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Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) Prosjektets bakgrunn Barn som lever med syke foreldre kan ha behov for informasjon og tilrettelegging. Helsesykepleier i skolen har en viktig rollefor å ivareta barn som pårørende, men det fordrer at de har informasjon om at foreldre lever med sykdom. Forskning viser at samarbeid rundt barn som pårørende kan være mangelfull, noe denne oppgavens funn også viser. Hensikt og problemstilling For å sikre god oppfølging av barn som pårørende er relasjon og trygghet en viktig faktor. Jeg ønsket å se på hvordan helsesykepleiere i skolen opplevde det å følge opp barn som pårørende. Problemstillingen ble derfor: Hvilke opplevelser har helsesykepleier i skolen med å følge opp barn som pårørende? […] Konklusjon Manglende samarbeid mellom skole og hjem, og skole og andre tjenester hindrer at helsesykepleier får informasjon om at barn lever med sykdom i familien. Barnas rettigheter kan i så måte sies å ikke være ivaretatt. For å imøtekomme barnas rettigheter vil det kreve et tydeligere samarbeid på alle nivåer, med barnets beste i fokus. Nøkkelord Barn som pårørende, helsesykepleier, barneansvarlig, Barnekonvensjonen, helsefremmende, fenomenologisk.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) The topic of the study is the method called «Taking up one`s worries» (in Norwegian «Å ta opp uro», shortened to TOU). Professionals working with children, young people and families are taught this method to address the subjective concerns they have with those involved, at an early stage, in order to encourage dialogue and co-operation. The purpose of the study is to acquire new understanding from the experience gained in working systematically using this method, and implementing it in mental health work within the community. The study is limited to the gathering of information from the experiences of the trainers of TOU. A trainer in TOU is a person who have been taught the method of TOU, and continues on to train other staff in the method. Topic question: What are the trainers` experiences in implementing TOU-method in community mental health? […] Key words: «Taking up one`s worries», implementation, dialogue, early intervention, interdisiplinary work.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) Hensikt: Hensikten med denne masteroppgaven er å skrive en sexpositiv oppgave med fokus på faktorer i BDSM miljøet som oppleves å fremme den psykiske helsen. Jeg håper at oppgaven kan bidra til å fjerne fordommer mot BDSM gjennom kunnskapsbasert forskning og være til hjelp for psykologer, terapeuter, leger, sexologiske rådgivere og andre i hjelpeapparatet slik at de kan møte klienter/pasienter som praktiserer BDSM på en god måte uten fordommer og stigma. Teoretisk forankring: I denne studien har jeg med teorier om seksuell helse, utvikling av seksuelle tenningsmønstre, parafilier, psykisk helse, skam og selvskading. Jeg har også med tidligere forskning på BDSM fra Nederland, Belgia og USA. Metode: Jeg har brukt kvalitativ metode og semistrukturert intervju. Jeg har intervjuet ni informanter som alle er medlem i en BDSM klubb/forening. Intervjuene har blitt analysert etter Kirsti Malterud sin modell, Systemisk tekstkondensering. Resultater: De viktigste faktorene i BDSM miljøet som fremmer god psykisk helse er ifølge mine informanter: fellesskap, åpenhet, kommunikasjon, mestringsfølelse, nytelse, kroppspositivisme og det å bli møtt med aksept for en seksualitet som er på tvers av normen. Det å leve ut seksuelle lyster og fantasier blir også fremhevet som svært viktig for den psykiske helsen. Konklusjon: Det er behov for mer informasjon og kunnskap om BDSM og forholdet mellom BDSM og psykiskhelse. Nøkkelord: BDSM, seksuell helse, seksuelle tenningsmønstre, psykisk helse, selvskading og skam.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) This master thesis focuses on youth with massive behavioral challenges and how the support system can avert systemic failures around adolescents with long term and complex auxiliary needs. It is estimated that 1-2 % of Norwegian children and adolescents are at high risk of developing serious and complex behavioral challenges (Nordahl & Læringssenteret, 2003, s. 9). The thesis focuses on how auxiliary devices can cooperate to slow down or reverse the negative development. To answer this, I have chosen the following issue: What does it take to create positive change for youth with massive behavioral challenges? […] My conclusion is that good relations and/or good cooperation are not sufficient if the work lacks planning and coordination. The work should be coordinated by a coordinator who can work long term, create a safe relationship, and due to the complexity of the work have coordination as the only role towards the youth. Keywords: youth, behavioral challenges, failure, relationship, cooperation, coordination.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504)

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) The project`s background In Norway deprivation of liberty by use of imprisonment is the strictest form of punishment. The penalty should be an evil, and at the same time a rehabilitation too. The way the convicted experience their execution of sentence may lead to mental strain. Intention and issue The intention with this study is to hear earlier convicted ́s experiences from their atonement attached to mental strain especially. In this way the study may contribute to raise important experiences to the public. My issue is: Which experiences do earlier convicted have when it comes to mental strain? Method, design, selection and analysis The research method was a qualitative approach with five individual semi-structured interviews. The selected were earlier sentenced (men) who had accomplished their penalty in both high-security prison, low-security prison and halfway house. I used Kirsti Malterud ́s method of analysis. All participants were sent an information letter with a statement of agreement, and the interviews were recorded digitally. The interview material was transcribed and anonymized. Results and conclusion This study shows that several of my informants experienced mental strain during their atonement, especially in high-security jails. My informants had mostly positive experiences in low-security jail and halfway houses, but some also had experiences here that could lead to mental strain. It also turns out that their relationship to the prison employees contributed to these experiences, especially if they had someone to talk to. The negative experiences from high-security prisons could emboss on life after release. Their experiences connected to mental strain, is read in light of Ben Crewe`s metaphores depth, weight, tightness and breadth. Keywords: High-security prison, low-security prison, halfway house, progression, convicted, atonement, mental health

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504)

