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Superservice provides state and municipal services to citizens depending on particular circumstances defined as life situations. This client-oriented service delivery system is an important part of the current Russian system of state and municipal services. The authors developed ways to optimize methods for providing state and municipal services in different life scenarios. They used the modeling method to conceptualize the basic principles of Superservice and analyze their legal foundations. Considering the theoretical and legal discrepancies, the authors developed their own definition of life situation. The analysis of the Public Services Portal of the Russian Federation (EPGU) and regional websites of Multifunctional Public Service Centers revealed a poor use Superservice’s potential because the number of life scenarios appeared to be rather limited. The article contains some algorithms that employees of Multifunctional Public Service Centers could use to exercise a personalized approach to service recipients.

An increasing number of older people with severe mental illness (SMI) poses additional challenges to healthcare and social services. This scoping review aimed to investigate the life situation of older people living with severe mental illness and identify the research gaps in the existing literature. The current review followed the methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews by Arksey and O'Malley, consisting of five main stages: (1) identifying the research question (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) selecting the studies, (4) charting the data, and (5) collating, summarising, and reporting the results. An optional sixth stage, a consultation exercise, has also been used in this study: The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews PRISMA‐ScR, and the databases PsychINFO Scopus, Cinahl, Web of Science and PubMed were used. A total of 24 studies were included in the review. The thematic analysis focused on: (1) the perspective of older people with SMI, (2) the perspective of healthcare professionals supporting older people with SMI, and (3) the perspective of informal carers supporting older people with SMI. The results describe the life situation of older people living with SMI, especially in relation to the older peoples' experiences of suffering and well‐being. The staff and the informal carers need adequate knowledge to provide support to the older people with SMI. To gain greater knowledge about the life situation and support needed by older people with SMI, we strongly advocate additional research focusing on their own experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mentally disordered offenders are a heterogenous group regarding psychopathology as well as background factors, which makes it likely that more than one stereotypical life situation will apply to all forensic psychiatric patients following discharge. Knowledge about typical life situations would be valuable for optimising support for improving the overall life situation of these individuals. This paper investigates life situations from the perspective of level of living research and resources in terms of different welfare dimensions. Methods: Included were all all individuals (n = 1146) who had been discharged from forensic psychiatric care in Sweden during 2009–2018 and were included in the Swedish National Forensic Psychiatric Register. Follow-up time varied from 4 to 3644 days, (m = 1697, Md = 1685). Register data from several different registers was combined. Data was analysed using latent class analysis, and multinominal logistic regression analysis investigated what background factors were associated with class membership. Results: The results show that there are four subgroups of post-discharge life situations: the high support group, the general psychiatric needs group, the working group, and the family group. The high support group was the largest, representing 54% of the entire sample. There are background factors associated with group membership, including both age at discharge, length of stay in forensic psychiatric care and pre-index crime historical factors. Conclusions: This study contributes to the understanding of the post-discharge lives of former forensic psychiatric patients and shows that for several subgroups, negative outcomes are rare. Knowledge about these subgroups could be drawn upon to make informed decisions about in- and outpatient forensic psychiatric care, discharge from forensic psychiatric services, and what support is offered to former forensic psychiatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines personal maturity as a complex multicomponent phenomenon that can reach various levels of development. The relevance of the study of personal maturity through significant events of a person’s life path is noted. In order to identify the attitude towards the most significant life events and the specifics of interaction with the life situation, an empirical study was conducted and involved 277 people 25 to 40 years of age that represent the fields of education, medicine, service and trade, and mining industry. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to their level of personal maturity and infantilism as polar characteristics. Based on the results of the study, the author points out significant differences in the experience and description of life events as well as the definition of significant life situations among subjects with different levels of personal maturity.

