scholarly journals Identifying Barriers to Reducing Portion Size: A Qualitative Focus Group Study of British Men and Women

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1054
Author(s):  
Jennifer Ferrar ◽  
Danielle Ferriday ◽  
Hendrik J. Smit ◽  
Duncan C. McCaig ◽  
Peter J. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Free Association ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Energy Reserves ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
Positive Feelings

Reducing portion size might reduce meal satisfaction, which could minimize adherence to portion size interventions. The present study sought to identify the perceived barriers for consumers to eat smaller portions. A secondary aim explored the relative contribution of enjoyment of taste and post-meal fullness as determinants of meal satisfaction. Focus groups (N = 42) evaluated consumers’ feelings toward a small reduction in portion size. Thematic analysis of written free association tasks and open-ended group discussions revealed that most participants expected to feel hungry and unsatisfied, which motivated them to consume something else. However, others expected to feel comfortable, healthy, and virtuous. The acceptability of the reduced portion was also determined by meal characteristics (e.g., time and setting) and individual characteristics (e.g., predicted energy requirements). Compared to post-meal fullness, enjoyment of taste was perceived to be the more important determinant of meal satisfaction. In conclusion, interventions should present portion reduction as a marginal modification with little physiological consequence to energy reserves, while emphasizing the positive feelings (e.g., comfort, satisfaction, and self-worth) experienced after consuming a smaller portion. Additionally, focusing on taste enjoyment (rather than fullness) might be a useful strategy to maintain meal satisfaction despite a reduction in meal size.

Barriers to Development of Selected Municipalities of Sulu Province

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 444-463
Author(s):  
Abdurahim S. Tahil ◽  
Shernahar K. Tahil
Keyword(s):  
Good Governance ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Quantitative Aspect ◽  
The Political ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
Main Barrier ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
Qualitative Part

This study was conducted to determine the barrier to the development of selected municipalities of Sulu province.  It aimed to find out the Suluanos’ concept of development in terms of political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, and ecological aspects, including how these perceived barriers affect the development of Sulu. This research utilized the descriptive method where the Quantitative aspect gathered the data from 400 adults of ten big municipalities using a checklist questionnaire. The respondents were selected through systematic sampling.  For the qualitative part, the collected data were from 90 participants through focus group discussions. The statistical tools used were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and group means. The finding revealed that the Suluanos’ concept of development upheld the development policies which are participatory, equitable, appropriateness, concertizing, and environment friendly and the corresponding functions of development such as the political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, and ecological aspects. Of the five development functions, the economic aspect (2.95) was the main barrier to development.  It is followed by the technological aspect (2.91), the political (2.79), and ecological (2.42) as the fourth rank. On the other hand, the socio-cultural part (2.21) was the least encountered barrier. The perceived barriers that affected the development of Sulu were related to lack of high ethical standards, transparency, accountability, effectiveness, and lack of respect for and commitment to social justice, human rights, environmental life protection, and people's empowerment. Based on the data gathered, the findings made the researcher conclude that the political, economic, technological, socio-cultural, and ecological aspects in Sulu were considered barriers to development.  They were not within the bounds of good governance.   Bureaucracy was weak due to the leaders' personalities, who were neither transactional nor transformational. At the same time, they were not within the context of the alternative model of development. To minimize if not eliminate the barriers to development, the government's efforts should be geared towards accountability to improve the quality of governance and dispensation of justice. Further studies are recommended to determine other predictors that can similarly evaluate the development conditions of Sulu Province.     

scholarly journals Psychosocial Factors Influencing Promotion of Male circumcision for HIV Prevention in a Non-circumcising Community in Rural Western Kenya

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo Obure ◽  
Erick Nyambedha ◽  
Boniface Oindo ◽  
Hezborn Kodero
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Male Circumcision ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Cultural Integration ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Purposive Sample

Male circumcision (MC) is now recommended as an additional HIV preventive measure, yet little is known about factors that may influence its adoption, especially in non-circumcising communities with generalized HIV pandemic. This qualitative study explored factors influencing MC adoption in rural western Kenya. Twenty-four sex specific focus group discussions were conducted with a purposive sample of Luo men and women (15-34 years). Perceived barriers to circumcision were pain and healing complications, actual and opportunity costs, behavioral disinhibition, discrimination, cultural identity, and reduced sexual satisfaction; perceived facilitators were hygiene, HIV/STI risk reduction, ease in condom use, cultural integration, and sexual satisfaction. To enhance MC adoption, community education, and dialogue is needed to address the perceived fears.

Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) for Reducing Stress and Increasing Self-Esteem: A Self-Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
Josette Marie Steel ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Period ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Free Association ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Energy Psychology ◽  
Self Study ◽  
Self Worth

Abstract: While there is a great deal of research into various Energy Psychology (EP) methods, the subjective experience of the client has not yet been investigated. In this self-study, the Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) Protocol for Stressful Events was used for 10 sessions over a period of 3 weeks to explore whether TAT would be an effective tool for managing stress and increasing feelings of self-worth. The Sorensen Self-Esteem Test was used as a baseline self-esteem pre and post test to measure self-worth and positive and negative emotional states. A list of 10 free association words was collected before and after each treatment session and at the end of the treatment period. Quantitative analysis showed an increase in overall sense of self-worth and an increase in positive states. Negative and positive states varied throughout the treatment period while self-worth increased, suggesting that TAT enabled increased emotional self-regulation when dealing with stressful situations. Scores on the Sorensen Self-Esteem Test improved by 28% on follow-up. A qualitative analysis of the free association words suggests an increase in feelings of balance and calm and a decrease in negative self-image. Keywords: TAT, Tapas Acupressure Technique, energy psychology, protocol for stressful events, self-esteem, Sorensen Self-Esteem Test, stress management, stress reduction

The relative contribution of personality, cognitive ability and the density of work experience in predicting human resource competencies

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1573-1590
Author(s):  
Srikanth P.B.
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Personality Characteristic ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Challenging Tasks ◽  
Hr Competencies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptually define and empirically investigate the density of work experience along with individual characteristics (cognitive ability, conscientiousness and openness to experience) and examine their influence on human resource (HR) competencies. Design/methodology/approach Regression analysis was used to analyze the data. In total, 140 HR professionals from service industry background and their supervisors participated in the data collection efforts. Findings Data analyses revealed three key findings. Employees’ density of work experience positively relates to HR competencies. Cognitive ability is the strongest predictor of the positive relationship to HR competencies, and density of work experience. Research limitations/implications The author did not assess learning from each role (individual contributor, team lead and manager). Another limitation stems from the measure of density of work experience. The author did not consider the feedback that each incumbent might have received while dealing with challenging activities and the course corrections that may have been made. Practical implications Using an approach of gradually increasing the level of responsibility and involvement in challenging tasks may also help incumbents develop who may not be intellectually gifted. In the process of gradually increasing the level of involvement in challenging tasks, incumbents could develop a nuanced view of the field expertise required to deal with challenges, gain an in-depth understanding of the business, and acquire change management skills. Originality/value The author attempts to know which aspects of personality influence density of work experience the most. In addition, which personality characteristic predicts HR competencies more strongly?

Impact of Savoring Ability on the Relationship Between Older Adults’ Activity Engagement and Well-Being

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Smith ◽  
Joseph G. Bihary ◽  
Dugan O’Connor ◽  
Ajla Basic ◽  
Catherine J. O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Moderating Factors ◽  
Regulation Strategies ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between activity engagement and well-being can vary based on individual characteristics, and it is important to identify moderating factors to support the development and implementation of aging services. The current study examined whether the relationship between activity engagement and well-being depends on older adults’ savoring ability, that is, the ability to attend to positive experiences and to engage in emotion regulation strategies to enhance positive feelings during those experiences. A total of 5,128 older adults ( Mage = 83.86 years) completed measures of activity engagement, savoring, and well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, depression, loneliness, purpose, and health). Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that activity engagement and savoring independently predicted better functioning across all well-being measures. However, savoring moderated the relationship between activity engagement and four well-being measures (life satisfaction, depression, loneliness, and purpose). Findings suggest that older adults with low activity engagement may particularly benefit from savoring-skills training to enhance their psychological well-being.

scholarly journals Expectations and Prospects of Young Adult Caregivers Regarding the Support of Professionals: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4299
Author(s):  
Hinke M. van der Werf ◽  
Wolter Paans ◽  
Geertjan Emmens ◽  
Anneke L. Francke ◽  
Petrie F. Roodbol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
Adult Caregivers

