Yes / Our aim is to provide an understanding of the experience of women with IBD who have made the transition to motherhood. Twenty-two mothers with IBD were recruited from around the UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. The central concept – Blurred Lines – offers a novel frame for understanding the transition to motherhood with IBD through identifying parallels between having IBD and becoming, and being, a mother. Parallels clustered into three main themes: Need for Readiness, Lifestyle Changes, and Monitoring Personal and Physical Development. Hence, women with IBD are in some ways well prepared for the challenges of motherhood even though, as a group, they tend to restrict their reproductive choices. We recommend health professionals initiate conversations about reproduction early and provide a multidisciplinary approach to pregnancy and IBD in which women have confidence that their on-going treatment will be integrated successfully with their maternity care. / Crohn’s & Colitis UK [grant number SP2013/2].

Syftet med denna kvalitativa studie har varit att undersöka hur olika socialarbetare uppleverbehandlingsarbetet med våldsutövare samt vad socialarbetare tolkar som lyckat resultat vidbehandling av våldsutövare som använder våld i nära relation. För att besvara syftet harkvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer med socialarbetare som arbetar med våldsutövaregenomförts. Intervjuerna analyserades genom en tematisk analys där tre teman genererades.Dessa teman är: Motivation, skam och arbetsmetoder. Studiens teoretiska perspektiv byggerpå socialkonstruktivism, Webers modell om byråkrati och Webers teori om sociala handlingar. Skam har identifierats som en av de stora svårigheterna i arbetet med våldsutövare då dethindrar våldsutövare att söka stöd, samt att våldsutövare till följd av skam har svårt atterkänna sig själv som våldsutövare. Skillnader har även identifierats i hur olika svenskakommuner arbetar med våldsutövare i bland annat antalet socialarbetare som arbetar medvåldsutövare i varje given kommun och vilka behandlingsmetoder som kommunernaanvänder sig av. Genom resultatet identifieras två punkter som hade gjort det enklare attutföra behandling av våldsutövare, den ena är mer riktlinjer i hur arbetet ska utföras samt närbehandling är färdig. Den andra punkten som identifierats är att det behövs mer resurser tilldenna typ av arbete då det i många kommuner är ett lågt antal personer som arbetar medbehandling samt att det inte sker samma satsningar på utbildningar som det görs med andraavdelningar inom socialtjänst.

This thesis seeks to explore if and how college students' dating practices have changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Through eight focus group interviews (n=51), participants discussed their dating practices, use of online dating platforms, and navigation of health and safety protocols. A thematic analysis was used to identify and define major themes from the focus groups. Findings revealed four themes in how college students define dating, which were relational investment, exclusivity labels, dating progression, and the role of hookup culture. When addressing how the pandemic has changed the way college students date, six themes were identified: importance of communication, technology as a tool, impact of family, violating safety norms, negative affect expression, and gaining perspective. This thesis extends academic research on how dating is defined and how uncertainty in the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted dating practices of college students at a large U.S. university in the mid-Atlantic region. / MACOM / This thesis explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students dating practices. It uses focus group interviews of undergraduate college students at a large university in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Participants discussed their definition of 'dating,' use of technology and dating apps, and navigation of health and safety practices during a dating climate characterized by high uncertainty. Findings revealed four themes in how college students define dating, which were relational investment, exclusivity labels, dating progression, and the role of hookup culture. When addressing how the pandemic has changed the way college students date, six themes were identified: importance of communication, technology as a tool, impact of family, violating safety norms, negative affect expression, and gaining perspective. These findings have implications in how we understand dating, especially during a global health crisis.

