scholarly journals Men and loneliness in the Covid-19 pandemic: insights from an interview study with UK-based men

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Ratcliffe ◽  
Paul Galdas ◽  
Mona Kanaan
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Men's Experience ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

As the SARS-COV-2 pandemic hit, the UK, like many countries, introduced severe restrictions on social contact, and injunctions of 'social distancing', to reduce transmission. This led to a concern that loneliness may increase, facilitating poorer mental and physical health. Twenty qualitative interviews were conducted, with a diverse group of UK-based men, between January and March 2021, during severe restrictions. Our aim was to generate new insights into men's experience of loneliness during the pandemic, and consider the ramifications of these for continued/future restrictions, the easing of restrictions, and the future beyond the pandemic. Thematic analysis, focused on semantic themes, was employed as part of a 'grounded' epistemology whereby the stated perspectives of the interviewees drove the content of the study. Six themes were constructed: i) people to see and things to do (broken, changed, and new); ii) rethought and renewed recognition of what is important; iii) loneliness with a purpose; iv) loneliness as normal; v) anxiety of social contact; and vi) easier for some than others. The restrictions did cause some loneliness, particularly because of lost routines and opportunities, and the reduction in face-to-face interaction. However, a need to reduce transmission of SARS-COV-2, and a fear of catching it, became important features of participants lives that also affected loneliness and its causes. Remote forms of interaction were often utilised, and though they were imperfect, those that were dependable, were smaller than might be desired in person, and ensured a chance to speak, were constructed as more positive. The fear of Covid-19, and a loss of social skills, may mean that reducing restrictions alone will not return everyone to pre-pandemic levels of loneliness. Some believed the building of supportive local communities, and a destigmatisation of loneliness, may allow for the building of a more compassionate and less lonely society.

scholarly journals Implications of COVID-19 on the Loneliness of Older Adults in Residential Care Homes

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110509
Author(s):  
Ken H. M. Ho ◽  
Agnes K. P. Mak ◽  
Rosenna W. M. Chung ◽  
Doris Y. L. Leung ◽  
Vico C. L. Chiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
Familiar World

With little understandings on the loneliness of older adults in residential care homes structured by social contact restrictions, the provision of person-centered care was jeopardized during the pandemic. This study employed hermeneutic phenomenology to explore the lived experiences of loneliness of this population during a 5-month period of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted unstructured face-to-face interviews with 15 older adults living in seven residential care homes. Thematic analysis was guided by Van Manen’s approach. The essence of loneliness was uncovered as “A deprived sense of self-significance in a familiar world contributes to older adult’s disconnection with prior commitments.” A sub-theme “From collapse to dissolution of self-understanding” revealed how COVID-19 structured their loneliness. Another sub-theme, “Restoring meanings by establishing connections with entities” illustrated the ways to mitigate loneliness during the pandemic. Activities fostering alternative self-interpretation are important to protect older adults against loneliness.

scholarly journals Connection, constraint, and coping: A qualitative study of experiences of loneliness during the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258344
Author(s):  
Phoebe E. McKenna-Plumley ◽  
Lisa Graham-Wisener ◽  
Emma Berry ◽  
Jenny M. Groarke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Personal Relationships ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Foreseeable Future ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Coping

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated physical distancing which is expected to continue in some form for the foreseeable future. Physical distancing policies have increased reliance on digital forms of social connection and there are widespread concerns about social isolation and mental health in this context. This qualitative study sought to understand how loneliness was experienced during physical distancing in the initial national UK COVID-19 lockdown. Eight individuals who reported feeling lonely during the initial lockdown were interviewed in May 2020. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (1) Loss of in-person interaction causing loneliness, (2) Constrained freedom, (3) Challenging emotions, and (4) Coping with loneliness. The loss of in-person interaction contributed to feelings of loneliness and digital interaction was viewed as an insufficient alternative. Social freedom could be constrained by distancing policies and by social contacts, contributing to strained personal relationships and feelings of frustration as part of loneliness. Fluctuations in mood and difficult emotions were experienced alongside loneliness, and distraction and seeking reconnection were commonly reported methods of coping, although they were less accessible. These findings indicate that physical distancing measures can impact loneliness due to the limitations they impose on in-person social contact and the perceived insufficiency of digital contact as a substitute.

