scholarly journals “Some days it’s like she has died.” A qualitative exploration of first mothers’ utilisation of artefacts associated with now-adopted children in coping with grief and loss

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110390
Author(s):  
Emma Geddes
Keyword(s):  
Ambiguous Loss ◽  
Grief And Loss ◽  
Adopted Children ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Disenfranchised Grief ◽  
Welfare Benefits ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Disadvantaged Families ◽  
Maternal Status

In this article, I take a critical approach to the marginalisation of the grief experienced by first mothers who have experienced the non-consensual adoption of a child in England, in a context within which welfare benefits and services intended to support the most disadvantaged families have been dramatically curtailed. With reference to the concepts of disenfranchised grief and ambiguous loss, and in light of some identified parallels between the death of a child and the loss of a child to adoption, I draw upon literature from the field of bereavement studies in presenting findings arising from semi-structured interviews in which 17 first mothers sorted through artefacts such as toys, clothing and blankets associated with their now-adopted children and reflected upon the meanings that such keepsakes had taken on in their lives after loss. Respondents’ accounts revealed that artefacts were invested with high value, and could operate as vehicles for memories of time spent caring for children. It was found that interacting with artefacts could bring comfort, evoking in mothers sensory memories of the smell and feel of their now-adopted child. Interactions with artefacts were found to hold capacity to affirm respondents’ maternal status, as well as symbolising oppression and injustice, sometimes evoking strong feelings of anger directed towards professionals involved in children’s adoption.

scholarly journals Can Watching Online Videos Be Addictive? A Qualitative Exploration of Online Video Watching among Chinese Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7247
Author(s):  
Zeyang Yang ◽  
Mark Griffiths ◽  
Zhihao Yan ◽  
Wenting Xu
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Online Video ◽  
Video Content ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Online Videos ◽  
Chinese Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Watching online videos (including short-form videos) has become the most popular leisure activity in China. However, a few studies have reported the potential negative effects of online video watching behaviors (including the potential for ‘addiction’) among a minority of individuals. The present study investigated online video watching behaviors, motivational factors for watching online videos, and potentially addictive indicators of watching online videos. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 20 young Chinese adults. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Eight themes were identified comprising: (i) content is key; (ii) types of online video watching; (iii) platform function hooks; (iv) personal interests; (v) watching becoming habitual; (vi) social interaction needs; (vii) reassurance needs; and (viii) addiction-like symptoms. Specific video content (e.g., mukbang, pornography), platform-driven continuous watching, and short-form videos were perceived by some participants as being potentially addictive. Specific features or content on Chinese online video platforms (e.g., ‘Danmu’ scrolling comments) need further investigation. Future studies should explore users’ addictive-like behaviors in relation to specific types of online video content and their social interaction on these platforms.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Exploration of Individual Differences in Wellbeing for Highly Sensitive Individuals

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Black ◽  
Margaret L. Kern
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Lay Conceptions ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Cultures explicitly and implicitly create and reinforce social norms and expectations, which impact upon how individuals make sense of and experience their place within that culture. Substantial differences in research findings across a range of behavioral and cognitive indices can be seen between what have been called ‘Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD)’ societies, and non-WEIRD cultures. Indeed, lay conceptions and social norms around wellbeing tend to emphasize social outgoingness and high-arousal positive emotions, with introversion and negative emotion looked down upon or even pathologized. However, this extravert-centric conception of wellbeing does not fit many individuals who live within WEIRD societies, and studies find that this mismatch can have detrimental effects on their wellbeing. There is a need to better understand how happiness is created and experienced by the large number of people for whom wellbeing manifests in alternative ways. This study investigated one such manifestation – the personality trait of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) – qualitatively investigating how sensitive individuals experience and cultivate wellbeing within a WEIRD society. Twelve adults participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings suggest that highly sensitive individuals perceive that wellbeing arises from harmony across multiple dimensions. Interviewees emphasized the value of low-intensity positive emotion, self-awareness, self-acceptance, positive social relationships balanced by times of solitude, connecting with nature, contemplative practices, emotional self-regulation, practicing self-compassion, having a sense of meaning, and hope/optimism. Barriers of wellbeing included physical health issues and challenges with saying no to others. This study provides a richer idiographic representation of SPS wellbeing, highlighting diverse pathways which can lead to wellbeing for individuals for whom wellbeing manifests in ways that contradict the broader social narratives in which they reside.

