‘Forlorn on the Fringe of Life’: Exploring Working-Class Childhood in Katherine Mansfield’s Short Stories

In Katherine Mansfield’s short story ‘Life of Ma Parker’, the old, widowed charwoman is plagued by ‘unbearable’ thoughts of her deceased grandson Lennie: ‘Why did he have to suffer so?’ Lennie’s unfortunate death in the story is not a solitary instance of tragic portrayal of working-class childhood in Mansfield’s short fiction. In several of her tales she empathetically explores the marginalized existence of such children, occasionally juxtaposing their deplorable existence with their elite counterparts’. From social exclusion, child labour, parental rejection, infant and child mortality on the one hand to physical and verbal abuse, bullying in the school and appalling living conditions on the other; Mansfield's exploration of the working-class childhood in her short fiction is not only psychologically complex but sociologically significant. Focusing on the relevant short stories in her oeuvre, this brief analysis intends to closely examine such depictions of marginalized childhood experiences, particularly in light of the oppressive societal conditions that validate their repressive alienation and sufferings. Tracing various biographical circumstances that may have fostered Mansfield’s deep empathy with the children’s’ predicament, this analysis also draws attention to her subtle oblique narrative strategies that effectively represent the plight of working-class children in a convincing and an ingeniously nuanced manner.

How do we measure gender discrimination? Proposing a construct of gender discrimination through a systematic scoping review

Background Gender discrimination (GD) has been frequently linked to mental health. The heterogeneity of how GD is defined has led to variation around the analysis of GD. This might affect the study of the association between GD and health outcomes. The main goal of this systematic scoping review is to operationalize the definition of the GD construct. Methods Three search strategies were set in Pubmed, CINAHL and PsycINFO. The first strategy obtained results mainly about women, while the second focused on men. The third strategy focused on the identification of GD questionnaires. The prevalence of GD, factors and consequences associated with GD perception, and forms of discrimination were the principal variables collected. Risk of bias was assessed (PROSPERO:CRD42019120719). Results Of the 925 studies obtained, 84 were finally included. 60 GD questionnaires were identified. GD prevalence varied between 3.4 and 67 %. Female gender and a younger age were the factors most frequently related to GD. Poorer mental health was the most frequent consequence. Two components of the GD construct were identified: undervaluation (different recognition, opportunities in access, evaluation standards and expectations) and different treatment (verbal abuse and behaviour). Conclusions Two-component GD definition can add order and precision to the measurement, increase response rates and reported GD.

Mediating Effects of Psychological States on Work Performance of Visiting Nurses According to COVID-19 Workplace Quarantine Measures: A Multi-Group Path Analysis Study

This multi-group path analysis study investigated the effects of verbal abuse (suspicion of infection and disrespect) on difficulties in work performance according to the workplace quarantine measures of visiting nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 262 visiting nurses in Korea completed the online questionnaire between 10 October and 30 November 2020, and their data were included in the final analysis. The study found that experiences of verbal abuse mediated fear and anxiety to affect difficulties in work performance. In the path model of the group with a high level of workplace quarantine measures, experiences of verbal abuse (suspicion of infection and disrespect) did not directly affect fear. The opposite was true for the group with low levels of workplace quarantine measures. The implications for the field are that the following is required: heightened awareness of verbal abuse; workplace quarantine policies; and mental health management systems and intervention programs to detect the early fear and anxiety of visiting nurses.

VIOLENT ACTS AGAINST HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS AND WORKERS IN HUNGARY

Povzetek Namen te presečne kvantitativne raziskave je ugotoviti, katera oblika nasilja je v madžarskih zdravstvenih ustanovah najpogostejša. Z njo želimo oceniti, ali se v teh ustanovah izvaja usposabljanje za komunikacijo, simulacijo in samoobrambo. Cilj je ugotoviti, ali bi se zaposleni udeležili takega usposabljanja, ter oceniti povezanost med usposobljenostjo (komunikacija, simulacija, samoobramba) in stopnjo samozavesti. Žrtve večine nasilnih dejanj pacientov so zdravstveni delavci. Najpogostejša oblika agresije pacientov in njihovih svojcev je verbalna agresija, vključno z zbadanjem, verbalno zlorabo in grožnjami z zlorabo. Podatki kažejo, da zgolj usposabljanje v komunikaciji ni dovolj za dvig samozavesti pri zdravstvenih delavcih. Treba jim je zagotoviti orodje, kot so na primer praktične vaje po usposabljanju iz samoobrambe ali simulacija, saj to olajša komunikacijo zaposlenega. Ključne besede Agresija, zdravstvo, preventiva, usposabljanje, samoobramba, samozavest. Abstract The present cross-sectional quantitative research aims to gain a sense of which form of violence is the most common in Hungarian healthcare institutions. It aims to assess whether communication, simulation, and self-defence training is provided in institutions, to find out whether workers would participate in such training, and to assess the relationship between training (communication, simulation, self-defence) and confidence. Healthcare workers are affected by most acts of violence coming from patients. The most common type of aggression on the part of patients and relatives is verbal aggression, including teasing, verbal abuse, and threats of abuse. The data show that communication training alone is not enough to make health workers confident. They should have a tool in their hands, e.g., practice after self-defence education, simulation practice, as this makes it easier for the employee to communicate. Key words Aggression, healthcare, prevention, training, self-defence, confidence.

