Psychosocial Dimensions of Exceptional Longevity: A Qualitative Exploration of Centenarians' Experiences, Personality, and Life Strategies

2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Darviri ◽  
Panayotes Demakakos ◽  
Xanthi Tigani ◽  
Fotini Charizani ◽  
Chrysoula Tsiou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Conflict Avoidance ◽  
Life Strategies ◽  
Life Changes ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Exceptional Longevity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

This qualitative study provides a comprehensive account of the social and life experiences and strategies and personality attributes that characterize exceptional longevity (living to 100 or over). It is based on nine semi-structured interviews of relatively healthy and functional Greek centenarians of both sexes. The analytic approach was thematic and based on grounded theory. We found that our participants were characterized by selectiveness in their socializing with other people and tendency to avoid conflicts. Also, we found that they predominantly used the “flight” response whenever confronted with stressors. Further, they appeared to be much adaptive as they had managed to overcome adversity and adapt successfully to major life changes. These findings provide insights into three possible pathways (social selectivity, conflict avoidance, and adaptiveness) through which psychosocial factors might be associated with aging and exceptional longevity.

Transition from Childcare Institutions to Adulthood for Youth: Through the Lens of Identity and Gender

2020 ◽  
pp. 234930032098055
Author(s):  
Garima Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Youth ◽  
Youth Identity ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Gender

This article explores the transition of youth from childcare institutions as young adults through the lens of youth identity and gender. The research revolves around rethinking the delicate boundaries of adolescence and adulthood for the ‘institutionalised’ youth that is already on the edge of the society. This research tries to understand and decode the experiences of youth, who have lived in the childcare institutions. The childcare institutions reinforce the gender roles through its practices and structure, enabling gaps and challenges for both male and female youth outside the childcare institutions. There is an absence of a strong mechanism, enabling the smooth transition of youth from childcare institutions to adulthood. This results in unprepared young adults for an unplanned transition, fostering several challenges on them as they exit the childcare system. This is a qualitative study. The research includes both male and female youth who have lived in childcare institutions situated in Delhi. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews with the youth. This study finds that youth leaving the childcare institutions are at higher risks of having negative adult outcomes in life. While there is an absolute absence of any body or mechanism to help the youth transit smoothly, childcare institutions reinforce the inferiority and exclusion on a child during the stay period, creating a foundation for youth to perceive the social factor outside the institutions.

scholarly journals Social support from the perspective of adolescent victims of domestic violence

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diene Monique Carlos ◽  
Maria das Graças Carvalho Ferriani ◽  
Michelly Rodrigues Esteves ◽  
Lygia Maria Pereira da Silva ◽  
Liliana Scatena
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sources Of Support ◽  
Adolescent Victims

Objective: Assess the understanding of adolescents regarding the social support received in situations of domestic violence. Method: A qualitative study with data collection carried out through focus groups with 17 adolescent victims of domestic violence, institutionally welcomed in Campinas-SP, and through semi-structured interviews with seven of these adolescents. Information was analyzed by content analysis, thematic modality. Results: Observing the thematic categories it was found that social support for the subjects came from the extended family, the community, the Guardianship Council, the interpersonal relationships established at the user embracement institution and from the religiosity/spirituality. Conclusion: The mentioned sources of support deserve to be enhanced and expanded. With the current complexity of the morbidity and mortality profiles, especially in children and adolescents, the (re)signification and the (re)construction of health actions is imperative.



scholarly journals Social Nurses’ Descriptions of Nursing: A Qualitative Study of What Social Nursing is and Does?

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 228-236
Author(s):  
Tine Louise Dideriksen ◽  
Marianne Lisby ◽  
Nina Brünés ◽  
Pia Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Common Goal ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Holistic Nursing ◽  
Encounter Complex ◽  
The Social ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Female Nurses ◽  
Insight Into

Background: In the meeting between socially marginalised patients and somatic hospitals, healthcare systems often encounter complex challenges related to health inequalities that are difficult to resolve. To help reduce these challenges, a nursing approach employing a nurse (RN) with in-depth knowledge of socially marginalised patients and competences in rehabilitation (“social nurse”) has contributed to diminish health inequalities. However, further insight into the potential benefits of social nursing is required. Aim: To examine how social nurses describe and experience the social nursing approach situated at somatic hospitals. Methods: A qualitative study of social nurses’ descriptions and experiences with a social nurse approach included eight Danish hospitals. One male and 12 female nurses (n=13) employed as social nurses at somatic hospitals participated. Thirteen semi structured interviews were conducted using the methodological frameworks of phenomenology and hermeneutics. The interviews were analysed employing a method inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation. Results: Four themes emerged from the analysis: 1) A unique expertise encompassing experience and evidence-based knowledge 2) coordination towards a common goal to reduce patients’ vulnerability, 3) to see and understand patients as whole persons, thereby assuring successful treatment and 4) working with the system to avoid losing the patients. The themes describe a unique expertise emerging from focusing healthcare efforts on the socially marginalised patients and the system in charge. Conclusion: The study indicated that the social nurse approach is a holistic nursing approach. Applying this approach allows for optimised treatment that fosters a more equal outcome across the spectrum of socially marginalised patients. The social nurse approach may contribute to diminishing health inequalities.

