P64 Understanding paradoxically low rates of self-harm in a deprived, ethnically diverse urban community in the UK: a thematic analysis of qualitative interviews and focus groups

This article explores how academics in different disciplines articulate the role creativity plays in their work. Instead of attempting to test a pre-existing theoretical model of creativity, 32 qualitative interviews and 4 focus groups were conducted in which 7 academics working in diverse fields were encouraged to explore creativity in their own terms and discuss the extent to which it was relevant in their disciplines. Thematic analysis of their data generated a number of themes; those presented here describe the relationship between creativity and disciplinarity. Participants in different fields shared a tendency to characterise creative work as drawing on ideas and practices commonly utilised in their particular discipline but also requiring methods and styles of thinking falling outside those norms. Creative work in academic disciplines, therefore, may require both a fluency in one’s own disciplinary ways of working and the capacity to transcend those conventions when required. Practitioners in different disciplines placed different degrees of emphasis on these two elements and drew upon different language when describing the relationship between them. This paper uses these points of comparison to investigate how ideas about creative working interact with and sometimes transcend disciplinary contexts.

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Living the ‘Best Life’ or ‘One Size Fits All’—Stakeholder Perceptions of Racehorse Welfare

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9040134 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 134 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Deborah Butler ◽

Mathilde Valenchon ◽

Rachel Annan ◽

Helen Whay ◽

Siobhan Mullan

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Human Relationship ◽

Welfare Assessment ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Main Challenge ◽

Animal Welfare Science ◽

The Uk

The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions held by British racing industry stakeholders of factors influencing racehorse welfare. Ten focus groups were held across the UK with a total of 42 stakeholders from a range of roles within racehorse care including trainers, stable staff and veterinarians. Participants took part in three exercises. Firstly, to describe the scenarios of a ‘best life’ and the minimum welfare standards a horse in training could be living under. Secondly, to identify the main challenges for racehorse welfare and thirdly, to recall any innovative or uncommon practices to improve welfare they had witnessed. Using thematic analysis, eight themes emerged from the first exercise. Two strands, factors that contribute to maintaining health and the horse-human relationship ran through all eight themes. Across all themes horses living the ‘best life’ were perceived as being treated as individuals rather than being part of a ‘one size fits all’ life when kept under minimum welfare standards. Health was both perceived as the main challenge to welfare as well as one open to innovative practices such as improved veterinary treatments. Data obtained, informed by the knowledge and expertise of experienced stakeholders, combined with practical animal welfare science will be used to develop the first British racehorse welfare assessment protocol.

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

European Journal of Criminology ◽

10.1177/1477370818812735 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 585-602 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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Stakeholders (trainees & tutors) views on the introduction of a workplace-based assessment tool within the pre-registration pharmacy training programme in a large teaching hospital: A qualitative triangulation study

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1093/ijpp/riab015.046 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. i38-i38

Author(s):