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) Background: According to the World Health Organization WHO, more than 264 million people worldwide suffer from depression, this is about 4.7% of the world's population, and depression is the leading cause of disability and a major contributor to «the global burden of disease ». Some of these people who experience feelings of depression have discovered that practicing yoga can help them experience a better everyday life. Purpose: To gain insight into how people with feelings of depression experience practicing yoga. Issue: How do women and men with depression experience practicing yoga? A holistic perspective. Method: The study has a qualitative research design with a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. Five adults who experience depression and practice yoga participated in the study, recruited through a strategic committee. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted. The data were analyzed using Kirsti Malterud's "systematic text condensation" .Findings: Feeling of depression affects everyday life to a great extent. Practicing yoga can help participants cope with daily challenges, can contribute to a better self-image, can strengthen self-confidence and can increase the quality of life. Conclusion: Yoga practice can help people with depression. These findings in addition to previous research should encourage further research. Keywords: Yoga, women, men, depression, coping, quality of life, qualitative research.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) This master thesis started as a desire to get a wider understanding of what I could not articulate my feelings of frustration and worry around in my pedagogical practice. The aim of this project is to provide increased understanding of the peculitarity of pedagogic as a discipline and a practice. This has led me to the main topic question How can a pedagogical pratice be understood by focusing on a teachers personal narratives? The research questions is connected to the the main aim of this project and is articulatedas1) Which implications can the introduction of «livsmestring» (nearest translation can be to cope life) have in the norwegian school? And 2) How can the existential aspects of the pedagogical practice be experienced? I have used the method autoethnography in this project, and the specific form personal narrative. This means that I am the only informant, and that I have based my project on a first-person perspective on pedagogical practice. I have used a reflexive thematic analysis of the personal narratives. The movement between theoretical and empirical aspects; and between the parts and the whole, has led me to an understanding that the worried feeling Ihave been trying to articulate, could be connected to the feeling of not experiencing that the pedagogic as a peculitarity could fit in to the norwegian school system as it is developing today, against a more psychological pedagogic. Key words: pedagogic existence teacher autoethnography

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) This study is based on the Norwegian Directorate of Health's pilot project: Primary health team. The topic of this study is the approach nurses have to patients with mental health challenges in Primary health team. The purpose of this study is to investigate what primary health team nurses cover and uncover of the patient's mental health needs. The study is based on mental health work at GP offices that have established Primary health team in Norway. The research question I have worked on is: What does the nurses cover and uncover of mental health needs in patients in Primary health care teams? […] Keywords: Mental health, Primary health team, GP office, time, trust and teamwork.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504)

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) BackgroundWithin mental health work, several health professionals experience that being exposed to violence is a part of the daily life.Purpose and Research questionThe purpose of this project is to illuminate violence against health personnel in a way that captures the individual experiences. By having more knowledge, you can better follow up the employee in the aftermath of violence. The research question of the assignment reads as follows:“How do health professionals in the field of mental health-and drug addicts experience being exposed to violence in connection with their work? What do they feel is important in a job with risk of violence?”MethodQualitative research interview is chosen as a method to answer the research question. The selection consists of 5 people with health education from 5 different workplaces who have been exposed to violence at work. They all meet mental health patients and drug addicts as part of their job. The data is analysed using the systematic text condensation. ResultsThe findings show that being exposed to violence where the intention is to harm is perceived as the most difficult. After a violent incident, a good follow-up is important. A good follow-up is about the fact that something is being done. Competence, relationship with the patient and enough staff at work are described as important factorsfor feeling safe. Interest in the patient group is described as significant. Colleagues are highlighted as important in several ways, it is about trust, loyalty and security.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504)

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) The subject of this study is school refusal. The purpose is to gain greater insight and knowledge on the topic of school refusal from the students' own experiences, based on the research question: "How do students with school refusal experience their own situation, and what do they think can contribute to increase attendance?".A qualitative method with an inductive design has been used, and data collection has been done using semi-structured interviews. The findings show that school refusal is not experienced as a choice, but as an avoidance of unpleasant situations. The findings also show that young people relate school absence both to conditions within themselves, but also in situations related to school. School refusal started at primary school and gradually increased. A lack of belonging has resulted in a loss of confidenceto make the changes to succeed in attending school every day. Nevertheless,they express a hope and a desire to be able to participate with peers and get an education. The most important person for this to happen is the teacher. They want the teacher to see them, listen to them and be interested in them. Based on this, the teacher can be the one who supports the youth, so that they can gain positive experiences and increase attendance at their own pace. The findings are in line with previous research on school refusal, which emphasizes the importance of the school to facilitate measures that promote attendance. Keywords: Absenteeism, school refusal, truancy, school refusal behavior, self-determination theory

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) Background of the project: This study deals with patients in Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy treatment. The patients have been in treatment for a long time and had a lot of physical discomfort before starting treatment. Before starting treatment, patients had little knowledge and understanding of how different life stresses could cause bodily symptoms. During treatment, they were able to see and understand the relationship between psychological distress and physical, unpleasant symptoms. Purpose and problem: The purpose of the study is first and foremost to add new knowledge in mental health work, and in the psychomotor field. The problem is the following: What implications can acknowledgement in psychomotor physiotherapy have for patients' mental health? Method: design, selection, and analysis: Four psychomotor patients were interviewed in a semi-structured interview. The material was analysed using a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach, following systematic text condensation. Results: The study shows that the psychomotor patients experienced that the treatments gave an increased understanding and recognition of how different life stresses had manifested in physical symptoms. They also understood better how emotions, breath, and body work together. It was crucial that they could be in treatment over time, to not only understand it cognitively, but also that the body should be able to change inappropriate patterns.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504)

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504)

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) Background:The research is generally scarce related to people affected by the double-diagnosis intellectual disability and mental disorders. Most likely, due to diagnostic overshadowing, these users to a less degree receive necessary help from the psychiatric services. In addition, when help is yielded, it appears that co-operation between the first and second service-levels is poor. Problem to be addressed:In thisstudy we examine examples of good co-operation and throw light on the research-question: “Co-operation between the health services of the municipality level and the specialist level concerning help to persons affected by both intellectual disability and mental disorders; what do the professionals experience push their commitment for co-operation?” Method:A qualitative approach is selected, and four professionals from the municipality service-sector and three professionals from the specialist health-services were interviewed. Systematic Text Condensation (STC) was applied to analyze the interview-transcriptions. Results:The findings are divided into four main categories: (1) Attitudes of collaborative commitment, (2) Acts of collaborative commitment, (3) Collaborative commitment originated by a common user-focus, and (4) Reward forcollaborative commitment. Conclusion:The four findings interact, and subsequently describe what the informants expressed characterize the essence of collaborative commitment in thisgivencontext.

