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In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 23, 2020, a strict lockdown was implemented in the UK. This was followed by alternating periods of less restrictive lockdowns until most public health restrictions were lifted in the summer of 2021. While these measures were necessary, they significantly affected people's daily activities, lifestyles, and mental well-being. This paper presents a longitudinal research study that focused on females aged 55 + in the UK, aiming to understand how COVID-19 and the subsequent 15-month period of lockdowns affected their lifestyles and emotions. The study collected data through online surveys, where respondents reported the frequency and mode of access to activities, and their positive and negative emotional experiences during distinct study phases that encompassed both lockdown and less strict periods. In contrast to previous studies highlighting vulnerabilities for females and the elderly during lockdowns, this research found that the studied group maintained an overall positive outlook throughout the study period and successfully adapted to the lockdowns by increasing their engagement in certain activities, in particular, activities like 'getting active'. In addition, our findings indicate rapid adaptive behaviour change towards many online activities, such as cultural activities. However, the study also revealed negative emotions and a decrease in some activities during the second lockdown in 2020 and the subsequent lockdowns in 2021, underscoring the challenges inherent in prolonged periods of confinement. In addition, the study found negative affect associated with some activities, including working and studying from home. The findings provide valuable insights into how females aged over 55 coped with stressful circumstances, which can inform the development of resilient and mental health-conscious public health policies and responses in preparation for future pandemics or other hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This grounded theory study sought to explore how older adults' experience the transition from living at home to a care home with a specific focus on the latter part of the first year of the move. The study was carried out within a large Health Trust in the UK between August 2017 and May 2019. Purposive sampling was used in the initial stages of data collection. Thereafter and consistent with grounded theory methodology, theoretical sampling was employed to undertake semi‐structured interviews with 17 individuals from eight care homes between 5 and 12 months after the move. This paper reports five key categories which were: (a) The lasting effect of first Impressions 'They helped me make my mind up' (b) On a Journey 'I just take it one day at a time', (c) Staying connected and feeling 'at home' 'You get something good out of it you know...you get hope'. (d) Managing loss and grief 'It was important for me to say cheerio to the house' and (e) Caring relationships 'I didn't realise that I was lonely until I had company'. Together these five categories formed the basis of the core category 'The Primacy of 'Home' which participants identified as a place they would like to feel valued, nurtured and have a sense of belonging. This study identifies that it is important for individual preferences and expectations to be managed from the outset of the move. Individuals and families need to be supported to have honest and caring conversations to promote acceptance and adaptation to living in a care home while continuing to embrace the heart of 'home'. Key recommendations from this study include the need to raise awareness of the significance of the ongoing psychological and emotional well‐being needs of older people which should be considered in policy directives and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we assess the quality of state-of-the-art regional climate information intended to support climate adaptation decision-making. We use the UK Climate Projections 2018 as an example of such information. Their probabilistic, global, and regional land projections exemplify some of the key methodologies that are at the forefront of constructing regional climate information for decision support in adapting to a changing climate. We assess the quality of the evidence and the methodology used to support their statements about future regional climate along six quality dimensions: transparency; theory; independence, number, and comprehensiveness of evidence; and historical empirical adequacy. The assessment produced two major insights. First, a major issue that taints the quality of UKCP18 is the lack of transparency, which is particularly problematic since the information is directed towards non-expert users who would need to develop technical skills to evaluate the quality and epistemic reliability of this information. Second, the probabilistic projections are of lower quality than the global projections because the former lack both transparency and a theory underpinning the method used to produce quantified uncertainty estimates about future climate. The assessment also shows how different dimensions are satisfied depending on the evidence used, the methodology chosen to analyze the evidence, and the type of statements that are constructed in the different strands of UKCP18. This research highlights the importance of knowledge quality assessment of regional climate information that intends to support climate change adaptation decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-use of climate information is often attributed to scientists failing to understand what decision-makers need. In response, co-production offers one promising method to improve the usability, and therein, use of climate information. Yet it remains unclear to what extent usability and use are linked, or if other