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Šio tyrimo tikslas – fizinės būklės, fizinio pajėgumo ir fizinio aktyvumo rodikliais įvertinti KMU studentų fizinę sveikatą. Tikslui įgyvendinti iškelti tokie uždaviniai: įvertinti KMU studentų fizinę būklę; nustatyti KMU studentų fizinio pajėgumo lygį; įvertinti KMU studentų kasdienio fizinio aktyvumo lygį; palyginti fizinio aktyvumo, fizinio pajėgumo ir fizinės būklės kitimą. Studentų fizinei būklei vertinti buvo matuojamas tiriamųjų ūgis, svoris, GPT, sistolinis AKS, pulsas ramybės metu, pulso atsistatymas po fizinio krūvio. Fizinis pajėgumas buvo vertinamas atlikus 2 km ėjimo bei Eurofit testus (flamingo, tepingo, sėstis ir siekti, šuolis į tolį iš vietos, plaštakos jėgos, sėsti ir gulti, 10 x 5 bėgimo šaudykle, ištvermės bėgimo šaudykle). Analizuojami Baecke kasdienio fizinio aktyvumo klausimyno rezultatai apibūdino studentų fizinį aktyvumą darbinėje veikloje, sportinėje veikloje ir laisvalaikiu. Atlikus visus testus ir matavimus, užpildžius klausimyną, buvo vertinami KMU studentų fizinė sveikata ir jos komponentai, jų kitimas tyrimo metais. / The aim of the research is to evaluate physical health of the students of KMU by indexes of physical condition, fitness and activity. In order to accomplish the aim, such tasks were set: to evaluate physical condition of the students, determine their level of physical fitness, estimate the level of students’ everyday activeness and compare the variation of physical activity, potential, and variation of physical condition. For the evaluation of students’ physical condition, such factors were taken into account: height, weight, vital lung capacity, systolic blood pressure, pulse’s condition in a calm state and its recovery after a physical activity. Physical fitness was evaluated after conducting 2 km walk and Eurofit tests. The results of Beaecke everyday physical activity survey characterized students’ physical activeness in operational, sports and leisure activities. After conducting all the tests, taking measurements and filling survey, students’ physical health, its components and variation were evaluated. The results of the research revealed that physical health state of the students was improving. During the sessions from 2007-2008 till 2009-2010 better indexes of lungs vital capacity and good height and weight proportions could have a reasonable impact on this improvement. On the other hand, reaction after physical activity had worsen during this period. Evaluating the physical potential of students by Eurofit tests, the most extreme changes, making the biggest... [to full text]

Companies throughout the world are faced with continual changes in order to remain competitive and survive. These changes are caused by economic uncertainty, globalisation, mergers and acquisitions. The results are unemployment or transfer of workers to the different areas of the organisation. These changes have unprecedented effect on workers, especially the survivors of retrenchments or downsizing, resulting in a feeling of job insecurity. lnsecurity is concerned with the continued existence of jobs for the employees in the organisation. It is characterised by feelings of powerlessness, uncertainty and fear. Consequently, job insecurity has emerged as an important stressor in modern organisations. Studies indicate that job insecurity leads to physical and psychological health problems. Further employees who experience feelings of job insecurity are more likely to display undesirable organisational outcomes such as withdrawal behaviours, job dissatisfaction and low organisational commitment. The empirical objective of this study was to determine the possible relationship between job insecurity, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Also, whether job insecurity can predict job satisfaction and organisational commitment. A survey design was used to realise the research objectives. The study population consisted of 121 employees in a mining organisation. The Job Insecurity Questionnaire, the Revised Short-version of the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Organisational Commitment Questionnaires were used as measuring instruments. Reliability and construct validity of all three questionnaires were found to be acceptable. It was found that respondents experienced below average levels of job insecurity. They further showed above average levels of job satisfaction and organisational commitment. The findings indicate that a relationship exists between job insecurity, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Practically significant differences of medium to large effect were established for race, respondents having qualifications of less than Std 10, semiskilled, grade C3, 4 and 5 and E, DL and DU, and who are affiliated to NUMSA, which means that they experience more job insecurity compared to other groups. Through regression analysis, it was established that job insecurity predicts 44% of total variance of job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Limitations were identified and recommendations with regard to future research and recommendations for the organisation were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2004.