With the unprecedented growth of the Computer Science field, there is an underlying assumption that undergraduate students would naturally gravitate towards Computer Science courses or acquire related skills, irrespective of their career interests. However, this research challenged that assumption, focusing on the experiences and attitudes of Non-Computer Science majors enrolled in Computer Science courses. The objective of this study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and attitudes of Non-Computer Science majors taking Computer Science courses. The research questions seek to uncover the factors influencing their engagement in Computer Science. This research employs a mixed-method study, starting with a quantitative phase followed by a qualitative one. Quantitative data is analyzed using factor analysis and inferential statistics, followed by thematic analysis on the qualitative data. The findings reveal that stereotypes associated with the Computer Science field are established as early as high school. These stereotypes, particularly affecting females, sometimes act as barriers, discouraging further pursuit of Computer Science. Addressing these stereotypes becomes crucial for fostering inclusivity in the field. To counteract these stereotypes, it is proposed that Computer Science and its applications should be promoted as early as freshmen year of high school. By introducing students to the field early, we can potentially mitigate the impact of stereotypes and encourage a diverse range of individuals to pursue Computer Science. Further exploration into the experiences of Computer Science majors is recommended to deepen our understanding and inform targeted interventions. / Master of Science / As Computer Science gains popularity, the assumption that all students, regardless of their career goals, naturally gravitate towards it is challenged. This study delves into the experiences and attitudes of Non-Computer Science majors taking Computer Science courses. This research aims to understand what influences Non-Computer Science majors' engagement in Computer Science, and the factors that shape their experiences and attitudes. Using a mixed-method approach, we first collect quantitative data through a survey, measuring various aspects. We then gather qualitative insights through interviews. Analyzing the quantitative data involves factor analysis and inferential statistics, while qualitative data is explored through thematic analysis. Our findings indicate that stereotypes about Computer Science are established as early as high school, often discouraging females from pursuing further education in the field. Addressing these stereotypes is crucial for fostering inclusivity. To counteract stereotypes, we propose promoting Computer Science from the freshman year of high school. By introducing students early, we can mitigate the impact of stereotypes and encourage a diverse range of individuals to explore Computer Science. Further exploration into the experiences of Computer Science majors is recommended to inform inclusive interventions.

The ongoing opioid crisis presents a significant public health challenge particularly for people who use opioids (PWUO). Naloxone is an opioid antagonist crucial to reducing opioid overdose mortality. Inconsistencies exist among PWUO in obtaining, carrying, discussing, and administering naloxone. Using sequential mixed methods, this study was aimed at investigating the use of implementation intentions on naloxone use among PWUO. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 83 PWUO to gather individual experiences with using naloxone and contextual details regarding its use. An essentialist thematic analysis with inductive coding revealed valuable insights into where, for whom, and when naloxone is implemented. The analysis identified major themes such as caring for others' needs, knowledge gaps, reinforcement through overdose experiences, duality of overdose and compassion, and stigma. Minor themes related to syringe services program implementation and drug use were identified. Building on these qualitative findings a quantitative analysis determined the impact of implementation intentions on naloxone implementation. Participants were randomly assigned to develop implementation intentions or goal intentions for the use of naloxone. Follow-up surveys assessed changes in participants' intentions to obtain, carry, discuss, and administer naloxone and their actual implementation over a 6-month period. At the 3-month follow-up the experimental condition exhibited statistically significant positive intentions to obtain naloxone and engage in discussions about naloxone in social contexts of drug use. Changes in the magnitude of naloxone implementation were observed at the 3- and 6-month timepoints. Specifically, the self-reported discussion of naloxone showed noticeable changes in implementation frequency over time. This suggests that while implementation intentions may not have statistically significant effects on the use of naloxone it had some influence on the frequency of discussing naloxone prior to drug use. This work makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature because of its attempt to apply the Theory of Planned Behavior and implementation intentions in a novel way. Though the experimental hypothesis was not supported statistically significant observations were made for some behaviors at the 3-month follow-up. The pragmatic nature of the setting enhances the relevance of the findings and provides valuable insights for future interventions supporting PWUO. / Doctor of Philosophy / The ongoing crisis of opioid addiction poses a significant public health challenge particularly for individuals who use opioids. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses and it plays a crucial role in saving lives. People who use opioids often face difficulties in accessing, carrying, discussing, and using naloxone consistently. This study was aimed at investigating the use of naloxone by employing qualitative and quantitative methods. We conducted interviews with 83 individuals who use opioids to explore their experiences and gather insights into naloxone use. These interviews provided valuable information about when, where, and for whom naloxone is used. Several important themes emerged including the significance of helping others, knowledge gaps, the influence of personal experiences, the conflict between the fear of overdose and caring for others, and the stigma associated with drug use. We investigated the impact of a specific approach called "implementation intentions" in improving naloxone use. Participants were randomly assigned to create specific plans or general goals for naloxone use. Through surveys conducted over a 6-month period we examined changes in participants' intentions and actions related to naloxone use. Although the specific approach did not yield significant improvements, we observed changes in how people discussed naloxone over time. This study contributes to the existing research by introducing innovative ideas to support positive behavioral changes among individuals who use opioids. The real-world setting in which the study took place enhances the applicability of the findings and offers valuable insights for future programs supporting individuals who use opioids.

