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Research watch: routes to marginalised students’ increased inclusion and empowerment",
- Author:
- HOLTTUM Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 25(4), 2021, pp.326-333.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to report on recent research about how students belonging to marginalised groups can be empowered. Design/methodology/approach: The author searched for articles that covered the topic of empowerment, published in the past two years. The author selected two papers that each focus on a different group and illustrate processes of empowerment applicable in their contexts. Findings; The first paper deals sensitively with the topic of in-fighting amongst Indigenous students at Canadian universities and how Canada’s colonisation history contributes to this. It also illustrates how Indigenous students are working together to improve universities’ recognition of their needs and rights. The second paper describes a consciousness-raising programme for Black girls in secondary schools in Pennsylvania, USA. Black girls attending the programme valued it and felt more connected with other Black girls. There was some dropout from the programme, but those who remained appeared to benefit. Originality/value: These two papers represent important illustrations of some complex challenges facing marginalised groups and how their empowerment and inclusion can increase, with implications for their mental and physical well-being. (Edited publisher abstract)
Improving multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH) services: frontline worker responses to insecure attachment styles
- Authors:
- THEODOROU Nikoletta, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 16(6), 2021, pp.421-432.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This study aims to examine the emotional and cognitive responses of frontline homelessness service support staff to the highly insecure attachment styles (AS) exhibited by people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH), that is, a combination of homelessness and other forms of deep social exclusion. Design/methodology/approach: Focus groups were conducted with frontline staff (N = 19) in four homelessness support services in Scotland. Hypothetical case vignettes depicting four insecure AS (enmeshed, fearful, withdrawn and angry-dismissive) were used to facilitate discussions. Data is analysed thematically. Findings: Service users with AS characterised by high anxiety (enmeshed or fearful) often evoked feelings of compassion in staff. Their openness to accepting help led to more effective interactions between staff and service users. However, the high ambivalence and at times overdependence associated with these AS placed staff at risk of study-related stress and exhaustion. Avoidant service users (withdrawn or angry-dismissive) evoked feelings of frustration in staff. Their high need for self-reliance and defensive attitudes were experienced as hostile and dismissing. This often led to job dissatisfaction and acted as a barrier to staff engagement, leaving this group more likely to “fall through the net” of support. Originality/value: Existing literature describes challenges that support staff encounter when attempting to engage with people experiencing MEH, but provides little insight into the causes or consequences of “difficult” interactions. This study suggests that an attachment-informed approach to care can promote more constructive engagement between staff and service users in the homelessness sector. (Edited publisher abstract)
The crisis of Neoliberal project of aging during the COVID-19 pandemic: from compulsory activity to mandatory isolation
- Authors:
- BOGDANOVA Elena, GRIGORYEVA Irina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 23(2), 2021, pp.76-85.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper aims to consider how the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic questions the neoliberal project of ageing, based on a notion of a healthy, active, working older person. A long-term struggle to include older people has been (temporarily) replaced with a struggle to exclude them. This seems to be one of the most sensitive sore spots of the coronavirus crisis and one of the most serious challenges to social policy and welfare systems the world over. The purpose of this paper is to consider where the concepts of ageing and the action on ageing were at right before the crisis and what their further development may look like. Design/methodology/approach: This paper provides a critical overview of main conceptions based on the neoliberal project of ageing. Findings: The main principle of the neoliberal project of ageing, which had been formed on the crossroad of social theory and policy through decades, became vulnerable in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. The new forced ageing reveals its repressive nature through ensuring seniors’ safety from exposure, their removal from work and isolation. The theory now faces new challenges of meshing a neoliberal actor – active, independent and productive – with an older person in isolation, who needs safeguarding, of re-conceptualizing social exclusion of seniors in a situation where exclusion is equated with safety, of resolving a dilemma between isolation and respect of human rights and of keeping progress in anti-ageism. Research limitations/implications: This paper presents an overview of the main conceptions, underlying the neoliberal project of ageing. It aims to designate the vulnerabilities of the project, which were revealed under the situation of pandemic. Further development of the discussion needs detailed analysis of theoretical conceptions of ageing. Practical implications: Theoretical debate reflects policy of ageing. Discussion of theoretical problems of ageism, social exclusion, safeguarding of the elderly and compulsion are necessary for improvement of social policy of ageing. Social implications: When the neoliberal project of ageing comes into collision with the reality with the reality, the authors recognize it as a crisis. It moves the society, and especially the elderly, to the situation of uncertainty. This paper calls for discussion and search for a new balance among the generations in a society. Originality/value: This paper relies upon the current debate on neoliberal project of ageing and responds immediately to the situation of pandemic. Now conceptual problems in theories of ageing and policy projects became visible, and the authors suppose it is time to initiate this discussion. (Edited publisher abstract)
Research watch: exclusion and health inequality in England and what can be done to reverse it – discussing the Marmot review 10 years on
- Author:
