A qualitative exploration of autistic mothers’ experiences II: Childbirth and postnatal experiences

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110437
Author(s):  
Sarah Hampton ◽  
Joyce Man ◽  
Carrie Allison ◽  
Ezra Aydin ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Direct Communication ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Clear Information ◽  
Mothers Experiences

Navigating childbirth and the postnatal period may pose additional challenges for autistic people, who can face communication and sensory barriers to accessing healthcare. However, research exploring autistic experiences of parenthood is scarce. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 autistic and 25 non-autistic women 2–3 months after giving birth. Interviews concerned experiences of childbirth, postnatal healthcare and parenting. Thematic analysis revealed that sensory aspects of childbirth could be challenging for autistic participants; participants highlighted the need for sensory adjustments. Autistic participants stressed the importance of clear, direct communication from professionals during the birth. During childbirth and the postnatal period, autistic participants sometimes felt that professionals lacked knowledge of autism and this could hinder receiving appropriate adjustments. Both groups reported several parenting strengths and challenges. The findings indicate ways in which childbirth and postnatal healthcare can be improved for autistic people, including sensory and communication adjustments. They also indicate a need for greater autism-related training for professionals involved in childbirth and postnatal care. Lay abstract Very little research has looked at how autistic people experience childbirth and the first few months of parenthood. We interviewed 21 autistic and 25 non-autistic women 2–3 months after their baby was born, to find out how they experienced giving birth and being a parent. Some autistic participants found sensory aspects of giving birth difficult, such as noise and being touched. They also wanted healthcare professionals to give them clear information while giving birth. Participants sometimes thought that healthcare professionals did not know enough about autism. Autistic and non-autistic participants both found parenthood difficult at times and autistic parents sometimes had extra difficulties, such as with planning and organising. Autistic participants also felt good at understanding their baby’s needs. This research suggests that autistic people would benefit from changes to childbirth and postnatal healthcare such as being communicated with more clearly. It also indicates that healthcare professionals should receive more training about autism.

scholarly journals ‘I never realised everybody felt as happy as I do when I am around autistic people’: A thematic analysis of autistic adults’ relationships with autistic and neurotypical friends and family

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1438-1448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine J Crompton ◽  
Sonny Hallett ◽  
Danielle Ropar ◽  
Emma Flynn ◽  
Sue Fletcher-Watson
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Time ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Social Opportunities ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
Close Family

Many autistic people are motivated to have friends, relationships and close family bonds, despite the clinical characterisation of autism as a condition negatively affecting social interaction. Many first-hand accounts of autistic people describe feelings of comfort and ease specifically with other autistic people. This qualitative research explored and contrasted autistic experiences of spending social time with neurotypical and autistic friends and family. In total, 12 autistic adults (10 females, aged 21–51) completed semi-structured interviews focused on time spent with friends and family; positive and negative aspects of time spent with neurotypical and autistic friends and family; and feelings during and after spending time together. Three themes were identified: cross-neurotype understanding, minority status and belonging. Investigation of these themes reveals the benefits of autistic people creating and maintaining social relationships with other autistic people, in a more systematic way than previous individual reports. They highlight the need for autistic-led social opportunities and indicate benefits of informal peer support for autistic adults. Lay abstract Although autistic people may struggle to interact with others, many autistic people have said they find interacting with other autistic people more comfortable. To find out whether this was a common experience, we did hour-long interviews with 12 autistic adults. We asked them questions about how it feels when spending time with their friends and family, and whether it felt different depending on whether the friends and family were autistic or neurotypical. We analysed the interviews and found three common themes in what our participants said. First, they found spending with other autistic people easier and more comfortable than spending time with neurotypical people, and felt they were better understood by other autistic people. Second, autistic people often felt they were in a social minority, and in order to spend time with neurotypical friends and family, they had to conform with what the neurotypical people wanted and were used to. Third, autistic people felt like they belonged with other autistic people and that they could be themselves around them. These findings show that having time with autistic friends and family can be very beneficial for autistic people and played an important role in a happy social life.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Utilization of Complete Postnatal Care Service in Baglung Municipality, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sita Chhetri ◽  
Rajani Shah ◽  
Laxmi Rajbanshi
Keyword(s):  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neonatal Deaths ◽  
Factors Associated

Background. Postnatal period is six weeks after birth. It is critical but is the most neglected period. A large proportion of maternal and neonatal deaths occur during 48 hours following childbirth. The utilization of the recommended three postnatal checkups within seven days after delivery, which plays a vital role in preventing maternal and neonatal deaths, is low in Nepal. Objective. This study is aimed at identifying the factors associated with the utilization of complete postnatal care (PNC) among mothers. Method. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 318 mothers in wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Baglung municipality, Nepal. Data was collected by semi-structured interviews. Descriptive analysis and comparison of characteristics of women/families with complete vs. partial postnatal checkups using multivariable logistic regression were done. Results. Among 314 respondents receiving at least one PNC, 78% had partial and 22% had complete PNC. Relatively advantaged caste/ethnicity- Brahman/Chhetri (aOR=3.18, 95% CI: 1.24-8.12) and Janajati (aOR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.09-7.53) - compared to Dalits, husbands working as a job holder in Nepal (aOR=3.49, 95% CI: 1.50-8.13), and delivery in a private hospital (aOR=11.4, 95% CI: 5.40-24.2) were associated with having complete PNC. Conclusion. Although PNC attendance at least once was high, utilization of complete PNC was low. More focus to mothers from disadvantaged caste/ethnicity, those whose husbands are in foreign employment, and improvement in quality of care in government health facilities may increase the use of complete PNC.

