Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Ending careers'

Thesis (M.S.)--Georgia Southern University, 2007.<br>"A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education." Under the direction of Daniel R. Czech. ETD. Electronic version approved: May 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 59-62) and appendices.

Concussion diagnoses in sport have been increasing steadily over the past two decades. In North America, the prevalence of concussions in professional sports such as football and ice hockey have recently garnered increased media attention and research due primarily to the serious short and long-term health implications. Commonly reported physical symptoms include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light and sound. Concussed individuals also suffer psychological symptoms such as isolation, anxiety, and depression. In some cases, the combination of physical and psychological symptoms has led to career termination and personal distress. The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of career ending concussions on former National Hockey League (NHL) players. Five participants were interviewed for the current study, and data was analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) (Smith, Flowers, &amp; Larkin, 2009). Results revealed four higher order categories: (a) Concussion Experiences which described participants' physical and psychological symptoms from their concussions, (b) Environmental Influences which discussed relationships with key individuals and organizations throughout their careers, (c) Professional Sport Transition which described participants' career termination, as well as the transition to their post athletic lives, and (d) Education and Recommendations which included participants' insights that were grouped into concussion education and recommendations to improve player safety. These results indicated that physical and psychological symptoms of concussions caused participants challenges in their professional careers, their personal relationships, and with their quality of life. The current results represent the first empirical account of professional athletes who have talked about their experiences with a career ending concussion. These findings are of interest to medical professionals, sport psychology practitioners, coaches, parents, and athletes to gain a more thorough understanding of concussions. In addition, the current study expands career termination literature by including the experiences of professional athletes. Through the use of retrospective interviews, this study presented athletes' experiences with short and long-term effects of concussions which in turn enhanced the overall understanding of concussive injury.<br>Les diagnostics de commotions cérébrales dans le sport n'ont cessé d'augmenter de façon constante depuis les deux dernières décennies. En Amérique du Nord, la fréquence de commotions cérébrales dans les sports professionnels comme le football et le hockey sur glace, a récemment attiré l'attention des médias et de la recherche principalement à cause des effets néfastes sur la santé à court et à long terme. Les symptômes physiques les plus fréquents sont les maux de tête, les étourdissements, la vision floue, et la sensibilité à la lumière et au son. Les individus ayant souffert de commotion cérébrale souffrent aussi d'autres symptômes tels que l'isolement, l'anxiété et la dépression. Dans certains cas, la combinaison de symptômes physiques et psychologiques a entraîné des fins de carrière et des problèmes personnels sérieux. Le but de cette étude était de comprendre les effets des commotions ayant entraîné la fin de carrière chez les anciens joueurs de la Ligue Nationale de Hockey (LNH). Cinq participants ont été rencontrés en entrevue pour la présente étude et les données ont été analysées en utilisant l'IPA "interpretative phenomenological analysis" (Smith, Flowers &amp; Larkin, 2009). Les résultats sont divisés en quatre catégories principales: (a) Les expériences de commotions cérébrales décrivent les symptômes physiques et psychologiques du participant, (b) les influences environnementales concernent les relations entre joueurs, individus-clés et organisations, (c) la transition de carrière sportive décrit la fin de carrière des participants ainsi que la transition à leur nouveau mode de vie, (d) l'éducation et les recommandations: les réflexions des participants ont été considérées pour établir un programme d'éducation sur les commotions et des recommandations pour améliorer leur sécurité. Ces résultats ont indiqué que les symptômes physiques et psychologiques ont causé des défis aux participants dans leur carrière professionnelle, leurs relations interpersonnelles et leur qualité de vie. Les résultats de cette recherche représentent les premiers comptes-rendus empiriques d'athlètes professionnels qui ont fait part de leur expérience de fin de carrière causée par une commotion cérébrale. Ces constatations représentent un intérêt pour les professionnels de la santé, les praticiens en psychologie sportive, les entraîneurs, les parents et les athlètes afin de mieux leur faire comprendre les effets de la commotion cérébrale. La présente étude, basée sur des entrevues rétrospectives racontant l'expérience d'athlètes professionnels, complète la documentation et les références scientifiques sur les fins de carrière et accroît la compréhension générale des accidents reliés à la commotion cérébrale et de leurs effets à court et long terme.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate patterns of identity change in elite athletes after a career ending injury. A qualitative study examined 9 retired athletes two to five years after their international competitive experience. An interpretive description analysis involved four levels of data analysis. The first level of data analysis identified a pattern of over identification with the elite athlete role and a clear pattern of more balanced identity contrasted with a less balanced identity prior to injury. The second level of analysis described smooth versus ineffective transitions after injury. At a third level of analysis, four factors (internal resources, cognitive coping style, relational connections and continuity with sport) emerged and were associated with smooth versus ineffective/turbulent retirement experiences. Finally, at the fourth level of analysis the study found four identity styles. These four styles (termed balanced identity, lost identity, intensification of identity and living for sport identity) are congruent with descriptions of adolescent identity and suggest that, for some athletes, tasks associated with identity development are delayed until retirement from sport. A pattern of positive adaptation was also identified, indicating that over commitment to an athletic identity does not preclude normative identity development or a positive retirement transition. Athlete autonomy and confidence, as well as relationships with coach, teammates and parents, were associated with the experience of a smooth versus turbulent retirement. Implications for practice are discussed in relation to factors that could promote adaptation in the event of sport injury or sport career termination.

