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Actual accounts of the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples since colonization remain largely misunderstood and misrepresented within Australian education systems and the broader social consciousness. Culturally sensitive practice and ethnic diversity are challenging topics to teach social work students when truth-telling is absent. Social workers need to develop an understanding of intergenerational trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, critically reflect on perpetuated stereotypes, and confront internalized beliefs about peoples of diverse ethnic and cultural identities in preparation to work respectfully with Indigenous communities. A course focused on building students' knowledge and skills for culturally responsive practice is described in this paper, along with suggestions for enhancing teaching and learning. The paper argues for the importance of truth-telling about Australia's continuing racism in social work education to create cultural safety for service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persuasive gamified systems are effective tools for motivating behaviour change using various persuasive strategies. In line with the reinforcement theory, some persuasive gamified systems employ reward and punishment in their design to achieve the intended behavioural outcome. Research has argued both in favour and against using these strategies in behaviour change applications due to mixed results with respect to their effectiveness. However, there is a lack knowledge about how interventions using these strategies could motivate or demotivate behaviours. Therefore, this paper explores the mechanism through which Reward and Punishment motivate or demotivate behaviours with respect to their strengths and weaknesses. The results of large-scale exploratory studies (N = 1768) uncover important strengths and weaknesses that could facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of Reward and Punishment at motivating behaviour change. These include their ability to engage users and make behaviour fun, reinforce commitments to goals, and reveal some consequences of bad behaviour. We also compared the perceived effectiveness of reward and punishment quantitatively. [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]

Incivility within social work education reflects patterns seen across higher education and within society. Previous work has found that social work faculty are reluctant to report incivility and have limited confidence in their ability to address it effectively. In order to address potential solutions, this paper uses qualitative data (n = 164) drawn from a larger survey of social work faculty in the United States. The exploratory analysis focuses on strategies social work faculty use when experiencing incivility and bullying themselves, and methods recommended by social work faculty to confront incivility administratively and systemically within the social work academy. Responses were coded into four themes: values-based responses, leadership/institutional responses, individual and faculty level responses, and faculty disengagement. These themes suggest opportunities and recommendations to move toward a civil social work academy. Academic faculty expect institutional leadership to have the skills to acknowledge and address incidents of incivility in the workplace. Social work faculty suggest a combination of values-based responses that tie workplace behavior and culture to professional values, institutional responses that support accountability and formal recognition for prosocial behavior, and establishing and maintaining positive relationships in the workplace. Social work faculty acknowledge and affirm the individual ethical mandate to address injurious workplace behavior and challenge institutional systems and patterns that reinforce workplace incivility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper authentically represents the voices of non-verbal children with cerebral palsy using a case study design. Policy suggests that children should have the right to play and leisure opportunities, however non-verbal children with cerebral palsy have fewer choices. Additionally, children with communication, learning and mobility limitations are usually excluded from research. The aim of this research was to capture the voices of non-verbal children by exploring their well-being impact in terms of their experiences and choices about their level of participation in recreational activities. A qualitative case series study included interviews, observations, photographs and diaries. Where possible, the diaries were completed by both caregivers and children. Data were analysed thematically, and the lens of positioning theory applied. Seven children aged nine to sixteen years participated. The findings showed how equipment, people and environments enabled or hindered the children's participation. The children also advocated as champions for their own well-being. Positioning theory was applied across the data and was adapted offering a way to better understand the children's well-being responses. The findings demonstrate how these children were able to self-advocate, demonstrating their well-being by their intentional behaviours from their level of participation in a recreational activity. The voices of non-ambulant and non-verbal children are underrepresented in the literature. This study offers an innovative approach to highlight their voices using visual data. The images project the narrative about their choices for participation in recreational activities. The proposed kaleidoscope of well-being offers a way to demonstrate the fluctuations in their emotional responses from their participation. Choices for participation in recreational activities remains limited for non-ambulant and non-verbal children with cerebral palsy. Designers and policy makers should consider how equipment and environments can be adapted or created to increase the choices for non-ambulant and non-verbal children with cerebral palsy. Practitioners in health and social care should consider how to listen to the voices of non-verbal and non-ambulant children with cerebral palsy and their parents/guardians and work towards jointly setting participation goals to affirm their strengths. [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]

Since the 1990s, researchers have used community-based participatory approaches to achieve outcomes relevant to local communities, to build collaborative and sustainable research infrastructures, and to address disparities in knowledge production. Notwithstanding these strengths, communities and researchers have questioned its success in addressing power imbalances inherent in collaborative research encounters. In this methodological paper, we describe a novel community-based program science approach to guide an interdisciplinary research project on HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in three Kenyan counties. Drawing on ethnographic field notes, we detail how community researchers and their academic and programmatic partners collaborated through all phases of the research process, including research design and data collection. Importantly, community researchers also played an integral role in data analysis and dissemination, going well beyond the conventional role of 'community engagement' in global health research. We also present findings from qualitative interviews conducted by community researchers with their peers to inform the rollout of HIV self-testing kits in their respective county-contexts. Our approach highlights that engaging community directly in evidence production allows research findings – owned and generated by communities on their own behalf – to be fed more swiftly and effectively into community-led program delivery. [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]