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.

Exploring job crafting as a response to abusive supervision

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huda Masood ◽  
Len Karakowsky ◽  
Mark Podolsky
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Abusive Supervision ◽  
Job Crafting ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

PurposeThe purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to investigate the capacity of job crafting to serve as a viable response to abusive supervision. Although considerable literature has emerged on employee reactions to abusive supervision, the role of job crafting as a coping mechanism has received relatively little attention.Design/methodology/approachUsing qualitative exploration, we conducted semi-structured interviews to examine how individuals engage in job crafting as a means to respond to or cope with abusive supervision. Critical Incident Interview Technique (CIIT) was used to obtain in-depth details of this topic. We analyzed the interview-based data using the thematic analysis (TA) technique. We also integrated topic modeling to cluster the identified categories of job crafting behaviors within our TA. The cultural context of our findings was further analyzed using interpretive phenological analysis (IPA).FindingsThe results of our thematic analysis led to four recurring themes in the interview-data: (1) Job crafting as a viable coping response to abusive supervision; (2) The type of coping relates to the type of crafting: Approach and Avoidance; (3) The role of perceived control; (4) Emotions play a role in the type of crafting employed. Findings from our IPA generated the following super-ordinate themes. (1) Job crafting fluidity, (2) effectiveness of job crafting, (3) resilience and (4) cultural dynamics.Research limitations/implicationsThis research reveals the ways in which individuals may turn to job crafting behaviors as a means to cope following instances of abusive supervision. Given the qualitative exploration of our research approach, we identify generalizability to be an issue.Practical implicationsJob crafting is a proactive phenomenon that equips employees with coping abilities in the workplace. While Wrzesniewski and Dutton (2001) suggested that job crafting behaviors tend to be hidden from management, there may be merit in organizations explicitly acknowledging the benefits of allowing employees to be active agents in their work, capable of using multiple domains of job crafting to improve their personal and professional lives (Petrou et al., 2017).Originality/valueThe current research reveals the ways in which individuals may turn to job crafting behaviors as a means to cope, following instances of abusive supervision. We further fine-grained our analysis to explicate employee job crafting behaviors in response to abusive supervision within a cross-cultural domain.

scholarly journals Communication Partners’ Journey through Their Partner’s Hearing Impairment

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinaya K. C. Manchaiah ◽  
Dafydd Stephens ◽  
Thomas Lunner
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Process Mapping ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Communication Partners ◽  
New Phase

The objective of this study was to further develop the Ida Institute model on communication partners’ (CPs) journey through experiences of person with hearing impairment (PHI), based on the perspectives of CPs. Nine CPs of hearing aid users participated in this study, recruited through the Swansea hearing impaired support group. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, the data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis and presented with the use of process mapping approach. Seven main phases were identified in the CP journey which includes: (1) contemplation, (2) awareness, (3) persuasion, (4) validation, (5) rehabilitation, (6) adaptation, and (7) resolution. The Ida Institute model (based on professionals’ perspective) was compared with the new template developed (based on CPs’ perspectives). The results suggest some commonalities and differences between the views of professionals and CPs. A new phase, adaptation, was identified from CPs reported experiences, which was not identified by professionals in the Ida Institute model. The CP’s journey model could be a useful tool during audiological enablement/rehabilitation sessions to promote discussion between the PHI and the CP. In addition, it can be used in the training of hearing healthcare professionals.

scholarly journals Self-regulatory Solitude: A Qualitative Exploration of Solitude in Indian Youth

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aishwarya Iyer ◽  
Tanushree V L ◽  
Sucheta Chakravarty
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Social Avoidance ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Affective Outcomes ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Solitude has often been confused with co-existing affective states of 'loneliness' and 'aloneness' (Long et al., 2003). A growing body of literature (Nguyen et al., 2018) has quantitatively explored existing drives, affective outcomes and determinants of experience of solitude. Despite extensive research, a comprehensive conceptualization of solitude is yet to be achieved. Therefore, the current study qualitatively explores the subjective definition of solitude, individual experiences and the purposes behind seeking solitude through 10 semi-structured interviews with Bangalore you (24-28 years). Through thematic analysis, the study found that participants differed (social avoidance, self-regulation, productivity) in their purpose behind seeking solitude and the solitary activities that they engaged in. The role of space and agency in the experience of solitude was also highlighted. The study discusses the subjective experience of solitude in relation to existing literature and holds important implications regarding the use of solitude as a tool for affective self-regulation

scholarly journals Exploring a volunteer community residential care facility for new mothers

