Relationship Educator Experiences of Couple Improvement and Group Dynamics in Relationship Education With Low-Income Couples

Relationship education (RE) interventions improve relationship quality and distress; yet, little is known about the origins of positive gains derived from RE. Couples identified benefits from the group format of RE; however, the perspective of facilitators is neglected. Therefore, the current investigation included two focus groups ( N = 9) with RE facilitators from one federal RE program for low-income couples. Five themes emerged from the phenomenological analysis including (a) therapeutic factors of groups, (b) participant attributes, (c) stress, (d) insight/awareness, and (e) program attributes. Applications of RE facilitator experiences, specifically group factors observed, may inform RE facilitator training, intervention, and implementation.

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Should Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) be Used With Focus Groups? Navigating the Bumpy Road of “Iterative Loops,” Idiographic Journeys, and “Phenomenological Bridges”

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406920921600 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 160940692092160 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Beverly Love ◽

Arlene Vetere ◽

Paul Davis

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Group Dynamics ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Group Data ◽

Focus Group Data ◽

Thematic Approach ◽

The Individual ◽

Individual Voice

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a qualitative thematic approach developed within psychology underpinned by an idiographic philosophy, thereby focusing on the subjective lived experiences of individuals. However, it has been used in focus groups of which some have been critical because of the difficulties of extrapolating the individual voice which is more embedded within the group dynamics and the added complexity of multiple hermeneutics occurring. Some have adapted IPA for use with focus groups, while others provide scant regard to these philosophical tensions. This raises the question whether IPA should be used with focus group data. To address these concerns, this article will set out a step-by-step guide of how IPA was adapted for use with focus groups involving drug using offenders (including illustrative examples with participants’ quotes). A rationale of why it was important to use both focus groups and an IPA approach will be covered including the value, merits, and challenges this presented. An overview of how participants’ idiographic accounts of their drug use, relapse, and recovery were developed will be provided. This article will conclude with a suggested way forward to satisfy the theoretical tensions and address the question raised in the title.

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Stakeholders’ Participation in Sustainable Tourism Planning for a Rural Region: Extremadura Case Study (Spain)

Land ◽

10.3390/land10060553 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 553

Author(s):

Marcelo Sánchez-Oro Sánchez ◽

José Castro-Serrano ◽

Rafael Robina-Ramírez

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Group Dynamics ◽

Sustainable Tourism ◽

Strategic Decision ◽

Tourism Planning ◽

Rural Region ◽

Rural Environments ◽

Tourism Sector ◽

Problems And Solutions ◽

The One

The objective of this research is to obtain and analyze discursive information on the problems and solutions of the tourism sector in an eminently rural region, such as Extremadura, based on the opinions of stakeholders, in order to incorporate them into the evaluation and tourism planning of the region. More specifically, on the situation of the sector, perceptions on profitability and return on investment, the problem of overnight stays, and coordination between tourism agents and training demands, in order to make a sustainable tourism sector in a rural region. The research starts from the following premise: for tourism to be sustainable, stakeholders must participate in the strategic decision-making process. This paper aims, on the one hand, to clarify sufficiently the state of the art regarding the validity of focus groups and their analysis as a research methodology, explaining how to address the main challenges implied by this technique by reviewing a selection of research works that we consider relevant in this field. On the other hand, an analysis of the tourism sector in Extremadura is carried out based on these group dynamics. The main result, after analyzing the discourse of six focus groups, is that the different opinions of their members reveal, despite everything, that the training of human capital in the tourism sector in rural environments is a pending issue.

