‘The English language enables me to visit my pain’. Exploring experiences of using a later-learned language in the healing journey of survivors of sexuality persecution

Aims and objectives: This qualitative study explores the experience of using a later-learned language, English (ELX), in the therapeutic journey of refugee survivors of sexuality persecution to enhance understanding of the role of language in their rehabilitation. Design/methodology/approach: This is a multiple case study of three refugees, persecuted in their home country because of their sexual orientation, who are regular attendees of a therapeutic community, Room to Heal, based in London. A qualitatively driven mixed-method research design using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and ethnography was employed. Data and analysis: Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with the first author. They consisted of questions about the relationship between the participants’ languages, emotions and sense of self. Findings/conclusions: Participants shared common positive experiences characterised by feelings of the ELX being a liberating tool that empowered them and enabled them to bear witness to their trauma, express their same-sex love more easily and be more self-accepting, and contributed to the (re)invention and performance of a ‘new’ self. Originality: The originality resides first in the unique profile of the participants – victims of persecution because of their sexual orientation; second in the unique context – a therapeutic community supporting refugees; and third in the methodology – a qualitatively driven mixed-method design combining IPA and ethnography. Significance/implications: The findings support an embodied perspective of languages and highlight the need for therapists to be aware of multilingualism and its effects. The reduced emotional resonance of a later-learned language may offer its users a way to access trauma and build a new self within the therapeutic process.

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“Stepping up the ladder in safety”: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of how LGB clients experience their therapists’ sexual orientation

The European Journal of Counselling Psychology ◽

10.5964/ejcop.v7i1.139 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 211-223

Author(s):

Tsabika Bafiti ◽

Maria Viou ◽

Prodromos Tarasis

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Therapeutic Process ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Future Research ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

And Bisexual ◽

The One ◽

Systemic Family Therapy

Relevant literature has explored the issue of disclosure of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) therapists to heterosexual or LGB clients. But how do homosexual or bisexual clients understand and experience their therapist’s heterosexual orientation, known or assumed, in relation to the therapeutic alliance and the therapeutic process? In this qualitative study, we used the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine eight semi-structured interviews with LGB clients in a family-oriented therapy in Greece. Analysis revealed two themes of higher order, each having three subordinate themes depicting the client’s experience of the therapist’s sexual orientation: 1. Focus on the therapist’s sexual orientation: (a) as a hypothesis (b) as a factor of acceptance (c) as a factor of professional capability and 2. Focus on other therapist features: (a) gender (b) personality traits (c) practice of professional role. The therapist’s sexual orientation or the one perceived by the client was not a neutral issue in therapy and the cultivation of the therapeutic relationship but was only one part of the process. The way all these issues were processed and approached by clients was related to their personal history and phase of therapy. Suggestions for future research include conducting a research on clients from different therapeutic perspectives since it was carried out only on participants in long-term systemic family therapy.

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Expectation of Tertiary Students of Bangladesh from ELT Classrooms

Journal of NELTA ◽

10.3126/nelta.v19i1-2.12080 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 19 (1-2) ◽

pp. 56-64

Author(s):

Saifa Haque

Keyword(s):

Second Language Acquisition ◽

Learning Style ◽

Significant Role ◽

English Language ◽

Classroom Behavior ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Education Management ◽

Language Classroom ◽

And Performance ◽

Teaching Learning

Expectation influences motivation and performance in Second Language Acquisition (SLA). Students’ expectation also plays a significant role in curriculum development. This paper focuses on the expectations of the students in an English language classroom and how they want to be taught. From a study on 45 students of Stamford University Bangladesh, the researcher tried to find students’ expectations about content, factors behind the expectations and effects of expectations in a language classroom using semi-structured interviews. It was found that students have expectations regarding their course content, teaching-learning style and education management. Several factors such as professional need, education background, social beliefs, personal goals and personality of the students worked behind their expectations and their expectations played a significant role in their classroom behavior and performance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v19i1-2.12080 Journal of NELTA, Vol 19 No. 1-2, December 2014: 56-64

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Domestic Property Violence: A Distinct and Damaging Form of Parent Abuse

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260515613341 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 617-636 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Latesha Murphy-Edwards ◽

Kate van Heugten

Keyword(s):

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Meaning Making ◽

Medium Size ◽

Mixed Method Research ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Parent Abuse ◽

Making Sense ◽

Qualitative Phase ◽

Interpretative Framework ◽

Property Violence

This article reports on the qualitative phase of mixed method research conducted in a medium-size city in New Zealand, which examined 14 parents’ experiences of child- and youth-perpetrated domestic property violence (DPV). The research used semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis, enabling parents’ perceptions of the causes and impacts of this form of family violence to be explored in depth. Three superordinate themes were identified in the analysis: damage done, the various impacts of DPV; staying safe and sane; and making sense of DPV, parents’ perspectives. An ecological meaning-making theory emerged from the data and provided an overarching interpretative framework for considering the themes both separately and together. The findings showed that DPV is a distinct form of parent abuse and one that can have serious impacts of a financial, emotional, and relational nature. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed along with ideas for further research into this problem.

