”- hade jag inte en joint på mig då var jag ingen” : En kvalitativ studie ur ett narrativt perspektiv

Jag har valt att göra en kvalitativ studie om droger bland unga vuxna människor i åldrarna 18-25 år. Syftet med studien var att utifrån livsberättelser, undersöka om och i så fall hur droger har påverkat dem samt hur de upplever sin egen tillvaro i samhället. I min studie har jag valt att använda mig av en narrativ metod vilket innebär att jag ur ett livshistorieperspektiv har undersökt hur mina respondenter själva samtalar om sina liv och droger. Studien grundar sig således på tre respondenters livsberättelser.Tillsammans med teorier såsom symbolisk interaktionism och Goldbergs stämplingsteori och tidigare forskning inom området, tolkar och förklarar jag det respondenterna har delat med sig av sina tankar och känslor för mig, för att sprida en förståelse för deras uppväxt, vägen in i och under ett missbruk samt deras väg mot en drogfrihet.De sociala relationerna har kommit att spela en stor roll i respondenternas berättelser. Det sociala nätverket måste fungera för unga vuxna med missbruksproblem, detta gäller inte bara för att komma till beslut utan även under själva processen ut ur deras missbruk. Studiens resultat påvisar att när dessa tre unga vuxna kommer bort från sitt missbruk kommer de också att uppleva en samhörighet med andra människor. De kommer att uppleva en tillvaro som ger en mening med deras liv, genom nya nyktra sociala relationer.

A corpus approach to discursive constructions of a hip-hop identity

This chapter is an analysis of a 100,000-word corpus consisting of message-board postings on hip-hop websites. A discourse analysis of this corpus reveals three strategies employed by the posters to identify themselves as members of the hip-hop community in the otherwise anonymous setting of the internet: (1) defined openings and closings, (2) repeated use of slang and taboo terms, and (3) performance of verbal art. Each strategy is characterized by the codification of non-standard grammar and pronunciations characteristic of speech, as well as by the use of non-standard orthography. The purpose of the discourse is shown to be a performance of identity, whereby language is used and recognized as the discursive construction of one’s hip-hop identity.

The fall descriptions and health characteristics of older adults with hip fracture : a mixed methods study

Background: In light of the multifactorial etiology of fall-related hip fracture, knowledge of fall circumstances may be especially valuable when placed in the context of the health of the person who falls. We aimed to investigate the circumstances surrounding fall-related hip fractures and to describe fall circumstances in relation to participants' health and functional characteristics. Methods: The fall circumstances of 125 individuals (age >= 50 years) with hip fracture were investigated using semi-structured interviews. Data concerning participants' health (comorbidities and medications) and function (self-reported performance of mobility, balance, personal activities of daily living and physical activity, previous falls and hand grip strength) were collected via medical records, questionnaires and dynamometry. Using a mixed methods design, both data sets were analysed separately and then merged in order to provide a comprehensive description of fall events and identify eventual patterns in the data. Results: Fall circumstances were described as i) Activity at the time of the fall: Positional change (n = 24, 19%); Standing (n = 16, 13%); Walking (n = 71, 57%); Balance challenging (n = 14, 11%) and ii) Nature of the fall: Environmental (n = 32, 26%); Physiological (n = 35, 28%); Activity-related indoor (n = 8, 6%) and outdoor (n = 8, 6%); Trips and slips on snow (n = 20, 16%) and in snow-free conditions (n = 12, 10%) and Unknown (n = 10, 8%). We observed the following patterns regarding fall circumstances and participants' health: those who fell i) during positional change had the poorest functional status; ii) due to environmental reasons (indoors) had moderate physical function, but high levels of comorbidity and fall risk increasing medications; iii) in snow-free environments (outdoors) appeared to have a poorer health and functional status than other outdoor groups. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that patterns exist in relation to the falls circumstances and health characteristics of people with hip fracture which build upon that previously reported. These patterns, when verified, can provide useful information as to the ways in which fall prevention strategies can be tailored to individuals of varying levels of health and function who are at risk for falls and hip fracture.