Thesis advisor: Andy Hargreaves<br>Interest in educational change has continued to grow over the past three decades (Fullan, 1982; Tyack &amp; Cuban, 1995). One focus has been the challenge of implementing sustainable reforms, particularly in secondary schools, which have traditionally been resistant to change (Goodson, 1983; Hargreaves, 2003; Louis &amp; Miles, 1990; McLaughlin &amp; Talbert, 2001). Another has been the role of teachers in implementing, sustaining and also resisting change (Fullan, 1993; Hargreaves, 1994; Kennedy, 2005; Little, 1996). In spite of challenges--and arguably lack of success--wave after wave of reform has attempted to introduce lasting change in schools (Sarason, 1990). No Child Left Behind (NCLB) (U.S. Department of Education, 2002) represents the latest wave of reform. This wave requires a relentless focus on achievement and improvement. The impact of NCLB is felt at the state level, where high-stakes, standardized tests are given annually as a means to measure progress (U.S. Department of Education, 2002). In Massachusetts, the test is the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). While the effects of mandated change are undoubtedly felt at all levels, it is teachers in mid-career for whom the stakes might be highest. Will reform work successfully stimulate and support them, or will it feel like an additional and unwanted burden on the their already full schedules? My dissertation thus explores the following question: * What are the effects of contemporary high-stakes mandated reform on the change commitments and capacities of middle career teachers? Related to this broad question, I explore the in-school conditions and generational factors that influence these change commitments and capacities. The surprising findings revealed that most teachers, representing both high and low performing schools in urban and suburban districts, felt that the MCAS in particular and the standards movement in general offer a neutral to positive opportunity for teachers to assess their students and to hone their curricular and teaching strategies. This statement holds true for the quantitative data as well; teachers generally appear to feel more control and influence over their work than in the recent past<br>Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009<br>Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education<br>Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction

This study explored long term foster carers' experiences of placement endings and their accounts of the psychological and emotional impact of these events. The study also focussed on both the approaches carers adopted to cope at these times and the resources which they found helpful or otherwise. Carers' perceptions of responses from family, community members and Social Care Services were explored as well. The research was intended to help recognise the needs of foster carers and advocate their views. In depth interviews were conducted with ten long term foster carers who had experienced a placement ending. A grounded theory approach towards the data analysis was chosen to develop a model of the ending process for carers. The analysis suggested that carers' experiences of placement endings were influenced by the decision process, the reasons for the placement breakdown and the carers' perceptions of their role. The actual ending event provided the context of the carers' responses. While for some stories of relief emerged, the predominant responses involved feelings of loss, responsibility, self criticism and helplessness. The findings suggested that foster carers experienced placement endings as a process which involved both shorter and longer term reactions. Inherent in the process were the coping strategies employed which enabled the letting go of the relationship with the foster child and facilitated carers in continuing their role, their future approaches to fostering and future decision making. The factors which seemed to impede this process included lack of recognition from others and barriers to the carers' expressions of feelings. The results also generated ideas for future practice. The findings are discussed in relation to the literature. Theoretical understandings of stress, trauma and loss are considered with a particular emphasis on the salient factors associated with the role of the foster carer. The clinical implications of the study are also discussed. In particular, recommendations are made for supporting carers through placement endings with suggestions for psychological support. Service recommendations are also presented with an emphasis on team working, recognition of practitioners' feelings and new concepts of support.

