An exploration of reasons why some women may leave the birth experience with emotional distress

Background Following birth, some women report negative and traumatic feelings. There is relatively little research on women's perceptions of these emotions. It is important to understand why some women experience distress following labour. The work presented in this paper focuses on one aspect of a wider mixed methods research study. Aims To explore reasons why some women may leave the birth experience with emotional distress. Method A descriptive qualitative approach was used. A total of 16 semi-structured, qualitative interviews were undertaken. These were with women following birth, some of whom had attended a local birth reflections service. Thematic analysis was performed using typewritten transcripts. Findings Three key themes were identified which illuminated the topic of women's subjective distress: ‘giving birth as traumatic/horrific’, ‘lasting emotions linked to the birth process’ and ‘the impact of the health professional on women's experiences of giving birth’. As well as identifying how women are feeling following birth, this study has also highlighted how midwives can affect women's birth experience. It seems that trauma relating to the birth event may be mediated by professional behaviours and how supportive they are. Conclusion Lack of support by care professionals was a key factor associated with a negative birth experience. Maternity services and education providers need to ensure optimal training for all healthcare professionals who provide care to women during labour and birth.

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The Impact of the CrossFit Environment on Women’s Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Eating Behaviors

International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches ◽

10.29034/ijmra.v12n1a2 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 78-95

Author(s):

Paige Coyne ◽

Sarah J. Woodruff

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Mixed Methods Research ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Research Study ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Multiple Linear Regressions ◽

Women's Body Image ◽

The Impact ◽

Linear Regressions

This mixed methods research study sought to investigate associations among women’s body image, self-esteem, and eating behaviors in the CrossFit environment within 5 affiliates (i.e., gymnasiums). Women (n = 149) completed surveys composed of open- and closed-ended items. Focused ethnographies were conducted at all affiliates. Multiple linear regressions revealed no differences between affiliates with respect to women’s body image, self-esteem, and eating behaviors. Conversely, thematic analysis of open-ended items and ethnographic observations revealed positive (e.g., community, food as fuel) and negative (e.g., self-comparison, restriction) influences on all psychosocial variables, with most themes reoccurring across all affiliates. Future researchers should seek to compare affiliates from different geographical/cultural regions.

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The Impact of Ambassador Animal Facilitated Programs on Visitor Curiosity and Connections: A Mixed-Methods Study

Animal Behavior and Cognition ◽

10.26451/abc.08.04.08.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 558-575

Author(s):

Shelley J. Rank ◽

Su-Jen Roberts ◽

Katherine Manion

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Mixed Methods Research ◽

Research Study ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Affective Outcomes ◽

Close Encounters ◽

Sequential Mixed Methods ◽

The Impact ◽

Broad Interest

Many zoos and aquariums offer opportunities for visitors to have up-close encounters with ambassador animals; however, the impacts of these experiences on visitors’ connections to animals are not well documented. We used observations and family interviews in a sequential mixed-methods research study to explore how animal ambassador programs impact participants. We found that the type of ambassador animal did not affect the number of questions or comments made by participants during programs, suggesting broad interest in animals. Programs in which facilitators prompted participants with questions were especially successful at eliciting questions and guiding the topics of those questions, fueling deeper curiosity. Interviewees described themselves as “animal people” and self-reported practicing conservation behaviors, suggesting that their animal affiliative and pro-environmental identities could be leveraged to discuss conservation issues and encourage solutions-based behaviors. Lastly, opportunities to meet ambassador animals increased participants’ feelings of connecting to animals, building on previous research and corroborating findings. Programs should consider how to further build on these positive learning and affective outcomes by capitalizing on opportunities to provide deep insights into conservation issues and actions related to the ambassador animals.