A Qualitative Study of Teachers' Understanding of Sustainability

2015 ◽  
pp. 206-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiaowei Cristina Chang ◽  
Resa Marie Kelly ◽  
Ellen P. Metzger
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Real World ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Social Equity ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Constant Comparative

This qualitative study was focused on exploring how in-service teachers' who were attending a three-day “Educating for Sustainability” workshop made sense of sustainability. Another goal of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions of the portrayal of the three dimensions of sustainability (environment, economy and social equity) in short movies that served as “real world” exemplars of sustainability that were freely available online through YouTube or other websites. Data was collected largely through individual semi-structured interviews, but also through questionnaires and written and drawn documentation. The findings, obtained through the constant-comparative method of coding, indicated that teachers' spontaneous descriptions of sustainability emphasized the environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability, but overlooked the equity dimension of sustainability. The videos helped teachers incorporate the 3E's into their sustainability discussions when all three dimensions were addressed, but when the social equity dimension was missing, then it tended to go unnoticed.

scholarly journals The meal as a performance: food and meal practices beyond health and nutrition

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIA NYBERG ◽  
VIKTORIA OLSSON ◽  
GERD ÖRTMAN ◽  
ZADA PAJALIC ◽  
HÅKAN S. ANDERSSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
The Social ◽  
Strongly Connected ◽  
New Challenges

ABSTRACTThe proportion of elderly people in the population is increasing, presenting a number of new challenges in society. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how elderly persons with motoric eating difficulties perceive and perform their food and meal practices in everyday life. By using Goffman's concept of performance as a theoretical framework together with Bourdieu's thinking on habitus, a deeper understanding of food and meal practices is obtained. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 elderly people (aged between 67 and 87 years) and meal observations were carried out with 11 of these people. Participants were found to manage food and meal practices by continuously adjusting and adapting to the new conditions arising as a result of eating difficulties. This was displayed by conscious planning of what to eat and when, avoiding certain foods and beverages, using simple eating aids, but also withdrawing socially during the meals. All these adjustments were important in order to be able to demonstrate proper food and meal behaviour, to maintain the façade and to act according to the perceived norms. As well as being a pleasurable event, food and meals were also perceived in terms of being important for maintaining health and as ‘fuel’ where the main purpose is to sustain life. This was strongly connected to the social context and the ability to enjoy food and meals with family members and friends, which appeared to be particularly crucial due to the impending risk of failing the meal performance.

Social representation of abuse of persons with severe mental illness in Jakiri, Cameroon: A qualitative study

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097243
Author(s):  
Colins B Tanyuy ◽  
Chinyere M Aguocha ◽  
Emeka C Nwefoh ◽  
Mispar G Wankam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Social Representation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
The Social

Background: People with mental illness are vulnerable to abuse in the community. Cultural and social practices may be contributory. Aim: To explore the social representation of abuse of persons with mental illness among the inhabitants of Jakiri municipality in Cameroon. Method: This was a qualitative study based on the Theory of Reasoned Action, conducted in 2018 among 11 inhabitants of Jakiri municipality, aged above 18 years and who had lived in the town for at least 2 years. In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using the basic thematic approach. Results: The belief that mental illness is incurable, a curse from the gods, a result of witchcraft, and a punishment for violation of core social norms were identified as the reasons for physical violence against persons with mental illness. Beliefs that persons with mental illness were disorganized, destructive, physically aggressive, and dependent on others were identified as reasons for emotional abuse. Conclusion: A misconception of mental illness was the major underlying factor for the abuse of persons with mental illness.

scholarly journals Percepciones sobre la evaluación de algunos profesionales y usuarios de los programas nutricionales en Medellín, Colombia

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Juan Diego Goez Rueda ◽  
Luz Stella Álvarez Castaño
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Social Programs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Universal Approach ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Nutrition And Dietetics ◽  
Assessment Strategies

