Informal coping strategies among people who use opioids during COVID-19: A content analysis of Reddit forums (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh Arshonsky ◽  
Noa Krawczyk ◽  
Amanda Bunting ◽  
David Frank ◽  
Samuel Friedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Treatment Access ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed how people seeking to reduce opioid use access treatment services and navigate efforts to abstain from using opioids. Social distancing policies have drastically reduced access to many forms of social support, but they may have also upended some perceived barriers to reducing or abstaining from opioid use. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study aimed to identify informal coping strategies for reducing and abstaining from opioid use among Reddit users who have posted in opioid-related subreddits at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We extracted data from two major opioid-related subreddits. Thematic data analysis was used to evaluate subreddit posts dated from March 5, 2020 to May 13, 2020 that referenced COVID-19 and opioid use, resulting in a final sample of 300 posts that were coded and analyzed. RESULTS Of the 300 subreddit posts, 100 discussed at least one type of informal coping strategy. Those strategies included: psychological and behavioral coping skills, adopting healthy habits, and using substances to manage withdrawal symptoms. Twelve subreddit posts explicitly mentioned using social distancing as an opportunity for cessation or reduction of opioid use. CONCLUSIONS Reddit discussion forums provided a community for people to share strategies for reducing opioid use and support others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research needs to assess the impact of COVID-19 on opioid use behaviors, especially during periods of limited treatment access and isolation, as these can inform future efforts in curbing the opioid epidemic and other substance related harms.

Working in a prison: Challenges, rewards, and the impact on mental health and well-being

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Dennard ◽  
Derek K. Tracy ◽  
Aaron Beeney ◽  
Laura Craster ◽  
Fiona Bailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Staff Support ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Driven Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Prisons are uniquely challenging working environments. Staff are often exposed to direct and indirect trauma, impacting negatively on their mental well-being. Due to the limited research into prison staff experience, this paper aims to explore what staff find most challenging, how they cope, what support they would like and rewarding aspects of their work. Design/methodology/approach This service development project was facilitated through a staff well-being event. A qualitative approach was used and 74 staff members provided anonymised responses. An inductive and data-driven approach was used to analyse the data, and the trustworthiness of the analysis was considered using criteria established by Lincoln and Guba (1985). Findings Thematic analysis identified six themes, namely, the challenging nature of the work, interactions with prisoners, staff interactions, inadequate resources, staff support and development and coping strategies. Key findings include managing distress, self-harm and violence and limited resources presenting challenges. Role variety and opportunities to support prisoners were reported as positive. A variety of coping strategies were identified. Wider availability of supervision and reflective practice was suggested by staff. Practical implications Recommendations for increased staff support are made. Suggestions for future research investigating methods to increase rewarding aspects of work within prisons are given. Originality/value This analysis adds to the limited body of qualitative research investigating prison staff experiences; in particular, aspects of the work that they find rewarding such as the role variety and opportunities to make positive changes to prisoners’ lives. Novel coping strategies were identified, including cognitive reframing and behavioural strategies for managing stress, which could be encouraged to increase resilience.

A Qualitative Approach to Understanding the Impact of Partner Play in Doubles Racquet Sports

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Sarah Deck ◽  
Brianna DeSantis ◽  
Despina Kouali ◽  
Craig Hall
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Racquet Sports ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

In team sports, it has been found that team mistakes were reported as a stressor by both males and females, and at every playing level (e.g., club, university, national). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of partners’ play on performance, emotions, and coping of doubles racquet sport athletes. Seventeen one-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted over the course of 6 months. Inductive and deductive analysis produced the main themes of overall impact on performance (i.e., positive, negative, or no impact), negative emotions (i.e., anger), positive emotions (i.e., excitement), emotion-focused coping (i.e., acceptance), and problem-focused coping (i.e., team strategy). These athletes acknowledge that how their partner plays significantly affects not only their emotions but also their own play and their choice of coping strategies. Future research should try to understand which forms of coping reduce the impact of partners’ play.

The Imposter Phenomenon in the Medical Profession

2020 ◽  
pp. 148-166
Author(s):  
Rebecca C. Grossman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Imposter Phenomenon ◽  
Internal Experience ◽  
The Impact

The imposter phenomenon, or imposter syndrome, is defined as an internal experience of feeling like an intellectual fraud, despite external evidence of an individual's accomplishments, and results in an inability to internalise a sense of success. It is common among high-achieving people, and appears to be more common in women and ethnic minorities. In this chapter, a systematic review of the literature will be presented on imposter syndrome in the medical profession. Topics covered include purported aetiology, implications (including the impact on mental health and career progression), limitations of research, potential coping strategies, and avenues for future research.