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Exploring the Influence of Innovation Characteristics on the Adoption of a Water and Input Saving Technology in the Jordan Valley: Implications for Community Extension Workers

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education ◽

10.5191/jiaee.2018.25306 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 81-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary T. Rodriguez ◽

T. Grady Roberts ◽

Amy Harder

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods Research ◽

Food System ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Jordan Valley ◽

Mena Region ◽

Run Off ◽

Key Factor ◽

Innovation Characteristics ◽

The Impact

As the world’s population is set to increase to an estimated 9.6 billion people, the greater the strain becomes on the food system to meet people’s food and nutrition needs (United Nations, 2013). The MENA region is expected to increase in population by double by 2050 further straining their water and food resources (IFPRI, 2010). Improved innovations to increase production have been encouraged to address those issues. Fertigation, and in particular the more effective hydraulic injector, was introduced in the Jordan Valley to help manage the amount of fertilizer application, reduce run-off in irrigated agriculture, and improve water use efficiency. However, despite its advantages, the hydraulic injector fertigation technology has not been widely adopted. This study sought to better understand this phenomena through the use of mixed methods research on the impact of innovation characteristics, as defined by Rogers (2003), on adoption of the technology. Results found complexity to have a statistically significant impact on adoption and to be a significant predictor of adoption. While not specifically a component of Roger’s innovation characteristics, affordability was a key factor in non-adoption.

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Impact of COVID-19 on perceived wellbeing, self-management and views of novel modalities of care among medically vulnerable patients in Singapore

Chronic Illness ◽

10.1177/17423953211067458 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174239532110674

Author(s):

Sungwon Yoon ◽

Pei Shan Hoe ◽

Angelique Chan ◽

Rahul Malhotra ◽

Abhijit Visaria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotional Distress ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Self Care ◽

Self Management ◽

Physical Interaction ◽

Vulnerable Patients ◽

National Cohort ◽

Multivariable Regression ◽

Male Patients ◽

The Impact

Objectives This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 measures on wellbeing and self-management in medically vulnerable non-COVID patients and their views of novel modalities of care in Singapore. Methods Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and cancer were recruited from the SingHealth cluster and national cohort of older adults. Data on demographics, chronic conditions and perceived wellbeing were collected using questionnaire. We performed multivariable regression to examine factors associated with perceived wellbeing. Qualitative interviews were conducted to elicit patient's experience and thematically analyzed. Results A total of 91 patients participated. Male patients compared with female patients perceived a lower impact of the pandemic on subjective wellbeing. Patients with CVD compared to those having conditions other than CVD perceived a lower impact. Impacts of the pandemic were primarily described in relation to emotional distress and interference in maintaining self-care. Hampering of physical activity featured prominently, but most did not seek alternative ways to maintain activity. Despite general willingness to try novel care modalities, lack of physical interaction and communication difficulties were perceived as main barriers. Discussion Findings underline the need to alleviate emotional distress and develop adaptive strategies to empower patients to maintain wellbeing and self-care.

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The Effects of Childbirth Education on Maternity Outcomes and Maternal Satisfaction

The Journal of Perinatal Education ◽

10.1891/1058-1243.29.1.16 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 16-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Colleen G. Mueller ◽

Pamela J. Webb ◽

Stephanie Morgan

Keyword(s):

Obstetric Outcomes ◽

Satisfaction Survey ◽

Maternal Satisfaction ◽

Birth Experience ◽

Birth Process ◽

Childbirth Education ◽

Medical Interventions ◽

Key Factor ◽

The Relationship ◽

Primiparous Women

Past evaluation of the effectiveness of childbirth education classes related to obstetric outcomes and satisfaction with the birth experience have not shown consistent results. This study explored the relationship between attendance of set curriculum childbirth education class and the labor and birth process, as well as maternal satisfaction with the birth experience. Participants were 197 low-risk, primiparous women, self-selected into two groups consisting of 82 women who attended a childbirth class and 115 women who did not. Data were collected from medical records and a postpartum satisfaction survey was completed by each participant. The authors designed the Likert-type satisfaction survey based on “control” as a key factor in satisfaction. Data analysis revealed that women who took a class were less likely to be induced and had lower use of analgesics during labor. A logistical regression model showed that an increase in the number of interventions increased the risk for cesarean surgery for all women. Labor interventions were used significantly less in women who took a childbirth class. No statistical difference was seen in the perception of control or overall satisfaction of the birth experience. Childbirth education may help women prepare for what to expect in birth and minimize the use of medical interventions.

