scholarly journals Italian Adolescent Young Caregivers of Grandparents: Difficulties Experienced and Support Needed in Intergenerational Care-Giving: Qualitative Findings from a European Union Funded Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Barbara D’Amen ◽  
Marco Socci ◽  
Mirko Di Rosa ◽  
Giulia Casu ◽  
Licia Boccaletti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Physical Strain ◽  
Stress Appraisal ◽  
Young Caregivers ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Care Giving ◽  
Intergenerational Caregiving ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
Intergenerational Care ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

The article aims to describe the experiences of 87 Italian adolescent young caregivers (AYCs) of grandparents (GrPs), with reference to the caregiving stress appraisal model (CSA) that provides a theoretical lens to explore the difficulties encountered and support needed in their caring role. Qualitative data were drawn from an online survey conducted within an EU Horizon 2020 funded project. An inductive thematic analysis was carried out, and the findings were critically interpreted within the conceptual framework of the CSA model. The analysis highlighted three categories of difficulties: material, communication and emotional/psychological. The most common material difficulty was the physical strain associated with moving “uncooperative” disabled older adults. The types of support needed concerned both emotional and material support. The study provides a deeper understanding of the under-studied experiences of AYCs of GrPs. Based on these findings, policies and support measures targeted at AYCs of GrPs should include early needs detection, emotional support and training on intergenerational caring in order to mitigate the stress drivers. Moreover, the study advances the conceptualisation of the CSA model by considering the above-mentioned aspects related to intergenerational caregiving.

scholarly journals Perceptions and experiences of frailty interventions: quantitative and qualitative results from a survey of partners within the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP-AHA)

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1843-1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
HOLLY GWYTHER ◽  
RICHARD COOKE ◽  
RACHEL SHAW ◽  
MAURA MARCUCCI ◽  
ANTONIO CANO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Active And Healthy Ageing ◽  
Perceived Benefit ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis ◽  
Method Approach

ABSTRACTThe European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP-AHA) was launched by the European Commission in 2011 to promote innovation in ageing research. This paper explores the experiences of partners delivering frailty interventions within Europe, registering their programmes with the EIP-AHA. Data were collected using an online survey from 21 partners in seven countries. A mixed-method approach was used with inductive thematic analysis of free-text responses to improve data richness. Responses indicated that there was a lack of consistency between EIP-AHA partners in methods of defining, screening and measuring for frailty and pre-frailty. Open responses to survey questions about intervention facilitators, moderators and barriers were coded into two themes: working with stakeholders and project management. We concluded that EIP-AHA partners are providing interventions addressing physical, cognitive and wellbeing elements of frailty. However, there needs to be an increase in the proportion of interventions that consistently apply valid methods of screening and/or measuring frailty and pre-frailty. Most, but not all projects are targeting pre-frail older adults, suggesting an appropriate balance of prevention in a useful ‘intervention window’ but also a growing understanding that frailty at later stages is amenable to intervention. Findings suggest design manipulations to improve outcomes and adherence to interventions, specifically inclusion of a perceived benefit/reward for older adults, e.g. a social aspect or health-care promotion.

scholarly journals Toxicity Profiling of Biosurfactants Produced by Novel Marine Bacterial Strains

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2383
Author(s):  
Georgia-Persephoni Voulgaridou ◽  
Theodora Mantso ◽  
Ioannis Anestopoulos ◽  
Ariel Klavaris ◽  
Christina Katzastra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Mutagenic Potential ◽  
Commercial Exploitation ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals ◽  
Surface Active Agents ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
Promising Source

Surface active agents (SAAs), currently used in modern industry, are synthetic chemicals produced from non-renewable sources, with potential toxic impacts on humans and the environment. Thus, there is an increased interest for the identification and utilization of natural derived SAAs. As such, the marine environment is considered a promising source of biosurfactants with low toxicity, environmental compatibility, and biodegradation compared to their synthetic counterparts. MARISURF is a Horizon 2020 EU-funded project aiming to identify and functionally characterize SAAs, derived from a unique marine bacterial collection, towards commercial exploitation. Specifically, rhamnolipids produced by Marinobacter MCTG107b and Pseudomonas MCTG214(3b1) strains were previously identified and characterized while currently their toxicity profile was assessed by utilizing well-established methodologies. Our results showed a lack of cytotoxicity in in vitro models of human skin and liver as indicated by alamar blue and propidium iodide assays. Additionally, the use of the single gel electrophoresis assay, under oxidative stress conditions, revealed absence of any significant mutagenic/anti-mutagenic potential. Finally, both 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonicacid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) cell-free assays, revealed no significant anti-oxidant capacity for neither of the tested compounds. Consequently, the absence of significant cytotoxicity and/or mutagenicity justifies their commercial exploitation and potential development into industrial end-user applications as natural and environmentally friendly biosurfactants.

