Existing research shows that increasing numbers of young men are dissatisfied with the appearance of their bodies. Research has found that men will use sport and health-related sports acts to conceal these concerns from others. Accordingly, men s body dissatisfactions are documented less frequently because the practices drawn upon to conceal them are perceived as routine forms of masculine behaviour. Rugby union is one of the most popular sports played by young men in England. Historically, the male rugby player is culturally perceived as strong, tough and unemotionally articulate. Existing research draws attention to health issues, such as performance stress and injury that arise through participation in this sport. Research also shows that rugby union players are likely to experience concerns about gaining weight, yet these are disguised within the requirements of training for the sport. Although, there are studies that examine the constitution of masculinities, the experience of pain and injury and career transitions among rugby union players there are no studies, as yet, that examine how rugby union men experience body concerns and manage these experiences through their sport. The research discussed in this thesis examines how a group of rugby union men (25) aged 18-25, of varied racial identity, ethnic and social backgrounds, participating in an elite university rugby union 1st XV team, experience concerns about the appearance and performance of their bodies and the ways in which such concerns develop. It also examines if and how these men used the sport and health-related sports acts, to overcome their concerns and conceal them from others. A theoretical framework, which draws on the concepts of the three theorists: Connell (1995, 2008) Goffman (1959; 1961; 1979) and Bourdieu (1978; 1979; 1984), is developed. As part of this, a new concept has been created from Goffman s dramaturgical approach: that of the intimate dimension. In this dimension intimate relationships occur. It is located away from the front region, (the public), and the back region (semi-public spaces) where less formal relationships occur. It includes the research interview, with a woman researcher, and some other women such as girlfriends, sisters or female friends and also one or two other rugby men with whom the rugby men demonstrated a close bond. Within this dimension the rugby men are more forthcoming about the personal elements of their rugby lives. The theoretical framework is used to examine these men s concerns, how they are developed, experienced and managed. Recognising that cultural assumptions of a tough and less expressive masculinity assigned to this sport can potentially make it difficult for men to express these concerns, a combination of visual research methods and ethnography are used to examine these men s body concerns and their management. This includes collaborative collection of photography and photo-elicitation interviews. The research shows that embodied experiences of discomfort, associated with pain, injury, concerns about height, being overweight or out of shape, and social experiences of exclusion led to the development of the rugby men s body concerns. For these rugby men, their rugby masculinities are influential to the management and concealment of their body concerns. They suppress and conceal their body concerns in the front and back regions of the sport and reveal them in more intimate dimensions. The rugby men s relationships with each other, in the back regions of the sport, were the most influential to this identity, but more importantly, to the management and reinforcement of these concerns. This thesis contributes to filling the gap in existing academic research by examining body concerns and its management amongst rugby union men. It also extends existing research that has found men conceal their body concerns in sport, because it looks at how these men manage these concerns differently in different regions of their sport. Furthermore, a theoretical framework that combines interactionism and phenomenology is used to study sociologically men s body concerns in these different contexts. The combination of visual methods and ethnography goes beyond some of the existing methods used in clinical and sociological research that have examined men's body concerns. They can be used to enhance understanding of clinical forms of body concern and other emotional concerns rugby union men and other sportsmen, of all ages, have about performance, pain and injury. The incorporation of visual methods is potentially widely applicable because they have increasing precedence in sportsmen s lives to analyse performance and to represent them.