Master's thesis in Psychosocial health (ME504) Prosjektets bakgrunn: Etter noen år med diskusjon i fagfeltet, og med Forandringsfabrikken som viktig pådriver, ble ordet kjærlighet tatt inn i formålsparagrafen i Lov om barnevernstjenester i 2018. Det stilles krav til at kontaktpersoner i barneverntjenesten skal møte barn og unge med kjærlighet uten at det er konkretisert hvordan dette skal utføres i praksis. Hensikt og problemstilling: Kjærlighet kan ha mange ulike betydninger, vi ønsket å se på hva kontaktpersoner i kommunal barneverntjeneste legger i begrepet kjærlighet og hvordan de opplever at det preger deres arbeid. Problemstillingen ble derfor: Hva legger kontaktpersonene i kommunal barneverntjeneste i begrepet kjærlighet, og hvilken betydning opplever de at det har på deres yrkesutøvelse at begrepet kjærlighet har kommet inn i barnevernloven? Metode, design, utvalg og analyse: Vi valgte et kvalitativt forskningsdesign med en fenomenologisk tilnærming. Det er utført dybdeintervju av seks kontaktpersoner som jobbet i kommunal barneverntjeneste, og vi brukte systematisk tekstkondensering som analysemetode. Resultater: Funnene viser at kontaktpersonene ikke mener begrepet kjærlighet i loven endrer måten de jobber på. Informantene tenker det å vise kjærlighet handler om personlig egnethet, men utsagn og eksempler indikerer at de undervurderer påvirkningen av at barnevernsbarn har fått en lovfestet rett til å bli møtt med kjærlighet.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2019 The background for the project:The background for the choice of the theme is related to ABUP's project, which states that all foster families with foster children from 0-6 years of age should be offered examination and guidance. The idea is to strengthen interactions in the family and to prevent accidental removal from home.Aim and research question:The purpose of the study has been to examine what kind of experiences foster parents are left with after completing the guidance given by ABUP. There is a need for more knowledge about what kind of guidance and support foster parents need, to take best care for their care task and thus prevent accidental removal from home.Research refers to some elements (for example: the feeling of being included in decisions, enough help from the specialist health service and guidance) that have been important for foster parents for them to stand in their care task.The paper's academic foundation lies in attachment theory, trauma conscious care, Circle of security and Bateson ́s communication theory.The research question is the following: What experiences do foster parentshave with guidance from ABUP?Method: design, selection and analysis:This study has a qualitative design and an interpretive phenomenological approach. There have been conducted in-depth-interviews with six foster parents who all have completed the guidance. The findings have been analyzed using Malterud's modified edition of Giorgi'sanalysis, systematic text condensation (STC).Results:Three central categories were identified as: "New and increased knowledge", "Safe with ABUP and their competence" and "Inadequate information and user involvement".Conclusion:The study shows that guidance given by ABUP has an important function to improve the foster parents ́ understanding of the foster children and in this way secure them in their situation.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2019 Background:The theme of this study is "Youth, Faith and Mental Health". The background for choosing this theme is the major focus of our time on adolescents and their mental health. According to the Institute of Public Health (2009), 15-20% of children and youth have mental health problems, with complex symptoms that influences their well-being, learning ability, daily activities and socializing with others.Purpose:The purpose of this study is to investigate the coherence between Christian faith and mental health in adolescents. The following issue was selected: what coherences does youth experience concerning their personal Christian faith, Christian fellowship and their mental Health? The issue opens up to whether a religious identity promotes or inhibits mental health. The thesis is based on theories concerning meaning and religious coping, with a salutogenic perspective on health.Methods:The study is rooted in a hermeneutic-phenomenological view of science. A qualitative method is used, collecting the data through qualitative research interviews. Five young people between the ages of 20 and 22, who have a Christianfaithidentitywere selected for the interviews in the study. The data was analyzed through systemic text condensation.Results:The findings describe the value belief played for the informants in childhood, in coping and in relationships. The informants described meaning and religiouscopingboth closely related and with a mutually reinforcing effect.Conclusion:The findings were discussed with theory and context and reflected upon. The study shows that Christian faith identity and community of faith in youth in the given context,primarily contribute to a better mental health.Keywords:Youth, faith, mental health, religious coping, meaning, connection, identity

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2019 The aim of this study is to explore police interrogators` experiences of questioning children suspected of sexual abuse. Hopefully, the knowledge can provide insight into how interrogators better can support and develop their expertise in police interrogation with suspected children. The study`s research question is: How do police interrogators experience interrogating children who are suspected of sexual abuse?The study has a qualitative design within phenomenological hermeneutic framework. Semi structured in –depth interviews with eight police interrogators were analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis showed that the informants experienced many dilemmas and paradox in conducting police interrogation with children suspected for sexual abuse. On one hand they had to focus on the investigation and the criminal relationship, where the employer expected them to be objective and neutral. On the other hand, they were focused on the childs’s vulnerability, need for security and protection, and felt that their task was to look after the child and build a relationship. The analysis of the interviews further resulted in four main themes: 1. Police questioning of children suspected of abuse, a category that does not exist. 2. An experience of deceiving the child. 3. Caring for the child and the unthinkable theme. 4. Balancing empathy and self-protection.The study indicates that the informants experienced their tasks in these interrogations, that inc luded chaotic and complex issues as demanding, performing actions and assessment at the moment without being able to rely on any manual. Informants described that the greatest burden for them was to stand alone with the responsibility, and with the concern about acting in a way that led to a more difficult situation for the child.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2019 Sexual abuse during childhood isinvading andmay lead to negativesymptomsduring pregnancy. Those symptoms can be an obstacle for å strong bonding between mother and child.Mental challenges and poor affiliation can lead to shortcoming in parental skills. This mayinfluencethechild’sdevelopmentin negative direction.It is necessary topreventtransmission oftraumatheory, in order to promote good mental healthinsociety. How doesa midwifeexperienceworking with primary prevention? What will it take to assist her in theimportantwork she does? Eight midwifes where interviewed in order to get close to an answer.By using thematic analysis someelements of importance considering primary prevention releases itself. Thefindingsarediscussedin light of humanistic perspective with an eye on emotional focus and mastery.Key words: Menta lhealthcare, primary prevention, sexual abuse in childhood, emotional focuse.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2019

