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Active surveillance for prostate cancer monitors disease progression, with a view to actively treat only if progression is evident. Living with an untreated cancer can negatively impact psychological wellbeing. Partners can influence decisions to convert to active treatment in the absence of disease progression, it is, therefore, important to consider partner reactions and responses to prostate cancer treatment options. We explored the experiences of men on active surveillance and their partners and the impact partner feelings, responses and reactions to active surveillance have on the patient. Semi-structured personal communication were conducted with nine male–female couples (n = 18). All male participants were on active surveillance for prostate cancer. Data was analysed using an adapted version of the Collaco et al. (2021) Framework Method for dyadic data analysis. Dyads function as an interconnected unit with interlinked emotional responses. Differing feelings about active surveillance within the couple were common; men prioritised avoidance of active treatment side effects, partners prioritised minimising the chance of disease progression. Partner inclusion is important, but they sometimes felt excluded by their partners and/or health care professionals. More support is needed for this population. Dyadic support is bidirectional and complex with partners often less comfortable with active surveillance than their partners. More research is needed to explore how partners can be better included and supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Design Methods Results Conclusion Implications for Practice Patient or Public Contribution To explore the experiences of significant others of adult patients with severe burn injury in the Intensive Care Unit. Specifically, this study explored the strategies implemented by significant others and obstacles faced that served to protect or placed them at risk of psychological sequelae during their experience of trauma.A qualitative study using a Narrative Inquiry approach was undertaken.Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants during 2021–2022, who were a significant other of an adult patient in ICU with severe burn injury. These participants were recruited from the two major severe burns receiving hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Participants' stories were analysed using a narrative analysis approach informed by Polkinghorne. The COREQ guideline was used in reporting.As each participant navigated the traumatic experience of supporting a loved one with a severe burn injury, they faced unique obstacles to maintaining their own mental health and well‐being. They employed strategies that were likely to protect them on this journey. Psychologically protective factors included taking back control, coexisting in the trauma with the patient and forging a trauma bond. These strategies effectively contained the trauma and protected others (such as children, extended family and friends). While this allowed significant others an element of control, it also effectively isolated them from the support of family and friends.This study shows that significant others may also experience personal trauma and may not recognize this as they focus all their attention on supporting the patient with the burn injury.With increased awareness of both protective and risk factors, support can be directed towards enhancing protective factors and addressing risk factors, thereby decreasing their impact and improving support for significant others.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most recent academic studies of homophily—the tendency of people to interact with similar others—lean to a sociological critique of digital technologies, rather than revealing fundamentally positive outcomes. A few solid philosophical endeavors have emerged from the fields of philosophy of technology and enactive ethics. This article adopts a sociological perspective to argue that digital social networks can serve as an ethical infrastructure for facilitating effective communication. However, they also face the challenge of organizing the myriad of individual voices present within them, so that the necessary moral conditions to mitigate homophily can be established. From this viewpoint, it is suggested homophily should be viewed not as an individual’s right to expression but as a cultivated echo-moral cultured landscape. Homophily is not an input but an outcome. Homophily does not happen without evaluating reception. A voice without assessment lacks the ethical dimension. By applying the theory of the social construction of reality (Berger & Luckmann, 2008), homophily can be conceived as the contribution of significant others. Most importantly, effective communication can be attained when new secondary institutions organize the input of significant others into a meaningful generalized other (Mead, 2015). As a result, I propose that digital technologies allow for ameliorating the moral character of the individual by shifting how one looks at communication: from an individual’s right to a voice into an ordered culture of voices, from preserving rights to serving rightly. This perspective could illuminate policymakers to establish right processes to avoid homophily and help individuals and organizations achieve effective means of communication and deliberation.

Abstract Background Paediatric oncology/haematology patients and their families are confronted with a life-threatening situation for which music therapy can be a cross-linguistic field of action. The creative act of making music together offers the possibility to strengthen competences and make conflicts tangible. Besides its complementing of evidence-based biomedical care, there is little research on the feasibility and efficacy of interactive music therapy including the diagnosed child and their significant others. Methods We conducted an assessor blind, prospective, multicentric feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) with subsequent intervention. Including overall 52 child-significant other dyads, INMUT investigates interaction-focused music therapy with cancer-affected children and their significant others (INMUT-KB; n = 21) compared to music therapy only with the child (MUT-K; n = 21) and a wait-list group (WLG; n = 10). The measurement points include the screening for a cancer diagnosis, psychometric baseline (pre-T1), initial assessment (T1/T2), music therapy sessions (T3–T9), final assessment (T10), final psychometric evaluation (post-T10), and 3-month follow-up (cat-T11). Feasibility and acceptability of the (1) research methodology, (2) intervention and (3) estimation of effect sizes will be assessed using qualitative and quantitative data. The proposed primary outcome includes the parent–child interaction (APCI), and the proposed secondary outcomes refer to subjective goal achievement (GAS), quality of life (KINDL), system-related functional level (EXIS), psychosocial stress (BAS), psychosomatic complaints (SCL-9k), and resources (WIRF). We plan to investigate the efficacy of INMUT-KB and MUT-K post-intervention (post-T10) within the RCT design and at 3-month follow-up (cat-T11). Discussion This study will provide insights into the feasibility of INMUT and the final sample needed for a confirmatory RCT. We will reflect on successfully implemented study procedures and, if necessary, provide recommendations for changes considering the design, procedures, measures, and statistical analyses. The discussion will conclude with an evaluation whether a confirmatory RCT is worth the investment of future resources, including the calculated number of child-significant other dyads needed based on the efficacy trends derived from this feasibility study. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05534282; date of registration: June 23, 2022.

