scholarly journals Translocational Positionality of Returnee Migrants: The New Normal

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 207-218
Author(s):  
Dzintra Iliško ◽  
◽  
Jelena Badjanova ◽  
Michal Šimane ◽  

The globalization and migration processes are typical features of our societies that affect policy, economy and the culture of each country. Migration involves many challenges: identity issues and well-being of migrants in negotiating new roles and values. At the social level, migration involves demographic, educational, sociological and employment aspects. The reasons of migration are numerous, including the economic as the major one. The authors employ a multidisciplinary approach by drawing on the geographical, sociological and anthropological disciplines in disclosing the narrative of returnees. The methodology employed in this study is based on semi structured interviews with seven returnee women. The study focuses on the transcultural and transnational positionality of the Latvian returnee migrants who are trying to settle down in Latvia, by revealing their hopes and struggles while relocating in a new cultural context. In this study, the authors place a particular focus on the narratives of female returnees. The main question is directed at how the returnees locate themselves at the conjuncture of diverse localities in building their transcultural identity.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Caroline Cheng

The 2011 Census shows 34,000 Chinese people living in Scotland, making Chinese the second largest minority group residing in Scotland. Among them, the asylum and refugee population continue to be largely invisible in the service delivery in Glasgow, which has been the only dispersal area in Scotland since 1999. Remarkably little research has been carried out on the UK Chinese migrant community in the literature, and this study proposed to fill the gap of finding out the wellbeing of this population. The researcher investigated the factors contributing to the wellbeing of twenty-five Chinese migrants, who are either asylum seekers or refugees in Glasgow as the first stage of a wellbeing study, adopting the concepts from the Wellbeing in Developing Countries framework (White, 2008). The Indicators of Integration (Strang & Ager 2008) and the Social Capital Theory (Putnam 1995) were used as reference points to explore the understanding of well-being and social connections. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to find out the core constructs of wellbeing from the Chinese peoples perspectives and thematic analysis was used in data analysis. The top five themes that emerged were childrens education, employment and financial independence, health care, freedom of speech and association, and support from own ethnic group.


1968 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 777-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Piker

Ongoing cultures, by virtue of the personalities they produce and the social arrangements they embody, create tensions or strains for their individual members; and they provide as well for the institutionalized expression and alleviation, if not complete reduction, of these tensions in culturally approved channels. In this view, cultural stability refers not to the absence of persisting conflict on the individual or social level; but rather to a high degree of complementarity between institutionalized sources of strain or conflict for the individual, and institutionalized arrangements for tension reduction or expression. This conception of stability does not assume that all relatively stable cultures are equally productive of psychological well-being, even assuming this nebulous condition could be specified. Nor does it assert that all stable cultures are equally adaptive in the face of external pressures. It does imply, however, that sources of conflict and channels for its expression will be sufficiently balanced to insure perpetuation of culturally standardized social arrangements and beliefs over many generations.


Gerontology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 576-588
Author(s):  
Deirdre A. Robertson ◽  
David Weiss

Background: Social status is the standing of a person or group in the social hierarchy, and is perceived to change across the life span from low social status in early life, to peak in midlife, and to a decline thereafter. As threats to subjective social status are known to be detrimental to individuals’ health, it is important to better understand how older adults perceive themselves and others in terms of age-related social status. Objective: We examined status ambivalence – the potential discrepancy between how older adults’ perceive social status for themselves compared to older adults in general. Method: Study 1 used qualitative data from 37 semi-structured interviews with older adults to assess perceptions of social status. Study 2 used quantitative survey data from 114 older adults who completed explicit and implicit measures of social status. Results: Study 1 (n = 37, meanage = 71.72, SDage = 5.69; 81.1% women) provided preliminary evidence for status ambivalence such that older adults reported unequivocal low social status for other older adults but a more ambivalent perception of their own social status. Study 2 (n = 114, meanage = 64.32, SDage = 8.98, 57.9% women) compared implicit and explicit measures of social status revealing that older adults consistently perceive older adults to have low social status but again show a more ambivalent perception of their own social status. Conclusion: We discuss status ambivalence as a potential protective mechanism in the context of negative societal perceptions of age-related social status that may be important for well-being in later life.


