A mixed methods exploratory study of women’s relationships with and uses of fertility tracking apps

Digital self-tracking is rising, including tracking of menstrual cycles by women using fertility tracking apps (FTAs). However, little is known about users’ experiences of FTAs and their relationships with them. The aim of this study was to explore women’s uses of and relationships with FTAs. This exploratory study employed a mixed methods approach, involving the collection and analysis of an online survey and follow-up interviews. Qualitative analysis of survey and interview data informed hypothesis development. Online surveys yielded 241 responses and 11 follow-up interviews were conducted. Just over a third of women surveyed had experience of using FTAs (89/241) and follow-up interviews were conducted with a proportion of respondents (11/241). Four main motivations to use FTAs were identified: (a) to observe cycle (72%); (b) to conceive (34%); (c) to inform fertility treatment (12%); and (d) as contraception (4%). Analysis of the free-text survey questions and interviews using grounded theory methodology highlighted four themes underpinning women’s relationships with FTAs: (a) medical grounding; (b) health trackers versus non-trackers; (c) design; and (d) social and ethical aspects. Participants who used other health apps were more likely to use FTAs ( p = 0.001). Respondents who used contraception were less likely to use FTAs compared with respondents who did not use contraception ( p = 0.002). FTA usage also decreases ( p = 0.001) as age increases. There was no association between FTA usage and menstrual status ( p = 0.259). This research emphasises the differing motivations for FTA use. Future research should further explore the diverse relationships between different subgroups of women and FTAs.

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The Role of Music in Everyday Life During the First Wave of the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647756 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Emily Carlson ◽

Johanna Wilson ◽

Margarida Baltazar ◽

Deniz Duman ◽

Henna-Riikka Peltola ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Everyday Life ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Online Survey ◽

Emotional Responses ◽

Free Text ◽

Music Listening ◽

Musical Engagement ◽

Listening Behaviors

Although music is known to be a part of everyday life and a resource for mood and emotion management, everyday life has changed significantly for many due to the global coronavirus pandemic, making the role of music in everyday life less certain. An online survey in which participants responded to Likert scale questions as well as providing free text responses was used to explore how participants were engaging with music during the first wave of the pandemic, whether and how they were using music for mood regulation, and how their engagement with music related to their experiences of worry and anxiety resulting from the pandemic. Results indicated that, for the majority of participants, while many felt their use of music had changed since the beginning of the pandemic, the amount of their music listening behaviors were either unaffected by the pandemic or increased. This was especially true of listening to self-selected music and watching live streamed concerts. Analysis revealed correlations between participants’ use of mood for music regulation, their musical engagement, and their levels of anxiety and worry. A small number of participants described having negative emotional responses to music, the majority of whom also reported severe levels of anxiety.

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Reopening the Conversation Between Music Psychology and Music Therapy

Music Perception An Interdisciplinary Journal ◽

10.1525/mp.2021.39.2.181 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 181-201

Author(s):

Emily Carlson ◽

Ian Cross

Keyword(s):

Music Therapy ◽

Interdisciplinary Research ◽

Online Survey ◽

Research Collaboration ◽

Future Research ◽

Free Text ◽

Music Therapists ◽

Music Psychology ◽

Analysis Of Results ◽

Common Interests

Although the fields of music psychology and music therapy share many common interests, research collaboration between the two fields is still somewhat rare. Previous work has identified that disciplinary identities and attitudes towards those in other disciplines are challenges to effective interdisciplinary research. The current study explores such attitudes in music therapy and music psychology. A sample of 123 music therapists and music psychologists answered an online survey regarding their attitudes towards potential interdisciplinary work between the two fields. Analysis of results suggested that participants’ judgements of the attitudes of members of the other discipline were not always accurate. Music therapists indicated a high degree of interest in interdisciplinary research, although in free text answers, both music psychologists and music therapists frequently characterized music therapists as disinterested in science. Music therapists reported seeing significantly greater relevance of music psychology to their own work than did music psychologists of music therapists. Participants’ attitudes were modestly related to their reported personality traits and held values. Results overall indicated interest in, and positive expectations of, interdisciplinary attitudes in both groups, and should be explored in future research.