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2018 Konfidensiell til / confidential until 01.07.2023

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2018 Queer in drug treatment has been slightly described in research. In this master's thesis, I want to answer this; "How does the queer patient feel they are treated in drug treatment, and how can their description contribute to the further development of health-promoting work in this arena?" I have used a qualitative approach to analyse this issue. Originally, it was desirable to receive stories from informants that had been admitted to drug treatment during the last two years. This did not work. So I interviewed informants about the subject. I did not consider this selection as big enough to make a valid analysis of collected data, so I initiated a focus group interview with therapists working on drug treatment. Prior to this interview, I had a pilot group to reveal which topics might be relevant to illuminate. Data obtained from the informants (those who had been in drug treatment) and a categorization of these show that the informants had a great deal of themes such as shame, positive attitudes in the patient group, lack of belonging and lack of thematicization from their therapists. A further analysis of this led to the informants experiencing a weak identity, a desire to fit in and a sensation of being outsiders. The therapists thought it was a form of care for the queer patients that their sexual orientation were normalized in such a way that it was not mentioned in any context apart from given tasks where the patient himself took the initiative. This was a conscious strategy. Analysis of collected data shows high scores of belittering of the subject, positive attitudes and sexualized focus. This again was analysed to deal with fear of the unknown, lack of knowledge and good intentions. Literature and guidelines from the Norwegian Directorate of Health indicate that queers need special attention in drug treatment. Minority stress and homonormativity in society indicate that there are challenges related to this. One is a minority in society as drug addict, and one gets a dual minority experience by being a queer drug addict. This study shows that there are good intentions among therapists in drug treatment to take care of this patient group. But the knowledge to do this is too low.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2018 Background The topic of the study is trauma informed care in municipal housing communities. Background for the choice of the theme is a desire to get more knowledge about trauma informed care in practice and how it unfolds in the housing that is included in BoGodt. With this background, we wish to focus on the experiences of employees with trauma informed care for disadvantaged adults in municipal housing communities. The findings of the study are discussed in light of the trauma informed approach. Selection and method Qualitative study with focus group interview. RvtsSør has developed the competence-boosting program "BoGodt", specially adapted to the municipality's follow-up service. The selection is employees who have participated in "BoGodt" and at the same time are working in homes for disadvantaged people. A hermeneutic-phenomenological analysis has been used, inspired by Giorgi. Issue and purpose The study highlights the experiences of employees in their professional practice in light of trauma informed care. The purpose of the study is to gain increased knowledge of trauma informed care in practice in relation to adults disadvantaged. Better follow-up for elderly disadvantaged. Results The employees in the municipalities have had a common professional position based on TBO. In order to practice TBO, it is necessary to focus on self-reflection and there must be a safe culture in the workplace that safeguards the mental health of the employees. Reflection on professional practice is important in order to do a good job together. Conclusion TBO is simply common sense that needs to be systematized in order to perform in practice. As an environmental therapist to traumatized, one must continuously focus on their own feelings, reactions and how they affect the environment. Management in Health and Social Services should facilitate time for reflection on employee occupational practices to prevent employees from experiencing stress injuries as a result of working closely with traumatized. This can lead to sickness absence. This study indicates the need for more knowledge about employees experience in relation to traumatized adults. This study seeks more detention of employees working closely with traumatized and their mental health. Keywords Trauma informed care, mental health -and social services, living communities, disadvantaged

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2018 Konfidensiell til / confidential until 01.07.2023

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2018 Throughout our working carrier we have met youth who had dropped out from upper secondary school with that consequence that they stand without work or education. We wish to approach the phenomenon dropouts from the perspective of the youth, here boys, to try to find out more about how they think of their own possibilities. This study is part of a research project at the University of Agder and represents a contribution to the research group “Ung i Sør”. The purpose of this study is to increase understanding around how boys explain the causes behind their choice to dropout and what they express can contribute to returning to upper secondary school. The research questions are: What kind of experiences a group of dropout boys from upper secondary school say contributed to their choice to dropout? What conditions they mean are significant to return to school? What cooping resources and choices they belive they have that can contribute to finishing school? The results show that the informants linked difficult life experiences to their choice to dropout. They focused on the lack of individualized organization that contributed to their choice and they emphasized individualized solutions to be able to continue school. It seems that the gap between what one can cope with and what the system can customize is still an obstacle to consider. Individual needs should be listened to, to increase understanding of the structural changes needed so that finishing upper secondary school can be a reality for everyone. Key words: Drop out, upper secondary school, boys, life experiences, coping resources, individualized organization.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2018 This master thesis has been developed in collaboration between Bente Melbøe Hokland and Majbritt Legind Hersel. Throughout our education we have often discussed a common wonder about youths; why someone is doing well in life while others do not. The master thesis gave us the opportunity to conduct a quantitative survey where we through Ungdata have investigated how many young people who indicate to struggle with depressive ailments and how this is distributed among the sexes. The figures are from 2015. After mapping the scope, the purpose is to investigate which factors may be associated with the experience of depression and how it is affected either negatively or positively. We have emphasized young people's relationship with their parents and peers, including family conflict and bullying. In the theoretical part of the assignment, we have considered the traditional understanding of depression, stress vulnerability, relationship and association based on Egeland & Poulsen, Brobjerg, Kvello and Bowlby. Next, we have emphasized Beck, Giddens and Eckersley's view on community development and the new modernity. We have used Wiklund et al's qualitative survey as a framework for a deeper insight into girls' self-understanding of stress-related disorders. Our study showed that girls to a greater degree than boys experience depressive ailments in 2015. The plagues increased for each year during youth, and especially for girls. For both sexes, but especially in girls, the level of conflict in the family was the factor that showed the greatest negative relation to the experience of depressive ailments. Being subjected to bullying also predicted increased depressive ailments, especially for the boys. However, the number of young people who appeared to be subjected to bullying was low. For both sexes, good relationships with peers and parents showed up to coincide with depression reduction. Keywords: depressive ailments, girls, relationships, bullying, conflict level, individualization and modernity.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to identify how inmates manage their sexuality during the atonement. I have also looked at how the possibilities of communication, with sexuality as content, between inmates and staff. Finally, we talked about how the informants think a prison stay among male fellow inmates will affect their sexuality and possibly how their sexuality will be after release. As a theoretical background for the task I looked at WHO’s sexual human rights, as well as the bio-psycho-social model. Sexuality unfolds in the relationship between people. Besides life events and changing social status, as imprisonment, affect sexuality. This in conjunction with being in a total institution and inmate loss list. The project was conducted by interviewing five male inmates in a prison. These have served longer sentences; some even several times in different prisons. This gave the opportunity to also talk about residence and management of several prisons with different levels of security. The survey renders qualitative information as to the management of sexuality and confirmes that what you see as important sexuality coincides largely with the investigations of what the general population considers as motivation for sexuality. Some informants state that prison stays provide some temporary changes in sexuality and thoughts surrounding this. Meanwhile the task also highlight thoughts on some myths that may be associated with inmates and sexuality. Keywords: inmate, sexuality, management, prison

