Under en kort tid har brottsligheten i Sverige ökat och blivit ett allvarligt och omtalat samhällsproblem. Det är en komplex process att lämna en kriminell miljö som ofta kan innebära en rad olika utmaningar. Samhörighet och sociala band som formas i kriminella miljöer kan fördröja processen att lämna på grund av en stark identifikation till gruppen. Stöd och insatser av samhället är viktigt för att en individ ska kunna förändra sin identitet som kriminell. Syftet med denna kvalitativa studie var att undersöka subjektiva upplevelser av hur stigmatisering, stämplingsprocesser och stödinsatser påverkat exitprocessen i utvecklingen till en icke-kriminell identitet. Utgångspunkten för studien var en socialpsykologisk ansats som studerades genom teorier om social identitet, stigmatisering, stämpling och exitprocess. Tio respondenter från avhopparverksamheten Kriminellas revansch i samhället (KRIS) deltog i studien och intervjuades med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultatet visade att KRIS stödinsatser har en positiv påverkan på utvecklingen av en icke-kriminell identitet genom att bidra till en känsla av stöd och acceptans. De respondenter som inte hade gjort en geografisk separation upplevde stämpling och stigma i större bemärkelse. Stämplingsprocesser och stigmatisering visade sig ha en negativ inverkan på utvecklingen till en icke-kriminell identitet under exitprocessen. Medlemskapet hos KRIS har fungerat som en skyddad miljö från stämpling och stigmatiseringen som underlättat identitetsformande i exitprocessen. / Over a short period of time, crime in Sweden has increased and become a serious and publicized social problem. It is a complex process to leave a criminal environment that can often involve a number of different challenges. Cohesion and social ties formed in criminal environments can delay the process of leaving due to a strong identification with the group. Support and efforts by society are important for an individual to be able to change his identity as a criminal. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate subjective experiences of how stigmatization, labeling processes and support efforts affected the exit process in the development to a non-criminal identity. The starting point for studies was a social psychological approach that was studied through theories of social identity, stigmatization, labeling and exit process. Ten respondents from the dropout activity Criminal Revenge in Society (KRIS) participated in studies and interviews using semi-structured interviews. The results showed that KRIS's support efforts have a positive impact on the development of a non-criminal identity by contributing to a feeling of support and acceptance. The respondents who had not made a geographical separation experienced labeling and stigma in a larger sense. Stamping processes and stigmatization were found to have a negative impact on the development to a non-criminal identity in the exit process. The membership of KRIS has functioned as a protected environment from labeling and stigmatization that facilitates identity formation in the exit process.

Acculturative stress, the stress that originates from adapting to a new culture, is investigated for its role in immigrant mental health. Prior research shows that acculturative stress is commonly associated with adverse mental health outcomes, but this relationship is not inevitable and depends upon many in-group and individual characteristics. This survey study intended to determine whether the relationship found in the literature exists among UCF undergraduate immigrants and whether new variables can play a role in this relationship. Valid and reliable scales were used to measure acculturative stress, mental health, social support, subjective wellbeing, bicultural integration, and cultural orientation. Inconsistent with predictions, immigrants and nonimmigrants were found to have a similar degree of mental health symptoms. Consistent with previous research, a positive correlation between acculturative stress and mental health symptoms was found. Results also show social support, bicultural integration, and acculturative stress to collectively predict immigrant mental health. Immigrant generation and undergraduate year-in-college were found to play a significant role in the relationships investigated. The application of this research in the context of mental health stigmatization and other immigrant phenomena is discussed. Limitations, possible future research, and clinical implications are also shared to address further gaps in the literature.