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]

In the UK, children are entitled to have their views, wishes and feelings conveyed to a child protection conference in person or through professional representation. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study undertaken in a local authority in England which explored perspectives of attending a conference in person and investigated how children's views were represented when they were absent. Findings emerged through interviews with four children, focus groups conducted with four social workers and four conference Chairs, and case record analysis of reports submitted to and generated in child protection conferences for twenty-eight children. Three interrelating discourses of childism, participation and autonomous professional practice emerged within an overarching conceptualisation of power and generational ordering. The findings support contemporary understandings of the privileging of protection rights over participatory rights within child protection practices and add to the limited international evidence base concerning the extent to which young children can express their views, wishes and feelings. They also suggest a need to evaluate the impact of strengths-based practice frameworks, and approaches for assessment and recording practices that promote authentic participation for children across all age ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While HCI literature offers general frameworks for understanding user-centred quality, specific application areas may call for more detailed contextualisation of it. This paper focuses on socio-technical context of online news commenting by investigating speculative UI interventions intended to influence users' emotions and social behaviour. To understand the aspects of quality that matter to users in such UI interventions, we conducted an international online survey (N = 439) and qualitatively analysed respondents' first impressions of eight different design proposals. The findings describe contextually relevant socio-technical viewpoints and offer actionable considerations for design. For example, the findings imply that designers should be mindful of possible unintentional misuse that may result from the UI reinforcing specific emotional states or affording stigmatisation of individual users. The study advances understanding of which aspects of quality should be considered when designing and deploying UI interventions for digital media services and evaluating them with potential end-users. [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]

This qualitative study is part of a project aiming to evaluate a community-based approach to the delivery of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) through community health workers (CHWs) in four sub-Saharan African countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Mozambique and Nigeria. The study aimed to understand the factors that influence the anticipated acceptability of this intervention. A total of 216 in-depth interviews and 62 focus group discussions were carried out in the four country sites with pregnant women, women of reproductive age, community leaders, pregnant women's relatives, CHWs, formal and informal health providers. Grounded theory guided the study design and data collection, and content and thematic analysis was performed through a comparative lens. This paper focuses on one crosscutting theme: trust-building. Two mechanisms that underpin communities' trust in delivery of IPTp via CHWs were identified: 'perceived competence' and 'community and healthcare system integration'. Communities' perception of CHWs' competence shapes their trust in them, which suggests that CHWs' credentials should be made public and that specialised training in maternal health is required for them. Integration depends on the promotion of socially embedded practices and the involvement of formal healthcare systems in CHWs' work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how individuals living with multiple sclerosis experience their disorder in the South African working environment. In this paper we present the experiences of office-based workers living with multiple sclerosis, their challenges, and coping mechanisms. We purposively recruited seven participants who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the last five years. Participants were interviewed telephonically. Interviews were guided by a semi-structured interview schedule which was supplemented with additional probes. Interviews were analysed thematically using a qualitative software programme. We identified two superordinate themes: bringing multiple sclerosis into the workplace and adapting to multiple sclerosis in the workplace. The findings demonstrated the diverse manner in which participants chose to disclose their multiple sclerosis and manage co-workers' perceptions of multiple sclerosis. Participants employed practical strategies, such as making using of mobility aids, taking notes, conserving energy, and adapting responsibilities. Participants also negotiated accommodations, such as changing working hours, to overcome their unique challenges. Participants emphasised the importance of keeping a general positive attitude but showed reluctance to prepare for their future decline. Our findings indicate that participants manage the disclosure of their diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in order to maintain a favourable relationship with the workplace. Further, despite various physical and psychological limitations, participants were mostly able to adapt to their work environment. Although further research is required, employers and clinicians should consider focusing on the current needs of individuals living with multiple sclerosis to mitigate work-related challenges, rather than planning for future decline. For individuals living with multiple sclerosis and in employment in South Africa, disclosure, management of perceptions and providing accommodations are key aspects in the experience of multiple sclerosis in the workplace. Finding ways to help those in employment disclose their MS diagnosis to employers and co-workers, is an important avenue and next step for intervention research in this field. Early adjustment and adaptation to MS in the workplace is challenging and further negotiation with line-managers regarding accommodations is often required. Employers and clinicians should focus on accommodating the needs of those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as they arise, rather than focusing solely on the accommodations needed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in low and middle-income countries leads us to believe that sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information needs are still unmet. This paper investigates current sources and their limitations and then explores the role technology could play. Methods: In an exploratory qualitative study themes identified; (1) preferred sources of SRH information; (2) their limitations; (3) the role of technology in meeting their needs. Results: Mobile phone-based apps could improve awareness and provide information in a confidential way. Conclusions: Adolescents have an unmet need that vary by age and gender. Mobile phones could offer accessible, user-friendly platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religion and spirituality (RS) are vital aspects of client identity and well-being, yet social work professionals are often ill-equipped to address these in practice due to a lack of specialized training. The National Association of Social Work (NASW) and Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) support integrating RS content into social work curriculum, but existing research focuses on Master of Social Work (MSW)-level elective courses. This qualitative study addresses Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)-level integration by (a) exploring how many accredited BSW programs offer an elective course on RS and (b) analyzing syllabi from these courses to determine specific strategies for teaching RS topics. BSW programs can use the study results as a guide for planning and structuring RS content within their curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

