Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Lifestyle of Swedish young adults'

The risks for Swedish citizens' health increased when the COVID-19 pandemic came to the country and the risk communication started. Risk communication entails attempts to change perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, feelings or behavior according to Breakwell (2014, p.144). Sweden has adopted a different strategy to deal with the pandemic in relation to other Nordic countries. In this thesis we have chosen to look at a vulnerable group, Swedish young adults in age 20 to 30 year olds because they are the one of the most active citizens during the pandemic. This thesis is conducted using a qualitative method and collects empirical data from semi-structured interviews of Swedish young adults. The theoretical concept is centred on risk communication, risk society and decisions-making. Based on research evidence, It is a mixed outcome how young adults choose to deal with the restrictions, some follow them closely and some of them still live a social life as before the pandemic. The study concluded that young adult’s behavioral changes played an important role in society

Offshoring, meaning the movement of business operations to foreign countries, has recently grown. It provides the company with opportunities which are not available domestically, but it also bears risks. The public has recently blamed the strategy of offshoring for weak growth of domestic economy, decreasing competitiveness, salary stagnation, job losses, lower worker morale, and poverty. As a consequence, a firm carrying out offshoring activities could suffer from consumers' negative attitudes towards offshoring, as the consumers are unwilling to buy their products/services or take actions against the company. This study addresses the Swedish young adults' attitudes towards offshoring. Young adults are playing an important role in economy as consumers, future workers, innovators, leaders and decision makers. The study investigates the factors that were underlying the formation of attitudes towards offshoring. We focused especially on three factors, namely consumer ethnocentrism, economic threat and quality beliefs. In order to address these issues, a quantitative research approach was applied and primary data were collected. The variables for the online survey were mainly distilled from Durvasula and Lysonski (2009) as well Grappi, Romani and Bagozzi (2013). The gathered data have been analyzed via the software of SPSS by performing correlation tests and analyzing descriptive statistic measures. The results indicated that Swedish young adults had neutral attitudes towards offshoring. We also found that two of the studied factors, consumer ethnocentrism and economic threat, were vital in the formation of the attitudes towards offshoring.

Substantial decreases in physical activity have been observed between early to late adolescence in males and females, with decreases in levels of activity into adulthood. Physical inactivity among young adults leads to medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, stroke, ischemic heart disease, falls resulting in hip fractures, and depression later in life. Advanced Nurse Practitioners have a significant impact on the problem of physical inactivity among young adults through education to improve knowledge regarding physical activity participation. The focus of this project was to develop a toolkit on lifestyle modification as a resource for physical education teachers and nurses to increase physical activity participation and to decrease sedentary behaviors among young adults. The project practice question asked whether an evidence-based toolkit would address the identified needs of improving lifestyle diet and physical activity in young adults. Pender’s health promotion model guided the planning and development of the project. The Computer Attitude Questionnaire together with the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall was used during a needs assessment. Feedback from the survey was included in the development of the toolkit. A 5-item survey was given to 5 content experts who evaluated the toolkit. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to obtain a content validity index score of 1.00. Findings show universal agreement about the content of the toolkit as a resource for physical education teachers and school nurses to encourage physical activity participation in young adults. The implications of project findings for positive social change include the potential to increase the involvement of young adults in activities that improve the lives of the individual.

Background: Integration of immigrants is an interactive process of learning a new culture, an obtaining of rights, access to a position and status and building of personal relations between migrants and the receiving society.  Their ability to reciprocally adjust to intercultural encounters is one of the most important factors of successful integration. Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate Swedish young adults perception and attitudes towards immigrants and immigrants’ integration into the Swedish society. Furthermore the aim is to study their perception of social interaction of immigrants and the Swedish host society. How Swedish young adults perceive their country’s immigration policy. Method:  A qualitative research, using an online open-ended questionnaire and in-depth telephone interviews were applied to collect the data about Swedish young adults perceptions and attitudes. The transcribed data were subjected to thematic analysis. Result:  The results of the qualitative research helped to understand Swedish young adults perceptions and attitudes. The findings showed that two of the biggest reasons that Swedish young adults support immigration are: humanitarism and labor force. Swedish young adults are very aware of immigrants’ integration in Sweden. They socialize with immigrants and have contact with them in daily basis. Swedish young adults, have a negative opinion regarding Sweden’s immigration policy Conclusion: Swedish young adults define immigrants as a people born in one country but move to another (particularly in Sweden) with an intention to reside there permanently. Regarding their acculturation expectations, they support integration as the best acculturation strategy. They think that immigrants in Sweden are “half way” integrated, geographically segregated, discriminated, prejudiced in different degrees and immigrant woman are the most excluded category.

Background: Objectively tracking sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) is becoming increasingly important as research continues to show the negative effects with increasing SB and decreasing PA. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate three commercial activity trackers with young adults regarding how they accurately measure SB and PA behaviors in a laboratory setting. Methods: 50 college-aged participants wore three wrist-based activity trackers (Fitbit Surge, Apple Watch, and Basis Peak) and two ActiGraph accelerometer devices during a series of SB and PA behaviors for five-minute intervals in a laboratory setting. The activity trackers were evaluated against direct observation and the ActiGraph devices, placed on the hip and wrist, which are consistent with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) standards of measure. Results: Overall accuracy during the SBs compared to direct observation was high, with Apple (99.0%), Basis (99.0%), and Fitbit (94.9%) performing similar to the Hip ActiGraph (95.1%) and markedly better than the Wrist ActiGraph (58.6%). Overall significant correlations (p ≤ 0.05) during the PAs were higher with the Wrist ActiGraph (66.7%) than with the Hip ActiGraph (8.3%). The Wrist and Hip ActiGraphs significantly correlated in three out of four SBs, but not in any PA behaviors.Discussion: Activity trackers are reliable when determining sedentary behavior, tend to overestimate step count during light walking, and underestimate activity level when biking. Also,the Wrist ActiGraph consistently underestimated both SB and PA step count compared to the Hip ActiGraph. While some variability is seen in the validity of the activity trackers, each activity tracker studied has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these strengths and limitations helps healthcare professionals more accurately interpret recorded data based on the patient specific device.