scholarly journals Consumer-Athlete Brand Relationship: A Qualitative Exploration of Sport Fans’ Experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Olzhas Taniyev ◽  
Brian S. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Brand Management ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sport Fans ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Brand Relationship ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
City Identity

Athlete marketing can have profound effects on sport fans. While the affinity for superstar athletes is clear, the internalization of brand image associated with high-profile athletes has received little scholarly attention. The central aim of this exploratory study was to understand sport consumers’ perceptions of the athlete brand and its influence on their self-concept. Seventeen purposefully selected members of an athlete-centered fan club took part in semi-structured interviews. The interview data revealed the following prevalent themes: athlete brand adoption, athlete brand devotion, city identity, and community engagement. Based on the findings, meaningful interactions with consumers and altruistic actions fostered the relationship between the athlete and his followers. The present study contributed to the research concerning the emotional bond sport consumers have with athletes and evolving literature on athlete brand management.

Older Women's Community Mobility: A Qualitative Exploration

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia Finlayson ◽  
Joseph Kaufert
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Mobility ◽  
Bad Weather ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
And Control ◽  
The City

ABSTRACTMany of the limitations experienced by community-dwelling older women are related to mobility within their communities. This qualitative study explored community mobility from the perspective of older, community-dwelling women in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 23 older women (mean age 75.9 years) identified through an existing database. In addition to travels to conduct instrumental activities of daily living and participate in social and recreational activities, the women in the study described trips to fulfil social obligations (e.g., attending funerals, visiting sick friends) and emphasized the importance of these trips. The women's travels through the city were influenced by their perception of risk and the strategies they employed to minimize or avoid risk during the day, in the evening, and during bad weather. Autonomous community mobility provided the women with a sense of independence and control. The findings have potential implications for health care providers and community programmers who work to maintain older women in the community.

scholarly journals Qualitative exploration of health professionals’ experiences of communicating positive newborn bloodspot screening results for nine conditions in England

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e037081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Chudleigh ◽  
Holly Chinnery ◽  
Jim R Bonham ◽  
Ellinor Olander ◽  
Louise Moody ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Service Provider ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Insufficient Time ◽  
Newborn Bloodspot Screening ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Time And Energy

ObjectiveTo explore health professionals’ experiences of communicating positive newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) results, highlight differences, share good practice and make recommendations for future research.DesignQualitative exploratory design was employed using semi-structured interviewsSettingThree National Health Service provider organisations in EnglandParticipantsSeventeen health professionals involved in communicating positive newborn bloodspot screening results to parents for all nine conditions currently included in the newborn bloodspot screening programme in England.ResultsFindings indicated variation in approaches to communicating positive newborn bloodspot screening results to parents, largely influenced by resources available and the lack of clear guidance. Health professionals emphasised the importance of communicating results to families in a way that is sensitive to their needs. However, many challenges hindered communication including logistical considerations; difficulty contacting the family and other health professionals; language barriers; parental reactions; resource considerations; lack of training; and insufficient time.ConclusionHealth professionals invest a lot of time and energy trying to ensure communication of positive newborn bloodspot screening results to families is done well. However, there continues to be great variation in the way these results are communicated to parents and this is largely influenced by resources available but also the lack of concrete guidance. How best to support health professionals undertaking this challenging and emotive task requires further exploration. We recommend evaluation of a more cohesive approach that meets the needs of parents and staff while being sensitive to the subtleties of each condition.Trial registration numberISRCTN15330120

scholarly journals Policing through social media: a qualitative exploration

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-218
Author(s):  
Seth Wyatt Fallik ◽  
Ross Deuchar ◽  
Vaughn J Crichlow ◽  
Hannah Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Police Officer ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Social media, in the past decade, has been used to hold police accountable for their actions. There has been, however, a paucity of empirical research into how law enforcement uses social media. To explore this issue, this paper uses qualitative data emerging from ethnographic research conducted in a Southern American state. Participant observations of police officer deployments were paired with semi-structured interviews with officers from three law enforcement agencies. The extent and ways in which these officers used social media is explored. Findings indicate that social media is used to bring positive attention to law enforcement agencies and aid criminal investigations. Although the positive impact of social media was highlighted in these experiences, persistent problems and challenges also featured in the data. Finally, officer insights were drawn upon to make recommendations for future policing policy and research.

scholarly journals Benefits of the ‘village’: a qualitative exploration of the patient experience of COPD in rural Australia

