Academic literature on the topic 'Middle-aged persons Employment Australia'

Research on horticultural therapy approaches suggest that its positive impact on clients may extend beyond direct rehabilitation or vocational gains to more generally improved well-being. Persons in rehabilitation programs may relate to gardening as a previously enjoyed past time, or as a new activity for either leisure or employment purposes. While gardening is a popular leisure activity in many countries, few studies have looked at what specific gardening activities community-based populations pursue. As part of a larger mail-out survey looking at gardening interests of mid-aged women, a sub-sample of physically disabled women was compared to healthy age-matched women on gardening activities and interests. Physical and psychological functioning and well-being were also sampled. Both groups completed the SF-36 Health Survey for Australia/New Zealand, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and a gardening questionnaire tapping gardening activities and hours per month on these activities, as well as the reasons for pursuing gardening. Group differences emerged on physical and psychological functioning variables, but for virtually all gardening variables, group differences were minimal. Overall findings suggest that for this sample of mid-aged women, the presence of physical disability or limitation did not adversely affect their access to and enjoyment of gardening activities.

Abstract Hemophilia is an orphan disease whose management requires specialized knowledge of complications and treatments, which adds to the challenge of caring for patients. Knowledge gaps among hematologists, hematologist-oncologists and pediatric oncologists regarding management of hemophilia could negatively impact patient outcomes. Utilizing the National Hemophilia Foundation and the World Federation of Haemophilia guidelines and best practices, a global, hemophilia-specific continuing medical education-accredited clinical practice assessment survey was developed and completed by unselected hematologists and oncologists in order to define current education gaps and assess areas of deviation from guideline and best practices. The assessment included both knowledge- and case -based, multiple-choice questions that healthcare providers completed confidentially on-line between March 21, 2014 and July 2, 2014. Topics ranging from hemophilia severity to management/prevention of bleeds were assessed. Responses from clinicians were de-identified and aggregated prior to analyses. 354 hematologist (51%), hematologist/oncologist (34%) or pediatric oncologists (14%) completed the survey, from the following locales: North America (30%), Europe (25%), Asia (18%), Central/South America (9%), Middle East (7%), Africa (8%), and Australia (2%). Practice settings of participants were academic (53%), community hospital (22%), private practice (12%), hemophilia treatment center (HTC) (5%), community clinic (3%), and other (5%). Respondents demonstrated knowledge (> 88% correct responses) in topics such as: definition of severe hemophilia, identifying life-threatening bleeds, primary prophylaxis dose/schedule, adolescence transitioning, and monitoring after initiating prophylaxis. In contrast, knowledge gaps included: prophylaxis duration; incidence of inhibitors; role of physiotherapy; managing joint bleeds (Table 1). For most responses, the proportion of correct responses appeared to be consistent regardless of physician specialty (hematologists (Group A) versus hematologists/oncologists + pediatric oncologists (Group B)) or practice setting (academic + HTC (Group C) versus community (Group D)). A low level of confidence in ability to identify when to use prophylaxis was reported among 20% [95% CI: 16.74% to 23.26%] of all respondents. Knowledge gaps permeate clinical practice in the care of persons with hemophilia. Most significant gaps were related to incidence of inhibitor development, continuance of prophylaxis, and use of physiotherapy for hemophiliac joint disease. These data support the development and implementation of educational tools for clinicians involved in hemophilia care across a range of practice settings. Abstract 4831. Table 1. Hemophilia Knowledge Gaps for Hematologists, Hematologist/Oncologists, Pediatric Oncologists (% Correct Responses) Survey Assessment Topic All Group A Group B Group A vs Group B p-value Group C Group D Group C vs Group D p-value Prophylaxis Duration 35.9% 34.8% 38.3% 0.55 42.0% 28.4% 0.03 Incidence of Inhibitors 48.3% 51.4% 44.0% 0.20 43.4% 54.3% 0.08 Physiotherapy for Joint Disease 47.4% 50.4% 45.2% 0.40 51.0% 43.3% 0.27 Managing Joint Bleeds 74.2% 73.1% 75.6% 0.64 75.8% 72.2% 0.60 Disclosures Van Laar: Medscape LLC: Employment. Warren:Medscape LLC: Employment. Desai:Medscape LLC: Employment. Fogarty:CSL Behring: Research Funding; Biogen Idec Inc.: Research Funding; Baxter: Research Funding; Pfizer Inc: Consultancy; Chugai Pharma USA: Consultancy; Biogen Idec Inc.: Consultancy; Baxter: Consultancy; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Amgen Inc: Consultancy; Pfizer Inc: Research Funding; Medscape LLC: Honoraria; VindicoMed: Honoraria.