N Azeez ◽

C Roberts ◽

H Bradbury

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Training Session ◽

Likert Scale ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Small Sample ◽

Large Teaching Hospital ◽

Workplace Based Assessment ◽

The Uk

Abstract Introduction Pre-registration pharmacy training in the UK is a competency-based programme1. Workplace-based assessment (WBA) tools are valid and reliable tools in assessing competency in the workplace,2 however no recognised WBA tools are used within pre-registration pharmacy training. Historically WBA have been used within healthcare training, including postgraduate pharmacy. A WBA tool was designed by amalgamating three recognised tools from postgraduate pharmacy training (case-based discussion, mini clinical examination and direct observed patient consultation), then piloted within the 2018/19 pre-registration pharmacy training year in a large teaching hospital. Aim To gather the views of pre-registration pharmacist trainees and tutors of their experiences of using the WBA tool in practice. From the views, to determine if the purposes of the tool had been met: allowing tutors to work directly with their trainee in the workplace and meet the GPhC performance standards1 that are more easily met through observation. Methods This research was carried out in a large teaching hospital in the North of England. The WBA tool which included a six-point Likert scale and comments boxes for feedback, was introduced to the stakeholders at the start of the 2018/19 training year in a training session. Data was collected 6 months after using the tool in practice. A triangulation method was used; a semi-structured interview with the pre-registration pharmacist manager and two focus groups were conducted, one with trainees (n=7) and one with tutors (n=5). Participants were recruited through an invitation email sent via a gatekeeper. The focus groups moderator set ground rules to ensure a safe space for discussion to reduce conflict. They also reduced possible bias by ensuring they were not a current tutor. Responses from the interview were used to support the design of the topic guide for the focus groups. Data was transcribed and thematic analysis was undertaken. Results Following thematic analysis, three global themes emerged: clarity of purpose of the tool, feedback to trainees and the WBA tool as an assessment. Overall, trainees found the WBA tool was the most valuable part of their training owing to the benefit of instant feedback. Tutors agreed the tool was valuable when directly observing their trainee in practice, supporting the initial aim of the tool. There were conflicting views on why the tool was introduced, therefore highlighting the importance of a good implementation strategy when making changes. Interestingly, the WBA tool was not perceived as an assessment by the majority of trainees, and the inclusion of the Likert scale on the tool was questioned, leading to possible changes being made for future use. Conclusion This is the first study that gathers stakeholders’ experiences of using a WBA tool within pre-registration pharmacy training within the UK. Overall, the WBA tool received positive responses from both trainees and tutors. With upcoming changes in foundation pharmacy training proposed, this study supports the use of a WBA tool as it allows for focused feedback which trainees’ value. Limitations include a small sample size and the WBA tool being piloted in one hospital. References 1. GPhC. 2020. Pre-registration trainee. [Online]. Available from: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/i-am-pre-registration-trainee 2. Norcini, J. and Burch, V. 2007. Workplace-based assessment as an educational tool: AMEE Guide No.31. Medical Teacher.29, pp. 855–871.

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

10.1101/2021.06.30.21259536 ◽

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.

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A Qualitative Study of Good-Bye Letters in Prison Therapy

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000411 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 100-106 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tammi Walker ◽

Jenny Shaw ◽

Clive Turpin ◽

Chris Roberts ◽

Catherine Reid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Brief Therapy ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Interpersonal Therapy ◽

Helpful Tool ◽

Psychological Therapies ◽

Self Harm ◽

The Uk

Abstract. Background: Self-harm rates among imprisoned women in the UK are extremely high and there are limited psychological therapies available to support them in prison. This paper presents women's subjective accounts of receiving good-bye letters at the end of brief psychodynamic interpersonal therapy (PIT) and how these letters positively impacted on their incidents of self-harm. Aims: This study presents the accounts of 13 imprisoned women who self-harmed and received letters following completion of a minimum of four sessions of brief PIT in prison. Method: A semi-structured interview covered several aspects of their experience, which included details of self-harm since completing brief therapy as well as usage of a good-bye letter and its impact. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three themes emerged from the analysis: connecting with the therapist: receiving the letter; connecting to self: understanding and awareness; and connecting to others: sharing the good-bye letter. Conclusion: Findings show the positive impact the letters had for the women following therapy. The preliminary impressions suggest that letters may be a helpful tool enhancing the benefits of brief PIT therapy with imprisoned women who self-harm.

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Offenders’ perceptions of the UK prison smoking ban

International Journal of Prisoner Health ◽

10.1108/ijph-06-2018-0034 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 114-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephanie Dugdale ◽

Heather Semper ◽

Rachel Povey ◽

Sarah Elison-Davies ◽

Glyn Davies ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Smoking Ban ◽

Content Type ◽

The North ◽

Prison Environment ◽

The Uk ◽

Smoking Behaviours

Purpose Despite overall reductions in levels of smoking in the UK, rates of offender smoking remain high. In 2016, it was announced that prisons in England and Wales would gradually introduce a smoking ban. The purpose of this paper is to explore offenders’ perceptions around the upcoming smoking ban. Design/methodology/approach A total of eight focus groups were conducted in four prisons across the North of England. Both smoking and non-smoking offenders participated in the focus groups, and thematic analysis was used to explore the findings. Findings Themes generated from the data were “freedom and rights”, “the prison environment” and “guiding support”. Participants discussed how the smoking ban was viewed as a punishment and restricted their freedom, with perceptions as to why the ban was being implemented centring around others trying to control them. Participants expressed concerns around the financial implications of the smoking ban on already stretched prison resources. Participants also recommended improving the nicotine replacement therapy on offer, and increasing the range of leisure activities within the prison to prepare for the smoking ban. Originality/value Overall, it was apparent that participants’ awareness of the smoking ban was generally poor. It is recommended that offenders need to be made more aware of the smoking cessation support they will receive and given the opportunity to ask questions about the smoking ban. Increasing offenders’ awareness of the ban may reduce stress associated with a perceived lack of choice around their smoking behaviours.