Copyright of Studies in Politics & Society / Polityka & Społeczeństwo is the property of University of Rzeszow and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article states that a person’s life path is a path of self-creation in the system of life relationships, where as a result of the interaction of the individual and society, the social space of the individual with his personal priorities and actual changes is formed; the essence of the individual is analyzed both as an object existing in the social world and as a subject acting as an active creator of social relations, constructing this world in its meaning-making activity; competence is revealed as a measure of the individual’s involvement in active action, the indisputable basis of the interdependence of the development of the individual and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionMany people experience persistent or new-onset symptoms such as fatigue or cognitive problems after an acute infection with COVID-19. This phenomenon, known as long COVID, impacts physical and mental wellbeing, and may affect perceived quality of life and occupational perspectives likewise. The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how people with long COVID experience health-related restrictions in their daily life and their occupational situation, and to identify key challenges they face.MethodsGuided qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 people with long COVID. The interviews were transcribed according to Dresing/Pehl and Kuckartz and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Afterward, a systematic comparison of the data and a reflection under consideration of lifeworld-theoretical approaches (Berger and Luckmann) were carried out.ResultsThe interviews revealed that many participants have severe symptoms which strongly impair them in perform daily and work-related activities, and in their personal interests. Many interviewees already reach their stress limit during routine household activities or childcare. Of the 25 participants, 19 experienced limitations in pursuing leisure activities, and 10 of the 23 interviewees with jobs reported being on sick leave for several months. Several respondents who had vocational reintegration are still affected by ongoing symptoms that affect their work performance considerably. This leads to uncertainty, role conflicts, a decline in social contacts, and decreased incomes, which contribute to an impairment in their quality of life.ConclusionsThis study shows the huge need for specific support for people with long COVID in different areas of life. To prevent people with long COVID from finding themselves in social and economic precarity, decision-makers should develop strategies to systematically support them in their sustainable reintegration into the workforce. The focus should be on creating long COVID-sensitive workplaces, compensating for decreased incomes, and improving access to relief services such as vocational reintegration. We argue, that a shift of perspectives is necessary and that long COVID should be considered rather as a “social disease” with considerably impairments in the social life of those affected.Trial registrationThe study is registered in the German register for clinical trials (DRKS00026007).

The author analyses the life situation of alcohol-dependent people. It draws attention to health, professional, material, housing and also family issues. Analyses the extent of their expectations in the area of assistance and support. The research tool used in the study was an individual in-depth (qualitative) interview, which was conducted with twenty alcohol addicts (fourteen men and six women). The subjects were aged 25-55. The interviews show that the interviewees experience many problems, disorders and dysfunctions in all indicated areas of life situations (health, work, material, housing, family) and expect specialist help and support in the process of recovery and maintaining abstinence, as well as financial support, help in finding work, improving of housing conditions (some of them even need to find housing) and rebuild proper relations with loved ones. It concludes with conclusions and recommendations for practice.

Background. Many studies have shown that problem-focused coping and a positive reappraisal of one’s situation are the most conducive to achieving life goals and psychological well-being, whereas avoidance coping and self-blame have a negative impact on well-being. But there is not enough data on what the predictors of these coping strategies are in the situational context. Objective. To assess the combined influence of subjective appraisal (uncontrollability, unclearness, negative emotions) and orientations in difficult situations (by drive and rejection) on planful problem solving, positive reappraisal, wishful thinking (fantasizing), and self-blame. Design. The research has a survey design. The sample consisted of 637 adult participants who analyzed difficult situations in their lives associated with achieving significant life goals of various types (N = 637; 60% female; Mage = 24.2; SD = 6.25). Two alternative structural models were assessed, which include subjective appraisals of the situation (uncontrollability, unclearness, intensity of negative emotions), orientations in difficult situations (drive and rejection), and ways of coping (planful problem-solving, positive reappraisal, wishful thinking, and self-blame). Results. The first model, in which all cognitive appraisals and orientations in difficult situations directly influence coping strategies, has relatively low fit indices. The second model, in which the influence of cognitive appraisal was partially mediated by orientations in difficult situations, has better fit indices. In life situations involving solution of a difficult task, the strongest predictor of problem-focused coping and positive reappraisal is the “drive” orientation of being attracted to difficulties, which mediates the influence of subjective control and emotions on these ways of coping. An orientation away from difficulties, “rejection,” mediates the influence of unclearness and negative emotions on fantasizing and self-blame. A low level of subjective control directly affects self-blame and the avoidance of problem-solving. Negative emotions are a weak predictor of self-blame. Conclusion. Interaction between the subject and the situation involves appraisal of difficulty, which influences orientation in difficult situations. In turn, orientations are predictors of coping strategies. The characteristics of the psychological situation determine coping, which may be oriented toward approach to or avoidance of the goal.