Across the U.S., obesity and overweight represent a rapidly growing public health concern that have been associated with expensive and debilitating outcomes such as depression, cancers, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and significant disruption in quality of life, in addition to the tremendous public health costs. The current study examined a brief, randomized-controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with overweight and obese young adults. The results of this study hold important implications for future research in the utility of ACT to address overweight- and obesity-related lifestyle change. While the study was limited due to small sample size, it nevertheless suggested that weight-related psychological flexibility is an important construct to address and target in the treatment of overweight and obesity. It may be an effective means of decreasing emotional eating and improving a sense of control while eating. The findings support previous research supporting ACT as an empirically supported intervention for improving the quality of life of adults struggling with overweight and obesity. Results from this study are encouraging and support the utility of ACT, even in brief format, to possibly improve the lives of overweight and obese young adults. Study participants were randomly assigned to a 4-week experimental ACT group or an information control group, which received psychoeducational materials regarding lifestyle behaviors recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The results of the current study broadly showed that the experimental intervention was effective at improving weight-related psychological flexibility, which was also associated with reductions in emotionally avoidant eating and uncontrolled eating. In addition, the study showed relationships between improvements in psychological flexibility and eating process variables.

Thesis (PhD) --Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The rapidly growing presence of old and new media in postcolonial Namibia, particularly from the decade after the turn of the Millennium, has significance for cultural and identity transformations in the country. Formerly entrenched social identities, shaped by restrictive colonialism and indigenous traditions, appear to be under pressure as shifts become apparent in the face of globalisation. This thesis examines the characteristics of change from the perspective of young adults’ mediated experiences in the city of Windhoek. The research constitutes a cultural study that addresses the current knowledge gap regarding how growing local and global media presences are increasingly situated in youth identity and cultural lifestyle spaces. Degrees of reflexive response to mediated information and entertainment are examined in an attempt to understand awareness of and reaction to local and global power narratives situated in actors’ relationships with media. It was found that participants responded positively to the novelty and opportunities that global media offered for identity and lifestyle negotiations, while also revealing ontological anxieties about erosion of ‘traditional’ culture, and concern about absence of recognition and representation of the ‘local’ in global media productions. This led to the research conceptually establishing three participant orientations to media: cultural expropriationist, cultural traditionalist and cultural representationalist. The study concluded that while media seemed to be instrumental in identity and cultural change, social tension over matters of culture appeared to be emerging.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die snelgroeiende teeenwoordigheid van ou en nuwe media in postkoloniale Namibië, veral sedert die dekade ná die millenniumwending, is beduidend vir kulturele en identiteitsverskuiwings in dié land. Voorheen verskanste sosiale identiteite, gevorm deur die beperkinge van kolonialisme en inheemse tradisies, skyn onder druk te wees soos verskuiwings duidelik begin te word in die lig van globalisering. Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek die eienskappe van hierdie veranderinge vanuit die perspektief van jong volwassenes se gemedieerde ondervindinge in die stad Windhoek. Hierdie navorsing behels ’n kulturele studie wat bydra tot die begrip van plaaslike en globale media-teenwoordigheid as toenemend gesitueer op die terrein van jeugidentiteit en kulturele lewenstyle. Daar word ondersoek ingestel na verskillende grade van refleksiewe reaksies op gemedieerde inligting en vermaak, in ’n poging om te verstaan hoe bewustheid van en reaksie op plaaslike en globale magsnarratiewe gesitueer is in rolspelers se verhoudings met media. Daar is bevind dat respondente positief gereageer het op die nuwighede en geleenthede wat globale media bied vir identiteits- en leefstylonderhandelinge, terwyl ontologiese onsekerhede oor die ondermyning van ‘tradisionele’ kultuur, en kommer oor die afwesigheid van erkenning en representasie van die ‘plaaslike’ in globale mediaproduksies, ook aan die lig gekom het. Hierdie bevinding het gelei daartoe dat die navorsing drie oriëntasies onder deelnemers vasgestel het: kultureel-onteienend, kultureel-tradisioneel, en kultureel-verteenwoordigend. Die studie het tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat, terwyl die media instrumenteel in identiteits- en kultuurverandering blyk te wees, dit tegelykertyd sosiale spanning oor kulturele aangeleenthede aanwakker.