Experiencing a physical health condition can have wide ranging physical and psychological outcomes for an individual, impacting on many aspects of daily living. The psychological outcomes can vary widely, from extreme psychological distress to psychological growth, and are complex and dynamic. Traditionally, research has focused on those experiencing psychological distress, despite evidence showing that many individuals are able to achieve positive psychological outcomes. The literature is unclear in defining different positive psychological outcomes, and indeed distinguishing different outcomes and processes from one another. Attention needs to be paid to the definition applied to individuals who are reporting positive psychological outcomes following physical health difficulties and further understanding the process through which individuals achieve these outcomes. This empirical study aimed to address some of the gaps in the literature, by exploring how six individuals reporting positive psychological outcomes following spinal cord injury described and explained these outcomes. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to investigate the experience of these individuals. Three superordinate themes were extracted: "Living a normal life, just doing things differently", "Overcoming challenges: Determination to succeed" and "Using the resources available to me". The research supported the idea that positive psychological outcomes arise through a complex interplay between personality, cognitive and environmental factors. Theoretically, this research has implications for defining positive psychological outcomes following spinal cord injury, in addition to contributing towards future theoretical frameworks that aim to provide a basis for understanding the process through which positive psychological outcomes following spinal cord injury are achieved. Clinically, this research provides a narrative that can be used with people following spinal cord injury and also provides evidence for the use of cognitive screening measures such as appraisal style, to identify individuals who may be showing less adaptive cognitions.

Introduction: The following risk factors have found to be associated with inadequate health care and have been found to affect the well-being of children: racial or ethnic minority, poverty status, median family income, family structure of household, maternal education level, and parental employment status. Also, there has found to be health indicators including, teen pregnancy, asthma hospitalization, and lead poisoning cases that affect the well-being of a child and are associated with the presence of these risk factors in a population. Objectives: The objectives of this study is to (1) compare the presence of risk factors and health indicators in Richmond, Virginia to two surrounding counties and with the state of Virginia and (2) to assess the need for a program designed to conduct an annual physical examination program for selected Richmond Public Schools.Methods: The United States Decennial Census data was collected for Richmond City, Chesterfield County, Henrico County, and for the state of Virginia. Also, data on health indicators was collected from Virginia Health Communities and Kids Count Data respectively. Ratios were calculated for the risk factors aforementioned, as well as for health indicators available. Poisson regression was used to determine the cumulative effect of a child have multiple risk factors. Results: There was a significant difference between the four localities in regards to distribution of racial/ethnic minorities, poverty status of children, family structure of households with children, maternal education level, and parental employment status. Richmond was found to have higher ratios for all risk factors tested. In terms of the health indicators analyzed, there was a significant difference between Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Virginia in regards to teen pregnancy, asthma hospitalization, and lead poisoning cases, with Richmond having the highest prevalence of each of these indicators. Discussion: Because of the prevalence of risk factors in Richmond children for inadequate access to health care, a program was designed to conduct an annual physical examination program for select Richmond Public schools. The initiative would attempt to identify populations within the city at greatest risk and provide a program that would not only provide annual physical examinations, but also provide continual care for children with additional health needs. Conclusions: The use of public school systems for an avenue to provide needed health care for children has been found to be beneficial. The program described to provide annual physical examinations for children in selected Richmond Public Schools, can serve as a template for other communities with similar risk factors.

Previous research on female street sex workers (FSSWs) has primarily concentrated on the stigmatisation of women's involvement in the sex industry particularly with reference to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The response of the criminal justice system to the regulation of the illegal aspects of women's engagement in street sex work has also been criticised. However, the impact of street sex work on the health and wellbeing of these women requires further research. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and needs of female street sex workers in relation to their own health and wellbeing. The study used a qualitative mixed methods approach that included analysis of three sets of data: visual data, secondary data and primary data. There were 10 FSSWs recruited for the primary data sample. The epistemological position underpinning this study is social constructivism and a feminist paradigm has informed the conduct of the research process and data analysis. The theoretical application of Bourdieu's framework of habitus, capital and field has provided the lens through which to explore the socially constructed experiences of FSSWs health and wellbeing. Findings from this study revealed that FSSWs experienced poor physical, mental and social health and wellbeing. They faced limited life choices and often felt discriminated against by the agencies and institutions that should have offered support. The women spoke of their personal histories especially traumatic life events in childhood consisting of sexual abuse, neglect, loss, rejection as well as intimate partner violence in adult life. The loss of their children to social services, housing difficulties and addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine were also significant in contributing to social exclusion and their multiple positions of vulnerability. This study contributes to the body of work on women's health and wellbeing. In particular, it adds to our understanding of the lived experiences of women involved in street sex work. A key public health priority should be the development of policies and systems to provide quality services to support the health, safety and wellbeing of FSSWs.