urpose: The purpose of this article is to enhance understanding of the increasing importance of service user and carer involvement in social work research. The paper outlines actions taken to develop knowledge and skills at post-qualifying level. Method: In 2016 three postgraduate modules on research methods and evidence-into-practice for service users and carers were created and taught jointly with existing parallel post-qualifying modules for experienced social workers. Over a three-year period 2016–2019 modular assessments; pre and post-testing of knowledge and self-efficacy; regular participant feedback sheets; and end-of-course reflections were undertaken. Results: Qualitative feedback indicated that the classroom experience was regarded positively. Valuable literature reviews and projects were produced which have the potential to contribute to transferring knowledge into practice. Though small in scale and using non-validated tools, increased mean scores were recorded on both Test of Knowledge (3.97; p <.001) and Self Efficacy (478.8 (p <.001) showing promise. Formal measures, exam results, and informal feedback demonstrate the success of the initiative as a means of enhancing a wider understanding of user participation in the research process. Discussion: Demonstrating how well-equipped service users and carers are to be more effective on research advisory panels and grant committees will take more time. Conclusion: Providing teaching on research methods for service users jointly with experienced social workers shows potential for developing coproduction of social care research and translating evidence into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

School-based comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programmes play an important role in reducing young people's sexual risk behaviour and promoting health and well-being. There is limited evidence regarding the attitudes and beliefs of parents towards the implementation of school-based CSE programmes in Islamic cultural settings, including Oman, which this mixed-method study set out to explore. A convenience sample of 250 parents, with equal numbers of mothers and fathers of children aged 12–14 years (grades 7–9) at two urban public pre-secondary schools in Saham, completed a paper-based self-administered questionnaire in Arabic. We found most parents (72.8%) supported school-based CSE programmes that conformed to Islamic requirements of pre-marital sexual abstinence, but there was some opposition. Almost all parents supported comprehensive age-appropriate CSE being taught to students aged 10–15 years, including topics perceived as controversial in Omani culture, except for birth control and safer sex. Most parents considered themselves, school teachers and school nurses to be important sources of CSE. The study findings which suggest strong parental support for CSE programmes can facilitate education policy, CSE curriculum decision-makers and school healthcare-providers in Oman, other Middle Eastern countries, and countries with Muslim immigrant populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study on fragmentation and defragmentation of reflective thinking structures has never been conducted. Therefore, the purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to identify the types and forms of fragmentation of students' reflective thinking structures in solving mathematical problems, (2) to describe attempts to defragment students' reflective thinking structures in each type and form of fragmentation, and (3) to find out if such defragmentation attempts can work for reflective thinkers who experience fragmentation. This research was qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive. The subjects included in this study were students who thought reflectively and experienced fragmentation at each level of reflective thinking when solving mathematical problems. Data collection was conducted using tests, interviews, think-aloud protocols, and observation. Data analysis was conducted using constant comparative method. Data validity was established using method and source triangulation. The results showed: (1) Scanning Defragmentation work for Less-Strict Fragmentation, (2) Schema Emergence Defragmentation work for Pseudo-True Fragmentation, (3) Schema Activation work for Pseudo-False Fragmentation, (4) Connection Emergence Defragmentation work for Nonexistent-Connection Fragmentation, (5) Compare-Reflect Defragmentation work for Confidence-False Fragmentation. The results of this study can be reference for mathematics researchers and educators to develop learning models that can prevent the occurrence of fragmentation of reflective thinking structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cycle of scholarly communication is perpetuated by those who create, evaluate, disseminate, and consume research. This paper distinguishes that the stakeholders most directly involved in this process are researchers, academic publishers, and university libraries. Whereas researchers and libraries often submit and disseminate work for free, academic publishing companies monetize their product. In this instance, the product is research, and the clientele is university libraries, who are coerced into multiyear contracts with publishers, often costing in the upwards of millions, to tens of millions of dollars. With university library budgets squeezed thin, it could be advisable to seek alternative accessible sources, beyond that of the costly subscription journal. This exploratory study surveyed 110 academic professionals to investigate how these users engage with scholarly communication and use open access (OA) resources. The study found that though outcomes of commercialized academic publishing have disrupted the transfer of research, users are hesitant to rely solely upon OA sources, despite the perception that they are of equal value to traditional commercial sources. The author concludes that in order for research to be transferred fairly between all actors of scholarly communication, that both researchers and university libraries must strive to make OA resources commonplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a mixed method survey that was administered to a group of Australian palliative care social workers (n = 27). Specifically, it aimed to investigate the ways that social workers understood and worked with clients who were estranged from family at the end