Le rôle que jouent les services orthophoniques dans l’ajustement des proches de personnes aphasiques ainsi que le contexte dans lequel les orthophonistes mettent en place des interventions auprès de ces proches ne sont actuellement pas connus. La présente thèse a donc pour but de comprendre de quelle manière les relations entre les orthophonistes et les proches de personnes aphasiques, développées en contexte de réadaptation, s’inscrivent dans la trajectoire dynamique des proches et dans la pratique des orthophonistes. Une approche qualitative par théorisation ancrée a été utilisée dans quatre études pour analyser les entrevues effectuées auprès de proches de personnes aphasiques et d’orthophonistes. Dans l’étude 1, les entrevues menées à trois reprises dans la première année suivant l’accident vasculaire-cérébral (AVC), et ce, auprès de quatre filles dont la mère est aphasique, ont été analysées. Un modèle théorique représentant la relation mère-fille a été développé. Ce modèle illustre que les perceptions de fragilité, de difficultés et de compétence, qu’ont les filles à l’égard de leur mère, les amènent à adopter des comportements de protection ou de confiance, ce qui génère des réactions de satisfaction ou d’insatisfaction chez la mère, renforçant alors les perceptions initiales des filles. Quatre patterns relationnels peuvent donc coexister au sein d’une même dyade. L’aphasie complexifierait cet ajustement relationnel. Dans l’étude 2, les entrevues effectuées à trois reprises durant la première année suivant l’AVC, auprès d’une fille dont la mère est sévèrement aphasique, ont été analysées. Un modèle théorique représentant l’expérience d’aider a été élaboré. Selon ce modèle, percevoir des difficultés chez sa mère et ressentir que leur relation antérieure est menacée a déclenché le processus d’aide chez la fille. Parallèlement, la reconnaissance de la compétence de sa mère a motivé la fille à offrir de l’aide visant à rendre sa mère heureuse et à favoriser son indépendance. Ce type d’aide a contribué à augmenter l’indépendance de sa mère, à retrouver une relation satisfaisante avec celle-ci et à s’adapter à l’aphasie. Dans l’étude 3, les entrevues de 12 proches de personnes aphasiques ont été analysées. Un modèle théorique représentant l’expérience de l’aphasie et de la réadaptation post-AVC a été développé et illustre que les proches sont centrés sur la personne aphasique et participent à la réadaptation dans le rôle d’aidant. Cette disposition influence alors leurs attentes envers la réadaptation, leurs interactions avec les professionnels, dont les orthophonistes, et leur appréciation de la réadaptation. Dans l’étude 4, les entrevues effectuées auprès de huit orthophonistes travaillant en réadaptation ont été analysées. Un modèle théorique illustrant le processus d’intervention des orthophonistes auprès des proches de personnes aphasiques a été construit. Pour les orthophonistes, le travail avec les proches est majoritairement perçu comme un ajout positif, mais exigeant, à leur pratique de base centrée sur la personne aphasique. Une satisfaction professionnelle peut en découler, mais des idéaux non-atteints peuvent persister. La relation proche-orthophoniste serait donc principalement axée sur le rôle d’aidant que joue le proche, et ce, en raison de leur expérience respective. Un agrandissement du territoire de rencontre entre les orthophonistes et les proches pourrait soutenir les proches dans les ajustements relationnels induits par l’AVC avec aphasie ainsi que permettre aux orthophonistes d’atteindre leurs idéaux. / The role speech-language therapy (SLT) services play in significant others’ adjustment to stroke and aphasia as well as the context in which SLTs offer interventions to significant others are currently unknown. The present dissertation aims to understand how in rehabilitation settings, relationships between SLTs and significant others of persons with aphasia develop, and fit within significant others’ process of change, on one hand, and into SLTs’ practice, on the other hand. A grounded theory approach was used in four studies to analyze interviews conducted with significant others of persons with aphasia and with SLTs. In study 1, four daughters of aphasic women were each interviewed three times over the first year post-stroke and their discourse was analyzed. A theoretical model of the daughter-mother relationship was constructed. This model shows how the daughters’ perception of maternal fragility, problems, and abilities motivated daughters to take on protective and trusting behaviors that resulted in maternal reactions of satisfaction and dissatisfaction that, in turn, reinforced the daughters’ initial perceptions. Four relational patterns may therefore coexist in a given dyad. Aphasia could make relational adjustments more complex. In study 2, three interviews conducted over the period of one year with the daughter of a woman with severe aphasia were analyzed. A theoretical model representing the experience of caregiving was elaborated. This model illustrates that for the daughter, perceiving her mother’s problems and feeling their previous relationship was threatened triggered the caregiving process. In parallel, the daughter’s recognition of her mother’s competence encouraged her to offer care aiming to make her mother happy and to foster her mother’s independence. Increases in her mother’s independence, a renewal of their relationship and adaptation to aphasia were consequences of this type of caregiving. In study 3, the interviews conducted with 12 significant others of aphasic persons were analyzed. A theoretical model representing significant others’ experience of aphasia and rehabilitation following stroke was developed and showed that significant others participated in rehabilitation as caregivers centered on the person who had aphasia. This disposition influenced their expectations of rehabilitation, their interactions with professionals, such as SLTs, and how they appraised rehabilitation. In study 4, the interviews conducted with eight SLTs working in rehabilitation settings were analyzed. A theoretical model representing SLTs’ process of working with significant others of persons with aphasia was elaborated. SLTs mostly perceived work with significant others as a challenging bonus to their fundamental approach centered on the person with aphasia. As a consequence, SLTs felt professional satisfaction while dreaming for something more to offer significant others. The relationship between significant others and SLTs thus mainly seem to focus on the caregiver role endorsed by significant others as a result of the experience of each of them. Expanding the shared territory of SLTs and significant others could support significant others’ adjustment to the relational changes induced by stroke and aphasia and could help SLTs attain their professional dreams.

