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Light at the end of the bottle: flourishing in people recovering from alcohol problems
- Authors:
- MAKIN Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Substance Use, 27(1), 2022, pp.107-114.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: The field of positive psychology is fast growing and ultimately aims to increase flourishing. As yet, these concepts have had very limited impact in the field of alcohol dependence. The aim of this study is to compare flourishing levels in people recovering from alcohol problems with two comparison groups. Methods: An online survey was conducted with people recovering from alcohol problems (n = 107), a community sample of gym attenders (n = 185) and people with mental health problems (n = 130). They completed the PERMA Scale, as well as answering questions about their drinking. Results: People recovering from alcohol problems scored significantly better than the mentally ill sample on every aspect of the PERMA Scale. In contrast, they scored significantly worse on every subscale in comparison with the community gym attenders’ group. Responses to open-ended questions highlighted the costs of alcohol problems, especially in terms of losses experienced through drinking, along with an unhealthy tendency to focus on the past. Conclusions: The abstinence model may reinforce a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness in those battling alcohol problems and may inhibit flourishing. There is a need to develop positive psychology interventions that may help individuals recovering from alcohol problems to flourish. (Edited publisher abstract)
What matters while assessing quality of social services? Stakeholders’ perspective in Czechia
- Authors:
- SISKA Jan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 24(5), 2021, pp.864-883.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Quality of public services including social services is an issue frequently discussed by policy makers, service providers, and by those who represent service users. The aim of this study was to explore how stakeholders perceive quality of social services, with a particular focus on (1) what did participants rate as important; (2) what is the relative importance of each domain and how does that differ across stakeholder groups and (3) does importance vary by participant characteristics. A specially designed questionnaire was completed by 217 service providers, by 249 public administration representatives and 205 service users of residential care and in-home support. The subjective quality of life of service users was rated as the most important indicator of service quality by all three stakeholder groups. Particularly important were items that related to the nature of the relationships and interactions between staff and service users. There were some differences between stakeholder groups and also by respondent characteristics – public administration respondents, older service users and providers of residential care were more likely to rate health care as more important than other respondents. Implications for how quality is measured are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
“You have to argue the right way”: user involvement in the service delivery process for assistive activity technology
- Authors:
- PEDERSEN Heidi, KERMIT Patrick Stefan, SODERSTROM Sylvia
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 16(8), 2021, pp.840-850.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Purpose: This article critically examines user-involvement in the service delivery process for assistive activity technology. Methodology: Data were collected in semi-structured interviews with 44 end users of assistive activity technology and in focus group interviews with 11 professionals at Norway’s Assistive Technology Centre. Data was analysed according to a stepwise deductive–inductive approach. Findings: Flawed organisational principles like division of responsibility, unclear regulations, and a lack of competence with assistive activity technology among service professionals have hindered user involvement in the service delivery process. Conclusion: A missing knowledge of assistive activity technology among professionals and the current organisation of services creates barriers for a positive collaboration with users in the service delivery process of assistive activity technology. (Edited publisher abstract)
Practitioner perspectives on service users experiences of targeted violence and hostility in mental health and adult safeguarding
- Authors:
- HAFFORD-LETCHFIELD Trish, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 36(7), 2021, pp.1099-1124.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
People with lived experience of mental distress experience high rates of targeted violence and hostility based on their mental health status. This user-led study explored practitioners’ perceptions and experiences of supporting service users in these challenging situations and considered the role of adult safeguarding. Six focus groups with practitioners (n = 46) enabled them to respond to data documenting service user’s experiences. This process facilitated knowledge exchange between the research team and practitioners on the ground. The findings illuminate a complex picture where lack of effective structures and processes mitigate against service users in these difficult situations. Practitioners need to invest in trusting relationships, to optimise resources and actively help service users with lived experience of mental distress to find their own solutions. These should involve collaborative empowerment whereby feelings of isolation and rejection can be replaced with hope, a sense of agency and belief in personal control. (Edited publisher abstract)
Listening to care experienced young people and creating audio-bites for social work education
- Authors:
- LUCAS Sian E., THOMAS Nadine
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Education (The International Journal), 40(7), 2021, pp.915-927.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
It can be challenging to incorporate young people’s voices into social work pedagogy even though service user involvement is an essential part of social work education. Technological advances present new ways to involve service users and overcome barriers to participation. The purpose of this research was to explore service user involvement amongst young people by developing an audio resource for a qualifying social work programme in Scotland. This study used a co-production methodology to create eight audio-bites based on interviews with four care-experienced people, aged 14-19, about their involvement with social work. This paper shares key findings from the interviews, about the young people’s involvement with social work and about being ‘subjects’ of statutory recording practices and processes, such as chronologies and Child’s Plans. This paper discusses how the audio-bites were used in teaching and present feedback from students and lecturers about their use. This paper argues that the audio-bites promote authentic learning as they depict real life practice situations, and help students to develop listening and reflection skills that will inform their preparation for practice with children and young people. (Edited publisher abstract)
Lived experiences of people with mobility-related disability using assistive devices
- Authors:
- BORADE Neelam, INGLE Aboli, NAGARKAR Aarti
