scholarly journals Views and experiences of compassion in Sri Lankan students: An exploratory qualitative study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260475
Author(s):  
Lasara Kariyawasam ◽  
Margarita Ononaiye ◽  
Chris Irons ◽  
Lusia Stopa ◽  
Sarah E. Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Asian Context ◽  
Psychology Course

Practicing compassion has shown to reduce distress and increase emotional well-being in clinical and non-clinical populations. The existing research is primarily focused on Western populations although the concepts of compassion are heavily influenced by Asian Buddhist views. There is a dearth of compassion research conducted particularly in the Asian context. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the views and lived experiences of compassion in Sri Lankan students, to understand whether compassion is a socially embraced construct in Sri Lanka, considering that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist influenced society. Participants’ views and lived experiences of compassion towards themselves and to/from others were also investigated, with a specific focus on their perceived inhibitors and facilitators of compassion. Aims were set to identify whether Western compassion-based practices could be successfully applied to Asian societies such as Sri Lanka. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was used to obtain and analyse qualitative data from a convenience sample of 10 Sri Lankan students, recruited from a Psychology course. The phenomenological analysis of the semi-structured face-to-face interviews elicited three predominant themes: What compassion means to me, what I make of it, and compassion through facilitators and inhibitors. The findings suggested that participants shared a similar understanding of the concept of compassion as reflected in the Western definitions. Experiences and views of compassion were shaped by several factors including religion, culture, society, and upbringing. In general, this study revealed that participants were well aware of the concept of compassion as well as its impact on their psychological well-being. Despite this, inhibitors existed in experiencing compassion. The religious and collectivistic-cultural influences need to be further explored and taken into account when implementing Western compassion-based practices to non-Western contexts such as Sri Lanka.

scholarly journals Understanding the lived experiences of Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Interpretative phenomenological analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily McGlinchey ◽  
Catherine Hitch ◽  
Sarah Butter ◽  
Laura Mccaughey ◽  
Emma Berry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies

Background: Little research has examined mental health and well-being in the context of healthcare professionals (HCP) working during the COVID-19 pandemic within the UK. To our knowledge, no research has employed qualitative methodologies in order to examine this. We therefore aim to address this gap in research by qualitatively examining the lived experiences of HCPs in Northern Ireland, working during the early stages of the pandemic and lockdown period (14.04.20 and 29.04.20).Method: Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to qualitatively examine the lived experiences of healthcare professionals, who were working during the COVID-19 outbreak. Ten HCPs were recruited via a social media campaign and snowball sampling. All interviews were conducted via telephone and transcribed verbatim. Results: Three superordinate themes with subordinate themes were elicited through the analysis. Theme one broadly captured present and future challenges of HCPs working during the pandemic. Theme two captured the mental health and wellbeing of HCPs and theme three captured HCPs’ perceptions of the attitudes of the general public towards HCPs. Conclusions: To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study to explore in depth, the unique experiences of frontline HCPs in Northern Ireland, offering a detailed account of the challenges confronted in these unprecedented circumstances and highlighting support needs within this cohort.

scholarly journals Factors That May Continue to Impact a Mother’s Emotional Well-Being Once Her Child’s Treatment for Cancer Has Completed and Their Implications for Ongoing Support

2020 ◽  
pp. 105413732091991
Author(s):  
Lynda Hill ◽  
Peter M. Gubi
Keyword(s):  
Family Life ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Strong Sense ◽  
Mixed Emotions ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
General Expectation ◽  
Ongoing Support

This research explores factors that may continue to impact a mother’s emotional well-being once her child’s treatment for cancer has completed. Research indicates that, contrary to a general expectation of experiencing joy as treatment ends, some families experience very mixed emotions, with fear playing a large part, both leading up to treatment completion and, for some, continuing posttreatment. However, there is no literature that explores a mother’s emotional well-being after a number of years’ posttreatment. This research is a contribution toward addressing that deficit. Five mothers were interviewed using semistructured questions to gather data relating to their specific lived experiences. These were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results indicate that although end of treatment was longed for, there continues to be much uncertainty and fear posttreatment, and this can continue years after treatment has ended. Mothers described changes within themselves (e.g., new attitudes to living) and a need to adapt to a new normal. There were elements of grief for the loss of family life with which they were once so familiar. There was also a strong sense of wanting to support others, so that their own experiences were not wasted. All participants recognized that further counseling support for themselves would be beneficial.

scholarly journals Psychological strengths: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of Muslim women leaders

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahrial Amla ◽  
Johanna H. Buitendach
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
South African ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Leadership Challenges ◽  
Psychological Strengths

Orientation: The nature and representation of psychological strengths is an emerging area of positive psychology. Individual differences occur in strengths profiles between people, which may be attributed to educational, occupational, gender and cultural influences and can be qualitatively explored using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The application of strengths measurement is underway in South Africa, but locally developed, context-specific strengths taxonomies are currently lacking, as well as research linking psychological strengths and leadership. Muslim women in leadership deal with general gender-related leadership challenges as well as specific cultural and religious issues, and the application of psychological strengths may serve as enabling factors.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore and describe the psychological strengths demonstrated by a minority sub-population of South African women leaders in the workplace.Motivation for the study: Psychological strengths are linked to flourishing and well-being. Understanding their representation and their context of application can enhance both the academic literature and organisational practices surrounding them. A minority leadership group of Muslim women were appointed for this study, bearing in mind their particular leadership challenges and the enabling strengths they employ as a point of interest, as possible indicators for future strengths and leadership development initiatives.Research approach/design and method: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Muslim women leaders from various employment industries who held senior management or leadership roles. IPA method was used for the analysis and interpretation of the results.Main findings: Interpretative phenomenological analysis of the interview data revealed a taxonomy of 28 psychological strengths, which were categorised as cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, values/motives or behavioural.Practical/managerial implications: The strengths may be focussed on for leadership development and it is recommended that the study should be replicated across various cultural groups to identify and develop the strengths that occur in the diversity of leaders within the South African work context.Contribution/value-add: This exploratory study contributes to the knowledge base of psychological strengths. It also highlights specific strengths to be considered when implementing leadership development programmes, particularly those for Muslim women in South African workplaces.

