Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is a powerful tool enabling researchers to gain insight into biological processes at the atomic level. There have been many advancements in both hardware and software in the last decade to both accelerate MD simulations and increase their predictive accuracy; however, MD simulations are typically limited to the microsecond timescale, whereas biological motions can take seconds or longer. Because of this, it remains extremely challenging to restrain simulations using ensemble-averaged experimental observables. Among various approaches to elucidate the kinetics of molecular simulations, Markov State Models (MSMs) have proven their ability to extract both kinetic and thermodynamic properties of long-timescale motions using ensembles of shorter MD simulation trajectories. In this dissertation, we have implemented an MSM path-entropy method, based on the idea of maximum-caliber, to efficiently predict the changes in protein folding behavior upon mutation. Next, we explore the accuracy of different MSM estimators applied to trajectory data obtained by adaptive seeding, in which new rounds of short MD simulations are collected from states of interest, and propose a simple method to build accurate models by population re-weighting of the transition count matrix. Finally, we explore ways to reconcile simulated ensembles with Hydrogen/Deuterium exchange (HDX) protection measurements, by constructing multi-ensemble Markov State Models (MEMMs) from biased MD simulations, and reconciling these predictions against the experimental data using the BICePs (Bayesian Inference of Conformational Populations) algorithm. We apply this approach to model the native-state conformational ensemble of apomyoglobin at neutral pH. / Chemistry

Après avoir analysé au travers d'une recherche exploratoire et clinique, certains des facteurs de protection mis en jeu lors d'un traumatisme, une investigation approfondie de la littérature internationale a été menée afin de mettre en évidence la pertinence d'un instrument permettant d'appréhender la présence d'un panel plus large de facteurs de résilience. Face auxlimites des outils psychométriques actuels et en vue de les pallier, une échelle de mesure a été élaborée. Ainsi, cette thèse sur travaux rapporte les étapes de développement et de validation d'un outil construit afin d'évaluer les facteurs de protection concourant à la résilience. Une analyse factorielle exploratoire des données a été conduite auprès de 299 participants francophones dans le but d'éprouver la structure de l'I.F.R-40 (Inventaire des Facteurs de Résilience). La validité convergente, la stabilité temporelle de même que la cohérence interne de l'outil ont fait l'objet d'une évaluation. Les résultats obtenus soutiennent une structure en trois dimensions (facteurs de protection personnels, familiaux et extra-Familiaux) et appuient la validité ainsi que la fidélité de l'I.F.R-40. D'autres analyses ont également été menées afin devalider la structure factorielle de l'Inventaire des Facteurs de Résilience (I.F.R-40) au moyen d'une A.F.C (Analyse Factorielle Confirmatoire). Les analyses réalisées confirment la présence de trois facteurs, interprétés en termes de facteurs de protection familiaux, facteurs de protection individuels et facteurs de protection extrafamiliaux. L'étude de la validité divergente confirme les liens prédits entre l'I.F.R-40 et l'échelle composite de dépression de Berndt et Kaiser (1999). Enfin, l'I.F.R-40 différencie les adolescents exposés à un traumatisme présentant des scores de dépression à la MDI-C de ceux ne manifestant pas de dépression. Ainsi, l'I.F.R-40 est une échelle tridimensionnelle présentant des propriétés psychométriques satisfaisantes. Les résultats sont discutés à la lumière de leurs implications à la fois théoriques et pratiques. / After having analysed through an exploratory and clinical research, some protection factors playing a part after a traumatism, an in-Depth investigation of international literature was conducted in order to bring to light the relevance of an instrument enabling to comprehend the presence of a larger set of resilience factors. Confronted with the limits of actual psychometric tools and in order to overcome them, a measurement scale has been worked out. Thus, this thesis reports the development and validation steps of a tool constructed with the aim of evaluating the protection factors working together towards resilience. An exploratory factorial