60 results on '"Myles Balfe"'
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2. Accounting for Enhanced Interrogation: Elite Perspectives
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Myles Balfe
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Clinical Psychology ,Sociology and Political Science ,Social Psychology ,Law - Published
- 2022
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Catalog
3. Horror, Experimentation and Enhanced Interrogation
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Myles Balfe and Abigail Alexander
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Sociology and Political Science ,Social Psychology ,Torture ,050901 criminology ,05 social sciences ,Media studies ,War on terror ,Clinical Psychology ,Political science ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,0509 other social sciences ,Interrogation ,Law ,050104 developmental & child psychology - Abstract
After 9/11 the United States launched a global War on Terror. As part of this War, U.S. psychologists, supported by doctors, designed an ‘Enhanced Interrogation’, or torture, programme to extract i... more...
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- 2020
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4. Life course outcomes and developmental pathways for children and young people with harmful sexual behaviour
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Simon Hackett, Andrea J. Darling, Myles Balfe, Helen Masson, and Josie Phillips
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Behavioral Neuroscience ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,General Psychology ,Applied Psychology - Abstract
Most outcome studies for children and young people who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour have focused on sexual recidivism as their primary outcome measure. Relatively little is known about broader life outcomes for children displaying such behaviours, nor about the processes involved with longer-term developmental success or failure. This paper examines long-term life course outcomes for 69 adults in the UK who presented with abusive sexual behaviour as children. Between 10 and 20 years after their childhood sexual behaviour problems, few in the sample had sexually reoffended, but general life course outcomes were much less positive. A range of individual, relational and social/environmental factors appeared to be associated with successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Successful outcomes were associated with stable partner relationships, wider supportive relationships, and educational opportunity and achievement. The findings highlight the importance of broad-based, developmental interventions in assisting those with childhood sexual behaviour problems to live successfully. more...
- Published
- 2022
5. Edgework, institutions and enhanced interrogation
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Myles Balfe
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Health (social science) ,Health Policy ,Health Personnel ,Torture ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Humans ,United States - Abstract
The Enhanced Interrogation programme was a medicalised interrogation programme that was designed by the United States in the wake of 9/11. It is now widely recognized that the Enhanced Interrogation programme engaged in some activities that were, at the least, tantamount to torture. The programme was designed by Psychologists and overseen by other professionals, including medical professionals. This article argues that the Enhanced Interrogation programme displayed many of the features of what Sociologists refer to as Edgework. It demonstrated voluntary risk-taking by health and other professionals; this risk-taking pressed up against catastrophic outcomes across multiple dimensions; risks were taken for the purposes of escaping a death-saturated macrosocial context; and the health professionals in the programme were highly skilled. The article argues that a new form of Edgework can be detected by studying the programme, which the article refers to as 'Institutional Edgework'. more...
- Published
- 2021
6. The disrupted sociologies of young people with harmful sexual behaviours
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Helen Masson, Simon Hackett, Josephine Phillips, and Myles Balfe
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050103 clinical psychology ,Lived experience ,media_common.quotation_subject ,050901 criminology ,05 social sciences ,Social issues ,Neglect ,Developmental psychology ,Behavioral Neuroscience ,Sexual abuse ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,0509 other social sciences ,Thematic analysis ,Psychology ,Liminality ,media_common ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Few studies, particularly few qualitative studies, have focused on the family and social contexts of young people with harmful sexual behaviours. This article, therefore, seeks to provide insight into the more detailed, lived experience of this group of young people. The article involved a thematic analysis of 117 cases, identified from nine services that work with children with sexual behaviour problems. While a number of young people were from stable backgrounds, others were from highly disrupted sociological situations characterised by chaotic families, erratic living situations, poor family relationships, unstable parental backgrounds, generalised neglect and abuse, sexual abuse and school/social problems. Many of these young people's lives appear to be characterised by varying degrees of liminality and chaos. Such chaos may not only be traumatic, it may potentially be traumagenic, and contribute to the emergence of sexual behaviour problems in some young people. more...
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- 2019
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7. Survival Strategies while Engaging in Deviant Behaviors: The Case of Amateur Waterboarding Torture
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Myles Balfe
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Sociology and Political Science ,Social Psychology ,Torture ,050901 criminology ,05 social sciences ,Health related ,Context (language use) ,Criminology ,Clinical Psychology ,Survival strategy ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,0509 other social sciences ,Psychology ,Law ,Amateur ,050104 developmental & child psychology - Abstract
This article explores personal management of health related risk in the context of amateur waterboarding torture-in effect, how people manage to ‘survive’ while trying out militarised psych...
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- 2019
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8. Young men with harmful sexual behaviour problems : a qualitative exploration of the nature and characteristics of their violence
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Simon Hackett, Helen Masson, Josie Phillips, and Myles Balfe
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050103 clinical psychology ,Behavioral Neuroscience ,050901 criminology ,05 social sciences ,Juvenile ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,0509 other social sciences ,Psychology ,Young person ,Developmental psychology - Abstract
There is a lack of exploratory data describing the offences and violent acts of young people with harmful sexual behaviour problems. Such research is necessary to provide realistic insight into the nature of this group and their behaviours; and to help to illustrate and inform practice with them. This study involved a thematic analysis of 111 case files of young men with sexual behaviour problems to analyse their violent actions. Seven violence-related themes were identified in the data. There was evidence that harmful sexual behaviours could sometimes last for considerable amounts of time before services intervened. As well as harmful sexual behaviours, services need to assess whether self-directed and more general forms of violence need to be targeted. more...
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- 2021
9. Chlamydia Screening in Ireland: a pilot study of opportunistic screening for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Ireland (2007-2009). Economic evaluation
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Myles Balfe (7937687), Ruairi Brugha (7896092), Emer O'Connell (7941017), Deirdre Vaughan (7941014), Claire Coleman (3577253), Ronan Conroy (7896074), Martin Cormican (404348), Margaret Fitzgerald (7942568), Catherine Fleming (3180993), Hannah Mc Gee (7895552), Andrew Murphy (341397), Grainne Ni Fhoghlu (7942571), and Ciaran O'Neill (7942574) more...
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111706 Epidemiology ,Epidemiology not elsewhere classified ,Epidemiology ,Screening ,Chlamydia ,FOS: Health sciences ,Ireland ,health care economics and organizations - Abstract
Economic Evaluation The aim of the economic evaluation was to examine the cost effectiveness of the two screening models tested in the Chlamydia Screening in Ireland Pilot (CSIP) study: (a) Clinical Setting screening, and (b) ’Pee-in-a-pot’ periodic screening in third level institution/college settings. The methodological approach comprised of a dynamic transmission model paired with an economic model. In both analyses, screening was compared to a control strategy of no organised screening, that is existing care in Ireland. A public health system or provider perspective was adopted with respect to costs. The analysis considered the cost of screening to the health service, and the costs of infection and complications, not any additional costs reported by young people in accepting a chlamydia screening test. Health outcomes were assessed in terms of major outcomes (MOs) averted and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. The costs of Clinical Setting screening were presented in terms of the cost per offer (€26 ), the cost per negative case (€66), the cost per positive case (€152), and the cost per partner notified and treated (€74). The costs of ’Pee-in-a-pot’ screening were presented in terms of the cost per negative case (€39), the cost per positive case (€125), and the cost per partner notified and treated (€74). In both analyses, screening was estimated to result in fewer major outcomes, fewer QALYs lost, and higher healthcare costs compared to the control strategy. The incremental cost effectiveness analyses indicated that screening in the Clinical Setting would result in an incremental cost per MO averted of €6,093 and an incremental cost per QALY gained of €94,717. ’Pee-in-a-pot’ screening was estimated to result in incremental cost effectiveness ratios of €2,294 per MO averted and €34,486 per QALY gained respectively. In Ireland, there is no fixed and generally agreed cost effectiveness threshold below which health care technologies would be considered by policy makers to be costeffective. Nonetheless, on the basis of other technologies that are currently funded, it is not likely that screening delivered in the Clinical Setting, given an incremental cost per QALY in the region of the €94,717 found in this study, would be considered cost effective. ’Pee-in-a-pot’ screening in third level institution/college settings may be considered cost effective if a cost effectiveness threshold in the region of €45,000 per QALY gained is used. This is open to question, however, given the current economic climate and its resulting impact in terms of imposing further constraints on future healthcare budgets. It is also important to note that this strategy would have minimal in impact in reducing overall chlamydia prevalence in the population, if not supported by general population screening and prevention strategy. more...
