scholarly journals The challenges characterizing the lived experience of caregiving. A qualitative study in the field of spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Zanini ◽  
Julia Amann ◽  
Mirjam Brach ◽  
Armin Gemperli ◽  
Sara Rubinelli

Abstract Study design Qualitative exploratory study. Objectives To explore the lived experience of SCI caregivers, with a focus on the challenges of their role. Setting Caregivers of people with SCI living in the community in Switzerland. Methods Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was performed. Results The sample included 22 participants (16 women, 15 life partners) with a mean age of 61 years who had been caregivers for an average of 18 years. Caregiving in SCI seemed to be characterized by two phases. The first phase was relatively short and was central to becoming a caregiver; it was marked by challenges related to adjusting to the role of caregiver (e.g., dealing with shock, feeling unprepared). The second phase is lifelong and is characterized by a number of recurrent challenges related to balancing caregiving and personal life (e.g., having to prioritize caregiving over personal wishes, negotiating tasks and workload). Challenges related to lacking appropriate housing, facing financial uncertainty and dealing with bureaucracy were noted during both phases. Caregivers had to deal with these challenges to stay in step with life changes and newly emerging needs. Conclusions Informal caregivers have a major role in supporting people with SCI. But their needs are not static. Any strategy to empower them has to adapt to an evolving role characterized by multiple tasks and challenges. A functional relationship between caregivers and care recipients is based on the recognition of their individualities and the different phases of adaptation, which is also an enriching process.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Serwan Husein Taha SHERWANI ◽  
Mehmet KILIÇ

This mixed-method study aims at exploring Iraqi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ attitudes towards Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). The study was conducted in Soran town, in the northern part of Iraq. The participants of the study were 58 EFL teachers from secondary and high school classrooms. In the first phase, a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire was administered (Karavas-Doukas, 1996) to examine the participants’ attitudes towards CLT principles: “place/importance of grammar, group/pair work, quality and quantity of error correction, the role of the teacher in the classroom, the role and contribution of learners in the learning process.” The second phase of the study was qualitative and consisted of semi-structured interviews to examine the reasons behind the implementation of CLT in terms of the factors that hinder and encourage the implementation of CLT in the Iraqi setting. The results of the quantitative analysis revealed that the teachers held overall positive attitudes towards the use of CLT. The findings of the interview phase concluded that the main factors that cause the failure and success of the implementation of CLT in Iraq can be categorized under four headings: educational factors, teacher factors, student factors, and CLT factors. The results of the study suggest that the educational system and the teachers’ communicative competence are essential to promote the employment of CLT in Iraqi EFL classrooms.


Author(s):  
Vadim Markovich Rozin ◽  
Lyudmila Mikhailovna Karnozova

This article consists of two parts. The firs parts analyzes the general mechanism of reflection within the framework of the theoretical discourse; while the second part the introduced concepts and schemes of reflection are illustrated on the case of “restorative justice”. The analysis of two other cases (“Confession” by St. Augustine, as well as “Confessions” and “Resurrection” by L. Tolstoy) allows characterizing the two phases of psyche – preceding and accompanying reflection. The first phase represents a “crystallization of distortion subjectivity”, and at times its dissolution. The second phase (situation) launches the personality process, which can be described using the terminology of L. S. Vygotstky as “interiorization" of intersubjective; this is the conscious work that gives a new perspective on the situation and its resolution. Analysis is conducted on the two procedures of reflection itself ‒ reflexive way out to the space of “placelesness” (M. Bakhtin) with the shift of integrity and thingness, and reflexive return (G. Shchedrovitsky). Study of the case of restorative justice demonstrates the organizational-technical attitude towards reflection, communication and ensuring mutual understanding between people separated by crime, as a new moment in comparison with the “individual reflection” as internally determined personality process. The inclusion of reflection into social practices and humanities substantiates the possibility of complementing the concept of subjectivity and its “restoration” with the concept of agency as the proclivity for new actions, acquisition of the “authorial position” in relation to one's personal life and interaction with others.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 186-193
Author(s):  
Helen Rogers

Background/Aims This qualitative study explores the role of nursing leadership in supporting the delivery of compassionate care in a hospital that experienced both an acquisition and merger within 5 years. It aimed to understand the impact that NHS mergers and acquisitions have on a nursing team's capacity to deliver compassionate care to patients and to explore how nursing leadership can support the delivery of compassionate care during these periods. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with seven members of purposively recruited staff, who had lived experience of working at a hospital during an acquisition by a larger NHS trust, followed by a merger with another large NHS trust 5 years later. Results Staff valued authentic, honest and visible nurse leadership that was understanding of the context in which they were delivering care. Ward managers and matrons acted as ‘shock absorbers’ to protect their teams from the negative aspects of the change process. However, this came at an emotional cost and demonstrates the need for continued support structures. Conclusions This case study shows that staff value being able to deliver compassionate care; it gives meaning to their work, especially the ‘small things’. However, the context of care delivery can affect their ability to do this. There remains a great need for emotional support for staff to sustain their resilience in the face of changing staff, policies, practices and clinical models.