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THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AS A GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT SKILL: THE VIEWPOINT OF PAKISTANI ACADEMIA

Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews ◽

10.18510/hssr.2021.93106 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 1071-1077

Author(s):

Furrakh Abbas ◽

Abdul Majid Khan Rana ◽

Irfan Bashir ◽

Azhar Munir Bhatti

Keyword(s):

Empirical Evidence ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

Mixed Method ◽

English Language ◽

English Language Proficiency ◽

English Language Teaching ◽

Mixed Method Research ◽

Occupational Groups ◽

Employment Skills ◽

The Status

Purpose of the Study: The current research aims at exploring the need of effective English skill as a global employment skill and its various reasons, as there are various Pakistani institutes which are dedicated to The English language teaching and reinforce its relationship with employability. The importance of the study being conducted in Pakistan becomes more evident as English enjoys the status of the second language in the country. Methodology: Current study uses a mixed-method research design and employs both questionnaires and interviews as research instruments. The questionnaire was administrated on a sample of 392 university students while a sample of 13 informants from university faculty participated in an interview for data collection. Main Findings: The study concludes that the importance of English was associated with increased connectivity due to globalization. The study also concludes that the importance of English for finding jobs and making a career was well-established. To conclude, it can be said that English language proficiency is amongst the top global employment skills in the viewpoint of Pakistani academia. Application of this Study: The study implicates that the importance of English for employment across the globe and a successful career will further lead to the formulation of English Specific courses for different professional and occupational groups in Pakistan. The originality of the Study: There is a scarcity of empirical evidence in terms of the importance of English as an employment skill though English is considered very important as an elite language and a status symbol. The study proposes to fill in the gap by providing empirical evidence, therefore, the research is being conducted to assess the status of English and its importance for global employment skills.

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Promoting Continuous Professional Development of English Teachers Through Action Research

International Journal of Educational Reform ◽

10.1177/10567879211062224 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 105678792110622

Author(s):

Cemile Dogan ◽

Yasemin Kirkgoz

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Action Research ◽

Research Design ◽

Mixed Method ◽

English Language ◽

Reflective Thinking ◽

Development Program ◽

Mixed Method Research ◽

Research Cycle ◽

Language Instructors

The current study adopts a mixed-method research design to foster English Language instructors’ attitude toward professional development, self-efficacy beliefs, and reflective thinking. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory constituted the base and the professional development program was designed accordingly. The participants of the study were nine English Language instructors working at three different universities. Throughout the 16-week program, it was aimed to equip the participants with action research skills to conduct their own study in their own context according to their needs and/or interests. All the participants completed the Plan, Act, Observe, and Reflect stages of the Action Research Cycle.

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‘Do you mean I’m not whole?’: Exploring the role of support in women’s experiences of mastectomy without reconstruction

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105316664135 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (12) ◽

pp. 1598-1609 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Stephanie Archer ◽

Fiona G Holland ◽

Jane Montague

Keyword(s):

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

The Self ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Younger Women ◽

Women’S Experiences ◽

Women's Experiences ◽

Positive Support ◽

Unilateral Mastectomy

This study explores the role of others in supporting younger women who opt not to reconstruct their breast post-mastectomy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s/40s. The women lived in England, had been diagnosed a minimum of 5 years previously and had undergone unilateral mastectomy. An interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed three themes: Assuring the self: ‘I’ll love you whatever’, Challenging the self: ‘Do you mean I’m not whole?’ and Accepting the self: ‘I’ve come out the other side’. The women’s experiences of positive support and challenges to their sense of self are discussed.

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Stakeholder power and engagement in an English seaside context: implications for destination leadership

Tourism Review ◽

10.1108/tr-06-2013-0030 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 187-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Victoria Kennedy ◽

Marcjanna M. Augustyn

Keyword(s):

Mixed Method ◽

Policy Development ◽

Mixed Method Research ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Leadership Theories ◽

Content Type ◽

Complexity Leadership ◽

Seaside Resort ◽

Leadership And Change ◽

Stakeholder Power

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine stakeholder power and engagement within an increasingly competitive English seaside resort setting. It aims to adopt a structuralist and functionalist perspective and develop an enabling conceptualisation of power that incorporates structural and agency components in stakeholders’ reasons for engaging. Based on the conceptual interdependencies between stakeholder power and engagement, this study aims to present the limitations of previous studies on destination leadership in this area, and this paper also seeks to discuss implications for destination leadership. Design/methodology/approach As a qualitative and exploratory study, mixed-method research was adopted using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with destination stakeholders from a prominent tourism action group. The primary research was carried out in an English seaside resort between 2010 and 2011. Data are used to draw a stakeholder map as a visual tool. Findings Eight elements of enabling power are confirmed to be of importance in identifying stakeholder power and engagement. The level of power varies depending on stakeholders’ position within a network. These findings direct attention towards adopting a complexity leadership approach in an increasingly competitive destination environment. Research limitations/implications The paper focuses on an English seaside resort, although results can be transferred to other similar-sized destinations where the focus is on local tourism policy development. Originality/value The paper provides an innovative conceptualisation of power in stakeholder theory by drawing primarily on a sociological understanding of power as an enabler and not as an inhibitor for development, leadership and change in seaside resorts. This paper uses leadership theories to interpret data and infer implications for destination leadership.