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- 2021
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10. The chiral nature of the enhanced interrogation programme
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Myles Balfe
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Health professionals ,Torture ,05 social sciences ,Poison control ,Human factors and ergonomics ,050108 psychoanalysis ,Criminology ,Suicide prevention ,Occupational safety and health ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,03 medical and health sciences ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Clinical Psychology ,0302 clinical medicine ,Phenomenon ,Political science ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Interrogation - Abstract
The United States suffered a catastrophic attack on September 11th 2001. The response to these killings, by the United States and its allies, was extremely forceful. As part of this response, US security institutions, and the health professionals who worked for them, developed an ‘enhanced interrogation’, or torture, programme to acquire intelligence from detainees in their custody. The enhanced interrogation programme has been described as a ‘conflicted’ phenomenon. This article considers in detail precisely why the enhanced interrogation programme, and the role of health professionals in it, can be said to be conflicted. The article identifies a number of reasons, including: the ambiguous and divided nature of the violence used in it; the dual roles that health professionals played in the enhanced interrogation initiative as healers and interrogators; professional division over the programme's ethics and effectiveness; the serious and negative impacts that the programme had on interrogators as well as detainees; and its split legacies. Underlying these individual reasons is the sense that the enhanced interrogation initiative was ‘doubled’, something that often pulled in two opposing dimensions simultaneously, and could be interpreted in divergent ways. The article concludes with a reiteration of the reasons why torture is ethically and effectively wrong. more...
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- 2018
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11. Posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer survivors: Is it possible and what are the correlates?
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Aileen Timmons, Linda Sharp, Joanne Patterson, Myles Balfe, and Devon Redfearn
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Adult ,Male ,Oncology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Population ,Experimental and Cognitive Psychology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Social support ,0302 clinical medicine ,Cancer Survivors ,Quality of life ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Survivorship curve ,Internal medicine ,Adaptation, Psychological ,Humans ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,education ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Posttraumatic growth ,Head and neck cancer ,Social Support ,Cancer ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,humanities ,Cancer registry ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Linear Models ,Quality of Life ,Female ,business ,Ireland ,Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological - Abstract
Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a possible positive consequence of a traumatic event, such as cancer. Head and neck cancer (HNC) may be particularly traumatic, given its adverse effects on functional, psychological, and social wellbeing. We investigated the extent of PTG, factors associated with PTG, and associations between PTG and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in HNC survivors.HNC survivors (ICD10 C00-C14, C32), identified from the population-based National Cancer Registry Ireland, completed a postal survey. PTG was assessed using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTG-I) and HRQoL with FACT-G and FACT-HN. Associations between socio-economic characteristics, social support, and clinical variables and PTG were examined using multivariable linear regression. Total HRQoL scores were compared in those with none-low PTG vs moderate-high PTG.A total of 583 survivors participated (response rate = 59%). The mean PTG score was 55.74 (95%CI 53.15-58.33); 60% had moderate-high PTG. Survivors scored highest in the PTG-I domain appreciation of life. In multivariable analysis, being female, being younger, having more social support, and having cancer-related financial stress were significantly associated with more PTG. HRQoL was significantly higher in those with moderate-high than no-little PTG (P .01).A notable proportion of HNC survivors report PTG but growth is, on average, lower than reported for other cancers. Nonetheless, higher PTG appears related to better HRQoL. Further research would be valuable to understand the pathways by which HNC may lead to PTG and inform development of strategies to support and encourage PTG in this survivor population. more...
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- 2018
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12. Idiots, Ideologues, and Just Plain Interested: The Individuals who Engage in Amateur Waterboarding on the Internet
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Myles Balfe
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Sociology and Political Science ,Social Psychology ,Torture ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,05 social sciences ,Media studies ,050801 communication & media studies ,Clinical Psychology ,0508 media and communications ,Spanish Civil War ,Transformational leadership ,Situated ,050501 criminology ,The Internet ,Sociology ,Ideology ,Relation (history of concept) ,business ,Law ,Amateur ,0505 law ,media_common - Abstract
This article examines 65 amateur waterboarding videos to investigate why ordinary people become involved in waterboarding. There appears to be several explanations for this involvement: thrill-seeking, ideology, and educational reasons. The article highlights waterboarding’s dangers, and its potentially transformational effects on individuals. Findings are situated in relation to Michel Foucault’s work on torture, and what is known about health professional involvement in experimental torture during the War on Terror. more...
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- 2018
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13. The Nun Study and Alzheimer’s disease: Quality of vocation as a potential protective factor?
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Kieran Keohane and Myles Balfe
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Gerontology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Nuns ,Sociology and Political Science ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Protective factor ,Disease ,Cognition ,Alzheimer Disease ,Epidemiology ,medicine ,Humans ,Dementia ,Quality (business) ,Occupations ,Aged ,Cognitive reserve ,media_common ,business.industry ,General Social Sciences ,General Medicine ,Protective Factors ,medicine.disease ,Nun Study ,Female ,Centrality ,business - Abstract
Data from the Nun Study, the most famous longitudinal epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease to date, are analyzed and reformulated in terms of Max Weber’s discussion of the centrality of beruf – “calling” – fulfilling a life task in pursuit of a vocation. Qualitative differences in the Nuns’ vocations are uncovered, which are correlated to their resilience to dementia. Extrapolating, we argue that Alzheimer’s disease and the dementia reputed to it should be understood as a social pathology of contemporary civilization related to the loss of moral foundations from which coherent, meaningful life-projects can be conducted. more...
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- 2017
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14. Associations between neighbourhood support and financial burden with unmet needs of head and neck cancer survivors
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Linda Sharp, Aileen Timmons, Phyllis Butow, Myles Balfe, Katie M O'Brien, Rachael Gooberman-Hill, and Eleanor O'Sullivan
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Male ,Gerontology ,Cancer Research ,Human sexuality ,Unmet needs ,Social support ,03 medical and health sciences ,symbols.namesake ,0302 clinical medicine ,Cost of Illness ,Residence Characteristics ,medicine ,Financial strain ,Humans ,Survivors ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Poisson regression ,Head and neck cancer ,Neighbourhood (mathematics) ,Aged ,Finance ,Health Services Needs and Demand ,business.industry ,Social Support ,Financial burden ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Oncology ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,symbols ,Female ,Oral Surgery ,business ,Healthcare providers - Abstract
PurposeTo assess the unmet needs of head and neck cancer survivors and investigate associated factors. In particular, to explore whether social support (family/friends and neighbours) and financial burden are associated with unmet needs of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of HNC survivors, with 583 respondents included in the analysis. Information was collected on unmet supportive care needs as measured by the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34). Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to examine factors associated with having one or more needs in each of the five domains (physical; psychological; sexuality; patient care and support; and health system and information).ResultsThe mean age of respondents was 62.9 years (standard deviation 11.3 years) and one third of respondents were female. The top ten unmet needs was composed exclusively of items from the physical and psychological domains. Financial strain due to cancer and finding it difficult to obtain practical help from a neighbour were both associated with unmet needs in each of the five domains, in the adjusted analyses.ConclusionWhilst in each domain, a minority of respondents have unmet needs, approximately half of respondents reported at least one unmet need, with the commonest unmet needs in the psychological domain. Providing services to people with these needs should be a priority for healthcare providers. We suggest that studies, which identify risk factors for unmet needs, could be used to develop screening tools or aid in the targeting of support. more...
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- 2017
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15. Experiences of young people with harmful sexual behaviors in services a qualitative study
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Josie Phillips, Simon Hackett, Helen Masson, and Myles Balfe
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Male ,Gerontology ,Adolescent ,Psychology, Adolescent ,Psychological intervention ,Poison control ,Suicide prevention ,Occupational safety and health ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,Humans ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,Service (business) ,Sexual violence ,Sex Offenses ,050901 criminology ,05 social sciences ,Human factors and ergonomics ,Mental health ,United Kingdom ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Clinical Psychology ,Adolescent Health Services ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Female ,0509 other social sciences ,Psychology ,Attitude to Health ,050104 developmental & child psychology - Abstract
Young people are responsible for a significant number of the sexual offenses that are committed every year. These young people are generally referred to specialist services for treatment. This article explores the health characteristics and service experiences of 117 young people with sexual behavior problems, and the issues that services face when working with them. The study is based on analysis of 117 case files, identified from nine specialist services in the UK. The case files were thematically analyzed. Case files provided information on the following topics: the reasons why the young people were referred to harmful sexual behavior services; the young people's personal characteristics; their medical and mental health problems; the young people's interests and aspirations; their attitudes toward services and interventions; continued problematic sexual incidents in services; progress in services; and post-service experiences. Overall, the findings of the study indicate that these young people have a number of strengths, but often have problems across a range of personal and health domains. A number of them continue to remain sexually and generally violent in services, particularly in residential settings, which has risk management implications for staff. more...
