scholarly journals ‘It's a double whammy’: A qualitative study of illness uncertainty in individuals with Parkinson's disease in the context of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 174239532110431
Author(s):  
Jane Simpson ◽  
Nicolò Zarotti ◽  
Sandra Varey ◽  
Eleftherios Anestis ◽  
Carol Holland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Illness Uncertainty ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
Implicit And Explicit ◽  
Future Management

Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of individuals with Parkinson's through the theoretical lens of illness uncertainty during the first UK full lockdown period (March–June 2020) put in place due outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out via telephone in May 2020 with 10 individuals with Parkinson's (six men and four women) recruited from Parkinson's UK. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the resulting data. Results Four overarching themes emerged from the interview data: (1) COVID-19 amplifying existing fears and difficulties around the uncertainty of Parkinson's; (2) practical and psychological efforts to manage uncertainty; (3) benefit-finding as a way of acknowledging the positives of lockdown; (4) risk and future management in the context of uncertainty. Discussion Participants reported a range of implicit and explicit strategies to cope with the ‘double whammy’ of uncertainty caused by having Parkinson's during a global pandemic. While these were generally successful in maintaining well-being, it is important that such successful accounts are used to help inform novel strategies and interventions targeting individuals who might need additional support.

scholarly journals Exploring the Experiences and Well-Being of Australian Rio Olympians During the Post-Olympic Phase: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Bennie ◽  
Courtney C. Walton ◽  
Donna O’Connor ◽  
Lauren Fitzsimons ◽  
Thomas Hammond
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Elite Athlete ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Olympic Athletes ◽  
The Olympic Games

Research about the Olympic Games has primarily focused on preparing athletes for competition. Less attention has been paid to the post-Olympic-phase (POP) and athlete well-being during this time. This study explored Australian Olympic athletes’ experiences following the conclusion of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, including the factors that may have contributed to or challenged their well-being during this time. Eighteen athletes participated in semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis revealed that when Olympic performance appraisal met prior expectations, when athletes planned for a return to work or study, and when support from a variety of sources was readily available, this positively influenced athletes’ well-being during the POP. When these factors were not in place, more challenging post-Games experiences were present, and well-being was compromised. The findings contribute to the broader literature on elite athlete well-being and at an applied level, may be used to inform targeted programs that focus on supporting athletes after an Olympic campaign.

scholarly journals Psychological Impact of Parkinson Disease Delusions on Spouse Caregivers: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 871
Author(s):  
Caroline J. Deutsch ◽  
Noelle Robertson ◽  
Janis M. Miyasaki
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Interdisciplinary Teams ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Clinical Interviews ◽  
Spouse Caregivers ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact

There is growing research on carers of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experiences. However, the impact on carers by PD delusions is not specifically examined. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews of spouse carers of PD patients with delusions. Thematic analysis was employed using MAXQDA 2018. Twelve spouse participants (SPs) were interviewed. Four themes emerged: Managing incredulity: trying to make sense of delusion content; Hypervigilance: constant alertness to bizarre and threatening discourse and behavior; Defensive strategizing: anticipating delusions and potential consequences; Concealing and exposing: ambivalence about disclosing the effect of delusions yet wanting support. SPs reported effects on their emotional well-being and marital relationship and challenges to an orderly, predictable life. SPs were reluctant to share their experiences due to delusion content (often infidelity and sexual in nature) and a desire to protect their spouses’ image. SPs’ awareness of the potential for delusional thought was low prior to their occurrence. Conclusions: education surrounding potential neurobehavioral changes should occur for patients and carers. Clinicians should be aware that the impact of delusions on carers is often greater than disclosed in clinical interviews. Interdisciplinary teams speaking separately to spousal carers may improve disclosure and delivery of appropriate psychological support.

scholarly journals Staying Home, Staying Alive: Campus Food Pantry Student Clients’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 193672442110356
Author(s):  
Elmira Jangjou
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Postsecondary Students ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Seeking Help

