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This study explored how people thought and talked about death/dying during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings presented here are based on data collected for a larger study exploring the processes undertaken that allow individuals to actively think and openly talk about death and dying. Ten of the eleven interviews conducted during the pandemic mentioned COVID-19. These were subjected to thematic analysis, which identified two main themes: 'Becoming more thoughtful and open about death' and 'Anxieties around death and COVID-19'. The findings suggest that COVID-19 has prompted some people to think about and become more open to talk about death and dying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents and illustrates Interpretive Clustering, an innovative and original method of qualitative analysis of Repertory Grid data. Repertory Grids are a popular and flexible method of research, but they have primarily been used to gather data that are analysed quantitatively. Although many researchers have used Grids more qualitatively, this is often limited to a content analysis of the elicited constructs across a sample of participants. Interpretive Clustering is a participant-led method which uses the grid data idiographically to explore how a participant's construing may 'cluster' around one or more issues. We show how this is quite different from a thematic analysis, and discuss how Interpretive Clustering can provide insights that are complementary to those gained from methods like thematic analysis. We conclude with suggestions for how this method, which we argue bridges the qualitative/quantitative divide, might be used in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how client expectations about psychological therapy compare with subjective experiences of undertaking therapy. We interviewed 10 clients who had recently completed therapy about their expectations and experiences, and thematically analysed data in the template style. Three themes are presented ([1]"I didn't know what I was capable of"; [2] "It's 50% me, 50% her"; [3] "You take your stabilisers off and off you go") which describe the experience of psychological therapy from the client perspective, and highlight how expectations compared to experiences of therapy, and changed over time. Findings could inform the development of materials to ensure those referred to therapy are well informed and prepared for therapy, potentially promoting improved client experiences and therapy engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses our use of a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology to explore the lived experience of feeling joyful. Semi-structured interviews were used to discuss two contrasting experiences of joy for each participant. Analysis was informed by van Manen's human science method, facilitated by King's template analysis. Our findings suggest that joy was a profoundly meaningful sense of positivity. Sometimes this feeling was fleeting, at other times it was described as a longer lasting experience. Regardless of duration, joy involved a desire to relinquish control which could be expressed as a freedom of movement, and could be enabled by the security that significant others provided. We discuss our findings in relation to distinctions previously drawn in the literature between happiness and joy and argue that, despite differences in experiences, the participants' accounts support an understanding of joy as a meaningful and social phenomenon which, though often unexpected, requires intentional engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last 20 years has seen the emergence of a sub-category of the mild traumatic brain injury literature termed 'sport-related concussion'. Some important differences now exist between this sub-category and the wider findings in the field and these could be detrimental to patients with persisting post-concussion symptoms (PCS). Sport-related studies often emphasize the cerebral risks associated with concussive injuries whilst the broader literature typically focuses on the relatively benign organic implications and the role of psychological factors in persisting symptoms. Clinically, anxiety caused by these mixed messages could lead to an exacerbation of PCS. This paper summarizes the commonalities and differences between the literatures and addresses the key clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The Sport-related Concussion (SRC) literature has three areas of emphasis which in some circumstances can be detrimental to the recovery of a patient after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). These include the role of organic factors in post-concussion symptoms, the need to be asymptomatic to return to play and the later-life complications of sustaining multiple MTBIs. These contrast with quite different emphases in the broader MTBI literature and can cause significant anxiety for some patients with prolonged post-concussion symptoms (PCS). Methods: This paper presents for the first time a case where such factors operated. Results: Five sessions of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to address these elements resulted in the complete amelioration of persisting PCS. Conclusions: Anxiety due to maladaptive cognitions influenced by the 'mixed messages' from the SRC literature can exacerbate or solely maintain persisting PCS but may be successfully addressed with CBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on findings from a qualitative study into the lived experience of bisexual women in monogamous relationships. Nineteen self-identified bisexual women from across the United Kingdom, who were either in a monogamous relationship or desired to be in one, were explored. Participants completed diaries and took part in telephone interviews. The data was analyzed using Template Analysis that identified themes from the data set. It appeared that women in different-gender relationships choose appearance markers that could be classed as lesbian orientated in a bid to illuminate their bisexuality. Women in same-gender relationships were more likely to opt for feminine appearance signifiers in a bid to avoid being identified as a lesbian based solely on their appearance. The study suggests that the gender of participants' partners matters with regards to their appearance decisions. However, despite the apparent influence of their partner's gender, bisexual women demonstrated a degree of flexibility and fluidity in their appearance choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this review was to scope the literature on nature-based interventions that could be conducted in institutional settings where people reside full-time for care or rehabilitation purposes. Systematic searches were conducted across CINAHL, Medline, Criminal Justice Abstracts, PsycINFO, Scopus, Social Care Online and Cochrane CENTRAL. A total of 85 studies (reported in 86 articles) were included. Four intervention modalities were identified: Gardening/therapeutic horticulture; animal-assisted therapies; care farming and virtual reality-based simulations of natural environments. The interventions were conducted across a range of settings, including inpatient wards, care homes, prisons and women’s shelters. Generally, favourable impacts were seen across intervention types, although the reported effects varied widely. There is a growing body of literature on nature-based interventions that could be applied to a variety of institutional settings. Within most intervention types, there is sufficient research data available to perform full systematic reviews. Recommendations for future systematic reviews are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to understand the eroticism of consensual bondage, discipline, dominance & submission and sadism & masochism (BDSM). Eroticism is considered a central feature of most sexual experiences, yet there is limited research that examines erotic components of BDSM as lived by practitioners themselves. By adopting an experiential approach to the study using phenomenological psychology, the lived experiences of BDSM practitioners were foregrounded in order to clarify erotic meanings and extend existing understandings of consensual BDSM. Nine frequent practitioners of consensual BDSM were interviewed, discussing specific accounts of their BDSM experiences. Template analysis was utilised to analyse data, within an interpretive phenomenological framework. Findings illustrated that one of the most important erotic aspects was the co-collaboration between practitioners in order to create, maintain and engage with the erotic fantasy. The unpacking of the complexity of eroticised power exchange that occurred when BDSM practitioners adopted their sexual roles was also an important finding to emerge from the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Knowledge on the meaning of quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury in developing countries is limited. This study aims to explore the meaning and components of quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injury in a rural area in Indonesia. Method: Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 12 individuals with paraplegia (8 males, 4 females) aged 24-67 years. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes that constitute meaning and components of quality of life. Results: Quality of life was not an easily understood concept, while "life satisfaction" and "happiness" were. Life satisfaction was associated with a person's feeling when achieving goals or dreams and related to fulfillment of needs. Thirteen components of life satisfaction were identified and categorized into five domains as follows: (1) participation: earning income and work, being useful to others, community participation, and having skills and knowledge, (2) social support: social support, social relationship, (3) relationship with God: injury is God's will, praying, (4) independence: being independent, mobility and accessibility, and health, and (5) psychological resources: accepting the condition, maintaining goals and motivation. Conclusions: Social, cultural and religious influences were prominent in the perception of life satisfaction. The measurement of quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injury in Indonesia needs to consider locally perceived meaning and components of quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenological technique of imaginative variation was identified by Husserl (1936/1970) as conducive to elucidating the manner in which phenomena appear to consciousness. In brief, by engaging in the phenomenological reduction and using imaginative variation, phenomenologists are able to describe the experience of consciousness, having stepped outside of the natural attitude through the epoché. Imaginative variation is a stage aimed at explicating the structures of experience more distinctively, and is best described as a mental experiment. Features of the experience are imaginatively altered in order to view the phenomenon under investigation from varying perspectives. Husserl envisaged this process as ultimately definitive of the essential elements of an experience, as only those aspects that are invariant to the experience of the phenomenon will not be able to change through the variation. Often in qualitative research interviews, participants struggle to articulate or verbalise their experiences. The purpose of this paper is to present a radically novel way of using imaginative variation as an interview technique by engaging the participants in imaginative variation in order to elicit a richly detailed and insightful experiential account of a phenomenon. We will discuss how the first author successfully used imaginative variation in this way in her study of the erotic experience of bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism (BDSM), before considering the usefulness of this technique when applied to areas of study beyond human sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thematic analysis is widely used in qualitative psychology research, and in this article, we present a particular style of thematic analysis known as Template Analysis. We outline the technique and consider its epistemological position, then describe three case studies of research projects which employed Template Analysis to illustrate the diverse ways it can be used. Our first case study illustrates how the technique was employed in data analysis undertaken by a team of researchers in a large-scale qualitative research project. Our second example demonstrates how a qualitative study that set out to build on mainstream theory made use of the a priori themes (themes determined in advance of coding) permitted in Template Analysis. Our final case study shows how Template Analysis can be used from an interpretative phenomenological stance. We highlight the distinctive features of this style of thematic analysis, discuss the kind of research where it may be particularly appropriate, and consider possible