factors influence the non-use of climate information. This paper critically examines two efforts to co-produce climate information for UK adaptation decision-making: the first and second cycles of the climate change risk assessment to gather evidence and then inform the national adaptation programme. To do this, a mixed methods approach was used: (i) textual analysis of official Government documents, and (ii) in-depth interviews with key actors. Our research found that the institutional-political context in which climate information is produced and used, played a significant role in defining who the user should be, how the data analysis was performed, and the extent to which that information was used. Just because something is co-produced does not mean it will be usable, nor does something that's usable automatically mean it will be used. Unless new research seeks to better understand how the modes of production (linear vs. co-production) influence the use of climate information, who uses it, and how it's used, questions will remain over whether the right barriers to climate inaction have been tackled. • Co-production promises to improve the usability and use of climate information. • We conducted an interview and document analysis of the UK's climate change risk assessments. • Use and usability of climate information differ. • More research is needed on the difference co-production makes to use and usability of climate information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Pathway for Eating disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience (PEACE pathway) is a clinical pathway of adapted treatment for individuals with eating disorders and autism in the UK. This study aims to investigate multidisciplinary clinicians' views of the strengths and challenges of PEACE pathway adaptations, while identifying areas where further improvement is needed. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 clinicians who worked on the PEACE pathway. Themes relevant to the benefits, challenges and areas of improvement were identified, and a thematic map was produced. Results: PEACE Pathway brought clinical benefits such as improved understanding of patients' perspective, improved flexibility and individualisation in clinicians' approach, increased patient engagement, and provision of resources that are helpful to all patients with or without autism. Benefits to the service included increase in autism awareness, clinicians' confidence, and team collaboration. Challenges were also identified, including difficulties in incorporating autism adaptations into existing treatment protocol, implementing PEACE at different levels of care, staff schedule conflicts, and increased pressure to meet patients' needs. Overall, there is a need for systemic improvement in aftercare and community support for autism, more suitable autism screening tool, and more structured guidelines for making adaptations. Conclusions and implications: PEACE Pathway has brought clinical and service benefits, while also bringing practical challenges rooted in the difficulty in distinguishing between autism and eating disorder in comorbid population. Future areas of improvement are highlighted for PEACE resources as well as in the national support system for autistic individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engaging young citizens with drought risk and positive water behaviours is essential in domestic water demand management within the wider climate crisis. This paper evaluates a new research-informed, picture book—'DRY: The Diary of a Water Superhero'—that explores UK drought. The book's development was underpinned by research within the Drought Risk and You (DRY) project. The book's concept and storyline were co-produced by an interdisciplinary team, including a creative practitioner. This focused on key themes: drought definitions and types; drought myths; adaptation and young people's (YP) agency. Characters and storyline were co-created to promote YP's autonomy as change agents, and to encourage intergenerational and community learning. This paper evaluates the book from three perspectives: of YP, trainee teachers (TT) and teachers. Emergent themes are triangulated: drought as a sensitive issue, subject knowledge and changes in behaviour, and YP's misconceptions about drought and place. TT also contemplated their improved subject knowledge and barriers to engaging with positive water behaviours. Teachers reflected on classroom use of the book, prior experiences about teaching drought, curriculum context and st/age of YP engaged. This paper reflects on how these insights feed into school practice and water industry outreach, in developing effective learning resources that promote a valuing of water, behaviour change and wider hydrocitizenship among YP and their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare systems are operating under substantial pressures, and often simply cannot provide the standard of care they aspire to within the available resources. Organisations, managers, and individual clinicians make constant adaptations in response to these pressures, which are typically improvised, highly variable and not coordinated across clinical teams. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the types of everyday pressures experienced by surgical teams and the adaptive strategies they use to respond to these pressures. Methods: We conducted interviews with 20 senior multidisciplinary healthcare professionals from surgical teams in four major hospitals in the United Kingdom. The interviews explored the types of everyday pressures staff were experiencing, the strategies they use to adapt, and how these strategies might be taught to others. Results: The primary pressures described by senior clinicians in surgery were increased numbers and complexity of patients alongside shortages in staff, theatre space and post-surgical beds. These pressures led to more difficult working conditions (e.g. high workloads) and problems with system functioning such as patient flow and cancellation of lists. Strategies for responding to these pressures were categorised into increasing or flexing resources, controlling and prioritising patient demand and strategies for managing the workload (scheduling for efficiency, communication and coordination, leadership, and teamwork strategies). Conclusions: Teams are deploying a range of strategies and making adaptations to the way care is delivered. These findings could be used as the basis for training programmes for surgical teams to develop coordinated strategies for adapting under pressure and to assess the impact of different combinations of strategies on patient safety and surgical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As organisations, museums are responsible for conserving, protecting, and displaying artwork and artefacts. Museum buildings must deliver an environment that will continue to provide this facility for both current and future generations. This research focused on presenting a museum with quantifiable and measurable data to help with climate adaptation planning. A methodology was developed using monitored data. Subhourly data for both indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity spanning the years 2012–2021 was used to produce a daily maximum, daily minimum, and daily average dataset. A sensitivity analysis determined which years to use to derive the indoor-outdoor relationships used in climate modelling. Future impacts were calculated using UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18) data (12 models on a 2.2 km scale), as published by the Met Office Hadley Centre. The data contained within the 12 models was overlayed with the relationships derived to calculate the projected indoor temperature and humidity conditions within the museum. The results presented indicate that temperature and humidity conditions are projected to exceed design conditions more frequently in the coming decades. Consequently, adaptation plans must consider the potential impacts that include indoor environmental deterioration, leading to discomfort and health implications, increased energy costs, and system upgrade costs, as well as the potential for accelerated degradation of artwork and artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence is needed to support local action to reduce the adverse health impacts of climate change and maximise the health co-benefits of climate action. Focused on England, the study identifies priority areas for research to inform local decision making. Methods: Firstly, potential priority areas for research were identified from a brief review of UK policy documents, and feedback invited from public and policy stakeholders. This included a survey of Directors of Public Health (DsPH) in England, the local government officers responsible for public health. Secondly, rapid reviews of research evidence examined whether there was UK evidence relating to the priorities identified in the survey. Results: The brief policy review pointed to the importance of evidence in two broad areas: (i) community engagement in local level action on the health impacts of climate change and (ii) the economic (cost) implications of such action. The DsPH survey (n = 57) confirmed these priorities. With respect to community engagement, public understanding of climate change's health impacts and the public acceptability of local climate actions were identified as key evidence gaps. With respect to economic implications, the gaps related to evidence on the health and non-health-related costs and benefits of climate action and the short, medium and longer-term budgetary implications of such action, particularly with respect to investments in the built environment. Across both areas, the need for evidence relating to impacts across income groups was highlighted, a point also emphasised by the public involvement panel. The rapid reviews confirmed these evidence gaps (relating to public understanding, public acceptability, economic evaluation and social inequalities). In addition, public and policy stakeholders pointed to other barriers to action, including financial pressures, noting that better evidence is insufficient to enable effective local action. Conclusions: There is limited evidence to inform health-centred local action on climate change. More evidence is required on public perspectives on, and the economic dimensions of, local climate action. Investment in locally focused research is urgently needed if local governments are to develop and implement evidence-based policies to protect public health from climate change and maximise the health co-benefits of local action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiencing deteriorating health has implications for your quality of life. The theory of adaptation suggests that with time spend living in a health state individuals can adapt, resulting in observed quality of life levels to revert or stagnate despite persistently decreased health. Adaptation has implications for the use of subjective quality of life indicators when quantifying the impact of health changes or the benefits from new medical technologies. As both the impact from ill health and the benefit from new interventions might be disease- or subgroup-specific adaptation further raises ethical concerns but empirical evidence on its existence, magnitude, and heterogeneity remains inconclusive. This paper uses a general population sample of 9,543 individuals that participate in the UK Understanding Society survey and experience the onset of a long-standing illness or disability to provide evidence on these questions. Using ordered-response fixed effects models we explore longitudinal changes in self-assessed health and life