Search

Purpose: This paper presents qualitative research findings from the evaluation of a Parkinson's Dance well-being venture in the UK. Methods: Qualitative data was gathered to see how bespoke dancing sessions helped people with Parkinson's (PwP) to manage their conditions and improve their lives and prospects. Principles of a participatory approach were incorporated and methods included semi-structured interviewing, researchers participant observation and an elicitation-based activity. Nineteen PwP, six carers, four dance artists and seven helpers participated in the study. Results: Participating in Parkinson's Dance sessions meant that PwP could experience the possibilities to dance, develop a "can do" attitude, experience fun, enjoyment, social connection, exercise, movement to music, improvement and/or maintenance of their balance, suppleness, coordination and confidence with movement, symptoms being pushed back and ability to learn new things. Conclusions: Our findings add to the evidence-base about the benefits of dance for people experiencing Parkinson's and through novel application of the Life-world based well-being framework of K. T. Galvin and Todres (2011) we propose a theoretical basis for Parkinson's Dance as a resource for well-being. There is scope to consider application of the well-being framework to other arts activities and as the basis of an arts and well-being evaluation tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this paper explores the perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine among South Asian communities residing in the UK. Thirty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted using a qualitative approach and analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants represented Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Afghani, and Nepali backgrounds. The participants revealed that family and community influence their perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine. The results suggest that normalizing vaccine acceptance, addressing unknown side effects, and popularizing vaccine efficacy data will increase vaccine uptake within the South Asian community in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) programmes promoted via healthcare settings worldwide may not currently meet the needs of many patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs). This paper describes the outcomes of a qualitative enquiry into the perspectives of patients and professionals from multiple healthcare services regarding the role of PA. 19 patients and 22 HCPs were purposively recruited from physiotherapy, podiatry, chronic pain, diabetes and continence services at a community-based healthcare clinic in the United Kingdom. Participants' views were explored using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Results identified five themes: differences between the social and medical rationales underpinning PA promotion; the impact of the patient-professional relationship on patient activation, self-management and PA; a risk culture surrounding PA; challenges to meet variation in patients' needs and preferences; and lack of formal role for PA as a core part of routine healthcare. The study highlights tensions between needs and aspirations, and the reality of delivering advice and support for PA. Challenges resonated with patients and HCPs across different care groups and were not condition-specific. This highlights a need for sharing good practice across healthcare services and system-level interventions to address organisational barriers to the promotion of PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based upon the findings of a qualitative in-depth interview study with 23 women aged 23-72 years recruited from members of the general public and a psychosexual clinic, this paper explores participants understandings of the term 'sexuality'. The findings are set within the context of historical, prevailing and often contradictory perceptions of the term. Data were analysed thematically using the conventions of template analysis within a material discursive framework. This paper questions the assumption that sexuality is an altogether powerful and naturally occurring phenomenon. The ability to isolate and give credence to a definitive meaning of the term is, both for participants and academics alike, an arduous undertaking. Rather than focusing primarily on the material body, the extent to which ideology, culture and power intersect with the former indicate its multidimensional, constructed nature. Given the whole host of meanings evoked by the term, the paper asserts that it is more fitting to talk of multiple understandings of sexuality rather than a singular authoritative one whilst also contingent on social and historical practices. The findings have implications that should be considered when evaluating previous sexological research and conducting future research where this term is used throughout as a focus of academic enquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores 'public' attitudes to the use of donated gametes in infertility treatment amongst members of British South Asian communities in the UK. The study included 14 single-sex focus groups with a total of 100 participants of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origins in three English cities and 20 individual semi-structured interviews with key informants. It explores five themes from the data: childlessness and stigma; using sperm and using eggs; cultural connections; choosing gametes; religion and the use of donated gametes; and disclosure and the management of information. The paper demonstrates that the socio-cultural context of fertility treatment is highly relevant and those delivering services and those consulting the public need to be aware of cultural and gender differences. Third party assisted conception represents a challenge to received ideas of identity and has implications for social reproduction and kinship which go well beyond immediate conjugal relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific-bureaucratic medicine (SBM) has been the dominant discourse on evidence-based medicine in the English National Health System (NHS). It has being claimed that SBM has led to new forms of medical professionalism with an emphasis on organisational values and the control of autonomy. This paper explores the medical professions' response to SBM, where SBM is manifested in the