Urban History ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Smith

The intention of this paper is to review the ways in which the role of urban elites has been examined and interpreted, and to show how the traditional concepts of social control and hegemony have required modification. The paper identifies two phases of study. The first phase was descriptive, concerned primarily with the identification and categorization of elites. The second phase, which began in the 1980s, was interactional and explored the influence of elites in inter-class relationships. The interactional role of elites is discussed in detail in relation to the exemplar of mid-nineteenth-century Manchester. The paper continues by considering the changes which elites began to undergo in the transitional conditions of the late nineteenth century. The significance of recent work is assessed and the paper concludes with some comments regarding the future direction of study on urban elites.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shona Robinson-Edwards ◽  
Craig Pinkney

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of Ibrahim, an ex-offender who has embraced Islam. Ibrahim professes Islam to be the influential element to his desistance process. This study explores Ibrahim’s journey, emphasising and reflecting upon youth; criminality and religiosity. Much of the current research relating to Black men and offending is limited to masculinity, father absence, gangs and criminality. The role of religiosity in the lives of offenders and/or ex-offenders is often overlooked. The authors suggest that identity, religiosity and desistance can raise a host of complexities while highlighting the unique challenges and benefits experienced by Ibrahim, following the practice of religion. Design/methodology/approach This paper took a qualitative, ethnographic approach, in the form of analysing and exploring Ibrahim’s personal lived experience. The analysis of semi-structured interviews, and reflective diaries, utilising grounded theory allowed the formation of the following three core themes: desistance, religion and identity. Findings The findings within this paper identify an interlink between desistance, religion and identity. The role of religiosity is becoming increasingly more important in academic social science research. This paper highlights the complexities of all three above intersections. Research limitations/implications This paper explores the complexities of religiosity in the desistance process of Ibrahim. Research in relation to former gang members in the UK and the role of religiosity in their lives is fairly under-researched. This paper seeks to build on existing research surrounding gang, further exploring religiosity from a UK context. Practical implications Time spent with Ibrahim had to be tightly scheduled, due to the work commitments of both Ibrahim and the researcher. Therefore, planning had to be done ahead in an efficient manner. Social implications Researching the way individuals experience the world is a “growing phenomenon”. This paper aimed to explore the lived experience of religiosity from the perspective of Ibrahim. However, it was important to not stereotype and label all Black males who have embraced Islam and desisted from crime. Therefore, this paper’s intention is not to stereotype Black men, but to raise awareness and encourage further discussion surrounding the role of religiosity in the lives of ex-offenders’. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, studies specifically focusing on the role of Islam in the life of an ex-offender are few and far between. Therefore, findings from this study are important to develop further understanding surrounding religiosity, offending and desistance. This study explores the lived experiences of Ibrahim, an former gang member and ex-offender who professes Islam to be a fundamental source to his desistance process.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitra Javanmard ◽  
Mary Steen ◽  
Rachael Vernon ◽  
Megan Cooper

BACKGROUND Approximately, 13% of the total Australian midwifery workforce is internationally qualified. Although they play a significant role in the Australian midwifery system, there is limited understanding of their transitional experiences. OBJECTIVE This mixed methods study aims to explore the transitional experiences and perspectives of internationally qualified midwives practising in Australia. METHODS This study uses an explanatory sequential mixed methods design incorporating two phases. The first phase of the study includes an e-survey that will be distributed to internationally qualified midwives in Australia, via the website e-bulletins of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and Australian College of Midwives. Additionally, potential respondents will be recruited via social media (Twitter, Facebook) and associated snowball sampling. At the end of the e-survey, respondents will be asked whether they are willing to take part in an interview. Data from the e-survey will be statistically analysed. The results of the e-survey and literature review will help to develop a guide for interview questions, with these interviews taking place during the second phase. A nested sample of participants will be created using the same selection criteria as for the e-survey. Semi-structured interviews will provide a deeper insight into the transitional experiences of internationally qualified midwives. Data will then be thematically analysed. RESULTS An integration of the e-survey results and interview findings will be synthesised to explore and better understand the transitional experiences of this group of midwives. The resulting data may potentially be used to formulate recommendations for future recruitment and retention practices, and to aid the Australian midwifery workforce in valuing diversity and fostering a supportive work environment. CONCLUSIONS At the time of writing this protocol, data collection had not yet commenced, however collection was subsequently completed in late 2018 and analysis is currently underway. CLINICALTRIAL This study was approved by the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee (Protocol Number: 0000036397).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARTEKS Jurnal Teknik Arsitektur ◽  
Cahyo Septianto Hutomo ◽  
Agus Suharjono Ekomadyo

