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The COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuing physical distancing measures, poses challenges for researchers in the field of interprofessional care. Pandemic management has highlighted the centrality of interprofessional working to effective healthcare delivery during crises. It is essential to find ways to maintain interprofessional research that has commenced, while also designing research to capture important learning from pandemic management and response. However, it also creates opportunities for new research projects and novel research designs. This discussion paper explores ways of adapting existing research methodologies and outlines potential avenues for new research. Specifically, considerations to bear in mind when designing interprofessional research during the pandemic include research ethics and integrity, research design, data collection methods, research opportunities, implications and limitations. Interprofessional research can continue to make a valuable contribution in informing global responses to COVID-19 and in planning for future global health crises. We call for, insofar as possible, for interprofessional research to continue to be developed during this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increased need for accessible psychosocial interventions that support both people with dementia and their spouses. Recent research demonstrates the benefits of music therapy and caregiver-delivered music therapy for this population. This paper contributes to the emerging evidence base on telehealth music therapy for people with dementia outside of a COVID-19 era when in-person services were available. This exploratory phenomenological study explores the experiences of two couples who attended a six-week telehealth music therapy programme via two detailed case examples. Online semi-structured interviews with each couple were conducted pre and post intervention and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three shared themes emerged from the data analysis including (1) social isolation and lack of confidence linked to dementia diagnosis is worsened in rural locations, (2) song singing and song writing enables us to revisit happy memories, and (3) telehealth delivery increases access due to geographical location. The findings are presented in a narrative case study format to provide rich detailed descriptions of the music therapy programme and to illuminate the experiences of the participants. In both examples, telehealth delivery expanded access to music therapy (which was otherwise unavailable) and stimulated reminiscence which in turn encouraged meaningful engagement between the couple. The delivery of music therapy via telehealth, alongside in-person delivery, has the potential to expand access to music therapy to those who may not have access to or are no longer able to attend community support services due to geographical location, increased cognitive decline or reduced mobility. The successful delivery of telehealth music therapy is dependent on several factors including digital literacy, access to appropriate technological devices, caregiver support and level of cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-registration nursing education has long moved away from preparing nurses with mental health specialisation to nurses with comprehensive knowledge and skills. However, the consumers' experiences of comprehensive-prepared nurses and their nursing care has not been widely explored. This paper reports on a study with consumers to explore their experiences with comprehensive-prepared graduate nurses and the nursing care that they provide in acute mental health settings. An exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was chosen as the research method. Purposeful sampling recruited 12 consumers and data saturation was achieved. Braun and Clarke's method of thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data and three themes emerged. The themes are: (i) You got what it takes to be a mental health nurse, (ii) Slow down and spend quality time with us, and (iii) Read in between the lines when we share our negative lived experiences. The findings are useful for identifying strategies to develop evidence-based nursing education for comprehensive-prepared graduate nurses to improve the consumers' experiences of their nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the journey taken by experienced psychotherapists as they embark on doctoral research, highlighting the adjustments involved in moving from being a clinician to becoming a researcher. Having touched on the complex relationship between psychotherapy and research as a whole, including how badly this has affected the development of a robust evidence base for many approaches, the paper describes the development of a post-qualifying research programme for those grafting research skills onto their clinical roles. The paper then considers how the kind of research undertaken by psychodynamic psychotherapists has shifted from being primarily focussed on single case studies – so remaining closer to the clinical writing of the past – to including both more general social science research methodologies and more precise psychoanalytic methodologies, capable of exploring in depth the processes at work in the therapeutic encounter. The main focus of the paper is on the impact on the students of undertaking their first research project. At the beginning of this process nearly all students underestimated just how much of a shift in their thinking it would involve, and the paper captures some of the key issues and powerful moments reported after their first year. They speak of the humbling impact of conducting a structured literature review and of the complexity of finding a truly researchable question and viable design, as well as the appreciation of the difference between clinical illustration and evidence. They speak of the impact of thinking about the ethical issues involved in research, and of the need to interrogate their design in order to minimise bias. One of the interesting – and to them surprising – effects is that the shift to research-mindedness feeds back into their clinical identities, in a way that is both challenging and invigorating, overall boosting their confidence as practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The holistic needs of Queer and Trans Latine students have been habitually excluded from prominent discussion in US higher education. This paper positions itself as an urgent addition to the literature on Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and emerging HSI (eHSI) institutional identity to consider the needs of Queer and Trans Latine students directly. I conducted a total of four semi-structured interviews that were methodologically integrated with the testimonio framework. In these interviews, participants engaged in a journey toward healing from the injustices they (may) have faced at their eHSI while also deeply ingraining students in the process of what an equitable HSI institutional and organizational identity could be for Queer and Trans Latine students. The data were analyzed through an intersectionality and LatCrit theoretical framework. Findings showcase (1) the impact of department-level support of Queer and Trans identity as profoundly influential in students' Queer and Trans identity development and navigational capital and (2) the impact that low levels of visibility of Queer and Trans Latine persons on campus have on how Queer and Trans Latine students navigate campus services and faculty support. I conclude with a discussion on how Queer and Trans Latine student experiences should be explored to develop campus resources further and supports for a historically resilient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a tool to track participation in activity-based therapy (ABT) for people with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) was identified as a priority of the Canadian ABT Community of Practice. The objective of this study was to understand multi-stakeholder perspectives on tracking ABT participation across the continuum of care. Forty-eight individuals from six stakeholder groups (persons living with SCI/D; hospital therapists; community trainers; administrators; researchers; and funders, advocates and policy experts) were recruited to participate in focus group interviews. Participants were asked open-ended questions concerning the importance of and parameters around tracking ABT. Transcripts were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Themes reflected the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of tracking ABT. Participants described the importance of involving hospital therapists, community trainers and individuals with SCI/D in tracking ABT to capture both subjective and objective parameters across the continuum of care and injury trajectory. Digital tracking tools were favoured, although paper-based versions were regarded as a necessity in some circumstances. Findings highlighted the importance of tracking ABT participation for individuals with SCI/D. The information may guide the development of ABT practice guidelines and support the implementation of ABT in Canada. Tracking the details of activity-based therapy (ABT) sessions and programs across the continuum of care and