limitations of the technique. We conclude that Template Analysis is a flexible form of thematic analysis with real utility in qualitative psychology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older age and female gender are known factors in the development of persisting post-concussion symptoms (PCS) after mild head injury (MHI), i.e. at 3+ months. Very few studies have examined longer-term symptoms. A recent review, however, established the importance of these variables in permanent PCS (18+ months). The current study repeats the review for prolonged symptoms (12-18 months). Methods: Systematic electronic database searches were conducted to identify all studies with data on (i) correlations between age/gender and prolonged outcome and (ii) mean ages/gender mixes of (a) prolonged samples selected for poor symptomatic outcome, (b) prolonged samples not selected for poor outcome and (c) epidemiological studies of MHI patients presenting to hospital. Results: Correlation studies showed poorer outcome to be associated with both older age (2/5 studies) and female gender (5/6 studies). Those with poor prolonged outcome had a significantly higher mean age (35.9) than MHI patients in general (29.9). The proportion of men in these samples (48.6%) was significantly lower than MHI patients in general (66.7%). Conclusions: Older age and female gender are vulnerability factors in the development of prolonged PCS. The main clinical implications are for how early intervention and reassurance are best provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal construct psychology (PCP) has always been better known for its methods than its theory, but many researchers are not aware of the range of qualitative methods offered by a PCP approach. We argue that PCP methods have been overlooked as tools for the qualitative researcher and that they satisfy some key requirements of much qualitative research, such as the capacity to provide in-depth insight into personal experience, to establish a ‘democratic’ relationship between researcher and participants and to represent the participant’s ‘voice’. We illustrate several of these methods, drawing on research examples. We show how they enable participants to articulate their experience, and how they may be used as part of an in-depth interview. We conclude that Personal Construct methods provide opportunities for qualitative researchers to create innovative ways of researching personal experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, psychologists have researched bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism (BDSM) and its participants from an external perspective, seeing it as pathology. However, there is now a growing body of research aiming to challenge this perspective. This article examines some of the ways BDSM has been reconceptualised by researchers who reject the pathological focus, distinguishing between transgressive and coercive sexualities. We focus on the lived experience of BDSM participation to further illuminate these sexual practices. A descriptive phenomenological analysis of four interview transcripts was employed, with the purpose of producing a general structural experience of BDSM participation, which aims to further understanding of this complex phenomenon. The essential structures of the BDSM experience are discussed in terms of authentic fantasy, rejection of social norms and non-sexual positive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A small minority of individuals experience long-term or permanent post-concussion symptoms (PCS) after a mild head injury (MHI). There has been no systematic, quantitative research examining a wide range of variables in a representative sample of such patients (i.e. with PCS for more than 18 months). This study explores a broad spectrum of demographic, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial factors (known to be important in the development of early PCS) in a representative sample of patients with permanent PCS. Method: One hundred consecutively referred patients to a Community Head Injury Service in Buckinghamshire, UK for the treatment of persistent PCS, at least 18 months post-MHI, were identified and invited to participate. An exploratory design evaluated a range of demographic, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial variables and their relationship to PCS severity and quality-of-life (QoL). Results: Twenty-four participants, with a mean time post-injury of 6.9 years, responded. They were characterized by: (i) older age compared to those typically presenting with MHI, (ii) very high levels of PCS, (iii) high post-injury unemployment, (iv) pre- or post-morbid factors which might exacerbate post-concussional difficulties, (v) elevated levels of anxiety and depression and (vi) mildly reduced scores on tests of short-term memory and speed of information processing. Post-hoc analysis of the total sample ( n == 100) confirmed older age and a high proportion having pre- or post-morbid factors. QoL negatively correlated with PCS severity, and anxiety scores accounted for 45.9%% of the variance in PCS severity. Conclusions: Very high levels of PCS, high post-injury unemployment and measurable cognitive deficits can be permanent features of MHI. Quality-of-life is directly related to symptom severity. Age, pre-/post-morbid concomitant factors, neuropsychological deficits and emotional status are key variables in understanding the phenomenon of permanent PCS. Important vulnerability factors in the development of such may therefore be older age and any additional compromise to an individual's emotional or cognitive capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can New Zealand's indigenous dryland ecosystems be rehabilitated by facilitating inherent successional tendencies to enhance development of indigenous-dominated and often woody communities in the long term? here, we describe the geographic distribution of woody communities of New Zealand's South island drylands to generate hypotheses about successional trajectories to future vegetation states. Presences and absences of woody species in 3880 vegetation plots collated from past surveys were used to predict species potential distributions across drylands. Separate models and spatial predictions were built for each of four classes of woody richness, which were used as surrogates for successional stages. Woody species richness increased significantly from grassland to shrubland and from shrubland to forest cover, and trends in species traits also suggest richness class was