When Substance Abuse Obscures the Victim : An Interview Study with Professionals in Sheltered Housing and Social Services

Studien syftar till att undersöka hur problematiken för våldsutsatta kvinnor med aktivt missbruk bemöts av socialförvaltning och skyddat boende i Sverige, samt hur deras möjlighet till stöd påverkas. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ metod i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer och materialet analyserades tematiskt. Resultatet visade att stigmatisering och normer om det ideala offret begränsar kvinnors tillgång till stöd, samtidigt som bristande samordning mellan vålds- och missbruksvård försvårar helhetslösningar. Studien visade en normalisering av våld för både målgruppen och de yrkesverksamma, vilket är ett stort hinder vid hjälpsökande. Studien lyfter också vikten av förbättrad samordning mellan kommuner, samt ett behov av ökad kunskap bland yrkesverksamma gällande både våld och missbruk, för att säkerställa ett mer sammanhållet och effektivt stöd. För att möta dessa utmaningar krävs integrerade stödinsatser och förändrade attityder hos yrkesverksamma och i samhället som helhet

Stress and Sence of Coherence (SOC) - A Study on Stress in Upper Secondary School

Denna studie undersöker hur stress upplevs bland gymnasieelever på en gymnasieskola i Östergötland, och i vilken utsträckning kön samt känsla av sammanhang KASAM (känsla av sammanhang) korrelerar med upplevelsen av stress. Studien har genomförts med kvan- titativ metod och insamling av data skedde genom enkäter som besvarades av sjuttiosju personer, Datan tolkades och analyserades sedan för att frågeställningen skulle kunna bes- varas. Resultatet visar att det finns en hög grad av stress bland gymnasieungdomarna och att kvinnor tenderar att vara mer stressade än män. Gymnasieeleverna i denna studie hade ett genomsnittligt PSS-10-värde på 19,5, vilket är 44 % högre än normalpopulationens ge- nomsnitt och visar på att eleverna upplever relativt hög stress. Det framkom också att det finns en signifikans mellan stress och KASAM, och att den gren av KASAM som påver- kade stressen mest var hanterbarhet. Förmågan att hantera stressiga situationer tycktes vara den mest avgörande faktorn för att minska stressupplevelsen, vilket indikerar att hanterbar- het kan vara den viktigaste KASAM-faktorn för att minska stress hos den grupp gymnasi- eelever som ingick i studien. This study examines how stress is experienced among high school students at a secondary school in Östergötland, and to what extent gender and sense of coherence (SOC) correlate with the experience of stress. The study was conducted using a quantitative method, and data was collected through surveys completed by seventy-seven individuals. The data was then interpreted and analyzed to address the research question. The results show that there is a high level of stress among high school students, with women tending to experience more stress than men. The high school students in this study had an average PSS-10 score of 19.5, which is 44% higher than the general population's average which indicates that the students have relatively high stress levels. The study also revealed a significant correlation between stress and SOC, with the aspect of SOC that had the most significant impact on stress being manageability. The ability to manage stressful situations appears to be the most decisive factor in reducing stress, suggesting that manageability may be the most important SOC factor in alleviating stress among the high school students who participated in this study.

Who Goes with the Flow? : A Study Investigating Associations Between Flow Proneness, The Big Five of Personality, Well-being and Stress

