scholarly journals “Tell them you smoke, you’ll get more breaks”: a qualitative study of occupational and social contexts of young adult smoking in Scotland

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e023951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Delaney ◽  
Andrew MacGregor ◽  
Amanda Amos
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Smoking Behaviour ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Work Breaks ◽  
Smoking Uptake ◽  
Perceived Desirability

ObjectiveTo explore young adults’ perceptions and experiences of smoking and their smoking trajectories in the context of their social and occupational histories and transitions, in a country with advanced tobacco control.DesignIndepth qualitative interviews using day and life grids to explore participants’ smoking behaviour and trajectories in relation to their educational, occupational and social histories and transitions.SettingScotland.ParticipantsFifteen ever-smokers aged 20–24 years old in 2016–2017.ResultsParticipants had varied and complex educational/employment histories. Becoming and/or remaining a smoker was often related to social context and educational/occupational transitions. In several contexts smoking and becoming a smoker had perceived benefits. These included getting work breaks and dealing with stress and boredom, which were common in the low-paid, unskilled jobs undertaken by participants. In some social contexts smoking was used as a marker of time out and sociability.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that while increased tobacco control, including smokefree policies, and social disapproval of smoking discourage smoking uptake and increase motivations to quit among young adults, in some social and occupational contexts smoking still has perceived benefits. This finding helps explain why smoking uptake continues into the mid-20s. It also highlights the importance of policies that reduce the perceived desirability of smoking and that create more positive working environments for young adults which address the types of working hours and conditions that may encourage smoking.

Smoking to fit a stigmatised identity? A qualitative study of marginalised young people in Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marita Hefler ◽  
Stacy M Carter
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Smoking Behaviour ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Structural Inequality ◽  
Former Smokers ◽  
Smoking Uptake ◽  
The Impact

In countries with comprehensive tobacco control, smoking is increasingly denormalised, with smokers subject to social stigmatisation. Qualitative research and commentary about denormalisation and stigma has largely focused on the impact on current or former smokers. Little attention has been given to the interaction between existing stigma among socially marginalised and disadvantaged young people and its role in smoking uptake, maintenance and resistance to quitting, or remaining a non-smoker. This article draws on a qualitative (grounded theory) study of young people aged 16–25 years who attended social services for at-risk youth in an inner city area in Australia, to explore the intersection between stigmatised identity and smoking in a context of increasing smoking denormalisation. Drawing on theoretical conceptualisations of stigma, we outline processes by which participants accept and apply social labels, internalise or distance themselves from stigmatised identities, and the influence of labelling on smoking trajectories, to demonstrate how the persistent dilemma of stigma shapes and reinforces smoking behaviour. The study highlights the need for tobacco control initiatives to align and integrate with broader initiatives to address structural inequality and social disadvantage.

Safe Spaces: Gay-Straight Alliances in High School

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Fetner ◽  
Athena Elafros ◽  
Sandra Bortolin ◽  
Coralee Drechsler
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High School ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
High Schools ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Safe Space ◽  
Safe Spaces ◽  
Complex Concept ◽  
The People

In activists' circles as in sociology, the concept "safe space" has beenapplied to all sorts of programs, organizations, and practices. However,few studies have specified clearly what safe spaces are and how theysupport the people who occupy them. In this paper, we examine one sociallocation typically understood to be a safe space: gay-straight alliancegroups in high schools. Using qualitative interviews with young adults inthe United States and Canada who have participated in gay-straightalliances, we examine the experiences of safe spaces in these groups. Weunpack this complex concept to consider some of the dimensions along whichsafe spaces might vary. Participants identified several types of safespace, and from their observations we derive three inter-related dimensionsof safe space: social context, membership and activity.

scholarly journals Time to Work—Opposing Political Rationality with Young Peoples’ Experiences of Working in a Mandatory Activation Context in Norway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Moen Gjersøe ◽  
Anne Leseth
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Work Time ◽  
Temporal Dimension ◽  
Work Relations ◽  
Political Discourses ◽  
Political Rationality ◽  
Employment Education ◽  
Linear Manner

AbstractThis paper argues that young people, targeted by activation policies, had several temporal experiences with work that can contribute to broadening our understanding of labour market policy for this group of young people. By drawing on qualitative interviews with young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET) in a Norwegian activation context, and by applying anthropological and sociological concepts on temporality and work time in our analysis, we question how time is constructed and reproduced in the establishment of work relations among this group of people. We argue that political discourses of work inclusion for young adults (NEETs) tend to portray work as a means to an end for inclusion. In doing so, they fail to address the complex temporal dimension of work. We find that young adults have a range of complex experiences where disparity between formal and informal aspects of work becomes visible. The temporal dimension of these experiences and the relativity of speed in getting a job are not experienced in a linear manner but as churning between getting a job, having a job, and losing a job.