ObjectivesThe first objective of this study was to describe the age-specific prevalence of chronic diseases and multimorbidity among unemployed and employed persons. The second objective was to examine associations of employment status and sociodemographic characteristics with chronic diseases and multimorbidity.DesignData linkage of cross-sectional nationwide registries on employment status, medication use and sociodemographic characteristics in 2016 was applied.SettingRegister-based data covering residents in the Netherlands.Participants5 074 227 persons aged 18–65 years were selected with information on employment status, medication use and sociodemographic characteristics.Outcome measuresMultiple logistic regression analysis and descriptive statistics were performed to examine associations of employment and sociodemographic characteristics with the prevalence of chronic diseases and multimorbidity. The age-specific prevalence of six common chronic diseases was described, and Venn diagrams were applied for multimorbidity among unemployed and employed persons.ResultsUnemployed persons had a higher prevalence of psychological disorders (18.3% vs 5.4%), cardiovascular diseases (20.1% vs 8.9%), inflammatory diseases (24.5% vs 15.8%) and respiratory diseases (11.7% vs 6.5%) than employed persons. Unemployed persons were more likely to have one (OR 1.30 (1.29–1.31)), two (OR 1.74 (1.73–1.76)) and at least three chronic diseases (OR 2.59 (2.56–2.61)) than employed persons. Among unemployed persons, psychological disorders and inflammatory conditions increased with age but declined from middle age onwards, whereas a slight increase was observed among employed persons. Older persons, women, lower educated persons and migrants were more likely to have chronic diseases.ConclusionLarge differences exist in the prevalence of chronic diseases and multimorbidity among unemployed and employed persons. The age-specific prevalence follows a different pattern among employed and unemployed persons, with a relatively high prevalence of psychological disorders and inflammatory conditions among middle-aged unemployed persons. Policy measures should focus more on promoting employment among unemployed persons with chronic diseases.

The healthcare burden of patients with multimorbidity may negatively affect their family lives, leisure time and professional activities. This mixed methods systematic review synthesizes studies to assess how multimorbidity affects the everyday lives of middle-aged persons, and identifies skills and resources that may help them overcome that burden. Two independent reviewers screened title/abstracts/full texts in seven databases, extracted data and used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) to assess risk of bias (RoB). We synthesized findings from 44 studies (49,519 patients) narratively and, where possible, quantitatively. Over half the studies provided insufficient information to assess representativeness or response bias. Two studies assessed global functioning, 15 examined physical functioning, 18 psychosocial functioning and 28 work functioning. Nineteen studies explored skills and resources that help people cope with multimorbidity. Middle-aged persons with multimorbidity have greater impairment in global, physical and psychosocial functioning, as well as lower employment rates and work productivity, than those without. Certain skills and resources help them cope with their everyday lives. To provide holistic and dynamic health care plans that meet the needs of middle-aged persons, health professionals need greater understanding of the experience of coping with multimorbidity and the associated healthcare burden.

This survey examined aspects of the support provided by 388 middle-aged respondents to their parents and parents-in-law independently residing in the same city. Burden was found to be relatively low (mean = 8.19 on a 33-point scale), and generally not associated with demographic characteristics of the care provider (sex, age, marital status, number of children, employment status, income, etc.). Higher burden was associated with provision of more support and lower emotional closeness to the parent. More help was provided to women and persons with higher dependency needs. When comparing the most and least burdened caregivers, frail and deteriorating health of the parent seemed to be the critical factor. The relationship between parent and most burdened children was neither as satisfying nor as open as for the least burdened children. Parents of those who were most burdened already were in receipt of more formal services than the parents of the least burdened. Given the relatively low burden reported by the middle-aged offspring, formal programs were not instituted by the social-service agency. However, agencies responsible for providing formal care to the elderly might query the nature of the relationships between their clients and offspring, seeking particular sources of stress and burden which might be alleviated.