Flow kan beskrivas som en optimal upplevelse av njutning i form av intensiv koncentration och intrinsisk, självbelönande motivation i kombination med en låg grad av självmedvetenhet och en förvrängd tidsuppfattning vid utförandet av en aktiv och utmanande uppgift. Syftet med denna kvantitativa tvärsnittsstudie var att undersöka hur benägenhet för flow, definierad som dimensionell trait flow, korrelerade med de fem personlighetsdragen i The Big Five of Personality, liksom med de subjektiva variablerna upplevd stress samt upplevt välbefinnande. En digital enkät bestående av fyra självskattningsskalor som mätte studiens variabler spreds genom ett bekvämlighetsurval på sociala medier, i grupper online, samt till kontakter, vilket resulterade i 101 deltagare. Enkla korrelationer liksom multipla regressioner stod för undersökningens metodologiska grund, med resultat som bekräftade hypoteserna kring att höga nivåer av välbefinnande och höga nivåer av stress predicerade höga nivåer respektive låga nivåer av flow-benägenhet. De personlighetsdrag som signifikant och positivt predicerade flow-benägenhet var Extraversion och Samvetsgrannhet, medan Neuroticism signifikant predicerade flow-benägenhet med ett negativt samband, vilket var i linje med hypoteserna. Vi avslutade med en diskussion kring studiens resultat och de implikationer det har för framtida välbefinnande genom utbildningssystem och arbetsplatser, för framtidens generationer att uppnå.Flow can be described as an optimal experience of enjoyment, intense concentration and intrinsic motivation, paired with low self-awareness and a distorted perception of time during an active and challenging task at hand. The aim of this quantitative and cross-sectional study was to investigate how flow proneness, defined dimensional as trait flow, correlates to the five traits of personality in The Big Five of Personality, as well as the subjective variables of perceived stress and perceived well-being. A digital survey containing four self-rate scales measuring the variables of the study was distributed through a convenience sample directed at social media, online groups and contacts, which resulted in 101 participants. Simple correlations as well as multiple regressions between the variables formed the methodological body of the study leading to results that confirmed the hypotheses that high levels of well-being and high levels of stress significantly predicted high levels and low levels of flow proneness respectively. The personality traits which positively and significantly predicted flow proneness were Extraversion and Conscientiousness, while Neuroticism negatively predicted flow proneness significantly, in line with the hypotheses. In conclusion, the results of the study were discussed in terms of the implications for future well-being through educational systems and workplaces for future generations to achieve

Midwives experiences of reporting concerns to the social services

Bakgrund: Barnmorskor har skyldighet att anmäla till socialtjänsten vid misstanke eller vetskap om att barn far illa. Anmälningsskyldigheten gäller efter barnets födelse eftersom ofödda barn rent juridiskt inte räknas som en individ. Barnmorskor kan tidigt under graviditeten identifiera riskfaktorer för att barn kan fara illa. Anmälningsskyldigheten är en del i att bidra till bättre folkhälsa. Tidigare forskning i svensk kontext är begränsad men visar att barnmorskor ser anmälningsskyldigheten som en svår och komplex uppgift.  Syfte: Syftet var att utforska barnmorskors erfarenheter och attityder till orosanmälan.  Metod: En kvalitativ intervjustudie med induktiv ansats användes för att besvara syftet. Fokusgruppsintervjuer användes som datainsamling och tematisk innehållsanalys genomfördes.  Resultat: Innehållsanalysen frambringade tre tematiska kategorier vilka var Att möta och vårda familjen vid oro och orosanmälan, Barnmorskans känslor vid oro och orosanmälan och Samverkan vid orosanmälan, med noll till fyra underkategorier vardera. Oro beskrevs ur flera aspekter och som en central del vid orosanmälan. Barnmorskorna upplevde flera komplexa känslor vid oro och orosanmälan. Samverkan med kollegor beskrevs som ett stöd för barnmorskorna medan samverkan med socialtjänsten beskrevs som svår. Det förekommer kunskapsluckor kring orosanmälningar hos barnmorskor som också beskriver brist på utbildning inom området.  Slutsats: Resultatet visar hur komplex anmälningsskyldigheten är för barnmorskor. Orosanmälan innebär flera utmaningar för barnmorskan i det dagliga arbetet men också känslomässig påverkan. Samverkan med socialtjänsten beskrivs som utmanande och det saknas ett standardiserat arbetssätt. Barnmorskor behöver utbildning för att hantera situationer och identifiera barn som far illa. Mer forskning kring barnmorskor och anmälningsskyldigheten behövs.Background: Midwives are obligated to report to the social services when a child is suspected or known to be maltreated or abused. The obligation to report only applies when the child is born because, legally speaking, an unborn child is not considered an individual. Early identification of a child who is maltreated or abused can be made by midwives by observing risk factors. The obligation to report maltreatment or abuse contributes to an improvement in public health. Previous research from Swedish context is limited but show that midwives experience the obligation to report as a complex and difficult task.  Aim: The aim of this study was to explore midwives' experience and attitudes towards reporting concerns about child abuse or maltreatment to the social services. Method: A qualitative interview study with an inductive approach was chosen. Focus group discussions with midwives was the source from which data was collected, and thematic content analysis was carried out to analyse the empirical material.  Results: From the data analysis three categories were identified. Those three categories were Meeting and caring for the family when suspected or known child abuse or maltreatment, The midwives' feelings towards suspected or known child abuse or maltreatment and Collaboration when reporting child abuse or maltreatment. Concern was described, by a multitude of aspects, as a central aspect when reporting child abuse or maltreatment and the midwives reported several complex emotions when making a report. Teamwork with colleagues was identified as a support for the midwives whereas collaboration with the social services was described as difficult. There is a lack of knowledge among midwives regarding report of concern about children to the social service and the midwives call for more education in this area. Conclusion: This study highlights the complexity arising from the obligation to report when suspected or known child abuse or maltreatment is encountered. The midwife faces a myriad of challenges, both in the professional aspect and in the private life. Cooperation with social services is described as challenging and there is a lack of standardized methods when the obligation to report arises. Midwives need education to be able to identify and act in cases when av child is maltreated or abused. In the future more research regarding the midwife's obligation to report is of interest