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P–759 The impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on women seeking fertility treatment in Germany: the patient´s perspective

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.758 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

S Wedner-Ross ◽

F Vo. Versen-Höynck

Keyword(s):

Study Design ◽

Online Survey ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Unborn Child ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Professional Societies ◽

Fertility Treatments ◽

The Impact

Abstract Study question This cross-sectional survey sought the views of women seeking fertility treatment on the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on their fertility treatment and attitudes. Summary answer Most respondents worried the recommendations to postpone treatment would reduce their chances of pregnancy and were concerned about negative effects of SARS-Cov–2 infections on pregnancy. What is known already In spring 2020, the recommendations of ESHRE and German professional societies to postpone fertility treatments resulted in limited or closed services from mid-March to early May in many clinics. Previous studies reported that postponing fertility clinic appointments causes psychological distress, with most patients saying they would have preferred to continue treatment. While no similar studies are available from Germany, where COVID–19 incidence was relatively low, concerns of the patients about possible consequences of a treatment delay and a SARS-CoV–2 infection on fertility and pregnancy remain unknown. Study design, size, duration This cross-sectional, anonymous, online questionnaire was completed in June-December 2020 by 249 women attending fertility clinics across Germany. The women were recruited using leaflets, directly by study personnel either in person or by telephone, or via online support group forums for fertility patients. Participants/materials, setting, methods All women seeking treatment in fertility clinics were eligible to participate. The online survey covered questions about the patient’s quality of life, their opinions about the professional societies’ recommendations and their effects as well as any concerns about infection with SARS-CoV–2. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 27. Main results and the role of chance Three-quarters of participants disagreed with the pausing of fertility treatments. Women who participated from October-December 2020, when the incidence rate was high, were as likely to disagree as participants that participated from June-September 2020 (73% vs 79%, p = 0.3). Nearly all participants (95%) were concerned that treatment delays would reduce their chances of pregnancy. 72 participants (29%) had their appointments cancelled. Nearly all (97%) reported being upset by this, with 40 (56%) reporting that they were extremely or very disappointed about the cancellation. Women coming for follow-up appointments and women who had to wait 10 weeks or longer were more likely to be upset by the postponement or cancellation of their appointment (p = 0.016 and p = 0.012, respectively). Nearly all (97%) of the participants were worried about possible negative effects a SARS-CoV–2 infection might have related to their fertility, pregnancy or unborn child. Sixty-one percent stated they were very or moderately concerned about the negative influence the infection might have on the womańs own health during pregnancy and 60% were very to moderately concerned about potential negative effects for the unborn child. However, only 26% reported they were very or moderately concerned about the potential negative effects of an infection on fertility. Limitations, reasons for caution The main limitations of this study are the possibility of selection bias as people with strong opinions are more likely to have participated and the lack of information on non-responders due to the study design. Also, the Covid–19 pandemic is evolving continuously meaning that participantś opinions may vary over time. Wider implications of the findings: Postponement of treatments increased distress among patients and should be avoided when possible. If unavoidable, follow-up patients should be prioritised for treatment and the length of postponement should be minimised. Fertility clinics must provide information about the current state of knowledge of SARS-Cov–2 infections in pregnancies and options for immunization. Trial registration number Not applicable

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An Affair to Remember: A Mixed-Methods Survey Examining Therapists’ Experiences Treating Infidelity

The Family Journal ◽

10.1177/10664807211061826 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 106648072110618

Author(s):

Taylor J. Irvine ◽

Paul R. Peluso

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Personal History ◽

Future Research ◽

Present Survey ◽

Training Standards ◽

Recovery Treatment ◽

And Training

In this mixed-methods study, we analyzed data from 351 couple therapists who completed our Therapists' Experiences Treating Infidelity (TETI) survey. The present survey is a follow-up of previous iterations that examined therapists' attitudes toward infidelity and affair recovery treatment. Our TETI survey provided additional questions pertaining to therapists' personal history with affairs and perceptions on current research and training standards. Results showed that various therapist and couple factors serve to impede affair recovery treatment. Additionally, this survey revealed several similarities in therapists' attitudes from prior surveys, despite decades having passed between when the present survey and previous versions. In this article, we (a) outline findings from this mixed-methods survey, (b) discuss implications for the field, and (c) offer directions for future research.