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- 2019
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16. Why Did U.S. Healthcare Professionals Become Involved in Torture During the War on Terror?
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Myles Balfe
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Warfare ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Health (social science) ,Torture ,Health Personnel ,Decision Making ,Poison control ,Medical law ,Criminology ,0603 philosophy, ethics and religion ,Suicide prevention ,Ethics, Professional ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Physicians ,Humans ,Psychology ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Physician's Role ,Interrogation ,Psychiatry ,Motivation ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,06 humanities and the arts ,United States ,Harm ,Terrorism ,060301 applied ethics ,business ,Psychosocial ,Deviance (sociology) - Abstract
This article examines why U.S. healthcare professionals became involved in "enhanced interrogation," or torture, during the War on Terror. A number of factors are identified including a desire on the part of these professionals to defend their country and fellow citizens from future attack; having their activities approved and authorized by legitimate command structures; financial incentives; and wanting to prevent serious harm from occurring to prisoners/detainees. The factors outlined here suggest that psychosocial factors can influence health professionals' ethical decision-making. more...
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- 2016
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17. Distress in long-term head and neck cancer carers: a qualitative study of carers' perspectives
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Rachael Gooberman-Hill, Eleanor O'Sullivan, Linda Sharp, Aileen Timmons, Rebecca Maguire, Myles Balfe, Phyllis Butow, and Paul Hanly
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Cross-sectional study ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Emotions ,03 medical and health sciences ,Health problems ,0302 clinical medicine ,Emotional distress ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Psychiatry ,Qualitative Research ,General Nursing ,Aged ,media_common ,business.industry ,Head and neck cancer ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Telephone ,Distress ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Caregivers ,Feeling ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Facial disfigurement ,Female ,business ,Ireland ,Stress, Psychological ,Clinical psychology ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Aims and objectives To identify and describe the triggers of emotional distress among long-term caregivers (more than 1 year postdiagnosis) of people with head and neck cancer. Background Limited research has been conducted on the factors that cause head and neck cancer caregivers to become distressed. Design Qualitative cross-sectional. Methods In-depth semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted via telephone. The study setting was the Republic of Ireland. Results Interviews were conducted with 31 long-term caregivers (mean time since diagnosis 5·7 years, SD 2·9 years). Head and neck cancer caregivers experienced significant distress. Six key triggers of emotional distress were identified: understandings and fears of illness, lifestyle restrictions and competing demands, facial disfigurement, financial problems, comorbid health problems and witnessing suffering. Cutting across all of these individual causes of distress was a strong feeling of loss caused by head and neck cancer. Conclusions Some head and neck cancer caregivers became considerably distressed by their caring role. Although distress appears to decline with time for many caregivers, some continue to be distressed for years following the patient's diagnosis. It would be useful for future research to explicitly investigate caregivers' experiences of loss. Relevance to clinical practice Health professionals may be able to reduce distress in this group if they can help caregivers to access resources that can be used to buffer financial problems. Health professionals may also be able to reduce distress if they can work with caregivers to help them to obtain something of personal value or significance from their experience of loss and suffering. more...
- Published
- 2016
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18. The financial impact of head and neck cancer caregiving: a qualitative study
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Rachael Gooberman-Hill, Phyllis Butow, Myles Balfe, Aileen Timmons, Eleanor O'Sullivan, and Linda Sharp
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Gerontology ,Social work ,Financial impact ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Head and neck cancer ,MEDLINE ,Experimental and Cognitive Psychology ,Social Welfare ,medicine.disease ,03 medical and health sciences ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Distress ,0302 clinical medicine ,Oncology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,business ,Welfare ,Qualitative research ,media_common - Abstract
Background There is a lack of research on the financial impacts that head and neck cancer has on caregivers. Objective To explore the overall financial impact of head and neck cancer on caregivers; to describe the factors that mitigate this impact. Methods Interviews with 31 caregivers (mean time caring: 5.7 years). Results Head and neck cancer had a considerable financial impact on caregivers. It resulted in out of pocket costs and caregivers and/or their relative/friend with cancer often became under- or un-employed. Caregivers with large debts or ongoing expenses appeared to be particularly vulnerable to cancer-related financial pressures. Finance related psychological stress was prevalent, although some caregivers hid their psychological difficulties from other people. Factors which help caregivers to mitigate financial distress included having private health insurance and being able to access to medical and/or social welfare benefits. Conclusions Head and neck cancer can cause caregivers substantial financial and psychological distress. Distress may be mitigated by providing caregivers and their households with access to welfare benefits. Implications for practice Health professionals should be aware that head and neck cancer can have short and long-term financial consequences for caregivers and their families. Health professionals should refer patients and their caregivers to medical social workers who can help them with their financial issues. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. more...
- Published
- 2016
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19. In a bad place:Carers of patients with head and neck cancer experiences of travelling for cancer treatment
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Rebecca Maguire, Linda Sharp, Katie O' Brien, Rachael Gooberman-Hill, Paul Hanly, Eleanor O' Sullivan, Myles Balfe, and Kieran Keohane
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.disease_cause ,03 medical and health sciences ,Health services ,0302 clinical medicine ,Nursing ,Economic cost ,medicine ,Humans ,Psychological stress ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Head and neck ,Head and neck cancer ,health care economics and organizations ,Aged ,Travel ,Health professionals ,Commuting ,Oncology (nursing) ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,humanities ,Cancer treatment ,Treatment ,Caregivers ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,Carer ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Physical therapy ,Caregiving ,Female ,business ,Qualitative ,human activities ,Stress, Psychological - Abstract
PurposeTo explore the effect that treatment-related commuting has on carers of patients with head and neck cancer.MethodSemi-structured interviews, thematically analysed, with 31 carers.ResultsTreatment-related commuting had a considerable impact on carers of patients with head and neck cancer, both in practical terms (economic costs, disruption) and also in psychological terms. Many carers of patients with head and neck cancer described becoming distressed by their commute. Some carers from large urban cities appeared to have hidden commuting burdens. Some carers respond to commuting stress by ‘zoning out’ or becoming ‘like zombies’.ConclusionsTreatment-related travel for head and neck cancer can have significant practical and psychological impacts. Health professionals should be aware of the impacts that commuting can have on head and neck caregivers. Health services may be able to take practical steps, such as providing subsidized parking, to address head and neck carergivers’ difficulties. more...
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- 2017
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20. Worry in Head and Neck Cancer Caregivers: The Role of Survivor Factors, Care-Related Stressors, and Loneliness in Predicting Fear of Recurrence
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Paul Hanly, Aileen Timmons, Linda Sharp, Myles Balfe, Eleanor O'Sullivan, Rebecca Maguire, Phyllis Butow, and Philip Hyland
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Adult ,Male ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Psychological intervention ,Anxiety ,03 medical and health sciences ,Social support ,0302 clinical medicine ,Quality of life (healthcare) ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Survivors ,General Nursing ,media_common ,Loneliness ,Head and neck cancer ,Stressor ,Fear ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Caregivers ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Quality of Life ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,Worry ,Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ,Psychology ,Stress, Psychological ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
Background: Fear of recurrence (FOR) is a primary concern for both cancer survivors and their caregivers, yet little is known about what care-related factors exacerbate this worry. Objectives: This study aimed to establish the role of care-related stressors — as distinct from survivor characteristics — in predicting FOR in head and neck cancer caregivers. Methods: HNC survivor–caregiver dyads took part in a mailed survey. Survivors provided information on health and quality of life (using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Questionnaire). Caregivers provided sociodemographic information, impact of caring on their time and finances, as well as their level of social support (Oslo Support Scale), loneliness (3-point loneliness scale), and completed the Worry of Cancer Scale (to measure FOR). Results: Data from 180 dyads were available for analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the role of caregiver stressors, social support, and loneliness while controlling for caregiver and survivor characteristics. The model explained 28% of the variance in Worry of Cancer scores (FOR). Caregivers who reported more loneliness, spent more time caring, and had greater financial stress from caring had higher scores on Worry of Cancer (FOR). Female caregivers, those caring for younger survivors, and those with survivors who had undergone less extensive forms of surgery also reported higher FOR. Discussion: A combination of factors place caregivers at greater risk of cancer-related worry, paving the way for designing interventions aimed at reducing FOR in caregivers of patients with head and neck cancers. more...