Type 1 diabetes and associated hypoglycemia can result in verbal memory difficulties, yet the role of memory in daily diabetes self-care has not been evaluated for young adults. Subtests from two well-standardized memory measures were administered to 34 young adults with type 1 diabetes, aged 18-29, in this pilot study. Self-care behaviors were assessed through 24-hour diabetes care interviews, while HbAlc indicated metabolic control. Verbal associative memory uniquely accounted for 12% of the variance in blood glucose testing frequency (p p p p = .06. Single-trial verbal memory uniquely predicted 10% of the variance in metabolic control (p p < .05. Importantly, memory was the only significant predictor in each model, which indicates memory, rather than overall cognitive capacity or financial/educational resources, relates to self-care behaviors/health status. Memory, a novel factor not previously evaluated in the quest to better understand daily disease management for young adults with diabetes, is significantly related to central self-care behaviors and metabolic control. Memory predictors likely warrant additional research and clinical attention such that eventually, intervention studies might identify strategies or compensatory aids that could improve young adults' self-care behaviors and health status through facilitating better memory functioning.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Physiology)) --University of Limpopo, 2019
Introduction: There is an increased trend in the prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents in African countries. There are complications in diagnosing hypertension in children and adolescents due to the variation of blood pressure (BP) values with age, gender and height. The progression of the health transition with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) adds significantly to the disease burden, despite infectious diseases and undernutrition remaining persistent in both low and middle-income countries. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global problem associated with the clustering of several cardiovascular risk factors. South African evidence suggests an upsurge of NCDs amidst the existence of communicable diseases (CDs) such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Moreover, NCDs and CDs in the country are influenced by socio-demographic factors; and thus tend to be more prominent in certain segments of the population. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform blood pressure to height ratio and to determine lifestyle risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome among the Ellisras rural population aged 6-30 years, who are part of the ELS. Methods and materials: The current study is based on secondary data analysis of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) and was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 included data analysis of all the participants in the ELS. This sample included a total number of 9002 children and adolescents (4678 boys and 4324 girls), aged 6-17 years. Parents or guardians provided written informed consent. Phase 2 consisted of biochemical analysis from a subsample of participants in the ELS. The subsample included 624 participants (306 males and 318 females) aged 18-30 years at the time the study was conducted. All participants underwent a series of anthropometric measurements (waist circumference and height) according to the standard of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). The waist circumference (WC) measurements were taken to the nearest 0.1 cm, using a soft measuring tape. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Metabolic syndrome risk factors included total cholesterol (TCHOL), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG), elevated blood pressure (BP) and high waist circumference (WC). A dietary intake questionnaire was also administered to each participant and self‑administered questionnaire was used to collect data on lifestyle factors, including smoking and alcohol intake. Dietary intake variables used in the linear regression method were log transformed prior to analysis because of their skewed distribution. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the accuracy of BPHR to screen children with prehypertension and hypertension. The optimal systolic BPHR (SBPHR) and diastolic BPHR (DBPHR) cut-off points for hypertension were determined. Sensitivity/specificity, positive predictive values and negative predictive values were calculated. Results: The optimal thresholds for defining prehypertension was 0.77 in children aged 6-10 years and 0.73 in adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years for systolic BPHR and 0.55 in children and 0.53 in adolescents for diastolic BPHR, respectively. The corresponding values for hypertension stage 1 were 0.76 and 0.73 for SBPHR and 0.50 and 0.58 for DBPHR, respectively. The BPHR is an accurate tool for screening elevated BP in Ellisras children aged 6-17 years. This can help to prevent the misclassification of children and adolescent hypertension. Furthermore, this tool can be used to screen children before the development of prehypertension and hypertension. Moreover, it can be used to manage hypertension in Ellisras children, ultimately reducing the risks of developing hypertension and associated cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Overall, the prevalence of metS was 23.1% (8.6% males and 36.8% females). Females appeared to have higher mean values for WC, FBG, TCHOL and LDL-C than males (82.14, 5.62, 4.62 and 2.97, respectively). The only significant gender difference observed was on WC (p<0.001). Males on the other hand had higher mean values for HDL-C, TG, SBP and DBP than females (1.20, 1.06, 125.91 and 71.44, respectively). The only significant difference observed in this case was on SBP (p<0.001). No significant age group differences were observed in all the metabolic risk factors with the exception of DBP where the older (25-30 years) participants presented with high SBP than the younger age group (18-24 years) (70.96 mmHg vs 68.78 mmHg, p<0.05). While, majority of females had significantly high WC, elevated total cholesterol and LDL-C, and reduced HDL-C; majority of males had elevated BP, SBP and DBP. No significant age and gender differences were observed on dietary intake. However, according to the linear regression analysis, no association between log total energy, log added sugar, log SFA and log MUFA with metabolic risk factors. There was a low and negative significant association between log fibre with SBP and DBP (β:-0.004, p=0.003 and β:-0.004, p=0.046), respectively, crude. After adjusting for the potential confounding factors, log fibre was also associated with FBG (β:-0.028, p=0.046). Log PUFAs was inversely associated with FBG, HDL-C and SBP crude. Log trans fatty acids was inversely associated with WC, HDL-C and SBP crude. Both log PUFAs and log trans fatty acids were not associated with any metabolic risk factors after adjusting for potential cofounding factors. Log protein was inversely associated with SBP both crude and adjusted for potential cofounding factors. On predicting the actual risk using the logistic regression analysis, participants who had high dietary energy intake were significantly less likely to present with larger WC, low HDL-C and high LDL-C (OR: 0.250 95%CI [0.161;0.389], OR: 0.306 95%CI [0.220;0.425] and OR: 0.583 95%CI [0.418;0.812], respectively), but more likely to presents with elevated FBG, high TCHOL, high TG and hypertension (OR: 1.01 95%CI [0.735;1.386], OR: 1.039 95%CI [0.575;1.337], OR: 1.186 95%CI [0.695;2.023], OR: 5.205 95%CI [3.156;8.585], respectively) crude. After adjusting for age, gender, smoking and alcohol status, high energy intake was more likely to increase two times high the large WC and elevated FBG among study participants (OR: 2.766 95%CI [0.863;3.477] and OR: 2.227 95%CI [1.051;3.328], respectively). Furthermore, low dietary fibre intake was nearly four times more likely to increase the low HDL-C, crude (OR: 3.864 95%CI [1.067;13.988]) crude. Those participants who consumed high trans fats were more likely to present with high FBG (OR:1.424 95%CI [0.985;2.060]), but less likely to present with LDL-C (OR: 0.540 95%CI [0.321;0.906]) crude. However, after adding potential cofounding factors, participants with high fatty acid were less likely to present with high FBG (OR: 0.672 95%CI [0.441;1.023]). Conclusions: MetS is prevalent in young adults in Ellisras and is differentiated by age and gender with more females at an increased rate by virtue of their body size status, reduced HDL-C, elevated FBG and high LDL-C and the diet they consume that is in most cases high energy, more carbohydrates, high added sugar and SFA. Therefore, identifying groups that are at an increased risk and those that are in their early stages of MetS will help improve and prevent the increase of the metS in the future. These results have high policy implications. KEY CONCEPTS Metabolic syndrome; risk factors; blood pressure; blood pressure to height ratio; cardiovascular disease; dietary intake; rural South African.

