scholarly journals Well-Being without a Roof: Examining Well-Being among Unhoused Individuals Using Mixed Methods and Propensity Score Matching

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7228
Author(s):  
Naina J Ahuja ◽  
Allison Nguyen ◽  
Sandra J Winter ◽  
Mark Freeman ◽  
Robert Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Coping Mechanism ◽  
Spirituality And Religion ◽  
The Mean

The morbidity and mortality experiences of people who are unhoused have been well-described, but much less is known about the overall well-being of these individuals. In this mixed methods study, housed and unhoused participants completed a multi-faceted 10 domain measure of well-being (the Stanford WELL Survey), and a subset of unhoused participants shared their experiences during qualitative interviews. Using propensity score matching, unhoused participants (n = 51) were matched at a ratio of 1:5 with housed participants (n = 255). The mean overall well-being score of the unhoused participants was significantly lower than that of the matched housed participants (B = −5.022, p = 0.013). Additionally, the two groups differed on some of the constituent domains of well-being, with unhoused participants reporting statistically significantly lower mean scores on social connectedness (B = −1.086, p = 0.000), lifestyle and daily practices (B = −1.219, p = 0.000), stress and resilience (B = −0.493, p = 0.023), experience of emotions (B = −0.632, p = 0.009), physical health (B = −0.944, p = 0.0001), and finances (B = −3.099, p = 0.000). The unhoused participants had a statistically significantly higher mean score for spirituality and religiosity (B = 2.401, p = 0.000) than their matched housed counterparts. The qualitative interviews further highlighted spirituality and religion as a coping mechanism for the unhoused. The results of this study highlight both unexpected strengths exhibited by the unhoused individuals and areas of challenge.

The relationship between social experience and subjective well-being in autistic college students: A mixed methods study

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1081-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M Bailey ◽  
Kyle M Frost ◽  
Karís Casagrande ◽  
Brooke Ingersoll
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Experience ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

This mixed methods study examined the relationship between the college social experience and subjective well-being in autistic students in the Midwestern United States. An online survey focused on social connectedness, social participation, social support, and subjective well-being. A semi-structured interview discussed transition, supports received, and social participation. Correlations and a hierarchical regression were used to examine the relationship between social experience variables and subjective well-being from the survey. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify interview themes. Theme counts for students who reported higher and lower subjective well-being were examined. Social connectedness, time spent with friends, and perceived social support were positively correlated with students’ subjective well-being, with social connectedness explaining unique variance. Common themes included challenges navigating a new social environment and the importance of family, friends, and professors in providing social support. Students with lower subjective well-being more frequently discussed struggles to make social connections and the trade-off between socializing and succeeding academically, whereas students with higher subjective well-being more frequently described college as providing opportunities to develop meaningful social connections. This study adds new perspectives on the college experience for autistic students and highlights the important role that social connections and support play in their subjective well-being.

scholarly journals Physical Distancing and Social Connectedness Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 37-37
Author(s):  
Julie Lutz ◽  
Emily Bower ◽  
Ellen Beckwith ◽  
Julie Choi ◽  
Kim Van Orden
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
The Social

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted older adults; due to elevated risk, many older adults have followed physical distancing guidelines. These efforts, while critical to public health, have also impacted the social interactions and connectedness of older adults. In this mixed-methods study, we conducted qualitative interviews and administered questionnaires to 23 adults age 60 and older to examine how physical distancing has affected their social connectedness; what strategies and supports they have utilized to maintain or improve social connectedness despite physical distancing; and what types of supports, programs, and interventions they feel could promote and foster social connectedness among older adults during physical distancing. The results may have implications not only for the pandemic, but also for older adults who cannot leave their homes or experience barriers to typical social activities for any reason (e.g., being homebound, having functional impairments).

scholarly journals Codeveloping a multibehavioural mobile phone app to enhance social and emotional well-being and reduce health risks among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during preconception and pregnancy: a three-phased mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e052545
Author(s):  
Michelle Kennedy ◽  
Ratika Kumar ◽  
Nicole M Ryan ◽  
Jessica Bennett ◽  
Gina La Hera Fuentes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Aboriginal Women