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 Background: Personal economics, living conditions and social conditions often have a modest place in the mental health services. For people with mental health problems, economic challenges can be a major additional burden. Aim and research question: The purpose of the study has been to increase knowledge about how parents perceive and handle sustained low income. The study has the following research question: "How do parents with sustained low income experience and deal with everyday life?" Method: This is a qualitative survey based on data from in-depth interviews with four parents conducted in the autumn of 2016. The method is hermeneutically-phenomenological and the findings are analyzed using Malterud's modified edition of Giorgi's phenomenological analysis model. Result: The results showed that the sustained low income significantly affected the parents' lives. The financial framework set clear limits for both parents and children, but the children's needs were here highly prioritized. The parents described different strategies to make ends meet, using cognitive, problem- and emotion-focused coping. The parents experienced the emotion-focused coping particularly demanding and challenging in the long run. Their prolonged weak personal economy resulted in lack of resources and opportunities to participate in social happenings for the whole family, which led to the experience of social exclusion. Parents talked about the perception of empowerment, impaired autonomy and stigmatization. Keywords: Poverty, mental health, coping, social exclusion, stigmatization.

During the last 25 years there have been several efforts to strengthen the services to patients with mental health problems and substance use disorders. The new plan (opptrappingsplanen for rusfeltet) was launched in 2016 and will be completed in 2020. Again, as in previous efforts, it is the municipal health services that are going to do the job. This study examined the size of staff in these services in relation to population, and the proportion of employees in these services in relation to the total number of employees in the municipality. According to the results of this study, it is the smallest municipalities that have the highest number of employees working in the mental health and substance abuse services in relation to the population. However, the study also showed the largest municipalities have the highest percentage of employees in these services in relation to the total number of staff in the municipality. Furthermore, the study examined whether the services to patients with mental health problems and substance use disorders were mentioned in the municipality's financial plans and budgets on two variables i.e. management and sensitivity to governmental expectations as expressed in the plan. The study showed that the largest municipalities have the highest scores on these variables. The study concludes that the size of staff in relation to population does not give a realistic picture of how strongly the municipality prioritizes this field. The article proposes to use the staff percentage of employees in these services in relation to the total number of staff in this field as a better measure of the municipality priorities in this field. Keywords: mental health problems, substance use disorders, municipalities, health policy

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 I gjentatte studier er det funnet støtte for at kognitiv atferdsterapi og eksponering med responsprevensjon er en effektiv og virkningsfull metode for behandling av tvangslidelse (OCD). I denne undersøkelsen har totalt 45 deltakere som tidligere har vært i slik behandling mot tvangslidelse besvart påstander for å måle effekt av behandling vha. tradisjonelle måleinstrumenter for tvangslidelse, samt i tillegg påstander om skam og selvbilde. I denne sammenbindingen oppsummeres først karakteristika om tvangslidelse og videre beskrivelse av behandlingsmetoder mot dette innenfor kognitiv atferdsterapi, der det beskrives nærmere den utvikling som har foregått innen dette feltet. Videre beskrives sammenhenger mellom vurderinger eller appraisals av seg selv og den mening som tillegges tvangstanker og tvangshandlinger, og videre hvordan dette kan påvirke grad av skamfølelse og selvbildet. I metodedrøfting beskrives hypotesene og survey som metode. Deltakere, utvalg og etiske hensyn beskrives til slutt