of life. Respondents suggested that estrangement potentially impacted clients emotionally, practically, and existentially. They were challenged to make clear assessments, provide emotional support, encourage news ways of thinking about estrangement, to manage practical issues, work with the client’s family, and monitor their own professional role. Theories and models of intervention and levels of training are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), the issue of childbearing among people living with HIV is important. The little that is known originates from either studies conducted before widespread availability of highly active ART or has focused on women's or men's reproductive behaviours and experiences. This paper therefore explores factors that influence childbearing decisions of married couples living with HIV in patrilineal and matrilineal kinship communities in rural Malawi. Qualitative exploratory research was conducted in two rural districts in the southern part of Malawi. Data were collected using in-depth interviews from 20 couples purposively sampled in matrilineal (Chiradzulu) and patrilineal (Chikhwawa) communities from July to December 2010 and was analysed using the content analysis method. The research findings show that couples living with HIV continue having children despite knowledge of the risk associated with childbearing and resistance from others in the community. Furthermore, the findings suggest that men are driven to have children by the need to cement relationships (patrilineal and matrilineal communities) and to secure position (matrilineal communities) while women do not want to have children because they are afraid of the risks and a heavier childcare burden. Finally, the findings suggest that outcomes of the decisions are dominated by husbands’ desires in both communities. This paper therefore extends the discourse on the value of childbearing beyond the question of adulthood expressed in varying ways according to gender and kinship organisation. We therefore recommend that intervention strategies for both reproductive health and HIV and AIDS must focus on husbands and be sensitive to local culture. The antiretroviral clinics must integrate family planning services in their routine activities and condom use must be complemented with other effective family planning methods to prevent future pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The use of donated expressed breast milk (DBM) is encouraged in South Africa, with donor milk banks and legislated policies and programmes available in hospitals serving populations with a high HIV prevalence. Concerns over poor attitudes amongst mothers towards DBM seem to persist. A cross-sectional mixed-methods approach was used in a cohort of mothers of neonates in a regional hospital. Between April 2021 and January 2022, survey data on knowledge, awareness and attitudes towards DBM was collected. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were thematically analysed. Comparative analysis using independent sample t-tests and logistic regression to determine differences in variables and to understand associations related to knowledge was conducted. A total of 163 mothers with a mean (SD) age of 27.1 ± 6.3 years were included; 49.7% of mothers had post-high-school qualifications, 82.8% were unemployed and 87.0% received social security. Some 64.4% had inadequate knowledge of DBM. Awareness of DBM had the strongest association with better knowledge concerning DBM and AdjOR (25.25 95% CI 10.60–68.40; p < 0.001). Negative attitudes towards DBM were largely driven by a lack of knowledge regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening of donor mothers and fears of HIV transmission when using DBM. Lack of awareness concerning DBM was associated with poor knowledge of DBM, which may drive poor uptake of this critical nutritional source for at-risk neonates. Implementing targeted awareness programmes on DBM, which begin in the antenatal period and specifically address HIV screening of donor mothers, could address the poor uptake of DBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of dietary supplements (DS) may cause harm through direct and indirect effects. Patients with dementia may be particularly vulnerable. This study aims to explore general practitioners' (GPs') experiences with DS use by these patients, the GPs perceived responsibilities, obstacles in taking on this responsibility, their attitudes toward DS, and suggestions for improvements to safeguard the use of DS in this patient group. Qualitative individual interview study conducted February - December 2019. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Primary healthcare clinics in Norway. Fourteen Norwegian GPs. None of the informants were dismissive of patients using DS. They were aware of the possible direct risks and had observed them in patients. Most GPs showed little awareness of potential indirect risks to patients with dementia who use DS. They acknowledged the need for caretaking of these patients. Although there were differences in practice styles, most of the GPs wished to help their patients safeguarding DS use but found it difficult due to the lack of quality assurance of product information. Furthermore, there were no effective ways for the GPs to document DS use in the patients' records. Several suggestions for improvement were given by the GPs, such as increased attention from GPs, inclusion of DS in the prescription software, and stricter regulatory systems for DS from the authorities. The GPs had initially little awareness of this safety risk, but there were differences in practice style and attitudes towards DS. The GPs did not perceive themselves as main responsible for safe use of DS in patient with dementia. The most important reason to disclaim responsibility was lack of information about the products. One suggestion for improvement was better integration of DS in patients' medical record. Currently, little is known about general practitioners (GPs) caretaking of patients with dementia who use dietary supplements (DS). Our study showed that: The GPs in this study showed little awareness of the potential safety risk that DS use may represent for patients with dementia. Several obstacles in the treatment setting and in the regulation of DS make it difficult for the GPs to assume full responsibility for patients with dementia who use DS. Lack of evidence about DS safety and effect adds to professional uncertainty and may cause frustration or reluctance to address the issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retaining social workers in the workforce is a significant challenge and a considerable amount of research has focused on identifying and examining the reasons why social workers choose to leave the profession. This paper presents findings collected as part of a small-scale exploratory study into why some social workers have chosen to remain in the social work profession for many years and who consider themselves to be passionate about their careers. In particular, the paper focuses on the potential of effective professional supervision as a factor that can facilitate social worker workforce retention. Supervision was mentioned by all participants in the study as being important for their wellbeing, either throughout their social work career or at particular points along the way, and supervision was also cited as one of the reasons they were still social workers. On the basis of this research, the authors argue that regular professional supervision