As youngsters become adults, the development of their personality becomes the focus of their attention. However, neither Christian youthwork nor adult education within the Protestant Church in Germany is geared towards accompanying and advising them in the midst of their religious questions and changes. There is virtually no scholarly or church literature that would focus on the age group of 18 to 30 year olds. Thus far, the Protestant Church has not yet published non-commercial programs for personality development. This dissertation focuses on evaluating a personality training program that was specially developed for young adults. The structures and the content are analyzed in order to gain insights into how such a training can be implemented in the local church. The empirical results will be complemented by insights from different studies on youth, theological and anthropological perspectives on personality and personhood, and two popular models of courses on the Christian faith. / An der Schwelle zum Erwachsenwerden steht die Entwicklung der eigenen Persönlichkeit im Mittelpunkt des Denkens von jungen Menschen. Aber weder die Jugendarbeit noch die Erwachsenenbildung sieht eine Aufgabe darin, junge Erwachsene in ihren religiösen Fragen und Veränderungen zu begleiten und zu beraten. Wissenschaftliche und gemeindepädagogische Literatur, speziell für die Altersgruppe der 18- bis 30-Jährigen, liegt kaum vor und innerhalb der evangelischen Kirche gibt es bislang keine nichtkommerziellen Persönlichkeitsprogramme für diese Personengruppe. Der Fokus dieser Arbeit ist auf die Dokumentation und die qualitative Evaluation eines Persönlichkeitstrainings gerichtet, das speziell für junge Erwachsene entwickelt wurde. Untersucht werden die Strukturen und die Inhalte des Programms, um konkrete Gestaltungshinweise für die Durchführung in einer örtlichen Kirchengemeinde zu gewinnen. Die empirischen Ergebnisse werden durch Exzerpte aus verschiedenen Jugendstudien, aus theologisch-anthropologischen Erörterungen zu Persönlichkeit und Person sein und die Bewertung von zwei christlich populären Glaubenskursen ergänzt. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Correct neck support is required during sleep to align the spine and maintain neutral posture, and to immobilise the joints in the neck which would allow the cervical paraspinal muscles to relax (De Laittre, 1974; Ambrogio et al., 1998; Erfanian et al., 1998). Poor spinal posture during sleep however, has been hypothesized to result in lateral bending and uneven loading on the intervertebral discs and cervical facet joints, and compression of pain-sensitive structures in the neck (Leilnahari et al., 2011). The pillow is a significant contributing factor to sleep quality and the development of symptoms on waking (Gordon et al., 2011). This should theoretically reduce pressure on the pain-sensitive structures and allow the intervertebral discs to be unloaded and rehydrated (Leilnahari et al., 2011). Aim: To determine and compare the effect of the Simmons’ Beautyrest pillow, a polyester foam pillow, a latex pillow, and no pillow, on cervico-thoracic and forward head posture in the supine and recumbent supine positions in asymptomatic individuals. Methods: Forty asymptomatic subjects between the ages of 20 and 30 years were recruited using convenience sampling. The study was a double-blinded comparative investigation where all participants underwent a case history, physical examination and an orthopaedic examination of the cervical spine. Thereafter, digital photographic images of the participants lying without a pillow and on three different pillows (Simmons Beautyrest® pillow, a polyester foam pillow and a latex pillow) in the supine and recumbent positions were captured. These images were then uploaded onto a computer, and using the linear co-ordinates of each anatomical landmark (which was determined by the researcher using CorelDraw Graphics Suite 12), the cervico-thoracic and craniocervical postures were determined. The cervico-thoracic posture was determined by calculating the gradients of the intersegmental slopes, relative to the horizontal plane, using the formula (y2 − y1)/(x2 − x1). The craniocervical posture was determined by calculating the craniocervical angle. This angle was determined by constructing lines between the anatomical landmarks and measuring the angle produced at C7. At the end of the objective data collection, participants were asked verbally which pillow they found most comfortable. All data was collected by the researcher. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Repeated measures ANOVA test was used to compare the mean slope measurements in the four conditions. Inferential techniques included Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and t-tests. A p-value of < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. iv Results: The mean (± SD) age of the participants was 24.3 (± 2.57) years. In terms of pillow preference, 15 participants preferred the latex pillow, 8 preferred the polyester pillow and 17 preferred the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow. In the recumbent position for the C2-EOP slope the latex and Simmons Beautyrest® pillows supported the neck in a similar manner (p= 0.480) and closer to neutral than no pillow and the latex pillow. For the C4-C2 and the C7-C4 slopes, the latex pillow produced the least extreme slope. For the T3-C7 slope, the polyester pillow produced the slope closest to neutral. Overall, for the entire cervical spine, the latex pillow produced the least extreme slopes, but at the cervico-thoracic junction, the polyester pillow produced the most neutral slope. In all segments, the condition without a pillow produced the most extreme slopes. When comparing the slopes themselves, it can be seen that the most extreme deviations from neutral occurred at the C2-EOP segment. The midcervical spine deviated least from neutral. In the supine position, there were no significant differences (p> 0.05) in the sagittal angular displacement between the pillows. Conclusion: The results of this study support the view that there is no one particular pillow that is better than the others for providing optimal support to the head and neck. Furthermore, practitioners should be aware that it is the craniocervical and cervico-thoracic slopes, which are determined with the patient in the recumbent position, that provide significant information regarding support provided by the pillow rather than the sagittal angular displacement assessed in the supine position. / Durban University of Technology

No description available.