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 The master thesis is targeting young people, aged 16-24 years, who have already dropped out or are at risk of dropping out from high school. The research site was at «Jobbskolen», which is run by NAV Kristiansand. The purpose of the thesis is to find out which factors must be present for the individual youth participating in “Jobbskolen” to complete education, or to choose a way out in to a working life. The hypothesis of the research paper is based on the project's own initiative. The research question here in the thesis at hand attempts to answer as follows: What experiences had the youth from before? What conditions do the youth at the “Jobbskolen” experience, are important for their transition to school or work life? This is a qualitative study, in which the researcher used phenomenological hermeneutical approach. The thesis is based on the opinions and views of the participants and employees, as well as the researcher's own observations and reflections that are believed to be relevant to the factors that are determinant in “Jobbskolen”. The researcher has conducted four semi-structured interviews with four participants (two women and two men) and one employee. Then the data was collected, transcribed and analyzed by breaking it down in to three main categories. The findings from the data show that the participants have experienced difficult conditions at home and outside. They also have shown that using individual focused offerings, socialization, coping experiences and good contact with partners were crucially important factors. The research highlights that “Jobbskolen” is working on several measures that the young could be pleased with. The researcher believes that “Jobbskolen” developed measures that could work and meet the needs of the participants and hopes this research would contribute to the project's capacity building and reach more young people in the region for the future. Keywords: Dropout, Jobbskolen, motivation, socialization, coping experiences, home / school situation.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 The World Health Organization expects mental illnesses, including drug addiction, to be the main cause of disease in Western countries by 2020. Recommended measures in order to meet these health challenges are facilitating recovery, empowerment, local services and social inclusion. The purpose of this study has been to investigate which importance coping with daily activities has for drug addicts in a rehabilitation phase. The study is qualitative with a phenomenological starting point. Through individual interviews with four drug addicts, we wanted them to describe their everyday life activities. The subjects were living on a farm in Norway, had been through treatment, and were drugfree upon arrival at the farm. The interviews were analyzed with systematic text condensation. Findings showed that coping with everyday activities contribute to a) hardiness, b) fellowship, c) trust and d) normality. The study concludes that coping with everyday activities in a drug-free environment together with other drug addicts will strengthen drug-free identity and future hope. Keywords: drug addiction, salutogenesis, recovery, coping, everyday coping, daily activities

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 Children`s participation in mediation after parent`s brake-up/divorce is a political priori area. Our focus on the importance of preventive work gave us interest in investigating this theme further. The aim was to clarify children`s experiences from participation in mandatory mediation. We focused on how the children`s voices were weighted when the arrangement of care was made, and how the children wanted to be met in mediation. Our research-questions were: «How do children experience their voices being weighted in mandatory mediation after parent`s brake-up/divorce»? and «Which wishes of change in mediation do they tell about»? The study is Qualitative and is hermenutical-phenomenological anchored. We interviewed four children (age 14-18) and used Malteruds systematical condensation of text in analysis of the data. Results showed that children`s voices in our study mainly were weighted when the arrangement of care was made. Parents` and mediators presence and attentiveness was important for how the children`s experiences turned out to be (e.g parents` corporation and mediators involvement). The children gave concrete suggestions to how they wanted to be met in mediation, for example that they wanted mediator to contact them after mediation, to hear how they were coping. Research for the future may be a similar project with several informants to thoroughly investigate the theme, and maybe strenghten reliability. Research with aim to clarify parents` and mediators perspective is also topical, because children`s experiences cannot be seen without relating to parent`s and mediators influence. Key-words: mandatory mediation, family office, arrangement of care, children`s voices

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 The projects background is a request from the University of Agder to look for reasons why some girls may choose to drop out of high school focusing on their relationship with their contact or main teacher. The purpose of this study is to explore what role self-efficacy has in the effort to increase the percentage of children an adolescents completing high school. It has been important to search for previous experiences to find out why their self-efficacy is at such a low level and if it can have affected their decision to drop out of high school. The issue is: ”which experiences can influence the decision of dropping out of high school?” The study has a qualitative, exploratory design with an inductive approach. The method I used for analyzing was a classic analysis model where the data from eight interviews was coded to look for spesific patterns. The theory used in this study is relational theory, social cognitive 2 theory and Abert Bandura´s self-efficacy theory. The findings in the study was not clear, but indicated that the girls had little self-efficacy. They had not mastered life to this point, and high school was no exception. It is concluded that early efforts in providing young people with self-efficacy will increase the graduation rate at high school. Keywords: Bandura, Social Cognitive Theory, self-efficacy, dropout, high school

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 Background Exclusion still have good conditions in school today. In this study, mental health and quality of life are seen in relation to school as a social arena and from the youth's perspective. Aim and research question I want to contribute to creating opportunities for new practices in school, in the way they work with mental health and quality of life. Research question: What importance has school as a social arena, when youth who have sought mental health care and the people in the network describe the difficulties - and change for the better? Method The study has a hermeneutical phenomenological approach. The main method of data collection has been qualitative research interviews. The data I have used belongs to a doctoral dissertation "They say yes; they don’t say no. Experiences of Change in Dialogical Approaches to Mental Health - A Qualitative Exploration"(Bøe 2016). The empirical data is analyzed using systematic text condensation. Results Findings in the interviews shows youth’s having difficulties in finding their place at school. The findings tell about painful experiences in face of fellow students and school as a social arena. The youth in this study experience exclusion from others at school. It is expressed in both visible and invisible ways. They experience loneliness, not being included, and lack of friends at school. Conclusion Increased focus on mental health within school contributes to greater openness about the topic among students. Exclusion and inclusion are central expressions of how youths experience school. Dialogical practice as an approach can be a way for both recovery and increased focus on mental health in school. Keywords Blocking, Mental Health, Dialogue, Exclusion, Relationship, Gestures, Status.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2016 The purpose of this thesis is to convey knowledge about how children experience serious parental conflicts and how to decrease the negative impact these conflicts has on the children involved. A literature review has been chosen as the scientific method while working with this study. A comprehensive search in different scientific databases has been performed, in a process in which English words have been used. This study is an integrative review where a combination of different approaches allow me to summarize empirical and theoretical literature into comprehensive knowledge about a phenomenon. The theoretical perspectives of the study are the recognition and attachment theories as well as a system theoretical understanding of the family. The study's main findings are based on the childrens and adolescents descriptions and experiences with their parents conflicts. Findings show that children and adolescents experience with negative emotional climates between the parents have a great impact on the their ability to adjust and psychological health in general. Children also have strong emotions connected to anger, grief, and the feeling of being caught in the parental conflict. Findings also show that the parents lack of recognition of one another escalates the conflict further, which makes attachment to both parents difficult. Children describe that positive relations in their surroundings are essential, and they express the desire to have someone to talk to and stress the importance of access to therapeutic help in a greater capacity. The study also highlights the importance of putting the child first, both when guiding the parents and during court involvements in custody issues. Keywords: family therapy, parental conflict, parent-child relations, divorce (and the Norwegian word “skilsmisse”), attachment behavior and childrens experiences.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid - Universitetet i Agder 2016 Konfidensiell til / confidential until 01.01.2022