Introduction: Research on carers of people with eating disorders (ED) is limited and on carers of people with severe and enduring eating disorders (SEED) almost nonexistent. Nearly 40% of carers of people with ED experience clinical level mental health difficulties. The current aims investigated wellbeing in carers of people with ED and specifically, carers of people with SEED; investigated gender differences; and compared data with wellbeing studies investigating carers of people with other long-term conditions. The Stress Process Model (SPM) (Pearlin, Mullan, Semple, & Skaff, 1990) was used to better understand predictors of wellbeing. Method: Carers (28 male, 76 female) were recruited from ED carer support groups. Carers were stratified using duration (since diagnosis) of their recipient’s ED (0-2 years, 2-6 years, over 6 years). The “over 6 years” category was classified as SEED. Comparison data were drawn from carers of people with dementia, brain injury, ED and psychosis. Standardised questionnaires measured wellbeing (SF-36), experiences of caregiving (ECI), perceived caregiver competence (MoCC), sense of personal mastery (MoPM) and expressive support (MoES). Results: Carers of people with SEED were not significantly different on reported wellbeing to the whole sample of carers of people with ED. However, carers of people with ED reported significantly less wellbeing than community norms, carers of people with brain injury and dementia. Perceived dependency, carer gender and sense of personal mastery accounted for 29% of the variance in mental wellbeing scores. Differences in reported positive experiences of caregiving were identified. Discussion: The mental wellbeing of carers of people with SEED and ED appears poorer than carers of other conditions. Further research on carers of people with SEED is needed. The SPM is a helpful framework to use. Clinical implications include ensuring that perception of dependency and the positive experiences of caregiving are addressed in workshops and support groups.

Cette thèse propose d’expliquer le faible taux d’emploi enregistré en France après 55 ans par les risques de fragilité économique, professionnelle, sociale et familiale que révèle le passage à la retraite. Elle repose sur le postulat de la liberté de choix dans la décision de retraite.En 2005, une étude quantitative sur les intentions de départ à la retraite a été menée auprès de 1004 individus en emploi, âgés de 54 à 59 ans. Les trajectoires personnelles comportant leur part d’incertitude et de changements, 31 entretiens semi-directifs ont été réalisés auprès de membres de l’échantillon initial, cinq ans plus tard, afin de permettre un suivi longitudinal. L’articulation des représentations de la retraite, du parcours professionnel et de la trajectoire familiale vise à cerner les écarts entre les projets et les choix adoptés et à déterminer les facteurs-clés impliqués dans la décision.Cette thèse souligne tout d’abord que la majorité des projets initiaux ne sont pas concrétisés. Le déterminisme du contexte professionnel sur la décision de retraite explique en partie ces réajustements : dégradation des conditions de travail, déclassement en fin de carrière, stigmatisation sont autant d’arguments susceptibles d’inciter les individus à partir à la retraite plus tôt que prévu. Mais les itinéraires familiaux pèsent également sur ces choix : « pivots générationnels » entre des parents âgés et des descendants à soutenir, les jeunes retraités doivent faire face à des charges familiales qui influent sur leur décision. Enfin, cette recherche met en évidence la manière dont les jeunes retraités issus du baby-boom, très attachés à leur liberté individuelle tout au long de leur parcours, défendent la préservation d’espaces personnels (individualisation des pratiques), adoptant ainsi des modèles familiaux et une manière de vivre la retraite inédits<br>This thesis seeks to explain the low employment rate in France for people aged 55 years and above in terms of the increasing risk of economic, professional, social and family fragility observed in the transition to retirement. The research is based on the postulate of “free choice” in retirement decisions.In 2005, a quantitative study on the intentions of retirement was conducted among 1,004 employed individuals aged 54-59 years. As personal life courses are marked by change and uncertainties, a longitudinal analysis comprising 31 semi-structured interviews was conducted five years later with participants of the initial sample. The combined study of representations of retirement, end of career and family context allows differences to be identified between plans and the final adopted choices, and the key factors involved in the final decision to be determined.First of all, this thesis demonstrates that most of the initial plans are not realised. The determinism of the professional context on the retirement decision partly explains the observed adjustments: a degradation of working conditions, the assignation of under-qualified tasks at the end of a career, and stigmatisation are all factors that encourage people to retire earlier than expected. But the family environment also influences choices: as "generational pivots" between elderly parents and children to support, young retired people have to face family responsibilities that affect their decisions. Finally, this research highlights how young retirees from the baby boom, for whom individual freedom played a central role in their past life course, adopt new family models and a new way of living (the preservation of “individual spaces” and individualised behaviours) during retirement