Having a heart healthy lifestyle at a younger age is beneficial in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in adulthood and various health education programs for CHD prevention exist to persuade young adults to adopt a heart healthy lifestyle. Little is known, however, about the influence of watching live open heart surgery on young adults' adoption of a heart healthy lifestyle. To address that gap in knowledge, this study was conducted at a health facility in Virginia where students came to observe live open heart surgery. The purpose of the study was to understand whether watching live open heart surgery can influence young adults' attitudes and behaviors towards adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. The theory of health belief model and the theory of reasoned action were used in guiding this research. A quantitative design involving observation and administration of surveys was used. A survey with questions about participants' lifestyle practices was administered prior to observation of open heart surgery and 3 or more months afterwards. A total number of 179 young adults at baseline were considered eligible for the study. Ages of the research participants were between 18 and 35 years old. The t test and ANOVA results showed no significant differences between baseline and follow up data with regards to changes in behaviors of young adult students towards adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. The study concluded that observing live heart surgery did not significantly change behaviors of the students in adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. In order to achieve the desired changes in attitudes and behavior of students, looking into other evidence based options and pursuing those that can influence and motivate young adult students to adopt a heart healthy lifestyle can be a positive social change.

This study aims to investigate how social media are used to communicate organizational identity and image. The studied research question is how do young adults perceive the identity and image of the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) through the organization's use of social media. The research on organizational identity within government agencies and people’s perception on organizations is limited. Therefore, we aim to expand the research on this subject using organizational identity as a theoretical concept. As organizations exists in the social context of today’s digital society, it is valuable to investigate how an organization’s identity and image is perceived externally. We conducted semi-structured reflective interviews with young adults and with an organization representative. Our findings show that young adults view the SAF’s social media use to improve their image and for recruitment purposes. In conclusion, our findings show that this social media use and perceptions of it, are reflective with the theories of organizational identity and image and highlights the importance of the external organizational image.

Background: Alcohol has become ubiquitous in Swedish lifestyle blogs, as alcohol can be present in one third or one fifth of blog posts in some of Sweden’s biggest lifestyle blogs. Research suggests that exposure to media and commercial communications on alcohol increases consumption and that users and user-generated content related to alcohol and drinking may intensify social norms around alcohol consumption. This means Swedish lifestyle bloggers may be exposing alcohol and creating social normative influence that can affect blog readers’ intention to consume alcohol. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to explore if and how the presence of alcoholic beverages on Swedish blogs may affect young females’ intention to pursue alcohol consumption. Firstly, the study looks at to what extent and how alcoholic beverages and alcohol-related activities appear on Swedish lifestyle blogs. Secondly, the study explores if the presence of alcohol in blogs is recognised by blog readers and if they perceive this to affect their own and others' intention to consume alcohol. Method: This thesis has two different data collections to fulfil the purpose of the study. First a web content analysis is conducted on eight Swedish blogs to explore the presence of alcohol. Thereafter semi-structured interviews are conducted with nine respondents. The findings are compared to previous findings and analysed from theories on behavioural change. Conclusion: Alcohol and alcohol-related activities are depicted frequently in some of Sweden’s biggest lifestyle blogs when variation between blogs and monthly variance per blog are considered. Alcohol is put in a favourable setting through a positive or a commercial context. Blog readers perceive blog posts to contain positive alcohol content, and claim others may be affected to consume alcohol by these as bloggers have influence empowered by their social status. A majority of respondents claim they themselves are not affected by blog posts with alcohol. It is suggested this is because subjective attitude towards alcohol and a belief of personal control has stronger impact on intention to pursue alcohol-related activities. Another suggestion is that more salient and ready accessible referents such as parents, family and friends are deemed more important in affecting norms around alcohol through individuals’ perceived view of these referents’ desires and actions.