form of National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Seventy-four face-to-face informal interviews were carried out with clinicians and managers between 2007 and 2009. Three major themes emerged from the analysis each of which was linked to doctors' receptiveness to NICE guidelines implementation. The first emphasised organisational values, which accounted for conditional acceptance of NICE guidelines. The second was proactive professionalism or entrepreneurial professionalism, which was linked to the rejection of NICE guidelines and the emergence of alternative forms of introducing new ideas for the expansion of their clinical practice. The third was related to the prominence of clinical autonomy linked with doctors' resistance to the use of NICE guidelines. It is argued that this evidence does not reflect a significant emergence of new forms of professionalism but the development of multiple occupational identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19-related inequities experienced by racial and ethnic minority groups including healthcare professionals mirror wider health inequities, which risk being perpetuated by lower uptake of vaccination. We aim to better understand lower uptake among racial and ethnic minority staff groups to inform initiatives to enhance uptake. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted (October 2020–January 2021) with UK-based healthcare staff. Data were inductively and thematically analysed. Vaccine decision-making processes were underpinned by an overarching theme, 'weighing up risks of harm against potential benefits to self and others'. Sub-themes included 'fear of harm', 'moral/ethical objections', 'potential benefits to self and others', 'information and misinformation', and 'institutional or workplace pressure'. We identified ways in which these were weighted more heavily towards vaccine hesitancy for racial and ethnic minority staff groups influenced by perceptions about institutional and structural discrimination. This included suspicions and fear around institutional pressure to be vaccinated, racial injustices in vaccine development and testing, religious or ethical concerns, and legitimacy and accessibility of vaccine messaging and communication. Drawing on a critical race perspective, we conclude that acknowledging historical and contemporary abuses of power is essential to avoid perpetuating and aggravating mistrust by de-contextualising hesitancy from the social processes affecting hesitancy, undermining efforts to increase vaccine uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices of Black sub-Saharan Africans (BsSAs) in the UK regarding their type 2 diabetes (T2D) self-management using the concepts of the PEN-3 cultural model. A qualitative study involved 36 semi-structured interviews with BsSAs living with T2D in the UK to examine relevant cultural practices and beliefs that have contributed to the uneven burden of self-management behaviours. A narrative thematic analysis of the data was then conducted for the study using NVivo software and guided by the PEN-3 cultural model, which moves beyond individualistic health behaviour models of diabetes but centralises culture in understanding health behaviours. Cultural perceptions and self-management behaviours of T2D varied among the BsSAs. Systems of self-management and treatment practices that were congruent with their cultural beliefs and personal priorities were seen as essential in the positive response to self-managing T2D. Knowledge and perceptions of non-conventional and alternative remedies linked to cultural beliefs reflected the existential health-seeking behaviours, and the significance attached to BsSAs negotiated cultural identities and collective practices within the communities. Social network supports were seen as enablers while advice and regimens from healthcare professionals (HCPs) were presented as medicalised and devoid of cultural sensitivities to respondents. The study findings highlight the need to be not only aware of the negative impact of diabetes perceptions and health behaviours among the BsSA communities, but also be aware of the enabling factors and collective practices within the communities that are equally critical in influencing the self-management and health-seeking decisions of BsSAs living with T2D. PEN-3 model was significant with exploring not only how cultural context shapes health beliefs and practices, but also how social networks and systems play a critical role in enabling or nurturing positive health behaviours and health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The psychological and social impact of hair loss and its ongoing treatment can be considerable. Medical treatments are not always successful, and alternative treatments, such as medical tattooing, are growing in popularity. The aims of this study were to explore adults' motivations, experiences, and self-perceived outcomes in relation to medical tattooing. Individual telephone interviews were conducted with 22 women from the United Kingdom aged 26–67 years who had undergone medical tattooing in the past 5 years related to hair loss. Interviews were transcribed and inductive thematic analysis was performed. Appearance concerns, loss of self-confidence/identity, and the practicalities of daily upkeep were cited as reasons for seeking a semi-permanent solution. Trust in the practitioner and the ongoing costs of tattoo maintenance were important considerations in participants' decision-making process and their overall satisfaction with treatment outcomes. Participants felt the emotional impact of hair loss and the subsequent need for appearance-restoring treatment remains unrecognised. This study provides insight into participants' perceptions of an under-researched and unregulated but widely accessible treatment. Implications for the decision-making process are discussed, and suggestions for health professionals are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clergy have an emotionally taxing role and are suggested to experience high rates of distress. Prior research suggests clergy utilise religious coping skills and may underutilise support. This study aimed to explore clergy experiences of role-demands, coping, and support, to supplement previous findings, and guide intervention. Nine clergy members participated in semi-structured interviews; data was analysed using inductive-deductive Thematic Analysis. Three