- Published
- 2017
21. Making Implicit Assumptions Explicit in the Costing of Informal Care: The Case of Head and Neck Cancer in Ireland
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Eleanor O'Sullivan, Paul Hanly, Rebecca Maguire, Linda Sharp, and Myles Balfe
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Adult ,Employment ,Male ,Opportunity cost ,Cost-Benefit Analysis ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Population ,Wage ,Health administration ,Young Adult ,03 medical and health sciences ,Sex Factors ,0302 clinical medicine ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Health care ,Humans ,Medicine ,Operations management ,Survivors ,education ,Activity-based costing ,Aged ,media_common ,Valuation (finance) ,Aged, 80 and over ,Pharmacology ,education.field_of_study ,Health economics ,Actuarial science ,business.industry ,030503 health policy & services ,Health Policy ,Age Factors ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Health Care Costs ,Middle Aged ,Caregivers ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Female ,Patient Care ,0305 other medical science ,business ,Ireland - Abstract
Background: From a health service perspective, informal care is often viewed as a potentially cost-effective way of transferring costs out of the formal healthcare sector. However, informal care is not a free resource. Objective: Our objective was to assess the impact of alternative valuation methods and key assumptions on the cost of informal care. Methods: Informal carers who assisted in the care of a head and neck cancer survivor for at least 1 year were sent a postal questionnaire during January–June 2014 requesting information on time spent on caring tasks in the month prior to the survey. Time was costed using the opportunity cost approach (OCA; base-case) and the generalist (GRCA) and specialist (SRCA) replacement cost approaches. The impact on results of how household work and informal carers not in paid employment are treated were investigated. Results: We estimated a cost of €20,613 annually in the base case (OCA – mean wage) for informal care. The GRCA and SRCA equivalent costs were 36% (€13,196) and 31% (€14,196) lower, respectively. In the extreme scenario of applying a ‘zero’ opportunity cost to carers not in paid employment, costs fell by 67% below the base case. Conclusion: While the choice of costing method is important for monetary valuation, the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of the underlying population can be equally so. This is especially important given the heterogeneous treatment of older carers, female carers and carers not in paid employment in the OCA. To limit this, we would suggest using the SRCA to value informal care across heterogeneous carer populations. more...
- Published
- 2017
22. Dealing with the devil: weight loss concerns in young adult women with type 1 diabetes
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Frank Doyle, Myles Balfe, Ronan M. Conroy, Seamus Sreenan, Ruairi Brugha, and Diarmuid Smith
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Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Type 1 diabetes ,business.industry ,Psychological intervention ,Diabulimia ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Feeding and Eating Disorders ,Young Adult ,Eating disorders ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ,Weight loss ,Weight Loss ,Humans ,Medicine ,Female ,Disordered eating ,medicine.symptom ,Young adult ,business ,Psychiatry ,Social psychology ,General Nursing ,Dieting - Abstract
Aims and objectives To examine the weight loss concerns of young adults with type 1 diabetes. Background Eating disorders are prevalent in young women with type 1 diabetes. Design Qualitative. Methods Interviews with 35 young adults (23–30 years of age) with type 1 diabetes and 13 healthcare professionals. Results Most female interviewees were concerned about the difficulties of losing weight when having diabetes. Six female interviewees developed severe eating disturbances when they were younger. These women initially regarded their disturbed eating behaviour positively and engaged in weight loss activities intermittently. However, over time, they lost control of their behaviour, and it came to dominate their lives. Family conflict often intensified disordered eating behaviours. Eventually all of these women managed to transition away from their behaviour, although this process took, for some of them, several years. Several of them (now in their early to late twenties), however, continued to struggle with weight loss impulses. Healthcare professionals felt that eating- and weight-related issues often went undiagnosed and undocumented in young adult women with type 1 diabetes. Conclusion Many young women with type 1 diabetes are worried about their weight, but will not engage in risky weight loss activities because of concerns about their health. A minority of young adult women will develop more severe eating-related disturbances. These eating disturbances may last a significant amount of time before clinicians become aware of them. These women may also experience disordered weight loss impulses for sometime after clinical interventions. Relevance to clinical practice Clinicians should screen young adult women with type 1 diabetes for eating disorders and monitor young adult women who have developed eating disorders over the longer term. There may be a need to provide asymptomatic young women with diabetes with information about the potential risks of insulin omission. more...
- Published
- 2013
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23. Community Reactions to Young People Who Have Sexually Abused and Their Families: A Shotgun Blast, Not a Rifle Shot
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Josie Phillips, Myles Balfe, Simon Hackett, and Helen Masson
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Health (social science) ,Inclusion (disability rights) ,Contagion effect ,Education ,Developmental psychology ,Sexual abuse ,Abusive behaviour ,medicine ,Collateral damage ,Rifle ,Social isolation ,medicine.symptom ,Life-span and Life-course Studies ,Psychology - Abstract
Data on 117 young sexual abusers were examined to investigate the nature of community responses to young people's abusive behaviour. A wide range of community responses were found, with stigmatisation, social isolation and collateral damage being common. A contagion effect was noted, with community responses extending over time and across contexts. Some young offenders and their families were attacked and forced out of their homes. In some cases, community responses heightened risk factors. The policy and practice implications of the findings are discussed, including the need for caution about the inclusion of children in policies on community notification of sex offenders. more...
- Published
- 2013
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24. Individual, Family and Abuse Characteristics of 700 British Child and Adolescent Sexual Abusers
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Simon Hackett, Josie Phillips, Myles Balfe, and Helen Masson
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Referral ,business.industry ,Poison control ,Victimisation ,Suicide prevention ,Sexual abuse ,Intervention (counseling) ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Injury prevention ,Learning disability ,medicine ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Psychiatry ,Law - Abstract
The individual, family and abuse characteristics of 700 children and young people referred to nine UK services over a nine-year period between 1992 and 2000 as a result of their sexually abusive behaviours were examined. The most common age at referral was 15 years, though a third of all referrals related to children aged 13 or under. Thirty-eight per cent of the sample were identified as learning disabled. Surprisingly high rates of sexual and non-sexual victimisation were present in the backgrounds of the children and young people referred. A wide range of abusive behaviours was perpetrated with just over half of the sample having penetrated or having attempted to penetrate another individual. Victims were usually known to the abuser but in 75 per cent of cases were not related. Fifty-one per cent of the sample abused females only, though 49 per cent had at least one male victim. The implications for policy and practice with children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 'Thirty-eight per cent of the sample were identified as learning disabled' Key Practitioner Messages * Children and young people who sexually abuse others are a diverse group with a complex set of motivations, background experiences and varying types of abusive behaviour. * Children and young people with learning disabilities who sexually abuse comprise a particularly vulnerable group with specific intervention needs. * A one-size-fits-all intervention approach is not appropriate, but child-centred services that focus on both care and control aspects are warranted. 'A one-size-fits-all intervention approach is not appropriate' Language: en more...
- Published
- 2013
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25. Social networks, social support and social negativity: A qualitative study of head and neck cancer caregivers' experiences
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Linda Sharp, Kieran Keohane, Myles Balfe, and Katie M O'Brien
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Adult ,Male ,Coping (psychology) ,Social Networking ,03 medical and health sciences ,Social support ,0302 clinical medicine ,Adaptation, Psychological ,Medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Qualitative Research ,Aged ,Social network ,business.industry ,Head and neck cancer ,food and beverages ,Social Support ,Negativity effect ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Oncology ,Caregivers ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Female ,business ,Psychosocial ,After treatment ,Stress, Psychological ,Qualitative research ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
Head and neck cancer is a serious form of cancer that can generate substantial physical and psychosocial morbidity. Informal caregivers can help patients to manage head and neck cancer and its emotional impacts, both during and after treatment. Caregivers, however, can experience considerable stress as a result of their caring activities. Supportive relationships can protect caregivers from psychosocial strain. Thirty-one head and neck cancer caregivers were interviewed about their experiences of accessing social support from their social networks; difficulties that they experienced accessing this support; and strategies that they used to address these difficulties. Results suggest that head and neck cancer caregivers strongly value social support, but can find it difficult to obtain, and a number of them experience socially negative responses from their networks. Some carers attempt to answer or supplement support deficiencies by turning to non-human coping supports, such as pets, spiritual figures or medication. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. more...
- Published
- 2016
26. Informal caregiving in head and neck cancer: caregiving activities and psychological well-being
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Rachael Gooberman-Hill, Katie M O'Brien, Myles Balfe, Aileen Timmons, Phyllis Butow, Eleanor O'Sullivan, and Linda Sharp
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Gerontology ,Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Anxiety ,03 medical and health sciences ,Social support ,0302 clinical medicine ,Risk Factors ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Psychiatry ,Depression (differential diagnoses) ,media_common ,Aged ,Self-efficacy ,Depressive Disorder ,business.industry ,Head and neck cancer ,Social Support ,Anxiety stress ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Self Efficacy ,Logistic Models ,Oncology ,Feeling ,Caregivers ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Psychological well-being ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Stress, Psychological - Abstract
The purpose of this study was to quantify the general cancer support activities that long-term carers of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors engage in; and the relationships between these care activities and psychological well-being. Respondents answered a survey detailing their caring activities, the amount of time that they spent on those activities and how comfortable they felt engaging in them. Psychological well-being was assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. A total of 197 carers took part in the study. The majority (76%) were women, mean age 57.4. Mean time since diagnosis was 6.2 years. In the past month, 45% of carers did not spend any extra time per week helping their relative/friend with general caring activities such as cleaning the house; 31% spent 1-19 hr/week and 23% spent 20 or more hours/week doing so. Most carers were comfortable assisting their relative/friend, though more carers felt uncomfortable assisting with HNC-specific support tasks (31% uncomfortable helping with medication) compared with general support tasks (7% uncomfortable helping with appointments). Feeling uncomfortable with head and neck-specific care tasks was a significant predictor of experiencing depression and anxiety. more...