Background: Paediatric oncology/haematology patients and their families are confronted with a life-threatening situation for which music therapy can be a cross-linguistic field of action. The creative act of making music together offers the possibility to strengthen competences and make conflicts tangible. Besides its complementing of evidence-based biomedical care, there is little research on the feasibility and efficacy of interactive music therapy including the diagnosed child and their significant others. Methods: We conducted an assessor blind, prospective, multicentric feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) with subsequent intervention. Including overall 52 child-significant other dyads, INMUT investigates interaction-focused music therapy with cancer-affected children and their significant others (INMUT-KB; n = 21) compared to music therapy only with the child (MUT-K; n = 21) and a wait-list group (WLG; n = 10). The measurement points include the screening for a cancer diagnosis, psychometric baseline (pre-T1), initial assessment (T1/T2), music therapy sessions (T3–T9), final assessment (T10), final psychometric evaluation (post-T10), and 3-month follow-up (cat-T11). Feasibility and acceptability of the (1) research methodology, (2) intervention and (3) estimation of effect sizes will be assessed using qualitative and quantitative data. The proposed primary outcome includes the parent–child interaction (APCI), and the proposed secondary outcomes refer to subjective goal achievement (GAS), quality of life (KINDL), system-related functional level (EXIS), psychosocial stress (BAS), psychosomatic complaints (SCL-9k), and resources (WIRF). We plan to investigate the efficacy of INMUT-KB and MUT-K post-intervention (post-T10) within the RCT design and at 3-month follow-up (cat-T11). Discussion: This study will provide insights into the feasibility of INMUT and the final sample needed for a confirmatory RCT. We will reflect on successfully implemented study procedures and, if necessary, provide recommendations for changes considering the design, procedures, measures, and statistical analyses. The discussion will conclude with an evaluation whether a confirmatory RCT is worth the investment of future resources, including the calculated number of child-significant other dyads needed based on the efficacy trends derived from this feasibility study. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05534282; date of registration: June 23, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that distinguished between injured athletes who displayed high compared with low levels of rehabilitation adherence following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery. In order to gain an in-depth understanding of these factors, semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with six high adherers, six matched low adherers and for each injured athlete, a significant other. Thematic analysis was used to identify the themes that distinguished between high and low adherers. Three themes were generated based on the findings: (a) preparation for postoperative rehabilitation, (b) an active versus passive approach to rehabilitation, and (c) the threat of a poor outcome. Each theme comprised a number of subthemes that further elucidated the participants' rehabilitation experiences and adherence behaviors. The findings have important implications for medical professionals, sport psychology consultants, coaches, and athletes with a vested interest in expediting recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine family members/friends' perception of change following standard and intensive group interactive structured treatment (GIST) for persons with social communication difficulties (SCDs). A parallel mixed methods design combining data from questionnaires, the Goal Attainment Scale, and interviews. Forty-nine adult (>18 years) family members/friends (69.4% female) of persons with SCDs and acquired brain injury (ABI) (cohabitating partner, 53.1%; other relatives, 30.6%; friends, 16.3%). Standard GIST consisted of 12 weekly outpatient sessions (2.5 h). Intensive GIST consisted of 4 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation (2 × 3 days/week, 2 × 4 days/week). Both treatments included 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Quantitative measures (n = 49) included the following informant reports: Latrobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ), Social Communication Skills Questionnaire-Adapted (SCSQ-A), Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Functions-Adult version (BRIEF-A), and Goal Attainment Scale. The qualitative measure (n=9) was an interview performed at 6-month follow-up. Converging results were found, suggesting a perceived positive change over time for both standard and intensive GIST, with no substantial differences reported between the treatments. Family members/friends reported improved social communication skills of the persons with SCDs following standard and intensive GIST. However, the integration of data showed the complexity of assessing SCDs and the need for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The formation of professional plans by student youth is going on under the influence of significant others. The circle of significant others is suffering profound transformations in the conditions of changing cyber-technological paradigm, overflowing traditional family circle, friends, school masters (mentors), and needs clarification. The orientation and intensity of the impact of significant others on the modern educated youth’s professional planning are not sufficiently studied. Solving the task of staff renewal in the Russian scientific sphere shows the necessity to reveal the roles of significant others in Russian students’ and postgraduates’ readiness to build a scientific career.Aim. In this research, the significant other is a really existing or imaginary person, who significantly influences student professional path planning, when a student identifies himself/herself with the significant other. The present research aims to reveal significant others, who influence professional plans of Russian students and postgraduates, and to establish the nature of its impact; to elicit the role of significant others in the students’ and postgraduates’ readiness to build a scientific career.Methodology and research methods. A three-part questionnaire was applied to collect data. In the first part, general information about the respondents was collected. The second part included three stages, which allowed the authors to identify three significant others, who influenced the respondents’ professional plans, as well as to discover the nature of this influence. In the third part, the respondents reported about their readiness to build a scientific career. Primary data processing was carried out with the help of content-analysis. Secondary data processing involved descriptive statistics methods, non-parametric Pearson test, χ2, qualitative analysis. 