injury trajectory may provide important information to support the development of ABT practice guidelines and implementation strategies. Tracking objective and subjective parameters are needed to provide a comprehensive description of an ABT session and program. Clinicians and individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) should both be able to track ABT to accommodate all settings and types of data. Digital tracking tools, such as an app, may provide an accessible, versatile and efficient way of tracking ABT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify and describe the aims, methodological approaches, and major findings of studies on the use of STT among secondary pupils (age 12–18) with learning difficulties published from January 2000 to April 2022. This scoping review includes empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals and grey literature between January 2000 and April 2022. Searches were conducted in April 2022 in three databases: ERIC, PsycINFO and Scopus. In addition, related reviews were manually screened for relevant papers. Eight peer-revied studies and five publications of grey literature were found to meet the inclusion criteria; two studies employed experimental designs, four employed quasi-experimental designs and seven employed explorative designs. Six studies described STT as an assistive technology (a compensatory aid for poor writing performance); two assessed STT as an instructional technology to determine whether it improves overall writing and related skills (e.g., reading). Results suggest that STT may increase pupils' abilities to produce texts with fewer errors, provide help with spelling and improve reading comprehension and word recognition. To date, there is a paucity of high-quality research on the use of STT among adolescents with LD. The scoping review shows that very little research has been conducted on the use of STT for adolescents with learning difficulties in secondary education. Findings from the studies identified five areas of interest: writing related skills, text assessment, writing processes, accuracy of the technology, and participants' experiences. Findings indicate that writing performance among students with learning difficulties improves when using STT. Parents, teachers, and pupils report positive experiences with the technology, particularly for students with severe reading and writing difficulties. There is a great need for more robust research on the use of speech-to-text technology (STT) in educational settings, especially on its effect on writing skills Studies describe STT as either an assistive (a compensatory aid for poor writing performance) or instructional technology (aiming to improve learning in general). It is important that practitioners are aware of the different aims and possible consequences of introducing STT to learners with writing difficulties. STT provides both opportunities and challenges for writers with learning difficulties in secondary education. Findings indicate that writing performance among students with learning difficulties improves when using STT, yet inaccuracy of the technology was presented as one of the main challenges. Parents, teachers, and pupils report positive experiences with the technology, particularly for students with severe reading and writing difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically reviews and reflects on the processes for providing Assistive Technology (AT) services to Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The aim is to investigate the AT service delivery systems in these countries and suggest improvements where weaknesses are identified. We carried out a descriptive qualitative exploratory study in Bangladesh, India and Nepal by conducting key informant interviews with policymakers (5), AT service providers (22) and mobility and hearing related AT service users (21). We used a directed content analysis approach guided by a seven-point AT service delivery process model to thematically analyse the existing processes for AT service delivery, from first contact through to follow-up and maintenance. AT service delivery processes are sub-optimal in all three countries, and improvements are needed. No common AT service delivery process was found, although there are common features. In general, it is easier for PWDs in India and Nepal to access AT than for those in Bangladesh, but all three countries are failing to live up to their commitments to uphold the human rights of PWDs. Although good elements of AT service delivery processes can be identified, the systems in all three countries are fragmented and generally weak. A more holistic approach of looking at the process of AT service delivery, from first contact right through to follow-up and device maintenance, with a single door service delivery system, free of cost at the point of service is recommended in these countries. Although we found significant weaknesses in AT delivery in all three countries, there are some good AT service delivery practices and opportunities for these countries to learn from one another. A systematic and stepwise approach to assessing current AT service delivery processes in the three countries – examining the delivery system as a whole, from initiation to repair and management – can help identify opportunities to improve the process for (prospective) AT users. A more coherent single door system of AT service delivery will increase the quality and efficiency of the fragmented AT service delivery practices in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the rationale and treatment principles of an in-hospital psychotherapeutic programme for pregnant women with pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome, and their partners. This psychotherapeutic programme focuses on making improvements in the experience of early parenthood, through improving reflective capacity under stress, emotional availability, bonding with the infant, and supporting the overall transition to parenthood. The medical and psychosocial consequences of pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, which can result in the preterm birth of infants, are numerous, and can be detrimental to the early parent-infant relationship. Parents may experience anxiety, guilt, depression and post-traumatic stress, and it is important to address these problems preventatively, from pregnancy onwards. This programme is innovative in its offer of continued in-hospital support to pregnant women and their partners, at the obstetric as well as at the neonatology ward. In addition, a small and descriptive study of the programme is presented in this paper. We perceived that the participating parents were committed to attending the sessions, which addressed their major concerns regarding parenthood. No participants dropped out of the programme before discharge. Mentalization-based psychotherapeutic work was done during PLUS consultations, and parents showed a need to express, reflect upon and process the concerns they experienced during the frightening period of hospitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of magnesium sulfate for prevention of eclampsia on blood loss at time of cesarean delivery (CD). Methods: We conducted an electronic based search using the following databases: MEDLINE, PUBMED and the Cochrane Library. The search terms were “magnesium sulfate”, “preeclampsia” and “randomized”. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials of women with preeclampsia who delivered with or without magnesium sulfate therapy for seizure prophylaxis. Only trials with placebo or no treatment comparison groups were included. Primary outcome was postpartum hemorrhage. Secondary outcomes were estimated blood loss, change in hemoglobin, blood transfusion and eclampsia. Results: Five trials met inclusion criteria. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was similar between the two groups [magnesium sulfate: 754/4482 (17%); no magnesium sulfate: 775/4427 (18%); RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88–1.06]. There was no statistical difference between any of the other blood loss outcomes reported in the included studies. The rate of eclampsia with magnesium sulfate was significantly lower than with placebo (42/5604, 0.7%, versus 107/5600, 1.9%; RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.28–0.57). Conclusions: Magnesium sulfate does not appear to affect blood loss intrapartum and postpartum in women with preeclampsia. Magnesium sulfate, therefore, should be continued during CD, given the benefit of seizure prophylaxis without any increased risk of hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Antisemitism is one of the oldest forms of prejudices. It is hatred against Jewish people based on stereotypes that leads to persecution and oppression. As such, it threatens social justice and the security of people and community. Social work with its focus on social justice and promoting diversity has an obligation to confront antisemitism which, unfortunately, continues to increase. However, it is seldom included in social work education or in DEI programs. This paper reports on the findings of a national survey of social workers that details their experiences with antisemitism in school, in practice, and in the community. The findings show that Jewish respondents were more aware of antisemitic