ObjectiveDescribe the development and pretest of a prototype multibehavioural change app MAMA-EMPOWER.DesignMixed-methods study reporting three phases: (1) contextual enquiry included stakeholder engagement and qualitative interviews with Aboriginal women, (2) value specification included user-workshop with an Aboriginal researcher, community members and experts, (3) codesign with Aboriginal researchers and community members, followed by a pretest of the app with Aboriginal women, and feedback from qualitative interviews and the user-Mobile Application Rating Scale (U-MARS) survey tool.SettingsAboriginal women and communities in urban and regional New South Wales, Australia.ParticipantsPhase 1: interviews, 8 Aboriginal women. Phase 2: workshop, 6 Aboriginal women. Phase 3: app trial, 16 Aboriginal women. U-MARS, 5 Aboriginal women.ResultsPhase 1 interviews revealed three themes: current app use, desired app characteristics and implementation. Phase 2 workshop provided guidance for the user experience. Phase 3 app trial assessed all content areas. The highest ratings were for information (mean score of 3.80 out of 5, SD=0.77) and aesthetics (mean score of 3.87 with SD of 0.74), while functionality, engagement and subjective quality had lower scores. Qualitative interviews revealed the acceptability of the app, however, functionality was problematic.ConclusionsDeveloping a mobile phone app, particularly in an Aboriginal community setting, requires extensive consultation, negotiation and design work. Using a strong theoretical foundation of behavioural change technique’s coupled with the consultative approach has added rigour to this process. Using phone apps to implement behavioural interventions in Aboriginal community settings remains a new area for investigation. In the next iteration of the app, we aim to find better ways to personalise the content to women’s needs, then ensure full functionality before conducting a larger trial. We predict the process of development will be of interest to other health researchers and practitioners.

scholarly journals Companion Animal Type and Level of Engagement Matter: A Mixed-Methods Study Examining Links between Companion Animal Guardianship, Loneliness and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2349
Author(s):  
Heather Clements ◽  
Stephanie Valentin ◽  
Nicholas Jenkins ◽  
Jean Rankin ◽  
Nancy R. Gee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, countries worldwide placed limitations on social interaction, which is anticipated to have severe psychological consequences. Although findings are inconsistent, prior research has suggested that companion animals may positively influence human well-being and reduce loneliness. In the context of COVID-19, this has important implications, as companion animal guardians may be less negatively affected by the pandemic. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the influence of companion animals on mental well-being and loneliness during the pandemic, with specific interest in the role of ornamental fishes. A mixed-methods study was conducted, using an international sample. Quantitative data were collected via an online survey (n = 1199) and analysed using robust hierarchical multiple regression analyses; the influence of level of engagement with companion animals was examined for dogs, cats and ornamental fishes. There was no evidence that companion animal guardianship was associated with loneliness and mental well-being during the pandemic but spending more time engaging physically or socially with dogs (and to a lesser extent cats) was generally associated with poorer outcomes. Qualitative data were collected through open-ended survey responses (n = 757) and semi-structured interviews (n = 25) and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two themes were developed—one related to companion animals as providers of social and emotional support, and the other to companion animals as providers of purpose and perspective. Concerns regarding the impact of the pandemic on animal welfare were also identified. Compared to other animal types, more participants expressed indifference regarding the impact of their fishes on their well-being during the pandemic, possibly because fishes cannot provide comfort via physical touch. The findings of this study reflect the wider field of human–animal interaction; although qualitative data suggest guardians believe their companion animals are a positive influence in their lives, there is little convincing quantitative data to support these beliefs. This highlights the need to refine theories regarding which aspects of companion animal guardianship may influence human well-being; the findings from this research may be useful in the refinement of such theories.

Perceptions of Stress, Mindfulness, and Occupational Engagement Among Graduate-Level OT Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512505140p1-7512505140p1
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Henton ◽  
Acacia Gambrel ◽  
Jerome Klah ◽  
Catherine Rink ◽  
Caroline Targonski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Coping Mechanism ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Graduate Level ◽  
Primary Author

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. The exploratory mixed-methods study of 490 OT graduate students revealed that high levels of reported stress along with limited coping strategies impacted students’ perceived occupational engagement and quality of life. Students identified mindfulness as an effective coping mechanism; however, its reported use did not appear to alter quality of life. The study supported a link between mindfulness and occupational engagement and has broad implications for the field of OT. Primary Author and Speaker: Patricia A. Henton Additional Authors and Speakers: Acacia Gambrel, Jerome Klah, Catherine Rink, Caroline Targonski, and Sarah Wirtz

scholarly journals “Shoot! Can We Restart the Interview?”: Lessons From Practicing “Uncomfortable Reflexivity”