1026 young people aged from 17 to 35, whose average age was 21, took part in the investigation. There were 951 students and 75 postgraduates from 10 Russian universities.Results. It was established that significant others influence the respondents’ professional plans positively, neutrally and negatively. The positive impact prevails sharply over the neutral and negative ones. Over one-third of the students and postgraduates find it difficult to identify significant others. Among the significant others, there are both real people, who live now or have lived in the past, and imaginary characters. The real significant others can be subdivided into two groups: distant and close community. The role of significant other from distant community predominates over the influence of close community representatives.Scientific novelty. The authors designed the empirical model of significant others influencing the professional path planning. It was revealed that the students and postgraduates, who are not ready to become scientists, less often plan their professional paths under the influence of significant others from scientists and discoverers, than the other respondents. The hierarchical structures of students’ and postgraduates’ significant others have different readiness levels (from five to seven) to build a scientific career and have various component composition. In addition, a higher rank of scientists and discoverers as significant others in the sampling of future scientists should be noted.Practical significance. The obtained results, which deepen the understanding of the mechanism of professional identification and career decision-making, can be used in the practice of professional orientation and career counselling for young people. Since most students and postgraduates have difficulties in building professional plans or identify themselves with fictional characters or people involved in the public spheres like culture, art and mass media, the right choice of content and channels of professional propaganda can encourage young people to get a higher education and choose educational areas that are socially significant for the country.

Objectives. Adherence to treatment recommendations is critical for optimising quality of life for individuals with chronic pain, however adherence rates are low. This study explores the role that significant others are perceived to play in supporting or impeding treatment adherence, as well as examining patient views of the impact of their adherence regimes on their significant others. Design. 25 treatment seeking adults with chronic pain, who were currently living with a romantic partner or adult family member, took part in individual semi-structured interviews. Main outcome measures Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results. Three treatment adherence support themes emerged: social support (emotional, instrumental), positive social control, and supporting autonomy. Participants did not perceive significant others as having any negative influence on their adherence. By contrast, patients perceived that their adherence behaviors had both positive and negative effects on their significant others. Conclusions. These data present an encouraging perspective on the interpersonal context of coping with chronic pain. Significant others facilitated adherence in a range of ways. Future research identifying how best to integrate significant other support into patient self-management programs is needed, in order to lift the poor treatment adherence rates that are noted in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction There is a lack of qualitative analysis of the personal experiences within Couples Matching. In this qualitative study, we aim to record personal attitudes, reflections, and advice on experiences with the Couples Match process. Methods Our survey, consisting of two open‐ended questions regarding the experience of Couples Matching, was distributed from January 2022 to March 2022 via email to 106 otolaryngology program directors across the nation. Survey responses were analyzed iteratively using the constructivist grounded theory to construct themes related to pre‐match priorities, match‐related stressors, and post‐match satisfaction. Themes were developed inductively and refined iteratively as the dataset evolved. Results 18 Couples Match residents responded. In response to the first question: “What was the most difficult part of the process for you and/or your partner?”, we identified the following themes: cost and financial burden, increased stress on the relationship, sacrificing top choices, and finalizing the match list. In response to the second question: “Using your experience as a previous applicant, what advice would you give to another couple planning on couples matching?”, we identified four common themes: compromise, advocacy, dynamic conversations, and applying broadly. Conclusion We sought to understand the Couples Match process through the perspective of previous applicants. Analyzing the views and attitudes of Couples Match applicants, our study captures the most challenging aspects of the experience and highlights possible areas to improve advising for couples, including important factors to consider when applying, ranking, and interviewing.

Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has promoted a significant decrease in mortality of vertically HIV-infected children. As a result, there has been an increasing growth of this population that reaches adolescence. These adolescents face problems such as self-disclosure and the stigma of the disease. This study aimed to determine the process followed by perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in self-disclosing their HIV status to significant others and the barriers and promoters of perinatally HIV-infected adolescents’ disclosure of their HIV status to others. Data were collected from 15–19-year-old adolescents through 23 in-depth individual interviews and three focus groups. For adolescents, a clear barrier to disclosure was being told when they were younger by a parent to keep their status secret from other people. Lack of trust and fear of breaches of confidentiality which would lead to stigma and discrimination also hindered disclosure. For those adolescents who disclosed, they did so face to face and through short text messages. Adolescents expressed the need to be capacitated to self-disclose and also called for HIV and AIDS education to the general public as a way of fighting stigma and discrimination in their communities and in society. For adolescents to be able to disclose, they have to work through issues of acceptance of their own HIV status first. This study is the first-ever study to document difficulties faced by adolescents in the self-disclosure of their status in Eswatini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) was resuscitated in November 2017, it was framed as a minilateral grouping of liberal democratic countries to build a free and open Indo-Pacific in the shadow of China's growing assertiveness. However, this Quad 2.0 had not taken collective action until 2021. The four states neither held leaders' summit meetings nor issued joint statements after lower-level meetings. They took no joint quadrilateral actions to deter China either. From a constructivist perspective, this paper addresses this puzzle by critically revisiting the alleged common identity of the four states. It argues that India's national identity has not been built on the ontological difference between liberal democracy and autocracy but on a complex amalgamation of non-alignment, post-imperial ideology, Hindu nationalism and Indian exceptionalism. India, having held a vision of establishing an India–China partnership in Asia, did not regard China as its significant Other until the deadly border clashes between them in June 2020. China's expansionism has challenged India's identity as the pre-eminent power in South Asia and its vision of an equal China–India partnership. Despite India's increased cooperation with its Quad partners since then, the Quad is built more on geopolitical pragmatism than on shared liberal norms and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the life story of the emerging subject-entrepreneur outside the dominant powers in Cameroon, this paper shows how the tool of biography helps to grasp a key aspect of the dynamics of subjectivization at work in African societies. Although they do not constitute a totally objective representation of present-day realities, the life stories of our interviewees show how the figure of the subject emerges by evading the dual grip of ethnic and socially ascribed identities. Biographical backgrounds structure the understanding of subjectivization as the work of the self on the self, which leads to a logic of action that is opposed to the dominant social and political systems and holds out the hope of an alternative society emerging. In a precarious environment, the figure of the significant other sustains this utopia by reinforcing a sense of entrepreneurial commitment that is shaped by an imaginary that wants to be institutive, while placing the experience of the subject and biographical becoming in Africa within the Global Sociology perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have called for the inclusion of social support in the treatment of PTSD. The current review identifies interventions for adults with PTSD symptoms, which include a significant other as a source of social support. 11 articles focusing on eight interventions were found, including a total of 495 participants who had experienced trauma. These interventions were divided according to level of involvement of the significant other in treatment. Significant others were either passively or actively involved in the treatment. Preliminary results show that interventions actively involving a significant other in the treatment of the patient with posttraumatic stress symptoms were most effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. The current review provides recommendations for future research and suggests that significant others should be actively involved in the treatment of PTSD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is a lack of qualitative analysis of the personal experiences within Couples Matching. In this qualitative study, we aim to record personal attitudes, reflections, and advice on experiences with the Couples Match process. Methods: Our survey, consisting of two open‐ended questions regarding the experience of Couples Matching, was distributed from January 2022 to March 2022 via email to 106 otolaryngology program directors across the nation. Survey responses were analyzed iteratively using the constructivist grounded theory to construct themes related to pre‐match priorities, match‐related stressors, and post‐match satisfaction. Themes were developed inductively and refined iteratively as the dataset evolved. Results: 18 Couples Match residents responded. In response to the first question: "What was the most difficult part of the process for you and/or your partner?", we identified the following themes: cost and financial burden, increased stress on the relationship, sacrificing top choices, and finalizing the match list. In response to the second question: "Using your experience as a previous applicant, what advice would you give to another couple planning on couples matching?", we identified four common themes: compromise, advocacy, dynamic conversations, and applying broadly. Conclusion: We sought to understand the Couples Match process through the perspective of previous applicants. Analyzing the views and attitudes of Couples Match applicants, our study captures the most challenging aspects of the experience and highlights possible areas to improve advising for couples, including important factors to consider when applying, ranking, and interviewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the preferences of people with memory complaints (PwMC) and their significant others regarding starting a diagnostic trajectory for dementia. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase. Selection of abstracts and papers was performed independently by two researchers. Methodological quality was assessed with the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Result sections of the selected papers were thematically synthesized. From 2497 citations, seven qualitative studies and two mixed methods studies published between 2010 and 2020 were included. Overall quality of the studies was high to moderate. A thematic synthesis showed that preferences for starting a diagnostic trajectory arose from the feeling of needing to do something about the symptoms, beliefs on the necessity and expected outcomes of starting a diagnostic trajectory. These views were influenced by normalization or validation of symptoms, the support or wishes of the social network, interactions with health care professionals, the health status of the PwMC, and societal factors such as stigma and socioeconomic status. A variety of considerations with regard to decision-making on starting a diagnostic trajectory for dementia were identified. This emphasizes the need to explore individual preferences to facilitate a timely dementia diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collapse of the Soviet Union brought about a massive redefining of borders, formal as well as mental. Latvia was among those countries that needed to reshape their identity, and its elite opted for distancing the country from Russia and the Soviet past. The article studies how this approach is reflected in 32 local history museums around Latvia. Many of their collections were formed in the Soviet times, and now museums have to redescribe them in accordance with the new ideological framework of “two occupations”. The study presents an initial classification of museums according to their scope. The article highlights the underrepresentation of the Russian language in the texts of exhibitions despite a considerable share of the Russian-speaking population. The main connotations with Russia are singled out, the most emotional of them being the narrative of the “Soviet occupation” and deportations, that was excluded from the public discourse in the Soviet times, and now is re-actualized. Three strategies of dealing with the Soviet past within the framework of museums are described: leaving Soviet items without a consistent narrative, pushing this topic to the margins of the exhibition and rewriting the Soviet discourse in complete accordance with the new ideological framework.