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Students’ Perceptions of Supervisory Qualities: What do Students want? What do they believe they receive?

International Journal of Doctoral Studies ◽

10.28945/4361 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 431-464 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Diana F Davis

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Research Process ◽

Human Interaction ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Future Research ◽

Development Programs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Supervisor Development

Aim/Purpose: This paper explores students’ perceptions of qualities they believe their ideal supervisor should possess as well as those they see as characterizing their current and past supervisors. Background: Over more than three decades, multiple cultural contexts and diverse methodologies, research studies have demonstrated that what person related human qualities in postgraduate research supervision have greater valence for students than does discipline/research expertise. This paper probes why this might be so. Methodology: Across 15 Australian universities and all disciplines 698 students participated in an opt-in online survey which invited students to provide descriptors of their supervisors’ qualities as well as those of their ideal supervisor. The survey was student centred in that it required them to nominate the qualities of their supervisor/s rather than asking them to respond to statements about supervisors/supervision on a Likert scale. Contribution: This research which was designed to allow students to characterise their actual supervisors and their ideal supervisor in an unconstrained and anonymous way demonstrated their dominant valuing of, firstly, human traits consistent with emotional intelligence and, secondly, the professional aspects of supervision especially in relation to research process. In providing a snapshot of the janus face of supervision, these uniquely student generated perspectives on supervisory qualities provide data not only supportive of previous studies with very different methodologies but also with implications for supervisor development programs and supervisor benchmarking within universities. Findings: The resultant student initiated perceptions of positive and negative qualities of supervisors support the findings of other studies which show that students value and seek cognitive and affective person related qualities in supervisors over discipline/research expertise qualities. For 25 percent of the sample there were no qualities in common between their principal supervisor and their ideal; this increased to 50 percent with one quality in common. Recommendations for Practitioners: In developing and honing individual philosophies of supervision, supervisors should reflect, for example, upon the ways in which they present to and interact with students as individuals, their availability to students, their interest in students' research and career development. Those delivering supervisor development programs should consider the balance in such programs between process- oriented material and human interaction strategies. Recommendation for Researchers: Research in the doctoral space has tended to be summative as in post completion evaluations of the experience or cross-sectional sampling of experience or what is valued as in the current study. Longitudinal research which samples perspectives both within and beyond candidature is needed. This should thus encompass the experiences of those who complete and those who do not over a period of perhaps six years. Impact on Society: Globally since the late 1990s, universities have initiated doctoral training programs and codes of conduct pertaining to the supervisory relationship yet evidence suggests that supervision issues remain vexatious. The sector thus needs to address the efficacy of such programs in ameliorating issues raised by students. The silent acknowledgement of late stage doctoral attrition – and the lack of follow up as to the complex interrelationship of factors prompting such a personally difficult and societally wasteful decision – remains a besetting problem for the sector. Future Research: Two critical issues would usefully guide future research in the doctoral education space. Firstly, the ultimate efficacy of supervisor development programs requires evaluation and follow up. Secondly, the perspectives of those who exit the PhD process virtually without trace need to be investigated and evaluated for policy implications. Further some respondents in this study had supervisory roles themselves and the qualities they attributed to self as supervisor were closer to the ideal than those of real supervisors. This suggests that a more extensive investigation of how supervisors see themselves in the supervisory role would be useful as such research would potentially impact on the nature of supervisor development programs in the future.

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Association between Psychological Integration and Permanent Supportive Housing: An Exploratory Study with a Focus on Ethnicity

Social Sciences ◽

10.3390/socsci10120468 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 468

Author(s):

Annette S. Crisanti ◽

Shelley Alonso-Marsden ◽

Leah Puglisi ◽

Richard Neil Greene ◽

Tyler Kincaid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Target Population ◽

Supportive Housing ◽

Future Research ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Permanent Supportive Housing ◽