Substance abusers and convicts have beneficial knowledge that researchers and service providers could use. Unfortunately, they tend to suffer from the stigma that often comes with exclusion from society and public discussions. Excluding them from discussion means that their knowledge cannot be benefitted from.  The Experts by experience concept gives a voice and expertise to those who have experience of specific experiences and situations. The use of these Experts has been found highly beneficial for many health service providers, and some findings indicate promising results also with a target group of substance abusers and convicts.  This study aims to investigate the impact that the participants of Keijo, an Experts by Experience program in Finland, can bring to their workplaces where they work with substance abusers and convicts. This paper performed seven semi-structured interviews with organizations that have worked with Experts by Experience from the Keijo program.  The analysis of this paper found the use of Experts by Experience in organizations to be considered valuable and beneficial. The findings indicated that the Experts had a positive impact on their clients, which often supported the work of the organizations. Additionally, the importance of Experts was also recognized as an important and valuable source of knowledge for the organizations and their colleagues.  This study will conclude by encouraging further use and research of Experts by Experience with this target group.

This paper analyzes the NBA's communications efforts from June 4 to July 30, 2020 as it prepared for an unprecedented season restart in the early days of a global pandemic. While scholars have examined the media's framing of the NBA in this period, there is a gap in the literature when looking at the official NBA communications strategy of the organization itself. As the first study to use risk communication theory in a sports scenario while also employing corporate social advocacy as the second theoretical basis of analysis, this qualitative study is a thematic and textual analysis of 14 NBA press releases and three existing video interviews of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Findings show that risk communication theory holds up in a sports context as the NBA employed effective use of widely accepted risk communication criteria. The study also puts forth a basis for CSA in sports communication regarding social justice.

Yes / The linear economic business model was deemed unsustainable, necessitating the emergence of the circular economy (CE) business model. Due to resource scarcity, increasing population, and high food waste levels, the food sector has been facing significant sustainability challenges. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those in the food sector, are making efforts to become more sustainable and to adopt new business models such as the CE, but adoption rates remain low. Industry 4.0 and its associated technological applications have the potential to enable CE implementation and boost business competitiveness. In the context of emerging economies facing significant resource scarcity constraints and limited technology availability, CE principles need to be adapted. CE could create a new job economy in emerging economies, bringing scale and a competitive advantage. This study explores the enablers of and barriers to Industry 4.0 adoption for CE implementation in fruit and vegetable SMEs in India from a resource-based perspective. The purpose is to develop an evidence-based framework to help inform theory and practice about CE implementation by SMEs in emerging economies. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts in food SMEs. The interview transcripts were first subjected to thematic analysis. The analysis was then complemented with sentiment and emotion analyses. Subsequently, hierarchical cluster analysis, k-means analysis, and linear projection analysis were performed. Among others, the findings suggest that Industry 4.0 plays a key role in implementing CE in SMEs in emerging economies such as India. However, there are specific enablers and barriers that need to be considered by SMEs to develop the resources and capabilities needed for CE competitive advantage.

The advertising industry is increasingly concerned with communicating about sustainability in campaigns that are produced by creative departments within agencies. It therefore appears relevant to understand the outlook on sustainability of the very people in charge of promoting it, even more so when these people are women who have long been subjected to barriers and discriminations within the industry. This thesis focuses on the perspective of women working in advertising creativity in Italy, a country in which the most widespread ideas of womanhood are disempowering as well. Evidence from interviews conducted with seven professionals in the field indicate that participants make sense of sustainability as primarily environmental and distinct from social issues. They also perceive it as future-oriented, made of small actions, linked with positive feelings. Overall, this understanding limits the actionability of the concept. At the same time, women are confronted with professional and social barriers that diminish the strength of their potential contribution. These include a solely profit-oriented industry, cultural and political boundaries and gendered socio-professional challenges.

The literature on the experience of siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been growing in recent years. However, most studies have been conducted in Western countries. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting a thematic analysis on childhood experiences of typically developed (TD) siblings of children with ASD in Iran, exploring their challenging and positive experiences along with the support they received and would have needed. In this regard, five adult TD siblings who grew up with an ASD sibling in Iran were interviewed about their childhood experiences. The analysis of the interviews resulted in six main themes: Experience of distress and personal growth, Complex sibling dynamics: challenges and joys, Challenges within the family, Informal support as the main resource, Inadequate formal support, and Social and cultural barriers This study indicated that the Iranian TD siblings experienced emotional difficulties, challenges in interactions with their ASD siblings, and challenges in their families. Despite these issues, positive outcomes such as personal growth and enhanced empathy were also reported. This study also underscored the critical role of both informal and formal support systems, highlighting a significant gap in professional support and a lack of societal understanding of ASD within the Iranian context. Recommendations include developing formal supports adjusted to the unique needs of TD siblings considering their social and cultural context.