This research aimed to explore further the gap in knowledge regarding the experiences of BME carers, with the objective of introducing a methodological qualitative insight into the field of caring for people with mental health problems. To fulfil the aims and objectives, the study asked: 'what are Black Afro-Caribbean women's' experiences of caring for someone with a severe and enduring mental health problem?' Design The research used face-to-face, semi structured interviews as the method of data collection, alongside Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) which was chosen as the method of data analysis. Participants Eight participants were interviewed as part of the research. They self-identified as Black Afro-Caribbean carers, were 33-79 years old, and were all female. Results Four super-ordinate themes arose from the transcripts; 'A personal and cultural understanding of the caring role', 'Getting on with the tasks of caring', 'Dealing with an imperfect system', 'Valuing support'. Conclusions The participants faced similar difficulties to other carers in terms of; the struggles involved with their caring role, the difficulties they faced with the system, and how much they valued social and professional support in their caring role. It is possible to conclude that whilst ethnicity was important in some areas, particularly when dealing with the system and the church's influence on individual coping strategies, it was not an over-arching theme. This suggests that ethnicity is not something which can be I I' 'I I t ,I '11 'I ,I ·1 Page 130 rated, but is inter-twined with multiple aspects of the experience when caring r someone with a mental health problem. 1!IJPlications The participants wanted to see change in the system in terms of the attitudes of staff, the general treatment of service users and the extent to wh ich they are included in the care of their loved ones. Therefore this research has implications for changes in clinical practice.

Some foster carers have birth children living at home whilst fostering other children. At times foster carers' birth children (FCBC) have been reported to experience a sense of loss and sadness when their relationships with foster children cease due to placements ending. This thesis aims to provide a preliminary examination of whether FCBC's childhood experience of these, often serial, relational losses has an enduring impact on their psychosocial wellbeing. It provides a qualitative examination of adult FCBC's accounts and memories of foster placement endings and their understanding of whether an enduring impact is experienced. Thirteen adult FCBC were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Five main themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the data. Two factors (Un)Certainty and Connectedness provide wider contextualisation to FCBC's experience of placement endings. 'Experiencing Absence' emphasises FCBC's immediate and long-term psychological response to and management of these relational losses. Finally, Relational Adaptation and Psychological Growth highlight FCBC's understanding of wider psychological implications of experiencing foster placement endings in the longer- term. Further research is therefore warranted in order to extend the current findings and delineate factors of risk or resilience in accounting for a possible long-term psychosocial impact. It is suggested that the psychological wellbeing and needs of FCBC, particularly around planning of foster placement endings, should be more formally recognised within national and local foster service policy and guidelines. Further, under certain conditions FCBC and their families may benefit from receiving greater psychological support to aid their experience around placement endings.