Psychological Integration ◽

And Control

There is limited research on the association between Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and psychological integration. The purpose of this study was to explore this association among individuals with mental illness and/or substance use disorder (SUD) enrolled in PSH and to identify variables associated with sense of belonging. Given differences in outcomes of PSH by ethnicity, we were interested to determine if an association existed between PSH and psychological integration and whether it was equally observed among Hispanics and non-Hispanics. The target population included individuals who were chronically homeless and diagnosed with a mental illness and/or SUD. Baseline data were collected upon intake (N = 370). Follow-up data were collected at six-months post baseline (N = 286) and discharge (N = 143). Predictor and control variables included demographics, overall health, PTSD symptom severity, interactions with family and friends, and participation in recovery-related groups in the community. Psychological integration scores increased significantly from the baseline to the 6-month follow-up (t = −3.41, p = 0.003) and between the 6-month follow-up and discharge (t = −2.97, p = 0.007). Significant predictors of psychological integration included overall health, interactions with family and/or friends, PTSD symptoms, income, education, and diagnosis. No differences were observed between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. The findings from this exploratory study suggest that future research in this area is warranted.

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P106 Psychological and self-management support for people with systemic vasculitis or CTDs: a mixed methods study of health professionals’ perception of provision in Rheumatology and Nephrology departments in the UK

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keaa111.104 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

Joanna C Robson ◽

Michael Shepherd ◽

Mwidimi Ndosi ◽

Lorraine Harper ◽

Caroline Flurey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Professional ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Support ◽

Self Management ◽

Free Text ◽

Management Support ◽

The Uk

Abstract Background People with a connective tissue disease (CTD) or systemic vasculititis have diseases which can be life and organ threatening, require complicated medication regimens and impact on all aspects of health-related quality of life. People are routinely managed across multiple medical specialities and have to navigate their way through complex health care systems. The aim of this study was to investigate current psychological and self-management support available for people with CTDs and vasculitis in rheumatology and nephrology departments in the UK. Methods An online survey of health professionals in rheumatology and nephrology departments was conducted with follow-up interviews. The survey comprised 45 multiple-choice and free-text questions. Quantitative material was analysed descriptively. Follow-up interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically, together with free-text survey responses, to identify health professionals’ perceptions on unmet needs and key improvements required. Results The online survey included 120 health professional respondents (34 % specialist nurses, 51% doctors and 12 % allied health professionals and pharmacists). Respondents worked primarily in rheumatology (52.9%) and nephrology (21.5%). Access to self-management programmes or clinics for people with CTD and vasculitis was available in 23% of rheumatology and 8% of nephrology departments. In response to the question “How well is your team providing self-management support to people with CTD and vasculitis?”, 38% of respondents reported not very well, or not well at all. Direct access to psychological support (either within their department or within the hospital) was available for patients in 76.9% of nephrology and 32.8% of rheumatology departments. Where psychological referrals were direct, the assessment of the quality of the service by health professionals was higher than when the referrals were indirect (i.e when patients were either referred to primary care or asked to self-refer) (X2=13.83, p < 0.001). Over 80% of health-professional respondents reported they would like additional training in providing self-management support. Key themes from the qualitative data included the need for dedicated psychological support within departments, self-management programmes (specifically for people with CTD and vasculitis or opening up established programmes for people with other conditions), the benefits of a whole team approach (specialist teams not individual clinicians working to empower patients to take a lead in managing their own care), individual staff training needs ( training in brief psychological interventions and support for health professionals to set up self-management programmes) and signposting to additional resources for patients and their families ( disease-specific written and online information and support from patient charities). Conclusion People with CTD and vasculitis have complex needs and systemic improvements in support are required. Patients in nephrology departments are more likely to have access to psychological support than those in rheumatology. There is inadequate access to structured self-management programmes in both nephrology and rheumatology. Disclosures J.C. Robson None. M. Shepherd None. M. Ndosi None. L. Harper None. C. Flurey None. S. Logan None. K. Austin None. E. Dures None.

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The Canadian National EMS Research Agenda: Impact and Feasibility of Implementation of Previously Generated Recommendations

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2015.29 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 484-490 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