The Path to Adulthood: A Mixed-Methods Approach to the Exploration of the Experiences of Unaccompanied Minors in Portugal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Moleiro ◽  
Sandra Roberto
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Autobiographical Narratives ◽  
Unaccompanied Minors ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Age Of Majority ◽  
The Voice

Abstract Unaccompanied minors who reach the age of majority often experience this transition as a complex stage. Insecurity and helplessness may arise and, in some cases, survival without the support of the institutions and services that previously protected them as minors in the host country may mean becoming at risk for social exclusion. The objective of the present study was to characterize unaccompanied minors in Portugal (N = 67) and understand the processes of transition into the age of majority, using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews on autobiographical narratives) methodologies were used as a means of acknowledging the voice of minors/young adults in their trajectories and experiences. Two groups were included, with minors (in residential care) and youths who had already reached adulthood (living independently). Results illustrate diverse reasons for arrival in Portugal and distinct strengths and struggles in the integration experiences, with both positive and negative aspects being identified in the transition to autonomy.

scholarly journals Use of symptom checkers for COVID-19-related symptoms among university students: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjinnov-2020-000498
Author(s):  
Stephanie Aboueid ◽  
Samantha B Meyer ◽  
James R Wallace ◽  
Shreya Mahajan ◽  
Teeyaa Nur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

ObjectiveSymptom checkers are potentially beneficial tools during pandemics. To increase the use of the platform, perspectives of end users must be gathered. Our objectives were to understand the perspectives and experiences of young adults related to the use of symptom checkers for assessing COVID-19-related symptoms and to identify areas for improvement.MethodsWe conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 22 young adults (18–34 years of age) at a university in Ontario, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsWe identified six main themes related to the decision of using a symptom checker for COVID-19 symptoms: (1) presence of symptoms or a combination of symptoms, (2) knowledge about COVID-19 symptoms, (3) fear of seeking in-person healthcare services, (4) awareness about symptom checkers, (5) paranoia and (6) curiosity. Participants who used symptom checkers shared by governmental entities reported an overall positive experience. Individuals who used non-credible sources reported suboptimal experiences due to lack of perceived credibility. Five main areas for improvement were identified: (1) information about the creators of the platform, (2) explanation of symptoms, (3) personalised experience, (4) language options, and (5) option to get tested.ConclusionsThis study suggests an increased acceptance of symptom checkers due to the perceived risks of infection associated with seeking in-person healthcare services. Symptom checkers have the potential to reduce the burden on healthcare systems and health professionals, especially during pandemics; however, these platforms could be improved to increase use.

scholarly journals Places and social contexts associated with simultaneous use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana among young adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Lipperman-Kreda ◽  
Mallie J. Paschall ◽  
Saltz Robert F. ◽  
Christopher N. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Simultaneous Use

scholarly journals Social Aspects of Health Communication – Towards a Research Agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. I-IV
Author(s):  
Sarah Geber ◽  
Tobias Frey ◽  
Thomas N. Friemel
Keyword(s):  
Health Communication ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Individual

Health and health-related behaviours are embedded in social contexts in various ways which comprise both risks and opportunities for health communication. We propose a research agenda on social aspects of health communication and introduce the articles of the present special issue. Owing to the complexity of individuals’ social contexts, the research agenda addresses questions lying at the individual, interpersonal, and societal levels. The issue’s articles cover different and highly relevant questions of this research agenda, ranging from stigmatisation to impression management to collective action and from experimental designs to qualitative interviews and netnography. In sum, the articles demonstrate not only the diversity but also the relevance of academic research on social aspects of health communication. We expect that this topic will continue gaining importance, given the ongoing digitalisation of the media environment and the increasing interconnectedness of producers and users, doctors and patients, and experts and laypersons.

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