scholarly journals “You’re just there, alone in your room with your thoughts” A qualitative study about the impact of lockdown among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. McKinlay ◽  
Tom May ◽  
Joanna Dawes ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and young adults have been greatly affected by quarantine measures during the coronavirus-19 pandemic. Quantitative evidence suggests that many young people have struggled with their mental health throughout “lockdown”, but little is understood about the qualitative impact of social distancing restrictions on mental health, wellbeing and social life. We therefore sought to elicit the views and experiences of adolescents and young adults living in the UK during the pandemic.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 37 participants aged 13-24.ResultsWe identified 4 superordinate themes most commonly described by participants about their experiences during the pandemic, including: a) missing social contact during lockdown, b) disruption to education, c) changes to social relationships, and d) improved wellbeing during lockdown. Although we identified some positive experiences during the pandemic, including an increased awareness of mental health and stronger relationship ties, many said they struggled with loneliness, a decline in mental health, and anxiety about socialising after the pandemic.ConclusionsFindings suggest that some young people may have felt less stigma talking about their mental health now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many are worried about how the pandemic has affected their education and social connections and may require additional psychological, practical and social support. Our findings highlight the important role that education providers play in providing a source of information and support to adolescents and young adults during times of uncertainty.

scholarly journals Talking about smoking cessation with postnatal women: exploring midwives' experiences

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 760-766
Author(s):  
Rhona Reardon ◽  
Sarah Grogan
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Family Approach ◽  
Stop Smoking ◽  
Postnatal Women ◽  
The Uk

This study explores midwives' experiences of talking to postnatal women about smoking cessation. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were held with seven midwives based in the UK. Thematic analysis identified themes which provided understanding as to factors determining discussion of smoking cessation. Six themes were identified, namely postnatal women factors, midwife factors, providing information, involving others, priorities, and whole family approach. Implications for midwives working with postnatal women are discussed, including the need to increase the involvement of other healthcare professionals in supporting postnatal women to stop smoking.

scholarly journals ‘You all look the same’: Non-Muslim men who suffer Islamophobic hate crime in the post-Brexit era

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 585-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Awan ◽  
Irene Zempi
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Hate Crime ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Muslim Men ◽  
The Uk

Existing research on Islamophobic hate crime has examined in detail the verbal, physical and emotional attacks against Muslims. However, the experiences of non-Muslim men who suffer Islamophobic hate crime because they look Muslim remain ‘invisible’ in both official statistics and empirical research. Drawing on data from qualitative interviews with 20 non-Muslim men based in the United Kingdom, we examined their lived experiences of Islamophobic hate crime. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. A deductive approach to thematic analysis was adopted to analyse participants’ narratives, and six overarching themes were developed: (1) nature of Islamophobic hate crime; (2) triggers of Islamophobic hate crime; (3) impact of Islamophobic hate crime; (4) reporting incidents, responses and barriers to Islamophobic hate; (5) victims’ coping strategies; and (6) recommendations on tackling the problem. Our findings show that participants experienced Islamophobic hate crime because of ‘trigger’ events, namely the Brexit vote, Donald Trump’s presidency and ISIS-inspired terrorist attacks in European countries such as France, Germany, Sweden and the UK. Participants described being verbally and physically attacked, threatened and harassed as well as their property being damaged. The impacts upon victims included physical, emotional, psychological and economic damage. These experiences were also damaging to community cohesion and led to polarization between different communities in the UK.

scholarly journals Bridging the Gap: Parent and Child Perspectives of Living With Cerebral Visual Impairments

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trudy Goodenough ◽  
Anna Pease ◽  
Cathy Williams
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Ocular Motility ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
The Impact

Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) is an umbrella term which includes abnormalities in visual acuity, or contrast sensitivity or colour; ocular motility; visual field and the conscious and unconscious filtering or processing of visual input. Children with CVI have specific needs and problems relating to their development from infancy to adulthood which can impact on their wellbeing. Recent research indicates the complexities of living with CVI but there remains limited information of the full impact of CVI on families’ everyday lives. The qualitative interviews reported here explored families’ experiences to discover the impact of CVI on all aspects of everyday life. Parents and children (aged 6–18) were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews, either face to face, by phone or video call between January 2018 and February 2019. Topics covered everyday practicalities of living with CVI, focusing on challenges and what worked well at school and home. Interviews were audio-recorded and subject to thematic analysis to look for patterns across the data. Twenty families took part in interviews, with eight children/young people within those families contributing interviews of their own. Four themes were developed from the interviews: (1) Assessment and understanding implications of CVI, (2) Education, (3) Family life, (4) Psychological wellbeing and quality of life. The interviews provide valuable insights into the impact of living with CVI and highlight the need for more awareness of the condition among professionals in both health and education settings.

scholarly journals Expectant parents' perceptions of healthcare and support during COVID-19 in the UK: A thematic analysis.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezra Aydin ◽  
Kevin A Glasgow ◽  
Staci Weiss ◽  
Topun Austin ◽  
Mark Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Uk

Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, expectant parents experienced changes in the availability and uptake of both NHS community and hospital-based healthcare. Objective: To examine how COVID-19 and its societal related restrictions have impacted the provision of healthcare support for pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A thematic analysis using an inductive approach was undertaken of data from open-ended responses using data from the national COVID in Context of Pregnancy, Infancy and Parenting (CoCoPIP) Study online survey (N = 507 families). Results: The overarching theme identified was the way in which the changes to healthcare provision increased parents' anxiety levels, and feelings of not being supported. Five sub-themes, associated with the first wave of the pandemic, were identified: (1) rushed and/or fewer antenatal appointments, (2) lack of sympathy from healthcare workers, (3) lack of face-to-face appointments, (4) requirement to attend appointments without a partner, and (5) requirement to use PPE. A sentiment analysis, that used quantitative techniques, revealed participant responses to be predominantly negative (50.1%), with a smaller proportion of positive (21.8%) and neutral (28.1%) responses found. Conclusion: This study provides evidence indicating that the changes to healthcare services for pregnant women during the pandemic increased feelings of anxiety and have left women feeling inadequately supported. Our findings highlight the need for compensatory social and emotional support for new and expectant parents while COVID-19 related restrictions continue to impact on family life and society.

scholarly journals Postpartum women’s psychological experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: a modified recurrent cross-sectional thematic analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Jackson ◽  
Leonardo De Pascalis ◽  
Joanne A. Harrold ◽  
Victoria Fallon ◽  
Sergio A. Silverio
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Psychological Experiences ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Primary Support

Abstract Background COVID-19 has placed additional stressors on mothers during an already vulnerable lifecourse transition. Initial social distancing restrictions (Timepoint 1; T1) and initial changes to those social distancing restrictions (Timepoint 2; T2) have disrupted postpartum access to practical and emotional support. This qualitative study explores the postpartum psychological experiences of UK women during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated ‘lockdowns’. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women, approximately 30 days after initial social distancing guidelines were imposed in the UK (22 April 2020). A separate 12 women were interviewed approximately 30 days after the initial easing of social distancing restrictions (10 June 2020). Data were transcribed verbatim, uploaded into NVivo for management and analysis, which followed a recurrent cross-sectional approach to thematic analysis. Results Two main themes were identified for T1: ‘Motherhood is Much Like Lockdown’ and ‘A Self-Contained Family Unit’. Each main T1 theme contained two sub-themes. Two main themes were also identified for T2: ‘Incongruously Held Views of COVID-19’ and ‘Mothering Amidst the Pandemic’. Each main T2 theme contained three sub-themes. Comparisons between data gathered at each timepoint identified increased emotional distress over time. Current findings call for the improvement of postpartum care by improving accessibility to social support, and prioritising the re-opening of schools, and face-to-face healthcare appointments and visitation. Conclusion Social distancing restrictions associated with COVID-19 have had a cumulative, negative effect on postpartum mental health. Recommendations such as: Allowing mothers to ‘bubble’ with a primary support provider even at their healthcare appointments; allowing one support partner to attend all necessary healthcare appointments; and providing tailored informational resources, may help to support postpartum emotional wellbeing during this, and similar health crises in the future.

scholarly journals Exploring the experience of Gamblers Anonymous meetings during COVID-19: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy L. Penfold ◽  
Jane Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Social ◽  
Gamblers Anonymous ◽  
The Uk

AbstractWhilst much research has explored the possible causes and consequences of gambling, Gamblers Anonymous (GA) − one of the most accessed forms of support for gamblers - has been largely overlooked and, to date, only a few studies have explored how members experience this programme. Core to GA is the social interaction between members. From March 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic forced GA to move their meetings online. The present qualitative study therefore explored how GA members experienced these online meetings in the absence of actual face to face interactions with others. Individual telephone or video call interviews (n = 21) were carried out with members of GA in the UK and analysed using Thematic Analysis. The results described three main themes: (1) ‘practicalities of GA in lockdown’, which highlighted the practical benefits of online meetings such as more opportunity to attend different meetings, which in turn expanded participants’ perspectives and social networks; (2) ‘the importance of relationships in GA’, reflecting strong and enduring social networks that were created, maintained, and strengthened by feelings of solidarity; and (3) ‘therapeutic elements of the meetings’, such as psychological contract making which helped participants to stay abstinent. Transcending these themes was a tension between individual versus group identity with interviewees reporting a shift to focusing more on their own needs rather than those of the group. Overall, whilst still providing a lifeline during COVID-19 and offering some practical benefits, the online GA meetings were not able to completely replicate the value individuals gained from face to face meetings. This transition also resulted in disruptions both to group dynamics and to individual interactions within each group, ultimately resulting in participants behaving more individualistically and less collectively than in face-to-face meetings.

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