scholarly journals Covid-19 and pathways to health inequities for families in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area of Sweden – qualitative analysis of home visitors’ observations

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madelene Barboza ◽  
Anneli Marttila ◽  
Bo Burström ◽  
Asli Kulane
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Home Visiting ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged ◽  
Access To Resources ◽  
Lack Of Control

Abstract Background Lack of control over life situations is an important social determinant that may negatively affect parental and child health. This study took place in an area of Stockholm, Sweden with high indications of socioeconomic disadvantage, a large part of the population with foreign background, as well as higher levels of poor health than the county average. It investigated staff perceptions of pathways from situations of low control, potentially leading to health inequities, affecting families enrolled in an early childhood home visiting programme during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 23 child health care nurses and parental advisors working in a home visiting programme. The data was analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results The analysis resulted in five pathways on two explanatory levels, affecting parents’ health and parenting capacity and children’s health and well-being, potentially damaging health and leading to health inequities. The first four pathways related to control at the personal explanatory level: Families facing instability and insecurity; Caring for children in crowded and poor housing conditions; Experiencing restricted access to resources; and Parenting with limited social support. The fifth pathway, Living in a segregated society, covered the collective experience of lack of control on community level. The Covid-19 pandemic was observed to negatively affect all pathways and thus potentially aggravate health inequities for this population. The pandemic has also limited the delivery of home visits to the families which creates further barriers in families’ access to resources and increases isolation for parents with already limited social support. Conclusions The diversity of pathways connected to health inequities presented in this study highlights the importance of considering this variety of influences when designing interventions for socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. The additional negative consequences of Covid-19 indicate the need for sustainable preventive early childhood interventions for families in such areas. The study also emphasizes the need for further research as well as policy action on possible long-term effects of changing behaviours during the Covid-19 period on child health and health equity. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered (11 August 2016) in the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN11832097).

scholarly journals Toward a dynamic model of Gelotophobia: Social support, workplace bullying and stress are connected with diverging trajectories of life and job satisfaction among Gelotophobes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willibald Ruch ◽  
Alexander G. Stahlmann
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Work Stress ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Workplace Bullying ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Dynamic Framework ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Recent theoretical advances have grounded gelotophobia (Greek: gelos = laughter, phobos = fear) in a dynamic framework of causes, moderating factors, and consequences of the fear of being laughed at. This understanding corresponds to that of vulnerability and translates gelotophobia into a distinguishable pattern of lacking resources (i.e., misinterpretation of joy and laughter) that can result in negative consequences (e.g., reduced well-being and performance) if individuals have no access to further resources (e.g., social support) or are exposed to severe stressors (e.g., workplace bullying). Based on the panel data provided by the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES (N = 2469 across six measurement intervals), this study takes the first step toward empirically testing this model’s assumptions: First, we computed exemplary zero-order correlations and showed that gelotophobia was negatively connected with social support (resource) and life and job satisfaction (consequences) and positively connected with perceived stress, work stress, and workplace bullying (stressors). Second, we used longitudinal cluster analyses (KmL; k-means-longitudinal) and showed that the panel data can be clustered into three stable patterns of life and job satisfaction and that gelotophobia is primarily related to the two clusters marked by lower levels of satisfaction. Third, we computed partial correlations and showed that social support, perceived stress, and work stress (but not workplace bullying) can weaken or completely resolve gelotophobia’s relationships with such diverging trajectories of life and job satisfaction. We concluded that seeing gelotophobia through the lens of vulnerability is useful and that such research warrants further attention using more dedicated, theoretically grounded projects.

scholarly journals Addressing inequities in child health and development: towards social justice

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e000503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Spencer ◽  
Shanti Raman ◽  
Bernadette O'Hare ◽  
Giorgio Tamburlini
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Life Course ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Child Health

