scholarly journals PROMOTION OF CULTURAL GENERATIVITY TO SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL AGING IN ALASKA NATIVE COMMUNITIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S830-S830
Author(s):  
Steffi M Kim ◽  
Jordan P Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Alaska Native ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Native Communities ◽  
School Activities ◽  
Meaningful Engagement ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The psychological construct of generativity encompasses a person’s motivation to leave a legacy for future generations by investing in acts that will outlive the self (Ericson, 1950). Lewis and Allen (2017) outlined the importance of generativity within AN cultures (caring for the future of our youth) and expanded Erikson’s western-based definition by adding the indigenous cultural generativity component to describe and incorporate Alaska Native specific cultural elements. These culturally based elements involve giving back to family and community including guidance and teaching of future generations (Lewis & Allen, 2017). Generativity within western societies accentuates independent achievements and successes more than the notion to care for future generations. This study is part of a larger community-based, exploratory, study between researchers and communities to explore successful aging that included 42 Alaska Native Elders in the Norton-Sound subregion, 21 Alaska Native Elders from the Aleutian Pribilof Islands, and 26 Elders from the Bristol Bay region. Qualitative interviews explored the participant’s life, influences on aging well, and their aging process. Thematic analysis was used to investigate the impact of generativity on successful aging was used to establish codes and main themes based on the three different cultural regions of Alaska. The findings suggest that generativity promotes successful aging. Elders who live in communities that promote community engagement, support family and school activities, and maintain and/or revitalize culture and traditions reported increased emotional well-being. Results can guide communities to incorporate or support cultural activities that promote generative activities and meaningful engagement which fosters successful aging.

scholarly journals SUCCESSFUL AGING IN ALASKA NATIVE ELDERS ACROSS DIVERSE REGIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S830-S831
Author(s):  
Steffi M Kim ◽  
Eric Wortman ◽  
Keri Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Alaska Native ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Bristol Bay ◽  
Historical Perspectives ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Social Components ◽  
Specific Health

Abstract Existing conceptualizations of successful aging are mainly based on Western cultures, ignoring the inclusion or exploration of culturally-relevant knowledge within the experience of successful aging. Lewis (2011) drew on the experiences of Elders and identified four elements of Eldership (successfully aging elders) in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska: “a) emotional well-being, b) community engagement, c) spirituality, and d) physical health” (p. 544). Given the unique and distinct environmental locations of this study, this presentation builds upon Lewis previous research and will highlight similarities and differences of Alaska Native successful aging between three rural geographic areas of Alaska. 42 Alaska Native Elders were interviewed from the Norton-Sound subregion, 21 Alaska Native Elders from the Aleutian Pribilof Islands, and 26 Elders from the Bristol Bay region. A community-based, exploratory, qualitative research methodology was used to allow for the collaboration of researchers and communities as equal partners. Qualitative interviews explored the participant’s life, influences on aging well, and their aging process. Thematic analysis was used to establish codes and main themes based on the three different cultural regions of Alaska. Results argue for the expansion and emphasize on social components, historical perspectives, and the importance of place (cultural and geographic differences), as well as generativity and gerotranscendence. Findings will be used to develop community-specific health promotion and prevention programs to help Elders find meaningful activities that promote health and teach individuals to cope with aging-related changes.

scholarly journals Successful Aging in the North: Lessons Learned, Lessons Shared, and Advice From Those Aging in a Good Way in Alaska

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 424-424
Author(s):  
Jordan Lewis ◽  
Steffi Kim
Keyword(s):  
Alaska Native ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Bristol Bay ◽  
Aging Model

Abstract This presentation presents and builds upon the Alaska Native Successful Aging model. Elders’ conceptions of successful aging differ from the Western model, how rural and urban environments influence successful aging, and the lessons Elders pass down to ensure a healthy lifestyle are not common in the literature. 42 Alaska Native Elders from the Norton-Sound sub region of Alaska, 21 Alaska Native Elders from the Aleutian Pribilof Islands, 26 Elders from the Bristol Bay region, and 12 Elders residing in Anchorage, AK to provide an urban context of successful aging. A community-based, exploratory, qualitative research methodology was used to allow for co-learning between research team and tribal communities. 101 qualitative interviews were conducted, and team-based thematic analysis was used to establish codes and main themes to expand the Alaska Native Successful Aging model. We learned that emotional well-being, community engagement, spirituality, family and purposeful engagement, and physical health were instrumental in promoting successful aging within Norton Sound and Bristol Bay. These findings expanded Lewis’s model to include gerotranscendence and generativity; Elders intentional relationships and stronger connections to traditional cultural and spiritual activities gave life deeper meaning and value. These findings argue the importance of including and emphasizing social components, historical perspective, and the importance of place, as well as generativity and gerotranscendence in program and policy development.