In response to students’ food insecurity, a number of colleges and universities have taken action and established campus food pantries as part of their intervention plans. However, many of these pantries ceased operation due to COVID-19 campus shutdowns. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the short-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on postsecondary students, who use a university-provided food pantry. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with 12 participants, the thematic analysis explored the initial coping strategies these students used to endure the pandemic. Findings revealed that many students experienced the immediate effects of the pandemic in the form of income loss, self-isolation, anxiety, and appetite change. Although the pandemic interrupted these students’ journeys to continue their studies and become independent in various ways, the affected students implemented various coping strategies, including seeking help from family or friends, using available resources, cooking at home, and even trying to save money. However, considering that the targeted population in this study was already at risk because of their basic needs insecurity, these postsecondary students require extra attention from their higher education institutions in the case of emergencies, such as a global pandemic. In addition to its timely and relevant findings, this study provides important avenues for future research and intervention efforts.

scholarly journals Experiences of New Zealand Haemodialysis Patients in Relation to Food and Nutrition Management: A Qualitative Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2299
Author(s):  
Rachael M. McLean ◽  
Zhengxiu Xie ◽  
Vicky Nelson ◽  
Vili Nosa ◽  
Hla Thein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Nutrition Management ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Major Disruption

People receiving haemodialysis have considerable and complex dietary and healthcare needs, including co-morbidities. A recent New Zealand study has shown that few patients on haemodialysis are able to meet nutritional requirements for haemodialysis. This study aims to describe the perspectives and experiences of dietary management among patients on haemodialysis in New Zealand. This exploratory qualitative study used in-depth semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from different ethnic groups. Forty interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive approach was taken using thematic analysis. Forty participants were interviewed. Participants spoke of major disruption to their lives as a result of their chronic kidney disease and being on haemodialysis, including loss of employment, financial challenges, loss of independence, social isolation and increased reliance on extended family. Most had received adequate dietary information, although some felt that more culturally appropriate support would have enabled a healthier diet. These findings show that further support to make the recommended dietary changes while on haemodialysis should focus on socio-cultural factors, in addition to the information already provided.

Healthcare and Terrorism: The Lebanese Experience

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Nooreddine Iskandar ◽  
Tatiana Rahbany ◽  
Ali Shokor
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Common ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background: Due to the common instability caused by political and security issues, Lebanese hospitals have experienced acts of terrorism multiple times. The most recent Beirut Explosion even forced several hospitals to cease operations for the first time in decades—but studies show the preparedness levels for such attacks in similar countries are low. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the experience of Lebanese hospitals with terrorist attacks. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders to assess their experience with terrorist bombings. Data was analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Results: The researchers found that Lebanese hospitals vary greatly in their structures and procedures. Those differences are a function of 3 contextual factors: location, culture, and accreditation status. Hospitals found near ‘dangerous zones’ were more likely to be aware and to have better response to such events. A severe lack of communication, unity of command, and collaboration between stakeholders has made the process fragmented. Conclusion: The researchers recommend a larger role for the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in this process, and the creation of a platform where Lebanese organizations can share their experiences to improve preparedness and resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system in the face of terrorism.

scholarly journals Protective and Risk Factors of Italian Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 453
Author(s):  
Amalia De Leo ◽  
Eloisa Cianci ◽  
Paolo Mastore ◽  
Caterina Gozzoli
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Interpersonal Level

The COVID-19 pandemic put the Italian health system under great stress. The sudden reorganization of work practices and the emotional impact of the large number of the victims had many consequences on the well-being of the healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in managing the crisis. In the available literature, most studies have focused on the risk aspects while only few studies also take into account protective factors. For this reason, it was decided to conduct, within psycho-sociological perspective, a qualitative study with the aim to explore in depth the protective and risk factors as experienced by HCPs who worked in the Italian healthcare system during the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs–9 nurses and 10 physicians (7M and 12F) with an average age of 43 (SD = 13.4)–selected using snowball sampling. Considering three different levels of analysis the results highlight the protective and risk factors: personal history level (intrinsic/ethical motivation and flexible role versus extrinsic motivation and static role), interpersonal level (perception of supportive relationships with colleagues, patients, and family versus bad relationships), and organizational level (good leadership and sustainable work purpose versus absence of support from management and undefined or confused tasks).