- Published
- 2016
27. What factors are associated with posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer carers?
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Rachael Gooberman-Hill, Eleanor O' Sullivan, Phyllis Butow, Katie O' Brien, Myles Balfe, Aileen Timmons, and Linda Sharp
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Gerontology ,Adult ,Male ,Multivariate analysis ,Time Factors ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Personal Satisfaction ,03 medical and health sciences ,Social support ,0302 clinical medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,media_common ,Nursing practice ,Oncology (nursing) ,Posttraumatic growth ,business.industry ,Head and neck cancer ,Head & neck cancer ,Cancer ,Social Support ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Caregivers ,Socioeconomic Factors ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,Carer ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Quality of Life ,Female ,Worry ,business ,Psychosocial - Abstract
PurposeResearchers have recently called for more work to be conducted on positive outcomes and head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer caregivers.Methods and sample197 carers were surveyed. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used.ResultsIn multivariate analysis the following factors were statistically significantly associated with increased posttraumatic growth: social support, longer time since diagnosis, increased worry about cancer and increased financial stress and strain stemming from caring.ConclusionsWhile HNC carers in the post-treatment phase of the illness trajectory can experience considerable psychological burdens, this study suggests that these burdens can lead some carers to experience growth and change and an expanded sense of themselves and their social worlds. Implications for nursing practice are discussed. more...
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- 2016
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28. Burden and happiness in head and neck cancer carers: the role of supportive care needs
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Phyllis Butow, Aileen Timmons, Eleanor O'Sullivan, Rebecca Maguire, Myles Balfe, Philip Hyland, Paul Hanly, and Linda Sharp
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Gerontology ,Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,health care facilities, manpower, and services ,Happiness ,Information needs ,03 medical and health sciences ,Young Adult ,0302 clinical medicine ,Quality of life ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Adaptation, Psychological ,Medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Survivors ,Psychiatry ,health care economics and organizations ,media_common ,Aged ,Response rate (survey) ,Aged, 80 and over ,Health Services Needs and Demand ,business.industry ,Nursing research ,Head and neck cancer ,social sciences ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Comorbidity ,humanities ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Oncology ,Caregivers ,Spouse ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Quality of Life ,Female ,business ,human activities - Abstract
Purpose Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between unmet supportive care needs and carer burden and happiness, in head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods Two hundred eighty-five HNC informal carers were sent a postal questionnaire between January and June 2014, which included the supportive care needs survey for partners and caregivers of cancer survivors (SCNS-P&C) and the CarerQol, which assesses burden and happiness. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of (i) carer characteristics, (ii) carer situation, and (iii) unmet supportive care needs, with carer burden and happiness Results One hundred ninety-seven carers completed the questionnaire (response rate = 69 %), 180 of whom were included in the analysis. The majority were female (76 %), not in paid employment (68 %) and caring for their spouse (67 %). On average, carers reported relatively low levels of burden and relatively high levels of happiness. Carer factors explained 42 % of variance in levels of burden and 24 % of variance in levels of happiness. Healthcare service needs were associated with carer burden (β = .28, p = .04), while psychological needs (β = −.38, p = .028), health care service needs (β = −.30, p = .049), information needs (β = .29, p = .028), carer comorbidity (β = −.18, p = .030), and gender (β = −.16, p = .045) were associated with happiness. Conclusions Our results indicate that different aspects of carer characteristics and unmet needs are associated with carer burden and happiness. Efforts directed at reducing unmet healthcare service needs in particular are merited given their associations with both aspects of carer quality of life. more...
- Published
- 2016
29. Developmental markers of risk or vulnerability? Young females who sexually abuse - characteristics, backgrounds, behaviours and outcomes
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Josie Phillips, Helen Masson, Simon Hackett, and Myles Balfe
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Health (social science) ,Sociology and Political Science ,Referral ,business.industry ,Psychological intervention ,Human factors and ergonomics ,Poison control ,Suicide prevention ,Occupational safety and health ,Injury prevention ,medicine ,Young adult ,Psychiatry ,business ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
This paper presents findings from a subsample of 24 young females aged 8-16 years who were referred to specialist services in England during the 1990s because of their abusive sexual behaviours. The characteristics, backgrounds and behaviours of the sample are summarized and compared both with the males in the total population studied and with findings from the limited international literature on young female sexual abusers. Key findings include the higher rates of sexual victimization amongst females, their lack of prior criminal convictions, their somewhat younger ages at referral and their fewer victims. A smaller selection of case studies is used to illustrate the range of circumstances and behaviours leading to referral. Follow-up interviews with two female ex service users, who are now in young adulthood, indicate that their childhood sexually abusive behaviour is more a marker of vulnerability than of risk of abusive behaviour in adulthood. Their struggles now as parents, in adult relationships and their ongoing health difficulties are outlined. Language: en more...
- Published
- 2012
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30. Young adults’ preferred options for receiving chlamydia screening test results: a cross-sectional survey of 6085 young adults
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Eric Clarke, Ronan M. Conroy, Margaret Fitzgerald, Deirdre Vaughan, Diarmuid O'Donovan, Isabelle Jeffares, Myles Balfe, Emer O'Connell, Catherine Fleming, and Ruairi Brugha
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Short Message Service ,Adolescent ,Cross-sectional study ,Dermatology ,Young Adult ,medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Pharmacology (medical) ,Landline ,Young adult ,Receipt ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,medicine.disease ,Test (assessment) ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Infectious Diseases ,Patient Satisfaction ,Mobile phone ,Family medicine ,Lymphogranuloma Venereum ,Female ,Contact Tracing ,business ,Confidentiality - Abstract
SummaryWe investigated how young adults aged 18-29 years would like to be notified of chlamydia screening test results, and, when they test positive, their willingness and preferred mechanism for informing their partners. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 6085 young adults and found that a call to their mobile phone was their preferred way of receiving positive test results (selected by 50%), followed by email. Text messages (short message service [SMS]) and calls to landline phones were unpopular options, selected by between 5 and 10%. Over 75% of respondents stated they would inform their current partner of a positive chlamydia diagnosis, and 50% would inform their previous partners. Most were willing to receive yearly reminders to go for a chlamydia test. Young adults preference for being informed of chlamydia test results by mobile phone call, rather than by email or SMS text, especially if they test positive, suggests they place high value on the security of the communication mechanism. Offering a range of mechanisms for receipt of test results may increase the acceptability and coverage of sexually transmitted infection (STI) control strategies. more...
- Published
- 2011
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31. Where do young adults want opportunistic chlamydia screening services to be located?
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Diarmuid O'Donovan, Emer O'Connell, Ruairi Brugha, Isabelle Jeffares, Margaret Fitzgerald, Hannah McGee, Eric Clarke, Ronan M. Conroy, Myles Balfe, Paddy Gillespie, Claire Coleman, and Deirdre Vaughan more...
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,sexually-transmitted infections ,Adolescent ,pilot ,men ,Chlamydia trachomatis ,chlamydia ,Pharmacy ,Chlamydia screening ,Nursing ,General Practitioners ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,acceptability ,Health care ,medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Nurse Practitioners ,survey ,university-students ,Young adult ,Students ,general-practice ,university student ,Chlamydia ,trachomatis infection ,business.industry ,questionnaire ,screening ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Patient Preference ,Community Health Centers ,General Medicine ,Chlamydia Infections ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,medicine.disease ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,health-care settings ,south east ,Healthcare settings ,young adult ,Female ,women ,business ,Ireland - Abstract
Background This study measured the acceptability of urine-based chlamydia screening to young adults, where young adults wanted opportunistic chlamydia screening services to be located, and by whom they wanted to be offered screening. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 5685 university students and 400 young adult healthcares setting attendees (age: 1829 years). Results Ninety-six percent of males and 93 of females said that they would find it acceptable to be offered chlamydia screening. Seventy-six percent of males and 77 of females wanted to be offered screening by a doctor or nurse. Young women would prefer female staff. Most respondents preferred that screening be located in traditional healthcare settings such as General Practices, and offered by either doctors or nurses. More than 90 of respondents did not want screening services to be located in pharmacies and almost all rejected public non-health care screening settings. Conclusions Opportunistic chlamydia screening services should be located in traditional healthcare/medical settings, and screening should be offered by doctors and nurses. more...