- HOLTTUM Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 25(1), 2021, pp.7-15.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper aims to summarise key messages from a major evidence review of health inequality in England since 2010 – “the Marmot Review 10 Years on”. Design/methodology/approach: Alongside “the Marmot Review 10 Years on”, which came out in February 2020, the author accessed the original Marmot review published in 2010, a 2020 article by Marmot, and Marmot’s online talk to the Royal Society of Physicians Edinburgh on 2nd of July 2020. The author drew out key messages from these sources. Findings: Although many local authorities have taken up the 2010 Marmot review recommendations, they have been working against budget cuts under the system known as austerity. This has reduced funding to already deprived areas and probably explains worsened health inequality in England compared to other European countries. There are examples of successful local partnerships that have improved lives, but they rely on temporary charity funding. Health services can work for change locally, but central government policies must help. This has become even more urgent since the pandemic. Originality/value: The original Marmot review and “the Marmot Review 10 Years on” are major evidence-based examinations of what causes and maintains health inequality, both physical and mental, and how this situation might be improved. It is impossible to study them and still believe that health is just about lifestyle choices. People need real options to choose from, and this is only possible if they live in places designed for human thriving from childhood to old age. As a nation, England can move towards this goal rather than further away from it. These reports show the way. (Edited publisher abstract)
Afraid to leave the house: issues leading to social exclusion and loneliness for people with a learning disability
- Author:
- TILLY Liz
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 24(4), 2019, pp.168-175.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Tackling social exclusion, which can lead to social isolation and loneliness, is an important current issue. People with a learning disability have a right to be full members of their communities, yet often experience social exclusion. Community connections play a key role in people developing reciprocal relationships. It is therefore important to know the barriers to full inclusion. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: This paper builds on an inclusive research project exploring these issues (Mooney et al., 2019) and aims to place that study’s main findings in a broader academic, policy and practice context. Findings: Whilst there is a wide range of literature about social exclusion, lack of friendships and loneliness experienced by people with a learning disability, there is a gap in knowledge regarding some of the specific social barriers that prevent wider social inclusion, and therefore opportunities to make and keep friends. Originality/value: This paper relates the findings of an inclusive research project to the current literature. It identifies the social barriers that limit community involvement and draws on the experience of people with a learning disability to find possible ways forward. (Publisher abstract)
Commentary on “afraid to leave the house: issues leading to social exclusion and loneliness for people with a learning disability”
- Author:
- HARRISON Rachel A.
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 24(4), 2019, pp.176-179.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on, “Afraid to leave the house: issues leading to social exclusion and loneliness for people with a learning disability”. Design/methodology/approach: This paper considers the impacts of cuts to services, support and care that people with learning disabilities experience and the effects these cuts can have on social inclusion and positive social networks. Ways in which these impacts can be overcome are considered. Findings: Listening to the voices of people with learning disabilities can provide opportunities for positive change which meet the needs of people with learning disability and society more widely. Originality/value: The commentary uses evidence to consider the effects of cuts to services on the lives of people with learning disability and to provide possible solutions. (Publisher abstract)
Addressing county lines: praxis for community safety practitioners
- Author:
- ANDELL Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Safer Communities, 18(2), 2019, pp.43-53.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: County lines involving the exploitation of vulnerable children and young people by gangs have been described as a bigger threat than the exploitation exposed by the Rotherham scandal (The Times, 27 November 2017). The purpose of this paper is to explain the contingencies and drivers informing gang identities in the irregular economy of drugs and make some suggestions to address these. Design/methodology/approach: The paper discusses the social reality (ontology) of UK gangs in the UK and the different theories of knowledge about gangs (epistemologies) that can both help and hamper gangs’ policy and practices. The paper is based on recent research and sets out strategic ideas for good community safety practice in order to develop multi-modal partnership interventions in gang-affected neighbourhoods. Recent policies are located within the broader political economy of crime, which raises questions of current policy direction to achieve safer neighbourhoods. Findings: A critical realist approach to gangs (Pitts, 2016) assumes that unobservable structures (patterns of relations and roles) cause observable events (gang behaviour). This suggests a reality of gangs independent of theories about them. In this paradigm, the author’s theories about the world are historically, socially and culturally situated and always partial. Not only do gangs change in space and time, but also so do the author’s representations of them. Research limitations/implications: Arguably, at this moment, the authors’ best ideas about the underlying causal forces which precipitate gangs involve social structures which have push and pull factors acting in conjunction with culturally enmeshed individuals with limited choices. The pushes of social exclusionary factors such as institutional racism and unemployment act in consort with pull factors of excessive consumerism. However, the author’s ideas about gangs are partial and fallible, and this demands a methodological pluralism that involves a range of stakeholders when researching and formulating appropriate interventions. Practical implications: To address the impact of gang violence at the micro or neighbourhood level, Andell and Pitts (2009, 2013, 2017) developed an interactive model of action research which is inclusive of the experiences and knowledge of stakeholders. This knowledge can be valuable not only to build multi-modal strategies in gang-affected neighbourhoods, but can also be useful as a reflexive spur to provide feedback and direction on what works to reduce community