This study investigated career patterns among persons with serious psychiatric disabilities who had completed higher education. As part of a vocational program follow-up, 48 middle-aged, mostly white men and women consumers were interviewed about educational and employment histories. A computer program based on age of onset, job skill level, job and educational codes, and dates of employment was developed. Five different, mutually exclusive, career development patterns were identified: (a) career constant with postformal education disability onset, (b) career constant with preformal education completion disability onset, (c) career change with post-formal educational disability onset, (d) career change with pre-formal educational completion disability onset, and (e) early onset with no career. Results were related to current career development theories and the needs of counselors serving this population.

Abstract Aim The Lolland-Falster Health Study (LOFUS) is an ongoing prospective cohort study at Lolland-Falster, one of the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas of Denmark. The aim of this study was to examine the participation rates and socio-economic determinants of participation in LOFUS, approximately halfway through the data collection. Subjects and methods LOFUS started in 2016 and should include 20,000 participants from the total of 103,000 inhabitants of Lolland-Falster by the end of 2019. For the participation analyses, we used data on the 36,883 subjects invited between January 2016 and November 2018. For the analyses of determinants of participation, we used data on the 24,283 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) invited between January 2016 and June 2018, for whom we extracted data on personal income, employment, education, marital status, citizenship, and household type from Danish registers. We used logistic regression to estimate associations between socio-economic factors and participation, adjusting for age and gender. Results 34.1% of invited subjects participated (men: 31.9%, women: 36.4%), with the highest rate in women aged 60–69 years (47.5%) and the lowest in women aged ≥ 90 years (7.3%). Odds ratios for participation increased with income, education level, and employment status, and among married persons, Danish citizens, middle-aged persons (aged 50–69 years), and women. Conclusion Subjects with lower socio-economic status were underrepresented halfway through the LOFUS data collection, in line with other cohort studies.

ABSTRACTBackground:Globally, suicide rates increase with age, being highest in older adults. This study analyzed differences in suicides in older adults (65 years and over) compared to middle-aged adults (35–64 years) in Queensland, Australia, during the years 2000–2012.Methods:The Queensland Suicide Register was utilized for the analysis. Annual suicide rates were calculated by gender and age group, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were examined.Results:In Queensland, the average annual rate of suicides for older adults was 15.27 per 100,000 persons compared to 18.77 in middle-aged adults in 2000–2012. There were no significant changes in time trends for older adults in 2002–2012. Suicide methods differed between gender and age groups. Older adults who died by suicide were more likely to be male, widowed, living alone or in a nursing home, and out of the work force. The prevalence of untreated psychiatric conditions, diagnosed psychiatric disorders, and consultations with a mental health professional three months prior to death was lower in older adults than middle-aged adults. Somatic illness, bereavement, and attention to suicide in the media were more common among older adults than middle-age adults. Older females were particularly more likely to pay attention to suicide in the media.Conclusion:Our findings show older adults who died by suicide were more likely to experience somatic illnesses, bereavement, and pay attention to suicide in the media compared to middle aged. Preventing suicide in older adults would therefore require holistic and comprehensive approaches.

Purpose Becoming self-employed has appeal to both genders. For many women, balancing work and family is a key motivator. However, businesses owned and operated by women are often very small, with limited turnover. This potentially can have disastrous consequences when these women come to retire, unless a solid retirement savings strategy has been considered. The purpose of this paper is to outline many of the issues and implications of a lack of research in this area. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 201 small business owners via a convenience sample derived from various databases. The survey was completed on-line and analysed using SPSS. Findings Many self-employed women in Australia have neither enough savings for their retirement, or an actual retirement plan. This is exacerbated by the lack of regulation requiring mandatory contributions into a superannuation (personal pension) fund by small business owners, unlike pay as you go employees, whose employers must contribute a certain about on their behalf. Social implications Middle-to-older aged women are the biggest cohort of homeless people in Australia. This is likely to grow as self-employed Baby Boomers stop working and find they do not have sufficient personal financial resources to fund their retirement. Originality/value Whereas there is much written about gender and small business ownership, as well as retirement and savings planning, these two areas have not been researched before in Australia. Yet it is an issue for the majority of small business owners, particularly women.

The purpose of this study was to construct a model of midlife work adaptation that depicts a basic framework outlining coping processes by which midlife adults use to approach changes identified in the current midlife context that challenge them cognitively, physically, and emotionally.