can increase the retention rate of social worker employees; and it is, therefore, false economy not to allocate sufficient resources for effective supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Key forces shaping medical education drive medical schools to make strategic choices to locate themselves in niches where they can make use of their resources effectively and efficiently. However, the concepts of strategy in higher education are highly contested issues due to the nature and complexity of the sector and the university, more so for medical schools which operate in an ever more regulated environment. Drawing on data from qualitative semi-structured interviews, this paper investigates the notion of strategic positioning in medical education. The broad findings show that medical schools are somewhat bipolar in nature, in that they seemed to position themselves in terms of teaching and learning, and research. The analysis of strategic positions of medical schools has implications at both institutional and systems levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve optimal benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART), caregivers of children receiving ART are required to attend routine clinic visits monthly and administer medication to the child as prescribed. Yet, the level of adherence to these behaviours varies considerably in many settings. As a way to achieve optimal adherence in rural KwaZulu-Natal, caregivers are required to attend routine counselling sessions at HIV treatment clinics that are centred on imparting information, motivation, and behavioural skills related to medication administration. According to the information-motivation-behavioural skills model, information related to adherence, motivation, and behavioural skills are necessary and fundamental determinants of adherence to ART. The purpose of the study was to observe and document the content of adherence counselling sessions that caregivers attending rural clinics in KwaZulu Natal receive. We observed 25 adherence counselling sessions, which lasted on average 8.1 minutes. Counselling typically consisted of counsellors recording patient attendance, reporting CD4 count and viral load results to caregivers, emphasising dose times, and asking caregivers to name their medications and dosage amounts. Patients were seldom asked to demonstrate how they measure the medication. They were also not probed for problems regarding treatment, even when an unsuppressed VL was reported to a caregiver. This paper calls attention to the sub-optimal level of counselling provided to patients on ART and the urgent need to standardise and improve the training, support, and debriefing provided to counsellors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Children and young people living in households affected by HIV are experiencing poorer educational outcomes compared to their peers. This article explores how different forms of marginalisation interface and manifest themselves in classroom concentration problems, undermining their education. This mixed qualitative methods study was conducted with teachers and pupils from three primary and three secondary schools in the Siaya County of Western Kenya. Specifically, it involved 18 teachers through individual interviews and 51 HIV-affected children and youth through individual interviews (n = 47) and Photovoice (n = 51). Verbatim transcripts were imported into NVivo10 for thematic indexing and analysis. The analysis revealed three core pathways to classroom concentration problems amongst HIV-affected pupils. One, a general ‘lack of care’ and neglect in the context of household poverty and illness, meant that many of the participating pupils went to school hungry, unable to follow classes. Others were teased by peers for looking visibly poor, and felt anxious when in school. Two, some HIV-affected pupils play a key role in keeping their household afloat, generating food and income as well as providing practical support. ‘Caregiving’ pupils often reported coming to school exhausted, with limited physical and mental energy left for learning. Three, many participating pupils had their minds at home (‘caring about’). They were concerned about sick or frail household members, thinking about their next meal and care needs. Although the pupils demonstrated an admirable attentiveness to the needs of others, this came at a heavy price, namely their ability to concentrate in class. The paper argues that care ethics, household poverty and familial HIV are central to understanding the classroom concentration problems of HIV-affected pupils. To ensure school-going children and youth affected by HIV have the same opportunities as their peers, education initiatives must simultaneously alleviate both household poverty and other challenges pertaining to familial HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Healthcare staff are on the frontline during disasters despite any personal adversity and vicarious trauma they may be experiencing. Wellness Warrior training is a post-disaster intervention developed in response to the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires to support staff in a rural hospital located on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Method: This study explored the experiences and perspectives of 18 healthcare staff who were trained to provide emotional and peer support to their colleagues in the aftermath of a crisis. All the Wellness Warriors participated in semi-structured interviews between March and April 2020. Data were analysed using the reflexive thematic approach. Results: Healthcare staff reported developing interpersonal skills around deep listening and connecting with others which allowed for hearing the core of their colleagues' concerns. The training also helped staff to feel differently about work and restored their faith in healthcare leadership. Conclusion: Wellness Warrior training provided staff with knowledge and skills to support their colleagues in the aftermath of a natural disaster and later during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, these findings suggest that peer support programs such as Wellness Warriors could be one way healthcare organisations can attempt to alleviate the psychological impact of natural disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main aim of this research was to explore experiences of care during the lockdown of the first wave of COVID-19 syndemic in Spain Methods: This is a qualitative and explorative study using self-photo-elicitation as a data collection method. Fifteen participants (Twelve women and three men) shared 25 photographs and one video between the June 18 and August, 2020. Participants' photographs and texts were collected online. Data were analysed based on Thematic Analysis. Results: Three emerging categories were constructed: 1) the deconstruction of care: self-care and collective care 2) the crisis of care and gendered care, 2) beyond anthropocentrism: animalism and ecology. Findings indicate the need to understand "care" in terms of social reproduction, including self-care, care towards other humans and non-human animals, and collective care. Also, the need to care for planetary health and to be in contact with nature as a form of self-care and social care. Conclusions: Care in a period of social and health crisis puts human relationships and also non-human life at the centre. Care requires adopting taking an ecological one-health perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A significant portion