scholarly journals Framing Responsible Drinking Messages in Nigeria: An Empirical Examination

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emeka Dumbili ◽  
Kelechi Uwa-Robinson4 ◽  
Ogochukwu W. Odeigah
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Heavy Episodic Drinking ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
The Uk

Nigeria ranks first for per capita consumption and heavy episodic drinking prevalence in Africa. Yet, there are no alcohol policies, standard drinks measurements, or low-risk drinking guidelines in the country. We explored the awareness and understanding/interpretations of the alcohol industry-sponsored ‘‘drink responsibly’’ message (DRM) among Nigerian youths. Data were elicited through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, and we also observed product labels and industry websites. Undergraduate participants were aware of the DRM, but some out-of-school participants with low-level education did not know it existed. This is likely because the DRM is promoted in the English language without any indigenous language alternatives. It is embedded in conventional advertisements that glamorize drinking without stand-alone public health messages encouraging low-risk drinking behaviours. Participants shared divergent but subjective interpretations of the DRM, but none associated it with abstinence. Some associated the DRM with the ability to hold one’s drink, stating that it means: ‘drinks very well, but don’t get drunk’, and ‘drink to your satisfaction, but don’t misbehave’. Other interpretations included: ‘know your limit’ and ‘drink in moderation'. Alcohol companies in Nigeria redirect consumers to Drinkaware’s and DrinkIQ’s websites in the UK but use inconspicuous fonts to inscribe the DRM on product labels. By design, alcohol companies frame the DRM to promote drinking and individual responsibility. Thus, it engendered subjective interpretations, including high-risk drinking behaviours. Policymakers should jettison self-regulation, implement alcohol policies and introduce low-risk drinking guidelines to encourage low-risk drinking. Also, Drinkaware’s and DrinkIQ’s websites should be avoided. To be effective, all RDMs should include the indigenous language versions.

scholarly journals Learner Beliefs and Language Proficiency in SA Context: A Case study of Chinese Students Taking Pre-sessional Language Course in the UK

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Xin ◽  
Zhang Jiayi
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learner Beliefs ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

<p>This study seeks to explore the interrelation between learners’ beliefs and language proficiency in study abroad (SA) context. The participants of this study consisted of 30 Chinese students who were taking the pre-sessional language course at the University of Sheffield in the UK. Combining data from the questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and test scores, the current study tries to answer three research questions: (1) Do learners’ beliefs change in the SA context? If so, in what ways? (2) Does learners’ language proficiency change in the SA context? If so, in what ways? (3) What is the relationship between learners’ English language proficiency and their beliefs about language learning?</p>By investigating learners’ beliefs change in SA context and how such change impacts on their language learning behavior and outcomes, it is hoped that students can have a more fruitful study-abroad sojourn.

scholarly journals Don’t be a waster! Student perceptions of recycling strategies at an English University’s halls of residence

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Dixon ◽  
Jonathan Parker
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Climate Crisis

Purpose This paper aims to explore student perceptions of recycling and explore whether one university’s strategy helped or hindered student recycling in their university's halls of residence. There is near-universal acknowledgement of the urgency of the climate crisis, yet household recycling rates remain low at 45.2%. Student-recycling rates have been suggested to be even lower. After a brief consideration of the recent history of sustainability and recycling, this paper identifies the actions required to increase student recycling, including peer influence, education and information, physical structures and attitudes and motivations. Design/methodology/approach Twelve in-depth, semi-structured interviews were undertaken at one Southern English university. The rich, qualitative data obtained were then analysed thematically. The theory of environmentally significant behaviour provided a framework for understanding perceptions and behaviours in that site. Findings Confirming aspects of existing literature, students’ recycling behaviours were found to be limited through lack of perceived ability, lack of facilities and unconfident knowledge. Students were also found to be limiting their own actions. A holistic approach including peer influence, education and information, physical structures and attitudes and motivations was recommended. Originality/value There is little research into student recycling behaviours and limited literature concerning halls of residence, especially in the UK. This paper draws on one case to add to nascent understandings. While limited to one site and by sample size, a number of recommendations are made, covering university facilities, student empowerment and individual responsibility to increase future recycling.

scholarly journals The Potential of Blended ESOL Courses: Attitudes and Practices Among the UK Immigrants

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-135
Author(s):  
Jūratė Matulionienė ◽  
Daiva Pundziuvienė
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Uk

