Search

Objective: This article illustrates how qualitative methods can be used in the development and evaluation of behavior change interventions. Although many campaigns advise young people to drink responsibly, few clarify how to convert this general advice into specific behavioral strategies. Resilience-based approaches argue that treating young non-drinkers and moderate drinkers as "experts" in responsible alcohol use may facilitate co-creation of acceptable interventions that focus on how to change behavior., Method: Four distinct phases of intervention development were linked to past research and future developments., Results: First, analysis of correlates of alcohol use using data from a survey of 1,412 people aged 16-21 indicated that alcohol harm-reduction interventions should help young people to develop skills and strategies to resist alcohol. Second, interpretative phenomenological analysis of 25 interviews with people purposively selected from among the survey sample identified general strategies and specific tactics used by young people to manage opportunities to drink. Third, insights from the first 2 phases and past qualitative research guided development of video resources to be use in school-based alcohol education to illustrate strategies and tactics for moderate or non-use of alcohol. Fourth, 18 focus groups with students and teachers were used to evaluate the video: structured thematic analysis indicated that after revision the video would be a valuable addition to school-based alcohol education., Conclusions: Findings from the 4 phases highlight the value of using different qualitative and quantitative methods as part of a program of work designed to inform the development, refinement, and evaluation of health psychology interventions., ((c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).)

The aims of this exploratory qualitative study were to increase our understanding of heterosexual young adults knowledge and beliefs about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV, to explore their beliefs about the factors that influence condom use for STI prevention, and to explore their ideas about how best to promote condom use for STI prevention. Data came from a qualitative study that used 11 group discussions with 53 heterosexual men and women aged 18-25. Respondents thought that STI infection and unplanned pregnancy were equally likely, but were less concerned about STIs than unplanned pregnancy. Respondents gave several reasons for their low levels of concern about STIs. They also suggested several means to promote condom use for STI prevention. They supported multi-faceted condom promotion campaigns, using multiple styles of communication and a variety of media. The range of suggestions given by participants suggests that rather than employing a "one size fits all" strategy, a variety of different approaches are needed to promote condom use for STI prevention.

Objectives: Disengagement from Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services is pronounced in individuals from racially minoritized or diverse ethnic backgrounds, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning individuals, and individuals from some religious or spiritual backgrounds. The Early Youth Engagement in first episode psychosis study (EYE‐2) is a cluster randomized controlled trial that tests a new engagement intervention. The current study aimed to (i) explore perspectives of service users from diverse backgrounds in relation to spirituality, ethnicity, culture and sexuality on engagement and the EYE‐2 approach and (ii) use an evidence‐based adaptation framework to incorporate their needs and perspectives into the EYE‐2 resources and training. Methods: This qualitative study used semi‐structured interviews to explore service users' experiences and perspectives on EYE‐2 approaches and resources. The study was conducted within EIP teams across three inner‐city sites in England chosen to reflect diverse urban populations. Topic guides covered participant's identity, perceptions of EYE‐2 resources, and experience of using mental health services. Transcribed interviews underwent thematic analysis. Results: In this study, 21 service users aged 18 to 35 (M = 25.4; SD = 5.5) participated in semi‐structured interviews. Seven key themes were identified across the four domains of the cultural adaptation framework: Differing cognitions and beliefs; multiple facets of culture; language as a barrier to engagement; stigma and discrimination; adaptations to EYE‐2 resources; trust in therapeutic alliance; and individual differences in therapeutic preferences. Conclusions: The emergent themes highlighted a need to cater to various aspects of cultural diversity when developing EIP materials and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to explore (a) how people interpret responsible drinking messages on alcohol product labels, and (b) the acceptability of including health information on labels. Design: Qualitative interviews. Methods: Face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 20 people aged 21–63; 18 were classified risky drinkers using AUDIT‐C. They were shown three sets of alcohol product labels: one including three responsible drinking messages (drink responsibly), one with three positively worded health messages (drinking less reduces risks) and one with three negatively worded health messages (drinking more increases risks). Health messages included information about cancer, liver and heart disease. Results: Thematic analysis identified three themes: ambiguity about alcohol labelling; identifying oneself as responsible; and acceptability of enhanced product labelling. Participants were critical of responsible drinking messages and wary of conflicting health information in the media. They positioned themselves as responsible, knowledgeable drinkers and distanced themselves from problem drinkers. They did not appear to support the inclusion of health information on labels; however, novel information was considered more impactful. Conclusions: Responsible drinking messages were seen by our sample as an alcohol industry ploy. Although health messages about cancer were seen as potentially impactful, the ability of consumers to position themselves as unproblematic drinkers means that they may not see the information on the label as relevant to themselves. Understanding factors that increase the personal relevance of messages is needed, alongside an exploration of a wider range of methods for alcohol health communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative retrospective recall study utilised nine in-depth, semi-structured interviews with adoptive mothers involved with an online support group often used by adoptive parents facing difficulties. The aim was to explore their transition to adoptive motherhood. The study was unusual because it covered a lengthy period, from pre-adoption and the motivation to adopt to 12 months post child placement and used Reflexive Thematic