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Perceptions of Risks of Non-Advertising Uses of Micro-Blogging within Small to Medium Enterprises

Advances in Marketing, Customer Relationship Management, and E-Services - Maximizing Commerce and Marketing Strategies through Micro-Blogging ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-8408-9.ch011 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 251-278

Author(s):

Soureh Latif Shabgahi ◽

Andrew Cox

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Previous Literature ◽

Corporate Context ◽

Descriptive Account ◽

The Uk ◽

Medium Enterprises

This chapter is about the perception of risks of non-advertising uses of micro-blogging in small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Risks of micro-blogging are defined as situations which involve exposing the organization and employees to danger. Few previous studies have been carried out into risks of internal micro-blogging in the corporate context. In the research presented in this chapter, initially a thematic analysis of previous literature on enterprise micro-blogging (EMB) was conducted. Following this, qualitative interviews were selected as the most appropriate method for data collection to explore understanding of the issues among practitioners. Twenty-one interviewees were conducted with SMEs in the area of South Yorkshire in the UK, during 2013. The participants were from organizations in the field of IT, Consultancy and Sports. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed new areas of risk in micro-blogging, which had not been identified in previous literature. Based on the data, a descriptive account of the risks is provided. The chapter concludes by introducing participants' views of how to mitigate such risks.

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Ethnic Differences in Self-Poisoning Across South London

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000258 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 268-272

Author(s):

Sean Cross ◽

Dinesh Bhugra ◽

Paul I. Dargan ◽

David M. Wood ◽

Shaun L. Greene ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Black Women ◽

Data Collection ◽

White Women ◽

Population Based ◽

Care Services ◽

Self Harm ◽

Managing Risk ◽

The Uk ◽

Incident Cases ◽

Minority Ethnic

Background: Self-poisoning (overdose) is the commonest form of self-harm cases presenting to acute secondary care services in the UK, where there has been limited investigation of self-harm in black and minority ethnic communities. London has the UK’s most ethnically diverse areas but presents challenges in resident-based data collection due to the large number of hospitals. Aims: To investigate the rates and characteristics of self-poisoning presentations in two central London boroughs. Method: All incident cases of self-poisoning presentations of residents of Lambeth and Southwark were identified over a 12-month period through comprehensive acute and mental health trust data collection systems at multiple hospitals. Analysis was done using STATA 12.1. Results: A rate of 121.4/100,000 was recorded across a population of more than half a million residents. Women exceeded men in all measured ethnic groups. Black women presented 1.5 times more than white women. Gender ratios within ethnicities were marked. Among those aged younger than 24 years, black women were almost 7 times more likely to present than black men were. Conclusion: Self-poisoning is the commonest form of self-harm presentation to UK hospitals but population-based rates are rare. These results have implications for formulating and managing risk in clinical services for both minority ethnic women and men.

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French and Spanish Queer Film

10.3366/edinburgh/9780748699193.001.0001 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Chris Perriam ◽

Darren Waldron

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Sense Of Community ◽

National Identities ◽

Audience Research ◽

Large Sample ◽

Current State ◽

Trans People ◽

Screening Questionnaires ◽

On Line ◽

The Uk

This book advances the current state of film audience research and of our knowledge of sexuality in transnational contexts, by analysing how French LGBTQ films are seen in Spain and Spanish ones in France, as well as how these films are seen in the UK. It studies films from various genres and examines their reception across four languages (Spanish, French, Catalan, English) and engages with participants across a range of digital and physical audience locations. A focus on LGBTQ festivals and on issues relating to LGBTQ experience in both countries allows for the consideration of issues such as ageing, sense of community and isolation, affiliation and investment, and the representation of issues affecting trans people. The book examines films that chronicle the local, national and sub-national identities while also addressing foreign audiences. It draws on a large sample of individual responses through post-screening questionnaires and focus groups as well as on the work of professional film critics and on-line commentators.

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