scholarly journals Stress Adaptation Among Family of Adolescent with Substance Use Disorders: Systematic Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (F) ◽  
pp. 335-341
Author(s):  
Heru Subekti ◽  
Siswanto Agus Wilopo ◽  
Ibrahim Rahmat
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Strategy Adaptation ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: Families of an adolescent with substance use disorders report significant burden and stress. Adequate coping strategies can modify the impact of stressful situations and increase family function. AIM: The objective of the study was to systematically review literature related to the coping strategies and adaptations used by family members of the adolescent with substance use disorders to manage their stress. METHODS: We conducted electronic searches using MEDLINE (PubMed), EBSCO, databases to select studies on family stress, and coping strategies that were published from January 2000 to December 2020. The search terms were family, parent, father, mother, coping, caregiver, strategy, adaptation, adolescent, and substance use disorders. RESULTS: We found 961 articles. After application of exclusion criteria and exclusion of redundant references, 10 articles were thematically analyzed. The studies were organized into five categories: Engaged, tolerance, withdrawal, problem-focused, and emotion-focused coping strategies. The family members felt devastated by the incidents of violence and aggressive outbursts, and felt that they failed as parents. As a result, the parents felt very isolated from other family members and friends, and ashamed of their children’s behavior. Most families used problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies in different combinations. CONCLUSION: The identified studies show that the use of emotional focus coping is the coping strategy most often done by families. Problem focus coping involved family efforts to find sources of information and seek treatment services as a mechanism for adaptive coping strategy. However, a mixed methods study is still needed that clearly illustrates the types of coping strategies used in various cultural perspectives and social status.

scholarly journals Stress-adaptation among Family of Adolescent with Substance Misuse: Systematic Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (F) ◽  
pp. 474-480
Author(s):  
Heru Subekti ◽  
Ibrahim Rahmat ◽  
Siswanto Wilopo
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Strategy Adaptation ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: Families of an adolescent with substance use disorders report significant burden and stress. Adequate coping strategies can modify the impact of stressful situations and increase family function. AIM: The aim of the study was to systematically review the literature related to the coping strategies and adaptations used by family members of the adolescent with substance use disorders to manage their stress. METHODS: We conducted electronic searches using MEDLINE (PubMed), EBSCO, databases to select studies on family stress, and coping strategies that were published from January 2000 to December 2020. The search terms were family, parent, father, mother, coping, caregiver, strategy, adaptation, adolescent, and substance use disorders. RESULTS: We found 961 articles. After application of exclusion criteria and exclusion of redundant references, ten articles were thematically analyzed. The studies were organized into five categories: Engaged, tolerance, withdrawal, problem-focused, and emotion-focused coping strategies. The family members felt devastated by the incidents of violence and aggressive outbursts, and felt they failed as parents. As a result, the parents felt very isolated from other family members and friends, and ashamed of their children’s behavior. Most families used problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies in different combinations. CONCLUSION: The identified studies show that the use of emotional focus coping is the coping strategy most often done by families. Problem focus coping involved family efforts to find sources of information and seek treatment services as a mechanism for adaptive coping strategy. However, a mixed methods study is still needed that clearly illustrates the types of coping strategies used in various cultural perspectives and social status.

scholarly journals The Impact of Social Influence, Information Quality and Online Forum Features on the Credibility of Doctors and Hospitals for Medical Tourism Services

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 22-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie C. Chen ◽  
Makoto Nakayama ◽  
Peter Ractham
Keyword(s):  
Social Influence ◽  
Cosmetic Surgery ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Impact

Medical tourism, especially cosmetic surgery to South Korea, is increasingly popular amongst Thai youths. Like many other youths around the world, they can obtain the relevant information from a variety of sources, including web discussion forums. These are the most frequently used information sources that people use to explore the feasibility of having cosmetic surgery overseas. However, it is not empirically clear how much influence these forums have on youth, or what impact social influence, the quality of information and the forum's features (e.g., doctor information, before/after surgery pictures, clinic/hospital information, surgery information and chat rooms) have on the credibility of doctors and hospitals. This study conducted a number of field experiments and collected data from 233 discussion threads on top 3 online discussion forums that were ranked by 207 business school students. The results show that the reliability of web information is critical in enhancing the credibility of both doctors and hospitals. In addition, the credibility of doctors depends on the forum that is used to find information about surgery, as well as social influence. The credibility of hospitals, on the other hand, is not influenced by the social influence of a consumer's peers. Instead, their credibility is increased by the forum's use of before/after surgery pictures, clinical information and information about doctors. Future research may investigate further how different forum features and the web media can have an impact on the credibility of doctors and hospitals.