Youth unemployment is an increasing burden on societies around the world. This prospective, register-based cohort study examined the relationship between unemployment and sickness absence, disability pension, death and future unemployment among youth in Sweden. A comparison was also made between immigrants and native Swedes. Another aim was to see if Active Labour Market Programs (ALMPs) and attained education moderated the outcomes. The baseline year was 1992, a year of severe economic downturn. The follow-up period was from 1993 to 2007, divided into three 5-year periods. The study group of 199,623 individuals comprised all immigrants born between 1968 and 1972 who immigrated before 1990 (25,607) and a random sample of native Swedes in the same age range (174,016). Individuals with unemployment benefit in 1990-1991, disability pension in 1990-1992 or severe disorders leading to hospitalization in 1990-1992 were excluded in order to minimize selection bias. Those who were unemployed in 1992 had elevated risk, measured as odds ratios, of ≥60 days of sickness absence, disability pension, ≥100 days of unemployment and all, except native Swedish women, had elevated risk of death during follow-up. The risk of future unemployment declined until the last follow-up period, while the elevated risk of future sickness absence was about the same in all three follow-up periods. Higher level of education at baseline decreased the risk of future unemployment. Individuals participating in ALMPs had an increased risk of future unemployment, and immigrant women had an increased risk of sickness absence, compared to non-participating individuals. Attained education between 1993 and 1997 decreased the risk of future unemployment and decreased the risk of sickness absence among immigrants. The risk of both future unemployment and future sickness absence increased with the length of unemployment in 1992. Immigrants had higher risk of unemployment both at baseline and follow-up compared with native Swedes, but followed the pattern of native Swedes when unemployed. The conclusion are that exposure to unemployment are associated with elevated risk of future unemployment, sickness absence, disability pension and death fifteen years after exposure. To a society this will mean substantial costs in the form of increased welfare payments and loss of productivity and tax income. Selection to unemployment by individuals already sick, may explain part of the association between unemployment and the studied outcomes.

An increasing prevalence of preventable diseases in the U.S. adult population calls for health interventions by primary care providers. This study compared the lifestyle behaviors of 208 young adults ages 20 to 40 years in Southern California. One group of adults participated in recreational team sports such as basketball, dodgeball, football, softball or soccer and the other group did not participate in team sports but had a gym membership. A demographic survey assessed the respondents' extent of physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) measured items such as nutrition and stress management. Results found that the sport group consumed alcohol, of any amount, more days of the month than those who solely exercised at the gym. There was no significant difference between the groups when comparing other health behaviors. The results indicate a need for preventive education regarding alcohol consumption in young adults.

The study aimed to explore the experiences of dual career (DC) among Swedish student-eSport players from a holistic perspective, and focused on the challenges faced in DC, the coping strategies used, and how DC influenced the student-eSport players. Interviews were conducted with 7 student-eSport players enrolled in an upper secondary school or university providing DC supportive resources. The participants were all males between 16 and 22 years of age (M= 18, SD= 2.16). The works of Stambulova et al. (2015) and Henriksen (2010) served as foundations in creating the two semi-structured interview guides used by the authors. The authors performed a thematic analysis of the data to identify experiences relevant to the concepts of dual career and athlete talent development. The results showed that the participants’ experienced challenges related to eSports, school, and their private lives. Their private lives were perceived to be the most challenging due to the need of balancing their time between their meaningful relationships and DC demands. Coping strategies claimed to be used were time management, physical activity, and relying on their supportive network. The supportive network encompassing the coach, school environment, friends, partner, and family were identified as a coping resource in congruence with the participants’ individual skills. Positive influence of DC on the student-eSport players was found in both academical and eSport, but negative in private life due to experiencing a lack of time to dedicate to family and friends. The results of the study reveal that Swedish student-eSport players’ DC experiences share similarities with those experienced by student-athletes in traditional sports, and highlights challenges and positive benefits associated with combining eSports with studies.
Studiens syfte var att utforska erfarenheterna av dubbla karriär (DC) bland svenska eSport-spelare ur ett holistiskt perspektiv, och fokuserade på att undersöka utmaningar som uppstod, coping-strategier som användes, och hur DC påverkade student-eSport spelarna. Intervjuer utfördes med 7 student-eSport spelare antagna på gymnasier eller universitet som erbjuder DC stöttande program. Deltagarna var män och var mellan 16 och 22 år gamla (M = 18, SD = 2,16). Arbetena av Stambulova et al. (2015) och Henriksen (2010) agerade grunder i skapandet av de två semi-strukturerade intervjuguiderna som användes av författarna. Författarna genomförde en tematisk analys av materialet för att identifiera erfarenheter relaterade till koncepten av dubbla karriärer och talangutveckling. Resultatet visade att student-eSport spelarna upplevde utmaningar relaterade till eSport, akademiskt och i sitt privatliv. Privatlivet upplevdes som det mest krävande på grund av att svårigheter med att balansera sin tid mellan sina meningsfulla relationer och kravställningar i DC. Copingstrategier som användes av deltagarna var tidshantering, fysisk aktivitet, samt att använda sig av sitt stödjande nätverk. Det stödjande nätverket innehållandes tränare, skolmiljö, vänner och familj fungerade även som en coping-resurs i samverkan med deltagarnas individuella kunskaper. Det inflytande DC hade på student-eSport spelarna var både positivt och negativt på olika områden. Positivt inflytande identifierades i både akademisk och eSport men negativt i privatlivet på grund av brist på tid att ägna till familj och vänner. Studiens resultat visar att svenska student-eSport spelares upplevelser av DC delar likheter med de upplevda av student-atleter i traditionella idrotter, och framhäver de utmaningar och positiva fördelar relaterade till att kombinera eSport med studier.