Author(s):  
Jasmin Tahmaseb McConatha ◽  
Karin Volkwein-Caplan ◽  
Amarachi Akwarandu

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C M A De Bot ◽  
C Boemaars ◽  
J A J Dierx

Abstract Background The current WHO definition of health seems to no longer meet the changes in the current Dutch health system. An alternative approach which puts emphasis on health, not disease, is Positive Health. This focus shifts the emphasis on improving resilience and well-being rather than the perspective on what is lacking in health. In 2014, this new definition of Positive health was included in the professional profile ’physiotherapist’ of the Royal Dutch Association for Physiotherapy. This study examines the attitude of physiotherapists to Positive Health and to what extent they experience this concept in their current working practice. Methods A mixed method study was used, with a quantitative and qualitative method. A survey was completed by 276 physiotherapists and 7 semi-structured interviews were conducted among physiotherapists. Results Positive health was considered positive by 68% of the physiotherapists that health is seen as a dynamic concept rather than static, and 60.5% consider it important that the emphasis is on self-regulation. However, physiotherapists wonder if all patients have the ability to self-manage skills. The qualitative analysis shows that all therapists find the new definition positive and that it covers all aspects of health. Conclusions In general, physiotherapists are positive about the definition of positive health. Positive health can help physiotherapists in their work with clients and other professionals because of the multidisciplinary approach. Key messages Positive health can help physiotherapists to promote health in their clients. Positive health can stimulate cooperation between physiotherapists and client to increase self-management.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 972-989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amie Southcombe ◽  
Jillian Cavanagh ◽  
Timothy Bartram

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of charismatic leadership style and value congruence on the social connectedness of retired men in Australian Men’s Sheds. This study also explores the impact of social connectedness on well-being outcomes, such as employment and training, improved family relationships and access to health and welfare services. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is a qualitative approach using focus groups (yarning circles) and semi-structured interviews with Shed leaders, men members and healthcare workers. Findings – The findings suggest that a charismatic leader enhances the value congruence between leaders and their members through empowering, envisioning and empathy, which also contributes to the social connectedness of members and enhances well-being of retired men. Originality/value – The study provides insights into the factors that contribute to successful leadership, participatory and leadership practices in the Groups/Sheds, and addresses a gap in the literature in the area of leadership and Men’s Sheds.


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Gabriela Silveira de Paula ◽  
Patrícia Do Socorro Magalhães Franco Espírito-Santo

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the social representations of the elderly on aging and experiences related to health involved in this process. Methodology: the qualitative methodology was applied; data collection was carried out through participant observation, semi-structured interviews and field journal. The interviews were recorded, and a signed a free and clear consent form was obtained, with seven elderly volunteers in Franca – São Paulo, Brazil. The study was approved by Uni-FACEF´s Research Ethics Committee (035/2009). Results: from the analyses of the interviews, three social representations were found among which health constituted the center of discussion: (1) Life silencing: a stigmatized old age where health is determined by declining physical and mental capacities; (2) New identity: an active old age where health is what provides freedom and independence; (3) A natural process: old age is an expected stage and health is spiritual well-being. Conclusions: these results show that social representations of old age are associated to the current redefinition of health; to a positive concept of health; and to the individual’s responsibility for health, that is associated with the aging reprivatization. Key words: Aging; health; social representations; contemporaneity. RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as representações sociais do idoso acerca do envelhecer e das vivências relativas à saúde implicadas neste processo. Metodologia: utilizou-se a metodologia qualitativa, a coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da observação participante, entrevistas semi-estruturadas, e diário de campo. Após a assinatura dos termos de consentimento livre e esclarecido, as entrevistas foram gravadas com sete idosos voluntários na cidade de Franca – SP. Para preservar a identidade dos participantes, todos os nomes utilizados neste artigo são fictícios. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Centro Universitário de Franca (protocolo 035/2009). Resultados: a partir das análises das entrevistas, emergiram três RS acerca da velhice, nas quais a saúde constituiu-se em eixo de discussão: (1) A vida silenciando: uma velhice estigmatizada, em que a saúde é marcada por declínios nas capacidades físicas e mentais; (2) A Nova identidade: uma velhice ativa em que a saúde é aquilo que dá liberdade e independência; (3) Um Processo natural: a velhice é uma etapa esperada, e a saúde é o bem-estar espiritual. Conclusões: tais resultados demonstram que as RS da velhice estão associadas à atual ressignificação da saúde; a um conceito positivo de saúde; e à responsabilização individual pela saúde, a qual se associa à reprivatização do envelhecimento. Descritores: envelhecimento; saúde; representações sociais; contemporaneidade. RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las representaciones sociales de las personas mayores sobre el envejecimiento y las experiencias relacionadas con la salud implicada en este proceso. Metodología: se utilizó una metodología cualitativa, la recolección de datos fue realizada por medio de la observación participante, entrevistas semi-estructuradas y diario de campo. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, firmados los términos del consentimiento libre e informado, con siete voluntarios de la ciudad de Franca – São Paulo, Brasil. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación de la Uni-FACEF. Resultados: a partir del análisis de las entrevistas, reveló tres representaciones sociales sobre la vejez, donde la salud se constituyó en un eje de discusión: (1) La vida silenciando: una vejez estigmatizada, donde la salud se caracteriza por la disminución de la capacidad física y mental, (2) La nueva identidad: una vejez activa, donde la salud es lo que concede libertad e independencia, (3) Un proceso natural: el envejecimiento es un paso esperado y la salud es el bienestar espiritual.  Conclusiones: Estos resultados demuestran que las representaciones sociales de la edad están asociadas con la actual resignificación de la salud; con un concepto positivo de la salud, que se asocia con la reprivatización del envejecimiento. Descriptores: Envejecimiento; salud; representaciones sociales; contemporaneidad.


