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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the web search behavior of adolescents from a Chinese secondary school and the factors affecting this behavior. Design/methodology/approach – A controlled experiment was conducted to collect data on adolescents’ background and their web search behavior. A total of 48 students were asked to perform three different search tasks on the internet within a limited time, and were then interviewed by researchers. Findings – The results revealed three characteristics of Chinese adolescents’ main behavior during the search process: mental set during the search process, poor information search skills, and poor ability to process the search results. In addition, this research found that cognitive style had only minor influence on students’ use of embedded links. However, grade and task type had a significant impact on their search performance and behavior. In general, high school students performed better than middle school students, and adolescents acted differently when completing different tasks. Originality/value – This research sheds light on Chinese middle and high school students’ search behavior on the web. It also investigates how cognitive style, grade, and task type influence students’ online search behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 places a duty on Councils to investigate the circumstances of adults who, because of a disability, health condition or illness are unable to safeguard themselves from harm. Public partner agencies, including the NHS have a statutory obligation to bring to the attention of the Council those individuals who may be at risk of harm. Health professionals cooperate with adult protection investigations and participate in the development of adult support and protection plans, yet do not appear to be initiating adult protection referrals with the Council. Low reporting by health has also been recognised as a national issue. The purpose of this paper is to explore what promotes and what prohibits the identification and reporting of situations of abuse within the Scottish Legislative Framework. Understanding the decision-making processes of prospective reporters would potentially allow the barriers to be reduced and the supports to be strengthened. Design/methodology/approach – The research strategy is based on a literature review, a web-based survey and semi-structured interviews with health professionals within community learning and community mental health teams. Findings – The findings point to a number of inter-related factors which impinge upon the professional’s confidence to initiate adult protection referrals. Workers must first recognise harm as conduct which needs to be reported and addressed. They need to be familiar with referral procedures and be assured that their concerns will be dealt with appropriately. Health professionals are more likely to report if they are based in an environment which supports honest and open discussion regarding harm, without over-concern about agency reputation or resources. Access to multi-disciplinary consultation and support, particularly in relation to more ambiguous protection situations, was viewed as fundamental to reporting. Originality/value – This small scale study adds to a developing bank of literature providing a Scottish perspective on protecting adults. It offers some insight into reporting decisions from the viewpoint of community health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore supposed inevitable personal decline for long-term prisoners, particularly those serving a sentence of life without parole. Design/methodology/approach - Using the prison records of a life without parole sentenced prisoner. Findings - Findings suggest that prisoner deterioration is not inevitable in a whole life prison sentence. Research limitations/implications - Findings are based on one account, of a female prisoner. Practical implications - Distinct services and support are required for those with a natural life prison sentence. Originality/value - To date, there is limited research of prisoners serving life without parole, particularly the mental health implications of denying a prisoner future parole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of the DeBoer fellowship, a citizen leadership development program in Myanmar. The challenge in Myanmar of catalyzing transformative change facing government and civil society cannot be overstated. Autocratic, centralized, and a traits-based approach to leadership has been, until recently, the primary way to assess leaders in Myanmar. In this dynamic civic context, new ways of leading and learning are needed. Design/methodology/approach - Interviews of DeBoer fellowship alumni were analyzed using a single case study method. The project focuses on individual participants of the program as the primary unit of analysis. In addition, direct observation and contributions from DeBoer fellowship administration and faculty were used to describe this case study. Findings - The DeBoer fellows understood their challenge as one of energize others, a concept of adaptive leadership. Moreover, individuals experienced deep degrees of transformational development. Civic agency was the least noticable concept that was studied. Research limitations/implications - Future research could more explicitly measure and examine the degree to which civic agency is being nurtured in leadership development programs. Practical implications - Civic leadership curriculum designers should be more conscious of adult development theory when choosing programming objectives and activities. Social implications - Leadership development initatives in more authoritative systems can be effective developmental experiences for participants who are motivated to improve their organizations and communities. Originality/value - To the authors' knowledge, this is the first effort to analyze a citizen leadership program in Myanmar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Social support is a significant factor in the life of homeless people, as it helps them meet their life challenges more efficiently and increases the likelihood of return to a normal life. Social support plays a different role in homeless women’s life, as gender culture often causes them to be exposed to more risks. The purpose of this paper is to identify homeless people’s access to social support from their network members, with a comparison between men and women.Design/methodology/approach In this study, a survey method was used with an administrated questionnaire. Participants were recruited from among the homeless people (men and women) who used the municipal social services in shelters and social service centers in Tehran. The main variables in this study included frequency of contact, social support, and gender.Findings The results have shown significant differences between homeless men and homeless women in terms of frequency of contact and receipt of social support. Homeless women contacted their network members more often than did homeless men and also received more support. There seems to be a strong correlation between the receipt of social support and women’s greater ability for social communication, as well as with traditional culture, which considers women to be weak and dependent so that they receive more support compared with men. The weakness of social support, especially among homeless men, requires serious attention; however, homeless women are not in a favorable situation either.Originality/value The social networks of homeless people who usually live on the streets and in public places without permanent shelter are weak because of various reasons, including poverty, addiction, immigration, and divorce. The weakness of social support leads to an escalation of their vulnerabilities. Thus, it is necessary, in social policy and services, to improve the social network of high-risk people such as homeless people, which would help the rehabilitation process and reduce the probability of exposure to harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of a day treatment programme (DTP) in reducing psychosocial impairment, changing attitudes, restoring body-weight and decreasing binge/vomit symptoms among 52 individuals (aged 16+) with eating disorders. It was hypothesized that day treatment would result in improvements across all variables measured. Design/methodology/approach – In a within-participants design, demographic, physiological and psychological measures were taken on admission to and at discharge from a DTP in the UK. Quantitative outcomes were analysed. Findings – In total, 40 participants were considered to have received an adequate dose of the DTP, having completed at least four weeks on the programme. Analyses supported all hypotheses, with all improvements being statistically significant. Large effect sizes were evident for all outcomes across the whole sample other than shape concern attitudes and weight concern attitudes, which reduced with moderate and moderate-to-large effect sizes, respectively. Originality/value – This study provides new evidence of the effectiveness of day treatment in reducing psychosocial impairment resulting from eating disorder psychopathology. It remains for future research to determine whether these outcomes can be sustained over the longer term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The perspectives of frontline clinical staff working with individuals in later life within an inpatient mental health setting, of their role in recovery, have not yet been explored. The purpose of this paper is to understand what recovery means within an inpatient mental health setting for older adults. The authors address clear implications for clinical practice. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 multidisciplinary participants across two specialist older adult recovery units at an independent hospital in the UK. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcripts. Findings – Three main themes were identified: participants identified their normative task as the promotion of “moving on” (clinical recovery) and their existential task as personal recovery. The context in which recovery happens was highlighted as the third theme. These represented competing workplace goals of clinical and personal recovery. This highlights the need to give permission to personal recovery as the process that enables mental health recovery in older adults. Originality/value – Staff working in a inpatient mental health service for older adults discussed the meaning of recovery and their role in enabling recovery. This has implications for sustainable clinical practice in this setting. Recovery-orientated practice in this setting is required but the detail is not yet understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how service professionals involved in the provision of services to clientele who use solvents and are often without stable housing understand the process of healing and recovery in their work. Design/methodology/approach – Using a narrative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 human service professionals (i.e. social workers, case managers, etc.) employed in providing recovery-based services to individuals who use volatile solvents. Findings – Despite the dominant cultural story about “street addicts” and solvent users’ limited possibilities for recovery, professionals indicate that they view their clients as “just like everyone else.” The dominant storyline was that of advocating for the capability of the client group. These stories are discussed in relation to hope for professionals who provide health and housing services to clientele with complex and multi-systemic needs. Originality/value – The findings have implications for how human service providers maintain hope and purpose in their work with stigmatized populations (e.g. homeless individuals, those with alcohol or other drug-related problems). This study highlights how human service professionals make sense of their role in their work and how they maintain hope for themselves and for the recovery of the clientele they work alongside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consolidate policy, research, evidence and good practice around strategies tackling fuel poverty and affordable warmth for older people aged over 60 to support the development of more effective services for this life course stage and to tackle physical and mental health inequalities. Design/methodology/approach – The authors consolidate current policy, research, evidence and examples of good practice in exploring effective interprofessional approaches that contribute to affordable warmth for older people through “desktop analysis”. The authors support this with qualitative data from Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs), health inequalities and environmental health from research comprising four longitudinal case studies in the Midlands and North of England over 18 months and semi-structured interviews with members and support officers. A total of 50 interviews were undertaken and 55 hours of HWB meetings observed. Findings – There are numerous older people living in fuel poverty. The depth of fuel poverty increases with age particularly the over 75s and physical and mental ill health are affected. There are an increasing number of tools to help estimate health care costs around the cost effectiveness of interventions and there is a real need for more local evidence about what is working well, how and why. However, there is no mandatory requirement for fuel poverty strategies and more creative local strategies are required taking organisational and interprofessional relationships into account. The emphasis in integrated care provides new impetus and scope to encourage preventative services but these new partnerships need to be effective in what is a complex policy environment. There is still a long way to go in places. The challenges of ageing are numerous, complex and not fully understood and sit across multiple policy areas. Originality/value – Fuel poverty strategies tend to be delivered on a geographical or income bases rather than by life course approach and a focus on older people. We need to focus more specifically on older people, a rapidly growing population and to better understand thermal properties of our ageing housing stock and how best to intervene to protect and improve health and safety. Emerging approaches need to overcome artificial statutory and non statutory divides and move towards sustainable, evidence based affordable warmth strategies for older people to protect and improve health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This study makes an integrated approach in identifying the factors affecting usage intention of mobile-based payment services. Such services are being marketed aggressively by cellular service providers and are different from usual mobile-based banking. The study incorporates prominent factors like the technical characteristics, technology-specific characteristics, user-specific characteristics, and task-specific characteristics and others from published literature. The purpose of this paper is to highlight those factors which have significant impact on the adoption of such service so that the adoption rate can be increased. Design/methodology/approach – A nationwide primary survey was conducted using validated questionnaire requesting response for the factors obtained from published literature. In total, 196 respondents participated in the survey. Totally, 11 hypotheses were formulated and statistically tested for their significance in context to the study. Confirmatory study was on the significant factors and a model has been proposed. Findings – The study finds that factors like perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, system quality, connectivity, discomfort, task-technology fit and structural assurance have significant impact on the usage intention of mobile money services whereas factors such as perceived monetary value, absorptive capacity and personal innovativeness have been found to be insignificant. Originality/value – There have been no studies conducted which reported mobile-based transfer payment adoption issues where-in the transfer mechanism is independent of formal banking. The findings would be beneficial for service providers of mobile-based payment services to understand their subscribers and roll out value added services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – What makes investors tick? Largely counter-intuitive compared to the findings of most past research, this study explores the possibility that funding investors invest in companies based on social relationships, which could be positive or negative, similar or dissimilar. The purpose of this paper is to build a social network graph using data from CrunchBase, the largest public database with profiles about companies. The authors combine social network analysis with the study of investing behavior in order to explore how similarity between investors and companies affects investing behavior through social network analysis. Design/methodology/approach – This study crawls and analyzes data from CrunchBase and builds a social network graph which includes people, companies, social links and funding investment links. The problem is then formalized as a link (or relationship) prediction task in a social network to model and predict (across various machine learning methods and evaluation metrics) whether an investor will create a link to a company in the social network. Various link prediction techniques such as common neighbors, shortest path, Jaccard Coefficient and others are integrated to provide a holistic view of a social network and provide useful insights as to how a pair of nodes may be related (i.e., whether the investor will invest in the particular company at a time) within the social network. Findings – This study finds that funding investors are more likely to invest in a particular company if they have a stronger social relationship in terms of closeness, be it direct or indirect. At the same time, if investors and companies share too many common neighbors, investors are less likely to invest in such companies. Originality/value – The author’s study is among the first to use data from the largest public company profile database of CrunchBase as a social network for research purposes. The author ' s also identify certain social relationship factors that can help prescribe the investor funding behavior. Authors prediction strategy based on these factors and modeling it as a link prediction problem generally works well across the most prominent learning algorithms and perform well in terms of aggregate performance as well as individual industries. In other words, this study would like to encourage companies to focus on social relationship factors in addition to other factors when seeking external funding investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify user-generated content (UGC) features that determine web purchase decision making. Design/methodology/approach – The authors embed a spike-and-slab Bayesian variable selection mechanism into a logistic regression model to identify the UGC features that are critical to web purchase intent. This enables us to make a highly reliable analysis of survey data. Findings – The results indicate that the web purchase decision is driven by the relevance, up-to-dateness and credibility of the UGC information content. Research limitations/implications – The results show that the characteristics of UGC are seen as positive and the medium enables consumers to sort information and concentrate on aspects of the message that are similar to traditional word-of-mouth (WOM). One important implication is the relative