 Resumen Introducción: Con el surgimiento de los programas sociales se creó también la necesidad de evaluar los recursos invertidos en ellos. Los métodos más utilizados para evaluar los programas y las políticas son los cuantitativos, sin embargo en los últimos años hemos visto el surgimiento de evaluaciones que combinan métodos, generando la necesidad de revalorizar a los actores. Objetivo: Conocer algunas de las percepciones sobre la evaluación que asumen los actores involucradas en los programas sociales. Materiales y métodos: Estudio cualitativo basado en entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupo focal. Siete participantes de los programas, cuatro líderes comunitarios y trece profesionales de nutrición y dietética fueron entrevistados en Medellín. En el grupo focal participaron profesionales de una corporación operadora de los programas sociales. Resultados: A partir de la información analizada en las entrevistas se identificaron las siguientes categorías relacionadas con la evaluación de programas sociales: la concepción sobre la evaluación, el objeto de la evaluación, los sujetos y actores de la evaluación y algunas estrategias de evaluación. Conclusiones: En general los actores no identifican la importancia de los procesos de evaluación de programas sociales, además tienen una visión asistencialista de dichas intervenciones, contraria a un enfoque universal y de derechos humanos.Abstract Introduction: With the emergence of social programs, there was also a need to evaluate the resources invested in them. The most widely used methods for evaluating programs and policies are the quantitative, but in recent years the emergence of evaluations that combine methods was seen, which generates the need to revalue the actors. Objective: To know some of perceptions of assessment the actors involved in social programs assume. Materials and methods: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews and focal group was made. Seven participants of the programs, 4 community leaders and 13 nutrition and dietetics professionals were interviewed in Medellin. Professionals in a corporation which operates with the social programs participated in the focal group. Results: The following categories related to the evaluation of social programs was identified from the analyzed information in the interviews: the conception of evaluation, the object of the evaluation, subjects and actors in the evaluation and assessment strategies. Conclusions: In general, the actors do not identify the importance of the process of evaluation of social programs. Besides, they have a welfare vision of such interventions, contrary to a universal approach and human rights.

scholarly journals Identifying Concern and Stress of Parents, Students and Teachers With the Social Distance Planning Process and Reopening of Schools During Covid-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Bashirian ◽  
Majid Barati ◽  
Maryam Afshari ◽  
Seyede Somaye Mirmoini ◽  
Javad Zavar Chahar Tagh
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Reinforcing Factors ◽  
The Social

Abstract Background: With the closure of schools as a result of the social distancing plan, the negative emotions that individuals experience became complicated. Therefore, the present study provides deep understanding of the concerns and stresses of parents, students and teachers about the process of social distance planning and reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2020. The data for this study were collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers, students and their parents in Tuyserkan. Sampling was performed by purposeful sampling method with the maximum variation. Data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collected by content analysis method. Results: In general, the majority of participants were stressed and concerned about the social distancing plan and the reopening of schools during Covid-19 pandemic. During data analysis, 74 primary codes, 13 sub-themes and 6 themes were obtained. The themes included preparing factors (knowledge), reinforcing factors, preparing factors (attitude), enabling factors, epidemiological aspects of the subject and quality of life. Conclusions: Identifying and explaining the concerns and stress of parents, students and teachers about the process of social distance planning and reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic will help policy makers and administrators for planning and interventions related to this.

Social Work, Inter-Disciplinary Cooperation and Self-Neglect: Exploring Logics of Appropriateness

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 664-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Mason ◽  
Tony Evans
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Complex Dynamics ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social

Abstract Working in a cooperative manner with other disciplines or agencies is often cited as an essential element of social work with adults who self-neglect. Cooperative working is now a legal requirement for agencies involved in adult social care in England. However, little is known about how social workers engage cooperatively with other disciplines in practice. This study sets out to explore this issue, employing the ‘Logic of Appropriateness’ perspective to theorise the ways in which social workers talked about working with other disciplines in self-neglect casework. The article presents a qualitative study, which was undertaken through semi-structured interviews with eleven social workers in an urban, adult social care team in an English local authority. Thematic analysis was not only used to draw out four key logics used by the social workers—leadership, joint-working, conflict and proxy—but also highlighted the ways in which social workers moved between different logics when talking about inter-disciplinary cooperation and working with adults who self-neglect. The results highlight the complex dynamics of cooperation and suggest that these dynamics need to be understood in assessing the implementation of integrated policies for social care in this area.

Being a social worker in the unrecognized villages in Israel

2020 ◽  
pp. 146801732095856
Author(s):  
Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail ◽  
Mahajne Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Professional Role ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Institutional Aggression

Summary This qualitative study presents the experiences of social workers whose clients are the inhabitants of unrecognized Bedouin Arab villages in Israel. Bedouin Arabs are an indigenous people, a minority population residing throughout Israel. Half of those in the south of the country inhabit villages that are not recognized by the authorities. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted over two years by both researchers with 25 social workers, recruited by the snowball method. The interview guidelines included one open-ended question and 10 more-specific questions. Findings The findings provide perspectives on postcolonial social work and social work with indigenous peoples. The social workers report that they are caught between their personal values and professional values, between Israeli law and the institutional aggression against their clients –which greatly limits their ability to fulfil their professional role. They say they are working in a “grey area” in which the policy is unclear. This adds another layer of complexity to their work but also allows for freedom and creativity. The findings point to a lack of suitable intervention programs. Applications Learning about the experience of social workers in conflict areas Learning about the experience of social workers in a clash of values Learning about the significance of unclear policy and its implications for the functioning of social workers in conflict areas.

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