Projeto de Graduação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciada em Enfermagem
A tensão arterial é um problema que afeta a população tanto a nível mundial como nacional. A prevalência de hipertensão em Portugal é de 42% (Instituto de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, referido no boletim epidemiológico, 2013). Os hábitos de vida são fatores relevantes para esta temática, pois influenciam os valores de tensão arterial. Adotar hábitos de vida saudáveis previnem o risco de desenvolver doenças cardiovasculares. O presente estudo tem como objetivo principal compreender a relação entre os hábitos de vida e os valores da Tensão Arterial em adultos jovens de Ponte de Lima. Desta forma optou-se por realizar um estudo correlacional, pretendendo-se verificar se existe correlação entre os hábitos de vida e os valores da tensão arterial. O estudo foi direcionado aos adultos jovens do Concelho de Ponte de Lima. Como instrumento de colheita de dados optou-se pelo questionário construído a partir do questionário validado e cedido pelo Serviço de Higiene e Epidemiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (SHEFMUP). Da amostra fizeram parte 123 adultos jovens que recorreram ao Largo de Camões no período entre 9 de Abril de 2014 e 30 de Maio de 2014. Os principais resultados do estudo foram que os hábitos de vida dos jovens adultos não interferem nos valores da tensão arterial.
Blood pressure is a problem that affects people both globally and nationally. The prevalence of hypertension in Portugal is 42% (Instituto de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, referido no boletim epidemiológico, 2013). Life habits are relevant to this subject factors, as they influence the values of blood pressure. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits prevent the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This study aims to understand the relationship between lifestyle and values of Blood Pressure in Young Adults that live in Ponte de Lima. Thus it was decided to perform a correlational study, in order to check whether a correlation exists between the lifestyle and values of blood pressure. The study was targeted at young adults in the small village of Ponte de Lima. As an instrument of data collection, we choose to do a questionnaire constructed from a validated and given by the Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto (SHEFMUP). From the sample were part 123 young adults who had been at Largo de Camões in the period between April 9, 2014 and May 30, 2014. The main results of the study were that the habits of young adults do not interfere with blood pressure values.

This study reflects on the swedish model and the models future. The swedish model means that legisilation acts with the collective agreements . The wage issue is not regulated by law instead it is managed by the social partners in the form of collective agreements. In 2008, a report was presented by the Commission on a joint regulation of the minimum wage for all EU countries. The issue has become increasingly controversial and was especially disccused for the election of candidates to the European Parlament last spring. Such regulation as the comission proposed leads to a threat to the Swedish labour model. Therefore the aim of this study was to illuminate the Swedish model and to study alternative solutions to the model in an international perspective. A method with sociology of law perspective was chosen and considered suitable to answer the purpose of the study. This study indicates that the swedish model is a succesfull model but the model is facing several challenges. Due to the swedish membership in EU we have to considerate both national and international law and these are not allways compatible. The model embrace a high number of employees but there are some groups of people that are excluded. Thoose who are excluded are not organized in the union like post workers and young adult workers. It is abious that the model sustains limits and there fore a good complement could be collective agreements with erga omnes effect.

This study explores the experiences of the Swedish front-line social workers (socialsekreterare) in the municipal income support unit, Young Adults, monthly assessing the income support applications as well as daily processing the activation programs for young adult clients with mental ill-health combined with social-medicinal vulnerabilities, also referred to as young adults with complex needs. Furthermore, this study aims to illuminate the ever changing conditions of the Swedish welfare state and its underlying driving forces through the lens of the social workers. 9 Semi-structured distance interviews with 11 social workers from 6 municipalities belonging to 5 regions in Sweden, were conducted for the collection of qualitative data. It has been analyzed by the inductive-deductive coding as well as a theoretical frame consisting of concepts such as discretiona and advocacy of M. Lipsky, and reciprocal interaction (Wechselwirkung), form and contents, and call of G.Simmel. The result and analysis show that the rehabilitative approach based on the interactions and relations with the clients, is prevalent through the social workers’ processing of the activation program. It seems to be effective in a dyad, between the social workers and the client while the social workers’ discretion is maximized for the utilization of the agency (unit) activation resources. However, it proved not to be as effective in a triad or more when an extern agent outside of the unit, Young Adults begins to be involved. The tension is a fact and the social workers’ discretion is minimized when they have to process the activation program for the clients who are neither “active enough” to have a job in the ordinary labor market, nor “sick enough” to be eligible for the stately activity compensation (aktivitetsersättning) from the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) which heavily relies on the medicinal expertise for its decision making. The social workers’ experience to fail to deliver the best possible results out of the activation programs, and the client relationship built on the rehabilitative approach turns out to be unsustainable, which can indicate the discrepancy between the rehabilitative approach as well as the activation programs, as content, and the unit, Young Adults, as form. Even though the social workers daily carry the ideological as well as the social-political tensions between the medicalization and the activation through the ever changing reality of the Swedish welfare state, their mandate to make an impact on the decision making of the activity compensation program, is rather limited, reflecting the Swedish welfare state’s expectation for the professionalism of the social workers. Rather striking that the social workers, however, confess that they in spite of the pressure of organizational efficiency as well as socio-economic discourse of digitalization undermining the concept of the unit, Young Adults, are not willing to give up the rehabilitative approach for the client’s sake but also to protect their unit, Young Adults, which postulate that they are not the gatekeepers in the agency but the advocate for the clients. In this moment, they also seem to know, and even have the call, the essential, if not mandatory, element needed to be landed in the perfect society of G. Simmel.

