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A multi-scale simulation framework for ion–solid interactions in plasma-exposed materials provides crucial insight into advancing fusion energy and space electric propulsion. Leveraging binary-collision approximation (BCA) simulations, the framework uniquely predicts sputter yields and analyzes material transport within volumetrically complex materials. This approach, grounded in the validated BCA code TRI3DYN, addresses key limitations in existing models by accurately capturing ion–solid interaction physics. A case study is presented, highlighting the framework's ability to replicate experimental sputter yield results, underscoring its reliability and potential for designing durable materials in harsh plasma environments. Insights into sputtering transport phenomenology mark a significant advancement in material optimization for improved resilience in plasma-facing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher librarians (TLs) play a central role in developing students' information literacy capabilities, which are vital for effective participation in formal education and active engagement in society. This research enhances insights into information literacy instruction in Australian secondary schools, by investigating the perceptions of practicing TLs regarding the information literacy needs of teachers and students. This article presents the groundwork for this investigation, employing a phenomenological approach and discussing findings from an initial survey. The study will inform TL education and improve current information literacy education practices, addressing the demand for nurturing 21st century skills embedded in the Australian Curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies indicate that the reaction wave can propagate from the impact surface, but the possibility and the influencing factors of the reaction wave formation are still unclear. This work investigates the propagation behavior of the shock-induced reaction wave for Ni/Al clad particle composites with varying stoichiometry (from 0.5 to 0.75 of the Ni mole fraction) through molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the solid-state reaction processes with or without wave propagation strongly depend on the conjunction of stoichiometry and shock intensity. Within the cases of wave propagation, the calculated propagation velocity (in the range of 135–170 m/s) increases linearly or exponentially with the Ni mole fraction. Furthermore, the thermodynamic criteria for the reaction wave formation, including Al melting at the collision surface and higher temperature gradient, are established by analysis of the shock-induced high-entropy layer. In addition, microstructural characterization reveals the intrinsic mechanisms of the propagation of the reaction wave and the formation of additional reaction wave, namely, the dissolution of Ni into Al and the coalescence of reaction zones. Apart from the propagation behavior, the initial stoichiometry influences the crystallization–dissolution of B2–NiAl during reaction processes, notably through an exponential growth relationship between maximum crystallinity and the Ni mole fraction. These findings may provide a physical basis for improving traditional reaction rate models to break through phenomenological understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nautical environment has been challenging for women. However, interviewing experienced female sailors, we noticed that despite the adversity they face, they consider the experience of sailing as something profoundly impactful and powerful in their lives. This research discusses the power of the aesthetic experience of sailing for women, thus adding to the gender discussion. In order to do so, we make use of a theoretical framework that addresses the relationship between being and the materiality of the world. In describing these aesthetic experiences lived in the body, Bachelard’s phenomenology of the image stands out. By productive imagination and poetic images found in the field research and characterized as powerful by the sailors, the social construction of gender and the images between adventure and delicacy appears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) gel is a unique biomimetic system that undergoes autonomous volume oscillations induced by the redox oscillation of the BZ reaction. In a previous study, researchers reported that the oscillations of two BZ gels coupled by compression were synchronized by a mechanical interaction. They mathematically explained the synchronization behavior using a phase oscillator model. As a different approach to the previous study, a physicochemical investigation of the phenomenon will lead to a better understanding of the functional biological rhythms essential for life. In this study, we construct a simple phenomenological model to understand the synchronization of BZ gels. The model consists of two parts. One is the dynamics of the chemical reactions in the BZ gels. We use a phenomenological model based on the Oregonator for the BZ reaction. The other is the dynamics of the mechanical deformation of the BZ gel. Using approximations, we extract the parameters essential for the synchronization of a mechanical interaction. Thus, we can derive a novel equation for the deformation dynamics of mechanically coupled BZ gels. By combining these two parts, we perform numerical calculations. This allows us to find that the synchronization of the two BZ gels is less likely to occur under stronger compression. We explain this trend through one physicochemical parameter in our model: the volume fraction of the BZ gel in the reduced state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Phenomenology and Pedagogy in Physical Education" by Oyvind Standal is a book that addresses the lack of studies on phenomenology and pedagogy in the context of physical education in schools. The book consists of 10 chapters that cover topics such as the role of practical knowledge in physical education, the teacher's role in the skills model, and the ethical dimensions of physical education. Standal argues that phenomenology can contribute to physical education by promoting critical movement literacy and accommodating marginalized groups. The book is intended for sports and education academics and provides a new perspective on understanding physical education. However, the discussion could benefit from more real-life examples. [Extracted from the article]

In response to recent calls for promoting the contextual intelligence of sport psychology practitioners, the aim of the current study was to obtain the first-person competitive experiences of kendo fighters (i.e., kenshi). Existential phenomenological interviews were conducted with eight competitive Japanese-American kenshi residing in the United States. The findings of thematic analysis indicated that the participants possessed a strong commitment to earning ippon (i.e., a valid point), which was achieved by a subjective synchronization of mind, sword, and body in the execution of a strike against an opponent. They considered this to be a transformative experience, which elevated them perceptually out of the sporting context to a momentary sense of "cutting" the opponent with a real sword. The current findings also offer sport psychology consultants possible context-specific insights (e.g., importance of seme) and strategies (e.g., management of attentional focus, self-regulation techniques) for assisting kenshi in preparing for competitive situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an absence in the literature on sports of a conceptualization of what in French are labeled sports de glisse: sports that imply gliding on water, through air, and on snow and ice, such as surfing, paragliding, skiing, and skating. Inspired by Ingold's (1993) concept of the taskscape, we introduce the idea of the glidescape: a perceptual field in which gliding sports practitioners inhabit, create, and transform their environment while at the same time being recreated and transformed themselves. Using an applied phenomenological approach, we describe the main experiential qualities and structure of the glidescape. In the quest for extended phases of effortless movement, gliders engage in a clearly accentuated rhythm with sharp contrasts between forceful effort and smooth effortlessness based on a fine-tuned proprioceptive sense for material and ecological resonance, which opens fleeting and emplaced moments of freedom and authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with autism engage in active play in different ways than children who are neurotypical, but their active play behaviors are not well understood. Research with twins and triplets with autism offers a unique opportunity to gain a clear picture of the play behaviors