Introduction Mothers of terminally ill children experience chronic stress that can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. A better understanding of their experiences, resources, and vulnerabilities can help plan psychological interventions. Objectives The research is aimed to study mothers’ appraisals of their life situation related to the child’s terminal illness and their coping strategies. Methods Participants: 21 women (aged 26-49) whose children were patients at the hospice. Women answered a set of open-ended questions and completed questionnaires: “Appraisal Criteria of the Difficulty of a Life Situation”, “Types of Orientations in Difficult Situation”, “Ways of Coping Checklist”. Data were analyzed with Pearson’s r. Results Planned coping was associated with evaluations of opportunity (r=0.78) and threat to the future (r=0.61). Despite the deteriorating health status of most of the children, women reported a high degree of subjective control. This might be related to outside help. Participants stated that helping by the family, doctors, and psychologists was essential. Unexpectedly, the “need for a quick and active response” score correlates with that for the coping strategy “fantasizing” (r=0.62). This can be explained by the depletion of resources; deprivation of sleep and active rest is often observed. An important feature is that half of the participants report high self-blame. Conclusions We suggest that self-blame, an analysis of opportunities, and probable future scenarios are important psychotherapy targets for mothers of terminally ill children. The consequences of threat appraisal are twofold: admitting the threat can be painful, but it also mobilizes one’s energy. Funding: The study was funded by RFBR, project number 20-013-00838. Disclosure No significant relationships.

This research dwels with the problem of teaching difficulties, largely conceptualized from the school environment or the physical work environment of teachers. Moving from the observation that at the educational level, the socio-professional questions of these actors are transposed in the social medias, through different platforms, the objective of the research is to conceptualize the difficulties teachers are confronted with, when it comes to the skills-based approach with entry by life situation.

Abstract Background Expectant parents may have positive and negative emotions during pregnancy and receive support from different sources. Studies on life situation and support among couples have rarely been conducted. This study aims to explore life situation and support during pregnancy among expectant mothers with depressive symptoms and their partners. Methods Twenty-seven expectant mothers, in the last trimester of pregnancy with depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score ≥ 7) from seven public antenatal care clinics in Sakonnakhon, a north-eastern province of Thailand, and their partners were interviewed. In total, 54 semi-structured interviews were subjected to content analysis. Results Four categories emerged: (1) Having obstacles in life, (2) Facing life transition, (3) Enhancing confidence, and (4) Dissatisfaction with support. The informants described obstacles regarding economy, fear of health problems, getting an abnormal child and partners’ behaviours. They received support from family members and social networks, but some were dissatisfied with the support from the healthcare. For example, expectant fathers wished to receive more health information and be more involved. Conclusions Healthcare professionals should be aware of the influence of cultural and contextual factors when providing antenatal care to expectant parents. Male involvement in the care must not be neglected.

Copyright of Studia Warmińskie is the property of University of Warmia & Mazury in Olsztyn and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: About 3% of new cancer cases affect young adults aged between 15 and 39 years. The young age, the increasing incidence and the relatively good prognosis of this population lead to the growing importance to investigate the psychosocial long-term and late effects. The aims of the AYA-LE long-term effects study are: first, to assess the temporal course and related factors of life satisfaction and psychological distress of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors; and second, to examine a specific topic in each of the yearly surveys in a more differentiated way.Methods: This study represents a continuation of the longitudinal AYA-LE study. The existing sample of AYA cancer patients (t1: N = 577; t2: N = 514; aged between 18 and 39 years at diagnosis; all major tumor entities) was extended by four further survey points (t3: 2018, t4: 2019, t5: 2020, t6: 2021). In addition, a comparison sample of young adults without cancer was collected. We measured longitudinal data for outcomes such as quality of life, psychological distress, and fatigue with standardized questionnaires. Furthermore, each survey point included a different cross-sectional topic (e.g., health behavior, occupational situation, and compliance).Discussion: The AYA-LE long-term effects study will show the long-term consequences of cancer in young adulthood. We expect at least complete data of 320 participants to be available after the sixth survey, which will be completed in 2021. This will provide a comprehensive and differentiated understanding of the life situation of young adults with cancer in Germany. The findings of our study enable a continuous improvement of the psychosocial care and specific survivorship programs for young cancer patients.

