The aim of the project is to investigate how a residential area could be more resilient to disasters. I have explored how this could be done by reusing or developing what already exists. The intention is to show how a residential area could be strengthened by such redesign, in collaboration with the residents. The project is located at Kandidatvägen, in the southern parts of Ålidhem in Umeå. In the area, different hubs are designed, with different functions related to our basic needs such as food, water, or sleep. One of these hubs, for food production and storage without electricity, is illustrated in detail within the project. A common room (kvarterslokal) is transformed and equipped with food solutions to function without electricity. Spatially, walls are removed and folding doors are applied to the facade to create a more flexible space. The kitchen is mobile and can be used indoors and outdoors. The space is also provided with foldable furnitures and storage. In the inner courtyard, a greenhouse and a cultivation area for food production are located. The residents could gather in the food hub if an electricity interruption occurs, and in ‘normal’ times, when people can use their apartments as usual, the space could be used in a similar way as today; as a social space for different activities. But with the new design, the space will be more flexible and enhance its usage.

BACKGROUND: It is widely documented that people with a mobility disability are at increased risk of severe illness, morbidity, or mortality following a disaster. However, disaster risk is multifactorial and not simply a result of underlying conditions. There is a need to examine contributors to dis- ability experiences during a pandemic, and strategies to account for these in pandemic response. METHODS: Using grounded theory methodology, we employed iterative, inductive coding, and constant comparative methods. Sixteen people with a mobility disability from Ontario and Quebec, Canada, participated in 1-hour qualitative interviews (ages 20-86). Participants' disability etiology included stroke, multiple sclerosis, amputations, and other. RESULTS: The pandemic was a source of dis-ability for the whole population, making disability disparities more noticeable and highlighting the role of adaptive capacity in disaster resilience. Although COVID-19 compounded existing barriers faced by people with a mobility disability, participants were able to mobilize their assets (i.e., individual capacity, mobility assists, etc.), empowering them to take action to maintain autonomy. When the general population experienced barriers to social connection, adaptations to support resilience were at the forefront of policy decisions. New solutions, including digital infrastructure, demonstrated the potential to diminish existing barriers by providing accommodations to meet the accessibility needs of people with disability, especially for regular healthcare provider contact. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to break the cycle perpetuating health-related inequities. Pandemic planning, response, and recovery can be reformed toward disability-inclusiveness with systemic changes focused on human rights and physical and psychosocial needs of people with a mobility disability.

Fundamental adaptive systems such as achievement motivation have been identified as key mechanisms for affecting youth outcomes. These systems can be encouraged and supported in specific contexts, such as the school setting. This study explored whether school achievement motivation during mid-adolescence could protect against developing externalizing behaviors related to lax, psychologically controlling, or rejecting parenting experienced prior, in pre-adolescence. Motivation was defined and assessed according to adolescent behaviors displayed in the classroom. Data from the Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research (CEDAR) were obtained to carry out the study analyses. The total sample was 775 youth (M = 10.95 ± 0.88 years old; 69% male; 76% Caucasian, 21% African American, 3% multiracial at T1), though sample sizes on key variables where as low as 337 because of missing data. Analyses controlled for father lifetime psychiatric and substance use disorder diagnosis, family socio-economic status, adolescent school learning at T2, adolescent age and sex. Results showed that psychological and emotional forms of problematic parenting in pre-adolescence were associated with future externalizing problems in mid-adolescence, however behavioral forms of problematic parenting did not show any effect. When school motivation was high, adolescents showed the lowest levels of externalizing behaviors related to both psychologically controlling and rejecting parenting, followed by their moderate and low motivation peers. In most cases, only adolescents low in school motivation were significantly impacted by problematic parenting whereas adolescents moderate or high in motivation were not affected. Unexpected nuances in findings are also discussed. / Psychology

It is well documented that adverse or traumatic events in childhood can lead to increased incidences of serious mental and physical health diseases and disorders. It is also well documented that medical treatment, especially during childhood can be stressful and potentially traumatic, leading to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Symptoms after treatment. This is especially true for lengthy and invasive medical treatment such as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT). A single music therapy intervention has been shown to effectively improve resilience in pediatric HSCT patients. But additional research is needed to understand the contribution music therapy interventions make to traumatic and stressful experiences and building resilience across time. This longitudinal two-phase multi-case study examined the patterns of potential trauma, toxic stress, and resilience during the HSCT process as well as the potential roles, functions, and contributions of music therapy interventions to the mitigation and prevention of toxic stress and trauma. The first phase, a retrospective multi-case study, resulted in the construction of a preliminary model of music therapy which identified patterns of stress and trauma and how the music therapy process interacts with these patterns. In the second phase, a purposeful sample of cases was used to confirm, clarify, and challenge the model utilizing Template Analysis. The outcome is the Music Therapy for Pediatric Medical Trauma, a proposed model of music therapy to focus treatment with the intention of mitigating toxic stress and trauma and build resilience in pediatric HSCT patients. / Music Therapy

No description available.