data analysis was conducted on 299 French-Speaking participants to test the structure of the I.R.F-40 (Inventory of Resilience Factors). The convergent validity, the temporal stability as well as the internal consistency of the tool have been assessed. The results obtained approve of the three dimension structure (personal, familial and extra-Familial protection factors) and support the validity as well as the reliability of the I.R.F-40. Other analyses have also been conducted in order to validate the factorial structure of the Inventory of Resilience Factors (I.R.F-40) thanks to C.F.A (Confirmatory Factorial Analysis). The analyses conducted confirm the presence of three factors, interpretedin terms of familial protection factors, individual protection factors and extra-Familial protection factors. The study of the divergent validity confirms the predicted links between the I.R.F-40 and Berndt and Kaiser’s composite depression scale (1999). Finally, the I.R.F-40 differentiates the adolescents exposed to a traumatism and who have depression scores atMDI-C to those who experience no depression. Therefore, the I.R.F-40 is a three dimension scale presenting satisfactory psychometric properties. The results are discussed in the light of both their theoretical and practical implications.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2015-12-07T15:40:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 César Leonardo Karnal_.pdf: 267090 bytes, checksum: b540775d7da46d0375d4426a66662ad7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-07T15:40:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 César Leonardo Karnal_.pdf: 267090 bytes, checksum: b540775d7da46d0375d4426a66662ad7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-25 / Nenhuma / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo caracterizar fatores de proteção e fatores de risco para cursar uma graduação em alunos prounistas de uma universidade privada do Rio Grande do Sul. A aprovação no Enem e, a consequente, bolsa de prouni não são suficientes para a manutenção nos estudos e finalização da graduação. Os alunos têm que administrar estudo, trabalho e família durante o curso superior. Nessa pesquisa, a resiliência foi utilizada para tentar entender a capacidade dos alunos saírem fortalecidos em uma situação de crise. O método utilizado foi qualitativo e exploratório. Foram pesquisados 13 alunos, utilizando como instrumentos o grupo focal e um questionário sociodemográfico. Os dados foram analisados através da análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Os resultados destacaram a família como um fator tanto de proteção como de risco para cursar o nível superior, dependendo do apoio e incentivo dado ou da falta deles. Além disso, outras formas de apoio social também apareceram como significativas (pares, professores, gestores). Os jovens da pesquisa demonstraram que apesar das preocupações, dificuldades, sobrecarga e cansaço; o planejamento, esforço e determinação para concretizar um curso de graduação podem fazer diferença nas suas vidas, em termos financeiros, sociais e perspectivas futuras. / This research aims at analyzing protection factors and risk factors for PROUNI students to study an undergraduation course in a university in the South of Brazil. Being approved at ENEM, and consequently, receiving PROUNI grant are not enough to keep learners studying and finishing their courses. Students have to manage their studies, their work and family life along the university course. In this research, resilience was used as an attempt to understand the student´s capacity to feel stronger after a crisis situation. The methodology used was qualitative and exploratory. We used a focal group and a sociodemographic questionnaire as data collection instruments. Moreover,thirteen students participated. Data were explored using content analyses from Bardin. Results show thatfamily can be a risk factor as well as a protection factor when studying an undergraduation course, it is either a risk or a protection depending on the support and incentive offered. In addition to that, other ways to offer social support are described as meaningful (pairs, professors, managers). Participants revealed that, although they are concerned with their difficulties, overloaded and stressed out, planning and putting on effort and determination to finish their courses is still worthwhile. It can make a difference in financial and social terms and also offer perspective to their future lives.