Luke 12:49–59 contains two pericopes whose only bond of unity is conflict. The first pericope (49–53) deals with the kind of conflict best described as persecution because of Jesus, whereas, the first part of the second pericope (54–57) is a call for the Lukan community to understand various signs which mark a transition from the first to the second pericope. The second half of the second pericope (58–59) deals with inter-personal conflict among community members as it is seen and documented by the evangelist. In it, Jesus gives advice on how to avoid falling victim to legal justice. This research examines Jesus’ stance in handling conflict, and to observe if the contemporary Christianity in Nigeria understands conflict management as Jesus did in Lk 12:49–59, and how far the church has applied Jesus’ conflict management styles. The tools of exegesis and hermeneutics were employed to reconstruct the two pericopes and their various life situations. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The study’s implication is an approach with New Testament using Form Criticism to challenge the docility often seen in the (Nigerian) church each time there is a conflict situation. Peace and conflict study is analysed from the perspective of New Testament studies in order to cancel this stereotypical docility that is misunderstood as ‘Christian pacifism’. It then argues that the life situation of the conflict (whether it is intra-mural or extra-mural) should guide Christians to make the right choice towards conflict management.

Copyright of Journal for Sociology of Education & Socialization / Zeitschrift für Soziologie der Erziehung & Sozialisation is the property of Julius Beltz GmbH & Co. KG Beltz Juventa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: About 3% of new cancer cases affect young adults aged between 15 and 39 years. The young age, the increasing incidence and the relatively good prognosis of this population lead to the growing importance to investigate the psychosocial long-term and late effects. The aims of the AYA-LE long-term effects study are: first, to assess the temporal course and related factors of life satisfaction and psychological distress of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors; and second, to examine a specific topic in each of the yearly surveys in a more differentiated way. Methods: This study represents a continuation of the longitudinal AYA-LE study. The existing sample of AYA cancer patients (t1: N = 577; t2: N = 514; aged between 18 and 39 years at diagnosis; all major tumor entities) was extended by four further survey points (t3: 2018, t4: 2019, t5: 2020, t6: 2021). In addition, a comparison sample of young adults without cancer was collected. We measured longitudinal data for outcomes such as quality of life, psychological distress, and fatigue with standardized questionnaires. Furthermore, each survey point included a different cross-sectional topic (e.g., health behavior, occupational situation, and compliance). Discussion: The AYA-LE long-term effects study will show the long-term consequences of cancer in young adulthood. We expect at least complete data of 320 participants to be available after the sixth survey, which will be completed in 2021. This will provide a comprehensive and differentiated understanding of the life situation of young adults with cancer in Germany. The findings of our study enable a continuous improvement of the psychosocial care and specific survivorship programs for young cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was aimed at revealing the role of psycho-emotional wellbeing in the perception of life situations. Psycho-emotional wellbeing is considered an integral characteristic of the inner world of a person, reflecting the interrelationships of eudemonic and hedonistic wellbeing and basic emotional characteristics. Hypoth¬esis: the evaluation of life situation is influenced by its objective factors (presence or absence of job) and psycho-emotional wellbeing. Sample: 104 adults (66 employed, 38 unemployed), aged 27—55. Methods: a set of methods to evaluate different com¬ponents of psycho-emotional wellbeing, and the Semantic Differential of Life Situ¬ation. Results: life situation is perceived most negatively by the unemployed with a low level of psycho-emotional wellbeing. With the growth of psycho-emotional wellbeing, the perception of situation by the unemployed becomes more positive: it seems to be safe, friendly, definite, and normative (p

The article presents the study aimed at analysis of the attitude of children who live without parental care to the life situation of guardianship. The study was conducted using a structured interview, which included such methods as “Attitude to a significant life situation” and “Family APGAR”. The study involved 150 children of school age, among them 48 children from kinship care families (under the care of grandmothers). The results of the study showed that the attitude to the life situation of children under kinship and non-kinship care differs significantly. This attitude is mediated by the degree of the role conflict with the guardian. The actual life situation is least favourably assessed by children under the care of grandmothers, especially if the family maintains contact with the biological parents of the child. The results indicate the importance of considering the specifics of the child’s life situation for effective support to guardian families.

Background: There is a limited knowledge of the impact of being human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive on migrants living in Sweden. It is therefore important to gain a general awareness of this issue in order to maintain the wellbeing of this vulnerable group of patients and to develop an adequate social support network. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore HIV-positive migrants’ experiences of their life situations, living in Sweden. Method: A qualitative, exploratory study was performed using semi-structured interviews with 14 HIV-positive migrants, aged 29–55 years, and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The participants were recruited from three clinics for infectious diseases in western Sweden. Results: The results are presented in the following three categories: ´Vulnerability in social relationships’, ‘Fear of disclosure”, and ‘Resilience’. The results illustrated the participants’ experiences of vulnerability in their social relationships, fear of disclosing HIV status, feeling lonely and stigmatized, and lacking social network and support. Furthermore, the results illustrated participants’ challenges in finding a partner, due to their fear of being recognized because of their HIV-infection. However, the result indicated participants’ struggling for a normal life with integrity, and that their need to look positively at life. Conclusions: In the actual study loneliness, fear of disclosure, perceived stigma, and the lack of a social network had significant impact on the life situations of the HIV positive migrants. Fear of disclosure and the challenge of finding a partner and friends were the main obstacles. It is crucial to increase access for these patients to supporting networks that will promote their empowerment and trust.

