The Experience of Blogging about Visible and Long-term Skin Conditions: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selina Kaur Tour ◽  
Andrew Thompson ◽  
Ruth A Howard ◽  
Michael Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Chronic Skin ◽  
Skin Conditions

BACKGROUND Skin conditions can detract from people’s quality of life, much as conditions such as cancer, chronic pain and depression. When skin conditions are visible, this can lead to risk of stigmatisation. It is acknowledged that there is a lack of available psychosocial support for people living with chronic skin conditions. One way in which individuals with long-term conditions are self-managing and providing peer support is through blogging and exchanging information online. To date, no research has specifically investigated how individuals with skin conditions experience of using blogging for self-management. OBJECTIVE To explore the experiences of blogging about visible, long-term skin conditions. METHODS Systematic blog searching and a short survey were used for recruitment. Four participants took part in email interviews which were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Skin conditions included alopecia, psoriasis and hirsutism. The content of these individuals’ blogs was also analysed using a qualitative template method derived from the IPA analysis. RESULTS The interviews and accounts revealed a clear sense of uncertainty about the course of the skin conditions. This appeared to be associated with feelings of distress and isolation, searching for treatments, and ultimately a sense of defeat. The data revealed that blogging provided a space where this sense of defeat was managed and challenged. Posting online facilitated connection with others and enabled support networks to be established which assisting in challenging the feelings of isolation experienced. The data demonstrates the important role that blogging played for these participants in developing a sense of acceptance of their condition. CONCLUSIONS Blogging may provide a way for individuals to self-manage the distress associated with visible skin conditions. It may provide similar benefits as those known to be derived from emotional disclosure occurring during writing, but with the addition of an added peer support dimension. Blogging has occurred naturalistically on online forums and this study demonstrates how this form of interaction might warrant adaptation for use with online psychosocial interventions for people living with skin conditions. CLINICALTRIAL NA

Understanding the Experiences of Anger in the Onset and Progression of Psoriasis: A Qualitative Study Using Social Media (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Hughes ◽  
Rachael Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Skin Condition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Chronic Skin ◽  
Skin Conditions ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, which can be affected by stress. Living with psoriasis can trigger negative emotions, which may influence quality of life. OBJECTIVE This study explored the experiences of people with psoriasis with attention to the potential role of anger in the onset and progression of the chronic skin condition. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with twelve participants (n=5 females, n=7 males) recruited online from an advert on a patient charity’s social media platforms. Data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Four key themes were identified: (1) ‘I get really angry with the whole situation:’ anger at the self and others, (2) the impact of anger on psoriasis: angry skin, (3) shared experiences of distress, and (4) moving past anger to affirmation. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that anger can have a perceived impact on psoriasis through contributing to sensory symptoms and unhelpful coping cycles and point to a need for enhanced treatment with more psychological support. The findings also highlight the continued stigma which exists for people living with skin conditions and how this may contribute to, and sustain, anger for those individuals. Future research could usefully focus on developing targeted psychosocial interventions to promote healthy emotional coping with psoriasis.

Extending the Comfort Zone: Building Resilience in Older People With Long-Term Conditions

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 825-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Robinson ◽  
Esmée Hanna ◽  
Gary Raine ◽  
Steve Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Ongoing Support

This article examines how a 6-week mental health resilience course for people with long-term conditions (LTCs; diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis) increased perceived resilience of older participants. This article examines how peer support assisted participants to develop resilience, considers gender issues, examines the importance of course activities, and explores how resilience enhances quality of life. A mixed methods approach was used. A before-and-after questionnaire was administered 3 times, including 3-month follow-up. Interviews were held with 24 program participants, aged 45 to 80 years. Diaries were kept by participants over 3 months. Survey findings showed significant gains in perceived resilience, at the end of the course, with no significant drop-off after 3 months. Interview and diary narratives highlighted positive experiences around well-being, condition management, and social engagement. Peer support was key to effective processes. Challenges concern ongoing support in communities, and considering age and gender variables when researching what improved resilience means to older people with LTCs.