O trabalho analisa as contribuições da espiritualidade e da Pastoral católicas no desenvolvimento da resiliência, em jovens de 18 a 29 anos. Define-se a resiliência como o processo comportamental ou psíquico, de superação de situações adversas e traumáticas. Pode ser motivado, impulsionado e ajudado a continuar desenvolvendo-se mediante a promoção dos fatores de proteção (externos), assim como dos pilares de resiliência (internos) do próprio jovem. Estudam-se algumas características da religiosidade/espiritualidade na juventude, no tempo atual, e discutem-se as contribuições da religiosidade/espiritualidade e da Pastoral católicas no desenvolvimento da resiliência, vinculando os elementos priorizados em publicações pastorais da Igreja Católica, com os fatores de proteção e os pilares descritos na literatura sobre resiliência. Para a pesquisa qualitativa foram escolhidos 13 jovens residentes em São Leopoldo/RS, de 21 a 29 anos de idade, católicos e com alta resiliência. A maioria esteve exposta a fatores de risco e passou por uma constelação de situações críticas e/ou traumáticas. Na literatura, os fatores de proteção que favorecem o processo de resiliência são dois: a aceitação incondicional de pelo menos uma pessoa e as redes de apoio social, formais e informais (por exemplo: família, amigos, instituições educativas, sociais, grupos e comunidades de Igreja, rede de saúde, etc.). Os pilares de resiliência possíveis de serem promovidos são: a auto-estima; algumas aptidões e competências pessoais específicas; o senso de humor; e a religiosidade/espiritualidade ou o sentido da vida. Na pesquisa de campo os jovens se autodefinem como católicos e salientam que a ajuda de Deus e da família é essencial para poderem superar situações adversas e traumáticas. Não aparecem mencionadas como significativas nem autoridades, nem lideranças católicas, e sim alguns grupos de Igreja. A maioria dos entrevistados não têm prática institucional coletiva na Igreja Católica após a Primeira Comunhão. Porém, vários frequentam outras Igrejas, sem entrar em conflito com a sua pertença católica. A oração pessoal, espontânea, nas suas casas é uma prática privilegiada e frequente. A dimensão pessoal, subjetiva e emocional é um traço da sua religiosidade/espiritualidade. O estudo analisa como a resiliência pode ser promovida através de pessoas, grupos e instituições e através das propostas pastorais, assim como as possibilidades, as perspectivas e os desafios que o tema da resiliência traz para a reflexão e o trabalho que a Igreja Católica realiza junto aos jovens, visando tanto a prevenção quanto a superação de situações adversas ou traumáticas. / The study analyses how Catholic spirituality and Catholic pastoral work contribute to the development of resilience in young people between 18 and 29 years old. Resilience is defined as a behavioural or psychological process, which entails the overcoming of adverse and traumatic situations. The promotion of the protective factors (external) and the resilience pillars (internal) of the very same youngster can motivate, prompt or help the process to continue. Some of the characteristics of current young religiosity/spirituality are studied, and the contributions to the development of resilience made by Catholic religiosity/spirituality and Catholic pastoral work are discussed, linking the elements to which the pastoral publications of the Catholic Church have given priority with the protection factors and pillars described in literature regarding resilience. For the qualitative investigation, 13 young, catholic and highly- resilience, São Leopoldo/RS residents, between 18 and 29 years old, were selected. Most of them have been exposed to risk factors and undergone a constellation of critical and/or traumatic situations. According to literature, the protection factors that favour the process of resilience are two: the unconditional acceptance of at least one person and the social support networks, formal or informal (for instance, family, friends, educational and social institutions, Church groups and communities, health network, etc.). The resilience pillars that can be promoted are: self-esteem, some specific personal abilities and competencies, sense of humour, and the religiosity/spirituality or meaning of life. In field investigation, the youngsters define themselves as Catholics and state that help from God and their families is essential to overcome adverse and traumatic situations. Catholic authorities or leaders are not mentioned as significant, but some Church groups are. Most of those interviewed do not have any collective institutional practice at the Catholic Church after the First Communion. However, many frequent other churches, without coming into conflict with their catholic identity. Personal and spontaneous prayer at home is a privileged and common practice. Personal, subjective and emotional dimension is one feature of their religiosity/spirituality. The study analyses how people, groups, institutions and pastoral proposals can promote resilience, along with the possibilities, perspectives and challenges resilience posits to the reflection and work the Catholic Church does with the young, covering both the prevention and the overcoming of adverse and traumatic situations.