incidents in the community and in schools than the non-Jewish respondents. However, both groups very strongly believed that antisemitism was a significant problem and that it should be a concern for social work. Recommendations based on these findings are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary welfare organizations engage in various evaluation practices to assess the quality of their services. In this paper we report a qualitative exploration of how technology-enabled evaluations are understood by organizational members who participate in quality assurance activities in Swedish social services. The study contributes to critical information systems literature, focusing on the tensions professionals experience in relation to the digital systems they use for evaluations. For example, "quantities" take precedence over the qualities of such work, as information systems constrain ambitions to realize knowledge-based social services. The results reveal three tensions in professionals' evaluation-related activities arising from conflicting uses or desires. One is between desires for flexible systems that enable reflection and standardized digital support systems. Another is between uses or desires for indicators that are meaningful at the operational level and for general, comparable measures at the management level. The third is between desires to use evaluation procedures for learning and control. The study contributes to both theory and practice related to technology-enabled evaluation of welfare services, and critical perspectives on information systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper presents qualitative research findings from the evaluation of a Parkinson's Dance well-being venture in the UK. Methods: Qualitative data was gathered to see how bespoke dancing sessions helped people with Parkinson's (PwP) to manage their conditions and improve their lives and prospects. Principles of a participatory approach were incorporated and methods included semi-structured interviewing, researchers participant observation and an elicitation-based activity. Nineteen PwP, six carers, four dance artists and seven helpers participated in the study. Results: Participating in Parkinson's Dance sessions meant that PwP could experience the possibilities to dance, develop a "can do" attitude, experience fun, enjoyment, social connection, exercise, movement to music, improvement and/or maintenance of their balance, suppleness, coordination and confidence with movement, symptoms being pushed back and ability to learn new things. Conclusions: Our findings add to the evidence-base about the benefits of dance for people experiencing Parkinson's and through novel application of the Life-world based well-being framework of K. T. Galvin and Todres (2011) we propose a theoretical basis for Parkinson's Dance as a resource for well-being. There is scope to consider application of the well-being framework to other arts activities and as the basis of an arts and well-being evaluation tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under what life conditions do individuals turn to perfectionistic striving and ideals as a solution? The present paper examines how people with perfectionism narrate their relationship to our shared existential vulnerability; that we are vulnerable as human beings, and that the ways we relate to this vulnerability have consequences for psychological health. In the present qualitative study, we explored the life narratives told by nine students with perfectionism, drawing on semi-structured life-story interviews. We conducted an explorativereflexive thematic analysis and identified five themes: 1) Outside--Feeling Alienated, 2) Relating to Chaos, 3) Trying to Control the Painful and Uncontrollable, 4) Islands of Just Being and Positive Contact, and 5) Heading Toward a Balance Between Doing and Being. Their perfectionism can be seen as a way of handling existential vulnerability at a point in their lives where relational resources needed to stay firm in a vulnerable state are lacking. Perfectionistic themes influence their personal identity in the domain of narrative constructions, values, belongingness, and embodiment. Accomplishments were dominant themes in the plots of their narrative self-constructions and values. They felt their "self-made" identities kept others at a distance. However, we also found strivings for a more fulfilling life with broader self-definitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internally displaced youth and adolescents may continue to suffer from displacement-associated trauma and stress many years after initial displacement. Hence, our study initially aimed to qualitatively explore how displaced youth and adolescents in Nigeria are coping with the trauma and stress associated with protracted displacement. However, through serendipity, results from the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews from 22 displaced youths and nine professionals in Abuja revealed that in addition to some positive coping mechanisms, some displaced young males turn to drugs, while some young women turn to transactional sex and multiple sexual partners to deal with the impact of protracted displacement. This may lead to increased crime, morbidity, and mortality, thus requiring immediate intervention. This paper concluded by recommending that social workers help displaced youth and adolescents deal with their current stressors by advocating for the improvement of their living situation while also working with other professionals to intervene on the issue of drug misuse and unhealthy sexual behaviours through continuous education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people with severe and complex depression experience substantial social connectedness difficulties. The aim of this qualitative study was to evaluate the role of social connectedness in a novel group therapy (Relate) for youth living with severe and complex depression from clinicians' perspectives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 clinicians practicing at Orygen's Youth Mood Clinic in Melbourne. Eight of the 11 clinicians were female, with the sample aged 30–42 years (M = 34 years, SD = 3.6 years) and having an average 4.5 years clinical experience at Orygen. Four key themes were identified by codebook thematic analysis. The first theme pertained to clients' difficulties with social engagement, which impacted their attendance of Relate, but were addressed by the intervention. In the second theme, clinicians identified Relate as providing a safe space. In the third theme, clinicians identified opportunities for positive relational experiences. In the fourth theme, clinicians observed social and clinical improvements in Relate clients, but marked recovery did not always occur after attending. Findings provide initial support for the continuation of Relate. Recommendations for future iterations of Relate include refining the intake criteria for referring clients to Relate and potentially lengthening the program's duration. What is already known about this topic: Group interpersonal therapy is an effective intervention for depression and interpersonal functioning in young people. Few studies have evaluated treatments for young people with severe and complex depression and high suicide risk. Few studies have evaluated group programs within early intervention services. What this paper adds: A relationally-focussed group therapy could improve social connectedness and interpersonal functioning for youth living with severe and complex depression. The Relate group emphasises a safe environment for sharing and social risk-taking, providing opportunities for positive relational experiences with similar others which might be particularly useful for youth with complex social difficulties. Identified issues with engagement suggest clients could benefit from an explicit rationale for how their participation in the group benefits their depression treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare data based on computerized and paper versions of health status questionnaires (HSQs) for sampling patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). In addition, to examine associations between patient characteristics (age, education, computer experience) and differences between versions. Finally, to evaluate the acceptability of computer-based questionnaires among patients with FM.Method: The study population comprised female patients diagnosed with FM. All patients completed six HSQs: the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ), the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Self-Assessment Questionnaire (GAD-10), both on paper and using a touch screen. One HSQ was tested at a time in a repeated randomized cross-over design. The two versions were completed with a 5-min interval and between each HSQ the participants had a 5-min break. Means, mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), medians, median differences, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for all HSQs, including relevant subscales. Associations between patient characteristics and differences between versions were explored using Spearman's correlation coefficients.Results: Twenty women, mean age 48.4 years, participated in the study. Except for one item, ICCs between touch-screen and paper versions of the HSQs examined indicated acceptable agreement (ICC = 0.71-0.99). Overall, mean and median differences revealed no differences between versions. No significant associations were observed for patient characteristics. None of the participants preferred paper questionnaires over computerized versions.Conclusions: The computerized HSQs using a touch screen gave comparable results to answers given on paper and were generally preferred by the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines Chinese international students' lived experiences of being stigmatized during the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. To understand their dual-marginalization due to Othered Chinese-ness (e.g. racialized immigrant Others and foreigner Asians) and presumed contagiousness (e.g. suspected, diseased, and infectious), we adopt co-cultural theory to centralize their experiences of coping with COVID-related stigmatization. