Men's experience of their transition to first-time fatherhood during their partner's pregnancy: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Sense Of Self ◽

Future Research ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Third Trimester ◽

Psychological States ◽

Support Resources ◽

Men's Experience ◽

First Time

This was a qualitative study employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to capture the lived experiences and sense-making of seven male participants (aged 29–41), whose partner was in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and four superordinate themes emerged during the analysis: (1) Pushed and Pulled in Different Directions, (2) A Rollercoaster of Emotions, (3) A Long and Lonely Road and (4) Anticipating Fatherhood. The prenatal period seemed to constitute a turbulent time in the participants' lives and involved them experiencing intense, conflicting emotions and psychological states amidst a shifting sense of self, with few support resources available to them. Implications for counselling psychologists are discussed, with suggestions for future research made.

Identity in transition: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of international humanitarian workers’ experiences of returning home

Journal of International Humanitarian Action ◽

10.1186/s41018-021-00091-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emilia Marie Wersig ◽

Kevin Wilson-Smith

Keyword(s):

Moral Values ◽

Future Research ◽

Aid Workers ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Work Settings ◽

Returning Home ◽

The Uk ◽

Humanitarian Work

AbstractThis interpretative phenomenological analysis explores aid workers’ understanding of identity and belonging through the transition from working in humanitarian aid to returning home. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who had returned to the UK after working in recently founded non-governmental organisations in Northern France between 2016 and 2019. Analysis of interview data identified four superordinate themes: (1) shared humanitarian identity, (2) limits and borders, (3) holding on to humanitarian identity and (4) redefining belonging and identity. Aid workers’ belonging in humanitarian work settings is rooted in shared moral values and being able to fulfil a clearly defined role. Upon returning, aid workers struggled to reintegrate, manifesting as denial of having left humanitarian work, re-creation of the social setting and moral demarcation. Participants formed a new sense of belonging through redefining their social in-group. The study sheds light on a previously unexplored area of research, specifically characterised through the closeness of the international humanitarian setting and participants’ homes. Findings suggest organisations can assist aid workers’ re-entry by supporting professional distance in the field, and through opportunities that allow to sustain moral values post-mission. Future research should focus on the role of peer support in the re-entry process and the re-entry experiences of aid workers returning from comparable settings further afield (e.g. Greece).

The impact of socio-cultural values on autistic women: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Autism ◽

10.1177/13623613211037896 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132110378

Author(s):

Stella Mo ◽

Nina Viljoen ◽

Shivani Sharma

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Cultural Values ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Dominant Culture ◽

Norms And Values ◽

The Impact

It is well recognised that culture plays an important role in how people experience the world. However, there is limited knowledge on the impact of socio-cultural norms and values on the lives of autistic women. This qualitative study used individual semi-structured interviews to explore how eight cis-gendered autistic women, without co-occurring intellectual disabilities, describe dominant socio-cultural beliefs, values and norms and their influence on their own sense of self. Findings elucidated three interdependent themes related to the ‘pervasive influence of cultural values’, ‘individualisation as an autistic woman’ and ‘social connectivity’. Autistic women described how they experienced their environments and made choices about their place within the dominant culture and the impact of these decisions on their identities and experience. The findings of this study have implications for the continued need to shift societal and clinical attitudes towards understanding and appreciating diversity among autistic women. Lay abstract Autistic women with average or above intellectual abilities are often overlooked clinically or identified at older ages compared to autistic males. Their experiences can provide insight into the socio-cultural factors that impact on how they develop and are seen by others. This study asked autistic women to describe the culture around them and explore how this has influenced their lived experiences. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight autistic women without a co-occurring diagnosis of intellectual disabilities. These were used for interpretative phenomenological analysis. Overall, we found three closely connected themes on the pervasive influence of cultural values on autistic women, how autistic women define themselves and the importance of connecting with society. These findings suggest that dominant cultural beliefs, values and norms effect how autistic women are recognised by others and develop their sense of self. Broadening how people think about autistic women in society and clinically may benefit how we identify and support autistic women.

The experiences of people with severe mental health conditions participating in the Occupation Matters Programme: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022619899014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 83 (10) ◽

pp. 620-630

Author(s):

Alison Newport ◽

Channine Clarke

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Increasing Demand ◽

Occupational Therapy Intervention

Introduction The Occupation Matters Programme is an occupational therapy intervention promoting recovery in people with severe mental health conditions, adapted from the Lifestyle Redesign© approach. With the increasing demand for mental health services and the United Kingdom’s current financial position, there is reason to research the Occupation Matters Programme. Method Interpretative phenomenological analysis provided a rich account of the experience of the Occupation Matters Programme, eliciting the service user voice. Four participants participated in semi-structured interviews following session 10 and at the completion of the 20-week programme. Data analysis followed the step-by-step interpretative phenomenological analysis guidelines, enabling themes to be identified that reflected participants’ experiences. Findings Three major themes were revealed: connecting with others; experiencing an opened-up world through a temporary project and finding a place in the world through a changing sense of self. Three participants described a temporary improvement in their mental health at the halfway point, which became more permanent by the completion of the programme. Conclusions This study suggests that the Occupation Matters Programme was influential in the participants’ recovery journeys and provides evidence for Wilcock’s Doing, Being, Belonging and Becoming framework. It encourages occupational therapists to concentrate on occupation-centred practice, occupational integrity and implementing all four aspects of Wilcock’s framework.