satisfaction around the onset of disability. Our results indicate that disability onset is associated with large decreases in subjective health and well-being. Over time this initial decrease in subjective quality of life indicators attenuates, especially in life satisfaction and to a lesser extent for self-assessed health. While the relative difference in adaptation across these two measures remains persistent, we find that across demographic and severity groups the initial impact of disability onset and adaptation differs considerably in its magnitude. These results have important implications for studies aiming to quantify the impact of health conditions on quality of life outcomes, especially when using observational datasets. • Adaptation is particularly pronounced in life satisfaction. • Across subgroups adaptation in life satisfaction differs. • In self-assessed health adaptation is limited with no differences across subgroups. • When using well-being measures adaptation could distort measured disease impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human Factors methods play a key role in challenging assumptions, analyzing interactions, and informing decision‐making in complex sociotechnical systems and organizations that manage safety risks. Structured methodological approaches also have a role to play in better understanding properties of systems such as adaptation. Adaptation is increasingly recognized as being an important feature that supports the production of safety in complex sociotechnical systems. A safety management intervention, introduced to address a real risk in UK air traffic control but which resulted in unanticipated, maladaptive, and emergent effects, is analyzed using the Hierarchical Task Analysis, Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes, Functional Resonance Analysis Method, Human Factors Analysis and Classification System, Cognitive Work Analysis, Critical Decision Method, and Event Analysis of Systemic Teamwork Methods. The results from the application of each of the methods are presented and the different perspectives on adaptation that the methods provide are compared. A methodological framework is presented that has the potential to explore the factors of adaptation across the organizational hierarchy and assist safety practitioners in supporting decision makers in safety‐related organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we considered women's experiences of undertaking Higher Education (HE) study (Foundation Degree in Early Years (EY)) drawing on research based in the North of England, UK. The study, informed by a social constructionist approach, explored 10 women's experiences of work–life balance (WLB) and well-being alongside HE study through semi-structured interviews. A focus group explored women's personal perceptions of WLB and well-being. The findings were analysed thematically and we argue that the formation of a third sphere of commitment (HE study) disrupted WLB and created some disequilibrium, which impacted upon the women's well-being. The women underwent a transformative process as initial academic inexperience and lack of belonging in University was replaced by confidence and student identity. This transformation was made possible through personal adaptations, diverse strategies and motivation that indicated individual and collective resilience. One noticeable strategy involved the overlapping of commitment spheres, including HE study taking place at home. While being challenging to manage, this contributed to an important cultural shift as study became normal for households, creating the 'learning family'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retinoblastoma is a rare form of pediatric eye cancer for which enucleation is a common treatment modality. There is an increasing focus upon the impact of enucleation on children and families. This study aimed to explore the experiences of children and their families following enucleation to consider the barriers that may be encountered when adjusting to living with an artificial eye and identifying the support services and strategies used to address these barriers. Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with 12 parents and seven children and thematic analysis was used to identify four themes representing the perspective of parents and children. Results: Parent themes identified were (a) entry into the world of retinoblastoma; (b) the importance of specialist support; (c) a family learning to cope; and (d) navigating school. The perspectives of children were (a) the importance of preparation and play; (b) positive reinforcement and hospital support; (c) support and openness at home; and (d) the importance of good school planning. Two overarching themes related to parent and child adaptation were also identified. Discussion: The study findings reveal that the process of adapting to living with an artificial eye extended to influencing decisions around parenting, learning to advocate for their child, and supporting children through school and peer relationships. For children, the importance of ongoing support and information was vital to enhance understanding, adaptation, and development of independence. Overall, the study suggests that children and families undergoing enucleation need continuing, individualized, and specialist support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interorganizational projects often suffer disruptions that require participating organizations to adapt in order to restore project operations. We study the role of communication style in facilitating adaptation to such disruptions. Whereas the literature on interorganizational communication has emphasized communication mode and frequency, we study the content and features of written communication in seven U.K. construction projects. Communication style mattered for adaptation