related with successional stage. indigenous woody species outnumbered exotic species in all richness classes. assuming richness classes represent temporal progressions, our results suggest relatively homogeneous early-successional woody associations succeed to a divergent array of woody associations in different environments. growth forms of species in our predicted associations suggest transitions from grassland to tall, tree-rich forests in northern and coastal drylands, and to liane-rich open or lightcanopied shrubland, woodland, or low forest in more severe inland environments. These putative communities are novel in species composition but physiognomically broadly similar to pre-settlement analogues. especially in severe inland environments, unassisted transitions from grassland to indigenousdominated late-successional woody communities may depend on the exclusion of tall exotic trees, Scotch broom, and gorse in early succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article I present a constructivist analysis of my own experience of a specific creative experience—writing a poem. An overview of the literature on artistic creativity highlights the relative lack of attention to the examination of the lived experience of artistic production in its social context. Through phenomenological analysis of an autobiographical account of writing the poem, I define three integrative themes that characterize key aspects of my experience: the search for validation, the unseen process, and managing the imagined audience. I argue that constructivist concepts provide an especially effective way of understanding my experience: These include Kelly's creativity cycle, suspension, the existential phenomenological notion of the “prereflective,” anticipation, and the sociality corollary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an experiment in carrying out, as a group, a phenomenological analysis of a qualitative interview on the topic of mistrust. One in-depth interview was analyzed phenomenologically by each of the six members of our group. We then shared and discussed our individual analyses to generate a consensual analysis. Finally, additional or divergent perspectives were offered by individual group members to add further contextual and reflexive dimensions. We consider what we gained from this exercise and the difficulties encountered. We also reflect on the insights into the topic of mistrust produced by our analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of contraversies and debates have arisen over the years surrounding the dual diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many of these have centred around the around the degree of protection provided by TBI against developing the disorder. The following is brief review of the literature in this area to help resolve some of these issues and to address a number of specific challenges which arise when working with this patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the widespread support for integrated community care in the U.K., interdisciplinary working between health and social service staff remains complex and tentative. This paper represents the findings of an evaluative research study of two collaborative community nursing schemes at differing stages of project development within West Yorkshire, England. The studies set out to explore in depth the ways social and health care professionals construe their identity and relationships within the changing context of collaborative projects. The research adopted a constructivist phenomenological approach, conducting focus groups with social workers and district nurses; supplemented by in-depth individual interviews. Using template analysis enabled the researchers to explore themes and issues generated from the groups and individuals. A number of areas associated with professional identity and the development of roles in response to changing situations were identified as pertinent including; role ambiguity, role erosion and extension. In cases where joint working required a reconstructing of professional identity, individuals were constrained by their personal meanings, organizational arrangements and public perceptions. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study describes the psychological treatment of a man with co-existing PTSD, head injury and mild dysexecutive impairment. It describes the detrimental consequences when the re-experiencing of a traumatic event appears to have become a perseverated response. In this case, the perseveration meant that the most distressing part of the traumatic event became unavoidable and lead to it being continuously re-experienced without remittance over a very prolonged period (7–10 days). This type of re-experiencing has not been reported before. It potentially has significant implications for the treatment of PTSD in such circumstances. It may also have implications for behavioural models of PTSD in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflects on the nature of the challenges faced by the advocates of qualitative methods, highlighting some articles related to qualitative research approach, published in the December 2000 issue of 'The European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology.' Contributions of qualitative methods; Role in influencing practice in work organizations.

Although the literature documents the considerable problems acquired brain injury causes for the survivor's family and close relationships, and the corresponding significantly inflated rate of separation and divorce, few papers offer practical solutions. The objective of this paper is to respond to this gap in the literature by presenting some of the problems raised for the rehabilitation team when a family separates, and some suggestions for ways in which these problems could be overcome. The literature is reviewed briefly, followed by reflections and suggestions which are based on this review and on clinical experience. The discussion indicates that there are a number of practical dilemmas raised for the rehabilitation team when a family already involved in the rehabilitation process starts to break up. Some specific suggestions for addressing these issues are made; further research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the resistance of organizational employees to change. Factors responsible for resistance to change amongst employees; Development programs to give staff nationally recognized qualifications; Introduction of National Vocational Qualifications at the private nursing home.