<p> The purpose of this policy analysis is to critically review the Welfare and Institutions Code&sect; 369.5, which regulates the authorization of psychotropic medication to treat mental disorders among California's dependent children. While these medications have been proven effective forms of treatment, there is a growing concern about their life threatening side effects.</p><p> Research has concluded that children exposed to chronic child abuse and neglect often present with behaviors indicative of trauma. The <i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</i> 5th Edition has included criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) in children. However, the Welfare and Institutions Code&sect; 369.5 does not mandate psychiatrists and pediatricians to first rule out trauma prior to diagnosing foster children with one or more behavior, mood, or psychotic disorders.</p><p> Results support amending child welfare legislation and policies to reflect a shift toward trauma-focused services, thereby reducing the reliance on potentially dangerous pharmaceutical drugs.</p>

Denna kvalitativa studies syfte var att undersöka hur ett privatägt omsorgsföretag arbetar långsiktigt med personalens fysiska och psykiska hälsa samt hur personalen upplever hälsoarbetet och sin fysiska och psykiska hälsa på arbetsplatsen. Då verksamheten i första hand beskrevs som brukarstyrd var det intressant att undersöka hur ett företag kan arbeta aktivt med personalens hälsa utan att det inkräktar på den brukarstyrda verksamheten. Detta var vid studiens genomförande ett relativt outforskat område inom arbetshälsoforskningen. Genom enskilda intervjuer med två personer ur ledningen, och genom två parintervjuer med fyra personer ur personalen kartlade författarna hur företaget arbetar långsiktigt med personalens hälsa samt hur personalen upplever hälsan på arbetet. Resultatet bearbetades med hjälp av en analysmetod beskriven av Kvale och Brinkmann (2009). Resultaten visade att företagets långsiktiga strategi bygger på att satsningar görs för att förebygga ohälsa på ett tidigt plan. Personalen uppmuntras genom ett flertal aktiviteter till en sund livsstil. Genom systematiskt arbetsmiljöarbete, tydliga handlingsplaner, arbetsordningar samt kompetensutveckling skapas säkerhet och trygghet för personalen, vilket främjar personalens fysiska och psykiska hälsa. Resultaten visade även att personalen upplever sig ha en god fysisk och psykisk hälsa. Dock uppfattar inte personalen i vissa lägen hälsoarbetet lika positivt som ledningen. Personalen saknar stöd från ledningen i konfliktsituationer på arbetsplatsen och då det handlar om psykiska påfrestningar i arbetet. Resultaten visade även att ledningen ibland inte når ut till personalen då det gäller syftet med hälsofrämjande åtgärder. Författarna hoppas att resultatet från denna studie kan bli en inspiration i fortsatt hälsoarbete för såväl det studerade företaget som för andra företag. / The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how a privately owned health care company works with employee work health, both physical and mental health, in a long-term perspective. The purpose was also to investigate how the employees perceive the company's health work and their own physical and mental work health. Since the main purpose of the business was described as caring for the people that live in the company's houses, it is interesting to investigate how a company like this also can work when it comes to caring for the employees without neglecting the company business. At the time of this study this was a relatively unexplored area in the work health research. By doing individual interviews with two persons from the company's management and two interviews in pairs with four of the company's employees the authors were able to chart how the company works in a long-term perspective concerning employee health and also how the employees interpret the health status at their workplace. The results were analyzed using an analysis described by Kvale and Brinkmann (2009). The results showed that the long-term strategy of the company rests on preventive health investments at an early stage. The employees are encouraged to a healthy lifestyle by several activities arranged by the company. By actively applying a systematic work environment strategy, manifestive plans of action, working regulations and capacity building, safety and comfort can be created, which enhance the physical and mental health of the employees. The results also showed that the employees perceive the company's health work as positive and feel both physically and mentally well at their workplace. However at certain aspects the employees did not think as well of the company's health work as the management did. The employees lacked support from the management in situations of conflict at the workplace and in situations of mental strain at work. The results also showed that the management at times doesn't give enough information of the purpose of the health maintenance investments that are made. The authors of this study hope that the results can work as an inspiration for further health work to the studied company as well as for other companies.

Diss. Stockholm : Univ., 2003.