Assessing the impact of durable flooring structures on refugee sleep quality and duration

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas James Greene ◽  
Christina Ann Chao
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
The Impact

Conflict and persecution continue to displace people from their homes adding to an already overwhelming refugee crisis worldwide. Overall, refugee health is difficult to measure objectively and is influenced by a number of factors including transient, and often inadequate, housing conditions. Emergency Floor (EF) is a quickly deployable, lightweight, insulated flooring system intended to protect temporary structures from extreme temperatures and outdoor conditions. A pilot study was conducted in two informal tented settlements in Hermel-Baalbek, Lebanon to assess how installing Emergency Floors in tented shelters impacted sleep duration and quality, indicators of overall wellness, among refugees. A baseline survey was administered, and Emergency Floors were installed in all households in both settlements in October 2016. A follow-up survey was conducted to record outcomes in April 2017. Thirty-four households consisting of 150 individuals participated in the baseline survey. Seven households were were not available for follow-up survey due to moving away from the area. The final sample yielded a total of 27 households and 120 individuals. Results indicated that sleep duration significantly increased, and sleep quality significantly improved after EF installation. Furthermore, respondents reported feeling more comfortable, warmer, safer, and cleaner when sleeping in a shelter with EF installed. These encouraging results suggest an overall increase in perceived well-being. Future research should continue monitoring floors to assess long term wear and explore additional uses for EF in other temporary structures.

scholarly journals The psychosocial implications of social distancing for people with COPD: some exploratory issues facing a uniquely marginalised group during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Yoeli
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Socioeconomic Groups ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Impact

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an illness associated with intersectional poverty and stigma in old age; people with COPD are susceptible to anxiety, loneliness and isolation. People with COPD who contract COVID-19 are at high risk of serious complications, intensive medical needs and death and are, therefore, required to socially distance particularly assiduously. This paper offers an embodied phenomenological analysis of the emerging theoretical literature exploring the impact of social distancing upon people with COPD. Firstly, people with COPD are aware of how respiratory illness feels, are anxious about COVID-19 and afraid of being denied care. Future research might consider how people with COPD may be susceptible to “coronaphobia” and mental health consequences of the pandemic. Secondly, COPD tends to affect older people within the most intersectionally marginalised socioeconomic groups. Future research should remain mindful that people with COPD may be among the most lonely and least able to access health and social care services online than others. Thirdly, pandemics are known to intensify pre-existing social stigmas. Researchers and practitioners alike should be conscious that people with COPD may become increasingly stigmatised, especially those from intersectionally disadvantaged minorities.

scholarly journals The needs, challenges, and burden experienced by informal caregivers in Uganda: a scoping review

2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Komuhangi ◽  
C. Jenkins ◽  
F. Nakaggwa ◽  
P. Agaba ◽  
F. Githinji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Physical Support ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The impact of informal caregiving is increasingly recognised as an important but often particularly neglected area of research in low and middle income countries. It is important to understand not only the effect of care on patient outcomes, but also the impact of caring on caregivers’ health and wellbeing. Methods Guided by the Arksey and O’Malley (Res Methodol 8:19–32, 2005) framework, this scoping review sought to collate and chart existing research on the needs, burdens and challenges experienced by caregivers in Uganda. Results The results of this review indicate that research focusing on the needs of caregivers for individuals with communicable disease, particularly HIV, has been well developed in Uganda, however, there is a lack of research on caregiving related to non-communicable diseases. Research has been dominated by small qualitative studies that are informative for understanding roles, burdens and contextually-specific aspects of care, but there is a need for larger studies that develop and test interventions designed to support the needs of caregivers. Conclusions Recurrent themes identified within this review, such as challenges in providing physical support and accessing treatment services, financial costs of care, psychological and mental health impacts and the experience of stigma, should help to inform well targeted and contextually-appropriate future research and interventions.

scholarly journals Exploring resilience in families living with addiction

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Moriarty ◽  
Maria Stubbe ◽  
Sarah Bradford ◽  
Sophie Tapper ◽  
Bee Teng Lim
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Family Problems ◽  
Positive Adaptation ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
The Impact

INTRODUCTION: Information about the impact of addiction on New Zealand (NZ) families is scarce. A good understanding of the nature and extent of family problems is essential to help families become more resilient and minimise the consequences. This study aimed to explore experiences of NZ families living with addiction, identify impacts on non-addicted family members, their coping strategies and barriers to help seeking. METHODS: Literature and key stakeholder interviews informed the development of an interview schedule for 29 family participants recruited through health and social services. Interviews were recorded for analysis of central themes and critical elements that underpin those. Key stakeholders and informal informants were again consulted to discuss findings and interpretation. FINDINGS: Addiction has widespread effects on NZ families. The coping strategies described by the participants in this project lacked the positive connotations of resilience, namely positive adaptation under significant adversity. CONCLUSION: Family impacts of addiction are complex, and similar family problems arise regardless of the substance(s) involved. This small exploratory study indicates that the implications for NZ families deserve further investigation. Future research is also required to further characterise the impact of behavioural addictions on families, addiction in particular ethnic groupings and the implications of the findings for clinical practice, other social and health services, and for public health and social policy. KEYWORDS: Qualitative research; addiction; family resilience

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