The work of the collective research in this thesis is to provide concise insights about the inputs that are responsible for the process by which young adults develop civic competence and how this translates into active participation among young adults in the political process over time. Research for this thesis explores how key concepts of socialization, task generalization, shifts in young adult voting trends between 1972-2008, the role of social research statistics, and political theory informs the role of socialization in the development of civic competence in young adult voters. This thesis also explores critical social contexts, direct and indirect influence of family units, how critical moments in the academic careers of young adults take effect in college and ultimately young adulthood, what shifts in voting trends further indicate, and lastly the role that social media plays in the modern landscape of young adults becoming politically active and in a larger effort to assess core features of the young adult involvement in the political process following the passage of the 26th Amendment based on scholarly research in the aforementioned areas and relevant national studies. By all cited statistics, with the exception of the 2008 presidential election, voting among young adults since 1972 has fallen precipitously. Contrary to traditional beliefs, which suggest that young adults are disengaged with the political process, key research findings indicate a shift in the means by which young adults engage in the political process. For example, at an increasing rate since 1972 young adults seek demonstrate their participation in the political process through hands on mechanisms such as volunteerism. Secondly, given the advent of Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other social networks, young adults have largely transitioned the ways that they gather information about the political process from traditional means, such as newspapers, televised news broadcasts to social networks. Personal suggestions for increasing rates of young adult participation in the political process include a critical need for civic education curriculum in schooling systems that present contextual lessons on civic duty and how individual participation fits in the political process. Ultimately, the aim of this research is twofold: (1) to explain what are the key drivers of young adult participation in the political process, and (2) to shed light on the role young adults have in reshaping the political process for current and future generations.

Previous research has consistently demonstrated the “inter-generational transmission of divorce.” In comparison to the patterns seen in families with continuously married parents, young adults who experienced their parents’ divorce during childhood are more likely to consider leaving their own romantic partners, including spouses, when medium to low levels of satisfaction are felt. To contextualize under what circumstances and how young adults may be influenced by their perceptions of these family-of-origin dynamics, the present study explored young women’s narratives about their parents’ romantic relationships and another observable romantic relationship in their environment. These narratives included a general description of the romantic relationships, and queried perceptions of efforts invested by the parents in their relationship. Young women were also asked to clarify their expectations regarding how much effort is appropriate in romantic relationships. Twenty-two young women were interviewed and their narratives were analyzed using Charmaz (2006)’s grounded theory approach. Participants were active agents in the creation of meaning about their parents’ romantic relationship and their parents’ divorce. Their narratives were complex, sometimes paradoxical, and suggested participants understood some of the dynamics in their parents’ romantic relationships. The themes, which emerged from the perceptions of their parents’ romantic relationships, their parents’ mistakes and what they felt they have learned from witnessing their parents’ romantic relationships, provided several avenues of interest for future research and clinical practice. / Graduate / 0621 / 0620 / 0451

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

Alcohol use in young adults requires continued attention due to the significant number of problems related to alcohol consumption. The alcohol use literature has explored a variety of constructs related to alcohol use in young adults including religiousness. The aims of the current study were to demonstrate the relationships between religiousness and alcohol use, explore the associations between religiousness and descriptive drinking norms, replicate the relationships between drinking norms and alcohol outcomes, and explore the mediating role of descriptive drinking norms on the relationships between religiousness and alcohol outcomes. Three hundred and thirtythree undergraduate students (M=19.72 years old; SD=1.1) completed questionnaires assessing religiousness, descriptive drinking norms, alcohol consumption, and alcoholrelated consequences. Religious commitment and comfort were inversely associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol-related consequences; religious strain was positively associated with alcohol-related consequences but not significantly related to alcohol consumption. Religious commitment and comfort were inversely associated with drinking norms for ones close friends; religious commitment was also inversely related to drinking norms for the average person his/her age. The significance of the relationships between drinking norms and alcohol outcomes depended on the specific drinking norm target; however the majority of drinking norms were positively associated with personal drinking behavior. Finally, perceptions of close friends drinking behavior at least partially mediated the relationships between religious commitment and comfort and alcohol outcomes. This study contributed to the current literature by examining multiple aspects of religiousness and alcohol use, exploring the role of descriptive drinking norms, and empirically testing a theoretical model explaining the role of religiousness in alcohol use.

