The centre forms the setting for a variety of scientific
projects. Research includes subjects in relation to social work, health,
existential problems, scientific sociology-research and social psychology in
school age.
There is an obvious differentiation between the subjects mentioned above, but the projects are closely linked together because of a common interests in human behaviour, in the conditions of human existence in modern society, and a predominantly social-phenomenological approach. Hence follows the name of the centre, which reflects the focus on the connection between existential problems and social conditions. The projects are performed both at The Institute of Sociology, and as frame-projects coordinated with other institutes from university institutes : Psychology, Anthropology and Public Health at University of Copenhagen, Psychology at Roskilde University Centre (RUC), with the Centre for Cultural Research at University of Aarhus and The Danish University of Education (DPU).
The centre was founded in 1996 with the name "Centre for Humanistic Research in health and ageing", due to the main research on health and ageing.
Head of centre : Bo Jacobsen
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in 2006-08 the research has focus on
reflexology, acupuncture and mindfulness meditation. The following 4 major
studies have been initiated:
1.
Theoretical and empirical studies of the 3 alternative treatments, consisting
of 5
minor studies : 1) The relation between the
concepts of conventional and
alternative treatment. 2) The theory of the
effects on the immune-system from
alternative treatment 3) Phenomenological
research of the effects from the three
forms of alternative treatment, and development
of a questionnaire that can
monitor effect from the treatments 4) Test of
blood-samples and the effects on
the immune-system from alternative treatment 5)
CAM and placebo
2.
3.
Can
complementary treatment reduce side-effects from chemotherapy?
4.
A comparative study of conventional and alternative treatment at two
specialized
hospitals that offer extensive expertise in
Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation
Religion in the 21.century :
In
2005-06 the centre is at the first stage in developing a researchunit with
international aim. Plans of research in three areas have been made. Activities
in two of these areas have recently been initiated: 1) Medical and
psychological research of religiously oriented attempts of health improvement
(health effort through religious conception and influence). 2) Research in the
altruism and the egoism of everyday life plus the selfishness and the
wickedness of everyday life, both views seen in a religious
perspective