of children with autism because twins and triplets share many similarities (age, access to toys, etc.). Through semistructured interviews, this descriptive phenomenological study aimed to describe the active play behaviors of 19 twins and triplets with autism from the perspective of their parents (N = 9). The interviews revealed two main themes: (a) parents' descriptions of active play and (b) parents' descriptions of social play. The results reveal the diverse active and social play behaviors of twins and triplets with autism; parents described their children's play behavior when engaging in sensory, indoor, outdoor, and organized play. These results suggest that children with autism may be meeting the definition of active play in nontraditional ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dense or glassy active matter, as a result of its remarkable resemblance to passive glass-forming materials, is enjoying increasing scientific interest. To better grasp the subtle effect of active motion on the process of vitrification, a number of active mode-coupling theories (MCTs) have recently been developed. These have proven capable of qualitatively predicting important parts of the active glassy phenomenology. However, most efforts so far have only considered single-component materials, and their derivations are arguably more complex than the standard MCT case, which might hinder broader usage. Here we present a detailed derivation of a distinct active MCT for mixtures of athermal self-propelled particles that is more transparent than previously introduced versions. The key insight is that we can follow a similar strategy for our overdamped active system as is typically used for passive underdamped MCT. Interestingly, when only considering one particle species, our theory gives the exact same result as the one obtained in previous work, which employed a highly different mode-coupling strategy. Moreover, we assess the quality of the theory and its novel extension to multi-component materials by using it to predict the dynamics of a Kob–Andersen mixture of athermal active Brownian quasi-hard spheres. We demonstrate that our theory is able to capture all qualitative features, most notably the location of the optimum of the dynamics when the persistence length and cage length coincide, for each combination of particle types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this analysis, I employ Husserl's three-part description of intentionality to show how a player/play act/play object model for consciousness helps us see play more clearly. I review Suits' logic-based attempts to amend Huizinga's overly inclusive characterization of play. However, I do so on what I see as stronger phenomenological grounds by describing four kinds of experience embedded in Suits' work-play dichotomy. I analyze two species of play-fortified work – namely, work that requires intrinsic enhancement and work that does not. I also describe two species of play – namely, play that is compromised and play that is unfettered. I conclude by summarizing advantages of phenomenological analyses and underlining the important distinctions this philosophic method uncovers within traditional work and play categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having an affirming and inclusive school environment is pertinent to the well-being of LGBTQ+ students of color. However, research indicates that existing school policies and protections are insufficient to support this population. The present study investigates how LGBTQ+ individuals of color perceived their K–12 experiences related to their intersectional identity and their interactions with school counselors. In a focus group of three LGBTQ+ college students of color, participants recounted how they navigated their identities during their K–12 schooling. The analysis yielded five themes related to the participants' identities: (a) isolation, (b) delayed identity development, (c) peer pressure and aggression, (d) teachers' bias and (micro)aggressions, and (e) heteronormative curriculum and extracurricular activities. Regarding the students' experiences with school counselors, three themes emerged: (a) school counselors were too busy to talk, (b) uncertainty about who was an ally, and (c) unsureness of confidentiality. Findings underscored the unique challenges LGBTQ+ students of color encounter related to receiving support and engaging in identity development. We discuss implications and recommendations for school counselors and school systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychodynamic therapy is commonly used to treat patients with eating disorders. Patients with a diagnosed eating disorder have varying and complex treatment needs. Psychodynamic therapists transitioning their practices to telehealth during COVID-19 experienced the novelty of developing and sustaining a therapeutic connection with their patients without inhabiting a shared physical space. The aim of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain insight into how psychodynamic therapists treating patients with eating disorders via telehealth during COVID-19 perceived their patients' experiences and personally experienced the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic processes. Twelve respondents met inclusion criteria, consented to participate, provided demographic data, and participated in a 30–45 minute semi-structured interview. Results from the data analysis included four emergent themes: (1) depth of content; (2) manifestations of patient distress; (3) therapist-patient relationship; and (4) implementation of techniques. Participants spoke about the challenges and resilience experienced by themselves and their patients. They highlighted having to rapidly transition their therapy practice to serve patients with exacerbated symptoms. They shared the complexities of navigating a global pandemic and considered the delivery of relational and dynamic therapy via telehealth. Practical implications and considerations for future research are offered with an emphasis on the treatment of patients with eating disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to discern, clarify, criticise, and advocate some uses of phenomenology in sociological research. Phenomenology is increasingly evoked or implicitly employed in sociological endeavours. Little attention, however, is paid to what is entailed in taking a phenomenological approach, and whether it is employed to advance empirical or theoretical knowledge. I build an analytic typology of different empirical and theoretical uses of phenomenology, criticise a range of these uses, and argue that other uses bear significant potential for the advancement of theoretical and empirical knowledge. The paper's main contribution lies in comparing and contrasting the many invocations of phenomenology in contemporary social scientific research to discern their benefits and shortcomings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal intervention for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) is seen as a priority within early intervention psychosis services. This is the first study to explore the experience of first-episode psychotic mania and its aftermath for people diagnosed with BD, and the potential implications for treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 young adults following first-episode psychotic mania and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Two overarching themes were identified: (i) "Changing states of self during first episode"; (ii) "Struggling with loss of self during episode aftermath". Participants experienced exceptional, persecutory and angry states during psychotic mania, leading to identity disruption and low feelings or depression post-episode. Some mourned the loss of their exceptional manic self, and attempted to relapse into mania, while others struggled with the loss of who they had been prior to their episode. Results emphasise the importance of understanding identity change during first-episode psychotic mania and how that might be used to address identity disruption and low feelings during recovery. This process is likely to be pertinent to early intervention and prevention of manic relapse following first-episode BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the relationship between children and dogs through their cohabitation, highlighting the ways children experience, interpret, and give meaning to the role of the dog in their everyday lives. Thirteen children (6 females, 7 males) aged 7–12 years from Thessaloniki, Greece, who had been living with a dog for at least the past three years, participated in the study. From September 2018 to June 2019, we conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with each child and also used supplementary means of data collection, such as photographs, drawings, videos, and diaries. The interviews were recorded and subsequently transcribed. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis was applied to illustrate the participants' reflections on their experiences of living with a dog. From the analysis, the three most common themes identified were that dogs: (a) facilitate routines and habits, (b) contribute to family dynamics, and (c) provide emotional support in daily life. The study findings give insight into dog–child relationships, as well as evidence regarding children's lived experiences through the fundamental supportive role of the dog as a transitional object. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the advent of the internet, researchers have been interested in the intersubjective possibilities and constraints that digital environments offer users. Some argue that seemingly disembodied digitally-mediated interactions are severely limited when compared to their embodied face-to-face counterparts; others are more optimistic about the possibilities that such technologies afford. Yet, both camps tend towards offering static accounts of online intersubjectivity. What we think these approaches fail to take into account is how users' intersubjective capabilities on digital platforms can evolve and change over time. Developmental psychology emphasises that intersubjective capabilities build upon and are interrelated to one another, and more sophisticated styles of intersubjectivity only emerge once earlier stages are in place. This is suggestive for analysing intersubjectivity online as it provides a framework for thinking about how an individual's intersubjective capabilities might develop. We argue that in some cases this can happen through gradual adjustments of our basic intersubjective capabilities to digital spaces, especially those that strive to mimic established forms of offline interaction (e.g. Zoom). In other cases, this can involve more substantial processes of learning to walk and talk again online. Consequently, determining the possibilities and limits of online intersubjectivity is, at least in part, relative to a user's skill, history, and familiarity with the technology in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provision of information and advice from a physiotherapist is often assumed to be translated into action by a patient with low back pain (LBP). However, this assumption is questionable. The aim of this study is to explore physiotherapy students' individual experiences with managing persistent low back pain. This is a qualitative interview study using individual semi-structured interviews based on a phenomenological approach to explore physiotherapy students' management of their own low back pain. Participants had to have non-specific low back pain for more than three months. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic text analysis. Ten participants with a median age of 25 years were included. The analysis revealed three themes important for the participants' management of their own persistent LBP: impact on everyday life, knowledge about LBP and ability to self-manage. Self-managing persistent low back pain can still be a challenge even when possessing professional knowledge about pain. This indicates that only providing patients with information and advice does not lead to the expected behaviours, but that healthcare professionals need to listen to their patients and tailor advice and strategies to meet physical, psychological and social challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the parenting experiences of autistic mothers, yet there is reason to believe that autistic mothers of non-autistic daughters have a unique set of experiences, especially during their daughters' adolescence. Seven autistic mothers of adolescent (n = 5) and adult (n = 2) non-autistic daughters were interviewed about their experiences of raising their daughters during adolescence. Data were analyzed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach and four superordinate themes were identified: (1) Closeness in relationships (expressed affection, safety and support, understanding mothers' autism), (2) Parenting strengths (problem-solving skills, positive strategies for managing conflict), (3) Identifying own social challenges (understanding social dynamics, friendships and social groups), and (4) Building daughters' social skills (concern about daughters' social development, creating opportunities for positive social interactions). This research highlights the strengths of autistic mothers and the loving relationships they have with their daughters. Mothers in this study also revealed specific challenges, such as interacting with other parents who often ignored or excluded them. This study, therefore, emphasizes the need for greater societal awareness, understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of the autistic community. Little is known about the parenting experiences of autistic mothers, especially those who have daughters who are not on the autism spectrum. In this study, we interviewed seven autistic mothers who have raised or are currently raising non-autistic teenage daughters. Mothers were asked to describe what parenting was/is like during their daughters' teenage years. We analyzed the transcripts of the interviews and found several common themes. Mothers described their relationships with their daughters to be loving, safe, and empathetic. Mothers described several strengths when it came to parenting, such as helping their daughters solve problems and using positive strategies to handle conflict with their daughters. Mothers also described challenges they faced when interacting with other non-autistic people and when trying to form relationships with them. Mothers tried to build their daughters' social skills so that they would not experience the same challenges. This study shows that autistic mothers have close, loving relationships with their non-autistic teenage daughters but have trouble forming relationships with other non-autistic people. It is, therefore, important that non-autistic parents are more understanding and welcoming of autistic mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent symptoms experienced by adults following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can significantly impact their daily activities. It is often difficult for them to access specialized rehabilitation services. The aim of this study is to explore this population's experience surrounding access to specialized rehabilitation services, including waiting time. This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach and was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Twelve adults with mTBI who had received specialized interdisciplinary rehabilitation services were recruited. The interviews focused on participants' recollection of their patient journey after injury, their perception of waiting, barriers and facilitators to access, and the impacts of these experiences on their condition. Participants reported experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, worry, sadness, and discouragement before accessing specialized services. They all agreed that they did not receive clear information about their recovery process or the health services available to them, which exacerbated their mental health symptoms. The findings show that participants experienced uncertainty because they lacked information regarding recovery and access to health services after their injury. Education about symptoms and recovery, as well as emotional support for people with mTBI should be made available during the waiting period. Adults with persistent post-mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) symptoms experienced many challenges in accessing health services such as long wait times, which they perceived as impacting their recovery. According to those concerned, more support from qualified health professionals is needed in the first weeks or months following the injury. Participants unanimously support free and timely access to specialized mTBI rehabilitation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a dearth of psychological interventions for self-harm that have been tested and found acceptable by youth in low- and middle income countries. ĀTMAN (Sanskrit word meaning "self" or "self-existent essence") is one such contextually adapted psychological intervention developed in India. It has three key elements; problem-solving, emotion regulation, and social network strengthening skills. We delivered ATMAN in a series of young people who self-harm to optimize the content, structure and delivery mechanisms, and to assess their experiences of therapy and engagement. ATMAN was delivered sequentially by a psychiatrist and non-specialist counselor in 16 participants between 14 to 24 years who presented