quality in these projects, and we found that several properties of communication style were particularly important for adaptation: cost and information orientation, as well as informality, precision and authenticity. Moreover, managerial slack and organizational reputation were important precursors of communication style. These results provide novel insights into the role of communication style in adaptation to interorganizational project disruptions. We discuss the implications of these insights for research on interorganizational projects in operations and supply chain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on the adaptation experiences of international students who are mothers. Using resilience theory perspectives of adaptation, this research investigated the experiences of female students from Saudi Arabia with respect to parenting and family life while studying in the UK. Interviews were conducted with 23 postgraduate students. Questions focused on their experiences as a mother studying in the UK and their accompanying families' experiences. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis and resilience theory perspectives with data organized into five main resilience themes: challenges and adversities, worries and vulnerabilities, sources of support and protective environments, personal positive experiences and strengths, family positive experiences and strengths. Participants reported experiencing a range of parenting challenges including increased family duties in the absence of extended family support and concerns about their children's upbringing while away from their home country. However, this was balanced by the positive experiences they identified for themselves and their children including personal development and closer relationships within the family. Advantages of resilience theory perspectives included identifying international students' personal strengths, competencies and sources of support. Awareness of benefits as well as potential challenges may help to guide and support students and their families before and during their sojourn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A grounded theory approach, consistent with the work of Strauss and Corbin, was used to undertake semi-structured interviews with 17 older people, to explore their experiences of living in a care home, during the four- to six-week period following the move. Purposive sampling was initially adopted, thereafter, theoretical sampling was employed to recruit individuals identified by care managers within older peoples' community teams and care home managers within a large Health and Social Care Trust in the United Kingdom. Consistent with grounded theory methodology, data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously. Constant comparative analysis underpinned data analysis and data management techniques. Data analysis revealed five distinct categories that captured these experiences. These were: (a) wanting to connect – 'I am so lost here', (b) wanting to adapt – 'Well mentally you have to make the best of it', (c) waiting for assistance – 'it's a frustration for me', (d) 'waiting on the end' – I am making no plans' and (e) wanting to re-establish links with family and home – 'I love getting home and I like getting out to the town'. Together these five categories formed the basis of the core category, 'Waiting and Wanting', which encapsulates the initial adaptation experiences of the men and women in the study. Findings indicate that individuals were dependent on others to create a sense of belonging, independence and wellbeing. Moreover, risk aversive practices were perceived as a threat to individuals' independence and autonomy. Recommendations include the need to amend policy and practice for the development of a bespoke induction programme for each resident facilitated by a senior member of the care home staff working in partnership with individuals and families, in addition to the health and social care team, to support a more positive transition for new residents, relatives and care home staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic approach to quantifying the weed–crop balance through the flux of solar radiation was developed and tested on commercial fields in a long-established Atlantic zone cropland. Measuring and modelling solar energy flux in crop stands has become standard practice in analysis and comparison of crop growth and yield across regions, species and years. In a similar manner, the partitioning of incoming radiation between crops and the in-field plant community may provide 'common currencies' through which to quantify positive and negative effects of weeds in relation to global change. Here, possibilities were explored for converting simple ground-cover measures in commercial fields of winter and spring oilseed rape in eastern Scotland, UK to metrics of solar flux. Solar radiation intercepted by the crops ranged with season and sowing delay from 129 to 1975 MJ m−2 (15-fold). Radiation transmitted through the crop, together with local weed management, resulted in a 70-fold range of weed intercepted radiation (14.2 to 963 MJ m−2), which in turn explained 93% of the corresponding between-site variation in weed dry mass (6.36 to 459 g m−2). Transmitted radiation explained almost 90% of the variation in number of weed species per field (12 to 40). The conversion of intercepted radiation to weed dry matter was far less variable at a mean of 0.74 g MJ−1 at both winter and spring sites. The primary cause of variation was an interaction between the temperature at sowing and the annual wave of incoming solar radiation. The high degree of explanatory power in solar flux indicates its potential use as an initial predictor and subsequent monitoring tool in the face of future change in climate and cropping intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]