JL Jensen ◽

IE Blanchard ◽

BL Bigham ◽

AJE Carter ◽

R Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Free Text ◽

Impact Score ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Point Scale ◽

State Of Emergency

AbstractBackgroundA recent mixed-methods study on the state of emergency medical services (EMS) research in Canada led to the generation of nineteen actionable recommendations. As part of the dissemination plan, a survey was distributed to EMS stakeholders to determine the anticipated impact and feasibility of implementing these recommendations in Canadian systems.MethodsAn online survey explored both the implementation impact and feasibility for each recommendation using a five-point scale. The sample consisted of participants from the Canadian National EMS Research Agenda study (published in 2013) and additional EMS research stakeholders identified through snowball sampling. Responses were analysed descriptively using median and plotted on a matrix. Participants reported any planned or ongoing initiatives related to the recommendations, and required or anticipated resources. Free text responses were analysed with simple content analysis, collated by recommendation.ResultsThe survey was sent to 131 people, 94 (71.8%) of whom responded: 30 EMS managers/regulators (31.9%), 22 researchers (23.4%), 15 physicians (16.0%), 13 educators (13.8%), and 5 EMS providers (5.3%). Two recommendations (11%) had a median impact score of 4 (of 5) and feasibility score of 4 (of 5). Eight recommendations (42%) had an impact score of 5, with a feasibility score of 3. Nine recommendations (47%) had an impact score of 4 and a feasibility score of 3.ConclusionsFor most recommendations, participants scored the anticipated impact higher than the feasibility to implement. Ongoing or planned initiatives exist pertaining to all recommendations except one. All of the recommendations will require additional resources to implement.

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Students’ Motivation for Sport Activity and Participation in University Sports: A Mixed-Methods Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/9524861 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Katharina Diehl ◽

Anna Katharina Fuchs ◽

Katharina Rathmann ◽

Jennifer Hilger-Kolb

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Online Survey ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Sport Activity ◽

Future Research ◽

Future Health ◽

Five Factors ◽

Quantitative Results

Background. Physical activity among students is essential for complimenting sedentary behavior and for individuals’ future health. This study investigates reasons for sport engagement among students and addresses the utilization of university sports programs (USP) by employing a mixed-methods approach. Methods. The NuPhA-Study consists of a quantitative online survey (n=689) followed by qualitative interviews (n=20). In the survey, we assessed reasons for sport activity using a 24-item battery and USP utilization. Quantitative results were further explored using qualitative data to check for completeness of the predefined items (content validity) and to identify opportunities to improve participating in USP. Results. A factor analysis grouped the 24 items into five factors (life balance/fitness/body image/contact with others/fun). Our qualitative study explained these in more detail and revealed missing aspects. 47.6% of students participated in USP. Potential improvements for USP include program maintenance during the semester break and temporal harmonization with the classes. Discussion. The qualitative component identified additional reasons for sport activity that were not addressed by the item battery, which provides critical implications for developing item batteries for future research. Our results may help to generate a more target-group-oriented approach to increase physical activity among students, which will reduce sedentary behavior and future disease burden.

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Patient and public involvement in numerical aspects of trials: a mixed methods theory-informed survey of trialists’ current practices, barriers and facilitators

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046977 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e046977

Author(s):

Beatriz Goulao ◽

Camille Poisson ◽

Katie Gillies

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Online Survey ◽

Public Involvement ◽

Theoretical Domains Framework ◽

Patient And Public Involvement ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Future Research ◽

Mixed Methods Approach ◽

Scarce Resources ◽

The Public

ObjectiveWe aimed to find out if trialists involve patients and the public in numerical aspects of trials, how and what are the barriers and facilitators to doing it.DesignWe developed a survey based on the Theoretical Domains Framework. We used a mixed methods approach to analyse the data and to identify important domains.SettingOnline survey targeting UK-based trial units.ParticipantsStakeholders working in UK-based clinical trials, 18 years old or over, understand English and agree to take part in the study.Outcome measuresTrialists’ behaviour of involving patients and the public in numerical aspects of trials and its determinants.ResultsWe included 187 respondents. Majority were female (70%), trial managers (67%) and involved public and patient partners in numerical aspects of trials (60%). We found lack of knowledge, trialists’ perception of public and patient partners’ skills, capabilities and motivations, scarce resources, lack of reinforcement, and lack of guidance were barriers to involving public and patient partners in numerical aspects of trials. Positive beliefs about consequences were an incentive to doing it.ConclusionsMore training, guidance and funding can help trialists involve patient and public partners in numerical aspects, although they were uncertain about public and patient partners’ motivation to be involved. Future research should focus on identifying public and patient partners’ motivations and develop strategies to improve the communication of numerical aspects.

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