importance of credibility which has been previously hypothesized to be lower in the electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) context. The results show that consumers consider credibility important as the improved technology provides more possibilities to find out about that factor. A limitation is that the data are not fully representative of the general population but our Bayesian method gives us high analytical quality. Practical implications – The study shows that UGC impacts consumer online purchase intentions. Marketers should understand the wide range of media that provide UGC and they should concentrate on the relevance, up-to-dateness and credibility of product information that they provide. Originality/value – The analytical quality of the spike- and- slab Bayesian method suggests a new way of understanding the impact of aspects of UGC on consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of two intrinsic (i.e. sense of self-worth and socializing) and two extrinsic motivations (i.e. economic reward and reciprocity) on mobile coupon (m-coupon) sharing by users in social network sites (SNSs). Moreover, this study examines how coupon proneness moderates the relationship between motivations and m-coupon sharing in SNSs. Design/methodology/approach – A research model that integrates four motivations, coupon proneness, and m-coupon sharing is developed. Quantitative data from 247 users are collected via online and offline survey. Partial least squares technique is employed to evaluate the measurement model, and hypotheses are tested through hierarchical regression analysis. Findings – Sense of self-worth, socializing, economic reward and reciprocity have positive effects on m-coupon sharing in SNSs. Furthermore, coupon proneness positively moderates the relationship of socializing and reciprocity with m-coupon sharing, whereas the moderating effects of coupon proneness on the relationship of sense of self-worth and economic reward with m-coupon sharing are insignificant. Originality/value – The findings highlight the integrated effects of coupon proneness and motivations on m-coupon sharing in SNS. The impact of socializing and reciprocity on m-coupon sharing is higher for users with higher coupon proneness. However, the effect of sense of self-worth and economic reward on m-coupon sharing is the same regardless of coupon proneness of users. Therefore, although users with different motivations should be identified, SNSs and merchants should develop different incentive mechanisms to promote m-coupon sharing among various users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – There is growing interest in self-management support for people living with mental health problems. The purpose of this paper is to describe the evaluation of a co-designed and co-delivered self-management programme (SMP) for people living with depression delivered as part of large scale National Health Service quality improvement programme, which was grounded in the principles of co-production. The authors investigated whether participants became more activated, were less psychologically distressed enjoyed better health status, and quality of life, and improved their self-management skills after attending the seven-week SMP. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a longitudinal study of 114 people living with depression who attended the SMP. Participants completed self-reported measures before attending the SMP and at six months follow up. Findings – Patient activation significantly improved six months after the SMP (baseline M=49.6, SD=12.3, follow up M=57.2, SD=15.0, t(113)=4.83, p < 0.001; d=0.61). Participants’ experience of depression symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 significantly reduced (baseline M=15.5, SD=6.8, follow up M=10.6, SD=6.9, t(106)=7.22, p < 0.001, d=−0.72). Participants’ anxiety and depression as measured by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale also decreased significantly (baseline anxiety: M=13.1, SD=4.2, follow up M=10.2, SD=4.4, t(79)=6.29, p < 0.001, d=−0.69); (baseline depression: M=10.3, SD=4.6, follow up M=7.7, SD=4.5, t(79)=5.32, p < 0.001, d=−0.56). The authors also observed significant improvement in participants’ health status (baseline M=0.5, SD=0.3, follow up M=0.6, SD=0.3, t(97)=−3.86, p < 0.001, d=0.33), and health-related quality of life (baseline M=45.4, SD=20.5, follow up M=60.8, SD=22.8, t(91)=−2.71, p=0.008, d=0.75). About 35 per cent of participant showed substantial improvements of self-management skills. Originality/value – The co-produced depression SMP is innovative in a UK mental health setting. Improvements in activation, depression, anxiety, quality of life and self-management skills suggest that the SMP could make a useful contribution to the recovery services in mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of socio-psychological factors from different theoretical perspectives, as well as the roles of technological and cultural facilitators on knowledge sharing (KS) behaviors and whether it leads to superior employees’ innovative work behaviors. Design/methodology/approach – Partial least squares analysis was used to investigate the research model based on a survey of 257 employees from 22 high-tech companies (including companies in pharmaceutical, nano technological, biotechnological, aviation, and aerospace industries) in Iran. Findings – The results supported the effects of three motivational factors, i.e. perceived loss of knowledge power, perceived reputation enhancement, and perceived enjoyment in helping others, and two social capital factors, i.e. social interaction ties and trust, on employees’ attitude toward KS. Findings also indicated that employees’ KS behaviors enhance their innovative work behaviors. Research limitations/implications – Since the survey used cross-sectional data and samples here were limited to some Iranian companies, the results of this study may prove not to be generalizable and should be confirmed using larger samples and/or longitudinal studies. Practical implications – The findings provide useful insights into how managers should encourage employees’ KS attitudes, intentions, and behaviors to foster innovative work behaviors of employees. Originality/value – This study is one of the first attempts to fill the void in integrative research for examining relationships among KS determinants, behaviors, and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Annoying and bothersome behaviours among persons with developmental disabilities (DD) is a relatively frequent phenomenon. However, not all behaviour that is difficult to accept in its surroundings should be seen as abnormal or problem behaviour (PB). Some of these behaviours may be an expression of a person’s psychosocial needs and may be considered as adaptive and normal. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Authors attempt to discuss relevant issues in persons with DD which have an impact on their behaviour, intending in this way to define criteria for a reliable differentiation between normal and abnormal behaviour and psychiatric disorders. Findings – Differentiating between normal and abnormal may be a difficult task for a professional treating persons with DD because of the lack of adequate criteria for such differentiation. The problem becomes even more complex when one attempts to differentiate between PB and psychiatric disorder. By approaching the subject from a developmental perspective and by determining the level of the person’s emotional development, insight in subjective person’s experiences was achieved. On the ground of a “good practice” the authors made schemata outlining criteria for differentiation between these constructs. Originality/value – The application of these schemata in the practice made it easier to establish appropriate diagnoses and was favourable for the planning of adequate treatment and support of persons with DD and mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of measures designed to increase physical activity in women in secure psychiatric care. Design/methodology/approach – A range of interventions (environmental and motivational) designed to increase participation in physical activities were introduced on two secure wards for women. A pre-post design assessed frequency, duration and intensity of physical activity, attendance at physical activity sessions, exercise motivation, exercise-related mood, attitudes to exercise and health and biological indices. Measures collected over a three-month baseline period were repeated six months post-intervention. Findings – Significant changes occurred in both attitudes to exercise and health, exercise motivation and exercise behaviour following change initiatives. With the exception of resting pulse rate and perceived exertion, the increased level of activity was not reflected in changes in body mass index, body fat or body muscle. Practical implications – Management led, multi-disciplinary interventions to increase physical activity can have a positive impact on both lifestyle behaviours and physical health. Originality/value – This study adds to a small literature on increasing physical activity in women in secure psychiatric settings where obstacles to change are formidable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Military-connected students experience a high rate of parental absence due to their parents’ military obligations. Military work-related parental absences can affect school-aged children’s emotional and behavioural health and overall academic functioning. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – The current review identified research studies that explored the effects of military-connected parental absence on school-aged children. Specifically, quantitative and qualitative research studies that examine the impact of military parental absences on dependent variables related to internalising and externalising behaviours and academic functioning were of interest. In all, 26 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. Findings – Overall, military-connected students who experience a parental absence due to military service are more likely to exhibit an increase in problem behaviours and a decrease in academic functioning compared to civilian peers or military-connected peers who were not experiencing parental absence. Originality/value – The current review elucidates parental absence within the military context, highlighting key factors that may contribute to increased and decreased behavioural and academic functioning of military-connected students. Results from the review in relation to risk and protective factors for military-connected students, future research and school programming directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Age-related processes are marked by physiological, psychological and social decline, threatening health, quality of life, functional status and the mobility of individuals. As the impact of demographic change also begins to affect persons with intellectual disabilities (ID), issues and needs regarding the aging process are slowly entering the field of ID research. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach In the population of older people with ID, important, age-related events such as falls have prompted increasing research. Falls may lead to several negative health outcomes, require that an individual receives higher levels of care sometimes including hospitalisation and, in the worst case, hasten death. Falls also lead to psychological consequences such as fear of falling which fuels a vicious circle in which older persons afraid of falling reduce their physical activity, in turn hastening their functional decline.Findings Fall prevention in persons with ID is just evolving and further research is clearly necessary. This research can draw on the existing evidence from other fall prevention areas, especially the work carried out with the general older population.Originality/value As stated by Finlayson, a useful next step would be the development of a consensus on the definitions and methodology that should underpin future fall prevention research with persons with ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the views and experiences of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) practitioners in providing therapy to patients who have an intellectual disability in order to support IAPT services in increasing their capability in this area. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was conducted of IAPT practitioners in four IAPT services in the north of England. The survey collected respondents demographic information and their experience, confidence and attitudes to working with people with intellectual disabilities. Qualitative responses regarding respondents attitudes, views of barriers, problems, successes and possible solutions to the delivery of therapy to people with intellectual disabilities within IAPT services were collected. The survey results were interpreted by thematic and statistical analysis. Findings – The majority of respondents report having worked with people with intellectual disabilities and identify the need to adapt therapy, but also believe that such therapy should be offered within mainstream services. Thematic analysis identifies the needs for support in training, therapy adaptation and adjustment to pathways. However, the majority of respondents could identify positive outcomes and experiences. Research limitations/implications – This data supports the further development of pathways and offers some broad frameworks for the focus of training and development work for people with intellectual disabilities within IAPT. Social implications – This project has identified a positive attitude and willingness to consider adaptation of therapy for people with intellectual disabilities in practitioners working within IAPT services. Originality/value – Until now the views and experiences of IAPT practitioners in working with this patient group were relatively unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Homeless populations are a politically contentious problem and researchers struggle to achieve a balanced approach. They place emphasis on sharply contrasting factors, such as; institutional structures, ideologies or individual dispositions and differences. Central questions remain unanswered, i.e., is homelessness an outcome of society’s failings related to housing shortages, or a personal choice, as in the status of “intentional homelessness?” The purpose of this paper is to set aside assumptions, to explore experiences of homelessness and psychosis. Design/methodology/approach – An existentially informed hermeneutic phenomenological analysis; exploring transcribed narratives from semi-structured interviews with three men. Findings – These participants started to wander as a spontaneous response to distressing life experiences. Without any plan they travelled to new locations living on the street. Being contained and treated against their will in the psychiatric system was another source of distress. They did not choose homelessness through a rational calculation of their best interests. They felt at odds with society, which did not protect them and failed to meet their needs. Research limitations/implications – In qualitative research, findings are not generalisable to other settings. Practical implications – Homeless services should be enhanced by psychological expertise along with more person-centred emphatic approaches; the authors of social policies should consider their philosophical assumptions. Social implications – Systemised mental healthcare does not solve complex problems; fails to meet needs. Originality/value – The analysis informs the design of further research, prompts practitioners to review their understandings and provides grounds for the rewriting of policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a small telehealth pilot in local authority sheltered housing in NE England. This explored the training and capacity building needed to develop a workforce/older person, telehealth partnership and service that is integrated within existing health, social care and housing services. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative case study approach on the implementation and deployment of a pilot telehealth service, supporting sheltered housing tenants with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=4). Findings – Telehealth training and capacity building, needs to develop from within the workforce/older person partnership, if a usable and acceptable telehealth service is to be developed and integrated within existing health, care and housing services. To be adaptable to changing circumstances and individual need, flexible monitoring is also required. Practical implications – Service users and workforces, need to work together to provide flexible telehealth monitoring, that in the longer term, may improve service user, quality of life. Originality/value – The pilot explored a workforce/older person partnership to consider how to add and implement telehealth services, into existing health and housing services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This participatory health research project of researchers and women prisoners examined housing and homelessness as perceived by incarcerated women to understand this public health concern and help guide policy. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A participatory research team designed and conducted a survey of 83 incarcerated women in BC, Canada. Using descriptive statistics, the authors examined socio-demographic factors related to social support networks and family housing and women’s housing preference upon release. Findings – In total, 44 percent of participants reported no family home upon release while 31 percent reported lost family ties due to their incarceration. Most vulnerable subpopulations were women aged 25-34, aboriginal women and those with multiple incarcerations. Housing preferences differed between participants suggesting needs for varied options. Further implementation, evaluation and appraisal of social programs are required. Research limitations/implications – This study surveyed one correctional facility: future research could utilize multiple centers. Practical implications – Addressing housing instability among released incarcerated individuals is important fiscally and from a public health lens. Improved discharge planning and housing stability is needed through policy changes and social programs. A social support network, “Women in2 Healing,” has developed from the research group to address these issues. Social implications – Housing stability and recidivism are closely linked: providing stable housing options will lessen the social, fiscal and medical burden of individuals returning to crime, substance abuse, illness and poverty. Originality/value – Housing instability addresses an important social determinant of health and focussing on incarcerated women builds upon a small body of literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the lived experiences of women without children experiencing housing instability and homelessness in Calgary, Canada; and narratives of what triggered their journeys were constructed according to the tenets of hermeneutic phenomenology, and suggest a framework for assisting these women. Design/methodology/approach – The design for this study is qualitative, approached through hermeneutic phenomenology rooted in Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutics (Gadamer, 2004). Hermeneutic phenomenology, as a research method has provided insight into understanding phenomena and human experiences that are important to human science professionals. Findings – The experience of homelessness for women without