to a tertiary level public hospital in Mumbai with self-harm. Quantitative measurement tools included Beck's Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSI), the Patient Health Questionnaire −9 (PHQ-9), Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation, and session feedback form. Qualitative tools included PSYCHLOPS and exit interviews. Eight female and four male participants completed therapy with a mean of five sessions and an average duration of 50 min. There were no differences in module wise feedback ratings of the psychiatrist and counselor. There were significant differences in the pre- and post-therapy scores on BSI (mean difference (confidence interval)) (−16.8 (−20.2, −13.3)) and PHQ-9 (−10.8 (−14.5, −7.04)). Various content modifications were undertaken during this phase. ATMAN was acceptable to youth in India who self-harm. Modifications introduced during pilot trial phase make ATMAN better suited to the needs of the youth. ATMAN has the potential to be delivered by non- specialist counselors and to be integrated at all levels of health care settings including primary health care to reduce the burden of suicide in young people. However, an extended randomized controlled trial of ATMAN treatment with multiple counselors will help in identifying key competencies that should be developed during training and supervision, and various quality assurance measures that can be undertaken for effective implementation of ATMAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinician who adopts a psychoanalytic approach in a psychiatric context often regards the encounter between two individuals as an interplay of subjectivities, whose mode of being-in-the-world is shaped by their unique historical experiences. Despite some psychoanalytic authors exploring the concept of "contact", it has often been reduced to its similarity with transference and countertransference, with little attention given to its distinctive qualities. This limits psychoanalysis in its ability to conceptualize an unmediated, preverbal encounter between two individuals. In this article, we argue that the dimension of "contact" cannot be equated with transference, and that it constitutes a vital tool for diagnosing and guiding therapy for various clinical conditions commonly encountered in psychiatry. This article is based on theoretical considerations. We first worked on the history of the concept of contact, then of Praecox Gefühl in the works of H.C. Rümke, to which we added the findings of current studies on the relevance of Praecox Gefühl in the diagnosis of schizophrenia and the study of the works of the great phenomenological psychiatrists. In so doing, we aimed to show that contact could be a tool of great use for psychiatric diagnosis, insofar that it allows for a typification of the forms of existence of different patients. H.C. Rümke's investigation of the concept of Praecox Gefühl highlights the unique mode of contact observed in schizophrenia. It is distinct from the feeling of strangeness and involves an intuitive observation of a perceived distance within the clinical relationship. Given that many psychiatric pathologies can cause patients to withdraw from the shared world, we suggest that the notion of Praecox Gefühl , beyond its original designation of the clinician's experience of schizophrenic dissociation and the particularities of the schizophrenic mode of being-in-the-world, may be applicable to other pathologies studied in psychiatric phenomenology. We propose four main forms of contact: the loss of vitality in schizophrenia, the untraceable authenticity of the hysteric, the impossible fluidity in the melancholic, and the failure of anchorage in mania. By approaching contact as a fractal form that reveals the entire mode of the subject's being-in-the-world, this typifying approach goes beyond a purely semiological or etiological reflection and can be diagnostically useful in guiding therapeutic efforts to enhance the subject's capacity to truly engage with others. Our paper focuses on the relationship between contact and what clinicians commonly refer to as an "encounter." It is important to recognize that contact is not always equivalent to an encounter, and that assuming otherwise risks overlooking the possibility that certain relational modalities could actively prevent such an encounter from taking place. These "anti-contact" modalities, exemplified by the Praecox Gefühl , necessitate a focus on the very possibility of being in a therapeutic relationship with the clinician. Therefore, we suggest that clinicians should work to establish the possibility of being in a relation with the patient, prior to attempting to create an encounter. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of the ways in which patients can either facilitate or hinder the development of an encounter, and highlights the importance of working on establishing the possibility of a real encounter and being-with the clinician. This paper has sought to challenge the prevailing assumption among psychoanalytically oriented clinicians that contact is merely a sub-dimension of the transferential dynamic. Instead, we have argued that contact warrants specific attention as a tool for both diagnosis and therapy in psychiatry. By examining the example of the Praecox Gefülh , we have proposed a typifying approach that could be applied to the most common clinical entities encountered in psychiatry, based on the clinician's perception of specific modalities of contact within the therapeutic consultation. This reflection on contact and anti-contact is a necessary and contemporary contribution to the psychiatric field, which is increasingly embracing a dimensional approach to psychological pathologies. By prioritizing the dimension of contact, we can deepen our understanding of the nuances of the therapeutic relationship and can enhance our ability to help patients overcome barriers to connection and encounter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In continuum bone remodelling, bone is considered as continuous matter on the macroscale. Motivated by i) the underlying trabecular microstructure of bone resulting in size-dependence and ii) the non-local characteristics of osteocyte mechanosensing, a novel phenomenological approach based on a micromorphic formulation is proposed. Via illustrative benchmark examples, i.e. elementary unit cube, rod-shaped bone samples, and a 3D-femur sample, the novel approach is compared to the established local formulation, and the influence of the characteristic size of the microcontinuum and the coupling between macro- and microscale deformation is analysed. Taken together, the interaction between continuum points at the macroscale and their neighbourhood is effectively captured by the micromorphic formulation thus influencing the resulting distribution of nominal bone density at the macroscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Determining patients' perceptions of multiple sclerosis, a disease with varying symptoms and prognosis for each individual, can significantly contribute to directing care and treatment. Metaphors may be an opportunity to determine perceptions of this unique illness experience. The aim of this study was to reveal the perceptions of patients with multiple sclerosis about "multiple sclerosis" through metaphors. Methods: This study was conducted with metaphor analysis technique based on phenomenological method. The sample included 184 patients with multiple sclerosis. Data was collected face‐to‐face between July 2022 and January 2023. Each participant was interviewed individually and was asked to fill in the blanks in the sentence, "multiple sclerosis is like... because...". Content analysis was performed for metaphors. Results: The study revealed five main themes and twelve subthemes that provided insight into the participants' multiple sclerosis perceptions. The themes address (i) Manipulator multiple sclerosis; ambiguous multiple sclerosis, attritive multiple sclerosis, controller multiple sclerosis, demander multiple sclerosis, and conditional multiple sclerosis (ii) Temporal multiple sclerosis; cyclical multiple sclerosis and perpetual multiple sclerosis (iii) Follower multiple sclerosis; unaccepted multiple sclerosis, partner multiple sclerosis and ambusher multiple sclerosis (iv) Different multiple sclerosis; bittersweet multiple sclerosis and unique multiple sclerosis (v) Restorative multiple sclerosis. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that patients with multiple sclerosis mostly had negative perceptions regarding their relationship with multiple sclerosis. The results place a responsibility on healthcare professionals to improve how patients adapt to multiple sclerosis. This study's results can bridge theoretical knowledge and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Body image undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, marking a pivotal phase in a woman's life. Aim and Objective: This study aimed to explore the body image perceptions of primiparous pregnant women during their third trimester. Methods: Employing a qualitative research approach grounded in phenomenology, the study involved interviews to explore the experiences of primiparous pregnant women in their third trimester. The interviews were conducted via an online platform, with a sample group of 13 participants chosen through purposive sampling. Data analysis followed a content analysis approach, with the information being transferred to MAXQDA Analytics Pro Qualitative Data Analysis Programme for coding. The study adhered to the reporting guidelines outlined in the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist. Results: Systematic analysis of the interview transcripts led to the identification of three main themes under the overarching framework of body image experiences among primiparous pregnant women during the third trimester: Physical Changes, Mental Changes, and Behavioural and Social Changes. Among the identified themes, pregnant women demonstrated a relatively lower level of discourse regarding Physical Changes, in contrast to a significant emphasis on Mental Changes. Within the latter theme, pregnant women exhibited significant dissatisfaction with their pregnancy experiences significantly. Conclusion: It was determined that pregnant women experience physical and psychological changes related to body image during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early descriptions of clinical reasoning have described a dual process model that relies on analytical or nonanalytical approaches to develop a working diagnosis. In this classic research, clinical reasoning is portrayed as an individual‐driven cognitive process based on gathering information from the patient encounter, forming mental representations that rely on previous experience and engaging developed patterns to drive working diagnoses and management plans. Indeed, approaches to patient safety, as well as teaching and assessing clinical reasoning focus on the individual clinician, often ignoring the complexity of the system surrounding the diagnostic process. More recent theories and evidence portray clinical reasoning as a dynamic collection of processes that takes place among and between persons across clinical settings. Yet, clinical reasoning, taken as both an individual and a system process, is insufficiently supported by theories of cognition based on individual clinicals and lacks the specificity needed to describe the phenomenology of clinical reasoning. In this review, we reinforce that the modern healthcare ecosystem – with its people, processes and technology – is the context in which health care encounters and clinical reasoning take place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the role of social resilience in providing community-based healthcare to older adults in Northeast Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 20 community-dwelling older adults in Maha Sarakham province, Thailand, and semi-structured interviews were conducted from 2020 to 2021. Interview transcripts were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach with multiple coders to triangulate findings. The results of the IPA show that, during the pandemic, social resilience was related to social distancing, social isolation, social control, social safety, and social support. The respondents identified that providing community-based healthcare during the pandemic was associated with primary care, rehabilitative care, healthcare delivery, health behaviors, and distress intolerance. These findings highlight that social reciprocity, preventative healthcare, residential care, and good healthcare practices are important aspects of resilience among community-dwelling older adults in times of pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the issue of historical knowledge in relation to material evidence. More specifically, it asks, What objects capture the historian's attention and what knowledge is gained from those objects? What does the historian's gaze select as "things of history" and thus as removed from a world of object assemblages and fluid matter? Is it the case that only artifacts deliberately produced or modified by humans (regardless of the purpose) count as "things of history"? Or do physical entities produced by unintended human and nonhuman factors also display temporal endurance or alteration occurring over time and resonate with humans? Are "things of history" only entities endowed with shape, or do formless materials qualify too? In this article, I outline a theory of intentionality in relation to material items for two main reasons. First, it allows for a "critique of material evidence," which is still missing in the historical discipline. Second, it enables us to address any remaining epistemological, ethical, or political issues, biases, or contradictions associated with the multifaceted research on material culture that affect the way we do history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current research in outdoor adventure education advocates for deeper attention to place and the role that place and the more-than-human world play in pedagogical processes. However, historical and socio-cultural analysis of the roots of OAE reveals an educational approach that encourages adversarial human–nature relations toward the pursuit of anthropocentric outcomes. The use of sublime environments towards these ends does not naturally align with the more recent attempts to foster environmental behaviors through OAE. Purpose: This research addresses the ambiguity between "place" and "pedagogy" to suggest a reimagined role of the sublime that fosters more empathetic human–nature relations. Methodology/Approach: This research utilizes philosophical phenomenology and postqualitative analysis to develop an argument for engaging with sublime environments in ways that cultivate empathetic human–nature relations. Findings/Conclusions: I argue for an awareness of the material aspect of sublime experiences that precedes construction and can inspire empathetic and reciprocal human–nature relations. Implications: Reimagining the sublime as a material phenomenon that is relational and promotes virtues of humility, respect, and care for the more-than-human world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: A key perspective in examining dignity, which is important for older adults, is spirituality. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the components of spirituality in older adults through interviews based on dignity therapy (DT). Methodological Design and Justification: Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenology was applied to understand experiences rooted in the life world of older adults from their own perspective. Ethical Issues and Approval: This study was approved by the ethical review committee of the author's university. All participants provided consent to participate. Research Methods: Semi‐structured interviews based on DT were conducted with 11 community‐dwelling adults aged 65 years or older who were using some form of medical or social services. The interviews were transcribed, and the text was analysed based on Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Results: Four themes were identified as components of spirituality in older adults: trauma, being silent about hard experiences, forming connections and taking on challenges and discovering one's own spirit. The participants felt a sense of helplessness and frustration as they dealt with traumatic events. Feelings of shame, guilt and/or resignation prevented them from talking about the distress they were experiencing, but they were able to move forward after receiving emotional support and having opportunities to share with others. These processes led to the discovery of a new self. Study Limitations: This study assessed the experiences of older adults in Japan and may therefore have been influenced by the social background and culture of Japan. Future research should target older adults from a variety of social backgrounds as well as those with specific health conditions. Conclusion: The findings suggest the importance of creating opportunities for healthcare professionals as well as family, friends and community members to help older adults reflect on their lives and talk about their accomplishments and unresolved issues. Doing so should help older adults maintain their dignity while remaining aware of their mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In 2020, amid limited COVID‐19 vaccination access, many nurses from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in the United States of America and United Kingdom succumbed