harms. Earlier research experience (Andell and Pitts 2009, 2013, 2017) informs ideas that that single agency or “siloed” approaches to problems associated with gangs and drug markets can cause confusion and mistrust for other stakeholders and that more integrated approaches are needed. Social implications: In order to assist young people to attain their potential with the assistance of institutions, both micro and macro changes need to take place. The social capital of community networks needs to be enhanced and the redistributive potential of economic policy needs to be enacted. Therefore, policy is needed which is founded on the belief that research is capable of understanding the mechanisms that produce material and cultural domination, and this analysis, in conjunction with stakeholder knowledge, could lead to a realistic program for collective actions in both the micro and macro spheres that reduce relative deprivation and curb the cultural mores for excess. Originality/value: The paper suggests a critical realist approach to gangs (Pitts, 2016) and assumes that unobservable structures (patterns of relations and roles) cause observable events (gang behaviour). This imputes a reality of gangs independent of theories about them. In this paradigm, the author’s theories about the world are historical, socially and culturally situated and always partial. Not only do gangs change in space and time, but also so do the author’s representations of them. (Edited publisher abstract)
The ghettoization of persons with severe mental illnesses
- Author:
- STEWART Janet Laura
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 23(1), 2019, pp.53-57.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to outline the reflections of a person with lived experience of a severe mental illness (SMI) and former peer support worker in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, who has also worked for seven years in mental health research. It describes a tendency of resources and services to create ghettos of people with SMIs by failing to support the integration of people with SMIs into the community at large or in exploring options for meaningful, fulfilling occupation, reinforcing social exclusion and ghettoization. Design/methodology/approach: This paper shows a reflective and narrative account of personal experiences and observations of the ghettoizing tendency in mental health services. Findings: Mental healthcare professionals tend to support people with SMIs in engaging activities within resources for the mentally ill, and not in carrying out activities in the community at large. The range of activities offered is limited, an obstacle to finding meaningful, fulfilling occupation. Harmful psychological effects include self-stigma, low self-esteem and a sense of marginalization, generating a ghettoized mentality. The difficulties encountered in an effort to leave the mental health ghetto are touched on with examples of how to overcome them. Practical implications: The need for professional support for social integration of people with SMIs is identified, which could ultimately favour social inclusion of people with SMIs. Originality/value: It is written from the perspective of a user and provider of mental health services, who also has seven years’ experience in mental health research. (Edited publisher abstract)
Initiating and maintaining a recovery process – experiences of persons with dual diagnosis
- Authors:
- SKOGENS Lisa, VON GREIFF Ninive, TOPOR Alain
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 11(3), 2018, pp.101-113.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the internal and social factors that persons with experience from severe mental illness and alcohol and other drugs problems, and who have received treatment for these problems, describe as important for initiating and maintaining a recovery process. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 40 persons were interviewed and asked to describe factors they perceived as important for initiating and maintaining recovery. The software Nvivo was used to categorise data in internal and social factors with subcategories. Findings: There is significant variation in how recovery emerged but involved in general having a proper social situation and finding meaning in life. Initially, the majority had a marginalised situation with need of assistance with housing, employment, financial and social support. Research limitations/implications The change process in the investigated group is interpreted as related to individual resources rather than belonging to a group defined as having “double trouble”. Practical implications: The study implies that in addition to professional help to handle diagnosed problems, the group in focus also need support and interventions that address individual complex needs. Social implications: Supporting activities/peer support seem to be important for those lacking support from family. At the same time, it is important to recognise the risk of being forced into a recovery identity which might lead to worsening the situation for those who do not fit into this. Originality/value: By using the same design as in previous studies, comparisons with other groups are possible while still keeping the qualitative meaning of the investigated factors. (Edited publisher abstract)
Pets, animal-assisted therapy and social inclusion
- Author:
- HOLTTUM Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 22(2), 2018, pp.65-71.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Humans have close relationships with animals for companionship and in working roles. The purpose of this paper is to discuss recent papers on pets and dog-assisted interventions, and relates their findings to social inclusion. Design/methodology/approach: A search was carried out for recent papers on pets, animal-assisted therapy and social inclusion/exclusion. Findings: One paper discusses theories (often lacking in studies of animal-assisted therapy) of why animals may be good for human health and development. A recent review shows evidence that family pet ownership may aid children’s well-being, learning and social development, but too few studies have followed children over time in pet and non-pet households. Studies of dog-assisted interventions show stress-reduction, which in turn may explain why therapy for mental health in young people and adults was more effective with a dog than without. Social inclusion is hinted at but not measured directly, yet dog-assisted therapy might be helpful in this regard. Originality/value: All the papers discussed in detail here represent up-to-date understanding in this area of knowledge. Benefits of human-animal bonds, especially with dogs, appear to be well-supported by biological as well as observational and self-report evidence. More research is needed on how much these attachments may assist social relating and relationships with other people, and social inclusion. (Edited publisher abstract)