Continuity and Change in Voluntary Action

Author(s):  
Rose Lindsey ◽  
John Mohan ◽  
Elizabeth Metcalfe ◽  
Sarah Bulloch

This book provides a longitudinal perspective on change and continuity in voluntary action in recent decades in the UK. Drawing on more than 30 years of different quantitative and qualitative data, its longitudinal, mixed-methods approach offers insights into recent and contemporary British voluntary action. The book deploys a range of quantitative data sources on individual behaviour, both cross-sectional and longitudinal, to analyse aggregate trends in individual engagement in both formal and informal volunteering, in the level and frequency of engagement, the types of activities that volunteers carry out, their responses to questions concerning their motivation and the rewards they obtain from volunteering. These analyses are complemented, and given much greater depth, by the use of qualitative data from individuals who volunteer for the Mass Observation Project, through which they provide free-form written testimony about their daily lives. Tracking a subset of these individuals over time provides unique and novel insights into behaviour, motivation, and lifetime engagement. This source is also highly informative of individuals’ understandings of, and particularly their attitudes towards, voluntary action, and the balance between public and private responsibility for the provision of public services. The findings lead us to caution against any simplistic suggestions that levels of voluntary action can be increased significantly without policies that work with the grain of individuals’ everyday lives.

Sociology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oriel Sullivan ◽  
Jonathan Gershuny

Using time diary evidence on change in the frequency and distribution of activities from UK time diary data over the 15 years from the turn of the 21st century, we assess whether the thesis of ‘the speed-up society’ is manifested in an increase in time intensity in people’s daily lives. Comparing indictors like time fragmentation, multitasking and ICT use, to respondents’ reports of how rushed they normally feel, we find no evidence that time pressure is increasing, or that ICT use is associated with greater feelings of time pressure. Rather, we find consistent cross-sectional differentials in our measures of time intensity by gender and occupational status, supporting the idea of relative stasis in the underlying social inequalities of time. These findings are consistent with previous research based on time use data, and we pose them as a challenge to theories of societal speed-up.


Author(s):  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Mariyana Schoultz ◽  
Hilde Thygesen ◽  
Mary Ruffolo ◽  
Daicia Price ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has been a global healthcare concern impacting multiple aspects of individual and community wellness. As one moves forward with different methods to reduce the infection and mortality rates, it is critical to continue to study the impact that national and local “social distancing” policies have on the daily lives of individuals. The aim of this study was to examine loneliness in relation to risk assessment, measures taken against risks, concerns, and social media use, while adjusting for sociodemographic variables. The cross-sectional study collected data from 3474 individuals from the USA, the UK, Norway, and Australia. Loneliness was measured with the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Multiple linear regression was used in the analysis of associations between variables. The results showed that concerns about finances were more strongly associated with social loneliness, while concerns about the future was more strongly associated with emotional loneliness. Longer daily time spent on social media was associated with higher emotional loneliness. In conclusion, pandemic-related concerns seem to affect perceptions of loneliness. While social media can be used productively to maintain relationships, and thereby prevent loneliness, excessive use may be counterproductive.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-64
Author(s):  
Michael Skidmore ◽  
Janice Goldstraw-White ◽  
Martin Gill

Purpose Frameworks for understanding victim harm and vulnerability have become central to priority-setting and resource allocation for decision-makers in the police and government in the UK. This paper aims to look at the meaning of vulnerability in the context of fraud. Design/methodology/approach The research took a mixed methods approach, including analysis of national crime data (n = 61,902), qualitative data collected from interviews with practitioners (n = 107) and a survey of strategic lead officers in the police (n = 32). Findings There was a lack of clarity across practitioners and organisations in their understanding of vulnerability and the way it informed the police response to fraud, and a lack of resources and capability for identifying it. Research limitations/implications The authors invite reconsideration of the approach to fraud victims which have for too long been forgotten by response and support agencies. Practical implications We need to standardise and agree the definition of “vulnerability”; rethink eligibility levels; and refocus police on fraud victims taking vulnerability as a meaningful criterion in deciding who to support. Originality/value There is very little research on vulnerability and fraud victims; this paper, based on original research, fills this gap.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Grimshaw ◽  
Jo Cartwright ◽  
Arjan Keizer ◽  
Jill Rubery