Corruption and Trust in Nigeria:Assessing the NACS Reforms : A Principal-Agent Perspective on Public Perceptions

This study examines the impact of Nigeria's National Anti-Corruption Strategy(NACS) 2017–2020 on public trust in institutions and perceptions of corruption.Utilizing Afrobarometer survey data from 2017 and 2021, the analysis explorestrends across political institutions, local governments, and the judiciary,contextualized through the principal-agent theory of corruption. The findings revealmixed outcomes: while NACS introduced measures to enhance transparency andaccountability, public trust in political institutions and law enforcement declined,underscoring persistent governance challenges. Perceptions of corruption remainhigh, particularly in the judiciary and law enforcement, with marginal improvementsnoted in local government accountability. The study highlights the complexities ofcombating systemic corruption, emphasizing the importance of aligning reformswith public expectations to rebuild institutional trust. By addressing the intersectionof trust and governance, this research contributes to the broader discourse onanti-corruption strategies in developing nations, offering actionable insights forpolicymakers seeking sustainable reform. The results underline the need for robustenforcement mechanisms, cultural reorientation, and enhanced citizen engagementto ensure the long-term success of anti-corruption initiatives

“Det är ju oftast så: jag skojade när jag sa att hon skulle suga av mig.” : En studie om skolpersonals arbete och förhållningssätt till sexuella trakasserier mellan högstadieelever.

The exact definition of sexual harassment varies due to the fact that any action or phrase, regardless of the intention, may or may not be perceived as offensive to the person against whom it is done. Studies have shown a high rate of sexual harassment among pupils. This is true even though schools have a responsibility to ensure a safe learning environment for all pupils. This includes putting preventative measures in place. This study aims to raise awareness about how school staff perceive and subsequently handle sexual harassment between pupils. Furthermore, the study wants to highlight any external influence from societal structures. The main conclusions of this study are that previsous experiences affect the school staffs work with sexual harassment, clear regulatory documents ensure a homogenus approach and that homogenus thinkning plays a crucial part in promoting school culture against sexual harassment. Therefore we argue for the importance of the prevention of sexual harassment in schools due to pupils not having a choice about going to school or not

Lived experiences of how the care relationship in primary healthcare contributes to recovery from stress-related disorders : a reflective lifeworld research study

Purpose: The aim of the study was to describe how the care relationship in primary healthcare has contributed to the recovery of persons with stress-related disorders. Methods: This study was based on the phenomenological approach, Reflective Lifeworld Research (RLR). Fifteen persons who had recovered from stress-related disorders and who had experience of being cared for in primary healthcare were included. Lifeworld interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed according to the RLR principles of openness, flexibility and bridling. Results: The participants experienced that the care relationship in primary healthcare contributed to their recovery from stress-related disorder by enabling them to land and be embraced in a safe relationship. This opened up a space for rest and growth that included time, being listened to and a permitting space for existential reflection based on one’s life story. The results also showed that a sense of disharmony in the care encounter constitutes a threat to recovery and reinforces vulnerability. Conclusions: Sensing security and hope is a crucial element in the care relationship in primary healthcare when recovering from stress-related disorders. This includes the importance of being treated with respect, being given space to tell one’s story, being listened to and being supported in an existential reflection of one’s life situatio

Measurement Properties of the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium Scale : A Confirmatory Factor Analysis-Based Study

