective of nurses with own experience of mental health issues. Aim: This study aims to explore nurses’ experiences and knowledge of openness regarding mental health issues and also uncover the meaning entities within the concept of openness from a nursing perspective. Method: The study uses a phenomenological hermeneutical method. Information was gained through semi-structured interviews. Findings: The analysis resulted in 3 main themes: openness as transparency, openness as an approach and the power and fundamental interactions of openness. The comprehensive understanding exposed openness as a postulate to all human interaction and communication. To share own experiences of mental health issues is transparency with intentionality including striving for a better world and mediate caring. The comprehensive understanding also indicated that nurses’ openness in sharing own experiences of mental health issues was impacted negatively by stigma experiences. Conclusion: Openness has an inner amplifying power: openness leads to openness. To share experiences regarding mental health issues appears to possess a great potential in creating relationships characterized by mutuality and compassion. To approach with openness is the key to give transparency the ability to create a more humane and just health care.

Att möta och stödja närstående till svårt sjuka patienter är en av sjuksköterskans många uppgifter. Författarparet har genomfört en empirisk kvalitativ intervjustudie om hur närstående uppfattar att de blivit bemötta inom kirurgisk verksamhet. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med fem stycken deltagare vars anhöriga vårdas eller vårdats för malign sjukdom i övre mag- tarm kanalen inom kirurgisk verksamhet. Syftet med studien var att få ökad kunskap i hur närstående uppfattar bemötandet. Vidare var syftet att ta reda på hur anhöriga önskar bli bemötta. Resultatet visade att närstående uppfattade brister i bland annat informationen och stödet de fick från personalen. / One of many tasks that nurses have is to meet and support significant others to severely ill patients. The authors´ aim with this empirical qualitative study was to examine how significant others get treated by hospital staff in surgery care sector. Semi structured interviews were held with five significant others to patients who were treated for cancer diseases in a surgical division. The aim of this study was to improve the knowledge of how significant others perceive the treatment they got from the hospital staff. Furthermore was the aim to examine how significant others would like to be received by the hospital staff. The results of this study showed that significant others had experienced, that the availability of information and support from the hospital staff, were inadequate.

INTRODUCTION: Despite evidence showing that tinnitus can have a detrimental impact on significant others (SOs), no standardized self-reported measure is currently available that specifically assesses the presence of third-party disability for tinnitus. The aim of this study was to develop and assess the psychometric properties of a newly developed self-reported measure for SOs of tinnitus and assess how scores could be meaningfully interpreted. METHODS: The research consisted of two phases. During Phase I, the Consequences of Tinnitus on Significant Others Questionnaire (CTSOQ) was developed using the The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidance. Phase II included the assessment of psychometric properties of the CTSOQ including the construct validity, internal consistency, interpretability, and responsiveness. Pairs of 194 individuals with tinnitus and their SOs completed a series of online questionnaires. SOs completed the CTSOQ measure while individuals with tinnitus completed measures related to tinnitus distress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and quality of life. RESULTS: A 25 item CTSOQ was developed using a formative model. The questionnaire validation process indicated good psychometric properties with an internal consistency of 0.93 and inter-item correlation of 0.60. Support was found for the construct and discriminative validity of the measure. Floor and ceiling effects were negligible. Scores can be meaningfully interpreted to indicate mild, significant, or severe effect of tinnitus on SOs. The questionnaire was also found to be responsive to treatment-related changes. CONCLUSIONS: The CTSOQ was found to have sufficient measurement properties suggesting that it is a suitable measure of third-party disability for SOs of individuals with tinnitus. Further research should be initiated to measure face validity and what scores reflect clinically meaningful change.