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Beliefs About the Safety and Necessity of the Examination and the Impact on Women's Perceptions of the Pelvic Examination Following Sexual Assault

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e517292011-534 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Julie Weitlauf ◽

Rudolf Moos ◽

David Spiegel ◽

Susan Frayne ◽

John Finney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Pelvic Examination ◽

Women’S Perceptions ◽

The Impact

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Competition Policy under Economic Crisis

Voprosy Ekonomiki ◽

10.32609/0042-8736-2009-3-54-69 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 54-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Shastitko ◽

S. Avdasheva ◽

S. Golovanova

Keyword(s):

Division Of Labor ◽

Economic Crisis ◽

Industrial Policy ◽

Competition Policy ◽

Transition Economy ◽

Economic Recession ◽

Price Rigidity ◽

Key Factor ◽

Policy Measures ◽

The Impact

The analysis of competition policy under economic crisis is motivated by the fact that competition is a key factor for the level of productivity. The latter, in its turn, influences the scope and length of economic recession. In many Russian markets buyers' gains decline because of the weakness of competition, since suppliers are reluctant to cut prices in spite of the decreasing demand. Data on prices in Russia and abroad in the second half of 2008 show asymmetric price rigidity. At least two questions are important under economic crisis: the 'division of labor' between pro-active and protective tools of competition policy and the impact of anti-crisis policy on competition. Protective competition policy is insufficient in transition economy, especially in the days of crisis it should be supplemented with the well-designed industrial policy measures which do not contradict the goals of competition. The preferable tools of anti-crisis policy are also those that do not restrain competition.

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Contact precautions for colonisation with multidrug-resistant organisms and haemodialysis patient quality of life and mood: a pilot case-control study

Renal Society of Australasia Journal ◽

10.33235/rsaj.15.1.19-25 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 19-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rathika Krishnasamy

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Social Function ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Contact Precautions ◽

Dialysis Vintage ◽

Multidrug Resistant Organisms ◽

And Gender ◽

The Impact

Background: The rate of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) colonisation in dialysis populations has increased over time. This study aimed to assess the effect of contact precautions and isolation on quality of life and mood for haemodialysis (HD) patients colonised with MDRO. Methods: Patients undergoing facility HD completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL–SFTM), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Personal Wellbeing-Index Adult (PWI-A). Patients colonised with MDRO were case-matched by age and gender with patients not colonised. Results: A total of 16 MDRO-colonised patients were matched with 16 controls. Groups were well matched for demographics and co-morbidities, other than a trend for older dialysis vintage in the MDRO group [7.2 years (interquartile range 4.6–10.0) compared to 3.2 (1.4–7.6) years, p=0.05]. Comparing MDRO-positive with negative patients, physical (30.5±10.7 vs. 34.6±7.3; p=0.2) and mental (46.5±11.2 vs. 48.5±12.5; p = 0.6) composite scores were not different between groups. The MDRO group reported poorer sleep quality (p=0.01) and sleep patterns (p=0.05), and lower social function (p=0.02). BDI scores were similar (MDRO-positive 10(3.5–21.0) vs. MDRO-negative 12(6.5–16.0), p=0.6). PWI-A scores were also similar in both groups; however, MDRO patients reported lower scores for “feeling safe”, p=0.03. Conclusion: While overall scores of quality of life and depression were similar between groups, the MDRO group reported poorer outcomes in sleep and social function. A larger cohort and qualitative interviews may give more detail of the impact of contact precautions and isolation on HD patients. The necessity for contact precautions for different MDRO needs consideration.

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