Orientador: Gimol Benzaquen Perosa / Resumo: Introdução. Os avanços científicos e tecnológicos dos últimos anos levaram ao aumento da taxa de sobrevida de prematuros. Consequentemente, profissionais de saúde e pesquisadores passaram a direcionar sua atenção aos problemas e cuidados necessários para que essa população apresente um bom desenvolvimento. Apesar das pesquisas constatarem que prematuros podem apresentar prejuízos em todas as áreas do desenvolvimento, poucos autores se preocuparam em estudar o desempenho da escrita durante a fase escolar e a repercussão em sua qualidade de vida. Objetivos. Identificar, dentre variáveis clínicas, sociodemográficas e habilidades de integração visomotora, percepção visual e coordenação motora, fatores de risco e proteção para o desempenho e a qualidade da escrita de escolares prematuros, de 6 a 9 anos de idade, e sua possível associação com sua qualidade de vida. Método. Uma amostra de 26 crianças nascidas prematuras, em idade escolar, alfabetizadas, que frequentavam o Ambulatório de Seguimento de Prematuros de Muito Baixo Peso, foi avaliada a partir do Protocolo McMaster de Avaliação da Escrita. Suas habilidades de integração visomotora, percepção visual e coordenação motora foram avaliadas através do Beery-VMI e sua qualidade de vida, pelo Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Enfant Imagé (AUQEI). Foram coletados, também, dados sociodemográficos e clínicos, através dos prontuários médicos e completados com dados fornecidos pelas mães. Além da análise estatística descritiva e inferencia... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction. Recent scientific and technological advances have led to an increase in premature children survival rate. Consequently, health professionals and researchers started to focus their attention on problems and care needed for a good development of this population. Although researches verify that premature children can present damage in all development areas, few authors concerned about studying handwriting performance during the school phase and its repercussion in their quality of life. Objective. Identifying, among clinical and sociodemographic variables, as well as visual-motor integration, visual perception and motor coordination, risk and protection factors for handwriting performance and quality of premature children, from 6 to 9 years old, and the possible association with quality of life. Method. A sample of 26 prematurely born children, school aged, literate, who were attending the follow-up clinic of very-low-weight premature, was assessed by The McMaster Handwriting Assessment Protocol. Their visual- motor integration, visual perception and motor coordination abilities were assessed with Beery-VMI and the quality of life was assessed with Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Enfant Imagé (AUQEI). The sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from patients charts and completed with data provided by the mothers. Besides descriptive and inferential data analysis, qualitative analysis was carried out with the three best performance children and the three wors... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T14:15:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Angela Leticia dos Santos.pdf: 1155007 bytes, checksum: f4bd41e4bdcfdaf0490fd4c9bf5907d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-11-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / School violence constitutes one of the difficulties in the accomplishment of the knowledge building process, fact which worries and drives educators, and also students, to deepen the understanding of the forms to react to the problem. This work studies the social condition of schools, which, built around a repression system, end up being a space favorable to the manifestation of violent attitudes, often destroying attempts for breaking free from hierarchization by the students. From the references in Foucault and related to the accumulation of the theoretical debate about bullying and from the contribution of the ethical discussion and of the relative presence of the family in the educational framework and in the social protection, we proceeded to the observation of the consequences of this system. In the research work performed, through qualitative procedures, with state schools students from the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo/SP, the reports reinforce the Idea of a repressive school system: they point to the power relationships in the schools, among school officials, teachers and students; to the disrespect to the singularities and condition of the developing individual; to the abuse of punishment, such as school suspension and mandatory transference; to the reinforcement of prejudice and permanence of segregation. The identification of the multiple causes that concur to establish violent conditions, after the analysis of the bibliography and content of the reports from the students, served as base to point out useful protection factors for the improvement for living together in the schools. Guidelines to be adopted by educators in their everyday actions derive from them. Thirteen of them are presented: Promoting education with ethics; To be an effective educator; To be a rational educator; Knowing the stages of the infant and youth development; To respect to be respected; To recognize the differences and diversities to built relationships of respect; To be fair; To identify unfairness against children and teenagers; To stimulate political participation; To be solidary; To involve the community in the educational process; To repudiate violence and lead the transforming dialogue / A violência escolar constitui uma das dificuldades para a efetivação do processo de construção do saber, fato que preocupa e impulsiona educadores, e também educandos, a aprofundar o conhecimento das formas de reagir ao problema. Este trabalho estuda a condição social das escolas, que, construídas à luz de um sistema de repressão, acabam se configurando como espaço propício para a manifestação de atitudes violentas, destruindo tentativas dos estudantes de romper com a hierarquização. A partir de referências em Foucault e relativas ao acúmulo do debate teórico acerca do bullying, do aporte da discussão ética e da