Anne Söderlund,1 Lena Nordgren,2,3 Michele Sterling,4,5 Britt-Marie Stålnacke6–8 1Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden; 2Center for Clinical Research Sörmland (CKFD), Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden; 3Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; 4Recover Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Road Traffic Injury, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; 5Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; 6Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden; 7Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; 8Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden Purpose: The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-synthesis to analyze qualitative research findings and thereby understand patients’ experiences of whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) and the injury-recovery process. Materials and methods: A qualitative meta-synthesis, which is an interpretive integration of existing qualitative findings, was performed. The databases PubMed, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. The Critical Assessment Skills Programme was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Results: Four studies were included. The synthesis resulted in several codes, 6 categories, and 3 themes (distancing from normalcy, self-efficacy in controlling the life situation after the injury, and readjustment and acceptance) that described the participants’ pain beliefs, their WAD-related life situation and their future expectations and acceptance. Changes in self-image were difficult to cope with and likely led to perceived stigmatization. Struggling with feelings of loss of control appeared to lead to low confidence and insecurity. Focusing on increasing knowledge and understanding the pain and its consequences were believed to lead to better strategies for handling the situation. Furthermore, recapturing life roles, including returning to work, was challenging, but an optimistic outlook reinforced symptom improvements and contributed to feelings of happiness. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide a comprehensive understanding of patients’ complex, multifaceted experiences of WAD, and the injury-recovery process. The findings can guide us in the development of new ways to evaluate and manage WAD. The results also indicate that a more patient-centered approach is needed to determine the depth and breadth of each patient’s problems. Keywords: whiplash-associated disorders, control, self-efficacy, happiness, life situation

The article presents the results of the development of the Semantic Differential of Life Situation (SDLS), implemented in the framework of psycho-semantic approach. The proposed method is aimed at assessing cognitive and emotional components of the subjective perception of life situation. As its main semantic axes, the following factors were identified: situation handling, emotional experience of the situation, positive expectations, ordinary and daily occurrence, resolvability, personal involvement and a belief that the situation is surmountable, energy, level of understanding. The approbation sample consists of adults who are in a conventionally normal (105 people) and difficult life situation (35 people). The results of the psychometric testing showed significant differences in their perceptive-cognitive image of the life situation, confirmed the criteria validity of the method, and discovered how some of the situation’s objective characteristics influenced the perception of the situation to a degree. The article presents the results of the development of the Semantic Differential of Life Situation (SDLS), implemented in the framework of psycho-semantic approach. The proposed method is aimed at assessing cognitive and emotional components of the subjective perception of life situation. As its main semantic axes, the following factors were identified: situation handling, emotional experience of the situation, positive expectations, ordinary and daily occurrence, resolvability, personal involvement and a belief that the situation is surmountable, energy, level of understanding. The approbation sample consists of adults who are in a conventionally normal (105 people) and difficult life situation (35 people). The results of the psychometric testing showed significant differences in their perceptive-cognitive image of the life situation, confirmed the criteria validity of the method, and discovered how some of the situation’s objective characteristics influenced the perception of the situation to a degree