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 16(7), 2021, pp.730-734.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Purpose: Assistive devices (ADs) are an essential component for people with disability to achieve functional independence and improved quality of life. The current study explored lived experiences of adults with mobility related disability using ADs, with reference to access to ADs, facilitators and barriers in access, use and adaptation of devices and whether any changes experienced after use of ADs. Materials and methods: Data were collected through interviews using narrative inquiry approach with 25 individuals having mobility related disabilities and who had experience of using one or more ADs for minimum 12 months. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis procedure. Results: The analysis resulted in four main themes. The first theme of “access to ADs” revealed apathy of and disappointment towards public health service providers. The second theme “life with ADs” described personal and social adaptation of ADs. Third important theme was “barriers to use of ADs” which brought out physical barriers in public places, lack of home modification, and inaccessible built environment. Major concern was economic dependence, out of pocket expenditure and lack of services for maintenance and upgradation of ADs. The last theme “achieving a better life” described a sense of achievement with ease of mobility, relief of agony and gaining independence. Conclusion: In spite of the challenging experiences of disability, usage of ADs has increased social participation, independence and self-esteem. These major components helped participants to achieve “normalcy” in life. (Edited publisher abstract)
New development: Covid-19 and its publics – implications for strategic management and democracy
- Author:
- SANCINO Alessandro
- Journal article citation:
- Public Money and Management, 41(5), 2021, pp.404-407.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article discusses the concept of ‘publics’ and provides a case example related to Covid-19 to show the importance of strategically managing with and for publics. Specifically, the publics of local governance in lockdown are identified from two focus groups with local leaders conducted in Lombardy, Italy. Identifying, designing and visualizing publics is a key democratic and strategic choice with implications on the public values enacted. Impact: Early results have shown that some individuals and organizations were affected disproportionately by the impacts of Covid-19, both for the better (for example higher profits for technology companies) and for the worse (for example higher mortality rates in BAME populations). By managing with and for publics, public managers and politicians could take more equitable decisions by visualizing trade-offs in public values and co-create better strategies by taking the perspective of those experiencing the effects of public decisions and public services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Differing knowledges: comparing the contribution of drama students and service users in role-plays preparing social work students for practice
- Authors:
- DUFFY Joe, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Education (The International Journal), 40(5), 2021, pp.624-640.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Much has been written about service user involvement in social work education with the literature recognizing the value of this particular type of experiential knowledge in helping students understand key competences and concepts. There is also extensive literature highlighting the role of simulation in assisting social work students to develop key insights in regard to skills and knowledge through role-plays. Using a Cross-Over design, this paper compares the contribution of drama students with service users in the preparation of social work students for field practice in Northern Ireland. Our findings suggest there is an important role for both drama students and service users working collaboratively to help social work students develop in key areas of social work competence and have implications for social work education in an international context. (Edited publisher abstract)
Keeping well in a COVID-19 crisis: a qualitative study formulating the perspectives of mental health service users and carers
- Authors:
- SIMBLETT Sara K., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 30(2), 2021, pp.138-147.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: People with existing mental health conditions may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. But their positive and negative appraisals, and coping behaviour could prevent or ameliorate future problems. Objective: To explore the emotional experiences, thought processes and coping behaviours of people with existing mental health problems and carers living through the pandemic. Methods: UK participants who identified as a mental health service user (N18), a carer (N5) or both (N8) participated in 30-minute semi-structured remote interviews (31 March 2020 to 9 April 2020). The interviews investigated the effects of social distancing and self-isolation on mental health and the ways in which people were coping. Data were analysed using a framework analysis. Three service user researchers charted data into a framework matrix (consisting of three broad categories: “emotional responses”, “thoughts” and “behaviours”) and then used an inductive process to capture other contextual themes. Results: Common emotional responses were fear, sadness and anger but despite negative emotions and uncertainty appraisals, participants described efforts to cope and maintain their mental wellbeing. This emphasised an increased reliance on technology, which enabled social contact and occupational or leisure activities. Participants also spoke about the importance of continued and adapted mental health service provision, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with changes in their living environment, life schedule and social interactions. Conclusion: This study builds on a growing number of qualitative accounts of how mental health service users and carers experienced and coped with extreme social distancing measures early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than a state of helplessness this study contains a clear message of resourcefulness and resilience in the context of fear and uncertainty. (Edited publisher abstract)
Service-user narratives in social work education; co-production or co-option?
- Author:
- SAPOUNA Lydia
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Education (The International Journal), 40(4), 2021, pp.505-521.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
As a social work lecturer I have, over the years, developed strong links with service-user/survivor groups in an effort to contribute to a more context-focused and democratic approach to mental health education and practice. User narratives of psychiatric survival have been central in organizing resistance toward dominant constructions of ‘mental illness’. Within education, user narratives have created spaces for co-production with a transformative potential, as traditionally silenced voices can be heard and affirmed. However, recent debates suggest that such narratives are often used by mental health and educational systems to promote their own agendas. In this context, user narratives are no longer considered a transformative act of co-production or resistance. They are a commodity servicing primarily the interests of these systems. This paper adds to these debates through a self-reflexive discussion on my experience of including user/survivor narratives in Irish social work education, as user narratives remain insufficiently critiqued in this context. I consider the significance of power operations in the contexts where narratives are shared and heard and argue for the need to honor what has been achieved while problematizing what may be lost through the inclusion of service-user narratives in social work education. (Edited publisher abstract)