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 160940692096381
Author(s):  
Judith Eckert
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Close Analysis ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Typical Experience ◽  
Process Gain ◽  
Intellectual Challenge

Failure is a typical experience in research, but it is largely taboo in published studies. In recent years, however, we can observe a small yet growing body of literature on failure in qualitative research to address this gap. In this article, I contribute my experiences of failed interviews in a mixed-methods study in Germany to this body of literature and highlight some aspects of failure that have not yet received enough attention. First, in my example, it was not only one interview or a few interviews that failed; rather, it seemed that the whole study failed in design due to particular methodical decisions. Second, failed research presents an intellectual challenge, but it also produces emotional and social trouble because failed research might be attributed to a failed researcher. This may be one reason failure is so damaging for one’s well-being and so difficult to share. Nevertheless, practicing some form of “uncomfortable reflexivity” (Pillow, 2003) via qualitative, close analysis helped me navigate the research process, gain methodical insights and substantive results. Third, I share lessons that might be useful for other researchers: reading literature on failure, the search for a safe and supportive space, and analyzing failure as closely and early as possible.

scholarly journals ‘Every day is hard, being outside, but you have to do it for your child’: Mixed-methods formative evaluation of a peer-led parenting intervention for homeless families

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 860-876
Author(s):  
Caroline Bradley ◽  
Crispin Day ◽  
Caroline Penney ◽  
Daniel Michelson
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Parenting Intervention ◽  
Homeless Families ◽  
Parenting Knowledge ◽  
Behavioural Difficulties

We conducted a mixed-methods, formative evaluation of a peer-led parenting intervention for homeless families. Participants were parents living in temporary accommodation with self-identified difficulties related to parenting an index child aged 2–11 years. An evidence-based programme (‘Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities’) was adapted for delivery with the target population in London, UK. We assessed feasibility in terms of session attendance rate, intervention completion rate and potential for impact on a range of parent-reported outcomes measures. Acceptability and appropriateness were examined by a user satisfaction measure and qualitative interviews. The intervention was delivered across three group cohorts ( N = 15). Thirteen parents completed the programme (including one parent who required two attempts). We found improvements in child behavioural difficulties, parenting knowledge and practices, while parental well-being and social support were unchanged. Participants were highly satisfied overall, with indications that the peer-led model mitigated negative expectancies of services and normalized experiences of parenting in challenging conditions. Parental self-care and ‘the good enough parent’ were strongly endorsed topics, although some content (e.g. timeout) was deemed impractical. These promising findings warrant further testing under controlled conditions.

scholarly journals Impact of legal status change on undocumented migrants’ health and well-being (Parchemins): protocol of a 4-year, prospective, mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e028336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Jackson ◽  
Delphine S Courvoisier ◽  
Aline Duvoisin ◽  
Giovanni Ferro-Luzzi ◽  
Patrick Bodenmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Undocumented Migrants ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

IntroductionMigrants without residency permit, known as undocumented, tend to live in precarious conditions and be exposed to an accumulation of adverse determinants of health. Only scarce evidence exists on the social, economic and living conditions-related factors influencing their health status and well-being. No study has assessed the impact of legal status regularisation. The Parchemins study is the first prospective, mixed-methods study aiming at measuring the impact on health and well-being of a regularisation policy on undocumented migrants in Europe.Methods and analysisThe Parchemins study will compare self-rated health and satisfaction with life in a group of adult undocumented migrants who qualify for applying for a residency permit (intervention group) with a group of undocumented migrants who lack one or more eligibility criteria for regularisation (control group) in Geneva Canton, Switzerland. Asylum seekers are not included in this study. The total sample will include 400 participants. Data collection will consist of standardised questionnaires complemented by semidirected interviews in a subsample (n=38) of migrants qualifying for regularisation. The baseline data will be collected just before or during the regularisation, and participants will subsequently be followed up yearly for 3 years. The quantitative part will explore variables about health (ie, health status, occupational health, health-seeking behaviours, access to care, healthcare utilisation), well-being (measured by satisfaction with different dimensions of life), living conditions (ie, employment, accommodation, social support) and economic situation (income, expenditures). Several confounders including sociodemographic characteristics and migration history will be collected. The qualitative part will explore longitudinally the experience of change in legal status at individual and family levels.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Geneva, Switzerland. All participants provided informed consent. Results will be shared with undocumented migrants and disseminated in scientific journals and conferences. Fully anonymised data will be available to researchers.

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