The integration of Ukrainian Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in host communities is as multi-dimensional as the political crisis of 2014 that led to the displacement. Having made a difficult choice to let go of their past lives to escape from the constant shelling and instability of the self-proclaimed republics, IDPs hoped to find shelter and be accepted by their fellow countrymen. While many surveys claim that Ukrainians generally seem to have tolerant attitudes towards IDPs, the findings of my study strongly indicate that quite often IDPs normalize stigmatization they face. This study employed qualitative research methods and relied on twenty-eight semi-structured in-depth interviews with internally displaced students – a group not often studied by researchers. Each interview explored issues relating to the identities of IDPs and their juxtaposition (Ukrainian, resettler and regional identity). Similar to other studies based on qualitative strategies, this research has its limitations, stemming from difficulties to extract opinions that would not be tainted by the desire to fit into a particular narrative or match perceived expectations. While researchers can attempt to remain unbiased and be aware of their subconscious beliefs, we cannot be certain that what interviewees share with us is what they sincerely believe. Nevertheless, taking into account these limitations, qualitative studies are essential for understanding the experiences of Ukrainian IDPs. While more research is needed to get to the roots of the issues surrounding the unique challenges of IDPs’ integration, this thesis makes a step to analyze what causes stigmatization of Ukrainian IDPs, how IDPs choose to respond to the stigma, what kind of strategies they use to manage it, how they interact with locals in the host communities and what are the consequences of such stigmatization. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Introduction: The study provides a comprehensive overview of how it has become increasingly common in today's job market for employers to request criminal record checks during the hiring process. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how the criminal record affects the employment prospects of individuals with a criminal background and to analyze the methods identified as effective in supporting individuals who have been denied employment due to their criminal record. Method: To address the study's objectives, a qualitative research approach was chosen, involving content analysis and document analysis. Results: Individuals with a criminal record face greater challenges in reintegrating into the labor market due to the stigmatization and labeling associated with having a criminal record. The results showed that individuals with a criminal record experience social exclusion, discrimination, and stigmatization. Furthermore, the findings indicate that these individuals are indirectly punished even after serving their sentence, as they face limitations in their opportunities for labor market reintegration. Society views them as deviant, further hindering the reintegration of individuals with previous criminal convictions and increasing the likelihood of recidivism. Therefore, it is important to implement strategies and interventions that focus on the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals with criminal backgrounds into the labor market.

The purpose of this study was to examine drug counselors' experience of using reward as a work method and how a more lenient view on substance use can help foster the treatment process and reduce stigma surrounding drug use. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with 4 drug counselors from a municipality in Sweden. The study used a qualitative approach, and the results were analyzed using an abductive approach. The data was analyzed using Becker's theory on labeling and Goffman's theory on stigmatization. The results show that drug-counselors experience the use of reward in drug treatment as an effective tool in creating a positive association to both treatment and the counselors themselves. Reward also helps fulfill an important function in promoting a non-judgmental approach which the counselors then can build upon. The results also show the complexity regarding having a more tolerant outlook on drug consumption, but also that criminalization of drug use is seen as a contributing factor in the stigmatization of youth with substance use disorder. / Syftet med studien var att undersöka behandlares upplevelse av att använda belöning som arbetsmetod samt hur en mer tolerant syn på droganvändningsproblematik kan främja behandlingsprocessen och minska stigmatisering kring droganvändning. Datainsamlingsmetoden är semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer med fyra missbruksbehandlare inom öppenvården. Studien har en kvalitativ ansats och resultatet analyserades utifrån ett abduktivt förhållningssätt. Data analyserades utifrån Beckers stämplingsteori samt Goffmans teori om stigma. Resultat visar att behandlarna upplever att belöning som arbetsmetod skapar en positiv association till såväl behandlarna som behandlingen i sig. Belöningen fyller även viktig funktion i att främja det icke dömande förhållningssättet som behandlarna arbetar utifrån. Vidare visar resultatet av studien att en tolerant syn på droganvändningsproblematik är komplext utifrån rådande lagstiftningen som kriminaliserar allt eget bruk av narkotika, samtidig som kriminaliseringen ses som en bidragande orsak till att ungdomar med en droganvändningsproblematik stigmatiseras.

Bladder dysfunction is seen as a public health problem with a strongly increasing incidence in older men. Despite this, the man's experience of bladder dysfunction is a topic that has not been researched in the empirical field as much as women’s experiences. Not highlighting the man's experience leads to suffering and constitutes an obstacle to equal care. The aim of this study was to illustrate the man's experience of living with bladder dysfunction. This study is intended to illustrate experiences, therefore it was well suited to make an integrative compilation of qualitative research – inspired by meta-synthesis. Nine qualitative articles that described the man's experiences were analysed schematically and resulted in three themes and six sub-themes. Experiences that were noticed in the man were the impact of the environment in bladder dysfunction which included environmental and health care responses. Emotional impact in bladder dysfunction, which highlighted the experiences that arose in connection with bladder dysfunction. The life adaptations in bladder dysfunction was an experience which described the changes the man made to achieve a normality in everyday life as well as changes to hide the condition. The man used a range of strategies to maintain normality in life and to keep his condition a secret from those around him. This is seen because of the stigmatization that emerged through this study. Healthcare failed to care for the man with bladder dysfunction and was seen as partially responsible for the stigmatization the man experienced.