scholarly journals Mind the gap when implementing technologies intended to reduce or shift energy consumption in blocks-of-buildings

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Breukers ◽  
Tracey Crosbie ◽  
Luc van Summeren
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Demand Response ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Four Blocks ◽  
Design Logic

If the designers of technologies intended to reduce or shift energy consumption are not sensitive to how people live and work in buildings, a gap occurs between the expected and actual performance of those technologies. This paper explores this problem using the concepts of ‘design logic’ (designers’ ideas, values, intentions and user representations) and the ‘user logic’ (related in this case to how building occupants currently live and work in a building). The research presented unpacks the ‘design logic’ embedded in DR approaches planned for implementation at four blocks of buildings in a Horizon 2020 funded project, called “Demand Response in Blocks of Buildings” (DR-BoB). It discusses how the ‘user logic’ may differ from the ‘design logic’ and the potential impact of this on the performance of the technologies being implemented to reduce or shift energy consumption. The data analysed includes technical working documents describing the implementation scenarios of DR at four pilot sites, interviews and workshops conducted with the project team and building occupants during the first phases of the project. The analysis presented identifies how expectations about building occupants and their behaviours are built into the DR scenarios (to be tested during the project demonstrations). Initial findings suggest that building occupants’ energy use practices and routines may be different from those expectations. The paper illustrates how the concepts of ‘design logic’ and ‘user logic’ can be used to identify mismatches before technologies are implemented. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving the design and implementation of DR.

scholarly journals The Once-Only Principle: A Matter of Trust

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Robert Krimmer ◽  
Andriana Prentza ◽  
Szymon Mamrot ◽  
Carsten Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Legal Framework ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Single Market ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe Single Market is one of the cornerstones of the European Union. The idea to transform it into a Digital Single Market (DSM) was outlined several years ago. The EU has started different initiatives to support this transformation process. One of them is the program Horizon 2020 to support the process from a technical point of view. In parallel to this, initiatives were started to set up a sound legal framework for the DSM. The Single Digital Gateway Regulation (SDGR) is an outcome of these initiatives. The key aspect of the SDGR is the underlying Once-Only Principle (OOP), outlining that businesses and citizens in contact with public administrations have to provide data only once. “The Once-Only Principle Project (TOOP)” is the EU-funded project initiated for research, testing, and implementation of the OOP in Europe. The authors give an overview of the research questions of the different parts of TOOP. Besides that, they introduce the other chapters of this book and what the reader can expect as the content of them.

scholarly journals Is Physical Activity a Buffer? Gendered Racial Microaggressions and Anxiety Among African American Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 122-143
Author(s):  
LaTrice N. Wright ◽  
Jioni A. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Racial Microaggressions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stress Appraisal ◽  
Gendered Racism ◽  
Anxious Arousal ◽  
American Women

The purpose of this study was to explore the relations between gendered racism (i.e., the simultaneous experience of racism and sexism) and anxiety among African American women. The study also tested the moderating role of physical activity in the link between gendered racism and anxiety. It was hypothesized that a subtle form of gendered racism (i.e., gendered racial microaggressions) would significantly predict anxious arousal. We also hypothesized that physical activity would buffer the relations between gendered racial microaggressions and anxiety. Participants were 249 African American women residing in the United States, who completed an online survey. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that a greater frequency and stress appraisal of gendered racial microaggressions significantly predicted greater anxious arousal. Results also suggested that physical activity did not buffer the association between gendered racial microaggressions and anxiety. This study has implications for highlighting the importance of exploring variables that might serve to buffer African American women against the stress of gendered racism experienced in their everyday lives.