to the virus. No fatalities among Filipino foreign‐born nurses (FBNs) in the BAME groups were recorded in the Nordic region. This study explored the experiences of Filipino FBNs in the Nordic region who, during the initial 2020 pandemic wave, cared for COVID‐19 patients, contracted the virus and subsequently recovered. Methods: The research employed a descriptive phenomenological methodology to explore the experiences of six Filipino FBNs who had recovered from COVID‐19 in various regions of the Nordic countries, including Finland (n = 1), Sweden (n = 1), Denmark (n = 2), Norway (n = 1) and Iceland (n = 1). Data collection occurred through online videoconferencing between September 2020 and February 2021, utilising a semi‐structured approach. The data analysis was conducted following Sundler and colleagues' qualitative thematic analysis, which is grounded in descriptive phenomenology. Results: The data analysis yielded three primary themes and twelve sub‐themes, which explored the experiences of Filipino FBNs with COVID‐19 infection. The study demonstrated that unclear national guidelines impacted nurses' preparedness in caring for COVID‐19 patients, contributing to their susceptibility to contracting the virus. The lack of occupational healthcare services for nurses during and after the pandemic affected their work morale in an unfamiliar setting. Conclusion: The study provided valuable insights into the experiences of Filipino FBNs during the COVID‐19 pandemic, emphasising the need for clearer guidelines, enhanced training and improved support for healthcare workers. It highlighted the psychological impact of COVID‐19, emphasising the importance of mental health support and stigma reduction efforts. The study also emphasised the significance of improving occupational health services to support the well‐being and recovery of healthcare workers during and after the pandemic, with implications for developing comprehensive strategies to protect frontline healthcare workers in health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In health policy, much attention has been paid to collaboration between the primary and secondary health care sectors, especially in relation to hospitalisation and discharge. Despite ideal plans for collaboration, the research literature shows that inadequate communication is a well‐known problem that can be a barrier to a safe trajectory for the citizen. Based on the assumption that better knowledge of each other's work will lead to better collaboration, a cross‐sectoral exchange program with nurses was initiated. Aim: The aim was to investigate which barriers to good patient trajectories the involved nurses attributed to cross‐sectoral collaboration and what impact the exchange to the opposite sector had for them. Methods: Twenty‐eight nurses were exchanged: 14 from a cardiology department and 14 from municipal home care. The nurses shadowed a colleague from the opposite sector in their daily work. Subsequently, six focus group interviews were conducted. The transcribed material was analysed based on Ricoeur's interpretation theory. Results: Two main themes, including sub‐themes emerged: (1) Challenging communicative conditions: (a) Inadequate digital communication, (b) Inadequate care plans and discharge reports, (c) Conversation promotes understanding, and (d) Challenging collaboration and communication with the discharge coordinators. (2) Perceived importance of the exchange: (a) Cross‐sectoral relationship, prejudice and gaining respect for each other and (b) Working in two different worlds. Conclusion: Electronic communication is inadequate, and the IT systems do not support sufficient cross‐sectoral communication. The organisational model in the municipal care sector is inflexible in terms of allocations for the current needs of citizens, and professionals feel that their professional judgements are not recognised. The nurses gained insight into each other's work and working conditions and respect for each other's professionalism. The exchange has the potential to both improve the relationship and communication between the sectors for the benefit of a better and more coherent patient course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Socially marginalised patients face many challenges related to their health condition and often have several contacts with healthcare and social service workers. The Danish social nursing initiative, whose nurses have experience and knowledge about marginalisation, aims to support socially marginalised patients during hospital admission and through hospital transitions. However, there is limited knowledge about the hospital transitions of patients being supported by a social nurse. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore (1) the perspectives of socially marginalised patients on the transition from hospital to home and (2) how these patients experience the importance of social nursing on patient trajectories after hospital discharge. Methods: A qualitative study with a phenomenological and hermeneutic approach was performed at a large hospital in southern Denmark. Adult patients who had contact with a social nurse during hospital admission were purposely sampled. Data were collected between January 2023 and March 2023. Initial patient interviews were conducted during hospital admission with a second interview 7–22 days after discharge. Systematic text condensation was used for the analysis, and Nvivo 12 supported data storage and coding. Ethical Approval: The study is registered with the Danish Data Protection Agency (22/47509). Informed consent was given by the participants. Results: Sixteen patients participated in the study. The participants experienced major challenges in their transitions from the hospital, which were generally related to their interactions with many different social and healthcare services. While the social nurses supported the patients and helped facilitate care during hospital admission and after discharge, the participants identified transitional care gaps related to multidisciplinary cooperation and standardised care options. Conclusions: This study identifies challenges related to the hospital transition of socially marginalised patients, which indicates a gap in healthcare services. Future research should focus on improving interprofessional collaboration with socially marginalised patients across healthcare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Participation in care is considered to promote safe and qualitative care. Care‐dependent older persons ageing in place have increased emergency care needs, which initiate inter‐organisational collaboration involving municipal home care and ambulance services. Previous research concludes that uncertainties exist regarding what participation in care means in clinical practice, which necessitates the need to illuminate the phenomenon for older persons in critical life situations. Aim: This study aimed to illuminate meanings of participation in prehospital emergency care from the perspective of care‐dependent older persons experiencing acute illness at home. Design: This study has a qualitative design with a lifeworld approach. Method: A phenomenological hermeneutical method was used to analyse transcribed telephone interviews with eleven care‐dependent persons aged 70–93 years. Results: Care‐dependent older persons' participation in prehospital emergency care means 'Entrusting life to professional caregivers' when being in helpless solitude and existentially unsafe, which emphasises a deepened interpersonal dependence. Meanings of participation in care from the perspective of older persons involve Being reassured in togetherness, Being pliant in trust of emergency expertise, Being enabled through the agency of professional caregivers, and Encountering readiness in the emergency care chain. Conclusion: Care‐dependent older persons' participation in prehospital emergency care is existential and involves interpersonal dependence. Togetherness brings reassurance, safety and opportunity for emotional rest while accessing the professional caregivers' power, competence and abilities which provide opportunities for existence and movement towards well‐being and continued living. Implications for practice: Prehospital emergency care from the perspective of care‐dependent older persons transcends organisational boundaries and includes the municipal mobile safety alarm service. The involved municipal and regional organisations need to provide support by implementing lifeworld‐led care models and care alternatives that enable professionals to recognise the existential dimension of participation in care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used a two-phased mixed methods study with an explanatory sequential design to understand how frequently paramedics attend patients who, on paramedic