“Stepping up the ladder in safety”: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of how LGB clients experience their therapists’ sexual orientation

The European Journal of Counselling Psychology ◽

10.5964/ejcop.v7i1.139 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 211-223

Author(s):

Tsabika Bafiti ◽

Maria Viou ◽

Prodromos Tarasis

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Therapeutic Process ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Future Research ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

And Bisexual ◽

The One ◽

Systemic Family Therapy

Relevant literature has explored the issue of disclosure of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) therapists to heterosexual or LGB clients. But how do homosexual or bisexual clients understand and experience their therapist’s heterosexual orientation, known or assumed, in relation to the therapeutic alliance and the therapeutic process? In this qualitative study, we used the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine eight semi-structured interviews with LGB clients in a family-oriented therapy in Greece. Analysis revealed two themes of higher order, each having three subordinate themes depicting the client’s experience of the therapist’s sexual orientation: 1. Focus on the therapist’s sexual orientation: (a) as a hypothesis (b) as a factor of acceptance (c) as a factor of professional capability and 2. Focus on other therapist features: (a) gender (b) personality traits (c) practice of professional role. The therapist’s sexual orientation or the one perceived by the client was not a neutral issue in therapy and the cultivation of the therapeutic relationship but was only one part of the process. The way all these issues were processed and approached by clients was related to their personal history and phase of therapy. Suggestions for future research include conducting a research on clients from different therapeutic perspectives since it was carried out only on participants in long-term systemic family therapy.

Insights on the Process of Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis in a Sport Coaching Research Project

The Qualitative Report ◽

10.46743/2160-3715/2015.2096 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Bettina Callary ◽

Scott Rathwell ◽

Bradley Young

Keyword(s):

Lived Experiences ◽

Research Question ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Research Process ◽

Future Research ◽

Rigorous Research ◽

Qualitative Research Methodology ◽

First Time

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is a qualitative research methodology used to understand participants’ subjective realities through personal interpretations of their lived experiences and the meanings they attach to these experiences (Smith, 2011). IPA has been used predominantly in health psychology, with rising interest within the field of sport psychology and coaching. This article seeks to describe insights about the processes of IPA by a research team using the methodological approach for the first time. These experiences are shared against the backdrop of research exploring the lived experiences of Masters athletes within the context of coached competitive swim programs. We describe how the multiple facets of IPA influence the refinement of the research question, the planning and implementation of data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. We elaborate on our perceptions of the complexities of IPA and make recommendations for how future research teams might smoothly navigate the rigorous research process to yield rich in-depth data and interpretations.

Elite Athletes Coping With Depression: A Qualitative Study

Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology ◽

10.1123/jcsp.2018-0072 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 351-373

Author(s):

Florence Lebrun ◽

Áine MacNamara ◽

Dave Collins ◽

Sheelagh Rodgers

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Future Research ◽

Health Issues ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Professional Help ◽

Research Perspectives ◽

Mental Health Issues

Little is known about the coping strategies used by elite athletes suffering from mental health issues. Therefore, this study examined coping strategies implemented by elite athletes facing clinical depression. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four elite athletes and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results present a broad picture of how elite athletes tried to cope with depression using a range of coping strategies. Among the different strategies highlighted, talking, seeking professional help and social support were particularly emphasized by the participants. Surprisingly, however, only one participant reported transferring the skills and strategies learned on her way to the top to many other aspects of her everyday life such as coping with her depression. Findings, therefore, suggest that athletes should be encouraged to transfer and make the most of the skills learned throughout their sport career to deal with their daily life. Future research perspectives and implications are discussed.

An interpretative phenomenological analysis of prisoners’ experience of riotous behaviour in an adult male prison

Journal of Forensic Practice ◽

10.1108/jfp-07-2013-0038 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 203-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Niamh Kennedy

Keyword(s):

Motivational Factors ◽

Future Research ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Prison Staff ◽

