scholarly journals In Our Own Words: The Complex Sensory Experiences of Autistic Adults

Author(s):  
K. MacLennan ◽  
S. O’Brien ◽  
T. Tavassoli

AbstractAutistic adults commonly experience sensory reactivity differences. Sensory hyperreactivity is frequently researched, whilst hyporeactivity and seeking, and experiences across domains, e.g., vision, are often neglected. Therefore, we aimed to understand more about the sensory experiences of autistic adults. We conducted a mixed-methods study, co-produced with stakeholders; recruiting 49 autistic adults who completed an online survey. Firstly, quantitative results and content analysis enhanced our understanding of sensory input/contexts associated with sensory hyperreactivity, hyporeactivity, and seeking across modalities. Secondly, thematic analysis developed themes relating to ‘Outcomes’, ‘Control’, ‘Tolerance and management’, and ‘The role of other people’, informing a theoretical model of sensory reactivity differences in autistic adults. These findings have implications for support services and improving quality of life for autistic adults.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keren MacLennan ◽  
Sarah O'Brien ◽  
Teresa Tavassoli

Sensory reactivity differences are commonly experienced by autistic adults. Sensory hyperreactivity is frequently researched, whilst sensory hyporeactivity and seeking, and experiences across domains, e.g., vision or touch, are often neglected. Therefore, our online qualitative study, co-produced with stakeholders, aimed to understand more about the sensory experiences in a large sample of 49 autistic adults. Firstly, content analysis identified sensory input and contexts associated with sensory reactivity differences across modalities. Secondly, using thematic analysis we developed themes relating to ‘Outcomes’, ‘Control’, ‘Tolerance and management’, and ‘The role of other people’, which informed a theoretical model of sensory reactivity differences in autistic adults. Our study has important implications for support services and improving quality of life for autistic adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Karel K. Himawan

Religion plays a major role in the lives of most Indonesians. While most religions favour marriage, little is known regarding how religion shapes the singleness experience, especially from the Indonesian perspective. The study aims to explore whether and how religion constructs the meaning of singleness and contributes to the quality of life of Indonesian unmarried individuals. Multistage mixed-methods study was employed to answer the research questions through two stages. Stage one was an online survey to 635 participants (Mage = 31.49; SD = 5.49) across three groups (single, single in a relationship, and married). Stage two utilised interviews to 40 unmarried participants (Mage = 33.14; SD = 4.04). The survey results suggest that as a group, single individuals indicated lower levels of quality of life compared to married people. Among single participants, multivariate analysis suggests that religiosity significantly increases life satisfaction, but does not reduce loneliness. Three themes emerged regarding the role of religion in constructing the meaning of singleness: singleness as a God-willed temporary period, a period to embrace life outside marriage, and a period where conservative socio-religious norms are negotiated with contemporary values. The study highlights the complex and pivotal role of religion in the Indonesian singleness experience.


2021 ◽  
pp. 109634802110115
Author(s):  
Seonjeong (Ally) Lee ◽  
Ning-Kuang Chuang

The physical environment plays an essential role in customers’ hotel stay experiences. Hotels offer a differentiated atmosphere that creates favorable customers’ evaluations. Based on the significant role of environmental cues, this study investigates the effects of an expanded servicescape on customers’ evaluations, including customer satisfaction, quality of life, and customer loyalty, in the context of the hotel industry. To test the proposed research framework, this study collects data from previous hotel customers and conducts a self-administered, online survey. Findings identified ambience, interactions with employees, authenticity, and fascination positively influenced customers’ satisfaction, which further influenced customer loyalty. Only ambience and fascination positively influenced quality of life, which in turn influenced customer loyalty. Results contributed to the application of expanded servicescape in the hotel context. Results also suggested practical implications of the holistic approach of servicescape in the hotel industry.