Exploring how educational leaders in England experience and promote their own well-being

2021 ◽  
pp. 089202062110038
Author(s):  
Lucy Lindley
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Personal Autonomy ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Educational Leaders ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
What Works

This study aimed to explore how educational leaders in England experience and promote their own well-being. To address this, five semi-structured interviews were carried out with educational leaders who expressed that they had personally experienced high levels of well-being. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), four themes were identified, which highlighted that well-being is a subjective experience (‘there’s no blueprint’); that high levels of well-being are commonly described as feeling balanced (‘maintain a balance’); that well-being is perceived as a personal responsibility (‘you’ve got to find ways to manage that’); and that participants were leading by example in relation to well-being (‘be a well-being supermodel’). Overall, this study emphasised that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to well-being, so educational leaders (and their colleagues) should be given space and personal autonomy to work out what works for them.

scholarly journals Should Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) be Used With Focus Groups? Navigating the Bumpy Road of “Iterative Loops,” Idiographic Journeys, and “Phenomenological Bridges”

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 160940692092160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly Love ◽  
Arlene Vetere ◽  
Paul Davis
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Thematic Approach ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Voice

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a qualitative thematic approach developed within psychology underpinned by an idiographic philosophy, thereby focusing on the subjective lived experiences of individuals. However, it has been used in focus groups of which some have been critical because of the difficulties of extrapolating the individual voice which is more embedded within the group dynamics and the added complexity of multiple hermeneutics occurring. Some have adapted IPA for use with focus groups, while others provide scant regard to these philosophical tensions. This raises the question whether IPA should be used with focus group data. To address these concerns, this article will set out a step-by-step guide of how IPA was adapted for use with focus groups involving drug using offenders (including illustrative examples with participants’ quotes). A rationale of why it was important to use both focus groups and an IPA approach will be covered including the value, merits, and challenges this presented. An overview of how participants’ idiographic accounts of their drug use, relapse, and recovery were developed will be provided. This article will conclude with a suggested way forward to satisfy the theoretical tensions and address the question raised in the title.

scholarly journals The Embodiment of Discovery: An Adapted Framework for Qualitative Analysis of Lived Experiences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Hernandez ◽  
◽  
Laurie Dringus ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Insulin Pump ◽  
Doctoral Student ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Effective Strategy

We reflect on our process of working with an adapted framework as an effective strategy for analyzing and interpreting the results of our qualitative study on the lived experiences of insulin pump trainers. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was applied as the overarching research methodology and was encapsulated into a framework adapted from Bonello and Meehan (2019) and from Chong (2019). We describe this framework as the “embodiment of discovery” to posit the researcher’s tangible experience of discovering the meaning of data that also brought transparency to the researcher’s process for data analysis and interpretation. We present challenges the doctoral student researcher experienced working with the framework through three phases and various steps performed during the analysis. We recommend the framework may assist novice researchers as a tool for wayfinding and scoping the structure of data analysis and interpretation. We conclude that novice researchers should not fear finding their “embodiment of discovery” in adapting creative or alternate methods for qualitative analysis.

scholarly journals Lived experiences within a longstanding coach-athlete relationship. The case of one paralympic athlete

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 279-297
Author(s):  
Fernando Santos ◽  
Martin Camiré ◽  
Dany J. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Acute Bout ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Constant Support

The purpose of the present study was to explore the lived experiences of one male Paralympic athlete who maintained a longstanding relationship with his coach. This case provides insight into how a coach can serve as a key supportive agent in enabling an athlete to thrive both in sport and in life. The athlete was interviewed on two separate occasions and an interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted. The athlete discussed the consequences of an acute bout of meningitis experienced at four years of age that left him impaired. During adolescence and adulthood, the athlete experienced the death of his mother and sister as well as the challenges associated with him assuming his homosexuality. Throughout these ordeals, his coach acted as a constant support figure. The athlete attributed much weight to his coach’s trust, respect, and empathy in explaining the significant success he attained on the international stage. The recommendations offered focus on how coaches can support athletes when athletes are navigating tough challenges.

scholarly journals The ethics of service work in a neoliberal healthcare context: doing embodied and “dirty” emotional labor

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilith Arevshatian Whiley ◽  
Gina Grandy
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Labor ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Service Work ◽  
Dirty Work ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The United Kingdom

PurposeThe authors explore how service workers negotiate emotional laboring with “dirty” emotions while trying to meet the demands of neoliberal healthcare. In doing so, the authors theorize emotional labor in the context of healthcare as a type of embodied and emotional “dirty” work.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to their data collected from National Health Service (NHS) workers in the United Kingdom (UK).FindingsThe authors’ data show that healthcare service workers absorb, contain and quarantine emotional “dirt”, thereby protecting their organization at a cost to their own well-being. Workers also perform embodied practices to try to absolve themselves of their “dirty” labor.Originality/valueThe authors extend research on emotional “dirty” work and theorize that emotional labor can also be conceptualized as “dirty” work. Further, the authors show that emotionally laboring with “dirty” emotions is an embodied phenomenon, which involves workers absorbing and containing patients' emotional “dirt” to protect the institution (at the expense of their well-being).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document