relativa à presença da família no quadro educacional e de proteção social, procedemos à observação das conseqüências desse sistema. No trabalho de pesquisa realizado, mediante procedimentos qualitativos, com estudantes de escolas estaduais do município de São Bernardo do Campo/SP, os relatos reforçam a idéia de um sistema escolar repressor: apontam para as relações de poder nas escolas, entre funcionários, professores e alunos; para o desrespeito às singularidades e a condição de indivíduo em desenvolvimento; para o abuso de punições, como a suspensão escolar e a transferência compulsória; para o reforço ao preconceito e à permanência da segregação. A identificação das múltiplas causas que concorrem para estabelecer relações sociais violentas, após análise da bibliografia e do conteúdo dos relatos dos estudantes serviu de base para apontar fatores de proteção úteis na melhoria das condições de convivência nas escolas. Deles decorrem diretrizes a serem adotadas por educadores no cotidiano de suas ações. São apresentadas treze delas: Promover educação com ética; Ser um educador afetivo; Ser um educador racional; Conhecer as etapas do desenvolvimento infanto-juvenil; Respeitar para ser respeitado; Reconhecer as diversidades para construir relações de respeito; Ser justo; Identificar injustiças contra crianças e adolescentes; Estimular a participação política; Ser solidário; Envolver a comunidade no processo educacional; Repudiar a violência e protagonizar o diálogo transformador

O presente estudo teve como objeto a prevalência e os preditores do trabalho remunerado entre indivíduos com transtorno mental, identificando-se a necessidade de estudar tal prevalência e os fatores que favorecem a inserção destes indivíduos no trabalho remunerado, em detrimento dos seus fatores de risco, considerando a sua importância na vida do indivíduo e também a relação entre o trabalho e o transtorno mental nos diferentes períodos históricos do Brasil e do mundo, sob a égide da Reabilitação Psicossocial voltada para o eixo trabalho com valor social. Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem quantitativa, descritiva e retrospectiva, com amostra de 258 fichas de admissão de pacientes atendidos em um ambulatório de saúde mental do interior do estado de São Paulo. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de um roteiro norteador contendo informações dos aspectos sociodemográficos, situação de trabalho e aspectos clínicos dos participantes, que, posteriormente, foram submetidas a análises bivariadas, a saber, teste de Qui-Quadrado (Chi-Square test) e teste Exato de Fisher (Fisher\'s Exact test) com o objetivo de identificar a associação entre as variáveis e à análise de regressão logística múltipla, tendo como propósito identificar os fatores associados ao exercício de atividade remunerada. Os aspectos éticos das diretrizes e normas propostos pela resolução 466/ 2012 do Conselho nacional de Saúde para as pesquisas com seres humanos foram respeitados, com aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo - EERP/ USP. Com relação aos resultados, 40,3% dos participantes exerciam trabalho remunerado e 59,7% não exerciam tal atividade, a maioria era do gênero feminino, tinha entre 40 e 59 anos, baixa escolaridade e não tinha companheiro. Os preditores do trabalho remunerado identificados neste estudo foram a idade mais jovem, o gênero masculino, as categorias de transtornos mentais de humor e ansiosos em detrimento dos outros tipos de transtorno e a não utilização de medicamentos antipsicóticos. Destaca-se que os preditores idade, não uso de antipsicóticos e gênero masculino provavelmente sofreram influência dos subgrupos dos indivíduos aposentados, afastados por doença ou desempregados e apenas as categorias diagnósticas não sofreram tal influência, portanto, identifica-se a importância do olhar mais cuidadoso aos indivíduos com diagnósticos psiquiátricos mais severos, estigmatizantes e incapacitantes no sentido de empreender esforços que viabilizem a inserção desses indivíduos no trabalho remunerado dentro do mercado formal, quando possível, ou em formas de trabalho protegidas / The present study had as object the prevalence and predictors of paid work among individuals with mental disorder, identifying the need to study such theme, to the detriment of its risk factors, considering its importance for the individual\'s life and under the aegis of Psychosocial Rehabilitation focused on the work with social value axis. This is a quantitative, descriptive and retrospective study, with a sample of 258 admission records from patients attended at a mental health clinic in the interior of the state of Sao Paulo. Data collection was done through a guiding script containing information about sociodemographic aspects, work situation and clinical aspects of the participants, which were then submitted to bivariate analysis, as the Chi-Square test and Fisher\'s Exact test with the objective of identifying the association between the variables and the multiple logistic regression analysis, in order to identify the factors associated with paid work. The present study was approved for the Ethics and Research Committee of the Ribeirao Preto School of Nursing University of Sao Paulo. About the results, 40.3% of the participants were inserted in paid work and 59.7% did not practice this activity, the majority were female, between 40 and 59 years old, had low education and had no marital-partner. The predictors of paid work identified in this study were the younger age, the male gender, the diagnostic categories of mental disorders related to mood and anxious to the detriment of the other types of mental disorders and the non-use of antipsychotic medications. It stands out the predictors of age, non-use of antipsychotics and male gender as factors that were probably influenced by the subgroups of retired, away from work by illness or unemployed individuals and only the diagnostic categories did not suffer such influence, therefore, the importance of a more careful look to individuals with more severe, stigmatizing and incapacitating psychiatric diagnoses in the sense of undertake efforts that make possible the insertion of these individuals in paid work in the formal market, whenever possible, or in protected forms of work.