Marketization of the employment relationship is a key causal factor explaining the adverse impact of subcontracting low-wage services on employment conditions. This article extends existing sociological theory by analysing the market-making and rule-breaking roles of client and subcontractor firms through qualitative data. It finds that client organizations construct different types and temporalities of marketized cost pressures, that clients and subcontractors exploit their power advantage over labour to evade institutional rules and that labour process and reputational concerns impose a degree of moderation towards socially desirable outcomes. The theoretical framework ‘unpacks’ marketization by distinguishing the interplay between contracts, regulation and labour process requirements as shaped by clients and subcontractors. In the UK cleaning sector, the potentially positive effects of client and subcontractor actions on employment conditions are marginal, focused on non-pay aspects and introduced primarily for reputational reasons. The evidence indicates the limits of voluntary action and the need for regulation.


Author(s):  
Rose Lindsey ◽  
John Mohan ◽  
Sarah Bulloch ◽  
Elizabeth Metcalfe

This chapter describes and briefly evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the sources of evidence on voluntary action used in this book, and the challenges faced when using a mixed-methods approach. The chapter discusses the derivation of quantitative estimates of levels of volunteering and considers the challenges in analysing volunteering levels over time due to of variations in methodology and discontinuities in the availability of survey data. The chapter goes on to describe the source of qualitative data, writing undertaken by Mass Observation Project (MOP) volunteer writers and considers the advantages and limitations of this source. The chapter proceeds to a discussion of the challenges of mixed-methods work using these diverse sources. While MOP respondents can clearly be said to be active citizens, by the same token, this means that they are not typical of the general population, when compared to national social surveys drawing on respondents who are representative of the population. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how the various datasets are brought into dialogue with one another, and of the value of mixing data and methods of analysis.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Perez ◽  
Elena Panagiotopoulou ◽  
Peter Curtis ◽  
Ruth Roberts

Background Parental well-being during pregnancy and early parenthood is critical for child development. Environmental stressors can significantly challenge parental well-being. Aims To investigate how COVID-19 and associated restrictions influence mood and parenting confidence of expectant parents and those in early parenthood, identifying barriers and facilitators. Method We used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data from 590 expectant parents and parents of infants (564 women) during the most restrictive phase of lockdown in the UK. We included a mixture of forced-choice and open-ended questions pertaining to mood, perceived social support, media use, online interactions and parenting expectations. Quantitative data were analysed with multiple linear regression and proportional odds models; an inductive thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Quantitative and qualitative data were qualitatively synthesised. Results Since COVID-19, expectant parents and parents of new-borns reported a decrease in mood and parenting confidence. Barriers included practical difficulties (finding essentials, reliable health information), social difficulties (loss of physical contact, decreased support) and uncertainty during pregnancy. Facilitators included support from others and, for first-time parents, loss of child care resulting in greater parenting confidence. Although online resources and communication were not preferable to face-to-face interactions, technology was a helpful tool for communicating, getting support, and finding essentials and information during lockdown. Conclusions By mid-May 2020, mood and parenting confidence among expectant and parents of new-borns in the UK were significantly reduced. Consideration of barriers and facilitators in healthcare and psychological support provided is likely important for promoting parental mental health and healthy parent–child relationships.