children started while they still lived at home, but after they lost all sense of “being at home” as a consequence of identifiable negative home experiences, such as abuse. The effects or impacts of stable childhood or adult home experiences and the implications of such in contributing to the feelings of homelessness were pervasive in the stories told by these women. Practical implications – Access to housing does not mean getting out of the feeling of homelessness, because the trauma that triggers the experience for the clients often last for a life time. Long-term engagement with the client will be synonymous to increasing the possibility that they can be stabilized permanently. Resources dedicated to these clients must be tailored to each client’s needs, with strong agency collaboration with the mainstream systems. Social implications – Community health nurses and other support workers for individuals experiencing homelessness need to build bridges with inter-professional groups to close the gap created by societal attitudes toward women and domestic abuse survivors through advocacy and education, especially in countries where women are still treated as second class citizens. Originality/value – Although there has been a considerable amount of research conducted on the determinants of homelessness and housing instabilities in women or their pathways into homelessness, the plight of women without children and their experiences while homeless have received little attention in literature. This study explored the lived experiences of women without children experiencing homelessness and narratives of what triggered their journeys were constructed according to the tenets of hermeneutic phenomenology, and suggest a framework for assisting these women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how staff attend to their well-being when working in an inpatient mental health setting with older adults with dementia and complex mental health needs; how staff understand the link between their well-being and the well-being of patients. Design/methodology/approach – A semi-structured group interview was held with 11 members of two multidisciplinary teams. The discussion was audio-recorded and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings – Staff reported managing their well-being by both connecting with and avoiding the difficult emotions of the work. The team avoided the gravity of the work through humour, a task-focus, an absence of thinking and the displacement of workplace frustrations onto an outgroup. Connecting with emotions was done in tolerable ways: in contained reflective spaces, in the presence of supportive others, through genuine connections with patients as people and when the organisation demonstrated care for the staff. Practical implications – Avoidant strategies appeared to represent short-term ways of maintaining staff well-being, while connecting with the gravity of the work appeared to represent what we hope is a more sustainable approach to managing well-being. A crucial premise for staff well-being is teams embedded within organisations that care for their employees. Originality/value – Poor staff well-being can have serious consequences for an organisation, particularly in the existentially challenging environment of dementia care. This study offers a unique opportunity to explore staff well-being in a UK inpatient mental health setting with older adults with dementia and complex mental health needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Mental health difficulties are often stigmatised because of situated ways of talking that become taken-for-granted “truths”. Against this backdrop, identities of those affected are constructed. The purpose of this paper is to explore identities of former inpatients at an Irish Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Design/methodology/approach – Ten young people (aged 18-22) participated in discussions and their discourse was analysed using a critical discursive perspective. Findings – Three key identities emerged: a hidden identity, a misunderstood identity and the struggle for a re-claimed identity. Research limitations/implications – Findings indicate the power of discourse in creating stigma and the need for mental health professionals to draw on empowering discourses to help service-users construct positive identities. The importance of involving service-users in research is also implicated. Originality/value – This research involves service-users who are increasingly, although not traditionally, involved in research. Use of qualitative methodology allows their voices to be heard and gives meaning to their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to examine the trend of admissions and inpatient characteristics in a NHS intellectual disability hospital from 1975 to 2013, in particular looking at the effect following the Winterbourne View scandal. Design/methodology/approach -- A retrospective review of all admissions over a three-year period (January 2011-January 2013) was completed. This information was compared with admissions to the same hospital in three-year period over the last four decades (1975-1977, 1985-1987, 1995-1997, and 2003-2006). Number of admissions, gender, age, source of admission, length of stay, reasons for admission, type of admission, and diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses were included. Findings -- There were 87 admissions (including 29 from out of area) in the study period of 2011-2013. The number of admissions had varied over the years but male admissions were consistently higher than female. A majority of people stayed over six months. For the first time in five decades, there were more formal inpatients than informal ones. The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder had increased. Originality/value -- This study has examined admission trends over five decades. It has highlighted that the Mental Health Act legislation is being used more frequently and that co-morbid mental disorders, such as ASD are commonly associated with those admitted to hospital. A well planned-out community health care system, as well as adequate social provision are keys to maintain people with intellectual disability in the community. Furthermore, a better understanding of the symptomology of challenging behaviours, and appropriate use of mental health legislation are crucial in providing a high-quality service that has clear treatment goals and values. Some of these issues have contributed to the failure of the recent initiative to reduce the size of the inpatient intellectual disability following Winterbourne View scandal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on "The use of cognitive-behaviour therapy to treat depression in people with learning disabilities: a systematic review". Design/methodology/approach -- Drawing on the literature, as well as both clinical and research experience, some reasons are outlined for the lack of attention given to psychological therapies to treat depression amongst people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Findings -- More research is needed, but existing evidence is promising regarding the effectiveness of adapted cognitive-behaviour therapy for depression amongst people with IDs. Originality/value -- The commentary draws attention to the scope for developing a range of effective cognitive, behavioural and cognitive-behavioural treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to systematically identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative research into how working as a peer support worker (PSW) affects personal recovery. Design/methodology/approach -- Ten articles were identified through a systematic search of seven databases, grey literature, reference lists, citations and contact with authors in the field. Identified articles were critically appraised and their results synthesised using metaethnography. Findings -- There is potential to significantly improve the quality of the research in this field. Four categories were constructed to synthesise the findings of the reviewed studies, which demonstrated that being a PSW has the potential to be both facilitative of and detrimental to personal recovery. Research limitations/implications -- The quality of existing studies varies widely. Further, high-quality research is required to specifically investigate the effects of employment as a PSW on personal recovery. Practical implications -- The findings are tentative in light of the quality of the studies, but should be considered in the employment, training and ongoing support of PSWs and the services they join. Originality/value -- Through its systematic methodology and appraisal of the quality of the studies reviewed, this review adds value to the literature about the effect of working as a PSW on personal recovery. It offers an original synthesis and criteria for measuring the quality of research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to analyse how newcomers' perceptions of organisational culture can change over time. The study tries to address whether initial working experience changes newcomers' perceptions about the ideal organisational culture, and whether these perceptions converge with those of their supervisors. Design/methodology/approach -- A longitudinal survey was carried out on a sample of undergraduate students to measure shifts in their perceptions of organisational culture over time. In order to interpret the results in terms of actual organisational culture, a survey was also conducted with the students' immediate supervisors. Findings -- Applying a factor analytic procedure to the aggregate sample of study, the items of an existing scale were reduced to a six-dimensional structure. Based on the results of statistical analysis, the study revealed that initial working experience might affect students' perception of organisational culture and make these perceptions