Copyright of Studia Polonijne is the property of Towarzystwo Naukowe Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego Jana Pawla II and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Discourse: Journal of Childhood & Adolescense Research / Diskurs Kindheits- und Jugendforschung is the property of Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Expectant parents may have positive and negative emotions during pregnancy and receive support from different sources. Studies on life situation and support among couples have rarely been conducted. This study aims to explore life situation and support during pregnancy among expectant mothers with depressive symptoms and their partners.Methods: Twenty-seven expectant mothers, in the last trimester of pregnancy with depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score ≥ 7) from seven public antenatal care clinics in Sakonnakhon, a north-eastern province of Thailand, and their partners were interviewed. In total, 54 semi-structured interviews were subjected to content analysis.Results: Four categories emerged: (1) Having obstacles in life, (2) Facing life transition, (3) Enhancing confidence, and (4) Dissatisfaction with support. The informants described obstacles regarding economy, fear of health problems, getting an abnormal child and partners' behaviours. They received support from family members and social networks, but some were dissatisfied with the support from the healthcare. For example, expectant fathers wished to receive more health information and be more involved.Conclusions: Healthcare professionals should be aware of the influence of cultural and contextual factors when providing antenatal care to expectant parents. Male involvement in the care must not be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a limited knowledge of the impact of being human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive on migrants living in Sweden. It is therefore important to gain a general awareness of this issue in order to maintain the wellbeing of this vulnerable group of patients and to develop an adequate social support network. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore HIV-positive migrants’ experiences of their life situations, living in Sweden. Method: A qualitative, exploratory study was performed using semi-structured interviews with 14 HIV-positive migrants, aged 29–55 years, and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The participants were recruited from three clinics for infectious diseases in western Sweden. Results: The results are presented in the following three categories: ´Vulnerability in social relationships’, ‘Fear of disclosure”, and ‘Resilience’. The results illustrated the participants’ experiences of vulnerability in their social relationships, fear of disclosing HIV status, feeling lonely and stigmatized, and lacking social network and support. Furthermore, the results illustrated participants’ challenges in finding a partner, due to their fear of being recognized because of their HIV-infection. However, the result indicated participants’ struggling for a normal life with integrity, and that their need to look positively at life. Conclusions: In the actual study loneliness, fear of disclosure, perceived stigma, and the lack of a social network had significant impact on the life situations of the HIV positive migrants. Fear of disclosure and the challenge of finding a partner and friends were the main obstacles. It is crucial to increase access for these patients to supporting networks that will promote their empowerment and trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The opioid maintenance population is rising and aging. Although this creates new challenges for society, little is known about the social issues older patients in this treatment face. The Ministry of Health and Care Services in Norway was revising the National Action Plan for Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation in 2015. In this context, the Ministry requested a report on health and social issues and possible challenges for the health care services. Aims of this article are to provide an understanding of the complex social issues associated with older patients in opioid maintenance treatment, and give implications for future work. a Method: Statistical data from national, regional and local reports, plans and projects were collected. A literature search was conducted and qualitative data from focus groups were included. A methodological triangulation was used in the analysis. Results: Patients experienced several social issues, especially: stigmatization, isolation and financial difficulties. Patients were stigmatized from society in general, but also from the social and mental health services. They had difficulties socializing and lacked the skills needed for doing so. Even though the majority of patients received benefit payments, self-reported poverty was emphasized. Conclusions: Raised awareness of issues faced by older patients in opioid maintenance treatment is needed. An improved collaboration between the municipality, specialist health care services, the local community, and voluntary organizations should be used to a greater extent. The patients have to be a part of this collaboration. Organizational challenges need to be approached and professional competence enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although the group of vascular leg amputated patients constitutes some of the most vulnerable and frail on the orthopedic wards, previous research of amputated patients has focused on patients attending gait training in rehabilitation facilities leaving the patient experience shortly after surgery unexplored. Understanding patients’ behavior shortly after amputation could inform health professionals in regard to how these vulnerable patients’ needs at hospital can be met as well as how to plan for care post-discharge. Aim: To construct a grounded theory (GT) explaining patients’ behavior shortly after having a leg amputated as a result of vascular disease. Method: In line with constructivist GT methodology, data from ethnographic observations and interviews were simultaneously collected and analyzed using the constant comparative method covering the patients’ experiences during the first 4 weeks post-surgery. Data collection was guided by theoretical sampling and comprised 11 patients. A GT was constructed. Results: Patients went through a three-phased process as they realized they were experiencing a life-changing event. The first phase was “Losing control” and comprised the sub-categories “Being overwhelmed” and “Facing dependency.” The second phase was “Digesting the shock” and comprised the sub-categories “Swallowing the life-changing decision,” “Detecting the amputated body” and “Struggling dualism.” The third phase was “Regaining control” and comprised the sub-categories “Managing consequences” and “Building-up hope and self-motivation.” “Pendulating” was identified as the core category describing the general pattern of behavior and illustrated how patients were swinging both cognitively and emotionally throughout the process. Conclusion: The theory of “Pendulating” offers a tool to understand the amputated patients’ behavior and underlying concerns and to recognize where they are in the process. Concepts from the theory could be used by health professionals who support patients coping with the situation by offering terms to express and recognize patients’ reactions.