Submitted by Mario Mesquita (mbarroso@fiocruz.br) on 2014-10-14T18:11:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Isis Pereira Coutinho.pdf: 2318853 bytes, checksum: cde36d58c332b405c18454bb28818d95 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Mario Mesquita (mbarroso@fiocruz.br) on 2014-10-14T18:11:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Isis Pereira Coutinho.pdf: 2318853 bytes, checksum: cde36d58c332b405c18454bb28818d95 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-14T18:11:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Isis Pereira Coutinho.pdf: 2318853 bytes, checksum: cde36d58c332b405c18454bb28818d95 (MD5) / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Politécnica de Saúde Joaquim Venâncio. Laboratório do Trabalho e da Educação Profissional em Saúde / A presente dissertação tem como objetivo identificar, a partir da percepção dos trabalhadores técnicos em radiologia, como a qualificação influencia nas práticas de saúde e segurança no Trabalho. Partindo do pressuposto de análise “Qualificação”, campo que pretende avaliar não apenas a educação escolar, mas também a maneira como a sociedade percebe um determinado trabalho como “qualificado”, procurou-se verificar em que medida tal percepção social reflete nas trajetórias formativas, nas formas de inserção no mercado de trabalho e na remuneração dos trabalhadores. Associado a isso, pretende-se também refletir à luz do Campo da Saúde do Trabalhador, a carga às quais estão submetidos os trabalhadores técnicos em radiologia no interior dos serviços de saúde. Na constituição destas duas temáticas associadas, o trabalhador tem um papel primordial, através do seu conhecimento sobre o cotidiano do serviço, na construção de espaços ocupacionais que considerem as prerrogativas de saúde e segurança no trabalho como prioridade ao exercício profissional. Assim, a partir dos elementos que os trabalhadores técnicos em radiologia trazem para esta pesquisa, poderemos observar indícios de como a formação e o trabalho confluem para a produção de um trabalho qualificado e atento à saúde ocupacional dos trabalhadores. / The aim of the thesis is to identify how the idea of qualification influences on Work Health and Safety practices concerning radiology technicians. The analytic starting point is the concept of “Qualification”; field that takes into consideration not only the level of education a work requires but also how a society understands a specific occupation as a “qualified job”. The thesis intended to verify - using as its basis the field of Workers Health - to what extent the social perception reflects on the learning trajectories, the entry into employment, and the salaries earned. Moreover, the thesis ponders on the workload the radiology technicians are submitted to in the context of the Health Services. When these two matters are associated it is possible to understand the relevance of these workers - as subjects who hold the specific knowledge - on the occasion of the construction of work spaces in which the prerogatives of Work Health and Safety are considered priorities. Therefore, it is based on the information given by radiology technicians that it is possible to examine how education and work converge to the production of a true “qualified job”, one which gives importance to the occupational health.

In the first part of the thesis I address the theoretical basis of the issue of social work, lifelong learning, the burnout syndrome and the ethical code of a social worker. Of health social worker help the others who face a problematic situation. They help people in order to enable them to exist and function in interaction with their social environment at a socially appreciated level. In the practical part of the thesis, the objective of the research that I set myself was to ascertain whether the health social workers have the competences to exercise their profession and what techniques they use to prevent the burnout syndrome. I decided for a written anonymous questionnaire to collect the data. The research was conducted in health and social facilities in 8 regions of the Czech Republic. 160 questionnaires were distributed altogether. The total research set consisted of 106 respondents. I examined two hypotheses. The first one was: A majority of health social workers does not have sufficient education to exercise the profession. The second one was: Of health social workers realize the risks of the burnout syndrome.