assessment with the Gold Standards Framework Proactive Identification Guidance, are end-of-life and have advance care planning. We subsequently explored paramedic views on paramedic screening of patients to assess if they are end-of-life and onward referral to their General Practitioner for advance care planning. Paramedics screened and recorded 14.9% of patients as end-of-life and 44.3% of these patients were assessed to have no advance care plan in place. When paramedics screened patients and they did have an advance care plan in place, 36.8% had only a Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Paramedics found using the Gold Standards Framework Proactive Identification Guidance to screen patients for end-of-life status useful and straightforward and considered themselves well-placed to complete this task. Future research is required to address the practicalities of implementing a paramedic screening and referral tool for end-of-life care that results in the intended outcome of supporting effective advance care planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loneliness in medicine is a serious problem not just for patients, for whom illness is intrinsically isolating, but also for physicians in the contemporary condition of medicine. We explore this problem by investigating the ideal physician-patient relationship, whose analogy with friendship has held enduring normative appeal. Drawing from Talbot Brewer and Nir Ben-Moshe, we argue that this appeal lies in a dynamic form of companionship incompatible with static models of friendship-like physician-patient relationships: a mutual refinement of embodied virtue that draws both persons together. The ideal physician-patient relationship has a dialectical character that fosters each member's improvement of phenomenologically recognizing and embodying moral virtues. A key component of this dynamic is a commitment to the common goal of the patient's health, realized through joint interactivities and conversations over time. The physician's presence to the patient's suffering—understood best as an alienating phenomenological condition for the patient—orients and discloses possibilities for virtuous caregiving by structuring the meanings of the goals, conversations, and joint narrative constitutive of their relationship. Presence to suffering, paradoxically, is perhaps an important prerequisite for this dynamic partnership. These activities dialectically build an interpretive horizon of understanding through which moral goods and character refinement—in and for the other—may become revealed for both persons in their shared being-in-the-world. This analysis of suffering, mood, and revealing of (possible) moral goods has implications for addressing the modern problem of loneliness for patients and physicians, who are increasingly inhibited from building flourishing relationships with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to get from a phenomenology of birth towards an ethics of obstetric care: Human rights violations in obstetrics are currently a globally debated phenomenon. Research suggests that maltreatment is widespread and a global phenomenon. However, the prevalence cannot yet be clearly quantified. In view of this problem, it is necessary to take the subjective perspective of those affected seriously. Narrative and phenomenological accounts of birth experiences could help to foster the dialogue between persons giving birth and health professionals. First, I will present narrative accounts of birth experiences recorded by feminist phenomenologists. Second, I will interpret these narrative accounts within a feminist phenomenological framework in order to contribute to a phenomenology of birth, which, in a third step, shall help to develop an ethics of obstetric care. In engaging with the phenomenology of care outlined by feminist care ethicists, I will analyze the elements and conditions of good care, and draw conclusions for an ethic of obstetric and midwifery care. Drawing additionally on the theory of relational autonomy, my paper argues for a relational implementation of self-determination in childbirth. Lastly, I will discuss to what extent the ethical ideal of care has an affinity to the midwifery model of childbirth, and how the current situation of obstetrics prevents a women-centered birth culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When our nearest and dearest experience medical crises, we may need to step into caregiving roles. But in doing so, we may find that our new caregiving relationship is actually in tension with the loving relationship that motivated us towards care. What we owe and are entitled to as friends, spouses, and family members, can be different from what we owe and are entitled to as caregivers. For this reason, caregiving carries with it the risk of a type of moral distress that I call "role conflict distress." Rather than view role conflict distress as a sign that we are falling short, I suggest that it actually speaks to the commitment that we have to the loving relationship that grounds our duty of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we focus on a particular kind of emotional impact of the pandemic, namely the phenomenology of the experience of moral injury in healthcare professionals. Drawing on Weber's reflections in his lecture Politics as a Vocation and data from the Experiences of Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic Survey, we analyse responses from healthcare professionals which show the experiences of burnout, sense of frustration and impotence, and how these affect clinicians' emotional state. We argue that this may relate to the ethical conflicts they experience when they are forced to make clinical decisions where there are no optimal outcomes, and how in turn that impacts on their own emotional state. We then further examine the notion of 'burnout' and the phenomenology of 'moral injury'. Our argument is that these experiences of moral injury across a range of clinicians during the pandemic may be more prevalent and long-standing in psychiatry and mental health than in other areas of healthcare, where ethically difficult decisions and resource constraints are common outside times of crisis. Hence, in these clinical arenas, moral injury and the phenomenology of emotional changes may be independent of the pandemic. The insights gained during the pandemic may provide wider insights into the challenges of developing services and training the workforce to provide appropriate mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to cancer, patients may be thrown into precarious processes of remaking their purpose, identity, and connections to the world around them. Thoughtful and thorough responses to these issues can be supported by person-centered phenomenological approaches to caring for patients. The importance of perspectives on illness offered by theoretical phenomenology will become apparent through the example of the experience of nausea, or perhaps more accurately put—chemo sickness. The focus here is on how chemo sickness alters one's way of relating to the world. I will examine the phenomenon of nausea through the lens of the phenomenological concept of mood—an existential feeling that engenders a diffused tone permeating through one's world and shapes the envisioned possibilities on one's horizon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the compatibility of gender-affirming care with the principles and practices of psychiatry. Conclusions: The assumption that there is no pathology involved in the development of gender diversity is a necessary precondition for the unquestioning affirmation of self-reported gender identity. Cases where psychosis is the undeniable cause of gender diversity demonstrate this assumption is categorically false. To protect this false assumption, gender-affirming guidelines forbid the application of the core psychiatric competencies of phenomenology and psychopathology to the assessment of gender diversity. They substitute the political goal of expanding personal liberty for the evidence-based medicine processes of clinical reasoning, rendering them incompatible with competent, ethical medical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary understanding of combat trauma's psychological effects emphasizes the interpersonal ways survivors process their experiences. Yet cases of incongruence between survivors who want to share their traumatic experience and close others who are not ready to take part in this challenging task are common. Hence, many trauma survivors are compelled to cope with the posttraumatic consequences mostly alone. The present study followed the interpretive phenomenological approach to examine the experience of loneliness, as described by 15 male combat veterans dealing with posttraumatic stress. Participants completed