scholarly journals Gender differences in intergenerational care in European welfare states

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
KLAUS HABERKERN ◽  
TINA SCHMID ◽  
MARC SZYDLIK
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Welfare State ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Division Of Labour ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Giving ◽  
Intergenerational Care ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACTElderly people with functional limitations are predominantly cared for by family members. Women – spouses and daughters – provide most of this care work. In principle, gender inequality in intergenerational care may have three causes: first, daughters and sons have different resources to provide care; second, daughters and sons respond differently to the same resources; third, welfare state programmes and cultural norms affect daughters and sons differently. In this paper, we address the empirical question whether these three assumed causes are in fact responsible for gender differences in intergenerational care. The empirical analyses, based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), reveal that parents in need are in fact more likely to receive care from daughters than from sons. Daughters are more responsive to the needs of their parents than sons and respond differently to the same resources. Gender inequality is highest in countries with a high level of intergenerational care, high public spending on old-age cash-benefits, a low provision of professional care services, high family obligation norms and a high level of gendered division of labour. Welfare state programmes reduce or increase gender inequality in intergenerational care by reducing or increasing the engagement of daughters in intergenerational care. In general, care-giving by sons is hardly influenced by social care policies.

scholarly journals Correlates of Caregiver Burden among Family Members of Patients with Schizophrenia in Lagos, Nigeria

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Increase Ibukun Adeosun
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Time Dependence ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Strain ◽  
Care Giving ◽  
Poor Social Support ◽  
Time And Being ◽  
Emotional Strain

Family members of patients with schizophrenia have enormous roles in the care of their patients, which could negatively impact their well being. Development of interventions targeted at alleviating the burden of informal care giving is hinged on the recognition of the factors associated with the various dimensions of burden. This study determined the correlates of caregiver burden among family members of patients with schizophrenia in Lagos, Nigeria. The study instruments included the Zarit burden interview (ZBI) and the positive and negative syndrome scale for schizophrenia (PANSS). Exploratory factor analysis of the ZBI produced a five-factor structure with “financial/physical strain”, “time/dependence strain”, “emotional strain”, “uncertainty”, and “self-criticism” domains. On multiple regression analyses, total PANSS scores, poor social support, and lower educational levels of caregivers were predictive of higher burden scores on the “financial/physical strain”, “time/dependence”, and “emotional strain” domains. Longer duration of illness, shorter patient-caregiver contact time, and being a female caregiver were predictive of higher burden scores on the “uncertainty”, “self-criticism”, and “emotional strain” domains, respectively. There is need for interventions to alleviate the burden on caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria. These strategies must include comprehensive social support and improve access to services for patients and their caregivers.

scholarly journals Life is different now – impacts of eating disorders on Carers in New Zealand: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Fletcher ◽  
Henrietta Trip ◽  
Rachel Lawson ◽  
Nicki Wilson ◽  
Jennifer Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Qualitative Interview ◽  
Eating Disorder Treatment ◽  
Disorder Treatment ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

Abstract Background Eating disorders are widely recognized as serious illnesses, with complex psychological and physiological comorbidities. Affected individuals face a protracted and challenging treatment journey which, particularly for children and adolescents, requires significant input from family members as carers. This study investigated the perspectives and experiences of those caring for family members with an eating disorder diagnosis. Method Participants were carers of affected individuals with an eating disorder, and were recruited from an online survey, subsequently consenting to a semi-structured qualitative interview. Inductive thematic analysis was undertaken to identify themes. Results Most participants in the sample were parents of affected individuals. Significant and ongoing psychological and emotional impacts were identified across the sample. The diagnosis, treatment journey and overall impact of the carer role created a situation captured by the over-arching theme ‘life is different now’. Impacts profoundly influenced relationships and were felt across all aspects of life by carers, affected individuals and other family members. Heightened worry and vigilance experienced by carers continued beyond improvement or recovery. Conclusions This research highlighted challenging and often exhausting impacts felt by carers due to their pivotal role in eating disorder treatment. Inadequate support for most carers in this sample has clear implications for families as well as service and funding providers. Further research should more fully investigate carer experience with different eating disorders to explore the type of support necessary to build capacity and resilience to reduce carer burden.

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