O presente estudo teve como objeto a prevalência e os preditores do trabalho remunerado entre indivíduos com transtorno mental, identificando-se a necessidade de estudar tal prevalência e os fatores que favorecem a inserção destes indivíduos no trabalho remunerado, em detrimento dos seus fatores de risco, considerando a sua importância na vida do indivíduo e também a relação entre o trabalho e o transtorno mental nos diferentes períodos históricos do Brasil e do mundo, sob a égide da Reabilitação Psicossocial voltada para o eixo trabalho com valor social. Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem quantitativa, descritiva e retrospectiva, com amostra de 258 fichas de admissão de pacientes atendidos em um ambulatório de saúde mental do interior do estado de São Paulo. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de um roteiro norteador contendo informações dos aspectos sociodemográficos, situação de trabalho e aspectos clínicos dos participantes, que, posteriormente, foram submetidas a análises bivariadas, a saber, teste de Qui-Quadrado (Chi-Square test) e teste Exato de Fisher (Fisher\'s Exact test) com o objetivo de identificar a associação entre as variáveis e à análise de regressão logística múltipla, tendo como propósito identificar os fatores associados ao exercício de atividade remunerada. Os aspectos éticos das diretrizes e normas propostos pela resolução 466/ 2012 do Conselho nacional de Saúde para as pesquisas com seres humanos foram respeitados, com aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo - EERP/ USP. Com relação aos resultados, 40,3% dos participantes exerciam trabalho remunerado e 59,7% não exerciam tal atividade, a maioria era do gênero feminino, tinha entre 40 e 59 anos, baixa escolaridade e não tinha companheiro. Os preditores do trabalho remunerado identificados neste estudo foram a idade mais jovem, o gênero masculino, as categorias de transtornos mentais de humor e ansiosos em detrimento dos outros tipos de transtorno e a não utilização de medicamentos antipsicóticos. Destaca-se que os preditores idade, não uso de antipsicóticos e gênero masculino provavelmente sofreram influência dos subgrupos dos indivíduos aposentados, afastados por doença ou desempregados e apenas as categorias diagnósticas não sofreram tal influência, portanto, identifica-se a importância do olhar mais cuidadoso aos indivíduos com diagnósticos psiquiátricos mais severos, estigmatizantes e incapacitantes no sentido de empreender esforços que viabilizem a inserção desses indivíduos no trabalho remunerado dentro do mercado formal, quando possível, ou em formas de trabalho protegidas / The present study had as object the prevalence and predictors of paid work among individuals with mental disorder, identifying the need to study such theme, to the detriment of its risk factors, considering its importance for the individual\'s life and under the aegis of Psychosocial Rehabilitation focused on the work with social value axis. This is a quantitative, descriptive and retrospective study, with a sample of 258 admission records from patients attended at a mental health clinic in the interior of the state of Sao Paulo. Data collection was done through a guiding script containing information about sociodemographic aspects, work situation and clinical aspects of the participants, which were then submitted to bivariate analysis, as the Chi-Square test and Fisher\'s Exact test with the objective of identifying the association between the variables and the multiple logistic regression analysis, in order to identify the factors associated with paid work. The present study was approved for the Ethics and Research Committee of the Ribeirao Preto School of Nursing University of Sao Paulo. About the results, 40.3% of the participants were inserted in paid work and 59.7% did not practice this activity, the majority were female, between 40 and 59 years old, had low education and had no marital-partner. The predictors of paid work identified in this study were the younger age, the male gender, the diagnostic categories of mental disorders related to mood and anxious to the detriment of the other types of mental disorders and the non-use of antipsychotic medications. It stands out the predictors of age, non-use of antipsychotics and male gender as factors that were probably influenced by the subgroups of retired, away from work by illness or unemployed individuals and only the diagnostic categories did not suffer such influence, therefore, the importance of a more careful look to individuals with more severe, stigmatizing and incapacitating psychiatric diagnoses in the sense of undertake efforts that make possible the insertion of these individuals in paid work in the formal market, whenever possible, or in protected forms of work.