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There is increasing evidence to suggest that the implementation of family-centered care practices in clinical audiology yields positive patient outcomes. Previous work showed that significant-other attendance at audiology appointments, a recommended practice consistent with family-centered care, was associated with greater odds of hearing aid adoption and increased satisfaction with hearing aids. The primary goal of this retrospective explorative study was to investigate the unexplored question of whether an association exists between the type of significant other (SO) in attendance at appointments and hearing aid adoption. The study sample consisted of adult patients from a chain of private clinics in the United Kingdom who either attended their audiology appointment with a SO (n = 10,015) or alone (n = 37,152). Six SO types were identified and classified: partner (n = 6,608), parent (n = 76), child (n = 2,577), sibling (n = 208), friend (n = 518), and carer (n = 28). In addition to replicating previous findings which showed that significant-other attendance at audiology appointments was positively associated with hearing aid adoption, results from the current paper also revealed that the odds of hearing aid adoption were greater if the SO was of a stronger relationship tie (i.e., partners, parents, children, and siblings) and not a weaker relationship tie (i.e., friends, carers). These findings suggest that an extension of the non-audiological factor of significant-other attendance during the hearing rehabilitation process should be considered: the relationship type patients have with their significant others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article treats the problem of ethical gaslighting - the situation when a significant other disqualifies something that you consider to be your true consciousness. How is ethical self-consciousness possible when you cannot be certain: is that your conscience talking or an unauthentic semblance of conscience? The article proposes a hyper-cartesian strategy in ethics (thematization of the role of genius malignus).

Copyright of Filozofija i Drustvo is the property of University of Belgrade, Institute for Philosophy & Social Theory 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.)

Background: Back pain is complex. Social support and significant other interactions influence the pain experience. Purpose: To statistically derive subgroups of people with chronic low back pain based upon their interactions with significant others, and profile subgroups across multidimensional variables. Research Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Study Sample: People with chronic axial low back pain (n = 262). Data Collection and Analysis: Latent class analysis of significant other interaction data was used to derive subgroups of people with chronic low back pain. Subgroups were profiled across baseline multidimensional variables and one-year follow-up pain intensity, disability and bothersomeness. Results: Three clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (7.6%) characterised by the lowest distracting, punishing and solicitous interactions. Cluster 2 (16.0%) characterised by the highest distracting and solicitous responses and social support. Cluster 3 (76.3%) characterised by the highest punishing and lowest social support. Cluster 1 reported less disability than Clusters 2 and 3. Mindfulness was significantly different across all subgroups with Cluster 1 being most mindful and Cluster 3 least mindful. Depression, anxiety and stress were significantly higher in Cluster 3 than Cluster 1. Pain catastrophising was higher for Cluster 2 than Clusters 1 and 3. Cluster 2 had lower pressure pain threshold than Clusters 1 and 3. Conclusions: These results support the association between significant other interactions and the experience of back pain. Considering significant other interactions in clinical practice may be important for managing some people's presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study presented in the article is theoretical reflection on the meaningful transformation of the “Significant Other” representation in a transitive society. It describes the main attributes of a transitional society (instability, uncertainty, projectivity, multidirectionality, multivariability, innovativeness, etc.), indicating its institutional and value-related changes, their irreversibility, as well as unity of preservation and negation of rules, norms and values, old and new worldviews and world orders, their conflict and alternativeness. The study analyses features of personal socialization in a transitive society, highlights similarities and differences in the content, mechanisms and determinants of socialization. The author’s attention is focused on qualitative changes in the representations of Significant Other, which are the result of individual’s interaction with the Others, based not so much on perceptual processes, but rather on living and experiencing certain experiences and constructing existential meanings. It substantiates the increase in the number of representations of “Significant Other” in the modern society, due to expansion of communicative space, total globalization processes, development and dissemination of various information technologies. It is argued that meaningful content of the representation of “Significant Other”, is, on the one hand, expanding, including a wider range of ideas about significant figures (familiar and unfamiliar in everyday life, symbolic and virtual), a variety of assessments and established relations to the world, Others and oneself, while, on the other hand, it is reduced and schematized, broken up into separate components of significance (referentiality, attraction, power), and sometimes depersonalized, losing the descriptive and evaluative attributes of individuality and uniqueness. The applied aspect of the problem under study is the possibility of using the obtained theoretical generalizations in the practice of socio-psychological support of a person in the process of socialization (including digital socialization) in a modern transitive society.