- Published
- 2011
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32. Disclosure of STI testing activities by young adults: the influence of emotions and social networks
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Myles Balfe and Ruairi Brugha
- Subjects
Health (social science) ,Emotional support ,Health professionals ,Social network ,Social stigma ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Developmental psychology ,Interpersonal relationship ,Impression management ,Health care ,Young adult ,business ,Psychology ,Social psychology - Abstract
Thirty young adults (between 18 and 29 years of age) who had sought STI testing were interviewed about their experiences of ‘passing’ during the STI testing process (keeping their testing practices a secret from other individuals), and also their experiences of disclosing to other individuals the fact that they had sought STI testing. Respondents kept their STI testing practices secret from others in order to preserve their identities as ‘normal’ individuals. They feared that their identities would become stigmatised if other people were to find out about their testing practices. Keeping their practices a secret was difficult and emotionally draining. Consequently, respondents usually chose to inform a few key individuals about their testing activities. These individuals provided respondents with emotional support and helped them to pass as normal. Healthcare professionals were a particular, valued group to whom respondents disclosed their need for STI testing. A number of respondents reported experiencing stigmatising reactions from healthcare professionals, however, which had deleterious consequences for these respondents’ willingness to seek treatment for their STI. Findings are discussed in relation to Goffman’s impression management framework (1959, 1963) and develop Goffman’s work by highlighting the roles played by emotions and social networks in impression management activities. more...
- Published
- 2010
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33. Why don't young women go for Chlamydia testing? A qualitative study employing Goffman's stigma framework
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Emer O'Connell, Diarmuid O'Donovan, Deirdre Vaughan, Hannah McGee, Myles Balfe, and Ruairi Brugha
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Chlamydia ,Social stigma ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Human sexuality ,Chlamydia testing ,urologic and male genital diseases ,medicine.disease ,medicine.disease_cause ,female genital diseases and pregnancy complications ,language.human_language ,Irish ,Family medicine ,medicine ,language ,Young adult ,Chlamydia trachomatis ,business ,Social psychology ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Many women who might be at risk of having the sexually transmitted infection (STI) Chlamydia trachomatis either delay going, or do not go, for testing. We aimed to examine the factors that either prevent or discourage Irish young women from going for Chlamydia testing. We conducted in-depth interviews with 35 women in the Republic of Ireland who were between 18 and 29 years of age. Accounts were analysed using Goffman's stigma framework. Study respondents strongly associated Chlamydia and Chlamydia testing with stigma and felt that only irresponsible, promiscuous risk takers were at risk of contracting the infection. Respondents saw themselves as responsible, moral actors who avoided risk and took good care of their bodies; they were therefore not at risk of having Chlamydia. Going for Chlamydia testing was seen as a risky activity that could shift respondents identities into a negative ‘Other’ category. Respondents feared that if they found themselves in this ‘Other’ category they would open themselves t... more...
- Published
- 2010
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34. The Body Projects of University Students with Type 1 Diabetes
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Myles Balfe
- Subjects
Male ,Adolescent ,Universities ,education ,Self-concept ,Identity (social science) ,Developmental psychology ,Young Adult ,medicine ,Humans ,Meaning (existential) ,Young adult ,Students ,Type 1 diabetes ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,medicine.disease ,Viewpoints ,Self Concept ,Self Care ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ,Embodied cognition ,Patient Compliance ,Female ,business ,Social psychology ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Young adults with type 1 diabetes are a “forgotten group.” Their perspectives are rarely addressed by research studies, meaning that we know little about the reasons why they engage (or not) in diabetes self-care practices. The limited work that has investigated these young people's perspectives suggests that they experience a tension between being healthy and being normal. In this article, I examine this tension from the viewpoints of a particular group of young adults with diabetes: university students. I examine what being normal means for these students and how their attempts to be normal impact upon their diabetes control. I argue that normalcy for these students is constructed and maintained through the body. Respondents attempt to be normal by engaging in what Shilling refers to as “body projects.” Each of the body projects that students are involved in developing is intended to produce a particular kind of normal embodied identity that is unaffected by diabetes. Unfortunately, the constitutional practices of particular body projects often undermine those of others, and can be risky for students' diabetes control. As such, students have to reach a balance between their different body projects. This article helps to address the lack of research on the perspectives of young adults with diabetes, and contributes to theoretical research on the concept of body projects. more...
- Published
- 2008
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35. Technologies, diabetes and the student body
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Peter Jackson and Myles Balfe
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Health (social science) ,Adolescent ,Universities ,education ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Disease ,Consumption (sociology) ,computer.software_genre ,Interviews as Topic ,Humans ,Hypoglycemic Agents ,Insulin ,Use of technology ,Students ,Multimedia ,business.industry ,Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,Public relations ,United Kingdom ,Self Care ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ,Geography ,Self care ,Female ,business ,computer - Abstract
This paper uses qualitative methodologies to understand young people's use of technology in the management of Type 1 diabetes. The paper begins by outlining the nature of Type 1 diabetes. We provide an account of recent debates on the consumption of health-care technologies. We consider the advantages of qualitative approaches for studying young people with diabetes. Our specific focus is on university students with diabetes who are commonly represented as having a lifestyle that is ill-suited to good management of the disease. We consider the pros and cons that these young people associate with their technologies, and the role that place plays in these young people's accounts. We argue that diabetes' management technologies provide these young people with the ability to discipline their bodies and position their identities as 'normal' students in student spaces, as well as to manage risks to their health and identities. However, we highlight that the use of these technologies, especially in public spaces such as student night-clubs and bars, poses risks for students with diabetes, for example, by highlighting their 'difference' from other students. more...
- Published
- 2007
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36. Alcohol, diabetes and the student body
- Author
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Myles Balfe
- Subjects
Consumption (economics) ,Gerontology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Type 1 diabetes ,business.industry ,Public health ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Risk factor (computing) ,medicine.disease ,Developmental psychology ,Diabetes mellitus ,medicine ,Narrative ,Young adult ,business ,Alcohol consumption - Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions of adolescence and young adulthood. It is characterized by a demanding and complex management regime. Individuals with diabetes must engage in continual self-care actions if they are to minimize their risks of developing long-term diabetes' complications. Research has demonstrated, however, that many young adults experience difficulties engaging in these types of practice, and indeed often engage in practices that are risky for their diabetes control. Narrative approaches could provide important insights into the reasons why young people engage in risky activities. In this article, the narratives of a particular group of young adults with Type 1 diabetes (university students) are examined to see what social and spatial factors underlie their risky alcohol consumption practices. This paper contributes to geographical research on risk and chronic illness, and to understandings of the interactions between bodies, spaces and risk. more...
- Published
- 2007
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37. Diets and discipline: the narratives of practice of university students with type 1 diabetes
- Author
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Myles Balfe
- Subjects
Type 1 diabetes ,Health (social science) ,Health Policy ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Food consumption ,Consumption (sociology) ,medicine.disease ,Developmental psychology ,medicine ,Self care ,Personality ,Narrative ,Young adult ,Social factor ,Psychology ,media_common - Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions of adolescence and young adulthood. It is characterised by a demanding and complex management regime. Individuals with diabetes must engage in continual self-care actions such as eating healthily and exercising if they are to minimise their risks of developing long-term diabetes' complications. Research has demonstrated, however, that many young adults experience difficulties with exercising and eating healthily. Narrative approaches could provide important insights into the reasons why young people do or do not experience difficulties here. In this article I examine the food consumption and exercise narratives of a particular group of young adults with type 1 diabetes, university students, to see what personal, social and cultural factors influence their practices. more...