Young adults in Sweden have grown up with dental care free of charge until the age of twenty. Their self-perceived oral health has been reported as being good, but rapid changes in society have led to a weaker economic situation for many young adults, which may influence their dental attendance and priorities concerning oral health and oral health care. The overall aim of this thesis was to explore the views of young adults on dental care, oral health and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). The thesis is based on four scientific papers which all apply a qualitative approach. In Paper I, the views of young adults on dental care were explored. Paper II investigated the views of young adults on their oral health and OHRQoL. In Paper III, measures of OHRQoL were described and analysed from a public health perspective, and in Paper IV, the views of young adults on the relevance of three measures of OHRQoL were explored. In Paper I, II, and IV, data collection was performed through qualitative interviews. The selection of informants was strategic with reference to age (21-29 years), sex and education. For Paper III, a literature search for OHRQoL measures was made in the PubMed database. The data in Paper I was analysed in accordance with the constant comparative method (inspired by Grounded Theory), and in Papers II, III and IV, qualitative content analysis was used. The results showed that young adults were satisfied with the dental care that they had received but reported specific views and demands on dental care (Paper I). They perceived their oral health as good, but an array of oral health problems was described (Paper II). The young adults’ perceived control of their OHRQoL depended on their future prospects of oral health, in relation to their perceptions of their past and present oral health. In Paper III, the search for measures of OHRQoL in the PubMed database generated 22 measures. The measures were analysed with regard to their theoretical framework and in relation to four principles of health promotion. Some elements of public health principles were found in all the measures, but most of them originated in disease-oriented theories. The occurrence of oral problems was reflected in young adults’ views on the measures of OHRQoL (Paper IV). The analysed measures were deemed to have both advantages and disadvantages but to be fairly equal. The conclusions are that young adults’ OHRQoL was dependent on their earlier experiences of dental care and their former and present oral health, as well as their future prospects regarding oral health. Elements of public health principles were present to a varying degree in all the measures of OHRQoL. Young adults regarded the frequently used measures of OHRQoL as being equal. The measures were mainly disease-oriented and no specific measures had been developed for young adults.
Unga vuxna i Sverige har vuxit upp med fri tandvård till och med det år de fyller 19 år och de upplever ofta en god munhälsa. Snabba samhällsförändringar har bl a medfört sämre ekonomi för många unga och detta kan ha påverkat deras tandvårdsbesök och deras prioriteringar vad gäller tandvård. Det övergripande syftet med avhandlingen var att utforska unga vuxnas syn på tandvården, deras munhälsa och munhälsorelaterade livskvalitet (OHRQoL). Avhandlingen baseras på fyra studier. I Studie I undersöktes unga vuxnas syn på tandvården. Studie II undersökte och beskrev unga vuxnas syn på sin munhälsa och OHRQoL. I Studie III beskrevs och analyserades mätinstrument för OHRQoL ur ett folkhälsoperspektiv och i Studie IV beskrevs hur unga vuxna ser på tre mätinstrument för OHRQoL. I Studie I, Studie II och Studie IV samlades data in genom kvalitativa intervjuer. Urvalet var strategiskt i förhållande till ålder (21-29 år), kön (hälften kvinnor) och utbildning (gymnasienivå/mer). De flesta deltagarna i studierna besökte tandvården regelbundet. I Studie III gjordes sökningar i databasen PubMed för att finna mätinstrument för OHRQoL.  Data i Studie I analyserades genom komparativ metod som är inspirerad av ”Grounded Theory”. I Studie II, Studie III och Studie IV genomfördes dataanalysen med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultaten visade att unga vuxna var nöjda med den tandvård de erhållit men att de hade speciella önskemål och krav på denna (Studie I). Unga vuxna beskrev sin munhälsa som god men angav trots det en mängd olika munhälsoproblem. Deras upplevda kontroll över sin OHRQoL var relaterad till deras syn på sin framtida munhälsa i relation till tidigare erfarenheter av tandvården och synen på sin egen munhälsa (Studie II). I Studie III genererade datasökningen 22 mätinstrument för OHRQoL. Mätinstrumenten analyserades utifrån deras teoretiska utgångspunkter och i relation till fyra principer för folkhälsoarbete (empowerment, medinflytande, holism, rättvisa). Aspekter av de fyra principerna återfanns i varierande grad hos alla mätinstrumenten varav de flesta hade sin utgångspunkt i sjukdomsinriktade teorier. I Studie IV framkom att de unga vuxnas upplevelse av sin egen munhälsa hade betydelse för deras syn på de tre undersökta mätinstrumenten för OHRQoL. Alla mätinstrumenten ansågs ha för- och nackdelar men bedömdes som ungefär likvärdiga. Konklusionen är att unga vuxnas OHRQoL är beroende av deras tidigare erfarenheter från tandvården och deras tidigare och nuvarande munhälsa samt i deras syn på sin framtida munhälsa. Principer för folkhälsoarbete uppfylldes i varierande grad i analyserade mätinstrument för OHRQoL och unga vuxna ansåg att mätinstrumenten var ungefär likvärdiga. Mätinstrumenten var i huvudsak sjukdomsinriktade. Det saknas ett speciellt instrument för att mäta unga vuxnas munhälsorelaterade livskvalitet.