Information ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 244
Author(s):  
Olga Sobolewska ◽  
Agnieszka Bitkowska

The main aim of the article was to estimate select aspects of knowledge management quality evaluations in contemporary enterprises from theoretical and practical perspectives. Measuring knowledge management is the biggest challenge for both theoreticians and practitioners. The survey was addressed to organizations conducting business activity in Poland. The research was carried out in 2019 in the form of an online survey. For international organizations, the survey was intended for representatives of these companies’ local branches. It has been shown that the factors that most strongly affect the quality of knowledge are directly related to infrastructure and information technology systems (IT systems). The article contributes to managerial practice by pointing out the importance of evaluating knowledge management quality from the process perspective. The article’s originality lies in the contribution to the literature of evaluating knowledge management quality by empirically analyzing it in contemporary enterprises. The results of research in the field involving assessing the quality of knowledge management have shown the need to focus not only on information technology tools (IT tools) related to infrastructure, but also on the processes approach, taking into account the priority role of the employees.


2017 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran Walshe ◽  
Alan Boyd ◽  
Marie Bryce ◽  
Kayleigh Luscombe ◽  
Abigail Tazzyman ◽  
...  

Objective To describe the implementation of medical revalidation in healthcare organisations in the United Kingdom and to examine reported changes and impacts on the quality of care. Design A cross-sectional online survey gathering both quantitative and qualitative data about structures and processes for medical revalidation and wider quality management in the organisations which employ or contract with doctors (termed ‘designated bodies’) from the senior doctor in each organisation with statutory responsibility for medical revalidation (termed the ‘Responsible Officer’). Setting United Kingdom Participants Responsible Officers in designated bodies in the United Kingdom. Five hundred and ninety-five survey invitations were sent and 374 completed surveys were returned (63%). Main outcome measures The role of Responsible Officers, the development of organisational mechanisms for quality assurance or improvement, decision-making on revalidation recommendations, impact of revalidation and mechanisms for quality assurance or improvement on clinical practice and suggested improvements to revalidation arrangements. Results Responsible Officers report that revalidation has had some impacts on the way medical performance is assured and improved, particularly strengthening appraisal and oversight of quality within organisations and having some impact on clinical practice. They suggest changes to make revalidation less ‘one size fits all’ and more responsive to individual, organisational and professional contexts. Conclusions Revalidation appears primarily to have improved systems for quality improvement and the management of poor performance to date. There is more to be done to ensure it produces wider benefits, particularly in relation to doctors who already perform well.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Bundy ◽  
William Mandy ◽  
Laura Crane ◽  
Hannah Belcher ◽  
Laura Bourne ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with mental health declines in the general population. Those with pre-existing vulnerabilities are known to be at particular risk. This may include autistic people, who have high levels of mental and physical health problems. Yet little is currently known about the impact of the pandemic on autistic people. Using an online survey, this mixed-methods study gathered data from 133 autistic adults in the United Kingdom (UK), about their experiences of the pandemic in relation to their mental health. Results indicated that the mental health impact of the pandemic on autistic adults was variable. A sizeable minority reported improvements in their mental health associated with COVID-19 restrictions. By contrast, most participants described an overall negative impact their levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Analysis of qualitative data using thematic analysis highlighted four themes that contributed to mental health changes in autistic adults: (i) adjusting to changes to the social world, (ii) living with uncertainty, (iii) disruptions to self-regulation, and (iv) barriers to fulfilling basic needs. Based on these findings, we discuss recommendations about how to support autistic people; both as the pandemic persists and once normality ensues.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Bortolon ◽  
Delphine Capdevielle ◽  
Julien Dubreucq ◽  
stéphane Raffard