Adults with mental illnesses are at an increased risk to be diagnosed with one or more comorbid physical illnesses compared to the general population. Much of the disparities faced by adults with serious mental illnesses (SMI) can be attributed to medication side effects, increased risk for metabolic diseases, inability to communicate about severity and monitor physical health symptoms, poor health behaviors, high rates of smoking, and poor quality health care. The rate of physical illnesses for adults with mental illnesses are even higher among those who have been involved with the criminal justice system. In order to understand the relationship between physical and mental illnesses, longitudinal study designs are needed. Longitudinal studies can provide greater understanding of the temporal relationship of physical and mental illnesses. Despite the benefits of longitudinal studies, there also are challenges, including missing data. The first manuscript of this dissertation explores the physical and mental health status of adults with mental illnesses. Secondary data were used from three different studies: a sample of adults with SMI enrolled in a mental health court jail diversion program (n=91); a sample of Medicaid enrollees with SMI in Florida (n=688) who were part of a larger Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study; and a sample of inpatient and outpatient adults with SMI from five different study sites (n=969). The samples were combined into two data sets, consisting of the jail diversion sample and the SAMHSA sample, and the jail diversion sample and the 5-site sample. Participants in these samples answered questions on the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), recent arrests, drug and alcohol use, socio-demographic information, and mental illness symptom severity (measured only in the criminal justice and 5-site samples). Overall, the mental and physical health status scores were significantly lower for all of the participants compared to the general population mean scores. The participants reporting a recent arrest had a higher physical health score compared to those who did not have a recent arrest, and in the jail diversion and 5-site sample, had a lower mental health status score than those without a recent arrest. After taking age, drug and alcohol use, and psychiatric symptom severity into account, arrest was no longer associated with the physical health status score in either of the data sets. In the jail diversion and 5-site data set, arrest was still significantly associated with mental health status score after controlling for age, drug and alcohol use, and psychiatric symptom severity. The second manuscript of this dissertation explores the analysis of missing data in a longitudinal study to determine the missing data mechanisms and missing data patterns, and subsequently, how to prepare the data for analysis by using multiple imputation or maximum likelihood estimation. Secondary data were drawn from the same jail diversion sample as in the first manuscript. Data were collected at baseline, three months, six months, and nine months. Only participants with the potential to have data collected at these time points were included (n=50). Analysis revealed missing data due to missing item-level information, missing participant data at one time point but complete data at a subsequent time point, and missing participant data for those who dropped out of the study completely. The missing data mechanism for the missing item-level data were missing completely at random, whereas the participant-level missing data were missing at random. Multiple imputation was used for the item-level data and for the participant-level missing data. Maximum likelihood estimation was also used for the participant-level missing data and compared to the multiple imputation results. Findings suggest that multiple imputation produced more accurate parameter estimates, possibly due to the small sample size. The findings from this study indicate that more research needs to be done to fully understand the physical illnesses experienced by adults with mental illnesses who are involved with the criminal justice system. Understanding mental and physical illness comorbidity is important in public health as it dictates appropriate treatments and training for behavioral health practitioners and staff. In addition, missing data in longitudinal studies cannot be ignored, as it can bias the results, and appropriate techniques for exploring the missing data must be used. When missing data is ignored in analyses, the subsequent results can be incorrect and unable to detect treatment effects, thereby preventing effective programs from receiving necessary funding. In addition, ignoring missing data can impact funding for behavioral health services by underestimating the prevalence and severity of mental illnesses. Future research should focus on exploring how mental and physical health are related in adults with a recent arrest compared to the general population, and ways to integrate services to address both mental and physical health.