converge with those of their immediate managers. Specifically, the students' perceptions about the importance of stability and success orientation dimensions changed over time. By the end of the process, they found supportiveness and people orientation more important, similarly to their supervisors. Practical implications -- This study reveals the critical role of supervisors in the transmission of organisational culture to newcomers. Additionally, it demonstrates the importance of work-based learning for acquiring work-related and technical beliefs, as well as obtaining initial ideas about the culture of a real organisation. Originality/value -- The study can specifically contribute to the growing literature on organisational culture by demonstrating the impact of initial working experience on newcomers' perceptions, and how they adopt the culture of their new organisations to become a part of this culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Based on the premises of Putnam?s bridging social capital, and on Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe?s notion of maintained social capital, the purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which the well-being variables of self-esteem and loneliness, as well as What?s App attitudes and intention to use variables, explain the social capital students gain from What?s App use. Design/methodology/approach - The research was conducted in Israel during the second semester of the 2014 academic year and included 124 students from two major universities in Israel. Researchers used six questionnaires to gather data. Findings - Findings confirm that the well-being variables, as well as What?s App attitudes and intention to use, affect the social capital students gain while using What?s App. Originality/value - The findings of this study shed light on a new technological platform: What?s App that has rarely been examined to date. In addition, it expands the social capital and well-being perspectives to new media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to inform funders and potential funders alike of the likely outcomes of their financial contributions. Additionally, the authors reported on the assessment of the underlying logic model or theoretical underpinnings of what the authors will term the “Habitat Model.” Design/methodology/approach – This study utilized a one-shot case study design to obtain data. In a one-shot case study the experimental group is exposed to the independent variable (X), then observations of the dependent variable (O) were made. No observations were made before the independent variable was introduced. A one-shot case study design was necessary as this is the first impact study conducted by BAHFH because of the changes within BAHFH over the years as well as the lack of consistent archival data on families and operations. Findings – Most of the feedback obtained from stakeholders was positive. Many of the demographic variables showed significant improvement in partner family life style since moving into a Habitat house. Practical implications – The findings of this study provide evidence of positive economic, social, and psychological impacts on families participating in BAHFH homeownership and on their communities. It also showed substantial economic impacts on the communities served. Furthermore, this study showed that other stakeholders in the process were substantially and positively impacted. Finally, this study pointed to a number of things that BAHFH needed to change such as homeowner education, financial counseling, and the opening of a local ReStore. Originality/value – The current study provides data that provide evidence of positive economic, social, and psychological impacts on families participating in BAHFH homeownership opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide rationale, methodological guidance and clarity in the use of case study designs and theory driven approaches to evaluation of interventions to end homelessness.Design/methodology/approach – Using an evaluation of a transitional shelter program aiming to support permanent exits from homelessness as an example, the authors show how case study designs and theory driven evaluation is well suited to the study of the effectiveness of homelessness interventions within the broader socio-political and economic context in which they are being implemented. Findings – Taking account of the context as part of program evaluation and research on homelessness interventions moves away from blaming programs and individuals for systemic failures to better understanding of how the context influences successes and failures. Case study designs are particularly useful for studying implementation and the context which influences program outcomes. Theory driven evaluations and the use of realist evaluation as an approach can provide a broader understanding of how homelessness interventions work particularly for whom and under what conditions. These methodological and theoretical approaches provide a consistent strategy for evaluating programs aimed at ending homelessness. Originality/value – There is a need for greater capacity in the homelessness sector to apply approaches to evaluation that take into account the broader socio-political and economic context in which programs are being implemented. Through the use of a case example, the authors provide guidance for application of case study design and theory driven approaches as a strategy for approaches programs aimed at ending homelessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of social isolation and the factors that create social isolation for residents of inner-city high-rise apartment communities. We critically examine how the physical environment and perceptions of safety in apartment buildings and the inner-city implicate the quality of interactions between residents and with their neighbourhood community. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used mixed-methods consisting of survey questionnaires supplemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions using stratified random sampling to access predetermined key strata of inner-city high-rise resident population. Using coefficient of correlation we examine the significance of the association between social isolation, age and ethnicity amongst Auckland's inner-city high-rise residents. Findings – The authors found the experience and expression of social isolation consistent across all age groups, with highest correlation between functional social isolation and “being student”, and older adults (60+ years), length of tenure in current apartment and length of time residents have lived in the inner-city. Research limitations/implications – As a case study, we did not seek in this research to compare the experience and expressions of social isolation in different inner-city contexts, nor of inner-city high-rise residents in New Zealand and other countries, although these will be useful areas to explore in future studies. Practical implications – This study is a useful starting point to build evidence base for professionals working in health and social care services to develop interventions that will help reduce functional social isolation amongst young adults and older adults in inner-city high-rise apartments. This is particularly important as the inner-city population of older adults grow due to international migration, and sub-national shifts from suburbs to the inner-cities in response to governmental policies of urban consolidation. Originality/value – By identifying two forms of social isolation, namely functional and structural social isolation, we have extended previous analysis of social isolation and found that “living alone” or structural social isolation did not necessarily lead to functional social isolation. It also touched on the links between functional social isolation and self-efficacy of older adults, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to add to the understanding of homelessness by exploring and analysing the homeless pathway of a young expectant mother as she negotiates her way through temporary accommodation and comes to terms with her circumstances and new identity as a person without a home. Design/methodology/approach – A phenomenological interviewing approach was used in order to gain insights into the subject's lived daily world from her perspective. Themes were then identified that encapsulated the essential qualities of the interview. Findings – The stress and negative emotions of being homeless appear to be accentuated significantly due to pregnancy, taking the potential for the positive feelings associated with pregnancy away from the participant. Structural factors such as the homelessness legislation and affordable housing supply had a strong influence over her homeless pathway, resulting in feelings of a loss of control over her destiny and choices and subsequent feelings of low self-worth, which she had to try to come to terms with. However, the pregnancy was also used as a positive coping strategy, as was family support. Originality/value – Minimal research has been undertaken on the experiences of homeless women who are pregnant. The results point to the need to understand the deeply negative impacts that homelessness can have on individuals, particularly expectant mothers. The value of examining homelessness as a pathway is also shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Many aspects of the self are lost as a consequence of having multiple sclerosis (MS). A person's identity can be altered by negative self-concepts, which are associated with poor psychological wellbeing and can lead individuals to reconstruct their sense of self. The Social Identity Model of Identity Change argues that previously established identities form a basis of continued social support, by providing grounding and connectedness to others to facilitate the establishment of new