- Published
- 2007
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38. The unmet supportive care needs of long-term head and neck cancer caregivers in the extended survivorship period
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Rachael Gooberman-Hill, Myles Balfe, Phyllis Butow, Aileen Timmons, Katie M O'Brien, Eleanor O' Sullivan, and Linda Sharp
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Adult ,Male ,Time Factors ,Cross-sectional study ,media_common.quotation_subject ,03 medical and health sciences ,Social support ,0302 clinical medicine ,Survivorship curve ,Medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Head and neck ,General Nursing ,media_common ,Aged ,Health Services Needs and Demand ,business.industry ,Head and neck cancer ,Social Support ,Loneliness ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Long-Term Care ,Long-term care ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Feeling ,Caregivers ,Head and Neck Neoplasms ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,business - Abstract
Aims and objectives To examine the unmet supportive care needs of long-term head and neck cancer caregivers, and the factors associated with those needs. Background Research on the unmet needs of head and neck cancer caregivers is lacking, particularly in the long-term survivorship period. Design Survey of 197 caregivers. Methods The study collected information on caregivers’ demographic characteristics and their unmet supportive care needs (as measured by the Partners and Caregivers Supportive Care Needs Survey). An overall score of unmet need was generated, as were scores for four separate domains of unmet needs (emotional, health, information and work/social). Results Seventy six percentage of respondents were female, and 88% reported being married or living with a partner. Mean age was 57 years. Most caregivers had low levels of unmet needs. Managing fears about the cancer recurring was the most commonly reported individual need, described by slightly more than one in five respondents. The highest levels of need were located in the emotional and the health services domains. Loneliness and financial stress were consistently and significantly associated with high levels of unmet need in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions Most head and neck cancer caregivers appear to have low levels of unmet need in the extended survivorship period. The greatest levels of unmet need that are experienced occur in relation to emotional and health service domains. Needs diminish over time. Relevance to clinical practice Health professionals should be aware that a minority of long-term head and neck caregivers continue to experience strong fears of cancer recurrence. To reduce unmet needs across multiple domains, health professionals should seek to reduce caregivers’ feelings of loneliness, and to assist caregivers to reduce the financial burdens that they experience as a result of long-term caring. more...
- Published
- 2015
39. The financial impact of head and neck cancer caregiving: a qualitative study
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Myles, Balfe, Phyllis, Butow, Eleanor, O'Sullivan, Rachael, Gooberman-Hill, Aileen, Timmons, and Linda, Sharp
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Adult ,Male ,Health Services Needs and Demand ,Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms ,Caregivers ,Cost of Illness ,Humans ,Female ,Middle Aged ,Ireland ,Qualitative Research ,Social Welfare ,Aged - Abstract
There is a lack of research on the financial impacts that head and neck cancer has on caregivers.To explore the overall financial impact of head and neck cancer on caregivers; to describe the factors that mitigate this impact.Interviews with 31 caregivers (mean time caring: 5.7 years).Head and neck cancer had a considerable financial impact on caregivers. It resulted in out of pocket costs and caregivers and/or their relative/friend with cancer often became under- or un-employed. Caregivers with large debts or ongoing expenses appeared to be particularly vulnerable to cancer-related financial pressures. Finance related psychological stress was prevalent, although some caregivers hid their psychological difficulties from other people. Factors which help caregivers to mitigate financial distress included having private health insurance and being able to access to medical and/or social welfare benefits.Head and neck cancer can cause caregivers substantial financial and psychological distress. Distress may be mitigated by providing caregivers and their households with access to welfare benefits.Health professionals should be aware that head and neck cancer can have short and long-term financial consequences for caregivers and their families. Health professionals should refer patients and their caregivers to medical social workers who can help them with their financial issues. Copyright © 2016 John WileySons, Ltd. more...
- Published
- 2015
40. Incredible geographies? Orientalism and Genre Fantasy
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Myles Balfe
- Subjects
Cultural Studies ,Magic (illusion) ,Anthropology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Representation (arts) ,Wonder ,Aesthetics ,Reading (process) ,Orientalism ,Transcendental number ,Sociology ,Fantasy ,Everyday life ,media_common - Abstract
Despite its immense popularity, the Fantasy genre has been largely ignored by academic geography. In this paper I give an overview of the genre, its politics and its geographies. I examine the ways in which several popular Fantasy texts negotiate and draw upon ‘Orientalist’ tropes. Fantasylands are often described as landscapes enabling characters and readers to flee the drudgery of the ‘real’ world and escape into inconceivable places populated by magic and wonder, realms liberated from the ‘actualities’ of everyday life. However, it is my contention, based on a reading of several popular Fantasy texts, that Fantasy cannot be viewed as a privileged genre where ‘you’re limited only by your own imagination'. Fantasy is not about inventing Other‐worlds: it is not a transcendental and surpassing genre. Rather, Fantasy texts, like all texts, are socially embedded. I argue that the construction of the ‘Western’ characters as the ‘good guys’ in Genre Fantasy texts can become problematic when these characters en... more...
- Published
- 2004
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41. Why do young adults with Type 1 diabetes find it difficult to manage diabetes in the workplace?
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Ronan M. Conroy, Ruairi Brugha, Seamus Sreenan, Diarmuid Smith, Frank Doyle, and Myles Balfe
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Adult ,Male ,Health (social science) ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Interviews as Topic ,Young Adult ,Diabetes management ,Diabetes mellitus ,Medicine ,Humans ,Young adult ,Patient compliance ,Workplace ,Qualitative Research ,Type 1 diabetes ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,medicine.disease ,Self Care ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ,Self care ,Patient Compliance ,Female ,business ,Ireland ,Working environment ,Qualitative research - Abstract
This article explores how and why workplace environments impact diabetes management for adults people with Type 1 diabetes, 23-30 years of age. Interviews were conducted with 35 young adults, 29 women and 6 men. The majority of these interviewees worked in sectors such as banking, technology and administration. Young adults found it difficult to manage diabetes in the workplace for two main reasons: work-related time pressures and the non-routine nature of interviewees' work and working environment. Young adults also found it difficult to get the time to exercise both inside and outside of work. Young adults with Type 1 diabetes need to be provided with the tools and technologies that they need to manage diabetes in modern flexible workplaces. more...
- Published
- 2013
42. Looking back on the long term fostering and adoption of children with harmful sexual behaviours: carers’ reflections on their experiences
- Author
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Myles Balfe, Helen Masson, Josie Phillips, and Simon Hackett
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education.field_of_study ,Health (social science) ,Population ,education ,Added value ,H1 ,Psychology ,Social Sciences (miscellaneous) ,Developmental psychology - Abstract
The experiences of carers of children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours have been the subject of little research to date. Consequently, and as part of a larger follow-up study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine adoptive or foster-carers who had had such children and young people placed with them during the 1990s. The looked after children were white and male and had come from troubled and often abusive backgrounds. Interviews, which were taped and transcribed, were thematically analysed. Eight themes emerged covering motivations; training and sources of support, information from and relationships with professionals; challenges; commitment and acceptance; managing risk and safety issues; advocacy or fighting the child's corner; the importance of male role models and managing birth contacts. The findings are discussed in relation to the more general literature on fostering and adoption available and the limitations of the current study in terms of, for example, sample size are made clear. Implications for practice include the importance of training and support, the need to recognise the particular role of male carers for this population, and the added value of including carers as respected and valued members of the professional team around the child. more...
- Published
- 2013
43. Lost without a trace? Social networking and social research with a hard-to-reach population
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Myles Balfe, Simon Hackett, Helen Masson, and Josie Phillips
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Health (social science) ,Social computing ,T1 ,Social network ,business.industry ,Social change ,Internet privacy ,Social engagement ,Social learning ,Social research ,H1 ,Social position ,Social competence ,Sociology ,business ,Social psychology ,Social Sciences (miscellaneous) - Abstract
This paper describes the methodological approaches and challenges associated with tracing and contacting former social welfare service users in the course of long-term outcome research. Historical case file data were analysed on 117 ‘hard to reach’ children and young people identified as having behavioural problems, including sexual behavioural problems. Various publicly available internet and social network resources were used to try and trace these individuals in adulthood, at least a decade after the identification of their behaviour problems in childhood. Using these approaches, it was possible to locate individuals in 69 per cent of cases. The use of social network sites, such as Facebook, in social research is discussed, together with an appraisal of the practicalities and ethics of such approaches. The implications for social work practice more generally of the emergence of new technologies for tracing and maintaining contact with service users are also discussed. more...
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Valuing Informal Care: Making Normative Judgments in A Positive Milieu
- Author
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Linda Sharp, Rebecca Maguire, Paul Hanly, and Myles Balfe
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Actuarial science ,Health Policy ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Normative ,Psychology ,Social psychology - Published
- 2016
- Full Text
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45. Using Facebook to recruit young adults for qualitative research projects: how difficult is it?