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e030953
Author(s):  
Kristen Glenister ◽  
Helen Haines ◽  
Rebecca Disler
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Research Guidelines ◽  
Rural Context ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Rural Australia

ObjectivesThis study sought to explore patients’ experiences of living with, and adapting to, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the rural context. Specifically, our research question was ‘What are the barriers and facilitators to living with and adapting to COPD in rural Australia?’DesignQualitative, semi-structured interviews. Conversations were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis following the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research guidelines.SettingPatients with COPD, admitted to a subregional hospital in Australia were invited to participate in interviews between October and November 2016.Main outcome measuresThemes were identified that assisted with understanding of the barriers and facilitators to living with, and adapting to, COPD in the rural context.ResultsFour groups of themes emerged:internal facilitators(coping strategies; knowledge of when to seek help) andexternal facilitators(centrality of a known doctor; health team ‘going above and beyond’ and social supports) andinternal/external barriers to COPD self-management(loss of identity, lack of access and clear communication, sociocultural challenges), which were moderated by feelings of inclusion or isolation in the rural community or ‘village’.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that community inclusion enhances patients’ ability to cope and ultimately self-manage COPD. This is facilitated by living in a supportive ‘village’ environment, and included a central, known doctor and a healthcare team willing to go ‘above and beyond’. Understanding, or supplementing, these social networks within the broader social structure may assist people to manage chronic disease, regardless of rural or metropolitan location.

scholarly journals Work after Death: An Examination of the Relationship between Grief, Emotional Labour, and the Lived Experience of Returning to Work after a Bereavement

2020 ◽  
pp. 136078042094634
Author(s):  
Natalie Pitimson
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Disenfranchised Grief ◽  
Emotional Labour ◽  
Company Policy ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The lived experience of returning to work after a bereavement remains relatively under researched. Within sociology, the notion of emotional labour has been explored at length, but the place and experience of grief in the workplace is less well understood. This research, framed by Hochschild’s work on feeling rules, focuses on professional individuals working in UK companies who agreed to discuss their experiences of returning to work after a bereavement, in terms of dealing with their own emotions and those of their colleagues, as well as navigating company policy in the area of compassionate leave. Qualitative data from seven semi-structured interviews were analysed, exposing key common emotional and experiential themes, particularly regarding disenfranchised grief, comfort in the familiarity of the work environment, and the impact of silent or awkward responses from colleagues. The emergent themes from the data were used to address the research objective of examining the relationship between grief, emotional labour, and the lived experience of returning to work after a bereavement.

scholarly journals Psychiatrists' understanding and use of psychological formulation: a qualitative exploration

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 212-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxanna Mohtashemi ◽  
John Stevens ◽  
Paul G. Jackson ◽  
Stephen Weatherhead
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Psychiatry Training ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Grounded Theory Methodology ◽  
Adult Psychiatry ◽  
Psychological Formulation ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Aims and methodTo establish an initial conceptualisation of how psychiatrists understand and use formulation within adult psychiatry practice. Twelve psychiatrists took part in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology.ResultsFormulation was conceptualised as an addition to diagnosis, triggered by risk, complexity and a need for an enhanced understanding. Participants valued collaborative formulation with psychologists. Multiple contextual factors were perceived to either facilitate or inhibit the process. Barriers to formulation led to a disjointed way of working.Clinical implicationsFindings contribute to an understanding of formulation within psychiatry training and practice.

What is school readiness? A qualitative exploration of parental perceptions in England

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 338-344
Author(s):  
Nathan Davies ◽  
Rosie Cooper ◽  
Manpreet Bains
Keyword(s):  
School Readiness ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Health Visitors ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

School readiness is a strong predictor of educational attainment and future health, but its meaning to parents is uncertain. This study aimed to generate an understanding of how parents conceptualise school readiness, and the forms of support they would find most acceptable and effective. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 17 parents and were analysed thematically. Parents appeared conflicted in their beliefs about the most important school readiness factors (physical, social and emotional health) and those they perceived schools to prioritise (numeracy and literacy). Parents reported orienting children towards developing cognitive skills because they believed schools favoured these over socio-emotional aspects of school readiness. Parents valued health visitors' input in developing understanding of school readiness. Parental understanding of school readiness could be better supported, along with information on how best to prepare children. Health visitors could play a pivotal role in school readiness and have opportunities to educate and empower parents of young children.

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