A Qualitative Study of the Mistreatment of Medical Students by Their Lecturers in Polish Medical Schools

Objective: To describe experiences of mistreatment among Polish medical students. Methods: Nine focus groups were carried out with 92 students from three medical universities in Poland (in Gdansk, Krakow, and Warsaw). Results: The mistreatment of medical students included verbal abuse, disregard, and obstacles to pass exams. Students experienced humiliation, belittlement, insults, criticism, shouting, and indecent comments. The lecturers did not respect the students’ time; they did not show understanding for their absences; sometimes, they came to class unprepared while other times, they showed indifference regarding the well-being of students. Respondents stated that they were given enormous amounts material such that they found it far beyond their ability to learn; they were not given information about which textbooks were to be used; exams were incredibly detailed and difficult; and the grading system was unfair. In general, most students did not report the mistreatment. The respondents noticed the negative consequences of their mistreatment, which included a decrease in self-esteem and increased levels of anxiety and stress. This may translate into a lack of empathetic approach to patients. Conclusions: The phenomenon of the mistreatment of medical students requires more attention in Poland. It is important to raise awareness of the significant consequences of this.

Verbal Abuse of Children

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development states that considerable progress has been made towards the SDGs since 2015, though it is still slow. Conflicts, environmental, financial, health and humanitarian crises place children at risk of multiple rights violations, violence, marginalization, and discrimination. The scale of violence against children in the 21st century is incredibly high, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.Verbal or emotional abuse is a form of behavior that can harm a child’s emotional development or sense of self-esteem. This form of abuse may include threats, constant criticism, rejection, as well as lack of love, guidance, support. In many cases it is rather difficult to prove an emotional abuse and accordingly, child protective services may not be able to take measures and somehow intervene without evidence of harm or mental injury to the child. Verbal abuse may have a number of different patterns, including blaming, criticism, judging, threats, insults. Accordingly, abuses like these can impact every element of life, including academic performance, relationships, success at work and later in life. Verbal abuse like any other form of bullying and insult may have both short-term and long-term consequences, including the following mental health problems: chronic stress decreased self-esteem, anxiety, depression and etc. Verbal abuse during childhood can have lifelong implications for victims, effecting their well-being and progress. Although the physical wounds may heal, there are many long-term consequences of experiencing the trauma of abuse. Maltreated and insulted children may be at risk of experiencing cognitive delays and emotional difficulties, among other issues, which can affect many aspects of their lives, including their academic outcomes and social skills development. Experiencing verbal abuse during childhood also is a risk factor for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders.Changing societal attitudes and norms is an important part of preventing violence against children, which often requires changing well-established social and cultural norms and behaviors. Especially those according to which some forms of violence are not only normal, but sometimes can be justified. A more benevolent attitude towards non-violent methods of upbringing should be developed and, most importantly, an awareness of what constitutes a violent act should be raised.

Verbal abuse facing Saudi nurses during internship program

Background: Verbal abuse, in the context of workplace violence, is increasing, with nurses at high liability of being subjected to it since they are the first line of care delivery. This phenomenon is now receiving greater recognition due to its negative impact on nurses. This study aims to assess the prevalence of verbal abuse faced by Saudi nursing intern students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via a modified online questionnaire completed by Saudi intern nurses in Jeddah in March 2020. Descriptive statistical analysis was executed using statistical software SPSS Version 21.Results: From a total of 132 nurses, 94 participants met the study criteria. The findings show that 39.4% of Saudi intern nurses have experienced verbal abuse. The common perpetrators are patient/client (73%) and other staff members (73%), followed by patients’ relatives (45.9%). 48.6% of the participants did not report incidences of verbal abuse, commonly citing fear of the negative consequences (51.4%) and not knowing who to report it to (45.9%). A significant relation between working night shifts (6 pm to 7 am) and being verbally abused was found.Conclusions: Saudi nursing interns are vulnerable to verbal abuse. This study’s results highlight the possible risk to nursing interns, which may be diminished by modifying perceptions of verbal abuse and by clarifying the rules and regulations for both nursing interns and suspected perpetrators. We recommend future studies of verbal abuse are conducted in larger groups of nurses across different provinces in Saudi Arabia.