To identify presence and nature of Third-Party Disability experienced by Significant Others (SOs) of people with ongoing vestibular symptoms using the World Health Organisation International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO-ICF) framework. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed by mapping transcripts to the WHO-ICF framework. Ten SOs of people with ongoing vestibular symptoms were interviewed. Maximum variation sampling was used. Data mapped to 5 codes in the body functions component of the ICF, highlighting psychological impact on the SO and a broad range of negative emotions; 28 codes in the activities and participations component, showing impaired ability across several areas of the SO's life including social life, communication, general tasks and maintaining domestic balance; and 19 codes in the environmental factors component, highlighting the importance of supportive relationships and functioning health systems. Third-Party Disability was identified, including psychological impacts on the SO, interruption to their daily lives and increased domestic responsibility. Health professionals may lessen disability by encouraging support networks and practicing family-centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have established the importance of social networks in developing and maintaining well-being. Furthermore, different types of social relationships have been found to influence individuals' lives in unique ways. There is little understanding, however, of how relationship types compare in their effects on individuals' psychological well-being. Using a correlational design, this study investigated the associations between relationship intimacy and psychological well-being. Relationship intimacy was measured for respondents' parents, significant others, close friends, and pets. The surveys were distributed to 91 undergraduate students and included the Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS; Miller & Lefcourt, 1982) and Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-being (SPWB-18; Ryff & Keyes, 1995) to assess respondents' relationships and psychological well-being, respectively. The results of two regression analyses revealed that intimacy in relationships with one's significant other and close friends was a significant, positive predictor of well-being, though specific mechanisms of influence could not be established. Further research opportunities include diversifying the study sample and the creation of a standardized scale to more accurately measure intimacy across different relationship types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transference effects occur when our impressions are guided by our mental representations of significant others. For instance, if a target resembles an individual's significant other, then that person's feelings toward their significant other will be transferred onto the target. The present research examines whether transference effects emerge even when the target belongs to an ethnic out-group. In two experiments, participants received descriptions of in-group and out-group targets who partly resembled their own (or another's) positive significant other. The findings showed that resemblance to one's own significant other improves attitudes and behavior toward both in-group and ethnic out-group targets, as found across 2 nations and 3 different ethnic out-groups. The present research hence provides evidence of robust transference effects across ethnic group boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At least 50% of all ambulance assignments are deemed nonurgent, while 47–96% are initiated by someone other than the patient. Previous research has highlighted the importance of being taken seriously. However, additional knowledge of how significant others experience the situation when a patient is assessed as nonurgent is needed. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the person‐centred climate in the Ambulance Service from the perspective of significant others by means of the Person‐centred Climate Questionnaire – Family version (PCQ‐F), to psychometrically investigate the construct validity of additional items intended to measure perceptions of being taken seriously and to explore possible relationships between the person‐centred climate and these additional items. Methods: A retrospective, explorative, cross‐sectional survey design was employed. In total, 241 questionnaires were distributed. Descriptive and comparative statistics and a factor analysis of eight items possibly constructing person‐centredness are presented. Results: The 100 respondents experienced the climate as very person‐centred. Relationships were found between the items that might constitute person‐centredness and the PCQ‐F. The PCQ‐F can explain perceived person‐centredness through the additional items that may constitute person‐centredness in the Ambulance Service context. Conclusion: Significant others consider eight aspects of being taken seriously as the core of person‐centredness in nonurgent Ambulance Service assignments. There is a relationship between the psychosocial climate and the additional items that might constitute person‐centredness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the most effective intervention for adults with social communication impairments due to an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), using standardised outcome measures completed by significant others. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted. Four electronic databases relevant to the field of speech-language pathology or brain injury were searched: Medline, CINAHL, AMED and Embase. Grey literature, reference lists and citation indexes were also hand searched for additional research. Studies that met the broad inclusion and exclusion criteria were initially screened to determine articles for full text reviews by two independent reviewers. Reviewers independently extracted data from full-text reviews using a data extraction form and performed bias analysis using the Downs and Black quality checklist (Downs, S.H., & Black, N. (1998). The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 52, 377–384.). Studies were categorised using a five-phase model of evidence (Robey, R.R., & Schultz, M.C. (1998). A model for conducting clinical-outcome research: An adaptation of the standard protocol for use in aphasiology. Aphasiology, 12, 787–810.). Result: 681 articles were identified after duplicates were removed. 15 articles were reviewed for full-text analysis. Six studies were ultimately included in the review. Of these, three were randomised controlled trials and three others were not. Four studies delivered intervention solely to the individual with an ABI, one to the communication partner only, and one delivered intervention both to the individual and their communication partner. Intervention programmes ranged from four to 12 weeks and from 12 to 48 hours total contact time. The reviews studies were heterogeneous, which made comparisons difficult. Risk of bias was also present to varying degrees in all studies. The current level of evidence has focussed on efficacy of treatments and effectiveness of treatment is not yet established. Conclusion: The current level of evidence is not yet established to make clear clinical guidelines on which interventions are most effective, based on significant others' reports. Further research is required, incorporating more rigorous study designs and larger sample sizes to enable accurate conclusions to be drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses Eric Berne's concept of "thinking Martian," which she considers useful in further developing some existing theories in transactional analysis related to protocol and somatic levels of experiencing. She argues that clinical work at the subsymbolic level requires the psychotherapist to take a more active stance and make use of his or her sense of agency. With cases in which the function of the significant other is provided by the client's own mind—that is, where the mind serves as object—the phenomenology of such work may be experienced as transgressive. A case vignette illustrates this view as well providing access to the author's clinical lived experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines about a hundred cartoons published during the decade long Kurdish insurgency in the eve of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey from 1925-1938. It attempts to assess how the relational construction between colloquial culture, the cultural construction of national characters and the state discourse are intertwined in defining the self and the other in the development of Turkish national identity. The article seeks to highlight the importance of previously neglected late Ottoman and early Republican colloquial Turkish political cartoons. This approach is crucial to any attempt at capturing the voice of nationalist discourse in the early Republican period, where the perceived image of the Kurd as the significant internal other is tainted forever by its supremacist origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This prospective cohort study evaluates the impact of total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty on patient's spouses/significant others (SSOs).Methods: Patients and SSOs were provided similar outcome metrics (Global Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement) at preoperative and postoperative visits. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate scores.Results: Our sample included 99 patients (58 total hip arthroplasties and 41 total knee arthroplasties). We found strong correlation between patient and SSO mental status scores. We found moderate correlation for some physical function domains.Conclusion: SSOs closely share total joint arthroplasty patient's mental and even some of the physical burden of disease and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the experiences of significant others when their loved one with a severe brain injury is admitted to acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation. Main measures: A qualitative approach was undertaken; using in-depth interviews and the drawing method to elicit information on the experiences of significant others who had loved ones enter an ABI unit, early in the sub-acute rehabilitation admission. Results: Nine significant others participated in interviews and completed drawings. Seven themes were identified from the two sources of data. Themes included: Trauma; Relief; Interactions; Change; Grief and loss; Journey, and Uncertainty. Conclusions: The whole experience for the significant other is traumatic as they try to understand changes to both their loved ones and their own roles. Healthcare providers have a key role in supporting significant others as their loved ones enter rehabilitation. The role of the drawing method appears to supplement and extend data received from interviews, shedding additional light into the lived experiences of significant others of those with an acquired brain injury. Early in the rehabilitation process, significant others experience emotional trauma resulting from their experience of their loved one's trauma. It is important that health professionals interactions with significant others are respectful and kind, and that interactions around processes and communication are clear. Expertise and a tailored environment reduce stress and increase feelings of confidence in significant others. Significant others may need time to talk about their experiences with health professional staff, to support them to adjust to this major life change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the lived experiences of Significant Others (SOs) of people with ongoing vestibular symptoms. Design: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Study sample: Ten SOs of people with ongoing vestibular symptoms were interviewed. Maximum variation sampling was used. Results: Four predominant themes were identified from the data: (1) Journey The progression of learning to understand, cope and adapt with a family member's vestibular condition is a unique journey; (2) Ownership Participants reported varying levels of ownership of their family member's vestibular condition. Those who considered the vestibular condition as a joint problem were often more burdened by feelings of guilt and redundancy; (3) Intangibility Participants reported inconsistent advice from healthcare professionals, struggles with understanding, and challenges obtaining a shared understanding with their own support networks; (4) Disempowerment SOs were left feeling powerless due to not knowing what to do for a family member when they experienced vestibular symptoms, and not having a comprehensive understanding of the vestibular condition. Conclusions: Ongoing vestibular symptoms have significant and diverse impacts on SOs. This study reveals a need for tailored support of SOs and supports the practice of family-centred care in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In order to better understand people in demanding medical situations, an awareness of existential concerns is important. Studies performed over the last twenty years conclude that when dying and death come closer, as in the case with older people who are stricken by infirmity and diseases, existential concerns will come to the fore. However, studies concerning experiences of existential loneliness (EL) are sparse and, in addition, there is no clear definition of EL. EL is described as a complex phenomenon and referred to as a condition of life, an experience, and a process of inner growth. Listening to someone who knows the older person well, as significant others often do, may be one way of learning more about EL. Methods This study is part of a larger research project on EL, the LONE study, where EL is explored through interviews with frail older people, their significant others and health care professionals. The aim of this study was to explore frail older (>75) persons’ EL, as interpreted by their significant others. The study is qualitative and based on eighteen narrative interviews with nineteen significant others of older persons. The data was analysed using Hsieh and Shannon’s conventional content analysis. Results According to the interpretation of significant others, the older persons experience EL (1) when they are increasingly limited in body and space, (2) when they are in a process of disconnecting, and (3) when they are disconnected from the outside world. Conclusion The result can be understood as if the frail older person is in a process of letting go of life. This process involves the body, in that the older person is increasingly limited in his/her physical abilities. The older person’s long-term relationships are gradually lost, and finally the process entails the older person’s increasingly withdrawing into him- or herself and turning off the outside world. The result of this study is consistent with previous research that has shown that EL is a complex phenomenon, but the implications of this research include a deepened understanding of EL. In addition, the study highlights the interpretations of significant others.

Research Framework : There is very little work in France on the relationships that adults have with their pets, although we can see their growing importance. Objectives : Starting from the observation that adults who have a pet in their home declare themselves close to it, we seek, on the one hand, to approach the social conditions that vary this subjective feeling of proximity, and, on the other hand, to describe some of the components of this bond of proximity : tactile proximity and conversational proximity. Methodology : This article is based on the results of a questionnaire survey that took place between 2016 and 2017 among 2977 dog and cat owners who declared themselves close to their animal. Results : We observe that (a) conversational proximity contributes more than tactile proximity to the production of subjective proximity ; (b) working-class women are those who feel closest to their pets ; (c) those who feel closest are those who declare their dogs or cats to be "full family members", thus underlining the strength of their bond without necessarily denying animal identity. Conclusions : This article describes the content of a close relationship between an adult and his animal, the determinants that explain the variation in the intensity of this human-animal relationship and the related practices. Contribution : On the one hand, the work presented is a contribution to the sociology of human-non-human relations because it allows an objectification of the relationship between humans and their animals. On the other hand, it contributes to broadening the sociology of the family by integrating the animal as a member of the family.