Analysis to analyse the data. Findings include the mothers' sense of misaligned expectation, uncertainty, powerlessness, isolation, and emotional and physical fatigue. The most prominent findings centred on the high level of mental health issues reported by the mothers which included post-adoption depression, anxiety and trauma. New insights are discussed along with implications for future research and practice, along with the limitations of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UK government guidance for alcohol consumption is expressed in ‘units’ of alcohol. This study employed semi-structured interviews to explore university students’ knowledge of, attitudes towards, and use of unit-based guidelines. Thematic analysis revealed that participants were not motivated to adhere to unit-based guidelines and that they lacked the skills required to apply them to reduce their own drinking. Instead, interviewees used individual strategies to monitor their drinking. The results suggest that public health interventions should include provision of information, efforts to motivate young people to change their behaviour and strategies to develop skills for managing alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In the UK, people tend to have poor knowledge of government guidelines for alcohol use, and lack the motivation and skills required to use them to monitor their drinking. The study aim was to determine whether using glasses marked with such guidelines would improve knowledge and attitudes, increase frequency of counting units and lower alcohol intake. Methods: A total of 450 adults in the UK participated in an intervention vs control study with 1-month follow-up. The intervention group was encouraged to use glasses supplied by the researchers that indicated the unit content of drinks of different strengths and volumes, and stated the intake guidelines. Data were collected online. A further more in-depth interview with 13 intervention group participants enquired into their experiences of using the glasses. Results: Analyses adjusted for baseline variables showed that the intervention improved the following: knowledge of unit-based guidelines, ability to estimate the unit content of drinks, attitudes toward the guidelines and frequency of counting unit intake. However, there was no significant difference in alcohol consumption between the groups at follow-up. Interviews suggested that the glasses encouraged people to think about their drinking and to discuss alcohol with other people. The design of the glasses was not appealing to all, and their initial impact did not always persist. Conclusion: Use of unit-marked glasses led to changes in people’s reported use of unit-based guidelines to monitor their drinking but, in the short term, no change in consumption. Qualitative data suggested that the glasses could have an impact at the individual level (on knowledge and attitudes) and at a broader level (by prompting discussion of alcohol use). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To ascertain the perceptions of women from deprived communities on national tobacco control measures in England. Methods: A qualitative study of 11 women, smokers and ex-smokers, from disadvantaged areas, who had used the National Health Service (NHS) Stop Smoking Service. Data were collected through a focus group and semi-structured interviews, and subjected to thematic analysis. Results: The ban on smoking in confined public places was perceived as an effective measure for tobacco control. Methods to restrict accessibility – including removing point-of-sale displays, raising the price, and preventing sales in certain places – were perceived as effective techniques to deter smoking initiation and prevent triggering temptation to smoke for someone motivated to quit, but not helpful to change attitudes or behaviors among current smokers. Women felt desensitized to health warnings used on tobacco products. Public health campaigns with gain-framed messages were more likely to engage smokers to want to quit. Of the loss-framed messages, participants felt that focusing on personal appearance and children was effective. Conclusions: Strategies that are tailored to attitudes and beliefs among women smokers should consider gain-framed messages and messages that focused on the effects to appearance and children to promote cessation and prevent relapse. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The psychosocial impact of infertility is affected by cultural factors. In this cross-cultural qualitative study we explored the experience of infertility among six women living in Pakistan and eight living in the UK. Although infertile women in the UK and Pakistan had many shared experiences related to their own desires for motherhood and the hopes of others, they also faced unique psychosocial challenges shaped by cultural context. Based on our findings, we suggest a need for further resources and networks to support women, particularly women living in cultures that allow women few fulfilling social roles other than motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diagnoses and symptoms of postnatal mental health problems are associated with adverse outcomes for women and their families. Current classification and assessment of postnatal mental health problems may not adequately address the range or combination of emotional distress experienced by mothers. This study aims to explore symptoms of mental health problems reported by new mothers and their experiences of being assessed for these.Methods: In-depth interviews with 17 women in southeast England with a baby under 1-year old who experienced a postnatal mental health problem. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results: Women described a lack of identification with the concept of postnatal depression and felt that other forms of emotional distress were not recognized by the healthcare system. Women felt that support seeking for postnatal mental health problems needed to be normalized and that support should be available whether or not women were diagnosed. Assessment needs to be well timed and caringly implemented.Discussion: Identification and recognition of symptoms and disorders other than postnatal depression need to be improved. Awareness of multiple types of distress needs to be raised both for women experiencing such distress, and for healthcare professionals, to enable them to support women at this time. Different approaches to assessment that include the range of symptoms reported should be piloted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the impact of role-emerging placements on the professional practice and identity of occupational therapy graduates. The study uses an interpretative phenomenological analysis while in-depth interviews were carried out with five occupational therapy graduates. The study concludes that role-emerging placements served as a catalyst for personal and professional development of the participants.