Summary A considerable number of immigrants in the United Kingdom confront challenges as they acculturate into a new way of life, where language competence significantly influences their social, economic and cultural integration. Such immigrants are often at an educational and social disadvantage compared to the majority of population due to their different social and cultural backgrounds, prior educational experience and the lack of language competencies. The use of technologies for teaching / learning the host country language has been emphasized in European Strategy 2020 policy. Although learning of English usually takes place very naturally in an English-speaking informal environment, formal educational institutions in the UK and immigrants’ native countries tend to be very helpful as well. Assuming that such learners of English usually need more intensively-paced learning and knowing that professional commitments or other reasons can prevent them from coming to classes, blended learning can help them reach their goals faster and not lose connection with their native country. In order to develop insight into such English learners’ needs as well as to identify teaching forms that could help in meeting these needs, this study used a survey to explore the most important factors influencing the development of the UK immigrants’ English language competence and students’ general practice of using ICT for English learning and their attitudes towards ICT in foreign language learning. Furthermore, the research aimed to answer the question whether a blended strategy of language learning organized by their native countries institutions would be able to positively influence the learning outcomes while maintaining a connection with their native country and culture. The research sample was a group of English learners enrolled in an ESOL course. To explore the needs, experiences and attitudes of the participants, a quantitative research methodology was applied and short semi-structured interviews were conducted. The present research has demonstrated that the advancement of technologies has increased the use of ICT not only for personal purposes but also for work and studies. The students have indicated quite a frequent use of various on-line English study tools and programmes and have demonstrated a generally positive attitude towards blended English learning.

scholarly journals Headspace for parents: qualitative report investigating the use of a mindfulness-based app for managing parents’ stress during COVID-19

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Burgess ◽  
Kate Cavanagh ◽  
Clara Strauss ◽  
Bonamy R. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Parenting Styles ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Parent Child

Background Stress can compromise parental well-being and may contribute to harsh and critical parenting styles, which are in turn associated with children's conduct problems. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related restrictions are likely to have exacerbated parental stress as, for many, UK-based family life was altered considerably. Mindfulness has been demonstrated to improve stress management and emotion regulation when delivered to parents in person, however, more accessible online interventions are under-researched. Aims To provide preliminary data on family well-being and parent–child relationships as well as the acceptability and usability of the Headspace app – a self-delivered mindfulness-based intervention – for parents in low-risk families during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method We provided 12 parents with access to Headspace, and collected qualitative data (semi-structured interviews and 5 minute speech samples) immediately following the initial COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. The resulting transcripts were thematically analysed. Results Most parents reported Headspace to be acceptable and useful – improvements in parents’ own sleep were particularly noted – and there was high adherence to the intervention. However, difficulties related to family well-being and parent–child relationships following the lockdown were also reported. Conclusions As a result of the confounding impact of COVID-19 restrictions, and varied access to app content, we were unable to determine any outcomes to be a result of practising mindfulness specifically. However, COVID-19 has had a profound impact on many UK-based families, including those previously at low risk, and our results demonstrate that Headspace may have beneficial effects for parents. There is a need to more rigorously test this tool with a broader range of families.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Educational Contexts in Chile: An Approach Based on Adolescents’ Voices

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6927
Author(s):  
Álvaro I. Langer ◽  
Sebastián Medeiros ◽  
Nelson Valdés-Sánchez ◽  
Rodrigo Brito ◽  
Christoph Steinebach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
School Context ◽  
International Comparisons ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mindfulness Skills ◽  
Relational Framework ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Mindful Practices

The application of mindfulness-based interventions in school settings has increased considerably in recent years, showing that differences between the characteristics of programmes can impact on the receptivity and effectiveness of mindfulness training. However, few studies have explored the learning process from the perspective of the children and adolescents who participate in mindfulness practice. The goal of this paper is to analyse the subjective experience of a group of adolescents following the completion of a mindfulness-based intervention developed for schools in Chile. The intervention studied is the “.b curriculum”, which is part of the Mindfulness in School Project (MiSP) developed in the UK. Twenty adolescents participated in semi-structured interviews within their school, in which three key areas were explored: pedagogy, perceived effects, and mechanisms of action, each of them being analysed from the perspective of thematic analysis. The results support the view that pedagogy is a very relevant consideration in the implementation, development, and efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions within the school context. We propose that the inclusion of structure, contents, process/mindful practices, and teachers’ expertise provides the pedagogical-relational framework required for students to successfully develop mindfulness skills, which enables them to experience their cognitive, emotional, and somatic effects. These effects are linked to self-regulation strategies, based on paying attention to one’s somatic experience with kindness and curiosity, which works as an attentional anchor. It is hoped that these results will contribute to the spread of mindfulness research in adolescents in Latin America, thus facilitating cross-cultural and international comparisons.

scholarly journals The maintenance of white privilege: The case of white South African migrants in the UK

Ethnicities ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristoffer Halvorsrud
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Host Society ◽  
Migrant Group ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Status ◽  
South Africans ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Uk