major themes emerged from the data; 'the sacrifice you make', 'help along the way', and 'change that's needed'. Clergy-members' most prevalent and salient reported coping strategy revolved around a stable relationship with God. Clergy discussed barriers to support within, and outside of, the church. Clergies' experiences of challenging demands and distress support previous findings. Clergy preference for religious coping suggest future research, or intervention, should account for spirituality. Finally, clergy-members' varied experiences of support suggest practical/cultural changes within the church could reduce barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on an evaluation of a domestic violence intervention in the maternity and sexual health services of a UK hospital. The intervention encompassed guidelines, staff training, inclusion of routine enquiry for domestic violence with all patients, and referral of women disclosing violence to an on-site advocacy service. An "assumption querying" approach was applied to evaluate the intervention. Programmatic assumptions were identified and tested using interviews with service providers and patients, review of patient records, and pre- and post-training questionnaires. Domestic violence training resulted in changes in health professionals' knowledge and practice in the short-term, but universal routine enquiry was not achieved even in a context of organisational support, guidelines, training and advocacy. Potential and actual harm occurred, including breaches of confidentiality and failure to document evidence, limiting women's ability to access civil and legal remedies. Advocacy support led to positive outcomes for many women, as long as support to maintain positive changes, whether women stayed with or left the violent partner, continued to be given. Maternity and sexual health services were found to be opportune points of intervention for domestic violence services that combine routine enquiry by clinicians, support after disclosure and attention to harm reduction. Cet article décrit l'évaluation d'une intervention en matière de violence domestique dans les services de santé génésique et de maternité d'un hôpital britannique. L'intervention comportait des directives, la formation du personnel, une enquête systématique auprès de toutes les patientes sur la violence domestique et l'aiguillage des femmes révélant des violences vers un service de sensibilisation sur place. L'intervention a été évaluée avec une approche de « questionnement des postulats ». On a identifié et testé les postulats des programmes par des entretiens avec les prestataires de services et les patientes, l'examen des dossiers des patientes et des questionnaires avant et après la formation. La formation sur la violence domestique a changé à court terme les connaissances et la pratique des professionnels de santé, mais n'a pas réussi à les inciter à questionner systématiquement toutes les patientes, même dans un contexte de soutien organisationnel, de directives, de formation et de sensibilisation. On a constaté des préjudices potentiels et réels, notamment des violations de la confidentialité et l'incapacité à réunir des preuves, limitant ainsi la possibilité des femmes d'avoir accès à des réparations civiles et juridiques. Le soutien à la sensibilisation a eu des résultats positifs pour beaucoup de femmes, tant que le soutien s'est poursuivi pour maintenir des changements positifs, que les femmes restent ou non avec le partenaire violent. Les services de santé génésique et de maternité se sont révélés des points précieux d'intervention pour les services de violence domestique car ils associent l'enquête systématique des cliniciens, le soutien après la révélation et l'attention à la réduction des risques. Este artículo resume la evaluación de una intervención relacionada con la violencia doméstica en los servicios de salud materna y sexual de un hospital del Reino Unido. La intervención comprendió guías, capacitación del personal, indagación rutinaria de todas las pacientes respecto a la violencia doméstica y referencia de las que denunciaron violencia a un servicio de promoción y defensa in situ. Se aplicó un enfoque de "investigación de suposiciones" para evaluar la intervención. Las suposiciones programáticas fueron identificadas y probadas utilizando entrevistas con profesionales de la salud y pacientes, revisión de los expedientes médicos y cuestionarios pre- y post-capacitación. La capacitación en violencia doméstica produjo cambios en los conocimientos y las prácticas de los profesionales de la salud a corto plazo, pero no se logró establecer una rutina de indagación universal, ni tan siquiera en un contexto con apoyo organizacional, guías, capacitación y promoción y defensa. Ocurrieron daños posibles y reales, como violación de confidencialidad e incumplimiento de documentar la evidencia; éste último limitó la capacidad de las mujeres para acceder remedios civiles y jurídicos. El apoyo de promoción y defensa llevó a resultados positivos para muchas mujeres, siempre y cuando se les continuara brindando apoyo para mantener cambios positivos, independientemente de que la mujer permaneciera con su pareja violenta o la dejara. Se concluyó que los servicios de salud materna y sexual son puntos oportunos de intervención para los servicios contra la violencia doméstica, que combinan la indagación rutinaria por parte del personal de salud, apoyo después de confirmada la violencia y atención a la reducción de daños. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that bullying is one of the most common presenting issues for young people accessing counselling. In this study, we explored helpful aspects of counselling for young people who have experienced bullying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participantsand analysed using thematic analysis. Participants identified five helpful counsellor activities: (a) counsellors' way of relating, (b) creating safety, (c) incorporating creative media, (d) teaching strategies, and (e) offering advice. They also identified four helpful client activities: (f) trusting, (g) talking, (h) expressing emotions, and (i) remembering and applying techniques. Findings suggest that a range of techniques and practices, aligned to different therapeutic orientations, can be of value to these young people. This supports a pluralistic perspective on therapeutic change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unaccompanied refugee minors present with disproportionately high prevalence of emotional and psychological morbidities. However, their utilization of mental health services has been shown to be significantly poorer than the indigenous population of the country they seek asylum in. Despite this, there is limited research exploring their perspectives on the barriers they face. Aims: This research aims to understand unaccompanied refugee minors' and their carers' perceptions of the barriers to utilize mental health services and to explore issues perceived to be related to poor engagement with services. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 15 unaccompanied refugee minors and their carers were conducted. This was to elicit their views, perceptions and beliefs based on their experience of receiving treatment from a specialist mental health service in the UK. Results: Thematic analysis was used and the findings were categorised into two broad themes; the participants' perceptions of the intervention and perceptions of the professionals. Salient aspects of these are discussed. Conclusions: The findings have potential to stimulate further research into gaining a better understanding of the barriers these young people face in accessing help, and may contribute to developing services that are more efficient in engaging this vulnerable group and meeting their specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to explore the role of swimming on Paralympic athletes’ perceptions of self and identity development. Method:A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was taken. During semi-structured interviews, five Paralympic swimmers (aged 20–24 years) were asked questions about their swimming career, perceptions of self, integration, and impairment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Results:An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis yielded three superordinate themes: (a) “One of the crowd”; none of the participants viewed themselves as disabled, nor as supercrips; these perceptions stemmed from family-, school-, and swimming-related experiences, (b) “Becoming me”; participation in swimming facilitated self- and social-acceptance, and identity development, and c) “A badge of honor”; swimming presented opportunity to present and reinforce a positive identity. Conclusions:Swimming experiences enabled the participants to enhance personal and social identities, integrate through pro-social mechanisms, and to develop a career path following retirement from competition.Implications for rehabilitationOffering equal sporting opportunities for people with/without physical disability can help facilitate social integration and act as a buffer against stigmatization.Our research suggests that participation in sport had afforded the participants a heightened sense of self-concept, independence, ability and corresponding pride.When working with individuals with physical disabilities, rehabilitation professionals could utilize sport as a means of increasing an individual’s feelings of independence, confidence and normalization.As such, part of rehabilitation should be to ensure opportunities for sport participation for people with physical disability are available for people of all ages. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:The study aimed to explore the psychological experiences of receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased donor and to examine resulting implications for renal services. Design:A qualitative design was utilised within an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) framework. Main outcome measures:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six adults (male = 5, mean age = 45 yrs) on their experiences of receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. All participants had their transplant within the preceding 21 months. Data were analysed using IPA. Results:The four elicited themes incorporate recipients’ positive feelings about receiving a transplant, mainly arising from the newfound freedom that this entails, in addition to strong feelings of gratitude towards their donors. They also capture challenges, such as the uncertainty of living with a transplanted kidney, and highlight the increased dependence on others throughout the transplant process. Conclusion:The findings indicate a range of psychological, social and occupational experiences for participants. It is concluded that optimal care in renal services would incorporate a holistic approach to pre and post-transplant care; identifying and supporting the needs of transplant recipients. A biopsychosocial model of care may enhance service user well-being. Potential areas of future research are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study sought to ascertain a contextualized perspective of established practitioners’ subjective reasoning underpinning their practices. An interpretive phenomenological analysis (Smith, 1996) was adopted as an in-depth qualitative approach to explore 9 UK-based applied sport psychologists’ perceptions and experiences. Three superordinate themes emerged: literature underpinning professional practice, the importance of the sport setting and context, and the need for professional judgment. The study provides a valuable insight into the influences on sport psychologists’ behavior, the role this plays when advising elite performers on allocation of their thought processes, and how such advice is operationalized and applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the experiences of gay, lesbian, and heterosexual adoptive parents from 130 families. Parents’ reproductive experiences prior to adoption and their reasons for choosing to adopt were compared. Heterosexual couples were more likely to have experienced infertility than same-sex couples. Same-sex couples were more likely to prefer adoption over other routes to parenthood. Parents in all three family types selected their route to parenthood according to normative expectations, attitudes to biogenetic parenthood, ease of access, and moral reasoning. Same-sex couples’ decisions were enabled by the non-discriminatory sociolegal context of the United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extensive social psychological research emphasises the importance of groups in shaping individuals' thoughts and actions. Within the child sexual abuse (CSA) literature criminal organisation has been largely