Odontologie doktorsexamen i ämnet odontologisk vetenskap

碩士
大同大學
工業設計學系(所)
101
Stationery has been regarded as bearing major importance in human life, and has been one of the main instruments for historical inheritance and artistic development since old times. In recent years, though, photocopiers and computers have replaced most of the manual work, which poses a challenge for stationery industry. Every industry has its value of existence and the likelihood for transformation when the need arises. Hence this study employs analysis based on living style to explore the current condition of stationery usage and distribution of groups, so as to analyze how differing groups of people use stationery in different ways and what sort of features they have. By so doing, we intend to discover the possible development of the future’s stationery design for the reference of future research. This study consist of two phases, of which field investigation, literature review and in-depth interview comprise the first step, so as to understand the relevant information regarding living style, young population and common users’ present condition. Secondly, we employ questionnaire survey and AIO (activity, interest, and opinion inventory) and undertake factor analysis and cluster analysis, classifying young people into four groups, namely, “reasonable group,” “ordinary group,” “sentimental group,” and “industrious group”. The analytical results are as follows: (1) Reasonable people are most faithful patrons of stationery, who have preference for functionality and technology-oriented products; (2) ordinary people have the most diversified descriptions for the usage of stationery, and are inclined to use trendy commodities as they are easily swayed by peers; (3) sentimental people have a liking for elegantly-designed stationery as they often purchase commodities according to their moods; and (4) industrious people usually choose practical commodities and consider price and practicality when buying stationery.

Obesity is a serious metabolic disease that often occurs in childhood. Up to 55 % of obese children continue to be obese until adolescence and then 80 % of these obese adolescents remain obese in adulthood. This diploma thesis follows the results of the first round of the study Childhood Obesity Prevalence and Treatment (COPAT). Analyzes the data found in 2009-2010 in relation with the results from 2018. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, hidden (normal-weight) obesity and to examine the factors potentially contributing to the development of excessive body weight in the participants in the second round of COPAT study. After eight years, 12 % of the original sample, ie 246 probands (150 women and 96 men), were repeatedly examined within the diploma thesis. The examinations took place at the Institute of Endocrinology in Prague and consisted of fasting blood, clinical examination (blood pressure and pulse measurement; determination of body composition by bioimpedance analysis) and anthropometric examination. All participants also completed an on-line questionnaire consisting of three parts (personalized questionnaire; Eating inventory questionnaire; Baecke questionnaire of habitual physical activity). The obtained data were processed using...

Doutoramento em Ciências da Educação, especialidade Educação para a Saúde
As constantes mudanças sociais, ocupacionais, familiares e emocionais na vida dos jovens adultos com diabetes tipo 1 podem afetar a adesão ao tratamento da diabetes e a qualidade de vida dos jovens. Pretende-se com este estudo conhecer os comportamentos de saúde, estilos de vida, competências pessoais e sociais, suporte social, satisfação com a vida, adesão ao tratamento, representações sobre a doença e adaptação psicológica à diabetes dos jovens adultos com diabetes tipo 1, assim como as suas representações, perceções e opiniões em relação à vida e à diabetes. Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, com aplicação de questionários a 278 jovens adultos com diabetes tipo 1 (18 - 35 anos), tendo sido organizados 7 estudos com base nesses resultados, e um estudo qualitativo, com utilização de grupos focais, em que participaram 30 jovens (18 - 34 anos). Verificou-se que, apesar das dificuldades inerentes a esta fase da vida, a maior parte dos jovens adultos com diabetes tipo 1 apresenta boas competências pessoais e sociais, bom suporte social e satisfação com a vida, representações positivas sobre a diabetes e boa adaptação psicológica à diabetes. A maior parte dos jovens não revela sintomas de ansiedade, stresse e depressão. Contudo, apesar da razoável adesão ao tratamento da diabetes e dos estilos de vida saudáveis, o controlo metabólico não é satisfatório e um quarto dos jovens refere complicações da diabetes. Verificou-se que, quanto mais elevada a HbA1c, menor a adesão global ao tratamento da diabetes, a perceção de saúde, satisfação com a vida e adaptação psicológica à diabetes. Os jovens realçam a importância da rede de suporte social e os benefícios das atividades de grupo com os pares, que os ajudam a viver melhor com a diabetes. As melhores representações e melhor adaptação psicológica à diabetes estão correlacionadas com melhor adesão ao tratamento da diabetes.
ABSTRACT: The frequent changes at social, occupational, family and emotional levels during emerging adulthood can affect adherence to diabetes management tasks and the quality of life of young adults with type 1 diabetes. The objectives of this study consisted on the evaluation of health behaviours, lifestyles, personal and social competences, social support, life satisfaction, adherence to treatment, representations and psychological adaptation to diabetes of young adults with type 1 diabetes. Their perceptions, opinions and representations relating to life and to diabetes were also considered in the study. This research included a quantitative study with questionnaires filled in by 278 young adults with type 1 diabetes (18 – 35 years old). 7 studies were organized based on the results of the quantitative study. This investigation has also included a qualitative study, using focus groups, with the participation of 30 young adults with type 1 diabetes (18 – 34 years old). In spite of the difficulties at this stage of life, most of young adults with type 1 diabetes showed good personal and social competences, social support and satisfaction with life, positive representations and good psychological adaptation to diabetes. Most of youngsters do not reveal symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. The youngsters showed satisfactory lifestyle and a reasonable adherence to diabetes treatment, however with a less optimal metabolic control of diabetes. A quarter of young adults referred having diabetes complications. Highest HbA1c levels were correlated to less global adherence to diabetes treatment, perception of health, satisfaction with life and psychological adaptation to diabetes. Young adults highlighted the good social support from family, friends and multidisciplinary healthcare team and referred the benefits of group activities with peers, which help them to better deal with diabetes. The best representations and psychological adaptation to diabetes were positively correlated with better adherence to diabetes treatment.