Sexual abuse of children is a reality that occurs in communities on a daily basis. In a specific informal settlement in Buffalo City, where the researcher has previously worked as social worker, statistics showed that children in their early childhood are the most vulnerable to sexual abuse. The parents' socio-economic circumstances lead to inadequate protection and security for their minor children, making them vulnerable to sexual abuse. Research shows that each community has specific risk and protection factors in respect of sexual abuse. The aim of this study was to explore and describe through a descriptive, qualitative design the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City. The research question for the study reads as follows: What are the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City? Sixteen participants were interviewed by means of semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Purposeful, non-probability sampling was used to select parents or caregivers of children who were sexually abused as well as community leaders in the community to participate in the interviewing. Detailed reflections were ob tained from participants of their perceptions of contributing risk factors that left the children vulnerable. These interviews were conducted with the use of an interview schedule that was compiled in accordance with a literature study and thereafter tested. The methods that were use to capture data were interviewing, observations, reflections and fieldnotes. The interviews were transcribed for the purposes of data analysis and were analysed according to the steps of Creswell (2009). The ecological system perspective has served as the theoretical framework for this study, and five themes were identified in this context. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and were discussed with relevant narratives. The narratives were obtained from the transcripts. Finally, the findings were checked and verified against existing literature. The results can be summarised as follows: i. According to the findings, risk factors that contribute to the preschool child as an individual being vulnerable to sexual abuse is leaving the child alone at home without adequate supervision or the inability of parents or caregivers to provide adequately for the child’s basic needs. ii. Inadequate parenting was identified as a contributing risk factor on micro level. iii. Apathy among neighbours due to the absence of ubuntu was a contributing risk factor on meso level. iv. Inadequate programmes by social service organisations to preschool children were contributing risk factors on the eco systemic level. v. Finally, poverty and inadequate infrastructure were contributing risk factors within the community as macro system. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Sexual abuse of children is a reality that occurs in communities on a daily basis. In a specific informal settlement in Buffalo City, where the researcher has previously worked as social worker, statistics showed that children in their early childhood are the most vulnerable to sexual abuse. The parents' socio-economic circumstances lead to inadequate protection and security for their minor children, making them vulnerable to sexual abuse. Research shows that each community has specific risk and protection factors in respect of sexual abuse. The aim of this study was to explore and describe through a descriptive, qualitative design the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City. The research question for the study reads as follows: What are the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City? Sixteen participants were interviewed by means of semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Purposeful, non-probability sampling was used to select parents or caregivers of children who were sexually abused as well as community leaders in the community to participate in the interviewing. Detailed reflections were ob tained from participants of their perceptions of contributing risk factors that left the children vulnerable. These interviews were conducted with the use of an interview schedule that was compiled in accordance with a literature study and thereafter tested. The methods that were use to capture data were interviewing, observations, reflections and fieldnotes. The interviews were transcribed for the purposes of data analysis and were analysed according to the steps of Creswell (2009). The ecological system perspective has served as the theoretical framework for this study, and five themes were identified in this context. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and were discussed with relevant narratives. The narratives were obtained from the transcripts. Finally, the findings were checked and verified against existing literature. The results can be summarised as follows: i. According to the findings, risk factors that contribute to the preschool child as an individual being vulnerable to sexual abuse is leaving the child alone at home without adequate supervision or the inability of parents or caregivers to provide adequately for the child’s basic needs. ii. Inadequate parenting was identified as a contributing risk factor on micro level. iii. Apathy among neighbours due to the absence of ubuntu was a contributing risk factor on meso level. iv. Inadequate programmes by social service organisations to preschool children were contributing risk factors on the eco systemic level. v. Finally, poverty and inadequate infrastructure were contributing risk factors within the community as macro system. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.