Objective: Child maltreatment (CM) is a widespread problem associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes. The underlying mechanisms of this link are not always well understood, however certain biological changes observed in maltreated individuals may play a role in connecting experience and outcome. This review specifically focuses on two markers of biological embedding, DNA methylation (DNAm) and telomere length (TL) in maltreated children and youth. As biomarker changes are not uniform among maltreated children, we additionally discuss biological and environmental resilience factors that may contribute to variability. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of Medline, Embase and PsycInfo databases for studies examining DNAm and/or TL in maltreated children and youth. Methodological quality of the included articles was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) checklists for cohort studies and randomized control trials. Data extraction focused on various factors including population and CM (type, chronicity, severity, and duration) characteristics. Results: The initial search returned 1,688 non-duplicate results, with 417 full text articles reviewed. Twenty-six articles from 16 studies were ultimately included of which 8 examined telomere length and 18 examined DNA methylation. Conclusions: While some heterogeneity of findings was found, evidence supports differential changes in both biomarkers associated with CM. This review enhances understanding of the constellation of biological changes related to CM and consideration of the important role of resilience factors in mitigating risk. Elucidating these factors may highlight targets for future study and intervention development. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Child maltreatment is a serious problem linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes. The mechanisms of these links are not always clear, however biological changes observed in some maltreated individuals may play a role. Here, we systematically review literature related to two biomarkers of interest in maltreated children, telomere length and DNA methylation. Findings are varied; however, overall, they support an association between child maltreatment and changes in both biomarkers. We additionally discuss factors that may confer resilience related to these changes to highlight potential targets for future study and interventions.

No description available.

This research focuses on the cyber-attack of the smart grid and its retrieval to a normal state by estimating the smart grid's resilience. This study developed a theoretical model to estimate the resilience of the smart grid using choice modeling. A utility function is formulated based on various factors and sub-factors of resilience to estimate the resilience of the smart grid. Choice modeling is applied to estimate the model parameters in various fields such as marketing, energy, transportation, and health and to predict the outcome.

This thesis examines the intricate relationship between mangroves and humans in Shyamnagar, Bangladesh. Mangroves in Shyamnagar are found both in the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest on earth, and in adaptation projects called nature based solutions (NbS), framed by the resilience narrative. The first part offers an introduction to these discourses, including the role of NGOs and governmental institutions, and critically analyzes the ways in which capitalist and modernist worldviews have influenced the establishment of new interaction zones between humans and mangroves through NbS projects, highlighting the omission of power dynamics and histories of dispossession. The second part delves into the nuanced relationships with the mangrove that transcend dominant global and organizational discourses. By emphasizing the agency of the mangrove as an active participant and co-creator of society in Shyamnagar, the boundaries between humans and nature, and communities and non-humans, are blurred. This challenges the notion of human exceptionalism and underscores the interconnectedness of all beings in shaping local landscapes, dynamics, and identities. The final part explores the relationships of care between humans and mangroves, recognizing the significance of care and affect in shaping human subjectivities and relationships with the biophysical environment. This thesis thereby emphasizes the importance of maintaining multispecies care even within practices that introduce anthropocentric, capitalistic, and market-oriented worldviews. By critically examining these dimensions, this thesis offers insights into the complex interactions between mangroves and humans in Shyamnagar, ultimately contributing to a broader understanding of the interplay between nature, society, and resilience.

Collaborative governance approaches can advance resilience, equity and effectiveness in the restoration of degraded ecosystems. Often co-management arrangements are not static and should be understood as dynamic process between actors. Yet, management and governance dynamics in restoration are not fully understood. This thesis examines the governance development in a wetland restoration at Linnunsuo, Finland. Linnunsuo was degraded due to peat extraction by a state-owned energy company VAPO. Local fishers observed fish deaths in Jukajoki-river, that is connected to Linnunsuo, and VAPO lost its environmental permits. A co-management regime was founded in collaboration with the local community and VAPO to restore Linnunsuo. In 2017 VAPO decided to sell Linnunsuo, and an actor involved in co-management regime purchased the land to lead and continue the restoration work. The study applied a co-management framework to analyse stakeholder representative interviews to study the governance change. The results highlighted that the greatest change in governance since 2017 was self-determination which has led to greater adaptability in reacting to environmental changes, developing operating space that encourages experimenting and learning, some increase in networks and strengthening existing relationships, increased trust between actors, integration diverse knowledge systems and interests to the decision-making, development of mutual understanding and finding mechanisms to resolve conflicts. The study highlighted the importance of recognising the power dynamics of the actors that could hinder inclusive and transparent decision-making if not addressed. The outcomes indicate that the governance change at Linnunsuo has potentially increased resilience, but more studies and evidence should be presented in order to evaluate the socio-ecological resilience development after the governance change, as the study focused only on examining governance processes.