The influence of demographic factors, work schedule flexibility, job satisfaction, job involvement, job seeking self-efficacy, certainty of retirement plans, familial and marital satisfaction, and attitude toward retirement on older workers' decision to fully retire, continue career employment, or participate in bridge employment was examined in this study.

This thesis explores factors in the low rates of maternal employment in South Korea through a quantitative analysis of a large-scale survey dataset, the Korea Labour and Income Panel Study (KLIPS). This thesis elaborates Western debates and theories of women's labour market participation within Korean contexts, develops hypotheses on a theoretical basis accommodating both individual factors such as human capital, children and spouse factors and structural factors like the workplace and class practices, and examines them through descriptive, cross-sectional linear and logistic regression analyses. The thesis finds that mothers' decisions toward paid work are responsive to children's ages, implying that lifestyle preferences adapt in accordance with the family's life cycle. Also, it is found that precarious employment and a long work-hour culture contribute to career interruptions while parental welfare such as child care leave and provision have a negative association. The thesis finds social class to be a critical factor linked to mothers' labour force participation. Middle class mothers tend to delay their career by trading off time for childrearing, including attending to children's educational needs, whereas lower class mothers tend to return more quickly to work. A key finding is that whilst married women's labour market behaviour appears to be explained in part by individual factors, such as work experience and the presence of children (as neo-classical theorists have argued), this thesis strongly suggests that structural factors are key to explaining the low level of maternal employment in Korea with a gendered labour market and welfare regime – such as the long work-hour culture and low parental welfare – sitting alongside social class as primary explanatory factors.

This DPhil thesis comprises three empirical essays that survey the evolution of gender differences in the labour market of urban Colombia since the 1980s. The first essay examines the evolution of gender segregation using occupational indices between 1986 and 2004, and presents a decomposition of their changes over time using a technique proposed by Deutsch et al. (2006). We find that a substantial proportion of the reduction in segregation indices is driven by changes in both the employment structure of occupations and the increasing participation of female labour observed over these years. The second essay assesses the effects of occupational segregation on the gender wage gap in urban Colombia between 1984 and 1999. The empirical strategy involves the estimation of a counterfactual distribution of female workers across occupations, as if they had been treated the same as their male counterparts. This provides a basis to formulate a decomposition of the gender wage gap in which the explained and unexplained portions of the gender distribution of jobs are explicitly incorporated. The results indicate that the unequal distribution of women and men across occupations actually helps, on average, to reduce gender pay differences in urban Colombia, particularly in the ‘informal' segment where the labour income differential between women and men is the largest. The third and final essay examines the effects of trade liberalisation on the gender composition of employment across manufacturing industries in urban Colombia from 1981 to 2000. The empirical strategy involves a comparison of estimates drawn from different panel data techniques. As a main finding, we verify that increasing trade flows are associated with higher proportions of female employment.