The aim of this research is (1) to test the hypothesis that participating in collective action varies by social class position, (2) to examine the mechanisms behind class effects in collective action in a general model of individual participation in collective action, and (3) to discuss the societal implications of these effects. Class position modifies the social process which determines who will participate in protest demonstrations or community problem solving. Class influences political socialization, an individual's network of interpersonal ties to others, and opportunity constraints which guide individual choices to participate in collective action. A model of these relations is tested empirically using secondary analysis of a nationwide, longitudinal survey of young adults and their parents (Jennings and Niemi's Youth-Parent Socialization Panel Study, 1965-1973). The findings show that working class young adults participate in collective action at a lower rate than the young adults in other class positions. The direct relationship between class and collective action participation is virtually nonexistant. It is the indirect effect of class through the development of a sense of efficacy (socialization) and membership in organizations (networks) that is significant in the prediction of who participates. The primary contribution of this work involves the formulation of a general model explaining individual participation in collective action. Further, by linking socialization and networks, this research attempts to bridge the micro-macro distinctions found in other explanations of collective action. Other contributions of this research lie in its implementation of a neo-Marxist definition of class and the utilization of alternative measures of collective action (protest participation and activity in community problem solving). In conclusion, finding that some individuals are hindered in their ability to participate in collective action has implications for the direction of social change efforts. It appears that inequality exists in the promotion of social issues even in the area of non-institutionalized politics. The findings suggest that the relationship between stratification and collective action should be explored further in future research.

Title: Within-Day Energy Balance and Protein Intake Affect Body Composition in Physically Active Young Adult Females Background: Past studies suggest that individuals who eat smaller, more frequent meals are at a metabolic advantage when compared to those who eat larger, less frequent isocaloric meals. Studies also suggest that consumption of small amounts (~ 20 to 30 g) of protein evenly distributed during the day, may be a superior strategy for satisfying the protein requirement and improving muscle protein synthesis. It was, therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between body composition and the distributed consumption of energy and protein in physically active young adult females. Methods: Using an IRB approved protocol, physically active female volunteers were measured for height using a standard wall mount stadiometer; body composition and weight were measured using a multi-current 8-mode segmental bioelectrical impedance device (Tanita, Arlington Heights, Illinois USA, Model BC-418). The volunteers kept a food and activity journal for one day, which was assessed to determine hourly energy balance and hourly protein intake. Exertion was assessed using a relative intensity activity MET value scale that produces multiples of resting energy expenditure, which was predicted using the Harris-Benedict equation. Results: The 28 females who volunteered for this study ranged in age from 19-24 years. Significant inverse associations were found between protein (grams/kg) consumption and fat mass (r=-0.42; p=0.026); and FFM and the ratio of protein to energy balance at 4pm (r=-0.376; p=0.049). There was a significant positive association between FFM and the ratio of protein to energy balance at 12pm (r=0.390; p=0.040) and 9pm (r= 0.379; p=0.047). There was also a significant positive association between the ratio of FFM to height and the ratio of protein to energy balance at 12 pm (r=0.423; p=0.025). There was a significant association between highest daily peak energy balance and FFM to height ratio (r=0.402; p=0.034). Regression analysis determined that independent EB and protein variables could be used to predict the dependent variable FFM to Height ratio (r=.727; p=0.019). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate a significant positive association between highest daily EB and FFM to height ratio. The results also suggest that higher protein consumption per kg is inversely associated with fat mass. Similarly, when protein is consumed when in ±400 kcal energy balance, is associated with higher FFM. Additionally, energy balance and protein variables can be used to predict FFM to height ratio using a regression equation that accounts for 52.9% of variance. These data indicate that subjects spent far more hours in an energy balance deficit than surplus, making it difficult to assess the impact of protein intake distribution on body composition. It does appear that, from a relatively small subsample (n=28) who did achieve a positive within-day energy balance and adequate protein intake, consumption of protein while in good energy balance may help physically active adult females achieve a body composition that is low in fat mass and high in lean muscle mass.

Background: Self-harm is used to describe a group of diseases where the persons intention is to hurt thereself. This collective name includes conditions such as anorexia, burning, poisoning and self-cutting. The act of self-harm is almost never related to the patients' wish of death, it's more of a tool for the person to calm herself. Previous research shows that nurses often see these patients as troublesome often because of a lack of knowledge. There's just a few studies that examine the patients' views. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe how patients with self-harm was experiencing the meeting with the nurse. Method: The study was designed as a literature based study based on 12 qualitative articles. All articles are read and analyzed by Friberg (2012) model with the analysis of qualitative research. Results: The result of this study showed that the nurse plays a big part in how the patients experienced their treatment. If the patient feels that the nurse doesn't see, hear or respect her, the patient starts to feel that she is not worth health care. For the patient to feel and get better it's essential that there is a functional relationship between the patient and the nurse. Conclusion: Patients who self-harm is a difficult patientgroup to treat if there is a lack of knowledge. But these patients are dependent on the care that the nurse is providing them. Therefore a caring and trusting relationship is a must to provide high quality care.