identities. Family support is a salient factor in adjustment to MS and may enable the establishment of new identities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate identity reconstruction following a diagnosis of MS. Design/methodology/approach -- A meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature was conducted to examine the relationship between identity change and family identity of people with MS and other family members. Findings -- In all, 16 studies were identified that examined identity change and the family following a diagnosis of MS. Coping strategies used by people with MS and their wider family groups, affect the reconstruction of people's identity and the adjustment to MS. Receiving support from the family whilst a new identity is constructed can buffer against the negative effects of identity loss. Practical implications -- The family base is strengthened if MS-related problems in daily life are adapted into the individual and family identity using positive coping styles. Originality/value -- This review provides an interpretation and explanation for results of previous qualitative studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a better picture of factors influencing behavioral decisions in online shopping by identifying different targets of trust and discussing their antecedents and outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – Online survey data from 242 ihergo members were used to test the proposed model, and structural equation modeling with partial least squares was performed to analyze the measurement and structural models. Findings – The findings show that the four types of trust identified in this study are critical determinants of perceived risk and attitude. In addition, the majority of the antecedents are found to be associated with their respective types of trust. Research limitations/implications – The research extends the theory of reasoned action and prior research to discuss four types of consumer trust, as well as their respective antecedents and subsequent consequences. The result is a more descriptive model that better explicates consumers’ decision-making processes in online shopping. Practical implications – Given the intense competition between online shopping sites, web site managers should strive to provide a safe and user-friendly shopping environment. In addition, the vendor can enhance trust by encouraging satisfied customers to provide positive endorsements. Originality/value – This study is possibly the first of its kind, in identifying the four types of trust and their respective antecedents in the context of an online group-buying auction, and thus serves to enrich the existing literature concerning trust-building factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - People with a learning disability remain at increased risk of abuse and neglect due to a number of factors associated with learning disability per se and the culture in which they live. Understanding the prevalence of abuse within this population allows for appropriate planning and service development. Understanding more about the type and frequency of abuse (and the perpetrators) facilitates prevention of abuse. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - All clients allocated to a psychologist between 2009 and 2011 were included in this survey. The psychologist reported whether the client had experienced any abuse over their lifetime. Information regarding the type of abuse experienced, the relationship to the abuser, and the number of different episodes of abuse was recorded. Findings - Of the 695 clients in the survey 25 per cent had experienced abuse. Of this 25 per cent, 46 per cent were men and 54 per cent were women. In all, 23 per cent of the group who had experienced abuse were referred to the service as a direct result of abuse, whilst 77 per cent were referred for another reason. The most prevalent types of abuse were emotional (27 per cent), sexual (24 per cent), physical (20 per cent), and neglect (12 per cent). Originality/value - Prevalence rates within this study are broadly in line with the existing literature. However, differences included high levels of emotional abuse, and high frequency of abuse perpetrated by women, and by family members. Psychology services should routinely screen for abuse experiences and be alert to the possibility of abuse from female caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to reflect on Vesala et al.'s (2014) findings on the occupational identity of staff and attitudes towards institutional closure. Design/methodoiogy/approach - This commentary reviews some o f the research around staffing, organisational hygiene and sen/ice management in countries that have already implemented deinstitutionalisation, and draws out some key considerations for countries and organisations that are planning the transition from institutions to community-based care. Findings - There is increasing evidence around approaches that are more likely to lead to positive service user and staff outcomes. Particularly person-centred active support and practice leadership have emerged as effective approaches in facilitating organisational change and high-quality services. Originality/value - Some of the experiences and practices in post-deinstitutionalisation countries around active support and practice leadership can provide valuable considerations for planning institutional closure programmes in countries currently implementing deinstitutionalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Deinstitutionalization has impacts also on direct care workers and their work. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the attitudes of direct care workers towards the closure of the institution, and these attitudes' relation to workers' occupational identity. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected by postal questionnaire before the closure of the institution. The respondents consisted of two groups: direct care workers of the institution (n = 93) and direct care workers of community-based residential units run by the same organization (n = 117). Findings - The results clearly show that direct care workers in the institution, as a group, were against the closure of the institution. This is quite understandable, because the closure will irrevocably affect their work and also private life. Although this opposing is evident, there was also variance in the attitudes within this group: some were more willing to accept the change, some were more against it. Those opposing the closure seemed to be more reluctant in adopting the new kind of identity as supporters of the self-determination o f their clients and also they felt more insecure about their own competence. Originality/value - In deinstitutionalization research a staff perspective has not been very common. To successfully accomplish the change process it is important to take into account also the staff and how they experience the change. It would be far more beneficial to have staff promoting change than resisting it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide some thoughts following on from reading: "Experiential learning: changing student attitudes towards learning disability". Design/methodology/approach - This commentary outlines some considerations for the continued development o f using service users in tertiary education as educators. Findings - The literature is not clear on the involvement of people with more profound and multiple learning disabilities, or for those who do not use much spoken language in tertiary level teaching. Originality/value - A further cultural shift is needed to ensure that all people with learning disabilities regardless of their communication style have the opportunity to share their experiences within a teaching and learning context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the reflective journals kept by 62 students researching and interviewing people with learning disabilities. The aim was to explore the content and discover any themes that were generated throughout the journals as a result of the pre-, during- and post-interview process. Design/methodology/approach - The method used to analyse the journals was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith and Osborn, 2008). Findings - The results showed that there was a shift from negative to positive reflections as the frequency of contact with people with learning disabilities increased and that the majority of students reported a change in attitude towards this group of individuals after experiencing direct contact (two to three meetings over a period of two months). Research limitations/implications - Implications of the findings are for government policies, promoting social inclusion through education, to offer the opportunity for direct contact with people with learning disabilities, (in keeping with All port's, 1954 Contact Theory) at an earlier stage in education, fostering an environment for earlier attitude change and increased social inclusion. Social implications - Changing society's attitude through our education system may decrease marginalisation by the public as well as discriminatory and abusive behaviour found in some social and community care settings. Originality/value - This piece of research may add value to social, government and educational policies. Finding an evidence base to continue to build policies for decreasing marginalisation and promoting social inclusion for people with learning disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of a highly structured, formulation focused consultation process on knowledge and attitudes towards personality disorder and on perceived practice with personality disordered offenders. Consultation was delivered by the Yorkshire/Humber regional Pathway Development Service (PDS). This pilot study sought to inform the development of this service and the support offered to probation