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 86-91
Author(s):  
Romina Withanage ◽  
Margaret Hay ◽  
Samuel Menahem
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
New Mothers ◽  
Residential Care Facility ◽  
Residential Service ◽  
New Mother ◽  
Set Up ◽  
First Time

Background:All women deserve a “dwelling space” during their postnatal period after the birth of their infant. This “space” provides her an opportunity to be cared for, to be replenished, to rest and to reflect on herself being a new mother before returning home. We explored a volunteer community residential service set up to help new mothers to document their experiences and determine if the outcomes matched their expectations. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were offered to all women who had utilised this service since its inception. The questionnaire explored their motivations to seek such as service and to learn of their experiences. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and a thematic analysis employed. Results: Over the last 8 years, 12 women, 4 twice, availed themselves of this service, two being first-time mothers. Reasons given by mothers for utilising this service included recovery from the trauma of childbirth both past and present, physical and emotional, and delaying assuming responsibilities at home. All the women had welcomed the “dwelling space”, being mothered, feeling replenished and having time to meaningfully relate to their newborn infant.The ambience of the accommodation and the care they received were above their expectations. All would recommend other new mothers to avail themselves of this service

scholarly journals “For Me, the Anorexia is Just a Symptom, and the Cause is the Autism”: Investigating Restrictive Eating Disorders in Autistic Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 4280-4296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Brede ◽  
Charli Babb ◽  
Catherine Jones ◽  
Mair Elliott ◽  
Cathy Zanker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Thinking Styles ◽  
Empirical Testing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sensory Sensitivities ◽  
Restrictive Eating

AbstractAutistic women are overrepresented among people in treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The current study aimed to: (1) better understand how AN develops and persists in autistic individuals from the perspective of autistic women, parents and healthcare professionals; (2) derive a theoretical model of restrictive eating difficulties in autism. We conducted 44 semi-structured interviews and used Thematic Analysis to identify patterns of meaning across the data. Themes related to sensory sensitivities, social interaction and relationships, sense of self and identity, difficulties with emotions, thinking styles, and a need for control and predictability. We developed a model of potential autism-specific mechanisms underlying restrictive eating difficulties. This study generated novel insights, which have the potential to inform treatment adaptations following empirical testing.

scholarly journals Initial experiences of family caregivers of survivors of a traumatic brain injury

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandi Broodryk ◽  
Chrisma Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Need For Support

Background: There seems to be a paucity of research on the initial subjective experiences of family caregivers of survivors of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Objective: To explore the challenges that family caregivers face during the initial stages of recovery of a relative who has sustained a TBI. Methods: Thematic analysis was used to explore the findings from semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 12 female family caregivers of relatives who had sustained a TBI. Results: Family caregivers recalled their initial experiences of the shock at hearing the news about their relative’s TBI, negative experiences in hospital and frustrating interactions with healthcare professionals as particularly challenging. Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasise caregivers’ need for support, information and psycho-education, especially from healthcare professionals, from the very beginning stages of recovery from a TBI. Practical and physical needs with regard to admission to and care in the hospital were also highlighted. This research will hopefully contribute to creating awareness amongst healthcare professionals on how they can contribute to improvement of the services provided by the healthcare system based on the experiences of the caregivers who participated in this study.

scholarly journals Racing Clean in a Tainted World: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences and Views of Clean British Elite Distance Runners on Doping and Anti-Doping

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake Shelley ◽  
Sam N. Thrower ◽  
Andrea Petróczi
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Level Playing Field ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Distance Runners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
The Impact

Background: Doping has been a prominent issue for the sport of athletics in recent years. The endurance disciplines, which currently account for 56% of the global anti-doping rule violations in athletics, appear to be particularly high risk for doping.Objective: Using this high-risk, high-pressure context, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the human impact of doping and anti-doping on “clean” athletes. The secondary aim of the study was to better understand the reasons for, and barriers to, competing “clean” among this group of athletes.Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 elite distance runners from the UK to explore: (1) the reasons and motivations for competing clean. (2) Perceptions of the anti-doping system, and experiences of being part of that system. (3) Views on the prevalence and causes of doping and the impact of doping on the lives of clean athletes. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.Results: Four major themes were identified: (1) The participants in this study have not been tempted to use prohibited substances or methods; they compete in their sport for the personal satisfaction of seeing how good they can be, rather than in pursuit of winning at all costs. (2) Anti-doping does not currently prevent doping effectively and is not implemented evenly across the globe. (3) Doping was perceived as a major issue and was felt to be borne out of certain sporting cultures in which doping is enabled. (4) Doping has impacted the careers of clean athletes in irreversible ways and presents a continuing challenge to the psychological preparation for competition.Conclusions: Clean athletes suffer negative consequences from both doping and anti-doping. ADOs must collaborate across borders to ensure a more even implementation of anti-doping activities, to facilitate a more level playing field on the global stage. ADOs must also acknowledge the existence of a large group of athletes who would never consider deliberately doping and make anti-doping work for these athletes too.

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