A new administrative scenario - the virtual office - emerged in organisations because of the influence of technological developments that drastically changed the traditional office scenario. The virtual office is a worksite that is situated outside of the traditional office, where people still do the work associated with a traditional office, whilst maintaining their status as full-time employees. Although telework has been practiced internationally for several decades, it is a new concept in South Africa with only a few large organisations embarking on telework. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which organisations in trade and industry are aware of and comply with the required policies, regulations and legislation in terms of ergonomics, technology and health in the e-environment. The preferred kind of telework and information and communication technologies for the South African context was determined. The study investigated the prevalence and extent of health and wellness aspects that teleworkers could be exposed to in the e-environment. The role that ergonomics could play in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders that could lead to compensation claims and other legal actions was investigated. The elements that could ensure the successful implementation of a telework programme were identified and were presented as a conceptual telework framework. Within the parameters of applied research, a descriptive quantitative research design has been followed. The mode of enquiry followed in this research was a quantitative, non-experimental, survey method. A baseline study has been conducted followed by an empirical study using two structured online questionnaires, one for managers of teleworkers and one for teleworking employees. The findings indicated that although the policies, regulations and legislation existed, organisations did not diligently comply with it. The lack of training for the managers and teleworkers on the applicable policies and legislation caused concern. The application of ergonomic specifications on the use of equipment, furniture and services at the preferred home office, is mainly done to avoid ergonomic risk factors that may lead to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Although teleworkers suffered from disorders, there was a lack of knowledge on ergonomic interventions and on the processes to claim compensation. The need for an instrument that will assist organisations to implement telework successfully has been identified. Therefore, a conceptual telework framework that provides a structure of the elements that need to be in place to implement a telework programme successfully has been proposed. / Business Management / D. Admin. (Business Management)

This dissertation aims at analyzing mindfulness as a concept and a multidimensional phenomenon in its historic and primordial but also contemporary contexts. In the course of examining this more general question, this dissertation targets four specific objectives: 1) classifying existing definitions of mindfulness, 2) critically analyzing and interpreting the Buddhist and Western interpretations and practices of mindfulness, 3) elaborating on the social and existential dimensions of mindfulness, and 4) applying these dimensions in advancing the notion of mindful sustainable aging in the context of successful aging. Paper I examines and assesses the numerous definitions of mindfulness that have been presented over the years by a wide range of scholars from a variety of disciplines. Paper II traces the roots of modern mindfulness in Buddhism. It continues by exploring the utility and practices of mindfulness in the context of social work. The definitions provided in Paper I and the Buddhist underpinnings discussed in Paper II call attention to the fact that in addition to the more commonly considered physical and mental dimensions, mindfulness contains a social and an existential dimension as well – dimensions that remain under-researched and not well understood. To redress this imbalance, Paper III elaborates on these two latter dimensions, emphasizing their potential to enhance health, wellbeing and meaning in life. Paper III further argues that a more nuanced understanding of physical, mental, social and existential mindfulness can be obtained by examining the interconnectedness of all four fields. Paper IV continues the discussion of the social and the existential dimensions of mindfulness with specific emphasis on their utility for successful aging, and advances the notion of mindful sustainable aging. Paper IV highlights the potential of mindfulness for living a meaningful life and boosting the elderly’s capacity to find deeper meaning in their final stage of life.

This thesis seeks to contribute to the knowledge base about social policy in the United States, using long-term care (LTC) financing policy reform as an illustrative example. Specifically, this thesis explores LTC financing reform efforts during three U.S. Presidential administrations: Bill Clinton (1993-2001), George W. Bush (2001-2009), and Barack Obama (2009-2010). Within this historical framework, the LTC provisions of the Health Security Act of 1993, the development of the Community Living Assistant Services and Supports or 'CLASS' Act during the Bush Administration, and the legislative success of the CLASS Act as a part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 provide comparable cases to compare the drivers of social policy. Drawing on the explanatory frameworks of the welfare state such as ideology, historical institutionalism, and an actor-centered approach to policy analysis, this thesis argues that successful path-departing legislation is difficult to achieve due, in part, to the presumed high costs of social programs and the complex institutional framework of the American political system. Policy outcomes result from the interaction between the complex processes and dynamics of the political system through which policy change (or the failure to change) actually occurs. The fact that the CLASS Act was politically successful, yet administratively inoperable as designed, reinforces the argument that social policy outcomes in the United States are reflective of a complex, enduring struggle of competing ideologies. This continual struggle, coupled with a heightened concern over cost control and fiscal austerity, helps to ensure that policies which are legislatively successful within the institutional architecture of the American political system are unlikely to produce major expansions of the welfare state. Social change is therefore highly difficult to achieve, even in the face of significant unmet social needs. Comprehensive reform of U.S. LTC financing arrangements will remain an elusive goal for the foreseeable future. Instead, incremental, highly pro-market solutions are likely to be the types of policies promoted in the years of ahead.