Author(s):  
Chinwe Okoyeuzu ◽  
Ifeoma Nwakoby ◽  
Obinna Onwujekwe

Traditionally, Small businesses in Nigeria find it particularly difficult to fund their operations from formal sources. The situation becomes more challenging when women are involved because of cultural bias. Credit is rarely made available to women as many perceive a business run by women a big risk. Several government credit intervention programmes in the past were initiated but the problem of financing remained unsolved. Similar businesses in more developed economies are turning to innovative financing known as crowdfunding. The need to explore such a financing mechanism in Nigeria is the aim of this study. We employed a cross-sectional and retrospective mixed-methods approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data. Findings from this study show that gender was not significant for understanding crowdfunding as a means of raising money from the public over the internet. This finding is very revealing as it shows that cultural barrier faced by women in accessing credit from traditional lenders will be solved by crowdfunding.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (55) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Carla Da Silva Santana ◽  
George Leeson

This paper investigated the perceptions of sample composed by British and Brazilian adults and older people on the use of electronic devices in their daily lives. This is an exploratory, cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 100 adults and elderly subjects, 50 Brazilian and 50 British adults. The data collection included a social-economic questionnaire; an IDLA index – the Lawton & Brody scale (1969), and a self-reported and a structured questionnaire. The results show that exposure time to technology had a positive impact during the most advanced phases of usage, which was supported by reports of fewer difficulties in the use of such devices, a feeling of greater confidence, and a sense of belonging to the modern world. The frequency in the use electronic devices in daily life, the ability to use them, use perception in public as a stressful experience were shown to be the main differences between the British and Brazilian groups. Both are not comfortable in modern society, complain of unsuitable appliances and refer to their lack of contact with these devices in the past.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Perez ◽  
Elena Panagiotopoulou ◽  
Peter Curtis ◽  
Ruth Roberts

Background: Parents’ well-being during pregnancy and early parenthood is critical for children’s development. Environmental stressors can significantly challenge parents’ well-being.Aims: To investigate how COVID-19 and associated restrictions influence mood and parenting confidence of expectant parents and those in early parenthood, identifying barriers and facilitators.Methods: We used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data from 590 expectant parents and parents of infants (564 females) during the most restrictive phase of the lockdown in the UK. Survey included a mixture of forced-choice and open-ended questions pertaining to mood, perceived social support, media use, online interactions, and parenting expectations. Quantitative data were analysed using multiple linear regression and proportional odds models, while an inductive thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data. Quantitative and qualitative data were qualitatively synthesised.Results: A decrease in mood and parenting confidence were found. Barriers included practical difficulties (finding essentials, reliable health information), social difficulties (loss of physical contact, decreased support), and uncertainty during pregnancy. Facilitators included support from others and for first-time parents, loss of childcare resulting in greater parenting confidence. While online resources and communication were not preferable to face-to-face interactions, technology was a helpful tool for communicating, getting support, and finding essentials and information during lockdown.Conclusion: By mid-May 2020, mood and parenting confidence among expectant and parents of newborns in the UK were significantly reduced. Consideration of barriers and facilitators in healthcare and psychological support provided is likely to play an important part in promoting parental mental health and healthy parent-child relationships.


Author(s):  
Philip Ireri ◽  
James Kung'u ◽  
Joseph Muriithi

Equity in distribution of the benefits of ecotourism is critical as many African communities have remained poor though they occupy areas that are rich in tourism resources. In Kenya, some studies show tourism has been beneficial to most locals and even pro-poor while others reveal different inequalities including elite capture. In light of this divided opinion, this study investigated the distribution of benefits of Ngare Ndare Forest Trust’s and Il Ngwesi Group Ranch’s ecotourism enterprises in Kenya. The study was a cross-sectional survey that applied mixed-methods approach with quantitative data being collected through face-to-face interviews and qualitative data collected using focus group discussions. Its results showed that the two community owned and operated enterprises yielded various benefits to locals but there was limited channelling of these to women, youth and the poor. The study demonstrates that amidst the degrowth movement’s call for a shift from profit-driven development to community-centred approaches, there is need to address inequities that lie at the pinnacle of local participation in which communities own and operate tourism enterprises.


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