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid - Universitetet i Agder 2016 Background: The subject of this study is «Sentencing to compulsory mental health care». The choice of subject is sprung from a desire to gain a better knowledge of the challenges related to providing a good service for patients sentenced to compulsory mental health care (TPH). At the same time the study is seeking a more comprehensive understanding of the already known challenges concerning the collaboration between the first and second line services providing for this group of patients. The study's findings are discussed in light of a dialogical perspective of interaction. Selection and method: Qualitative study using participant observation and focus group interviews. A dialogue seminar was held as a starting point for the participating observation and selection of informants to the focus groups. A hermeneutic-phenomenological analysis inspired by Giorgi is used. Issue and purpose: The study highlights the experiences and challenges employees from the first and second line services experience in relation to giving patients sentenced to compulsory mental health care good service. It also explores whether or not the dialogue seminar contributed to the informants' understanding of the subject, and whether it influenced the further interaction between the first and second line services. The purpose of the study is to gain increased knowledge about the challenges mental health workers are experiencing by giving patients sentenced to TPH good service. We also sought knowledge of whether dialogue seminars can be a beneficial way to increase the understanding of the subject, and improve the interaction between the first and second line services. Results: Many mental health workers have not yet had dealings with this particular patient group. The reason seems to be that the majority of these patients are still hospitalized in psychiatric wards - primarily security or rehabilitation units. The patients are perceived as a kind of «clots in the system», and the interaction is to a large degree characterized by confusion regarding the responsibility and task distribution between the various management levels. Dialogue seminars are described as a useful forum for increasing knowledge, meeting peers and as a contribution to the creation of a common understanding. Conclusion: The study suggests that there is still uncertainty within the mental health field regarding aspects such as security, resources, responsibility and task distribution, legislation and organization. These conditions challenge the health workers in their daily work with this patient group, and affects the interaction between service levels. The findings indicate a link between the challenges informants experience in the collaboration, and the challenges they experience in relation to providing good service to this patient group. The study reveals organizational challenges related to legislation and the design of service provision, and raises the question of whether one should have separate forensic psychiatric units. Keywords: Compulsory mental health care, forensic psychiatry, first line service, second line service, interaction, dialogue, Freire

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid ME504 - Universitetet i Agder 2016 The background for this project is an internal quality survey from 2013 at the Detoxification Unit of Sørlandet hospital. In recent decades the pattern of substance use among patients admitted for detoxification has changed from predominantly single-substance abuse to simultaneous multi-substance abuse. The evidence base for medication-assisted pharmacological treatment of polydrug users remains inadequate. A non-experimental cohort study was conducted with 284 polydrug users in the Detoxification Unit of Sørlandet Hospital in 2013. The therapeutic approach was standardised, and was based on social environmental therapy and symptomatic treatment of withdrawal symptoms with valproate and clonidine as key medications. The social environmental therapy was not specifically studied, but it is fair to assume that it had a great impact on the completion rate. Three quarters of the patients were male and they had used more than three different substances on average. The average mean age was 39 years. In total, 75% of patients completed the detoxification programme, and for 95% detoxification occurred without complications. In 89% of cases, the standard treatment protocol was followed. There was a weak but significant correlation between treatment discontinuation and the number of substances used. The completion rate in this study was considerably higher than in previous detoxification studies, and the complication rate was lower. In view of the good results observed and the high degree of standardised treatment, the regimen can be considered a sound safe treatment option for other detoxification units. Key words: Withdrawal, detoxification, narcotics, drug abuse

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid - Universitetet i Agder 2016 There are several arenas within psychological health care that offer creative activities, e.g. public activity centres and user managed centres. Here the users can take part in different activities, such as painting, ceramic and glass art, and silvercraft. The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of the importance of creative activities for users of public activity centres. The study uses a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. It is based on qualitative research interviews with 8 users of public activity centres. Data analysis was done using systematic text condensation as a method. The material is analysed in the context of theories of recovery processes and flow. 6 Findings of the study point in the direction that public activity centres as a meeting place are of greater importance for users than the creative activity itself. The centres are arenas were valuable relations are established, which often last for years. However, evidence suggests that creative activities can be an important factor in the process of establishing these relations. Other findings indicate that creative activities can create positive experiences leading to well-being, relaxation and better coping skills. The activities can also contribute to better economy for the users, as they can make extra money by selling products. There is reason to believe that the findings, to a varying degree, can play an important role in promoting recovery. Many of the informants also thought that their psychological health had improved after they started to attend the activity centres. Key words: Art, therapy, activity centre, mental health, psychological health care, flow

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid - Universitetet i Agder 2016 Background: In The child and youth mental health department (ABUP), is the focus placed on the development of effective interventions. KickOff-camp for youth is an initiative in development. Purpose and research question: The study has a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach, and the intention was to explore adolescent experiences by attending camp. Which experiences can youngsters who have attended KickOff- camp tell about, how come they expressed at the camp, and in what ways might their experiences at camp affect the normal development? Method: The method used for data collection was a qualitative research interview with four youths, in addition with participant observation. Results: The study shows that being a participant in a group where experiences are shared with others, having social support and acquiring new knowledge, are important experiences that youth refer at camp. This can provide opportunities to develop their own problem-solving ability, emotion regulation, reflection, language development and learning. Conclusion: The results indicate that participation at camp can support normal development. There is reason to believe, that it may affect the ability to develop communication forms that are necessary to solve life problems, understand other people's motives and consciously adjust to group norms. Simultaneously, the study also shows that this does not apply to all youngsters and it says nothing about possible changes that can be transferred to other areas in their life. Keywords: Narrative, developmental psychology, normal development, hermeneutical-phenomenological, social constructivism.