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Having a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder in a forensic setting: a qualitative exploration

Journal of Forensic Practice ◽

10.1108/jfp-01-2014-0003 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 228-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lucy Jade Lovell ◽

Gillian Hardy

Keyword(s):

Borderline Personality Disorder ◽

Personality Disorder ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Borderline Personality ◽

Power Dynamics ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Forensic Setting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the lived experience of having a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in a forensic setting. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women with a diagnosis of BPD in private secure units. The interview data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings – Four main themes emerged: identity, power, protection and containment, and confusion. The themes of identity, power and protection and containment represented polarised positions which in turn contributed to the theme of confusion. Research limitations/implications – There are limitations to this study mainly the heterogeneous nature of the sample. However, good quality control and the similarities with previous findings indicate that this study makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of BPD in a forensic setting. In addition it has implications for further research; exploring sense of self and the differences between a sample from a community and a sample from a forensic setting with a diagnosis of BPD. Practical implications – For practitioners to acknowledge power dynamics and to be able to formulate and address these with patients with a diagnosis of BPD. Originality/value – This is the first IPA study to ask women with a diagnosis of BPD in a forensic setting what their experience is. It is a qualitative study due to the need to genuinely explore the topic and to provide a basis for others to conduct further research.

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The impact of socio-cultural values on autistic women: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Autism ◽

10.1177/13623613211037896 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132110378

Author(s):

Stella Mo ◽

Nina Viljoen ◽

Shivani Sharma

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Cultural Values ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Dominant Culture ◽

Norms And Values ◽

The Impact

It is well recognised that culture plays an important role in how people experience the world. However, there is limited knowledge on the impact of socio-cultural norms and values on the lives of autistic women. This qualitative study used individual semi-structured interviews to explore how eight cis-gendered autistic women, without co-occurring intellectual disabilities, describe dominant socio-cultural beliefs, values and norms and their influence on their own sense of self. Findings elucidated three interdependent themes related to the ‘pervasive influence of cultural values’, ‘individualisation as an autistic woman’ and ‘social connectivity’. Autistic women described how they experienced their environments and made choices about their place within the dominant culture and the impact of these decisions on their identities and experience. The findings of this study have implications for the continued need to shift societal and clinical attitudes towards understanding and appreciating diversity among autistic women. Lay abstract Autistic women with average or above intellectual abilities are often overlooked clinically or identified at older ages compared to autistic males. Their experiences can provide insight into the socio-cultural factors that impact on how they develop and are seen by others. This study asked autistic women to describe the culture around them and explore how this has influenced their lived experiences. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight autistic women without a co-occurring diagnosis of intellectual disabilities. These were used for interpretative phenomenological analysis. Overall, we found three closely connected themes on the pervasive influence of cultural values on autistic women, how autistic women define themselves and the importance of connecting with society. These findings suggest that dominant cultural beliefs, values and norms effect how autistic women are recognised by others and develop their sense of self. Broadening how people think about autistic women in society and clinically may benefit how we identify and support autistic women.

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An exploration of the experience of trainee integrative psychotherapists on therapeutic alliance in the light of their attachment style

Health Psychology Research ◽

10.4081/hpr.2020.9177 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Eleni Rizou ◽

Vaitsa Giannouli

Keyword(s):

Attachment Theory ◽

Attachment Style ◽

Therapeutic Relationship ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Attachment Styles ◽

Therapeutic Process ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Therapeutic Orientation ◽

Trainee Therapists ◽

The Relationship

Therapeutic Relationship has been regarded as a profound element of the psychotherapeutic procedure and crucial for the outcome of therapy. Research evidence so far claims that both therapist’s and client’s personality can impact the Therapeutic Relationship. Based on the well-researched Attachment Theory there has been some research mostly focused on how clients’ attachment patterns can affect the Alliance. Limited research, though, on how therapists experience the Relationship in relation with their Attachment Styles do exist. The current study investigates trainee therapists’ experience of the Therapeutic Relationship in the light of their Attachment Style. A qualitative approach was used for this research to investigate in depth the experience of five trainee Integrative psychotherapists who were recruited to take part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and verbatim was divided into superordinate and subordinate themes and analyzed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis method. Four master themes were identified. Findings were then compared and discussed according to existing literature. All participants referred to the relevance of Attachment Theory in psychotherapy. They also agreed on the activation of their Attachment Styles during the therapeutic process. The securely attached therapist confirms previous studies on her capability to offer a secure base for her clients. On the other hand therapists with insecure Attachment Styles appeared sensitive in their collaboration mostly with insecure clients. Anxiously attached therapists proved to experience difficulty in the initial stages of the Therapeutic Relationship while the combination of avoidant therapist-avoidant client appeared to be the most demanding one, regarding the concept of trust and relationship ruptures. We suggest that the exploration of trainee therapists’ Attachment Styles as well as the study of the Attachment Theory should be added to all Counseling and Psychotherapy curricula regardless the therapeutic orientation because of its contribution to forming positive Therapeutic Relationships.

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