Inequities have a profound impact on the health and development of children globally. While inequities are greatest in the world’s poorest countries, even in rich nations poorer children have poorer health and developmental outcomes. From birth through childhood to adolescence, morbidity, mortality, growth and development are socially determined, resulting in the most disadvantaged having the highest risk of poor health outcomes. Inequities in childhood impact across the life course. We consider four categories of actions to promote equity: strengthening individuals, strengthening communities, improving living and working conditions, and promoting healthy macropolicies. Inequities can be reduced but action to reduce inequities requires political will. The International Society for Social Paediatrics and Child Health (ISSOP) calls on governments, policy makers, paediatricians and professionals working with children and their organisations to act to reduce child health inequity as a priority. ISSOP recommends the following: governments act to reduce child poverty; ensure rights of all children to healthcare, education and welfare are protected; basic health determinants such as adequate nutrition, clean water and sanitation are available to all children. Paediatric and child health organisations ensure that their members are informed of the impact of inequities on children’s well-being and across the life course; include child health inequities in curricula for professionals in training; publish policy statements relevant to their country on child health inequities; advocate for evidence-based pro-equity interventions using a child rights perspective; advocate for affordable, accessible and quality healthcare for all children; promote research to monitor inequity as well as results of interventions in their child populations. Paediatricians and child health professionals be aware of the impact of social determinants of health on children under their care; ensure their clinical services are accessible and acceptable to all children and families within the constraints of their country’s health services; engage in advocacy at community and national level.

Job insecurity fluctuations and support towards Italian precarious schoolteachers

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-647
Author(s):  
Marianna Giunchi ◽  
Pedro Marques-Quinteiro ◽  
Chiara Ghislieri ◽  
Anne-Marie Vonthron
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Over Time

PurposeThe negative consequences of job insecurity on the well-being of individuals are well known. However, the perceptions of job insecurity over time and how some factors such as social support may affect them have received limited attention. This study follows precarious schoolteachers for three weeks before the end of their contract to explore how their perceptions of job insecurity evolve over time.Design/methodology/approachThe participants were 47 precarious schoolteachers who first completed a general questionnaire, then a diary survey on nine occasions over the course of the three weeks. Data was analysed with MPLUS 7.3.FindingsThe results suggest intra-individual differences regarding the way job insecurity was perceived over time. An additional discovery was that support provided by the school principal was negatively related to changes in job insecurity over time.Research limitations/implicationsThe relatively small sample size, which includes only precarious schoolteachers, and the methodology complexity of the diary are limitations of this study.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the subjective nature of the perceptions of job insecurity. It also shows the importance of the school principal's social support towards precarious schoolteachers; therefore, practitioners should propose interventions to enhance the quality of principal–teachers relationships.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by investigating how perceptions of job insecurity evolve over time and the role of social support.

scholarly journals Consequences of cyberbullying behaviour in working life

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 376-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuija Muhonen ◽  
Sandra Jönsson ◽  
Martin Bäckström
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Intention To Quit ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Organisational Climate

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore health- and work-related outcomes of cyberbullying behaviour and the potential mediating role of social organisational climate, social support from colleagues and social support from superiors. Design/methodology/approach Altogether 3,371 respondents participated in a questionnaire study. Findings The results of this study indicate that social organisational climate can have a mediating role in the relationship between cyberbullying behaviour and health, well-being, work engagement and intention to quit. Contrary to earlier face-to-face bullying research, the current study showed that cyberbullying behaviour had stronger indirect than direct relationships to health, well-being, work engagement and intention to quit. Practical implications Communication through digital devices in work life is becoming more prevalent, which in turn increases the risk for cyberbullying behaviour. Organisations need therefore to develop occupational health and safety policies concerning the use of digital communication and social media in order to prevent cyberbullying behaviour and its negative consequences. Originality/value Cyberbullying behaviour among working adults is a relatively unexplored phenomenon and therefore this study makes valuable contribution to the research field.