Esta tesis aborda la discriminación laboral del trabajador de edad madura desde una perspectiva de género. Para averiguar las causas que producen la exclusión laboral de los trabajadores mayores de los cuarenta años de edad se ha examinado la falta de fundamento de los estereotipos negativos utilizados en contra del trabajador. Las primeras normas que hacen frente al fenómeno discriminatorio por razón de edad se originan en Estados Unidos donde se publica la primera Ley contra la Discriminación por razón de Edad en 1967. La Age Discrimination in Employment Act de 1967 recoge una serie de preceptos destinados a prohibir la discriminación por razón de edad contra los trabajadores mayores de cuarenta años, que pueda provenir de los empresarios, agencias de colocación o sindicatos. La mencionada ley antidiscriminatoria de 1967 encuentra continuidad con la Age Discrimination Act de 1975 que prohíbe la discriminación por razón de edad en todos los programas o actividades que reciban asistencia federal, pensada aplicarse a personas de todas las edades. Se entiende la discriminación contra el trabajador de edad mayor o madura como una de las más graves negaciones del derecho del Trabajo pues lo niega de raíz, constituyendo además la más grave ofensa contra la dignidad del ser humano, en la línea seguida por LEVINE respecto a l perjuicio infligido al trabajador mayor y en el valor y finalidad del Derecho del Trabajo que RIVERO Y SAVATIER defienden como medio de protección del más débil. Se ha evidenciado que la discriminación contra el trabajador de más edad tiene un fundamento económico, al ser los trabajadores mayores los que más costes laborales suponen. Se ha examinado el significado del principio de igualdad en el Derecho del Trabajo, observando la integración de este principio de igualdad y de no discriminación tanto en el terreno laboral como extralaboral. El concepto de discriminación laboral se ha ido perfilando en los Tratados, Cartas y Directivas comunitarias antidiscriminatorias. La teoría de los derechos fundamentales avanza hacia la consideración de los derechos laborales reconocidos en normas internacionales como derechos humanos laborales, consecuentemente el Derecho a la No discriminación ha de considerarse como un derecho humano laboral. El gender mainstreaming, estrategia destinada a impedir la discriminación entre mujeres y hombres tiene como principal finalidad conseguir que los principios de Igualdad y de Prohibición de la Discriminación sean medios para llegar a la equiparación real y efectiva en derechos, la igualdad material de derechos entre mujeres y hombres que encuentra continuidad de análisis doctrinal en las teorías de la multidiscriminación. En el ámbito comunitario se integra el principio de transversalidad mediante la Decisión del Consejo 95/595/CEE, de 22 de diciembre de 1995, con el Programa de Acción Comunitaria a medio plazo para la igualdad de oportunidades entre hombres y mujeres (1996-2000). En España, la integración en el ordenamiento jurídico español se produce mediante la Ley Orgánica 3/2007, de 22 de marzo que determina la obligatoriedad de la transversalidad de género en el empleo público, pero se reduce a invocación en favor de la empleabilidad de las mujeres en el marco de empleo privado. La acción positiva debe encontrar y utilizar los medios idóneos para que las discriminaciones injustificadas dejen de producirse en todos los ámbitos y significativamente en el regulado por el Derecho del Trabajo donde el derecho a la igualdad de trato debe considerarse un derecho humano laboral.
This thesis tackles the labor discrimination of the older worker from a genre perspective. To find out the causes that produce the labor exclusion of the biggest workpeople of forty years of age there has been examined the absence of foundation of the negative stereotypes used against the older worker. The first norms that they face the discriminatory phenomenon because of age originate in the United States where the first Law is published against the Discrimination because of Age in 1967. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 gathers a series of prescripts destined to prohibit the discrimination because of age against the workpeople older than forty years, which could come from the businessmen, agencies of laying or trade unions. The mentioned antidiscriminatory law of 1967 finds continuity with Age Discrimination Act of 1975 that prohibits the discrimination because of age in all the programs or activities that receive federal, thought-out assistance to apply themselves for persons of all the ages. The discrimination is understood against the worker of major or mature age like one of the most serious denials of the labor law since he denies it of root, constituting also the most serious affront against the dignity of the human being, in the line continued by LEVINE with regard to l damage inflicted on the biggest worker and in the value and purpose of the Labor law that RIVERO i SAVATIER defend like protection way of the weakest. It has been demonstrated that the discrimination against the worker of more age has an economic foundation, to the being the biggest workpeople that more labor costs suppose. Here has been examined the