scholarly journals Vision-related quality of life in adults with severe peripheral vision loss: a qualitative interview study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Lange ◽  
Abigail Kumagai ◽  
Sara Weiss ◽  
Katherine B. Zaffke ◽  
Sherry Day ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures may not be relevant to the full range of functional and vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) concerns of individuals with vision impairment due to severe peripheral field loss (PFL). Measurement of VR-QOL in severe PFL is important in order to determine the effectiveness of vision rehabilitation interventions for this population. The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of severe PFL due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and glaucoma on VR-QOL as the initial phase in the development of a novel PRO measure. Methods Individuals with severe PFL due to RP or glaucoma were recruited from the Kellogg Eye Center and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Participants completed semi-structured qualitative interviews, the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire and the RAND 36-Item Health Survey. Interviews were analyzed by two coders using thematic analysis. A matrix analysis was conducted to compare VR-QOL by cause of severe PFL. Sample size was determined by thematic saturation. Results The study included 37 participants (19 RP, 18 glaucoma). Median best-corrected visual acuity for those with RP and glaucoma was 20/40 and 20/27.5, while Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity was 1.2 log contrast sensitivity (logCS) and 1.1 logCS, respectively. Median domain scores on the IVI (reading, mobility, well-being) ranged from a low of − 0.2 to a high of 0.7 logits in those with RP and from 0.5 to 1.2 logits in those with glaucoma. Qualitative interviews identified six VR-QOL themes relevant across participants with both RP and glaucoma, including activity limitations, driving, emotional well-being, reading, mobility, and social function. VR-QOL concerns were largely consistent among those with severe PFL due to RP and glaucoma. These overarching themes contained content relevant to specific challenges related to severe PFL. Conclusions There are commonly occurring VR-QOL concerns among individuals with severe PFL due to RP and glaucoma. The outlined themes will serve as the basis for development of the Low Vision Severely Constricted Peripheral Eyesight (LV-SCOPE) Questionnaire.

scholarly journals International Students’ Perceptions and Experiences of British Drinking Cultures

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 572-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Thurnell-Read ◽  
Lorraine Brown ◽  
Philip Long
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Drinking Habits ◽  
Public House ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

While the increased scale and importance of international students to the UK Higher Education sector is now well established, little is known about the ways in which students from non-UK countries experience and interact with the heavy drinking culture that predominates on and near many British universities. Drawing on qualitative interviews, this article analyses the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of British drinking cultures held by international students studying on postgraduate courses at a UK university. Students report prior awareness of alcohol consumption being important to British culture and recount both positive and negative experiences of witnessing and, for many, participating in drinking alcohol. Students make ready comparisons with the drinking habits and attitudes of their own culture. Further still, many made a distinction between the public house, or ‘pub’, as a welcoming and friendly social space, and bars and nightclubs, where a far greater risk of exposure to violence and harassment was perceived. The article provides theoretical insights to support future and more wide-ranging research into mobile drinking cultures and also suggests practical implications to inform stakeholders with interests in the welfare of international students in the UK in relation to the provision of effective and proactive policies which address the impact of British drinking cultures on international student integration and well-being.

The emergence of personal growth amongst healthcare professionals who care for dying children

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Beaune ◽  
Barbara Muskat ◽  
Samantha J. Anthony
Keyword(s):  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Dying Children ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTObjective:Compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious traumatization are prominent topics in the current literature on the impact of the rewarding but challenging work of healthcare professionals who care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. The positive effects of caregiving constitute a newly emerging outcome that has been relatively unexplored in the pediatric literature, and yet they may play an important role in contributing to the satisfaction and well-being of the healthcare professionals who care for children who have a life-limiting illness.Method:This paper reports the results of a secondary analysis of qualitative interview transcripts that explored the experiences of hospital-based pediatric healthcare providers caring for children with varied life-limiting illnesses. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 healthcare professionals (9 social workers, 8 nurses, and 8 physicians). The majority of participants were women (80%), with an age range between 20 and 60 years, and most (84%) had the experience of caring for more than 15 dying children. Thematic analysis was conducted using interpretive description and constant comparison.Results:Every healthcare professional interviewed experienced personal growth as a result of their providing care for dying children. Three dimensions of personal growth were most consistently reported: (1) new or altered life perspectives, (2) enhanced personal resources, and (3) benevolence.Significance of results:A deeper understanding of the phenomenon of personal growth could help healthcare organizations to implement innovative approaches that would counterbalance compassion fatigue, and thereby enhance both healthcare provider well-being and child and family outcomes.