semistructured qualitative interviews in which they shared their knowledge regarding postservice distress, loneliness, coping, and growth. Two main themes emerged: "The Loneliness Complex," highlighting this phenomenon's multifaceted, layered, and cyclical nature; and "Emotional Growth after Loneliness," presenting the positive potential of loneliness. These findings emphasize the importance of interpersonal relations in trauma survivors' recovery process. Participants described how experiences with peers can serve as a pivotal point for coping with postservice distress and how internalization of positive interpersonal interactions seems to be a crucial psychological resource for further rehabilitation and growth. Being a multilayered and cyclical condition, loneliness might serve trauma survivors in their search of safety, while also bearing the potential to motivate them to act upon their condition and promote emotional growth. Clinicians should acknowledge the risks trauma survivors take by leaving their lonely yet safe place, as they are encouraged to process their traumatic experiences and share their inner world with others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma‐informed care has emerged as a prominent strategy to eliminate coercive practices and improve experiences of care in mental health settings, with advocacy from international bodies for mental health reform. Despite this, there remains a significant gap in research understanding the integration of trauma‐informed care in mental health nursing practice, particularly when applied to the acute mental health or hospital‐based setting. The study aimed to explore the experiences of mental health nurses employed in acute hospital‐based settings from a trauma‐informed care perspective. The study design was qualitative, using a phenomenological approach to research. A total of 29 nurses employed in acute mental health or hospital‐based environments participated. Three over‐arching themes were uncovered: 'Embodied Awareness': highlighting mental health nursing emotional capabilities are deeply rooted in bodily awareness. 'Navigating Safety': signifying spatial elements of fear and how some mental health nurses' resort to coercive or restrictive practices for self‐preservation. 'Caring Amidst Uncertainty': revealing the relational influences of security guards in mental health nursing. The study reveals a significant gap in trauma‐informed care implementation when applied to the context of mental health nursing practice in this setting. Limited evidence on trauma‐informed care for mental health nurses, coupled with inadequate workforce preparation and challenging work environments, hinder the effective integration of it. To genuinely embed TIC in acute mental health settings, the study emphasises the need for a thorough exploration of what this entails for mental health nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term care facilities for older adults (LTCFs) were directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to discuss the perceptions of occupational therapists about deaths and other losses in LTCFs during the pandemic. This qualitative study is anchored in social phenomenology, and conducted in-depth interviews with eight occupational therapists who worked in LTCFs. Thus, two themes were generated after the Thematic Analyses: "The proximity of death" and "Losses associated with living and dying in a LTCF." In the first theme, the interviewees addressed the feeling of imminent death in the daily life of the LTCF, and feelings related to their own death, that of their family members and other older adults. In the second, the professionals highlighted three groups of losses: social, functional, and psychological/cognitive. These results highlighted the challenges faced by occupational therapists and can contribute to improve behavior and care for institutionalized older adults during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of nature for social, cognitive, physical, and emotionalwell-being have been well documented in counseling and well-being research, highlighting its capacity for building restoration and resilience. Less research has adopted a more focused exploration of the role of nature for the understanding of self for enhancing well-being. Using a phenomenological approach, the aim was to explore how nature assists the understanding and experience of self as a resource for well-being, within the emerging field of walking coaching. Five semistructured interviews were conducted with walking coaching clients and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three superordinate themeswere developed: creating fluidity and clarity in thought, nature's wisdom: learning and knowing through being, and acceptance and restoration of self. The participants' subjective experiences illustrate hownature enabled a process of discovery that started with seeking clarity and led to a position of self-acceptance. Such a discovery was prompted by cues and immersion in the natural environment that participants believed could not be experienced indoors. The study not only highlights the importance and appropriateness of IPA as a qualitative methodology for understanding coaching experiences, but also encourages coaches and clients to consider the insightful and restorative benefits of taking their coaching outdoors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article marks the 60th anniversary of Duquesne University's Department of Psychology PhD program by summarizing developments over the past 30 years. The Duquesne program, the first of its kind in American psychology to articulate the principles of psychology as a human science, has seen both stability and change as the scholarship and teaching of its founding members have been built upon and elaborated by a second generation of faculty. Beginning with a description of the challenges faced by the program in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the author outlines advances that led to the American Psychological Association accreditation of the Department's clinical psychology PhD program. The contributions of newer faculty are discussed with respect to the theorists drawn upon and methodologies employed in further articulating psychology as a human science. The program's accomplishments are presented in terms of the research and praxis that follow from its human science paradigm. Improvements in the support structures provided to graduate students are also detailed, as are the impacts of these changes on the program's clinical and research training as well as student academic progress. Examples of scholarship by current faculty are cited, and the forthcoming transition to a third generation of faculty is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition characterised by distress associated with perceived defects in one's physical appearance. Such defects are likely to be very slight or invisible to external observers, making it difficult for people with BDD to convey what they see. Participants created artwork representing how they cope with BDD, then completed a follow-up interview to discuss their artwork. Framework for the Analysis of Drawings was used together with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three overarching themes were generated from the analysis, centred around BDD's fusion with one's lifeworld, perceptual detachment, and fragmented selves. We suggest incorporating artwork creation in BDD research and clinical settings may elucidate understanding of "hidden" experiences. Clinicians may find it helpful to reflect on how the distinctive BDD "way of seeing" can infuse not just specific perceptions of the body, but also the person's wider relationship to the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to better understand therapist experiencing of metaphor in non-directive person-centered relationships. Metaphor is ubiquitous in language. Meanwhile, literature in the field of psychotherapy posits it as indicative of a range of therapeutic attitudes, goals and outcomes. However, outside of noting its uses for communicating empathic understanding, and its function in process direction and diagnosis, the person-centered approach has no coherent account of it. Analysis of interviews with three therapists revealed experiencing related to relinquishing certainty, risking curiosity, and connecting briefly. These findings led to a brief consideration of the dialogical contact made when meeting in metaphor, with meaning noticed as an emergent quality of this contact. Whilst making a case for research that broadens the notion of rationality and embraces the complex ineffability of human experience, this article suggests some further questions, derived from the results, that might be addressed in future reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]