meaning of the beginning of equality in the Labor law, observing the integration of this beginning of equality and of not discrimination both in the labor and extralabor area. The concept of labor discrimination has been outlined in the Treaties, Chartes and antidiscriminatory community Instructions. The theory of the fundamental rights advances towards the consideration of the labor law recognized as international norms as labor human rights consistently the Right to not discrimination has to be considered to be a labor human right. The gender mainstreaming, strategy destined to prevent the discrimination between women and men takes as a main purpose to achieve that the beginning of Equality and of Prohibition of the Discrimination is average to come to the real and effective comparison in rights, the material rights equality between women and men that it finds continuity of doctrinal analysis in the theories of the multiple discrimination. In the community area the principle of gender mainstreaming integrates by means of the Decision of the Advice 95/595/CEE of December 22, 1995, with the Program of medium-term Community action for the equal opportunity between men and women (1996-2000). In Spain, the integration in the Spanish juridical arranging takes place by means of the Constitutional law 3/2007, of March 22 that determines the obligatory nature of the gender mainstreaming in the public employment, but it comes down to invocation in favor of the employability of the women in the frame of private employment. The positive action must find and use the suitable means so that the unjustified discriminations stop taking place in all the ambiences and significantly in the regulated one by the Labor law where the right to the dealing equality must be considered to be a labor human right.
Aquesta tesi abasta la discriminació laboral del treballador d'edat madura des d'una perspectiva de gènere. Per esbrinar les causes que produeixen l'exclusió laboral dels treballadors majors dels quaranta anys d'edat s'ha examinat la falta de fonament dels estereotips negatius utilitzats per aquesta raó en contra del treballador. Les primeres normes que fan front al fenomen discriminatori per raó d’edat contra la classe treballadora s'originen a Estats Units on es publica la primera Llei contra la Discriminació per raó d'Edat en 1967. La Age Discrimination in Employment Act de 1967 recull una sèrie de preceptes destinats a prohibir la discriminació per raó d'edat contra els treballadors majors de quaranta anys, que pugui provenir dels empresaris, agències de col·locació o sindicats. L'esmentada llei antidiscriminatoria de 1967 troba continuïtat amb la Age Discrimination Act de 1975 que prohibeix la discriminació per raó d'edat en tots els programes o activitats que rebin assistència federal, pensada aplicar-se a persones de totes les edats. S'entén la discriminació contra el treballador d'edat major o madura com una de les més greus negacions del dret del Treball doncs ho nega d'arrel, constituint a més la més greu ofensa contra la dignitat de l'ésser humà, en la línia seguida per LEVINE respecte al perjudici infligit al treballador major i en el valor i finalitat del Dret del Treball que RIVERO i SAVATIER defensen com a mitjà de protecció del més feble. S'ha evidenciat que la discriminació contra el treballador de més edat té un fonament econòmic, en ser els treballadors majors els que més costos laborals suposen. S'ha examinat el significat del principi d'igualtat en el Dret del Treball, observant la integració d'aquest principi d'igualtat i de no discriminació tant en el terreny laboral com extralaboral. El concepte de discriminació laboral s'ha anat perfilant en els Tractats, Cartes i Directives comunitàries antidiscriminatorias. La teoria dels drets fonamentals avança cap a la consideració dels drets laborals reconeguts en normes internacionals com drets humans laborals, conseqüentment el Dret a la No discriminació ha de considerar-se com un dret humà laboral. El gender mainstreaming estratègia destinada a impedir la discriminació entre dones i homes té com a principal finalitat aconseguir que els principis d'Igualtat i de Prohibició de la Discriminació siguin mitjans per arribar a l'equiparació real i efectiva en drets, la igualtat material de drets entre dones i homes que troba continuïtat d’anàlisi doctrinal en les teories de la multidiscriminació. En l'àmbit comunitari s'integra el principi de transversalitat mitjançant la Decisió del Consell 95/595/CEE, de 22 de desembre de 1995, amb el Programa d'Acció Comunitària a mitjà termini per a la igualtat d'oportunitats entre homes i dones (1996-2000). A Espanya, la integració en l'ordenament jurídic espanyol es produeix mitjançant la Llei Orgànica 3/2007, de 22 de març que determina l'obligatorietat de la transversalitat de gènere en l'ocupació pública, però es redueix a invocació en favor de l’empleabilitat de les dones en el marc d'ocupació privada. L'acció positiva ha de trobar i utilitzar els mitjans idonis perquè les discriminacions injustificades deixin de produir-se en tots els àmbits i significativament en el regulat pel Dret del Treball on el dret a la igualtat de tracte ha de considerar-se un dret humà laboral.