Bakgrund: Psykiska sjukdomar har blivit en del av det moderna samhälles folksjukdomar, och är vanliga hos patienter i den somatiska vården. Eventuella fördomar eller bristande kunskap kring psykisk sjukdom hos vårdpersonalen kan leda till att patienter med psykiska sjukdomar får en sämre vård och ett sämre bemötande än andra patientgrupper. Metod: Studiens design är kvalitativ och empirisk. Data samlades in genom en onlinebaserad enkät där 31 deltagare deltog. Resultatet analyserades genom en kvalitativ innehållsanalys.  Syfte: Att beskriva de upplevelser som personer med psykiska sjukdomar har av vårdpersonalens bemötande i den somatiska vården.  Resultat: Den kvalitativa innehållsanalysen resulterade i tre kategorier vilka är en förutsättning för en positiv upplevelse; Vikten av god kompetens, Vikten av jämlik vård och Organisatoriska faktorer. Temat som framkom var Utan förståelse, ingen god vård.  Konklusion: Patienter med psykiska sjukdomar har en blandad upplevelse kring bemötandet i den somatiska vårdsektorn. Individuell kunskap och förståelse hos vårdpersonal i den somatiska vården spelar en vital roll i hur patienten med psykisk sjukdom upplever bemötandet. För att kunna erbjuda patienter med psykisk sjukdom en god somatisk vård krävs gedigen utbildning, bättre teamsamverkan och en mer individanpassad vård. / Background: Mental illness has become one of the modern society’s most common diseases, and are common amongst patients in the somatic care. Potential prejudice or lack of knowledge among nursing staff regarding mental illnesses can lead to poorer somatic care for patients with mental illnesses compared to other patient groups. Method: Empirical, qualitative methodology was used. Data was collected through an online baser survey where 31 people participated. The results were analyzed by content analysis. Aim: To describe how patients with mental illnesses experience nursing staff’streatment in the somatic care. Findings: The analysis resulted in three highlighted categories necessary for a positive treatment experience; The importance of good knowledge, The importance of equal healthcare and Organizational factors. The theme that emerged was Lacking understanding, insufficient care. Conclusion: Patients with mental illnesses describe a mixed experience of the treatment in somatic care. Individual knowledge and understanding among nursing staff in the somatic care are vital factors to experience a good treatment. Improvements in staff education, teamwork and individualized care are requirements to be able to offer a more equal, improved somatic care for patients with mental illnesses.