of autistic adults experience mental health challenges. Currently, the literature is incomplete when it comes to understanding the needs and preferences of autistic adults who receive therapy. This study elicited the perspectives of autistic adults, focusing on the facilitators, barriers and ways to enhance psychotherapy based on receiving this care for mental health problems. Methods: Using the qualitative, exploratory approach of the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique, eight autistic adults took part in interviews. Results: A total of 147 critical incidents were extracted from participant interviews and categories salient to therapeutic practice. The study identified key factors influencing therapy, such as trust and respect, practical approaches, client factors, structure of sessions, knowledge about autism, support for individualized needs, access to mental health services, and involvement of family/advocate. These factors were categorized into eight main areas relevant to therapeutic practice. Conclusions: Findings from this research reveal that psychotherapy with autistic adults is analogous to performing this work with non-autistic adults, in the sense that this work too entails elements of individually tailored treatment and the reliance on common therapeutic factors. There are also differences in this work that necessitate providers having foundational knowledge about autism. Learning directly from autistic adults' insights may help to improve upon the delivery of mental health care for autistic adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural competence in social work practice has been cited as crucial in the pursuit of ethical and professional standards. Still, conceptual, and practical questions remain for defining, imparting, and assessing skills of social work professionals in this key area. Practice-based knowledge has the potential to advance debates regarding the operationalization of culturally conscious approaches and behaviors in professional social work settings. This qualitative study is an effort to assemble valuable lessons and insights of social work professionals across the United States in identifying key aspects of adapting to cultural diversity. Perspectives of integrating experiences into cultural competence beliefs, knowledge and skills were gathered from 10 professional social workers from various backgrounds within different practice levels and settings. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually with participants with interactions recorded and transcribed for data collection. A combination of narrative and thematic analysis techniques was used to identify reoccurring aspects of experiences navigating cultural differences in professional settings. Six distinct themes were identified within three separate domains of 1) conceptualizations, 2) learning experiences, and 3) growth opportunities. Potential application of findings is discussed for use in innovative approaches to education and training along with organizational changes to foster culturally competent practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: People under age 18 who inject drugs represent a population at risk of health and social harms. Age restrictions at harm reduction programmes often formally exclude this population, but the reason behind such restrictions is lacking in the literature. To help fill this gap, we examine the perspectives of people who use drugs and various other stakeholders regarding whether supervised injection facilities (SIFs) should have age restrictions.Methods: Interviews and focus groups were conducted with a total of 95 people who use drugs and 141 other stakeholders (including police, fire and emergency services personnel, other city employees and officials, healthcare providers, residents and business representatives) in two Canadian cities without SIFs.Findings: We highlight the following thematic areas: mixed opinions regarding specific age restrictions; safety as a priority; different experiences and understandings of youth, agency and drug use; and ideas regarding maturity, “help” and other approaches. We note throughout that a familiar vulnerability–agency dichotomy often surfaced in the discussions.Conclusions: This paper contributes new empirical insights regarding youth access to SIFs. We offer considerations that may inform discussions occurring in other jurisdictions debating SIF implementation and may help remove or clarify age-related policies for harm reduction programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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In this paper we introduce and investigate the capacity for a novel, technologically advanced system (goACT) to enhance face-to-face psychotherapy. Specifically, we explore the capacity for goACT to enhance therapeutic alliance (TA) and engagement, and reduce distress. Using a mixed-methods, multiple-baseline design we present the first study to examine the utility, effectiveness and user experience of goACT in a university psychology clinic setting. The introduction of between-session goACT use was staggered across patients (N = 7). Patients completed weekly measures of mood, patient-rated TA and clinician-rated engagement. Semi-structured interviews were used to qualitatively understand user experience of the system. Methodological limitations impacted the generalisability of multiple-baseline findings, yet qualitative results provide a significant contribution to the literature and groundwork upon which further study can be built. Results indicated that goACT built engagement and TA via novel change processes that were associated with expanding the parameters of the therapeutic encounter beyond the one-hour session. Change processes that underpin the qualitative success of goACT are discussed in terms of their theoretical implications. goACT is likely to be a useful tool for enhancing the quality and quantity of traditional face-to-face psychotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concepts such as active citizenship and critical consciousness are increasingly relevant to enable students to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Additionally, self-reflection is a powerful tool to observe the development of abstract concepts such as these. This qualitative exploratory study examined the extent to which university students in Colombia enhanced their critical consciousness and a sense of active citizenship through projects focused on cases of violence against social leaders in their region. During the project, 93 students in four academic cohorts wrote a total of 155 reflections related to their experiences. These were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with the AtlasTi software. The results evidenced a shift in students' critical consciousness including a deeper understanding, a recognition of significance, an acknowledgement of privilege, and an awareness of the connection between local and global issues in relation to the topic of the project. In addition, traits of active citizenship were observed such as a sense of collective responsibility, a desire to contribute, a sense of empowerment, and growth in empathy. This research demonstrates the potential for authentic locally based project topics for developing active citizenship and enhancing critical consciousness as well as reinforcing the potential for reflections to demonstrate such development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research described herein was a three-year exploratory