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis demonstrate how Chinese students in this study heightened their sensitivity to ambiguous yet hostile stigmatization and how they often opted for nonassertive, non-confrontational, and threat-avoiding coping strategies. We reflect on how current health and racism crises further marginalize immigrant Others in general and Chinese immigrants in particular. We conclude with discussing theoretical application of co-cultural theory to understand stigmatizing and stigmatized health communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A co-design project, consisting of individual and collective design activities, was organized with clients of a mental health service, in order to explore its potential to support people with psychosis. The group met for approximately two hours, weekly, for six months, participating in design activities and collectively deciding on the project purpose and outcome – a boardgame. The experience of one group participant (Anthony) is explored, selected as the first case study within an Interpretative Phenomenological Analytical (IPA) framework. Following IPA's ideographic focus, Anthony's case was purposefully selected, as it portrayed a detailed picture, informing theoretical reflection on designing as therapeutic. The paper includes Anthony's first-hand account, combined with an analysis of data from three semi-structured interviews, photographic evidence and a reflective diary kept by the lead researcher. Results suggest that, for Anthony, design activity: a) helps developing a sense of agency b) is experienced as grounding in reality c) contributes to the development of inter-personal relationships, and d) has a different sense of rhythm than artistic practice. These results are contextualized within literature on the lived experience of psychosis and suggest that designing can be beneficial for people with psychosis, providing the backdrop for further research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is much discussion in the literature regarding the role public child welfare has played in disproportionately intervening with children and families of color, and debate regarding how this has impacted their wellbeing and the role systemic racism has played. The voice of individuals serving as regional and state-level administrators of public child welfare agencies regarding this topic and how to address existing inequities has been missing in this dialogue. This paper reports on semi-structured interviews conducted with sixteen such administrators regarding where they have observed these issues in their agencies and a wide array of strategies they believe have the best likelihood of promoting racial equity and antiracist practice in the child welfare system, with some describing approaches currently being implemented. Participants discussed what they need from community and university partners to support this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and critically reflect on access to Assistive Technology (AT) for persons with disabilities (PWD) in Nepal, India and Bangladesh. This analysis aims to guide the development of a contextualised generic AT service delivery model suitable for these countries, based on the best practices identified. This paper is based on a comprehensive study conducted in Nepal, India and Bangladesh, observing mobility and hearing-related AT service delivery centres run by the government, as well as private and nongovernmental organisations, and interviews with key informants: policymakers (5), AT service providers (20) and AT service users (20) between December 2019 to February 2020. A descriptive, qualitative exploratory study design was followed. A quality assessment framework was used to structure the analysis and interpret the findings. AT service provisions are poorly developed in all three countries. On all quality indicators assessed, the systems show major weaknesses. AT users have very limited awareness about their rights to these services and the availability of AT services, the range of services available is very limited, and eligibility is dependent on medical criteria related to visible and severe disabilities. Lack of accessibility, eligibility, reachability and affordability are the main barriers to access AT services for PWD in Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Increased community level awareness, increased Government funding and a community based, medically informed flexible social model of AT services is a way forward to ensure access to AT services for PWD in these countries. Increased community awareness is necessary to increase access to Assistive Technology Services for Persons with Disabilities. Increased and flexible funding from the Government and philanthropists will improve rehabilitation. Establishment of community based Assistive Technology Services centres will increase access and improve rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community engagement is gaining prominence in global health research. But communities rarely have a say in the agendas or conduct of the very health research projects that aim to help them. This paper provides new evidence on how to share power in priority-setting in ways that seek to overcome structural constraints created by the funding environment. The five strategies were identified through case study research on the Participation for Local Action project in Karnataka, India. That project was carried out by researchers in partnership with the Zilla Budakattu Girijana Abhivrudhhi Sangha, an indigenous community development organisation representing the Solega people. The paper describes each identified strategy for sharing power in priority-setting, followed by a report of the pitfalls and challenges that arose when implementing it. Thus, the study also demonstrates that even where actions and strategies are used to address power imbalances, pitfalls will arise that need to be navigated. Given those challenges, considerations to reflect upon before employing the identified strategies are suggested. Ultimately, the paper aims to communicate strategies for sharing power during and after priority-setting and lessons on how to implement them effectively that can be used by global health researchers in the current funding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary discusses the methodological utility of ethnography within the medical space. Whilst a general consensus affirms that ethnography aligns with qualitative approaches, as identified within the existing medical literature, here, we demonstrate how quantitative [positivist] methods can also be incorporated. This paper begins by contextualising ethnographic approaches within medical contexts by demonstrating its empirical value within the existing literature. Next, we discuss the interconnection between the practice of 'doctoring' and ethnographic research, whereby doctors themselves use forms of inductive and deductive reasoning to treat and manage patients in their everyday context. This philosophical discussion not only links to the everyday practice of medical practitioners, but also critically reflects on the role of the first author, as a diagnostic radiographer. Lastly, this paper identifies the virtues of ethnographic research for medical students and/or medical doctors whereby the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods (within an ethnographic methodology) can lead to new empirical and methodological insights, enabling the creation of alternate research strategies and evidence. This methodological strategy may be best considered amongst medical students and/or early career medical researchers, but we also anticipate it to resonate and open further discussion with experienced medical practitioners and researchers transnationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music therapy practice and research in the field of autism has often followed medical narratives that reinforce neurotypical normalcy by locating the difficulties of social interaction in the autistic person. By exploring the relational phenomenon of attunement, this paper focuses on the social and material ecology of interactions. The authors try to unpack circumstances that can support or hinder attunement dynamics between autistic and non-autistic people. A video-vignette from music therapy with an autistic boy, who explores the sound of building blocks formed the point of departure for this