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Ronan M. Conroy, Frank Doyle, and Myles Balfe
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Adult ,Nursing (miscellaneous) ,Patient Selection ,Applied psychology ,Health Informatics ,Young Adult ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ,Humans ,Young adult ,Psychology ,Social psychology ,Ireland ,Social Media ,Qualitative Research ,Qualitative research - Published
- 2012
46. Family responses to young people who have sexually abused: anger, ambivalence and acceptance
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Josie Phillips, Helen Masson, Simon Hackett, and Myles Balfe
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Health (social science) ,media_common.quotation_subject ,RJ101 ,Poison control ,Human factors and ergonomics ,Anger ,Ambivalence ,Suicide prevention ,Education ,Sexual abuse ,Injury prevention ,H1 ,HQ ,Sibling ,Life-span and Life-course Studies ,Psychology ,Clinical psychology ,media_common - Abstract
Data on 117 British young people who had sexually abused others were examined in order to investigate the nature and impact of family responses on the management of young sexual abusers. Parental responses were varied, ranging from being entirely supportive of the child, through to ambivalence and uncertainty and, at the other end of the continuum, to outright rejection. Parents were more likely to be supportive when their child's victims were extra-familial and condemnatory when the victims were intra-familial. Sibling responses were complex and strongly influenced by whether that sibling was the victim of the young person's abuse or not. Policy and practice implications are discussed. more...
- Published
- 2012
47. A descriptive social and health profile of a community sample of adults and adolescents with Asperger syndrome
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Myles Balfe and Digby Tantam
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Coping (psychology) ,medicine.medical_specialty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Short Report ,lcsh:Medicine ,Life skills ,Social issues ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,Hygiene ,Medicine ,lcsh:Science (General) ,Psychiatry ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 ,media_common ,Medicine(all) ,Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all) ,business.industry ,lcsh:R ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Mental health ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,Feeling ,Asperger syndrome ,Anxiety ,medicine.symptom ,business ,lcsh:Q1-390 - Abstract
Background Little is known about the health and social profile of adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome (AS) living in the community. We conducted a study to describe the living, employment and psycho-social situation of a community sample of forty two adults and adolescents with AS, and to describe these indivdiuals' experiences of accessing health services and taking medication. Findings Most respondents (including those over eighteen years of age) lived at home with their parents. Most had trouble reading and responding to other people's feelings, and coping with unexpected changes. Difficulties with life skills, such as cleaning, washing and hygiene were prevalent. The majority of respondents were socially isolated and a large minority had been sexually or financially exploited. Almost all respondents had been bullied. Mental health problems such as anxiety or depression were common. 30% of respondents said that they regularly became violent and hit other people and 15% had attempted suicide. More positively, the majority of respondents felt that they could access health services if they had a health problem. Conclusions The results of this study suggest a relatively poor social and health profile for many people with Asperger syndrome living in the community, with high levels of social problems and social exclusion, and difficulties managing day to day tasks such as washing and cleaning; these findings support the results of other studies that have examined psycho-social functioning in this group. more...
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
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48. 'Pee-in-a-Pot': acceptability and uptake of on-site chlamydia screening in a student population in the Republic of Ireland
- Author
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Emer O'Connell, Colette Faherty, Diarmuid O'Donovan, Deirdre Vaughan, Ruairi Brugha, Martin Cormican, and Myles Balfe
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Universities ,Student Health Services ,prevalence ,Population ,sexual health ,Sexually Transmitted Diseases ,men ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,Interviews as Topic ,Young Adult ,Medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,education ,Students ,Mass screening ,Reproductive health ,education.field_of_study ,Chlamydia ,trachomatis infection ,young ,business.industry ,Public health ,Chlamydia Infections ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,Partner notification ,medicine.disease ,Test (assessment) ,Health promotion ,Infectious Diseases ,Family medicine ,Immunology ,Female ,business ,Ireland ,Research Article - Abstract
Background The aim of the study was to explore the acceptability and uptake of on-campus screening using a youth friendly approach in two Third Level higher education institutions (HEIs). This study is part of wider research exploring the optimal setting for chlamydia screening in Ireland. Methods Male and female students were given the opportunity to take a free anonymous test for chlamydia during a one week programme of "pee-in-a-pot" days at two HEI campuses in the West of Ireland. The study was set up after extensive consultation with the two HEIs and advertised on the two campuses using a variety of media in the two weeks preceding the screening days. Screening involved the provision and distribution of testing packs at communal areas and in toilet facilities. In Ireland, chlamydia notifications are highest amongst 20-29 year olds and hence the screening criterion was aimed at 18-29 year olds. Urine samples were tested using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Following the screening days, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with participants about their experiences of the event. Results Out of 1,249 test kits distributed in two HEIs, 592 specimens were collected giving a return rate of 47.5%. Tests excluded (54) were due to labelling errors or ineligibility of participants' age. Two thirds of those tested were females and the mean age was 21 years. Overall,3.9% (21/538) of participants tested positive, 5% (17/336) among females and 2% (4/191) among males. Participant interviews identified factors which enhanced student participation such as anonymity, convenience, accessibility of testing, and the informal and non-medical approach to testing. Conclusions Screening for chlamydia using on-campus "pee-in-a-pot" days is an acceptable strategy in this population. This model can detect and treat asymptomatic cases of chlamydia and avoid many of the barriers associated with testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in clinical settings. more...
- Published
- 2010
49. Young women's decisions to accept chlamydia screening: influences of stigma and doctor-patient interactions
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Emer O'Connell, Ruairi Brugha, Diarmuid O'Donovan, Myles Balfe, and Deirdre Vaughan
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Adult ,College health ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Patients ,Population ,Decision Making ,men ,medicine.disease_cause ,Interviews as Topic ,Young Adult ,Nursing ,acceptability ,Medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,care ,Chlamydia ,education ,Mass screening ,Reproductive health ,education.field_of_study ,Physician-Patient Relations ,Stereotyping ,business.industry ,Public health ,lcsh:Public aspects of medicine ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,lcsh:RA1-1270 ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,Partner notification ,infection ,Family planning ,Family medicine ,trachomatis ,impact ,Female ,Contact Tracing ,business ,Chlamydia trachomatis ,Ireland ,Research Article - Abstract
Background An understanding of the factors that encourage young women to accept, and discourage them from accepting, STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing is needed to underpin opportunistic screening programs for the STI Chlamydia trachomatis (opportunistic screening involves healthcare professionals offering chlamydia tests to people while they are attending health services for reasons that are usually unrelated to their sexual health). We conducted a qualitative study to identify and explore: how young women would feel about being offered opportunistic tests for chlamydia?; how young women would like to be offered screening, and who they wanted to be offered screening by?; and what factors would influence young women's partner notification preferences for chlamydia (who they would notify in the event of a positive diagnosis of chlamydia, how they would want to do this). Methods Semi-structured interviews with 35 young women between eighteen and twenty nine years of age. The study was conducted in the Dublin and Galway regions of the Republic of Ireland. Young adults were recruited from General Practice (GP) practices, Third Level College health services, Family Planning clinics and specialist STI treatment services. Results Respondents were worried that their identities would become stigmatised if they accepted screening. Younger respondents and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds had the greatest stigma-related concerns. Most respondents indicated that they would accept screening if it was offered to them, however; accepting screening was seen as a correct, responsible action to engage in. Respondents wanted to be offered screening by younger female healthcare professionals. Respondents were willing to inform their current partners about positive chlamydia diagnoses, but were more ambivalent about informing their previous partners. Conclusions If an effort is not put into reducing young women's stigma-related concerns the population coverage of Chlamydia screening might be reduced. more...
- Published
- 2010
50. Healthcare routines of university students with Type 1 diabetes
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Myles Balfe
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Type 1 diabetes ,Health professionals ,Adolescent ,Universities ,business.industry ,education ,MEDLINE ,medicine.disease ,Self Care ,Young Adult ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ,Nursing ,Health care ,Adaptation, Psychological ,Self care ,Medicine ,Humans ,Female ,business ,Students ,General Nursing ,Qualitative Research ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Healthcare routines of university students with Type 1 diabetes. This paper is a report of a study examining the benefits that university students with Type 1 diabetes associate with diabetes self-care routines, and the barriers that they experience in enacting self-care routines in the university environment. Many young adults with Type 1 diabetes attend university, and it is thought that these students might experience difficulties with their self-care routines while they are there. A qualitative method was chosen to explore students' own perspectives. Seventeen students with diabetes were interviewed twice, and each kept a research diary for a 2-week period. Interviews and diaries were analyzed using standard qualitative techniques. The study was conducted in 2004–2005. Routines had a number of identity-producing benefits for students. However, students often experienced difficulties routinizing their self-care practices at university. These difficulties stemmed both from the irregular nature of university life and from students' desires not to let their diabetes interfere with their student lives. Most participants learned to adjust to university and enact self-care routines, although they could still experience routine difficulties during times of transition and stress. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the difficulties that university students with Type 1 diabetes experience with their self-care routines. This awareness needs to encompass older students in the second, third and fourth years of their undergraduate degrees and postgraduate students as well as students in their first year at university. balfe m. (2009) Healthcare routines of university students with Type 1 diabetes. Journal of Advanced Nursing doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05098.x more...
- Published
- 2009
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