Content Type ◽

The Future ◽

The Individual ◽

Insight Into

Purpose – Prison violence generates much public interest with concerns for the financial costs, staff safety and public safety. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of riotous behaviour from the perspective of prisoners in a maximum secure adult prison. It also seeks gather information and to generate discussion on areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach – A purposive sampling method and in-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out. Interpretative phenomenological analysis identified super ordinate themes and related sub-themes within the participants’ narratives. Emergent themes were then considered in relation to the theories and concepts that underpinned and connected them. Findings – Super ordinate themes emerged centred around the subject of social processing and relationships. Prisoners emphasised the role of prisoner-staff relationships in feeling valued as part of the social structure and considered riotous behaviour the best method of communication at that time. Social comparison highlighted the value they placed in being part of the prisoner culture and the nostalgic nature of the riotous behaviour for them. It lends support to earlier theory on prison adjustment and social psychological explanations for rioting. Research limitations/implications – It is not assumed that the findings of this study can be universally applied given the sample size and the idiosyncratic nature of participants’ experiences. This research may provide greater insight into the motivational factors related to individuals involved in riotous behaviour. With such insight prison staff may be more able to consider whether prisoners’ needs are being sufficiently met to help prevent such behaviour in the future. Practical implications – This research may help inform training on the identification and management of potential riots. With insight into the individual motivational factors prison staff may be more able to consider whether prisoners’ needs are being sufficiently met to help prevent such behaviour in the future. Originality/value – This paper reports on the prisoners’ individual experience of being involved in riotous behaviour. Due to the paucity of literature on this behaviour, this exploratory study is intended to add to existing knowledge.

Mathematical Identity for a Sustainable Future: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability ◽

10.2478/jtes-2014-0001 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 5-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Anita Pipere ◽

Ilona Mičule

Keyword(s):

Teaching And Learning ◽

Life Experiences ◽

Future Research ◽

Practical Implementation ◽

Mathematical Identity ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Internal Factors ◽

Humanistic Approach

Abstract Individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews with three mathematics teachers were conducted to investigate the dynamics of their life-long relationships with mathematics, synthesised as mathematical identity from different identity positions in the context of dialogical self. The qualitative data were scrutinised employing interpretive phenomenological analysis that displayed mostly positive instrumental relationships with mathematics and explicit connections between the teachersí life experiences and their disctinct identity voices that surfaced in interviews. Similarly, teachers appeared to be experts in different professional spheres: pedagogy, subject or didactics. The teachersí accounts contain various models of relationships between the other-motive and the self-motive as reflected in their pedagogical approaches. Emergent patterns resulting from the interaction of the teachersí mathematical identity and their perception of studentsí mathematical philia/phobia included the humanistic approach with an instrumental interpretation of mathematics and its teaching methods, self-actualisation in achieving success in mathematics through hard work and the issue of attribution of failure in mathematics either to external or internal factors. Moreover, these dialogical models and interactive patterns show alignement with one of the core competences for educators in education for sustainable development, that is, achieving transformation in what it means to be an educator, in teaching and learning, as well as in the entire education system. Practical implementation of findings and limitations of the study are outlined along with venues for future research.

Medical student mentors in widening access to medicine programmes: 'we're lighting fires, not filling buckets '

Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning ◽

10.5456/wpll.22.2.205 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 205-224

Author(s):

Jack Robert Whiting ◽

Sam Wickham ◽

Darren Beaney

Keyword(s):

Medical Student ◽

Ethics Committee ◽

Future Research ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Access To Medicine ◽

Widening Access ◽

Student Mentors ◽

Ethical Approval

Background: Widening Access to Medicine (WAM) supports nontraditional applicants throughout application to study medicine and beyond. Many WAM programmes use medical student mentors, however, there is a paucity of research into what makes a good WAM mentor and what qualities they require. This research helps fill a gap in the literature about WAM scheme mentors and provides context for recruitment/training.<br/> Methodology: Purposive sampling was used to select three year 9 mentees, four year 9 mentors, four year 12 mentees and four year 12 mentors. No limitations were placed on gender or ethnicity. Thirty-minute semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed qualitatively, drawing on an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. This study received ethical approval from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) Research Governance and Ethics Committee.<br/> Results: Four main themes were identified: mentor – mentee relationship, mentor background and attitudes towards WAM, qualities and behaviours of mentors and differences between year 9 and year 12 mentors.<br/> Discussion and conclusions: The results are discussed within the context of the existing literature. This research identifies the requirements for WAM mentors from both mentors and mentees' perspectives. This will inform future WAM schemes run at BSMS and may provide a basis for future research and improvement of WAM mentors nationwide.

Working Relationally with Adolescents Who Have Experienced Complex Interpersonal Trauma: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma ◽

10.1007/s40653-021-00349-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nicola Amari ◽

Adam Mahoney

Keyword(s):

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Research Question ◽

Interpersonal Trauma ◽

Future Research ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Distance Relationship

AbstractThe study explores practitioners’ experiences of working with adolescents with complex interpersonal trauma. Five mental health professionals were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to identify themes related to the research question. Three superordinate themes emerged: “The distance-relationship dynamic”; “The unknown self”; “Practitioners’ presence”. Participants reported the fragility of their relationships with clients, enhanced awareness of their professional and personal identity, and highlighted the importance of meeting their clients as persons. Results are discussed within the literature that considers the role of the person of the therapist to foster therapeutic change. Future research could explore the role of therapeutic distance, the interplay between transference-countertransference and attachment dynamics, and the relevance of practitioners’ playfulness with traumatised youth. Finally, this study proposes a model of use of self as “compassion-in-action” to express practitioners’ ‘response-ability’ to their clients’ trauma as commitment to social justice.