Mothers’ Experiences of Parenting Within the Context of Intimate Partner Violence: Unique Challenges and Resilience

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988386
Author(s):  
Alison Fogarty ◽  
Hannah Woolhouse ◽  
Rebecca Giallo ◽  
Catherine Wood ◽  
Jordy Kaufman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
First Child ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Maternal and child health are strongly linked, particularly in the presence of intimate partner violence (IPV). Women who experience IPV are at increased risk of negative physical and mental health difficulties. However, little is known about the experience of mothering within the context of IPV and what mothers perceive as contributing to resilience. This study had two aims. First, to explore women’s experience and perceived challenges associated with being a mother within the context of being in a relationship where IPV is being used. Second, to explore what mothers found helpful in coping during this experience. A nested qualitative sub-study was conducted within a prospective study of mothers during pregnancy and following the birth of their first child. Nine women who reported experiencing IPV since becoming pregnant with their first child participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews, which were then transcribed and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three subthemes emerged within the theme of unique challenges experienced by mothers. These were partner control over parenting, other disrespectful and controlling behavior, and emotional exhaustion. Within the theme of mothers’ sense of resilience and coping, career development, making sense of experiences, focusing on children, and help-seeking played important roles in helping mothers manage these difficulties. Our findings highlighted the impact that IPV can have on the experience of mothering and the importance of prioritizing women’s health and well-being. Finally, these findings emphasize the importance of health-care professionals identifying and acknowledging the signs of IPV to support women to speak out about their experiences.

The Impact of COVID-19 on American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: A Call for Better Relational Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (5) ◽  
pp. 801-803
Author(s):  
Mary J. Owen ◽  
Michael A. Sundberg ◽  
Jackie Dionne ◽  
Anna Wirta Kosobuski
Keyword(s):  
American Indian ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Relational Models ◽  
Native Communities ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The Impact of Major Events on the Lives of Family Caregivers of Children with Disabilities

1996 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 502-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. McDonald ◽  
Graciela Couchonnal ◽  
Theresa Early
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
School Activities ◽  
Children's Behavior ◽  
The Family ◽  
Families With Children ◽  
The Impact

The authors examine the family caregiving experience among families with children with severe emotional disabilities from a perspective that recognizes the importance of the family's views and feelings. This viewpoint anticipates the occurrence of both positive and negative experiences and seeks to illuminate the caregiving process from the perspective of outcomes achieved. Family caregivers of 164 children with serious emotional disorders were asked to identify major pleasant and stressful events that had occurred in the past 12 months. The most frequently described pleasant events related to children's behavior, school activities, and interactions with professionals and friends. Frequently described problem areas included children's behavior, professionals/services, and difficulty with school. The impact of these pleasant and stressful events was examined with respect to caregivers' perceived well-being: (1) overall stress, (2) the ability to fulfill responsibilities, and (3) pleasure experienced in various life domains. Implications of the study findings for supporting family caregivers in their roles are discussed.

scholarly journals Enhanced academic motivation in university students following a 2-week online gratitude journal intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norberto Eiji Nawa ◽  
Noriko Yamagishi
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Academic Motivation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
School Activities ◽  
Academic Settings ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gratitude Interventions

Abstract Background Past studies have associated gratitude interventions with a host of positive outcomes. However, there is a dearth of research regarding the impact such interventions have on the academic motivation of university students, thought to be a primary determinant of academic achievement and overall satisfaction with school activities. Here, we examined the effects of a 2-week online gratitude journal intervention on the academic motivation of university students. Methods Eighty-four students were randomly assigned to either an active manipulation group (gratitude group) or a neutral control group. In the first 6 days of each week, participants in the gratitude group were asked to log in to the online system once a day and list up to five things they had felt grateful for. They were also requested to evaluate various aspects of their daily lives. Participants in the control group were only requested to perform the daily self-evaluations. Academic motivation was assessed using the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), which conceptualizes motivation in academic settings as being composed by three different components, i.e., intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and amotivation, the latter being associated with the perceived lack of contingency between actions and outcomes. Responses were collected 5 times: before group assignment (baseline), 1 week after the start of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and at two follow-ups, 1 and 3 months after the intervention. Results Analysis using a self-determination index derived from the AMS components showed that participants who regularly engaged with the gratitude journal task displayed significant enhancements in academic motivation. Additional analysis revealed that the enhancements were driven by decreases in the levels of amotivation. Furthermore, follow-up data showed that there were no signs that such enhancements had receded 3 months after the end of the intervention. Improvements in academic motivation were not observed among participants in the control group. Conclusions The current results provide evidence that gratitude interventions can positively impact the academic motivation of university students. More broadly, they show that the effects extend well beyond the realm of typically assessed measures of individual well-being, and can effectively regulate a fundamental component of goal-directed behavior such as motivation.

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