There is a lack of service provision for young adult caregivers (18–25 years of age). This study aims to describe the expectations and prospects of young adult caregivers regarding support from health and education professionals. A qualitative focus group design was used. Twenty-five young Dutch adults (aged 18–25 years) who were growing up with a chronically ill family member participated in one of seven focus groups. Qualitative inductive analysis was used to identify codes and main themes. Two overarching themes with five sub-themes emerged from the focus group discussions. The overarching themes are: the ‘process of approaching young adults’ and the ‘types of support these young adults require’. The process of approaching young adults contains the sub-themes: ‘recognition, attention, and listening’, ‘open-minded attitude’, ‘reliability’, and ‘respecting autonomy’. The types of support this group requires contains the sub-themes: ‘information and emotional support’. Health and education professionals should first and foremost be aware and listen to young adult caregivers, pay attention to them, have an open-minded attitude, respect their autonomy, and have the knowledge to provide them with information and emotional support. Further research could yield comprehensive insights into how professionals can meet these requirements and whether these results apply to male young adult caregivers and young adult caregivers not enrolled in a healthcare-related study program.

scholarly journals Doing and feeling together in older age: self-worth and belonging through social creative activities

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Emma H. Wood ◽  
Allan Jepson ◽  
Raphaela Stadler
Keyword(s):  
Social Integration ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Cycle Model ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
Art Activities ◽  
Virtuous Cycle ◽  
Short Time

Abstract The potential for art activities to help in alleviating loneliness is explored through a focus on older women's regular attendance at creative social activities. We apply the concept of perceived emotional synchrony to understand how weekly craft group sessions enable feelings of belonging and self-worth to develop in older women. Using a multi-site six-month study of 62 women aged 70+ attending social creative activities, our multi-stage research design captures the experiences of these women through observation and narrative group discussions held weekly. Our findings show that feelings of belonging and self-worth developed over a relatively short time. In particular, social integration and identity fusion were found to occur as a result of the emotional synchrony engendered via a regular shared activity, out of the home, and requiring some challenge and creativity. We propose a virtuous cycle model to explain the value in such activities and discuss the wider implications for wellbeing in older age. Perceived emotional synchrony has not been used before to explore the mechanisms through which social creative activities form lasting benefits for older women. Our research highlights the importance of feeling at one with others in improving feelings of belonging and self-worth and indicates how a variety of social creative experiences could be designed to enable this.

scholarly journals Healthy aging through the lens of community-based practitioners: a focus group study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubee Dev ◽  
Oleg Zaslavsky ◽  
Barbara Cochrane ◽  
Thomas Eagen ◽  
Nancy F Woods
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Holistic Model ◽  
Traditional Research ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Abstract Background Nearly one in every seven Americans is 65 years and older, facing day-to-day challenge of aging. Although interest in healthy aging is growing, most of the efforts are directed towards understanding the perceptions of older adults. Little is known about the perspectives of community-based practitioners who work with older adults and deliver programs to promote healthy aging. The purpose of this project was to expand knowledge on healthy aging by exploring the perspectives of community-based practitioners working directly with older adults. Methods We purposively sampled community-based practitioners (n=12, including nurses, physician, social workers, and other community services professionals), who then participated in one of three in-depth focus group discussions. Results Three core categories were identified: (1) characteristics of healthy aging; (2) healthy aging attainment; and (3) programs and activities for healthy aging. Participants identified a number of characteristics under person-specific, social, and spiritual dimensions of healthy aging. Healthy aging attainment was represented as facilitators and barriers, and programs and activities through promoting fitness and wellness. Conclusions Although practitioners’ perspectives had some overlap with traditional research and medical views on healthy aging, the unique and holistic model derived provides a more refined foundation for supporting healthy aging.

scholarly journals Exploring the characteristics of a local demand for African wild meat: A focus group study of long-term Ghanaian residents in the Netherlands

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246868
Author(s):  
Sandrella M. Morrison-Lanjouw ◽  
Roel A. Coutinho ◽  
Kwasi Boahene ◽  
Robert Pool
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
West African ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Wild Meat ◽  
The City

While there is a growing body of research documenting unregulated African wild meat imports into Europe from the Africa continent, the drivers of this demand are virtually unknown. This study employs focus group discussions and a survey questionnaire to examine the attitudes and practices related to African wild meat consumption in the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Ghanaian community was selected as the object of this study, as it is the largest West African population in the Netherlands and represents an important part of Dutch society. We model our report on a recent US study of the Liberian community of Minneapolis, Minnesota, which allows for the comparison of results between two Western countries. The overall perceived health risk of consuming African wild meat in The Netherlands is low and unlikely to deter consumption. However, local prices for the meat may be prohibitive in some cases. Incentives include health benefits, cultural drivers and a strong preference for the taste of African wild meat over all local meat alternatives. The study calls for further research into the nature of the drivers of demand for African wild meat as well as its public health consequences, in the Netherlands and beyond.

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