research. The vignette was self-identified by the music therapist as an apparently failed attunement experience. Based on this vignette, we conducted an interview with the therapist and focus groups with parents of autistic children and colleagues from different professions, one of whom is autistic. We used an interpretative hermeneutical methodology for crystallisation of perspectives. We uncovered four spaces that impacted on the mutuality and co-creation of attunement dynamics. The room (physical space), the school context (professional space), and the material (sensory space) afford the interaction (relational space) between the child and the therapist in enabling and disabling ways. Listening to the child's sound making with the building blocks was identified as the autistic child's way of knowing and sounding that needs to be listened to carefully, rather than being questioned or disregarded. Findings of this research might encourage therapists to foster an understanding of social interaction that is mutually co-constituted and enactive, and that contradicts the mainstream pathologisation of autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A focus on community engagement is encouraged when educating nursing students on preventative care and advocacy. Students often struggle to connect theory to practice and benefit from real-world experiences. This paper describes the effect of a student-led health project on student development. A descriptive, correlational design was used to explore end of semester feedback from undergraduate nursing students (N = 174) completing a semester long community project. Chi-square analyses and thematic coding were performed to determine measures of association and student perceptions. Across 83 completed surveys (47.7%), self-efficacy was a key factor in project completion, development, bias awareness, and commitment to community. Civic duty and professional responsibility are challenging concepts for students, thus, impacting transition to practice. Engagement in self-efficacious experiences is encouraged. Community engagement influences undergraduate nursing students' development. Enhanced support of student self-efficacy may promote attainment of nursing values and improved care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explores how transcultural consultation is carried out in the social services of a local Italian area. Its purpose is to deepen our understanding of whether this methodology founded on the ethnopsychological approach can be useful in strengthening the cultural competency of social workers. Based on participant observations and semi-structured interviews, this paper illustrates how this tool helps practitioners become more aware of their values and implement more collaborative interventions, through which clients with migratory backgrounds can find a space for the expression and recognition of their internalised cultures. This paper additionally points out similarities and differences between this methodology and other cross-cultural social work models. Although transcultural consultation is conducted by psychotherapists, different application paths are proposed where even social workers can play an active role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing tendency for users to expect conversational agents (CAs) to recognise social cues and follow interpersonal communication principles to enhance their subjective evaluation. Therefore, this paper studies how personal pronouns should be used by CAs in response to users. We conducted a 3 (CAs' personal pronoun) × 3 (users' personal pronoun) × 2 (participants'gender) mixed design. this study used mixed methods based on an experimental design, including ratings, forced choices and interviews, for mutual confirmation. The findings indicate that first, users prefer that CAs use second-person pronouns. Second, there is also turn-taking and convergence tendency between users and CAs in personal pronoun use. Third, there are gender differences in personal pronoun preferences and relationship positions toward CAs. These results can inform personalised voice interaction and humanlike design and help build closer relationships between users and CAs in future human–computer interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the decision-making processes involved in giving physiotherapy students responsibility on clinical placement and the impact on their developing professional autonomy. The qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews, involved physiotherapy students and clinical educators (CEs) from two higher education institutions, one in Australia, and the other in the United Kingdom (UK). Findings led to the development of a heuristic framework of 'graduated supervision,' a process of progressively less direct observation and monitoring of students as clinical proficiency improved. By focusing on the measured exposure of students to increasing complexity and inverse levels of supervision, the framework captures tacit practices, and consistent, yet varied facilitation strategies adopted across specialties, and evident in clinical education settings in both countries. The framework formalizes, for the first time, assumptions and expectations previously unacknowledged. Factors identified as affecting students' progress toward autonomy include the student/CE relationship, the development of mutual trust through ongoing dialogue, and the importance of formal discussions at the commencement of a clinical placement to establish learning goals, preferred supervision styles and learner responsibilities. Insights have significance for the CE community, and students who at times have to second-guess what is required of them and how they might excel on clinical placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate on-campus student accommodation in Sub-Saharan higher educational institutions triggered the need for private sector intervention in the off-campus student private housing (SPH) delivery within university communities. This paper examines students' experiences of off-campus accommodation in terms of satisfaction indicators and driving factors in a vulnerable university's communities in South-southern Nigeria. The paper drew upon a sequential exploratory mixed method, comprising semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey. The paper explored interconnectivity of satisfaction indicators and factors within the threshold of building's physical attributes, community-related attributes, contract-related covenants, academic and social environment capability, through CAQDAS; Atlas.ti. The paper found disproportionate students' satisfaction level within the filtered elements and scored the overall satisfaction low. Methodologically, a convergence of results pointing to the factors for improving physical, locational, landlord commitment to tenancy agreement on services and management, and flexible regulation of students' social activities, from the two approaches, was observed. Variation surfaces from the individual rating of each indicator and the driving factors. Five distinct recommendations emerged; policy on planning, environment, and building regulations compliance, reform on SPH governance, stakeholders democracy, parent' involvement in off-campus governance, and a committee on private housing accreditation in the university communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construct of fragility of happiness, which is not a theory-driven construct, refers to the idea that happiness is fleeting and can simply turn into unhappiness. This study investigated for the first time the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Fragility of Happiness Scale (FOHS) among university students, focusing on its internal consistency, factor structure, discriminant validity, convergent validity and predictive validity. Data were collected from two student samples (online sample, n = 228; paper-pencil sample, n = 200). Participants completed measures of fragility of happiness, fear of happiness, externality of happiness and life satisfaction either as online questionnaires or a paper-pencil version of the questionnaires. FOHS demonstrated good internal consistency. Results of exploratory and confirmatory yielded a one-factor model. The results also supported convergent, divergent and predictive validity. These results suggest that the FOHS is a reliable and valid instrument among Turkish university students. It can be used for research purposes and in clinical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we share some personal reflections of straddling different research roles in a doctoral study entitled Queering Sex Work and Mobility in South Africa. We highlight the importance of using a Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) methodology when conducting studies with migrant and mobile sex workers as it offers participants an opportunity to express their lived realities and embodied knowledge(s) beyond linguistic barriers. Through our reflections, we demonstrate that marginalised communities can become co-creators in knowledge production processes, not just the givers of stories (aka 'poverty porn') but integral members of the research team who actively contribute towards the conceptualisation, data collection, analysis, publishing and distribution of scholarship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to