Trusts across Yorkshire/Humber to implement the national Personality Disorder Offender Pathway. Design/methodology/approach -- Consultation was offered to a number of offender managers working in the Yorkshire/Humber region. The impact of the consultation on their knowledge and understanding of personality disorder in general was examined as was their attitudes to working with this population and their perceived confidence and competence in delivering supervision to each individual. Findings -- The findings from this small pilot study would suggest that the structured format used by the Yorkshire PDS was helpful in enhancing the probation officers' knowledge and understanding of personality disorder as well as their perceived confidence in and attitudes towards working with individuals with a personality disorder. Originality/value -- The study indicates that the structured format used by the PDS is of value and may be applied to the support offered to probation Trusts across Yorkshire/Humber as they implement the community specification of the national Personality Disorder Offender Pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Recovery is a key organising principle underlying mental health services, but remains under-researched in primary care. The purpose of this paper is to explore what recovery from psychosis means from multiple perspectives, the role of primary care in fostering recovery, and interventions that might enhance its promotion in primary care. Design/methodology/approach -- A total of 20 patients who had experienced psychosis and 24 General Practitioners (GPs) with varying expressed interest in mental health participated in semi-structured interviews, and were invited to two subsequent mixed focus groups. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis. Findings -- Recovery was conceptualised by GPs without a specialist clinical interest in mental health as improvements in symptomatic outcomes, by GPs with a special interest as improvements in social or functional outcomes, and by patients as a process involving a "whole person" approach. Both GPs and patients highlighted benefits of primary care including continuity, accessibility, and the role primary care professionals can play in supporting patients' families, and helping patients expand social support networks. Despite feeling "fobbed off' at times, patients desired a shift in responsibility for psychosis from secondary to primary care. Practical implications -- Reflective peer supervision meetings for GPs and patient-led training might improve primary care's ability to provide a more recovery-focused environment. Originality/value -- This study provided original and valuable findings regarding how GPs viewed their own role in promoting recovery from psychosis. This study also provided original findings regarding how patients viewed the role of primary care in promoting recovery from psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The protection of vulnerable adults from abuse is paramount for those working in adult protection. However, staff supporting vulnerable adults who are alleged to have abused them can feel very vulnerable and their needs must also be taken into account. The purpose of this paper is to consider the impact of adult protection investigations from the experiences of people who have been identified as alleged perpetrators in adult protection cases in order to identify improvements in practice. Design/methodology/approach – This limited study used qualitative semi-structured interviews to collect data that reflected views of the issues and experiences of participants. Findings – This study shows that expectations set out in the Wales Interim Policy and Procedures document under “support for alleged perpetrators” do not match with the experience of those who took part in this study. The experience of some alleged perpetrators is that the investigation process can be protracted, they may be left isolated with little or no information and feel very vulnerable. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of this study was the small number of participants who were interviewed and the selection and bias. Participation was on a voluntary basis and the participants were self-selecting. The participants were all paid staff. Vulnerable adults who had been identified as alleged abusers were excluded from the study on the premise that their experiences were likely to be quite different. Practical implications – It is vital that alleged perpetrators are not themselves abused by the process. The findings from this study should be used to develop recommendations to improve practice. Originality/value – The effects on staff who have been investigated as alleged abusers under adult protection policy and procedures has been under-researched. This study will make a contribution to addressing this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the instruments used in the screening process, with particular attention given to supporting research validation. Psychological screening is a well-established process used in the selection of employees across public safety industries, particularly in police settings. Screening in and screening out are both possible, with screening out being the most commonly used method. Little attention, however, has been given to evaluating the comparative validities of the instruments used. Design/methodology/approach – This review investigates literature supporting the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the California Personality Inventory (CPI), the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI), the Australian Institute of Forensic Psychology's test battery (AIFP), and some other less researched tests. Research supporting the validity of each test is discussed. Findings – It was found that no test possesses unequivocal research support, although the CPI and AIFP tests show promise. Most formal research into the validity of the instruments lacks appropriate experimental structure and is therefore less powerful as "evidence" of the utility of the instrument(s). Practical implications – This research raises the notion that many current screening practices are likely to be adding minimal value to the selection process by way of using instruments that are not "cut out" for the job. This has implications for policy and practice at the recruitment stage of police employment. Originality/value – This research provides a critical overview of the instruments and their validity studies rather than examining the general process of psychological screening. As such, it is useful to those working in selection who are facing the choice of psychological instrument. Possibilities for future research are presented, and development opportunities for a best practice instrument are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The Imago group was developed in 2010 as a step-down group for members of the Winterbourne Therapeutic Community (TC) who had completed their treatment. This paper aims to review the usefulness of the group by reflecting on service user and staff feedback. Design/methodology/approach – An opportunity sample of all current and ex-members of the Imago group (n=17) were approached and a mixed methods design was used to gain a wide collection of data. A self-report questionnaire was designed to access the opinions of members and staff about the Imago group. In total, 71 per cent of Imago members and 90 per cent of staff responded. Findings – Results show that "staff being familiar", "reconnecting with fellow ex-TC members" and alternating days were the top three most helpful aspects of the group, whereas "having at least 4 weeks away from the TC before attending the Imago Group", "style of session" and "venue" were found to be the least helpful aspects. Research limitations/implications – Limitations of the study centre round data collection. There were comprehension problems with the instructions for completing the quantitative scale and a small sample size meant that interpretations were tentative. Originality/value – The Imago group is deemed a valuable part of the service for many of the service users (and staff), helping to aid recovery and re-integration into life after therapy. Elements of the group which were rated as least helpful require more thinking about. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to discuss how adult support and protection (ASP) work might support or further damage an adult's strengths, skills and sense of self. There is a particular focus on adults who require some support with decision-making. Design/methodology/approach – Forum theatre and other creative techniques were used to discuss ASP with 42 people who access support. A range of advice for practitioners was generated, a portion of which is reported here. The research design was participatory, with ten people who access support being members of the research team. Findings – ASP work can support or undermine an adult's strengths, skills and sense of self, depending on the way it is performed. Three inter-locking themes are presented to illustrate this finding. First, participants thought it might be intimidating to be "singled out", and wished to be understood in the context of their relationships. Second, ASP was thought likely to be experienced as a judgement on the person and their problem-solving skills. Third, people wanted to be "really listened to" and acknowledged as a person with preferences and strengths. Practical implications – It is important for practitioners to be mindful of the process of ASP work, as well as of its outcomes. Ways must be found to keep the person central, and to maintain and develop their strengths and sense of self. Originality/value – The perspectives of adults actually or potentially affected by ASP have been under-researched. This study adds substantially to the available evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]