Mass media has long been thought to have a detrimental effect on an adolescent’s values and behaviors. Many social ills including violence, misogyny and negative health behaviors, as well as egoistic cultural values have been attributed to mass media’s influence. Yet the media is not all powerful, nor are its powers unable to be combated. In this manuscript, I analyze the Educational Longitudinal Study data from 2002 to 2006 to determine the real effects mass media has on adolescents in comparison to other influences. I find that not all media is equal in influence. Television and video games have different relationships with a teenager’s values and behaviors in comparison to internet use. Additionally, I find that when parents are involved with their children as significant others, they do not negate, but can typically counteract many negative effects of media.

SAMMANFATTNING De närstående har en betydelsefull uppgift i vården av svårt sjuka personer, men det är vanligt att de närstående inte har tillräckligt med kunskaper och är inte förberedda på den nya situationen. Vård i livets slutskede är ofta beroende av stora insatser från närstående och det är därför viktigt att vården utformas tillsammans med de närstående och att deras önskemål beaktas så långt det är möjligt. Den palliativa vården har ett grundläggande helhetsansvar för både patient och närstående och det ställs stora krav på sjuksköterskor som jobbar inom palliativ vård. Sjuksköterskan ska kunna göra helhetsbedömningar angående behov hos både patient och närstående. Sjuksköterskan har en central uppgift i att stödja patient och närstående för att åstadkomma en så god livskvalité som möjligt. Syftet var att belysa sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att ge stöd till närstående som vårdar en person i palliativt skede som är ansluten till avancerad sjukvård i hemmet (ASIH). Kvalitativ ansats med beskrivande design har använts. Data har samlats in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med åtta sjuksköterskor som arbetade inom avancerad palliativ vård i hemmet. Intervjuerna och materialet analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. I sjuksköterskans professionella roll ingick att ge stöd och trygghet för hela familjen och det kunde vara genom regelbundna besök i hemmet. Sjuksköterskan i ASIH ansåg att de hade en medlande och förmedlande roll och hjälpte till att öppna upp samtalsklimatet i familjen samt gav närstående redskap för att hantera deras nya livssituation. I sjuksköterskornas kommunikation med närstående framkom att det var viktigt att de närstående fick information som var tydlig och ärlig samt individuellt anpassad. Det var viktigt att sjuksköterskan var lyhörd och uppmärksam i samtalet med närstående. Att ge information ansågs som en förberedelse och gav trygghet och ökad kunskap för närstående. Sjuksköterskornas erfarenhet var att de närstående önskade information om sjukdom, symtom, sjukdomsförlopp och döendeprocessen. Sjuksköterskorna i ASIH hade erfarenhet av att de närstående hade olika behov av stöd och att stödet skulle vara individuellt anpassat. Stödet kunde vara i form att stötta de närstående till ett aktivt liv utanför hemmet och vårdandet, men även att familjen önskade vara i fred i hemmet och hade då färre hembesök. Sjuksköterskorna som arbetade inom ASIH hade olika kompetens och bakgrund vilket gav en välfungerande och trygg arbetsgrupp som kompletterandes och gagnade patient och närstående. Det saknades riktlinjer för sjuksköterskan i arbetet med närståendestödet, men sjuksköterskorna menade att det fanns en risk för minskad flexibilitet och att stödet till närstående inte blev individuellt anpassat. Studien visade att sjuksköterskor inom ASIH har en betydelsefull roll i stödet till närstående i hemmet med bland annat att ge information och samtal. Sjuksköterskornas erfarenhet var att deras närvaro och tillgänglighet upplevdes som en stor trygghet för de närstående. Sjuksköterskorna ansåg att flexibilitet i närståendestödet var väldigt viktigt. Struktur och riktlinjer i arbetet med stöd till närstående saknades och efterfrågades av sjuksköterskorna.