Efforts to discourage excessive alcohol use among young people can only be effective if the target audience is exposed to, attends to, and comprehends key messages. The aim of this study was to examine age and sex differences in drinking motives to better inform development of targeted interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm. Thirty individual interviews and 12 group interviews were conducted with English 13–25 year olds. Interviewees gave multiple motivations for drinking – especially those related to image and reputation, and played down the health implications of heavy drinking. Negative aspects of drinking – caring for drunk friends, being cared for when drunk and suffering through hangovers with friends – were considered to offer opportunities for closer interpersonal bonding than other social activities. Respondents distanced themselves from ‘problem’ drinkers, but disapproved of others’ problematic drinking or antisocial behaviour. Narrative messages demonstrating the social consequences of excessive consumption were preferred to single, static messages emphasising risk or harm. Interviewees noted that interventions must use an engaging tone or pitch: they considered many campaigns to be patronising or preaching. A lack of consensus between age and sex groups highlighted a need for multifaceted, multi-modal approaches that utilise mobile technologies and new media. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study adopted a discursive approach to explore how not drinking alcohol (non-drinking) is construed in relation to masculine identity among 12 undergraduate interviewees. Three prominent discourses were revealed. First, non-drinking was constructed as something strange requiring explanation. Second, contradictory discourses constructed non-drinking as, simultaneously, unsociable yet reflective of greater sociability. Third, non-drinking was constructed as something which has greater negative social consequences for men than for women. Opportunities for challenging traditional gender role expectations are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is an approach to qualitative research that is now well-established in British psychology. This approach is concerned with understanding people's experiences of the world and of themselves. The aims of IPA studies have been met most frequently through the use of one-on-one interviews. Relatively few studies have used focus group discussions as the basis for IPA studies, but focus groups may provide rich experiential data. In this article, we describe a process for integrating focus group data into an IPA study. We developed this during a study of the experiences of carers of people with mental health problems. Here we outline the various steps of our analytic process and discuss how these might be employed and adapted by other researchers wishing to apply IPA's concern with personal experience to the analysis of focus group data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite a decline in the number of new HIV infections in the UK overall, the number and proportion of new HIV diagnoses in people aged ≥50 years continues to increase. People aged ≥50 years are disproportionately affected by late diagnosis, which is associated with poorer health outcomes, increased treatment complexity and increased healthcare costs. Late HIV diagnosis also has significant public health implications in terms of onward HIV transmission. It is not fully understood what factors affect the decision of an older person to test for HIV. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with testing for HIV in people aged ≥50 years who tested late for HIV.Methods: We interviewed 20 people aged ≥50 years diagnosed late with HIV to identify factors associated with HIV testing. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.Results: Seven themes associated with HIV testing in people aged ≥50 years were identified: experience of early HIV/AIDS campaigns, HIV knowledge, presence of symptoms and symptom attribution, risk and risk perception, generational approaches to health and sexual health, stigma, and type of testing and testing venue.Conclusion: Some factors associated with testing identified in this study were unique to older individuals. People aged ≥50 years often do not perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV. Further, stigma and a lack of knowledge of how to access HIV testing suggest a need for health promotion and suggest current sexual health services may need to adapt to better meet their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]