Recent government reports indicate that there is a high incidence of enduring mental health problems in the African and African Caribbean communities living in the UK. Although research has explored the experience of service users from both of these communities, little is known about how family carers experience caring for a relative with an enduring mental health problem from the same communities. The aim of this investigation was to explore the lived caring experience of seven carers from the African and African Caribbean communities who cared for family members with an enduring mental health problem. A hermeneutical phenomenological approach, as described by Van Manen was used, which encompassed descriptions of carers’ experience of caring and subsequent interpretation of their lived experience. Analysis of the findings revealed the caring experience to encompass: (i) being there and staying there; (ii) losing oneself and re-discovering self; (iii) keeping an on-going dialogue with others, (iv) a conscious awareness of cultural stereotypes and (v) sustaining hope during the caring experience. The study concluded that carers from both communities maintain a strong familial obligation in their caring experience. Carers also make use of local community care groups to assert their carer role with mental health and social care services. Recommendations for future research are discussed in relation to improvements in mental health and social care provision.

Background: Career ending injuries are known to cause negative psychosocial and behavioural outcomes in retired athletes. However, there has been a limited amount of quantitative studies to complement mostly qualitative research. Furthermore, qualitative studies have typically assessed the effects of athletic identity, mental health/mood disturbances, loss, coping mechanisms and social support with minimal research regarding physical body transitions and body-esteem throughout the retirement process. Thus, the purpose of this thesis was to investigate the relationship between affective, behavioural, and cognitive outcomes and athletic retirement (voluntary, involuntary) among elite and competitive athletes. Method: A retrospective mixed method (questionnaire and interview) study was utilized to examine how participants interpreted their experience during the transitional process into retirement. Inclusion criteria consisted of male and female, elite and competitive athletes who have voluntarily or involuntarily (career ending injury) retired, ages 18 and above. Exclusion criteria included non-athletes/recreational athletes, athletes who were able to return to play or retired due to illness, health problems or deselection as well as who were less than 18 years of age. Posters were advertised in sports clubs, fitness centers, sports centers, physiotherapy offices and universities as well as on social media (Facebook and Instagram). The main outcome measures are as follows:1) Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS); 2) Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ), 3) Mental Health and 4) COPE Inventory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from both retirement (voluntary and involuntary) groups. All interviews (telephone, zoom) were recorded, transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was implemented to further determine the various themes and subthemes. An independent t-test explored the impacts of body dimensions and coping mechanisms on retirement type. Then a factorial ANOVA was conducted to examine the effects of the dependent variables (mental health, mood disturbances and coping mechanisms) on the main analysis (retirement) and the exploratory (strength of athletic identity) analysis. Results: 50 (26 involuntary and 24 voluntary) questionnaires and eight (four voluntary and four involuntary) interviews were completed by the participants. Results from the quantitative data revealed a borderline main effect of retirement type on both mental health and mood disturbances. An exploratory analysis found retirees who weakly identified with the athletic role were less likely to experience severe mood disturbances and demonstrated higher levels of mental health than retirees who strongly identified with the athletic role. Information from qualitative data suggested participants who involuntarily retired and possessed a strong athletic identity experienced higher levels of mood disturbances (depression, frustrations, loss etc.), lower levels of mental health, identity loss, physical discomfort, negative effects of mind and body dualism as well as utilized maladaptive coping techniques than their counterpart who voluntarily retired or weakly identified with the athletic role. Conclusion: Both retirement types are subjected to various athletic and non-athletic demands and psychosocial effects of athletic retirement however, what sets them apart from experiencing a successful or unsuccessful transition into retirement is the intensity and severity of their emotional reaction to their retirement. Limitations of said study included a decrease in sample size, memory recall bias, the participant’s own bias, limited diversity of the sample population as well as the inability to verify the findings from the interviews. The following study can be implemented to aid researchers, retired or soon to be retired athletes, coaches and athletic personnel to comprehend the diverse areas of athletic retirement. Future research should aim to investigate the impacts of mood disorders, the utilization of psychologist or mental performance consultant during the retirement process as well as the effects of body dimensions in retired athletes. Lastly, a longitudinal study should be employed to examine the athlete’s emotional response and reaction throughout retirement (time of injury, during physiotherapy, post- surgery and recovery).<br>Graduate