Around 30,000 people in Sweden suffer stroke every year, out of which about 12,000 end up with language difficulties, aphasia. Behind every person with aphasia there are significant others whose lives are also affected. Studies of how aphasia affects the health of these people are few. The overall aim of the present study was to examine how significant others of people with aphasia perceive their life situation, and how their quality of life is affected by the illness of their partner. Spouses of people with aphasia were contacted through aphasia groups and the Swedish Aphasia Association. A total of eleven people participated in the study, which consisted of the health survey SF-36 and semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that men, working people, and people at retirement age are at risk of having a lower health-related quality of life, by living with a person suffering from aphasia. Other factors that seemed to contribute to a lower quality of life were; a more severe aphasia, a big work load at home, less mutual activities as a couple, and a general decrease of communication in everyday life. The conclusion is therefore, that the health-related quality of life is at risk of becoming negatively affected by living with a person who suffers from aphasia. / Varje år insjuknar cirka 30 000 personer i stroke i Sverige och av dem drabbas cirka 12 000 av språkliga svårigheter i form av afasi. Bakom varje person med afasi finns det anhöriga, vars liv också påverkas. Hur afasin påverkar den anhöriges hälsa är inte väl studerat. Det övergripande syftet med föreliggande studie var därmed att undersöka hur anhöriga, till personer med afasi, uppfattar sin egen livssituation, samt hur deras livskvalitet påverkas av den närståendes sjukdom. Partner till personer med afasi kontaktades genom afasigrupper och afasiföreningar. Totalt valde elva personer att deltaga i studien, vilken bestod av hälsoenkäten SF-36 samt en semistrukturerad intervju. Resultaten pekade på att män, yrkesverksamma och personer i pensionsålder riskerar att få en lägre hälsorelaterad livskvalitet av att leva med någon med afasi. Övriga faktorer, som tycktes bidra till en lägre livskvalitet, var en svårare afasi, en hög börda i hemmet, färre gemensamma aktiviteter som par samt en generell försämring av kommunikationen i vardagen. Slutsatsen är därmed att den hälsorelaterade livskvaliteten riskerar att påverkas negativt av att leva med en person som drabbats av afasi.

Le rôle que jouent les services orthophoniques dans l’ajustement des proches de personnes aphasiques ainsi que le contexte dans lequel les orthophonistes mettent en place des interventions auprès de ces proches ne sont actuellement pas connus. La présente thèse a donc pour but de comprendre de quelle manière les relations entre les orthophonistes et les proches de personnes aphasiques, développées en contexte de réadaptation, s’inscrivent dans la trajectoire dynamique des proches et dans la pratique des orthophonistes. Une approche qualitative par théorisation ancrée a été utilisée dans quatre études pour analyser les entrevues effectuées auprès de proches de personnes aphasiques et d’orthophonistes. Dans l’étude 1, les entrevues menées à trois reprises dans la première année suivant l’accident vasculaire-cérébral (AVC), et ce, auprès de quatre filles dont la mère est aphasique, ont été analysées. Un modèle théorique représentant la relation mère-fille a été développé. Ce modèle illustre que les perceptions de fragilité, de difficultés et de compétence, qu’ont les filles à l’égard de leur mère, les amènent à adopter des comportements de protection ou de confiance, ce qui génère des réactions de satisfaction ou d’insatisfaction chez la mère, renforçant alors les perceptions initiales des filles. Quatre patterns relationnels peuvent donc coexister au sein d’une même dyade. L’aphasie complexifierait cet ajustement relationnel. Dans l’étude 2, les entrevues effectuées à trois reprises durant la première année suivant l’AVC, auprès d’une fille dont la mère est sévèrement aphasique, ont été analysées. Un modèle théorique représentant l’expérience d’aider a été élaboré. Selon ce modèle, percevoir des difficultés chez sa mère et ressentir que leur relation antérieure est menacée a déclenché le processus d’aide chez la fille. Parallèlement, la reconnaissance de la compétence de sa mère a motivé la fille à offrir de l’aide visant à rendre sa mère heureuse et à favoriser son indépendance. Ce type d’aide a contribué à augmenter l’indépendance de sa mère, à retrouver une relation satisfaisante avec celle-ci et à s’adapter à l’aphasie. Dans l’étude 3, les entrevues de 12 proches de personnes aphasiques ont été analysées. Un modèle théorique représentant l’expérience de l’aphasie et de la réadaptation post-AVC a été développé et illustre que les proches sont centrés sur la personne aphasique et participent à la réadaptation dans le rôle d’aidant. Cette disposition influence alors leurs attentes envers la réadaptation, leurs interactions avec les professionnels, dont les orthophonistes, et leur appréciation de la réadaptation. Dans l’étude 4, les entrevues effectuées auprès de huit orthophonistes travaillant en réadaptation ont été analysées. Un modèle théorique illustrant le processus d’intervention des orthophonistes auprès des proches de personnes aphasiques a été construit. Pour les