Masteroppgave psykisk helsearbeid - Universitetet i Agder 2016 National as well as international research shows that people with mental retardation are more prone to develop mental ailments and behavioral problems then the general population. Still, little subject material illuminates the collaboration of services provided to this group of people. The purpose of this study is to explore how the parents of people with mental retardation and simultaneous mental illnesses/ ailments perceive the collaboration of services provided to their offspring: What are their experiences on collaboration between the different service providers? How do they view collaboration between themselves/ their offspring and service providers? Which factors may, according to the parents, facilitate and prevent collaboration? The research question is as follows: Collaboration of services provided to people with mental retardation and simultaneous presence of mental illnesses/ailments: What are their parents’ experiences? The study has a qualitative research approach, with in-depth interviews of four guardians. The analysis method used is Systematic Text Condensation. The findings show that the parents have little knowledge of collaboration amongst the service providers. They do express a recent improvement of the collaboration between themselves/ their offspring and the service providers. Even so, the parents feel that the services today are poorly coordinated and not easily accessible. According to the parents, the use of power and communication might facilitate and prevent collaboration. The study concludes that the parents know less about the collaboration between service providers than they do about their direct collaboration with these. The parents illuminate positive and negative sides of the latter, as well as factors that might facilitate and prevent collaboration. Keywords: Qualitative study, service-collaboration, mental retardation, mental illness/-ailment, parents.

Masteroppgave i psykisk helsearbeid ME504 Universitetet i Agder 2014 The aim of this paper is to bring forth knowledge about children and young people's statements about how it is to be a participant in family therapy. To work out and produce this knowledge a literature review has been used as method. An extensive search was conducted in different databases. It turned out to be little research in this field of research. The articles this study is based on are all English, and concerns children and young people's statements about their experience of being participants in family therapy. There are a total of 7 articles included in this study, with participants from 5 to 22 years. The findings of this study are interpreted in an integrated theoretical perspective that includes: social constructivism, positivism, as well as thoughts and ideas based on the authors Lev Semjonovitsj Vygotsky, Jean Piaget and Donald W. Winnicott. The findings of this study are based on statements from children and young people, and are summarized in five subjects that relate to; their experiences of why they were in family therapy, experience of inclusion and exclusion, perception of their participation experiences in relation to the environment, and experiences of the therapist in family therapy.In the development of findings, another theme emerged; it deals with the therapist’s choice of methodological approach. Based on the presented findings, the conclusion of this study is that there is a great need for a facilitated methodical approach for children and young people in family therapy. Keywords: Children and young people, family therapy, social constructivism, language, play, facilitated methodical approach

Masteroppgave i psykisk helsearbeid ME504 Universitetet i Agder 2014 Background: Suspected child abuse reports to Child Protective Services (CPS) made by pre-school teachers has been on the rise. Consequently, that raises the question about whether the teachers' knowledge or awareness of child abuse or the actual number of children who have been abused has increased. Pre-school teachers, as many other professionals who work with children on a daily basis, face many challenges in their work place. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to describe the pre-school teachers' experiences with child abuse, including how they identify children who have been abused and how they determine whether they need to make a suspected child abuse report to Children Protective Services. Method: A qualitative design with phenomenology-hermeneutics approach was used in this study. Individual interviews were conducted with pre-school teachers from both public and private preschools. Findings: The study demonstrated that the experiences of pre-school teachers related to identifying and reporting child abuse can be categorized in six sections: 1) Maltreatment (or child abuse) - a broad definition, 2) "Hidden" maltreatment (or child abuse), 3) Seriousness of the abuse, 4) A process from identification of child abuse to making a suspected child abuse report, 5) Loyalty to the work place, and 6) Making an acquaintance with parents. 5 Conclusion: Pre- school teachers view the concept of the maltreatment (child abuse) of children as broad, and that the child abuse could be " hidden." (hard to be identified). It has been reported that it is easier to identify children who have been sexually abused or victims of violence then children who have been physically or mentally abused. The decision about whether to file a suspected child abuse report with the Children Protective Services has been based on the seriousness of the maltreatment. Key words: child abuse, pre-school teachers' experiences, loyalty, and Child Protective Services.

Background: This project has become as a result of my work in mental hospital for adults, where my experience is that many adults who have had traumatic experiences in early years of life have got reduced quality of life as grownups. My question has been: “who is able to identify children and young people with mental challenges in early years of life?” Objective: The aim of this study has been to get knowledge about which challenges pedagogical- psychological services (PPT) face, and how they help and which experiences the consultants have about children and young people`s mental health. This has lead to the research question: “How experience and in what way does PPT relate to children and young people`s mental health in primary school?” Method: This study is built up on a qualitative research and a semi-structured interview with five informants. Results: The results shows that PPT`s approach to the pupils is primarily on the educational plan, and the findings show great variation in relief efforts related to child and adolescent mental health. The home conditions are of great importance for the pupil`s mental health. Smaller municipalities have organized in closer cooperation with other support services than larger municipalities that seems to work more separated. Conclusion: PP Advisers experience to be faced with many complex issues related to children and young people`s mental health. This often triggers the need to use institutions ABUP, HABU, BUP and other support services. It is important that the PP consultants dare to ask the hard questions for suspected trauma-related issues so that they can get in early with the right help. Keywords: PPT, psychological health, mastery, different professional collaboration, action and risks.

Masteroppgave i psykisk helsearbeid ME504 Universitetet i Agder 2013 Background: This study has been conducted on the background of my interest in Green Care. A collective term for activities where animals and nature is used for the rehabilitation of humans with different problems. Aim and research question: The aim of the study has been to see what experience the youths that attended project Green Care has gained. In addition I wanted to find out the importance of animals and nature. This lead to the following problem being addressed: What consequence has the participation in In the Courtyard had for the individual’s everyday life? Method: The method in this research project has been qualitative research interview with five informants. Qualitative content analysis is used as the method of analysis. Result: Findings in this study indicate the important factors are: good grown up role models, the feeling of being influential, confidence in contact with animals, time to talk, quietness and distance from previous experience, influence on own work tasks, not feeling any pressure/stress, using the body to chase away negative thoughts, community, support and encouragement. Conclusion: Youths that participate in In the Courtyard gain experience in management. Closeness and interaction with animals and nature make an important constituent in Green Care. The initiative is of immense value for youngsters who are marginalized in relation to school and working life. Key words: Green Care, recovery process, salutogenese, relations, animals and nature.