descriptive study to examine how meaningful involvement (MIPA) is conceptualized and experienced in rural regions of the Maritime provinces of Canada. The focus of this paper is one aspect of the research; i.e., what motivates the clients of AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) in rural Canada to become meaningfully involved? We interviewed 34 people who were past or current clients of ASOs in Maritime Canada and who self-reported as engaging in at-risk behaviors for HIV or living with HIV. The interviews explored participants' perspectives about their motives for becoming meaningfully involved in an ASO. Three themes regarding motives for MIPA were revealed: (1) meeting personal needs; (2) making a difference to others; and (3) recognizing a fit between their skills, goals, needs and the opportunities and experiences within the ASO and with other ASO clients. Participants generally cited more than one motive. This research study contributed to the field of knowledge about the motives for MIPA in which it reveals (1) that MIPA was conceptualized by the rural ASO clients as whatever participation provided them personal meaning (i.e., by fulfilling a personal need, by making a difference, and by recognizing a fit) and (2) the important role that ASO staff and volunteers have in fostering and sustaining MIPA. The study also highlighted a trajectory of involvements that support the need for ASOs to entertain a wide range of roles that are assumed as MIPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses interview data from physicians and their spouses to describe the types of spousal support physicians receive when coping with work-related stress and to explore whether they vary by occupational similarity, gender, and parental status. The physicians described receiving different types of spousal support: emotional, informational, and instrumental. Male physicians in this study often reported receiving emotional support from their spouse, consistent with the support gap hypothesis in the literature. An unexpected finding is that from the responses of the physicians’ spouses, the husbands often reportedofferingemotional support to their physician spouse. Physicians who shared similar occupational and work experiences with their spouse (i.e. married to another physician) reported receiving informational support from their spouse, consistent with the theory of homophily. Finally, the findings also suggested that once physicians have children, their wives often reported providing instrumental support by being primarily responsible for childcare and housework. An interesting finding of this study is the discrepancy between the physicians and their spouses in their perceptions of support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a qualitative analysis of a group of parents' perceived outcomes and experiences in a parent education program in Hong Kong, this paper discusses how a transformative approach provides a new frame of reference from which to explore the new directions of parent education. The research findings suggest that parent transformation can be achieved in numerous ways comprising consciousness raising, growth facilitation, life integration, relationship enhancement, support generation and community building. The findings provide a knowledge base for an investigation of its applicability. They also offer reference materials to guide other parent education practitioners in applying the transformative approach in actual practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research undertaken to explain the experience of those bereaved by suicide has gained momentum over the past decade. This increase in activity assists those seeking to support people bereaved by suicide to better understand their needs. However, the literature in this area remains limited. This qualitative research data discussed here provides an in-depth, narrative exploration of a sample of 22 parental experiences following the suicide death of a young adult child. Contrary to the classic grief literature, a key finding of this study is that parents need to maintain a relationship with their child. The ways in which parents do this is many and varied ranging from public and private memorials to internal dialogues. However, the practices associated with remaining connected emotionally and/or spiritually occurred in the absence of socially condoned ways in which to honour such memorial places and spaces. This paper will present deep and complex narratives of parents who participated in this research to present and explore the varied ways in which memorials (as physical, emotional, spiritual spaces and places) are developed in the wake of suicide death. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a sub-set of findings from the first interview (T1) of an Australian longitudinal study that documents the living donor's experience with renal transplant. There has been limited Australian research on this topic to date. A qualitative methodological approach was used, involving open-ended interviews with prospective living kidney donors (n = 20) from the Renal Transplantation Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The interviews were analysed using qualitative research methods of coding and thematic analysis. A significant majority of participants reported that the decision to become a living kidney donor was a positive, easy and spontaneous decision. It was driven by their natural instincts and they offered to be a donor at the earlier opportunity, rather than waiting to be asked. The offer was based on their desire to relieve the recipient's suffering and possible death associated with dialysis and kidney failure. While concerns associated with the medical operation for donation (nephrectomy) were a consideration, this was significantly overshadowed by their desire to improve the recipient's quality of life and avoid their possible death. In the face of such suffering and death, the donation of a kidney was considered ‘no big deal’. Such findings can be used to inform the assessment process for live donor screening. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An interprofessional team of maternity care providers and academics developed a pilot interprofessional education (IPE) program in maternity care for undergraduate students in nursing, midwifery and medicine. There are few published studies examining IPE programs in maternity care, particularly at the undergraduate level, that examine long-term outcomes. This paper outlines findings from a case study that explored how participation in an IPE program in maternity care may enhance student knowledge, skills/attitudes, and may promote their collaborative behavior in the practice setting. The program was launched at a Canadian urban teaching hospital and consisted of six workshops and two clinical shadowing experiences. Twenty-five semi-structured, in-depth interviews were completed with nine participants at various time points up to 20 months post-program. Qualitative analysis of transcripts revealed the emergence of four themes: relationship-building, confident communication, willingness to collaborate and woman/family-centered care. Participant statements about their intentions to continue practicing interprofessional collaboration more than a year post-program lend support to its sustained effectiveness. The provision of a safe learning environment, the use of small group learning techniques with mixed teaching strategies, augmented by exposure to an interprofessional