Background: Problem alcohol or other drug (AOD) use can have severe impacts on partners interpersonally, including both their intimate relationship, as well as their interactions with friends and family. Previous research has predominantly focussed on spouses of problem drinkers, and recruited individuals who have experienced significant harm requiring medical or legal services. This paper sought to explore the breadth of interpersonal impacts on a broader range of partners, to better inform service provision. Method: One hundred synchronous online counselling transcripts of partners (85% female, aged 15 to over 65 years) of individuals with problem AOD use were sampled from a 24-hour national online AOD counselling service. A thematic analysis was conducted, exploring the interpersonal impact on partners. Findings: Interpersonal impacts included intimate relationship issues (discovery leads to communication difficulties; decisions to stay or leave), challenges in parenting (safety and well-being concerns; exposure to problem AOD use impacts; difficulty managing parenting responsibilities; pregnancy-related considerations), and impacts on and from their social network (benefits and challenges in seeking social support; extended family and social group stressors/support). Conclusions: Interpersonal impacts are multi-faceted, and partners should have access to targeted referrals for relationship assistance, peer support (online or face-to-face), domestic violence and welfare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As frail older people might have difficulties in expressing themselves, their needs are often interpreted by others, for example, by significant others, whose information health care staff often have to rely on. This, in turn, can put health care staff in ethically difficult situations, where they have to choose between alternative courses of action. One aspect that might be especially difficult to express is that of existential loneliness. We have only sparse knowledge about whether, and in what way, the views of frail older persons and their significant others concerning existential loneliness are in concordance. Objective: To contrast frail older (>75) persons' experiences with their significant others' perceptions of existential loneliness. Methods: A case study design was chosen for this study. Individual interviews with frail older persons (n = 15) and interviews with their significant others (n = 19), as well as field notes, served as a basis for the study. A thematic analysis was used to interpret data. Ethical considerations: This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of research ethics. Findings: The findings showed three themes: (1) Meaningless waiting in contrast to lack of activities, (2) Longing for a deeper connectedness in contrast to not participating in a social environment and (3) Restricted freedom in contrast to given up on life. Discussion: Knowledge about the tensions between older persons' and their significant others' views of existential loneliness could be of use as a basis for ethical reflections on the care of older people and in the encounter with their significant others. Conclusion: It is of importance that health care professionals listen to both the frail older person and their significant other(s) and be aware of whose voice that the care given is based on, in order to provide care that is beneficial and not to the detriment of the older person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to evaluate how the current working climate of cardiothoracic surgery and burnout experienced by cardiothoracic surgeons influences their spouses and significant others (SOs). A 33-question well-being survey was developed by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Wellness Committee and distributed by e-mail to the SOs of cardiothoracic surgeons and to all surgeon registrants of the 2020 and 2021 American Association for Thoracic Surgery Annual Meetings with a request to share it with their SO. The 5-item Likert-scale survey questions were dichotomized, and associations were determined by χ2 or independent samples t tests, as appropriate. Responses from 238 SOs were analyzed. Sixty-six percent reported that the stress on their cardiothoracic surgeon partner had a moderate to severe influence on their family, and 63% reported that their partner's work demands didn't leave enough time for family. Fifty-one percent reported that their partner rarely had time for intimacy, 27% reported poor work–life balance, and 23% reported that interactions at home were usually or always not good-natured. SOs were most affected when their partner was <5 years out from training, worked in private vs academic practice, and worked longer hours. Having children, particularly younger than age 19 years, and a lack of workplace support resources further diminished well-being. The current work culture of cardiothoracic surgeons adversely affects their SOs, and the risk for families is concerning. These data present a major area for exploration as we strive to understand and mitigate the factors that lead to burnout among cardiothoracic surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Previous studies have identified that problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use has major impacts on family members. Work with partners suggests they experience mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or stress, which arise from feelings of helplessness, self-blame, uncertainty, worry, conflict and disruption to family life. However, most studies have focussed on interviews with participants purposively recruited from face-to-face settings. Whether these issues are common to a broader range of partners seeking help and advice from online services requires further study. Method: One hundred synchronous online chat counselling transcripts of partners of individuals with problem AOD use were sampled from a 24-hour national online counselling service in Australia. Thematic analysis was used to look at the personal impacts reported by these partners. Results: The personal impacts identified were reflected in partners’ cognitions (depressive cognitions, responsibility beliefs, and thoughts around trust), behaviours (helpful and unhelpful coping) and emotions (anger, sadness, and fear). Conclusions: These findings highlight the substantial burden that problematic AOD use imposes on intimate partners personally, reinforcing the need for services to engage partners as valid help-seekers in their own right. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]