Aims: Beyond the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the public's health, the length of lockdown and its possible psychological impacts on populations around the world is heavily debated. However, the consequences of lockdown on psychotic symptoms have not yet been investigated. Methods: An online survey was run from April 13 to May 11, 2020; a total of 728 French subjects from the general population participated. We assessed the perceived impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, length of self-isolation, diagnosis/symptoms/hospitalisation related to the COVID-19 (oneself and family). Paranoid ideations and anomalous perceptual perceptions were assessed via the Paranoia Scale and the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale. Measures of negative affect, loneliness, sleep difficulties, jumping to conclusion bias, emotion regulation, and perseverative thinking were also included. Results: Final regression model for paranoia indicated that socio-demographic variables, loneliness, cognitive bias, anxiety, repetitive thoughts and hallucinations were associated with paranoia (R2 = 0.43). For hallucinations, clinical variables as well as the quality of sleep, behavioural activation, repetitive thoughts, and paranoia were associated with hallucinations in our sample (R2 = 0.27). Neither length of self-isolation nor the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with psychotic experiences in the final models. Conclusions: No evidence was found between a significant impact of self-isolation on psychotic symptoms in the general population in France one month after the lockdown. It nevertheless confirms the preeminent role of several factors previously described in the maintenance and development of psychotic symptoms in the context of a pandemic and lockdown measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 437
Author(s):  
Chandra Situmeang ◽  
Syahrizal Chalil ◽  
Choms G.G.T Sibarani ◽  
Dian Y.T.S Situmorang

Since COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people conduct things, including educational activities, online learning has become a necessity that schools must adopt. This study aims to analyze the relationship of various variables that affect the success of online learning in accounting subjects in vocational high. This study is a quantitative cross-sectional online survey with 308 respondents from 26 schools in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Data analysis was performed through regression analysis with moderating variables. It concluded that the success of online learning process as measured by Learning Satisfaction was influenced by Student Characteristics, Learning Accessibility, and Textbooks, while Multimedia Materials and other Text Materials did not have any effect. It further observed that teacher Support does not affect learning satisfaction but can moderate the relationship between student characteristics and textbook quality. This means that all related parties need to focus on changing students' mindset, improving the quality of textbooks, and increasing accessibility. On the other hand, to increase success, it is necessary to strengthen the role of teachers.


Author(s):  
Emilio Casariego ◽  
Ana Cebrián-Cuenca ◽  
José Llisterri ◽  
Rafael Micó-Pérez ◽  
Domingo Orozco-Beltran ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic diseases are currently the main cause of morbidity and mortality and represent a major challenge to healthcare systems. The objective of this study is to know Spanish public opinion about chronic disease and how it affects their daily lives. Methods: Through a telephone or online survey of 24 questions, data was gathered on the characteristics of the respondents and their knowledge and experiences of chronic diseases. Results: Of the 2522 survey respondents, 325 had a chronic disease and were carers, 1088 had a chronic disease and were not carers, 140 did not have a chronic disease but were carers, and 969 did not have chronic disease and were not carers. The degree of knowledge on these diseases was good or very good for 69.4%, 56.0%, 62.2%, and 46.7%, respectively, for each group. All the groups agreed that chronic diseases mainly affect mood, quality of life and having to make sacrifices. Conclusions: Knowledge about chronic diseases is relatively good, although it can be improved among the Spanish population, especially among patients who report having a chronic disease and play the role of carers. However, it is important to continue maintaining the level of information and training concerning these diseases.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Wang ◽  
Kevin Kam Fung So ◽  
Beverley A. Sparks

Technologies have dramatically transformed tourist experience. However, research has largely focused on traveler attitudes and technology adoption rather than their experience with travel technologies. Taking a cross-country perspective, this study examines the role of technology readiness (TR) as a personality trait in shaping travelers’ satisfaction with travel technologies, using airlines as a case study. Results of an online survey of travelers in Australia, China, and the United States revealed the moderating effects of the TR dimensions of optimism and innovativeness as well as country of residence on the relationships between perceived quality of technology-enabled services (TESs), satisfaction with TESs, overall satisfaction, and future behavior. These relationships were stronger among travelers with higher TR and varied across countries. The results suggest that tourism and hospitality service providers should incorporate measures of traveler TR and TESs’ performance into their customer-experience monitoring system.


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