faculty, contributed to the program's perceived success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to explore group drug taking behaviour in a slum area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. We set out to examine the relationships between those who met, at least weekly, to take illegal drugs together, and how these relationships might shape their drug behaviour. Sociometric and behavioural data were collected using questionnaires via semi-structured interviews. We found that the likelihood of injecting drugs and sharing needles increased with age, duration of group membership and length of drug use. Drug users were classified into two clusters: one was more cohesive and comprised longer-term users, who were more likely to inject drugs and had poorer physical and mental health. The other cluster comprised younger, better educated members who were more transient, less cohesive, less likely to inject drugs and had better health. Qualitative data suggested that members of the first cluster were less accepting of outsiders and confirmed more to group norms. We conclude that emotionally bonded cohesive subgroups acquire norms, which reinforce problematic drug-using behaviour. Thus, health initiatives need to consider group relationships and norms and those initiatives which work with networks may be more effective and more appropriate for low-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports and critically discusses, against the literature on culturally sensitive and cultural competency practices, the findings of a qualitative study which explored the needs and expectations of older people and their carers from eight different migrant communities and the white British majority. The study investigated the accessibility and acceptability of care and support services in Bradford, UK, a city with a large migrant population. A total of 167 study participants were recruited from February 2008 to October 2008; of these 134 were older people and 33 carers. The age ranged from 25 to 90 years. The study found that older migrants and their carers described expectations of services as complex constructions of ‘abstract expectations’, the study participants’ general beliefs regarding what services should be about, and ‘pragmatic expectations’, their specific views about how they would like to receive care and access services. All groups, irrespective of their ethnic background, expressed three ‘abstract expectations’: high standards of good practice; cultural understanding; and responsiveness to individual expectations. This similarity did not imply a similarity in their preferences for how services should provide for their ‘abstract expectations’. Dignity was a central expectation for all older people in the care of their bodies. However, a number of culturally specific ‘pragmatic expectations’ emerged in the practices that older people and carers associated with maintaining dignity in older age. Nevertheless, differences could not always be explained as an outcome of different cultural backgrounds, but were rather linked to individual characteristics and life experiences. This study indicates that whether and how older migrants’ knowledge systems inform their expectations of care and support should be objects of investigation rather than taken for granted, as implied in some literature on culturally sensitive practices. Exploration of older migrants’ knowledge systems may help us to understand if older migrants’ expectations differ with regard to what they expect to receive from a certain service, their ‘abstract expectations’, and/or how they expect to receive it, their ‘pragmatic expectations’. This information should help to identify if different communities require different culturally competent interventions and of what type: interventions at the organisational level, at the structural level or at the clinical level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study sought a deeper understanding of the perspectives of self-defined ritual abuse (RA) survivors, who had experienced sexual victimization, on participation in research. A mixed-methods qualitative design involving online survey and follow-up virtual interviews included 68 adults across eight countries. Content and thematic analysis of responses indicated that RA survivors were keen to be involved in a range of research activities to share their experience, knowledge, and support for other survivors. Having a voice, gaining knowledge, and feeling empowered were reported as advantages of participation, while concerns included exploitation, researcher ignorance, and emotional dysregulation caused by content discussed. To enable their engagement in the future research, RA survivors identified participative research designs, anonymity, and increased opportunities for inclusion in decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to describe the total and fragmented external loads, at different intensities, of soccer referees in European and South American competitions during official matches through a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. A systematic review was conducted in April, 2020. In all, 32 studies were included, incorporating 578 referees evaluated in 3170 games through video analysis or a global positioning system. Regarding external loads, it was observed that the total average distance covered by the referees was 10,461.74 m, with running speeds predominantly below 13 km.h−1. The total distance covered by the referees in the European competitions was higher and more intense than that of the referees in the South American tournaments, being 11,187.02 m and 9319.61 m, respectively. We suggest that referees' training can be organized according to the distances found at different intensities, in which low-intensity races can be performed below 13 km.h-1 with distances of approximately 4500 m, while high-intensity training can be developed with speeds from 18 to 24 km.h-1 for approximately 800 m. In addition, planning must consider the competition characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital media initiated a paradigm shift of the doctor-patient relationship in which prospective patients "shop" for physicians as they do other goods and services: using search engines' results, aggregated review websites, and star ratings as cues. These are processed centrally or peripherally in accordance with the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). Electronic word of mouth (EWOM) in conjunction with a pediatrician's digital brand management strategy impacts practice revenue through patient recruitment and retention. This exploratory study found that a pediatrician's placement on a review website and overall digital brand image leads to increased or decreased trust in expertise, competence, and likability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual abuse (CSA) impacts individuals and communities in numerous ways, including their faith. This study's aim was to learn from individuals who have an interest and/or expertise in spirituality and CSA about how various groups can support those impacted by CSA. The participants (n = 76) took part in a symposium focused on this topic and responded to an online survey with open-ended questions. Three themes emerged: negative impacts, direct response, and institutional changes. Using these responses, a model for Spiritually Informed Care is described, and implications for practice for those who work with those who have been impacted by CSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]