identify factors that contribute to the success of current social marketing practices. These factors include setting clear behavior change objectives and segmentation that informs communication and messaging strategies. Other factors include rigorous research (consumer research, formative research, literature review), pre-testing of interventions, developing a partnership approach, using planning methodologies/theories, and monitoring and evaluation. These success factors could be used for policymakers, governments, agencies and social marketers delivering interventions focussed on healthy lives and well-being. The examples given in this study illustrate how these factors can be achieved, providing a focus for discussion and emulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prognosis for ovarian cancer patients remains poor. A key to maximizing survival rates is early detection and treatment. This requires an accurate prediction of malignancy. Our study seeks to improve the accuracy of prediction by focusing on early subjective assessment of malignancy. We therefore investigated the assessment of patients themselves in comparison to the assessment of physicians.Methods: One thousand three hundred and thirty patients participated in a prospective and multicenter study in six hospitals in Berlin. Using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression models, we measured the accuracy of the early subjective assessment in comparison to the final histological outcome. Moreover, we investigated factors related to the assessment of patients and physicians.Results: The patients' assessment of malignancy is remarkably accurate. With a positive predictive value of 58%, the majority of patients correctly assessed a pelvic mass as malignant. With more information available, physicians achieved only a slightly more accurate prediction of 63%.Conclusions: For the first time, our study considered subjective factors in the diagnostic process of pelvic masses. This paper demonstrates that the patients' personal assessment should be taken seriously as it can provide a significant contribution to earlier diagnosis and thus improved therapy and overall prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws upon the notion of slow emergency as a framework to interpret ethnographic and qualitative findings on the challenges faced by Puerto Ricans with chronic conditions and health-sector representatives throughout the island during and after Hurricane María. We conducted participant observation and qualitative interviews with chronic disease patients (n = 20) health care providers and administrators (n = 42), and policy makers (n = 5) from across the island of Puerto Rico in 2018 and 2019. Many Puerto Ricans coping with chronic diseases during and after María experienced bureaucratic red tape as a manifestation of the colonial legacies of disaster management and health care. They describe a precarious existence in perpetual 'application pending' status, waiting for services that were not forthcoming. Drawing on ethnographically informed case examples, we discuss the effects of these bureaucratic barriers on persons with three chronic conditions: renal disease, opioid dependency, and HIV/AIDS. We argue that while emergency management approaches often presume a citizen-subject with autonomous capacity to prepare for presumably transient disasters and envision a 'post-disaster future' beyond the immediate crisis, Puerto Rican voices draw attention to the longer, sustained, slow emergency of colonial governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides results from interviews and a focus group conducted at two different points in time in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, which explored impacts of the pandemic and adaptation among water advocacy organizations in southern Ontario, Canada. Our findings show that despite the destabilizing and sometimes devastating impact of COVID-19 on grassroots organizations and their programs, by disrupting business as usual the pandemic also created the conditions for experimentation, innovation, the establishment of new capacities and strategic foci. In this paper, we share descriptive narratives from water activists in our geographic area about how they adapted and innovated their work despite the challenges of the pandemic. Our findings illustrate and add nuance to themes emerging in the literature about the impacts of the pandemic on environmental advocacy groups and other nonprofit organizations, and generate new themes for further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is inconclusive nowadays for the association between infant's gender and their mothers' risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD). In addition, a complete overview is missing. A meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies was performed to address the question of whether women who gave birth to a female infant were at an increased risk of developing PPD, compared with those giving birth to a male infant.Methods: Unrestricted searches were conducted, with an end date parameter of 31 January 2018, of PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Libraries, and Chinese databases, to identify studies that met pre-stated inclusion criteria. Reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed. Either a fixed- or a random-effects model was used to calculate the overall combined risk estimates.Results: Twenty-three studies involving 119,736 women were included for analysis. Overall, mothers who gave birth to a female infant experienced a significantly increased risk of developing PPD compared with the reference group (OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.01-1.31; p = .03). However, substantial heterogeneity (p < .00001; I2 = 75%) was observed across studies. Relevant heterogeneity moderators have been identified by subgroup analysis. Sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results. No evidence of publication bias was observed.Conclusions: Although the role of potential bias and evidence of heterogeneity should be carefully evaluated, the present study suggests women giving birth to a girl are associated with a higher risk of developing PPD when compared with those giving birth to a boy. Improving family and social communication and reducing gender preference should be important components of any such interventions.Statement of significanceProblem or issue Interestingly, the known risk factors leading to PPD are basically the same in different regions and cultures, but the gender of the infant seems to be an exception.What is already known Some studies conducted in traditional western countries indicated that there is a weak or null association between infant's gender and risk of PPD, while others suggested a positive association. In contrast, studies conducted in Nigeria, India, Turkey and China showed that mothers giving birth to a female infant were at a higher risk of developing PPD.What this paper adds Today, the association between infant's gender and risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD) is still uncertain; additionally, a complete overview is missing. Our study represents the first meta-analysis of risk of PPD associated with infant's gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many novice teachers, their first year on the job can be a roller coaster experience of 'ups' and 'downs' as they transition from their teacher education programs to teaching in real classrooms. While to 'ups' are always good to experience, the 'downs' can be so traumatic that novice teachers can feel so stressed that their teaching is adversely impacted and burned out to the point that they consider resigning for the profession. For the most part, however, the language teaching profession has not addressed this aspect of a novice ESL (English as a second language) teacher well-being in terms of their personal and emotional investment as they transition from trainee to novice teacher in their first year. This paper attempts to shed light on the emotional experiences of three female novice ESL teachers in a university language school in Canada as they reflected during regular group discussions and journal writing during their first semester (12 weeks) as novice ESL teachers. The results reveal that the group discussions and journal writing provided a platform for the teachers to articulate their mostly negative emotions with three most frequently expressed: frustration, anger and boredom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is currently a need to identify feasible and effective interventions to help older individuals suffering from memory loss maintain functional independence and quality of life. To improve upon paper and pencil memory notebook interventions, the Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) application (app) was developed iteratively with persons with cognitive impairment. In this paper we detail a manual-based intervention for training use of the DMN app. A series of three case studies are described to illustrate the clinical process of the DMN intervention, the key components of the intervention and participants' perceptions of the intervention. The Reliable Change Index was applied to pre/post intervention scores that examined everyday memory lapses, daily functioning, coping self-efficacy, satisfaction with life, and quality of life with standardized measures. Following the intervention, two of three participants self-reported a clinically significant reduction in everyday memory lapses and improved everyday functioning. One participant reported clinically significant change in quality of life. All participants demonstrated clinically significant changes in their ability to cope with problems and build self-efficacy. Furthermore, all participants scored in the normative range post-intervention on the measure of satisfaction with life. Clinical observations and participant feedback were used for refinement of the DMN intervention (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03453554). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathways to employment are typically interrupted by first-episode psychosis (FEP) which strikes during the developmentally critical time of young adulthood. This paper reports on the key moments and messages that influenced the developing employment, education, or disability trajectories of young adults in the years following completion of Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for FEP. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adults with both lived experience of a FEP and a CSC program, from a critical case sample of 10 persons who were involved in an advocacy group. Results indicate that family support and expectations, disability narratives from mental health professionals, the realities of the modern labor market, and university disability support strongly influenced the pathway to employment, education, or disability, and that these were influenced by multiple structural realities such as family SES, disability policies, and treatment ideology, and the capacity of the labor market and universities. This paper concludes that CSC services should create a unified plan to address the structural barriers that challenge those from marginalized families, reevaluate traditional disability ideology in mental health treatment, and better support new pathways to secure employment and education for all young adults with FEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the rich extant research in the field of mental health in acculturation, it is calling to identify religion as one of the meditative variables of the relationship between acculturation and mental health. In addition, little knowledge exists about the detailed religious experience of Chinese migrants in Ireland. This research adopted classic grounded theory to guide data collection and analysis. The findings show that Christian faith plays a significant role as a mediator in the cross-cultural adaptation of the participants with two aspects of the mental impacts: helping to cope with mental stress and providing spiritual satisfaction. The results in this paper are part of the findings from an investigation of the religious experience of the participants during their cross-cultural adaptation in Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Infants who remain in-utero after their due date are exposed to increasing risk of infection, late stillbirth and delivery complications. Much of the current literature on post-term outcomes is based on short term observations and the impacts may be substantially greater in the long term. The aim of this work is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the cognitive or educational impacts of post term delivery.Methods: Systematic review was performed by the two authors using Medline database (1960-2017). A title search was performed to identify likely relevant literature. Exposure terms were clarified to identify papers where the exposure was related to delivery after the infants' due date. Primary outcome was cognitive score. A quality assessment and data extraction pro forma was completed by both reviewers for all studies deemed to satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis used adjusted results where available. Small-study bias was assessed visually using a funnel plot and then formally tested using Egger's regression asymmetry test.Results: Medline was searched on the 4 July 2018; and produced a list of 1318 publications. Of these, 43 abstracts were screened, and of these a total of 10 full-text papers were reviewed. A further three papers were identified during this review and contributed to a total of 13 papers. The publications dated from 1969 to 2017. Two studies presented a binary outcome for cognitive measures and combined estimates found that the risk of a low cognitive score was higher in post-term infants compared to term infants (odds ratio [OR] 1.06 [1.04-1.08]). Four papers presented the association with mean cognitive measures and post-term delivery, and all demonstrated a mean reduction in scores in the post-term group. A combined estimate showed strong evidence of a reduction in cognitive scores across the four studies (-1.90 [-3.50 to -0.31]). There was little evidence of heterogeneity in the studies which reported cognitive outcomes (other p-values >.2).Conclusion: This meta-analysis has found that post term birth (>41 + 6 weeks) is associated with small but significant negative effects on cognitive outcomes when compared with delivery at, or around term. The effect, while small, is compounded by a common exposure and appears consistent in the studies identified. Less evidence was found for a measurable impact on early developmental measures or educational outcomes. This may further help inform the debate on the timing of otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies and further trials in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension (HT) is associated with cardiovascular events and increased mortality, and identification of persons at risk in due time is therefore important. Finding a biomarker to identify those at risk will enable early preventive treatment, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) seems to be a highly relevant candidate. To gather the existing knowledge on the association between hs-cTn and future HT, a systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines and using the PICOS system. Medline was searched until August 2018. Of 45 extracted papers, eleven papers were eligible for the study. None were randomized controlled trials. Three studies assessed hs-cTnI, eight studies assessed hs-cTnT. All studies found statistically significant associations between hs-cTn concentrations and future HT, but the studies included different types of blood pressure (diastolic, systolic, diurnal). Due to differences in troponin assay construction and test capability, a direct comparison of test performance in terms of specificity, sensitivity and predictive values was not possible, and a specific hs-cTn cutoff value for HT prediction could therefore not be defined. Furthermore, a number of conditions known to affect troponin concentrations (e.g. gender, renal function, and co-morbidities) were not sufficiently studied. All retrieved studies found significant associations between hs-cTn concentrations and future HT; although the findings are promising, the studies were too heterogeneous, and many conditions affecting troponin concentrations needs investigation at these low concentrations before hs-cTn can be considered a useful HT predictor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper centres on the roles and contributions of fieldworkers-local data-collectors in Global Health research in postcolonial contexts. It is informed by two separate ethnographies, conducted in two different East African biomedical research institutions. It discusses how common characterisations of fieldworkers as 'low-skilled' and 'local' make them attractive to research institutions in two important ways – as community-embedded data-collectors thus facilitating community participation and as being unlikely to fabricate data because they lack the skills to avoid detection. This paper questions these assumptions. It draws on Daston's idea of the 'scientific persona' and Fanon's concepts of mask-making to explore how fieldworkers construct identities and data within their liminal roles. Fieldworkers create particular pseudo-personae or masks for getting and staying employed. They dumb-down CVs and emphasise their similarities with community members in ways which are partially 'real' but also 'fake'. These constructed identities provide fieldworkers with a persona that allows them to fabricate or modify data without raising suspicions. They frequently engage in practices known as 'genuine fake' data fabrication which is data perceived as factually correct and verifiable yet methodologically incorrect, hence it is real and fake in varying degrees. We understand the 'pseudo' as the blurry space between real and fake where fieldworkers construct their identities and data. Given the seemingly laudable aims of Global Health, we argue that fieldworkers' masking and making up data signal the need for greater attention by those designing its research, to better understand and address why and how these practices unfold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arts programming can amplify youth voice, creative self-expression, and promote civic engagement and social change. This paper describes a case study of a youth participatory action research at an arts organization in the northeast of the U.S. that promoted youth participation, critical reflection, and action. Field observations and individual interviews with adult and youth staff were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings suggest YPAR represented an opportunity for youth to develop critical consciousness, leadership skills, and create change. Adults integrated opportunities for youth to lead in arts dissemination and action initiatives. Implications and challenges including sustainability were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical touch is considered a core competency in Physiotherapy, central to clinical reasoning and communication. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research into how the skill is learned and the experiences of students in that process. The aim of this paper is to explore that learning experience among pre-registration physiotherapy students. An approach underpinned by phenomenology and ethnographic methods was undertaken over an 8-month period in one Higher Education Institution in the UK. Data came from a series of observations and focus groups, complemented by personal reflective learning diaries with first- and second-year undergraduate students. Focus group data were analyzed thematically and triangulated with other data sources. Three themes were developed: 1) 'Uncertainty, self-awareness and anxiety' explores the discomfort experienced in the early stages; 2) 'Emerging familiarity and awareness of inter-action' demonstrates developing confidence in bodily capability and communicative capacity; and 3) 'Realities of touch in a clinical environment' focuses on the shift from the pre-clinical to clinical context and highlights the cyclical processes of embodied learning. This study highlights the complexity and immediacy of the embodied learning of touch and its interactions with the development of professional identity. Negotiation of boundaries, both seen and unseen, creates jeopardy in that process through the first two years of the course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Self-reliance and social participation are strongly promoted by social policy. Both concepts are linked to the concept of vulnerability, for people who do not meet these standards are labelled "vulnerable people". In this paper, the insider's perspective takes central stage by seeking to explore what it means to be labelled a "vulnerable person", and through this to further our insight into the meaning of the concept of vulnerability. Method: Thirty-three in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 allegedly vulnerable people. The data were subjected to thematic content analysis. Results: Our analysis revealed three main dimensions and eight sub-dimensions of perceived vulnerability, outlining an insider's concept of vulnerability. This concept includes manifestations of vulnerability, feelings coexisting with vulnerability, and the image of vulnerable people. Conclusion: The perception of vulnerability changes when interacting with others in society, especially with social policy implementers. In this interaction, the perceived vulnerability increases and becomes societal vulnerability. It concerns a dependency situation in which one's strength and self-determination are not recognized, and the help needed is not provided. By acknowledging the insider's perspective, social policy can fulfil a more empowering role towards "vulnerable people" and contribute to people's well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminal justice (CJ) education often includes culminating research courses as part of its curriculum. Many of these courses follow a traditional process of considering ethics, theory, research design, quantitative and qualitative methods, and aspects of experiential learning. However, the pedagogy around engaging contemporary modes of knowledge building in CJ, especially those that critique traditional models and rely on new technologies, is lacking. This paper documents our experience using Photovoice methods to empower students as both residents and researchers to systematically assess manifestations of social disorganization in a mid-sized city along the U.S.-Mexico border. We first introduce how other disciplines have incorporated Photovoice into pedagogy, then focus on using a Photovoice study in the CJ classroom to investigate and understand social disorganization in a South Texas border town and consider influences for social action. We conclude with lessons learned and ideas for teacher-scholar-activists to engage in new modes of research pedagogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to establish universal standards to protect children led to the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). I drew on literature exploring the UNCRC and children's rights to provision, protection, and participation. This paper aimed to ascertain challenges of enforcing children's rights to provision, protection, and participation in rural and urban Ghana drawing on the experiences and perceptions of 60 government officials, NGO representatives, and parents. Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents (10), stakeholders (10), focus groups (30); and participant observation techniques (10) were utilised to gather the required data and purposively sampled across rural and urban areas in Ghana. Interviews were recorded, and transcribed utilising a framework approach as the qualitative data analysis method. Acceptance of childhood as understood in the UNCRC is different from traditional child-rearing patterns in rural and urban Ghana. IMPLICATIONS Social workers' knowledge about dealing with dilemmas posed by rights to provision, protection, and participation for children may be enhanced. Social workers can improve their knowledge of factors that challenge the enforcement of children's rights for children engaged in child labour and the possible tension between children and parental rights in their everyday social work practice. Social workers can introduce culturally sensitive parenting programs and develop their own contribution towards monitoring and implementing the rights to provision, protection, and participation for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Theoretical models of addiction predict that an attentional bias toward substance-related cues plays a role in development and maintenance of addictive behaviors, although empirical data testing these predictions are somewhat equivocal. This may in part be a consequence of substantial variability in methods used to operationalize attentional bias. Our aim was to examine the variability in key design and analysis decisions of the addiction Stroop. Method: Using a pre-registered design, we identified 95 studies utilizing an addiction Stroop (46 alcohol, 25 smoking, 24 drug-related). We extracted key information about the design of the Stroop tasks, including; administration (paper-and-pencil vs. computerized), response (key-press vs. voice), design (block vs. mixed). For analysis decisions we extracted information on upper- and lower-bound reaction time cutoffs, removal of data based on standard error cutoffs, removal of participants based on overall performance, type of outcome used, and removal of errors. Results: Based on variability from previous research there are at least 1,451,520 different possible designs of the computerized Alcohol Stroop, 77,760 designs of the computerized Smoking Stroop and 112,640 for the Drug Stroop. Many key design decisions were unreported. Similarly, variability in analyses decisions would allow for 9,000 different methods for analyzing the Alcohol Stroop, 5,376 for the Smoking Stroop and 768 for the Drug Stroop. P-curves suggest data provided evidential value and exploratory meta-regressions suggest that the addiction Stroop effect was not associated with design and analysis decisions. Conclusions: The addiction Stroop effect is seemingly robust, however the adoption of consistent reporting guidelines is necessary to aid reliability and reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trends of delayed childbearing have accompanied declining birth rates and increasing numbers of childless adults in the USA. Women may postpone parenting in order to save money, find a partner, and get a 'family-friendly' job, but this reproductive strategy may not always be effective. This paper uses two waves of longitudinal data to track childless women's reproductive decision-making and behaviours. During wave 1, interviews were conducted with 72 childless US women between the ages of 25 and 40 about their reproductive desires and intentions. Approximately four years later, a subset of the original sample participated in surveys to assess consistencies between fertility intentions and outcomes, and in-depth interviews to elicit information about changes in their lives that transpired. Whereas some wave 2 participants had fulfilled their goal of becoming parents, the majority were still employing a delaying strategy or had declined to have children. Delayed childbearing was individually strategic for those who could garner resources to be in a better financial or social position to have and raise children, while others kept facing barriers that prevented them from realising their reproductive goals or changed their mind about their fertility intentions and desires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]