White South Africans constitute a privileged migrant group compared to many other, and particularly ‘non-white’, migrants in the UK. Little research has been conducted on this particular group, however. Through an interview study, this gap in research will be addressed. Based on 30 qualitative and semi-structured interviews, the paper argues that some white South Africans in the UK emphasise aspects of their group status deemed to be ‘desirable’ by the white host society population – and thereby maintain the white privileges with which they have historically been bestowed – in order to offset any negative connotations associated with their status as a migrant group. The privileges accrued by their whiteness that white South Africans are shown to be maintaining include the relevance of British ancestral ties privileging certain white South Africans, the relevance of their socio-cultural background stemming from the colonial ties between Britain and South Africa, the significance attached to English language proficiency as well as their socio-economic status in the global transnational employment market. In the process, it will be shown how some white South Africans construct themselves in a manner that works to distinguish them from more stigmatised groups. It is shown how participants buy in to anti-immigration rhetoric – as commonly associated with the host country’s immigration and citizenship policy environment – in order that this can continue to be directed at more stigmatised groups rather than themselves. This, then, references markers of difference such as ancestry, culture and language, essentially enabling the stigmatisation even of other white migrants, such as Eastern Europeans who are predominantly white but perceived to be lower down in the ‘social hierarchy’ of the host society than white South Africans.

Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The University

Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020

Mentalizing Imagery Therapy mobile application for family dementia caregivers: feasibility and effects on mood and caregiving

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Sikder ◽  
Francis Yang ◽  
Rhiana Schafer ◽  
Glenna A. Dowling ◽  
Lara Traeger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physical Strain ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Loved One ◽  
People With Dementia

Objectives: Due to psychological and physical strain, family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are at high risk for depression and stress related disorders. We investigated the feasibility of a mobile application (App) intervention delivering Mentalizing Imagery Therapy (MIT), which incorporates guided imagery and mindfulness, to facilitate self-regulation and increase perspective on the mental life of self and others. Method: A 4-week pilot trial of an MIT App for family caregivers of people with dementia was conducted to assess feasibility of use, mood and depression symptom benefit, and relationship changes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the study’s conclusion to characterize participants’ perceived benefits. Results: 80% of 21 consented participants downloaded the App, utilized it at least once, and were further analyzed. Of these participants, average usage of audio recordings was 14 ± 10 (SD) days out of 28 possible, and 29 ± 28 individual sessions. Acute improvement in mood from before to after completion of exercises was uniformly observed (p &lt; .001), and after four weeks there was a significant increase in positive affect and a reduction in negative affect. Participants with severe levels of depression (n=3) at baseline exhibited an improvement in symptoms at 4 weeks averaging 30% (p &lt; .05). Semi-structured interviews revealed an increase in the ability to remain “centered" despite caregiving challenges, take the perspective of the loved one, and positively reframe the caregiver experience.Conclusion: App delivery of MIT is feasible for family dementia caregivers. Results showed moderate to high usage of the app for a majority of the users, and promising improvements in mood and depression. These data provide justification for larger, controlled trials.

International pharmacy students’ transition to Nottingham: Semi-structured interviews (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yicong Liu
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Teaching Style ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Independent Study ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
International Pharmacy ◽  
The Uk

BACKGROUND The transition from China to the UK can be challenging, and there is increasing concern among academics since cross-cultural learning and living may be a challenge for these students. OBJECTIVE To find out international pharmacy students’ worries and challenges as well as benefits on the transition experience from China to the UK. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were used to explore this group of students’ transition experiences. Selective transcription was done because of time limitations in the project. RESULTS The natural and cultural environment was the most pleasant experience for Tianjin students during this transition process. Cross-cultural adjustment and self-adaptability, as well as their autonomous learning ability were the main barriers for international students. CONCLUSIONS The difference between Asian and Western culture caused barriers for international students to fit into a new environment. In terms of integrating into local students, insufficient English language skills, culture shock and personality could be the influence factors. Moreover, the different teaching style and learning style could be the possible reasons for students having difficulty in an independent study. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals Food support provision in COVID-19 times: a mixed method study based in Greater Manchester

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Oncini
Keyword(s):  
Financial Stability ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Providers ◽  
Support Provision ◽  
Emergency Response Plan ◽  
Support Organizations ◽  
User Demand ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
The Uk

AbstractCOVID-19 has brought to light the severity of economic inequalities by testing the capacity of the poorest families to make ends meet. Food insecurity has in fact soared all over the UK, with many people forced to rely on food support providers to not go hungry. This paper uses a unique dataset on 55 food support organizations active in Greater Manchester during the first COVID-19 wave, and 41 semi-structured interviews with food aid spokespersons and stakeholders, to shed light on what they overcame, the complications and drawbacks of the food emergency response plan put in place. The results indicate that food aid organizations that remained open were surprisingly effective despite the growth in user demand and the decrease in volunteers. However, the necessity to maintain a timely supply food at all costs came with important drawbacks. The lockdown measures that followed COVID-19 not only affected the financial stability and management of the organizations, and the availability of food, but undermined the ways in which food support providers used to operate. Owing to physical distancing measures and to the increasing numbers of users, more or less intangible forms of support such as financial advice, empathic listening and human warmth were partially lost, probably when they were needed more than ever.

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