A new administrative scenario - the virtual office - emerged in organisations because of the influence of technological developments that drastically changed the traditional office scenario. The virtual office is a worksite that is situated outside of the traditional office, where people still do the work associated with a traditional office, whilst maintaining their status as full-time employees. Although telework has been practiced internationally for several decades, it is a new concept in South Africa with only a few large organisations embarking on telework. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which organisations in trade and industry are aware of and comply with the required policies, regulations and legislation in terms of ergonomics, technology and health in the e-environment. The preferred kind of telework and information and communication technologies for the South African context was determined. The study investigated the prevalence and extent of health and wellness aspects that teleworkers could be exposed to in the e-environment. The role that ergonomics could play in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders that could lead to compensation claims and other legal actions was investigated. The elements that could ensure the successful implementation of a telework programme were identified and were presented as a conceptual telework framework. Within the parameters of applied research, a descriptive quantitative research design has been followed. The mode of enquiry followed in this research was a quantitative, non-experimental, survey method. A baseline study has been conducted followed by an empirical study using two structured online questionnaires, one for managers of teleworkers and one for teleworking employees. The findings indicated that although the policies, regulations and legislation existed, organisations did not diligently comply with it. The lack of training for the managers and teleworkers on the applicable policies and legislation caused concern. The application of ergonomic specifications on the use of equipment, furniture and services at the preferred home office, is mainly done to avoid ergonomic risk factors that may lead to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Although teleworkers suffered from disorders, there was a lack of knowledge on ergonomic interventions and on the processes to claim compensation. The need for an instrument that will assist organisations to implement telework successfully has been identified. Therefore, a conceptual telework framework that provides a structure of the elements that need to be in place to implement a telework programme successfully has been proposed. / Business Management / D. Admin. (Business Management)

A presente tese refere-se à pesquisa teórica acerca das principais obras de autores da corrente de interpretação marxista clássica do trabalho e da teoria social em saúde. Nesse sentido, os elementos centrais dessa corrente são abordados com referência a bibliografia de autores dos contextos intelectuais, francês e italiano. Depreende-se da pesquisa que a incorporação de outros meios intelectuais possibilitou o desenvolvimento de uma teoria social em saúde original a partir de associações pluriparadigmáticas de teorias críticas de modernidade, na qual as contradições oriundas do domínio racional da natureza corpórea e seu meio na sociabilidade capitalista são elemento centrais do processo social de medicalização e mercantilização. A hipótese interpretativa desenvolvida aponta que duas principais teses da Escola de Frankfurt, a crítica ao progresso de Walter Benjamim e a crítica a racionalidade técnica instrumental de Adorno e Horkheimer, são basilares na elaboração da teoria social em saúde constituidora do campo interdisciplinar da saúde coletiva. Na perspectiva de balanço crítico da interpretação marxista, destacamos a transição analítica da prática médica à teoria do processo de trabalho em saúde com identificação de contribuições e limites para a apreensão do trabalho das ocupações em saúde no processo contemporâneo de complexificação do trabalho e da relação social em saúde. / The present thesis refers to the theoretical research about the main works of authors of the current of classic Marxist interpretation of work and social theory in health. In this sense, the central elements of this chain are approached with reference to the bibliography of authors from the intellectual contexts, French and Italian. It follows from the research that the incorporation of other intellectual means enabled the development of an original health social theory from pluriparadigmatic associations of critical theories of modernity, in which the contradictions stemming from the rational domain of corporeal nature and its environment in capitalist sociability are central elements of the social process of medicalization and commodification. The interpretative hypothesis developed suggests that two main theses of the Frankfurt School, the criticism of Walter Benjamim\'s progress and the critique of instrumental technical rationality of Adorno and Horkheimer, are fundamental in the elaboration of the social health theory that constitutes the interdisciplinary field of collective health. From the perspective of a critical balance of Marxist interpretation, we highlight the analytical transition from medical practice to the theory of the health work process with the identification of contributions and limits for the apprehension of the work of occupations in health in the contemporary process of work and social relationship in health.