overlooked, with some key exceptions. This research was a novel collaboration between academia and the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). Starting from the premise that the group is, in itself, a form of social situation affecting abuse, it offers the first systematic situational analysis of CSA groups. In-depth behavioural data from a small sample of convicted CSA group-offenders (n =3) were analysed qualitatively to identify factors and processes underpinning CSA groups' activities and associations: group formation, evolution, identity and resources. The results emphasise CSA groups' variability, fluidity and dynamism. The foundations of a general framework are proposed for researching and assessing CSA groups and designing effective interventions. It is hoped that this work will stimulate discussion and development in this long-neglected area of CSA, helping to build a coherent knowledge-base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Careers advisers in the UK have experienced significant change and upheaval within their professional practice. This research explores the role of postgraduate-level professional development in contributing to professional identity. The research utilises a case study approach and adopts multiple tools to provide an in-depth examination of practitioners' perceptions of themselves as professionals within their lived world experience. It presents a group of practitioners struggling to define themselves as professionals due to changing occupational nomenclature resulting from shifting government policy. Postgraduate professional development generated a perceived enhancement in professional identity through exposure to theory, policy and opportunities for reflection, thus contributing to more confident and empowered practitioners. Engagement with study facilitated development of confident, empowered practitioners with a strengthened sense of professional self. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There has been increasing research that has identified the potential development for children bilingual in two languages of different modalities, such as one spoken and one signed language. This study focused on the social and emotional development of sign bilingualism for Deaf young people using spoken English and British Sign Language. It adopted a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings show that Deaf young people value sign bilingualism for accessing both the 'Deaf World' and the 'Hearing World'. Sign language is imperative for integrating with Deaf peers, and being part of the Deaf culture, which provides a sense of belonging and identity. Participants identified mixed feelings of belonging to the hearing world through shared spoken language, but feeling isolated with a cultural divide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Research has found staff attitudes regarding the sexuality of people with intellectual disability (ID) to be negative but influenced by several factors. The current study aimed to examine whether gender of people with ID affects such attitudes. Method Semistructured interviews were completed with 10 staff members and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Results indicated 3 themes: Women are perceived as sexually innocent, men as more sexually motivated, and motivations for sexual relationships are perceived to differ between men and women with ID. Conclusion The study indicates unfavourable attitudes towards sexuality in individuals with ID that correlate with traditional, restricted gender stereotypes. The identification of these themes highlights the importance of considering gender when supporting the sexuality of people with ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to explore self-healing processes in young people, and to develop an understanding of the effects of school-based counselling (SBC), by analysing changes in young people who did not receive this intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 young people on a waiting list for SBC. Participants experienced positive improvements in several domains, with change attributed mainly to their own actions, the support received from family and friends and the effects of the research. The results suggest that young people have a natural capacity to self-heal, and that some of the changes associated with SBC may be due to this self-righting process. Supporting this natural capacity may be an important element of therapeutic work with young people. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this exploratory qualitative study, the views of a small group of mid-life, professional women who smoke were examined. Data were extracted using thematic analysis. Findings revealed a number of common, emergent themes: 'being addicted to smoking', 'weighing up health and risks', 'smoking as a pleasure and reward' and 'being anti-establishment'. A second analysis extracted three broadly different 'types' of smoker: the 'I want to give up but I'm addicted' smoker, the 'ambivalent' smoker and the 'anti-establishment' smoker. Results were discussed in relation to possible health intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 293,600 cancers diagnosed annually in the UK, 11% occur in the 15- to 49-year age group. Fertility preservation options exist for those faced with the loss of fertility as a consequence of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences, attitudes and perceptions of fertility advice and treatment among cancer survivors, and the subsequent impact upon their lives. Eighteen people aged 19–42 years with a diagnosis of cancer made more than 5 years earlier and, registered with general practices in North East England, were interviewed using a grounded approach. Survival was the universal focus of patients at the point of diagnosis and they commonly failed to appreciate the effect of treatment upon future fertility. A positive experience was linked to the quality of information about fertility preservation or action offered, but this needed to be tailored to the patients' age, stage in their life course, relationships and fears. Possible loss of future fertility only becomes important beyond survival but patients wanted their potential future fertility addressed sensitively at the time of diagnosis and backed up by access to written or web-based patient information, or a fertility specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]