orthophonistes, le travail avec les proches est majoritairement perçu comme un ajout positif, mais exigeant, à leur pratique de base centrée sur la personne aphasique. Une satisfaction professionnelle peut en découler, mais des idéaux non-atteints peuvent persister. La relation proche-orthophoniste serait donc principalement axée sur le rôle d’aidant que joue le proche, et ce, en raison de leur expérience respective. Un agrandissement du territoire de rencontre entre les orthophonistes et les proches pourrait soutenir les proches dans les ajustements relationnels induits par l’AVC avec aphasie ainsi que permettre aux orthophonistes d’atteindre leurs idéaux. / The role speech-language therapy (SLT) services play in significant others’ adjustment to stroke and aphasia as well as the context in which SLTs offer interventions to significant others are currently unknown. The present dissertation aims to understand how in rehabilitation settings, relationships between SLTs and significant others of persons with aphasia develop, and fit within significant others’ process of change, on one hand, and into SLTs’ practice, on the other hand. A grounded theory approach was used in four studies to analyze interviews conducted with significant others of persons with aphasia and with SLTs. In study 1, four daughters of aphasic women were each interviewed three times over the first year post-stroke and their discourse was analyzed. A theoretical model of the daughter-mother relationship was constructed. This model shows how the daughters’ perception of maternal fragility, problems, and abilities motivated daughters to take on protective and trusting behaviors that resulted in maternal reactions of satisfaction and dissatisfaction that, in turn, reinforced the daughters’ initial perceptions. Four relational patterns may therefore coexist in a given dyad. Aphasia could make relational adjustments more complex. In study 2, three interviews conducted over the period of one year with the daughter of a woman with severe aphasia were analyzed. A theoretical model representing the experience of caregiving was elaborated. This model illustrates that for the daughter, perceiving her mother’s problems and feeling their previous relationship was threatened triggered the caregiving process. In parallel, the daughter’s recognition of her mother’s competence encouraged her to offer care aiming to make her mother happy and to foster her mother’s independence. Increases in her mother’s independence, a renewal of their relationship and adaptation to aphasia were consequences of this type of caregiving. In study 3, the interviews conducted with 12 significant others of aphasic persons were analyzed. A theoretical model representing significant others’ experience of aphasia and rehabilitation following stroke was developed and showed that significant others participated in rehabilitation as caregivers centered on the person who had aphasia. This disposition influenced their expectations of rehabilitation, their interactions with professionals, such as SLTs, and how they appraised rehabilitation. In study 4, the interviews conducted with eight SLTs working in rehabilitation settings were analyzed. A theoretical model representing SLTs’ process of working with significant others of persons with aphasia was elaborated. SLTs mostly perceived work with significant others as a challenging bonus to their fundamental approach centered on the person with aphasia. As a consequence, SLTs felt professional satisfaction while dreaming for something more to offer significant others. The relationship between significant others and SLTs thus mainly seem to focus on the caregiver role endorsed by significant others as a result of the experience of each of them. Expanding the shared territory of SLTs and significant others could support significant others’ adjustment to the relational changes induced by stroke and aphasia and could help SLTs attain their professional dreams.

Η παρούσα μελέτη επιχειρεί να διερευνήσει αν κοινωνικοί παράγοντες όπως η εκπαίδευση και το επάγγελμα των γονέων, οι φιλοδοξίες και οι προσδοκίες των μαθητών αλλά και οι φιλοδοξίες και οι προσδοκίες των γονέων τους και των σημαντικών άλλων, σχετίζονται με την επίδοση των μαθητών στο μάθημα της νεοελληνικής γλώσσας. Ως θεωρητικό πλαίσιο επιλέχτηκε το μοντέλο του Wisconsin και ως ερευνητικό εργαλείο το ερωτηματολόγιο. Επεξεργαστήκαμε τα δεδομένα χρησιμοποιώντας ποσοτική ανάλυση. Τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης έδειξαν ότι υπάρχει ισχυρή συσχέτιση ανάμεσα στη σχολική επίδοση στο μάθημα της νεοελληνικής γλώσσας και τα κοινωνικοψυχολογικά χαρακτηριστικά των μαθητών. / This study aims to examine whether social factors such as the education and occupation of parents, the aspirations and expectations of students and the aspirations and expectations of their parents and their significant others, are related with the students’ academic performance at the lesson of greek language. The Wisconsin Model was chosen as theoretical context and the questionnaire was employed as a research tool. We processed our data using quantitative analysis. The study showed that, indeed, there is a strong relationship between the students’ academic performance and their sociopsychological characteristics.

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 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.