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‘You withhold what you are feeling so you can have a family’: Latinas’ perceptions on community values and postpartum depression

Family Medicine and Community Health ◽

10.1136/fmch-2020-000504 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e000504

Author(s):

McClain Sampson ◽

Miao Yu ◽

Rebecca Mauldin ◽

Angelina Mayorga ◽

Lorena G Gonzalez

Keyword(s):

Postpartum Depression ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Low Income ◽

Local Community ◽

Academic Research ◽

Family Services ◽

Community Values ◽

Faith Based ◽

Community Acceptance ◽

Values And Beliefs

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the postpartum depression (PPD) beliefs and experiences of mothers who access local community faith-based organisations providing family services to low-income, predominantly immigrant Latino populations.DesignUsing a qualitative research design, we conducted 18 focus groups with Latina mothers to inquire about their community values and beliefs of PPD. All groups were conducted in Spanish.SettingAn academic research team located in Houston, Texas, USA, partnered with six faith-based organisations in five cities to recruit and host focus groups at the site of the organisation.ParticipantsOne hundred and thirty-three women participated in the focus groups across all sites. Thirty-seven of them (27.8%) had given birth to a child in less than 1 year. Inclusion criteria included mothers 18 years and older and Latino ethnicity.ResultsA six-step process was used to apply thematic analysis to sort data into the themes. All mothers had heard of depression after childbirth, some had experienced it and most remarked that the personal experience and community acceptance of it vary by family. The main findings suggest that mothers take pride in parenting by instilling values to support family and the value of relying on family for emotional support. Findings reveal that many mothers suffer and sacrifice for their children, they feel judged and feel they must hide their emotions. Factors such as birth and postpartum customs from a native country, gender roles and beliefs of what a good mother shape their beliefs and messages about PPD.ConclusionOur findings indicate that programme developers should consider family and community focused education and intervention efforts to help decrease stigma and increase understanding of PPD.

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Mitigating Childhood Food Insecurity during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of how School Districts in California’s San Joaquin Valley Responded to Growing Needs

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021003141 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Ashley H. Jowell ◽

Janine S. Bruce ◽

Gabriela V. Escobar ◽

Valeria M. Ordonez ◽

Christina A. Hecht ◽

...

Keyword(s):

School District ◽

School Districts ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Low Income ◽

Distribution Systems ◽

Community Organizations ◽

San Joaquin Valley ◽

School Meal ◽

Fresh Foods

Abstract Objectives: To explore best practices and challenges in providing school meals during COVID-19 in a low-income, predominantly Latino, urban-rural region. Design: Semi structured interviews with school district stakeholders and focus groups with parents were conducted to explore school meal provision during COVID-19 from June to August 2020. Data was coded and themes were identified to guide analysis. Community organizations were involved in all aspects of study design, recruitment, data collection, and analysis. Setting: Six school districts in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Participants: School district stakeholders (n=11) included food service directors, school superintendents, and community partners (e.g., funders, food co-operative). Focus groups (n=6) were comprised of parents (n=29) of children participating in school meal programs. Results: COVID-19-related challenges for districts included developing safe meal distribution systems, boosting low participation, covering COVID-19-related costs, and staying informed of policy changes. Barriers for families included transportation difficulties, safety concerns, and a lack of fresh foods. Innovative strategies to address obstacles included pandemic-EBT, bus-stop delivery, community pick-up locations, batched meals, and leveraging partner resources. Conclusions: A focus on fresher, more appealing meals and greater communication between school officials and parents could boost participation. Districts that leveraged external partnerships were better equipped to provide meals during pandemic conditions. In addition, policies increasing access to fresh foods and capitalizing on USDA waivers could boost school meal participation. Finally, partnering with community organizations and acting upon parent feedback could improve school meal systems, and in combination with pandemic-EBT, address childhood food insecurity.

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Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Parenting and Children’s Externalizing Behaviors: Transactional Processes Over Time

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/1077801220985125 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107780122098512

Author(s):

Gerard Chung ◽

Todd M. Jensen ◽

Anna Parisi ◽

Rebecca J. Macy ◽

Paul Lanier

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Low Income ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Externalizing Behaviors ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Child Relationship ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

Low Income Mothers ◽

Transactional Associations

This study used longitudinal data to examine the transactional associations between mothers’ spanking and mother–child relationship quality with children’s externalizing behaviors in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). Data came from a sample of 1,152 low-income mothers with children age 10–14 years. Results showed that past-year IPV triggered transactional associations by increasing children’s externalizing behaviors which, in turn, increased spanking and subsequently more externalizing behaviors. Transactional associations were also found for relationship quality. All outcomes used were mothers-reported except relationship quality. Implications for practice include the importance of the mother–child dyad and their reciprocal processes in assessment and treatment.