Local wisdom can be learned through discovery of physical elements of traditional villages, such as spatial layout, architectural objects, and daily activities. The organization prevailing in environment plays an important role in managing a contextual mitigation culture. The co-existence of authority (mandate) masters have the authority of value/cultural capital and to create symbolic elements, such as will or belief. Sindang Barang Cultural Village was taken as a case study to reveal the history and role of the mandate in the culture of disaster mitigation. This study aims to observe the role of the mandate and its impact in disaster mitigation. The role of the mandate is also examined to see the existence of efforts to preserve the values of local wisdom towards the times. This research uses descriptive-qualitative method by tracing the phenomena and artifacts in the field. The analysis carried out in two phases. The first phase is to create a mitigation concept table based on the existing program or artifacts. The second phase is to discuss the mitigation culture based on its classified capacities. The mitigation seen from the Sindang Barang Cultural Village program and artifacts is the risk of fire, earthquake, and landslide. The process of determining a mandate is commensurate with adaptive capacity because this stage tends to lead to restriction or orders about in program that is carried out systematically in particular context.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mohsen Kafi

<p>This is the first systematic study of the selection, promotion, and reception of translated fiction anywhere in New Zealand. The study has two phases. The first draws on the responses of 277 adult readers in Wellington to a questionnaire about their perceptions of translated fiction. The findings reveal that most Wellington readers say they enjoy reading books set in other cultures, but their actual reading is largely English-language oriented. While some respondents expressed a specific interest in reading translated fiction, most prioritised genre and content. Age and ethnicity correlate only weakly with perceptions of translated fiction, but knowledge of one or more second languages is a strong predictor of positive perceptions of translated fiction. The second phase of the study draws on seven semi-structured interviews with representatives from three major book-related entities in Wellington: New Zealand Festival’s Writers Week, Wellington City Libraries (WCL), and Unity Books. The interviews provided first-hand insights into each entity’s policies and practices for selecting and promoting translated fiction. Although its past and current coordinators speak highly of translated literature, Wellington’s Writers Week has seen a significant decline in the number of non-English-speaking writers in the last two decades. Similarly, Unity Books claims to treat all categories of books, including translated fiction, equally, but its commercial practice in fact prioritises certain other categories. Wellington City Libraries, on the other hand, has taken a proactive approach to the promotion of translated fiction, for example through blogs and physical displays. Combined with the survey data, the interview findings demonstrate both the complex nature of reading choices and the challenges of advocating for the enhanced visibility of translated fiction in a largely monolingual context. However, many signs also point to a growing recognition of translated fiction as an important element of eclectic reading. This recognition can lead to positive changes in the future.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-119
Author(s):  
Sahar Saleem ◽  
Dr Vicar Solomon ◽  
Dr Farah Malik

The current study aimed to develop an indigenous, valid and reliable perceived stigmatization in sports scale for female athletes (PSSSFA). Eight in-depth, detailed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with female athletes, whereas, the preliminary item pool of twenty items was administered on 125 female university athletes. The age was 18-24 years (M= 21, SD=1.6). The process of scale development depended upon two phases. The first phase was about construct conceptualization through interviews and the second phase consisted of examining factor structure and reliability of the scale. Perceived Stigmatization in Sports Scale for Female Athletes was developed in Urdu. Total 20 items were developed but the final scale included 18 items with five-point rating scale. On the basis of scree plot and Eigen values, three factors were extracted: Family Stigmatization included 6 items and had .82 reliability, Social Stigmatization included 5 items and had .75 reliability and Effect on Performance included 7 items and had .76 reliability. The overall Cronbach alpha value was .88. The findings of the study tended to investigate factors affecting the perceived stigmatization associated with female athletes and these results would help in providing awareness regarding challenges being faced by female athletes in their respective sports.


2020 ◽  
Vol 833 ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Gurraj Singh ◽  
Munish Gupta ◽  
Vishal S. Sharma

In today’s industrial scenario, the requisite for elevated efficiency, better economic viability and higher quality asks for immense improvements in the cutting process stability. Such machining at higher cutting speeds and cutting depths causes an immense amount of heat generation at the work tool interface. The industry makes utilization of cooling techniques to contravene these ill-effects. These techniques make utilization of chemical coolants which are non-biodegradable in nature and consumed in immense quantities. In this study the role of minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) or green machining was experimentally evaluated when utilizing nanoparticle enriched coolants. The effect on the wear and roughness values while turning commercially pure Titanium (Grade 3) was analyzed. Experimentation was performed in two phases. In the first phase, the comparison in dry, flood and MQL process was made. The experimental design was composed factorially and 16 experiments were performed. Analysis was carried out utilizing ANOVA and the results were compared. In the second phase, a graphical cognation was established between the coolant application rate with both surface roughness and flank wear values. It was concluded that the nanoparticle enriched coolant i.e. the “eco nanomist”technique was more efficacious when machining the biocompatible Titanium grade 3.


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