Getting back to work: Experiences of the individual placement and support model from those with mental health conditions, an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Claire Raeside ◽  
Jean McQueen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Individual Placement And Support ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Paid Employment ◽  
Individual Placement

BACKGROUND: Evidence continues to build on the value of Individual Placement and Support (IPS), enabling those with long-term mental health conditions to find mainstream employment. Many of these individuals would like to work; however, unemployment for this population remains high. IPS research thus far has targeted the effectiveness of the model, with less emphasis on how individuals perceive and experience IPS and the return to work. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the barriers, enablers, meaning and personal experience of being supported to find work through IPS, for individuals with long-term mental health conditions. Findings based on lived experiences of nine participants from two Scottish centres running IPS, should be useful to enhance and develop services. METHODS: This study involves qualitative data collection, using semi-structured interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). RESULTS: Transcript analysis revealed three master themes: 1) “Working is good for me”: positive aspects to working; 2) “Rome wasn’t built in a day”: time-unlimited supported journey and 3) “My inner critic”: negative aspects to working. Participants praised IPS for the on-going practical and emotional support in overcoming self-identified occupational barriers. CONCLUSION: Paid employment was greatly associated with financial freedom, social inclusion, increased self-esteem and alleviation of depressive symptoms. Participants described the person-centred, time-unlimited approach taken by the employment specialists (ESs) or occupational therapists (OTs), as the main enabler to maintaining paid employment. Barriers, such as anxiety and work-related stress were identified, however, participants felt supported to overcome some of these negative symptoms.

scholarly journals ‘A confident parent breeds a confident child’: Understanding the experience and needs of parents whose children will transition from paediatric to adult care

2020 ◽  
pp. 136749352093642
Author(s):  
Karen L Shaw ◽  
Lydia Baldwin ◽  
Gemma Heath
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Protective Strategies ◽  
Midlife Adults

Transitional care for young people with long-term conditions emphasizes the importance of supporting parents, particularly in relation to promoting adolescent healthcare autonomy. Yet, little practical guidance is provided, and transitional care remains suboptimal for many families. This study aimed to examine how parents understand and experience their caregiving role during their child’s transition to adult services, to identify parents’ needs, and to inform service improvements. Focus groups were undertaken with parents of young people with brittle asthma, osteogenesis imperfecta, or epilepsy. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants ( n = 13) described how their parenting roles extended beyond what they consider usual in adolescence. These roles were presented as time consuming, stressful, and unrelenting but necessary to protect children from harm in the face of multiple risks and uncertainties. Such protective strategies were also perceived to hinder adolescent development, family functioning, and their own development as midlife adults. Finding a balance between protecting immediate health and long-term well-being was a major theme. Participants called for improved support, including improved service organization. Recommendations are provided for working with parents and young people to manage the risks and uncertainties associated with their condition, as part of routine transitional care.

How peer support can assist job-seekers with a disability move into work

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Diana Dorstyn ◽  
Gregory Murphy ◽  
Elizabeth Potter ◽  
Ashley Craig
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Real Situation ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Employment Services ◽  
Job Seeking

AbstractAnecdotally, there are frequent reports that peer-facilitated initiatives can be successfully used in employment services. However, in Australia, there is little information about how to effectively deliver peer support. In this paper, we discuss how peer-based interventions might be used to supplement formal return-to-work services and contribute to positive job-seeking outcomes. We illustrate the potential of vocational peer support using a real situation involving a young adult who successfully returned to work soon after sustaining a traumatic injury. Future research should explore the inclusion of various peer support structures and formats as a component of other employment services, to help people with long-term conditions and disabilities achieve a range of vocational outcomes and to guide practice in this area.

The Insider's Experience of Long-Term Peer Victimisation

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham J. Mackay ◽  
Timothy A. Carey ◽  
Bruce Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Year ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Peer Victimisation ◽  
Being Bullied

AbstractBullying in schools continues to be a problem despite the best efforts of educators, researchers, and clinicians. Of most concern for the present study is that some children experience long-term victimisation by their peers. To improve our understanding in this area, the phenomenology of being bullied over the course of the school year was investigated with three participants aged from 11 to 15 years. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Two superordinate themes with associated subthemes were identified: ‘experience of victimisation’ (‘being different’, ‘dynamics of bullying’, ‘school’, and ‘social network’) and ‘strategies’ (‘help-seeking’, ‘behaviour’, ‘response to bullying’, ‘personal coping’, and ‘solutions’). Through these interviews some of the factors that may contribute to long-term peer victimisation were identified. The implications of these results for prevention and intervention are discussed.

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