Bakgrund  Övervikt karaktäriseras som ett BMI inom intervallet 25–30, och obesitas diagnosticeras vid ett BMI över 30. Enligt WHO är cirka 1,5 miljarder vuxna överviktiga och över 500 miljoner vuxna uppfyller kriterierna för obesitas. Tidigare forskning påvisar att stigmatisering av denna patientgrupp förekommer inom hälso- och sjukvård. Därmed finns behov av ytterligare forskning kring överviktiga och obesa patienters erfarenheter av viktrelaterad stigma inom hälso- och sjukvård. Syfte  Syftet var att beskriva överviktiga och obesa patienters upplevelse av viktstigma i mötet med Hälso- och sjukvård. Metod  Studien är utförd i form av en icke-systematisk litteraturöversikt. Resultatet baserades på 16 vetenskapliga originalartiklar. Samtliga artiklar hämtades från databaserna CINAHL och PubMed. Kvaliteten på de valda artiklarna granskades med hjälp av Sophiahemmet Högskolas bedömningsunderlag för vetenskaplig klassificering och kvalitet. Vid analys och sammanställning av resultatet användes integrerad analys, vilket resulterade i tre huvudkategorier. Resultat  Resultatet belyste överviktiga och obesa patienter upplevelser av viktrelaterad stigmatisering inom hälso- och sjukvård. Tre huvudkategorier identifierades; Patienternas upplevelse av kommunikation, Patienternas upplevelse av påverkan på vårdkvalitet, samt Negativa känslor som konsekvens av viktstigma. Utifrån huvudkategorierna formulerades sex underkategorier; Kommunikationsbarriärer, Personcentrerat bemötande, Nedsättande bemötande, Felaktigt vårdfokus, samt Vårdbarriärer. Slutsats Denna studie visade på att överviktiga och obesa patienter upplever stigmatisering i mötet med hälso- och sjukvård, vilket kan leda till lidande och misstro inför sjukvården. Det framkom även att denna patientgrupp upplever att det finns en osäkerhet bland vårdpersonal kring hur viktfrågor ska tas upp med patienten. Då stigmatisering resulterar i ökad risk för vårdfel och försämrad hälsa inom denna patientgrupp, samt utgör hinder för att bedriva personcentrerad omvårdnad är det av vikt att ett förbättringsarbete sker inom detta område. / Background  Overweight is categorized as a BMI between 25-30, while obesity is diagnosed in patients with a BMI over 30. About 1.5 billion adults are overweight and over 500 million are obese. Studies show that this patient group experiences stigmatization when in contact with health care, and therefore further research of overweight and obese patient’s experiences of weight-related stigma in the health care system is needed. Aim  The aim of this study was to describe overweight and obese patients' experiences of weight-related stigma in the health care system. Method  The method used to conduct the study was a non-systematic literature review. The result was based on 16 scientific original articles. The articles have been obtained from the databases CINAHL and PubMed. The quality of the articles has been externally reviewed based on Sophiahemmet University's assessment basis for scientific classification and quality. The data was compiled and analysed through an integrated data analysis, which resulted in three main categories. Results  The results illustrated overweight and obese patients’ experiences of weight-related stigma in healthcare. Three main categories were identified: Patients' experiences of communication, Patients’ experiences of impact on quality of health care, and Negative emotions as a consequence of weight-related stigma. As subcategories six themes were identified: Communication barriers, Person-centred treatment, Derogatory treatment, Incorrect focus of care and Barriers to health care. Conclusions  This essay showed that there is stigma against this category of patients, which can lead to suffering and mistrust against the health care system among these patients. The study also showed that overweight and obese patients experience an uncertainty among health care providers about how weight related issues should be addressed with the patient. Because of the increased risk of care errors, as well as negative impact on health and person-centred care associated with weight-related stigma, this is an area in need of improvement.

More than half of Sweden’s municipalities are suffering from the consequences of segregation. (Delmos, 2021). The issues of socio-economic and spatial segregation, such as stigmatization and social exclusion, are not merely a problem in larger cities in Sweden, and therefore will this master thesis explore, through a field study of segregation in Karlstad in the city area Våxnäs. As spatial segregation is connected to specific geographical places and city areas, and how it differs from other parts of a city in terms of socio-economic status or ethnic diversity, the investigation of this thesis stems from the concept of place. The foundation of this thesis was based on the notion of place as a subjective and interpretive concept, and therefore it could be analyzed as such.  Våxnäs was chosen as a research interest due to how it is, per definition, considered to be a segregated area. Further, the area as of now in 2022, is prioritized in terms of physical renovation projects, and therefore the area was analyzed through interviews with stakeholder that work towards or within the area. Through interviews the thesis investigated how stakeholder perceive their work is contributing to preventing segregation and furthering social inclusion. In addition to the interviews an on-site study was done and Våxnäs was analyzed through photos, maps and documents related to the Våxnäs area.  The result of the study was narrowed down to three themes of interest: The Våxnäs label, Inclusive places and Safety. Despite the themes, the findings of the investigation revolved around how the physical are an enabler to improve the area in terms of segregation prevention and social inclusion. The place analysis shows how renovation and physical changes to the area are perceived to be the starting point for decreasing issues of social isolation, a negative place image, and increasing safety.

Background: Mental illness is a major social and public health problem around the world. As a result of mental illness, the person may suffer from other diseases. Mental illnesses often create prejudices, which can affect the relationship between patient and nurse. Every person is unique and can sometimes deviate from the pattern we expect, for that reason the nurse's nursing knowledge is important in order to apply and personalize care for the patient. Aim: The aim was to describe nurses attitudes when caring for patients with mental illness. Method: A literature review in accordance with Fribergs method was selected and the results were compiled from ten scientific articles. The data collection was done in the databases Cinahl Complete and PubMed. The articles have been categorized and analyzed. Results: The results of the literature review describe both positive but mainly negative attitudes of caring patients with mental illness. The results are reported under five categories: Attitudes and stigmatization, feelings of fear and anxiety, lack of knowledge, lack of education and communication. Summary: The results of the literature review showed that negative attitudes and stigmatization occurred with several nurses. They experienced feelings such as fear and worry as well as lack of communication. The results also indicate that there is a great need for education and knowledge regarding the care of patients with mental illness.