Loosening the Okinawan Knot: A Mixed-Methods Study of Okinawan Public Perceptions of the U.S. Military

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balys Gintautas
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Jadwin-Cakmak ◽  
Sari L. Reisner ◽  
Jaclyn M. W. Hughto ◽  
Liz Salomon ◽  
Miguel Martinez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In the U.S., transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations face structural, interpersonal, and individual barriers to healthcare. Less is known, however, about the HIV prevention and treatment experiences of TGD youth in the U.S. The current study was developed to fill this research gap. Methods This article describes the research protocol for a multi-site, U.S.-based mixed-methods study that sought to identify the multi-level facilitators and barriers that influence participation of TGD youth in various stages of the HIV prevention (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake) and care continua. A sample of diverse TGD youth ages 16–24 was recruited from 14 U.S. sites. TGD youth participants completed a one-time, in-person visit that included an informed consent process, computer-based quantitative survey, and in-depth qualitative interview assessing experiences accessing HIV prevention and/or care services. Providers serving TGD youth were recruited from the same 14 sites and completed a one-time visit via phone that included informed consent, demographic questionnaire, and in-depth qualitative interview assessing their experiences providing HIV prevention or treatment services to TGD youth. Results Overall, 186 TGD youth ages 16–24 and 59 providers serving TGD youth were recruited and enrolled from across the 14 U.S. sites. TGD youth participants had a mean age of 20.69; 77.3% youth of color; 59.7% trans-feminine; 15.5% trans-masculine; 24.9% non-binary; 53.6% family income under poverty level. Providers included medical and mental health providers as well as case manager/care coordinators, HIV test counselors, and health educators/outreach workers. Providers were 81.3% cisgender and 30.5% people of color. Successes with community-engagement strategies and gender-affirming research methods are reported. Conclusions This study addresses critical gaps in current knowledge about the HIV prevention and care experiences of TGD youth. Findings have implications for the development of HIV interventions across levels to support the health and well-being of TGD youth. Future research is warranted to replicate and expand on lessons learned regarding recruitment and engagement of communities of TGD youth, including longitudinal designs to assess engagement across their developmental stages. Lessons learned working with TGD youth through developing and implementing the study protocol are shared. Trial registration Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 05/20/2015 (NCT02449629).


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Stark ◽  
Mackenzie V. Robinson ◽  
Ilana Seff ◽  
Wafa Hassan ◽  
Carine Allaf

Abstract Background Families resettling to the U.S. from conflict-affected countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) face countless challenges. These families must cope with experiences of armed conflict and forced migration while also assimilating to a new society. According to the ‘immigrant paradox,’ time spent in a new country can compound the effects of migration and assimilation challenges and lead to deteriorated mental health. This study aims to assess the psychosocial wellbeing of MENA-born or first-generation adolescents attending school in the Detroit metropolitan area (DMA) to understand how schools, families, and communities play a role in supporting these adolescents’ wellbeing. Methods The quantitative component of this mixed methods study will involve a self-administered survey with a sample of students whose responses will be linked to academic records and behavioral assessments. The survey will utilize validated instruments to measure depressive and anxiety symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist-37A), hope (Children’s Hope Scale), resilience (Child and Youth Resilience Measure-12), externalizing and prosocial behavior (Hopkins Symptom Checklist-37A, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), school belonging (Psychological Sense of School Membership), and peer relationships (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Differences in outcomes will be analyzed across two strata: students born in the MENA region and first-generation students whose parents immigrated to the US from the MENA region. The qualitative component will involve semi-structured key informant interviews with parents, school administrators, educators, and mental health providers, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with a purposive sample of adolescents born – or whose parents were born - in the MENA region. The FGDs will include a participatory ranking activity where participants will be asked to free-list and rank ideas about how schools can better support students like them. Thematic content analysis will be conducted to identify common themes. Discussion This study will contribute evidence about the wellbeing of adolescents who come from – or whose parents come from - conflict-affected countries currently living in the U.S. Findings can be used to inform program and policy development to enable schools and their community partners to serve this population more effectively.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 660-672
Author(s):  
Suzanne H. Kimball ◽  
Toby Hamilton ◽  
Erin Benear ◽  
Jonathan Baldwin

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the emotional tone and verbal behavior of social media users who self-identified as having tinnitus and/or hyperacusis that caused self-described negative consequences on daily life or health. Research Design and Method An explanatory mixed-methods design was utilized. Two hundred “initial” and 200 “reply” Facebook posts were collected from members of a tinnitus group and a hyperacusis group. Data were analyzed via the LIWC 2015 software program and compared to typical bloggers. As this was an explanatory mixed-methods study, we used qualitative thematic analyses to explain, interpret, and illustrate the quantitative results. Results Overall, quantitative results indicated lower overall emotional tone for all categories (tinnitus and hyperacusis, initial and reply), which was mostly influenced by higher negative emotion. Higher levels of authenticity or truth were found in the hyperacusis sample but not in the tinnitus sample. Lower levels of clout (social standing) were indicated in all groups, and a lower level of analytical thinking style (concepts and complex categories rather than narratives) was found in the hyperacusis sample. Additional analysis of the language indicated higher levels of sadness and anxiety in all groups and lower levels of anger, particularly for initial replies. These data support prior findings indicating higher levels of anxiety and depression in this patient population based on the actual words in blog posts and not from self-report questionnaires. Qualitative results identified 3 major themes from both the tinnitus and hyperacusis texts: suffering, negative emotional tone, and coping strategies. Conclusions Results from this study suggest support for the predominant clinical view that patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis have higher levels of anxiety and depression than the general population. The extent of the suffering described and patterns of coping strategies suggest clinical practice patterns and the need for research in implementing improved practice plans.


Author(s):  
D. J. Sullivan ◽  
S. Labby ◽  
A. Koptelov ◽  
S. L. Sullivan

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine the barriers that special educator teachers encounter when using iPads within the Life Skills classroom. The research investigates the experiences, frustrations, and barriers through educators’ perceptions of iPad implementation. The influence of these issues suggests why iPad usage is not a device that special education classrooms are using in a widespread daily manner. Exploration of iPads as an educational tool and as a communication device is also discussed, along with considerations of other communications systems such as Picture Exchange Communication Systems and Alternative and Augmented Communication Devices is considered. Recommendations for further possible research are also discussed.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Fulop ◽  
Estela Capelas Barbosa ◽  
Melissa Hill ◽  
Jean Ledger ◽  
Pei Li Ng ◽  
...  

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