Background Patient involvement in the interdisciplinary bedside round (IBR) increases care quality and safety but is influenced and perceived differently by different round participants. Nursing and medical students are still not structurally embedded in the healthcare system, and they participate in interdisciplinary bedside rounds for educational purposes. Thus, the students may give a valuable perspective on patient involvement from the ‘outside view’. Aim This study aimed to describe nursing and medical students' perceptions of patient involvement in IBRs. Methods This study has a qualitative design with individual interviews. Eighteen informants were recruited with the help of gatekeepers from two sites in Sweden: a university training health clinic and a county hospital. They participated in one-to-one semi-structured interviews, which were analysed with an inductive qualitative content analysis approach. Ethical Issues and Approval The study has been approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. Informed consent was received from all participants. Results The results yielded five categories. Two sub-themes and one theme of meaning emerged as a ‘red thread’ across the categories. The theme of meaning was: ‘In hospital rounds, the patient is a respected guest, but with a disadvantaged “alien status” due to the hosts' difficult medical language and unclear routines’. Students perceive patients are not fully involved in IBRs, and the healthcare team controls this involvement due to patients' lack of knowledge and vulnerability, the hectic hospital environment, and complicated medical language. Doctors lead IBRs and encourage or discourage patient involvement and nurses act as patient advocates, supporting their involvement. Conclusions According to nursing and medical students, patients are seldom involved in IBRs due to multiple interaction barriers and despite communicational facilitators. Their involvement depends on healthcare professionals. Further research should investigate other IBRs stakeholders' perspectives on patient involvement in IBRs to facilitate it

Nyanlända gymnasieungdomars inträde i det svenska historieämnets diskurs

The overarching aim of this text-analytical study is to provide a detailed investigation of how recently arrived adolescents engage with the discourse of the Swedish school subject of history, focusing on their written meaning-making. From the data collected during two years of ethnographic fieldwork, I have chosen thirteen texts written by five students and three texts written by their history teacher. The students’ texts assess their ability to apply source criticism, a core curricular goal of history as a subject. The teacher’s texts comprise test instructions and teaching materials. The examination of the study is three-fold: it examines the verbal linguistic resources students use for meaning-making in history, and the complexity of subject content. Furthermore, this allows for a subsequent understanding of the interaction between verbal language and content in demonstrating source-critical skills. Drawing on Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), the students’ meaning-making is analysed using the experiential and logical systems of language. Legitimation Code Theory (LCT), a framework rooted in the sociology of education, is applied to examine the complexity inherent in subject matter as it is enacted in words and the ways this complexity is condensed within texts. The investigation’s key findings reveal that a small set of formal concepts suffices for students to conduct and articulate source-critical investigations using established criteria. Formal concepts, combined with empirical descriptions, clarify, present, and justify subject content, which is further reinforced by explicit textual connections. The study also illustrates and highlights how linguistic resources interact with subject content of varying epistemic complexity and condensation. Theoretically, the study integrates two equally important and mutually reinforcing theoretical and analytical frameworks – SFL and LCT – to advance the understanding of how recently arrived adolescents develop disciplinary writing in history. Methodologically, it emphasises the importance of perspective selection when analysing verbal language resources in the categorisation of process meanings and logical meaning relations. Notably, this study marks a first in Sweden by operationalising the analysis of epistemic complexity and condensation in a national context and for examining co-occurrences of language and content. The results of the study are significant for early subject teaching in language introduction programs, as they highlight opportunities for multilingual students to develop both their language and subject knowledge. Additionally, the study provides teachers with a focus on student texts as a basis for collaboration, enabling them to effectively support student learning

Autocratization of Venezuela : An analysis of democratic de-consolidation during the time period 2010-2023

This thesis examines the autocratization of Venezuela from 2010 to 2023, focusing on the democratic de-consolidation process through the analytical framework of Juan J. Linz and Alfred Stepan's consolidation theory. The study utilizes the five arenas of democratic consolidation: civil society, political society, rule of law, state apparatus and economic society, to explore how these elements have been systematically weakened, contributing to Venezuela's transition from democracy to an authoritarian regime. By using a qualitative case study design, the research examines the weakening of democratic norms and institutions through both structural factors and the actions of key political actors. Findings highlight the centralization of power, erosion of judicial independence, manipulation of electoral processes and increasing repression of civil society as pivotal mechanisms in Venezuela's shift from democracy to authoritarianism. This research contributes to understanding how autocratic regimes consolidate power incrementally, challenging the resilience of democratic systems in contemporary contexts