There is conclusive evidence that regular physical activity produces both physical and psychological benefits. People engaged in sedentary work who avoid physical activity, or have physical or psychological obstacles to being physically active, forgo the substantial benefits that being physically active provides. In Australia, many middle-aged women (45 to 59 years) are especially at risk of ill-health due to their physically inactive lifestyles. In this dissertation, I report on a mixed-method research approach that incorporated the LIFE: Live It Up (LLIU) intervention. Adopting a multi-theoretical perspective I drew on strategies from Transtheoretical Model, Social Cognitive Theory, the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and Self-Determination Theory. In the first study, participants (71, sedentary, mid-life women) were assigned to either an adoption (3-hour workshop), maintenance (3-hour workshop plus extra maintenance session at 9 months) or control (usual activity) condition. Physical activity levels, psychological well-being, and moods were assessed (pre, post and at 4, 40 & 44 weeks) using the Scottish Physical Activity Questionnaire (SPAQ); the Medical Outcome Survey (MOS) Short Form, (SF36); and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, (PANAS). Motivational messages (Treatment condition participants only) and reflective journals (all participants) tailored to conditions were delivered to participants across the intervention year. Quantitative analyses for the LLIU intervention study involved a series of Analyses of Variance (ANOVA). High attrition, however, across conditions resulted in only 27 participants remaining in the study at 52 weeks. No significant differences were from applying ANOVA to the SPAQ data for physical activity levels. Applying ANOVA to the vitality (SF-36 subscale) gain score data (SF-36) there was evidence of significant gains in vitality at 4 and 44 weeks for the treatment condition (TC) participants compared to the control condition. Feelings and emotions (mood) were measured with the PANAS (see appendix C). Applying ANOVA revealed positive affect was stable across the intervention for TC participants. Negative affect, however, was lowered at 52 weeks for TC participants. I interpreted all results cautiously, because of high attrition rates, particularly in the control condition, and a consequent loss in statistical power. Quantitative analyses for the LLIU intervention study involved a series of Analyses of Variance (ANOVA). High attrition, however, across conditions resulted in only 27 participants remaining in the study at 52 weeks. No significant differences were indicated from results of applying ANOVA to the SPAQ data for physical activity levels. Vitality, a construct assessing energy level and fatigue, was examined and applying ANOVA to the vitality (SF-36 subscale) gain score data (SF-36) showed evidence of significant gains in vitality at 4 and 44 weeks for the treatment condition (TC) participants compared to the control condition. Feelings and emotions were measured with the PANAS (see appendix C). Applying ANOVA revealed positive affect was stable across the intervention for TC participants. Negative affect, however, was lowered at 52 weeks for TC participants. I interpreted all results cautiously, because of high attrition rates, particularly in the control condition, and a consequent loss in statistical power. Qualitative analysis of the ejournals indicated that participation in the LLIU and elements of the ejournal were motivational for physical activity response. TC participants’ reported being encouraged through the workshops to focus on physical activity. Encouragement was associated with social aspects of the workshop, enjoyment, and the kind of information provided. In addition, TC participants reported that lack of time, family demands, and energy depletion were considerable obstacles to physical activity participation. In the second study, I conducted follow-up interviews with 11 of the intervention participants, between one and four months after their LLIU involvement ended. Using thematic content analysis I identified six themes expressed by the women within the treatment conditions. These were (i) commitment; (ii) change driving forces; (iii) positivity, “licence” to change, and guilt reduction; (iv) elements of choice, control, and capacity to follow through; (v) self-efficacy expectations; and (vi) social support issues. For instance, commitment involved participants in taking specific steps toward action and generated freedom from procrastination; change driving forces were internal and external with enjoyment greatly enhancing physical activity experiences; positivity led to a sense of licence to change, followed by guilt reduction. An additional three case studies drilled down into issues that mid-life women typically face when attempting physical activity change. Findings highlighted the frustration associated with wanting to change, being caught in an attempt-fail cycle, and being assigned to control condition; how change can happen (adoption condition) even when family values are highly prioritised and illustrated how the confidence gained through the LLIU developed sustainable efficacy for exercise (maintenance condition). Identification of “double benefits” such as engaging in physical activity while encouraging children to be active can be motivational for sustainable physical activity. Guilt metaphorically paralysed physical activity changes. Strategic thinking assisted with recycling through stages of change. Autonomous behaviour change in control participants who remained in the study raised key questions for future studies. In addition, my studies added to the evidence base that intervention research with sedentary participants requires additional strategies (e.g., overrecruitment, extra attention) to ensure sustained engagement. In conclusion, high attrition in the first study reduced the veracity of quantitative evidence for the effectiveness of multi-theory approaches for increasing physical activity. Findings reported for the second study have considerably expanded the evidence base concerning the debilitating effects of guilt and the usefulness of strategic thinking on motivation for physical activity. In addition, this study represents additional evidence for motivation for physical activity change being strengthened through workshops and reflective journals. Longitudinal research is especially difficult with sedentary cohorts especially in the context of recruiting and maintaining participant samples.