Social networking sites in the workplace: an imperative

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveenraj Xavier ◽  
J. Reeves Wesley
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extant Literature

Purpose This paper aims to lay a theoretical foundation favoring the use of social networking sites (SNS) in workplace and its implication on employee stress and well-being. Prescriptive policies are also formulated to control unintended negative consequences. Design/methodology/approach The authors have used an explorative design. Prescriptive data were drawn from extant literature, simple discussions with employees and employers. Discussions were centered on the consequences of SNS. Findings In recent years, SNS usage has skyrocketed and use in the workplace has been controversial. Use of SNS enables employees to communicate and connect not only with coworkers but also with family members and friends, and it also helps to minimize the stress and improve the well-being of employees. However, a comprehensive policy that controls negative consequences should be in place. Originality/value This paper sensitizes readers on the need for permitting SNS usage within a policy-controlled setting in organizations. It also throws light on social support, stress and well-being.

WIDENING THE SCOPE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT: THE FLORIDA MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING PROGRAM

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 595-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Marshall ◽  
Pamela C. Birriel ◽  
Elizabeth Baker ◽  
Leandra Olson ◽  
Ngozichukwuka Agu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Home Visiting ◽  
Childhood Home ◽  
Home Visiting Program ◽  
Early Childhood Home Visiting

Empowering vulnerable parents through a family mentoring program

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darshini Ayton ◽  
Nerida Joss
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Home Visiting ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mentoring Program ◽  
Parenting Support ◽  
Role Modelling ◽  
The Family

Evidence suggests that mentoring programs can foster positive relationships through role modelling, social support and opportunities to develop new skills. Home visiting programs, where a health professional or volunteer provides parenting support and companionship to at-risk families, have received attention from the health and welfare sector. These programs tend to focus on new mothers and immediate parenting concerns, and do not address broader social determinants of health that impact on the well being and functionality of the family. Herein we report on an evaluation of the Creating Opportunities and Casting Hope (COACH) program, a family mentoring program for vulnerable parents. COACH seeks to break cycles of generational poverty by addressing social determinants, such as housing, employment, health, finances and social support. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the program, involving semistructured interviews with parents (n = 12), surveys with mentors (n = 27) and client case report review (n = 27). Parents experienced improvements in their housing and employment situations, family dynamics, social support and mental health, and decreased drug and alcohol use. Mentors described providing guidance on parenting strategies, financial management and domestic skills. Partnerships with local schools, health services and welfare agencies were vital in the referral processes for families, thereby building a community network of support and care. The COACH model of mentoring highlights the benefits of a flexible and long-standing program to address the social determinants of child health through the family environment and wider social and economic factors.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of policies and programs to support families and children during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Kearon ◽  
Mark Cachia ◽  
Sarah Carsley ◽  
Meta van den Heuvel ◽  
Jessica Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Policies And Programs

AbstractBackgroundPolicies and programs that promote positive social environments for young children and their families have the potential to improve early childhood development and long-term health. However, due to the community-wide public health measures implemented to reduce transmission of COVID-19, many families are experiencing health and socio-economic challenges and pre-existing supports and services may no longer be available. In this study, we compared the policies and programs countries have implemented to support maternal and child health during the first wave of COVID-19.MethodsWe compared the policies and programs implemented to support child health and well-being during the first wave of COVID-19 in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, the UK, and the USA. A grey literature review was performed to identify policies, announcements, and guidelines released from governmental and public health organizations within each country related to children, parents, families, early childhood development, adverse childhood experiences, child welfare, pre-school, or daycares. We also performed a manual search of government websites. Both provincial and federal government policies were included for Canada.ResultsThe main policies identified were focused on prenatal care, well-baby visit and immunization schedules, financial supports, domestic violence and housing, childcare supports, child protective services, and food security. All of the included countries implemented some of these policies, but there was a large variation in the number, size, and barriers to access these supports. None of the countries implemented supports in all of the potential areas identified.ConclusionPolitical legacy and previous redistributive policies might have influenced the variation in policies and programs introduced by governments. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, further opportunity for governments to implement supportive programs and policies for children and families exists.

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