Rising above It: Status Ambivalence in Older Adults

Gerontology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 576-588
Author(s):  
Deirdre A. Robertson ◽  
David Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Social ◽  
Implicit And Explicit

Background: Social status is the standing of a person or group in the social hierarchy, and is perceived to change across the life span from low social status in early life, to peak in midlife, and to a decline thereafter. As threats to subjective social status are known to be detrimental to individuals’ health, it is important to better understand how older adults perceive themselves and others in terms of age-related social status. Objective: We examined status ambivalence – the potential discrepancy between how older adults’ perceive social status for themselves compared to older adults in general. Method: Study 1 used qualitative data from 37 semi-structured interviews with older adults to assess perceptions of social status. Study 2 used quantitative survey data from 114 older adults who completed explicit and implicit measures of social status. Results: Study 1 (n = 37, meanage = 71.72, SDage = 5.69; 81.1% women) provided preliminary evidence for status ambivalence such that older adults reported unequivocal low social status for other older adults but a more ambivalent perception of their own social status. Study 2 (n = 114, meanage = 64.32, SDage = 8.98, 57.9% women) compared implicit and explicit measures of social status revealing that older adults consistently perceive older adults to have low social status but again show a more ambivalent perception of their own social status. Conclusion: We discuss status ambivalence as a potential protective mechanism in the context of negative societal perceptions of age-related social status that may be important for well-being in later life.

The growing environment on Chinese adolescents' non-suicidal self-injury: a parents-reported qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Fu ◽  
Jiaxin Yang ◽  
Xiaoli Liao ◽  
Jingjing Lin ◽  
Yao Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parenting Style ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Chinese Adolescents ◽  
Behavioral Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Interaction ◽  
Family Function ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Growing Environment

Abstract Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent in adolescents and brings a series of serious consequences to their well-being. Previous studies indicated that the growing environment has a significant impact on adolescents with NSSI, which is little known about the Chinese adolescents. The study aims to investigate the growing environment of Chinese adolescents with NSSI and explore the target of intervention in the growing environment of adolescents with NSSI. Methods: The participants are parents of adolescents with NSSI who responded to a study advert, which was distributed in the psychological ward in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and their responses were analyzed by the thematic analysis. Results: 20 participants (16 were mothers, and 4 were fathers) completed the interview. Four themes were identified: Parenting style, Family function, Peer interaction, and Psycho-behavioral factors as well as 14 subthemes. Conclusion: Parents-report demonstrated a series of problems, consisting of Inappropriate parenting style, invalid family function, negative interaction of peer and problematic behavioral factors, etc. This highlight increasing awareness was needed to seek some intervention in the aspects of a growing environment for them.

scholarly journals Understanding Relationship between Milestone and Decision-Making in Project Management: A Qualitative Study among Project Managers in Saudi Arabia

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Altahtooh ◽  
Thamir Alaskar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pragmatic Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Despite the importance of milestone as a key knowledge in project management, there has been lack of research to understand the relationship between milestones and decision-making. This paper presents a pragmatic research context that aims understanding the nature of milestones and their relationship with different decision-making structures and responsibilities across projects. Data were collected through 14 semi-structured interviews with project managers and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings explore the concepts of project milestones among project managers in Saudi Arabia. The paper finds that there is a relationship between milestones and the impact on decision-making.

‘Physical appearance and well-being in adults with incurable cancer: a thematic analysis’

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002632
Author(s):  
Philippa Tollow ◽  
Jane Ogden ◽  
Candida S McCabe ◽  
Diana Harcourt
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Incurable Cancer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Appearance Changes

ObjectivesExisting research has established the importance of appearance concerns for individuals with cancer and identified appearance as an important factor in dying with dignity. No research, however, has explored in depth the role of appearance in the experiences of individuals who have incurable cancer. This research aims to explore patients’ experiences and perspectives in relation to the role of appearance issues in adults with incurable cancer.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 adults with incurable cancer (20 women, 4 men; mean age 54.5, SD 11.32).ResultsThematic analysis generated three themes: ‘Identity: Embodying Cancer’, ‘Communication: Wearing your illness’ and ‘Support: Holistic Care’. Appearance was felt to be an important element of identity, which was often dominated by cancer, leading to feelings of separation from the participant’s previous self. Appearance changes also influenced the way in which individuals communicated with their external world, forcing discussion of their diagnosis, and increasing focus on their cancer, with participants having to manage the emotional impact of this on loved ones, as well as the impact on their legacy. Finally, participants highlighted the positive impact of appearance-related support in their well-being and identified peer connections and refocusing on the self as key elements of such support.ConclusionsAppearance changes play an important role in the experiences of individuals with incurable cancer with regards to both identity and communication and challenged participants’ ability to maintain normalcy. Further psychosocial support relating to appearance concerns was considered necessary to promote dignity and provide truly holistic patient care.

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