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I am a rock; I am an island: Implications of avoidant attachment for communal coping in adults with type 2 diabetes

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/0265407519832671 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (11-12) ◽

pp. 3711-3732

Author(s):

Meredith Van Vleet ◽

Vicki S. Helgeson

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Chronic Illness ◽

Boundary Conditions ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Current Investigation ◽

Heterosexual Couples ◽

Communal Coping ◽

Diabetes Outcomes ◽

Avoidant Attachment

Accumulating evidence indicates that communal coping is beneficial for individuals with chronic illness. The current investigation examined attachment as a moderator of the effects of communal coping in a sample of persons with type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that patient communal coping would be associated with higher relationship quality, lower distress, and better diabetes outcomes for patients low in avoidant attachment, but it would not be beneficial for patients high in avoidant attachment. Patient communal coping was coded from videotaped interactions in which 86 heterosexual couples discussed difficulties managing diabetes. The results indicated that patient communal coping was beneficial when avoidant attachment was low. When avoidant attachment was high, patient communal coping was related to lower relationship quality and higher distress and was unrelated to diabetes outcomes. This work sheds light on potential boundary conditions of communal coping’s benefits, which will be important to consider in future communal coping interventions.

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Parental mindfulness and dyadic relationship quality in low-income cohabiting Black stepfamilies: Associations with parenting experienced by adolescents.

Couple and Family Psychology Research and Practice ◽

10.1037/cfp0000020 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 67-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Justin Parent ◽

Jessica Clifton ◽

Rex Forehand ◽

Andrew Golub ◽

Megan Reid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Relationship Quality ◽

Low Income ◽

Dyadic Relationship

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Lifecourse, immigrant status and acculturation in food purchasing and preparation among low-income mothers

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007334058 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 396-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Tamara Dubowitz ◽

Dolores Acevedo-Garcia ◽

Judy Salkeld ◽

Ana Cristina Lindsay ◽

SV Subramanian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Low Income ◽

Metropolitan Areas ◽

Food Preparation ◽

Immigrant Status ◽

Food Purchasing ◽

Study Results ◽

The Usa ◽

Low Income Women ◽

Access To Food

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigates how lifecourse, immigrant status and acculturation, and neighbourhood of residence influence food purchasing and preparation among low-income women with children, living in the USA. This research sought to understand physical and economic access to food, from both ‘individual’ and ‘community’ perspectives.DesignThis study used qualitative methodology (focus groups) to examine the mechanisms and pathways of food preparation and purchasing within the context of daily life activity for US- and foreign-born women, living in the USA. The study methodology analysed notes and verbatim transcripts, summarised recurring responses and identified new themes in the discussions.Setting and subjectsA total of 44 women were purposively sampled from two metropolitan areas in Massachusetts, USA, based on (1) neighbourhood of residence and (2) primary language spoken. All focus groups were conducted in community health centres and community centres co-located with offices of the special supplemental nutritional programme for Women, Infants, and Children.ResultsAnalysis of key response themes suggested that scarcity of food and physical access to food purchasing points did not influence food purchasing and preparation as much as (1) limited time for food shopping, cooking and family activities; and (2) challenges in transportation to stores and childcare. The study results demonstrated differing attitudes toward food acquisition and preparation between immigrant and US-born women and between women who lived in two metropolitan areas in the western and eastern regions of the state of Massachusetts, USA.ConclusionsThe findings illustrate ‘hidden’ constraints that need to be captured in measures of physical and economic access and availability of food. US policies and programmes that aim to improve access, availability and diet quality would benefit from considering the social context of food preparation and purchasing, and the residential environments of low-income women and families.

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