2020 ◽  
pp. 146247452094981
Author(s):  
Vincent S Cheng ◽  
Florence K Lapto

Snitching is the act of providing information to the authorities in exchange for rewards. Although snitching is, strictly speaking, a taboo among street offenders and prison inmates worldwide, offenders regard some types of snitching as relatively more acceptable than others. Studies regarding the social meaning of snitching have mostly been conducted with reference to American and European contexts, while the situation in the Asian or Chinese context has not been thoroughly explored. This paper helps to fill a research gap by examining the characteristics of the social meaning of snitching in a severely under-researched context—the inmate culture within Chinese drug detention centers. Our discussion is based on data collected from semi-structured interviews with 28 former inmates of drug detention centers, and it endeavors to explore how offenders conceptualize snitching and why they perceive snitching in the way they do. Our findings show that, while inmates in Chinese drug detention centers generally despise snitching, they see some specific forms of snitching as normal or even necessary. We analyze how inmates rationalize snitching behavior in these specific cases, and argue that this process is shaped by the collective control system implemented in the detention centers: (1) the collective merit system that connects each person’s well-being to the collective well-being, and (2) the informant mechanism that divides inmates into competing factions. Finally, theoretical implications are provided.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9614
Author(s):  
Fengrui Jing ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
Suhong Zhou ◽  
Guangwen Song

Fear of crime can lead to lower satisfaction with life and subjective well-being. The indicators of fear of crime vary from the social and cultural context, and the hukou (household registration) status causes unequal rights between local hukou and non-local hukou residents in China. To improve people’s perception of safety, this study takes hukou as an indicator of social vulnerability and examines the relationship between hukou, perceived neighborhood conditions, and fear of crime in China. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the 1727 residents garnered from the 2016 Project on Public Safety in Guangzhou Neighborhoods (PPSGN) in Guangzhou, China. The results show that women, victimization experience, physical and social disorder, and neighborhood policing are associated with residents’ fear of crime. Although hukou status has no statistically significant effect on fear of crime, hukou status significantly moderates the influence of perceived neighborhood conditions on fear of crime. That is, perceived neighborhood conditions’ effects on fear are conditional on one’s hukou status: non-local hukou, perception of the social disorder has more of the detrimental effect on fear, and perception of social integration has less of the helpful effect on fear. In sum, this study adds to the international literature by revealing the conditional effect of the hukou on fear in a Chinese city.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Premji

Precarious employment is rapidly growing, but qualitative data on pathways to and mechanisms for health and well-being is lacking. This article describes the cumulative and intersecting micro-level pathways and mechanisms between precarious employment and health among immigrant men and women in Toronto. It draws on semi-structured interviews conducted in 2014 with 15 women and 12 men from 11 countries of origin. The article describes how precarious employment, conceptualized by workers as encompassing powerlessness, economic insecurity, work for multiple employers, nonstandard and unpredictable schedules, hazardous working conditions, and lack of benefits and protections, negatively impacts workers’ physical and mental health as well as that of their spouses or partners and children. It documents pathways to health and well-being, including stress, material and social deprivation, and exposure to hazards, as well as commuting difficulties and childcare challenges. Throughout, gender and migration are shown to influence experiences of work and health. The findings draw attention to dimensions of precarity and pathways to health that are not always highlighted in research and discourse on precarious employment and provide valuable insights into the vicious circle of precarious employment and health.


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