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From 'gibbering idiot' to 'iceman', Kenny's story: a critical analysis of an occupational narrative
- Author:
- FINLAY Linda
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67(11), November 2004, pp.474-480.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Narratives can offer rich, valuable and powerful insights. However, they do not stand on their own: they need to be interpreted and contextualised. This paper offers a critical analysis of the occupational narrative of one man's journey towards finding a new occupational identity after experiencing mental health problems. It reveals something of Kenny's lived experience and his occupational needs, drivers and trajectory. The value of occupation (rather than simply employment) is demonstrated. The narrative is then briefly analysed: first by taking a phenomenological approach focusing on the lived experience and secondly by taking a social constructionist approach which highlights how the story is both performed and co-constructed. This two-pronged analysis demonstrates how narratives are produced and constructed in particular social contexts. How we understand a narrative depends on how we frame it and the theoretical perspectives we bring to bear. It is important to be reflexive - critically self-aware - as we engage in narrative inquiry.
You are where you live
- Authors:
- ELLAWAY Anne, MACINTYRE Sally
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, November 2004, pp.33-35.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Evidence shows that where we live has a significant impact on mental health. Aspects which may be important include: physical features (e.g. air and water quality); availability of healthy home, work and play environments (decent housing, safe play areas); support services in daily life (education, transport); socio-cultural features (political, economic, ethnic and religious history; community integration); and reputation (how perceived by residents, service or amenity planners, and investors). Concludes that residents in poor neighbourhoods experience 'double jeopardy', being not only personally poor but also likely to lack the supportive social and physical environments required for good health. Policies to promote better mental health should focus on improving both individual and socio-residential circumstances.
Reconciling successful aging with HIV: A biopsychosocial overview
- Authors:
- VANCE David E., ROBINSON F. Patrick
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services, 3(1), 2004, pp.59-78.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article discusses some of the areas in which ageing and HIV are juxtaposed and examine how they might impact on individuals who will be ageing with this diagnosis. To understand the biopsychosocial mechanisms surrounding successful aging with HIV, mitochondria damage is used to illustrate the dynamic effects of physical, psychological, and social functioning on each other. Interventions and questions for further research in successful aging with HIV are presented. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Cannabis and mental health
- Author:
- WITTON John
- Journal article citation:
- Druglink, 19(4), July 2004, p.21.
- Publisher:
- Drugscope
- Place of publication:
- London
Briefly outlines the evidence on the link between cannabis and mental health.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the geriatric depression scale
- Authors:
- ADAMS Kathryn Betts, MATTON Holly C., SANDERS Sara
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 44(6), December 2004, pp.818-826.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is widely used in clinical and research settings to screen older adults for depressive symptoms. Although several exploratory factor analytic structures have been proposed for it, no independent confirmation has been made available that would enable investigators to confidently identify scores for the subdimensions of depression represented it. This article describes a confirmatory factor analysis of the 30-item GDS, with the factor structure based on an exploratory principal components analysis published earlier. The original study sample consisted of 327 community-dwelling adults aged 65–94. The confirmatory factor analysis was performed on data from an independent sample of 294 adults aged 60–98 residing in retirement facilities. The proposed final measurement model uses 26 items from the GDS in 5 factors and obtains a goodness-of-fit index of .90. The resulting distinct subdimensions are dysphoric mood, withdrawal–apathy–vigour, hopelessness, cognitive and anxiety. Although results should be considered preliminary, the use of these 5 subdimensions as subscales for scoring purposes may improve the precision and utility of the GDS as an assessment tool for older adults in health, mental health, and research contexts.
Maternal caregiving strain as a mediator in the relationship between child and mother mental health problems
- Authors:
- SALES Esther, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 28(4), December 2004, pp.211-223.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Examined whether the general stress-caregiver strain-mental health outcome model may be as appropriate for caregivers of minor-age children as it has been for caregivers of adults with chronic illness and whether children's behavioral problems are related to mothers' caregiving strains, which then is related to greater maternal mental health symptomatology. Mothers of 222 children referred for mental health services completed the Child Behavior Checklist, Caregiver Strain Questionnaire and three dependent variable measures: Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and the SF-36 Mental Health Scale. Path analyses and Sobel tests supported the tested model that maternal caregiving strain mediates between child mental health problems and 3 indicators of maternal mental health problems, with significant indirect pathways through maternal caregiving strain replacing the formerly significant direct contribution of child's problem severity to each maternal mental health measure.
Factors influencing self-esteem among individuals with severe mental illness: implications for social work
- Authors:
- KAHNG Sang Kyoung, MOWBRAY Carol
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 28(4), December 2004, pp.225-236.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Analysed factors affecting self-esteem among individuals with severe mental illness to identify effective targets for social work interventions. Data were obtained from 290 individuals with psychiatric disability recruited from community-based psychosocial rehabilitation agencies. Analyses using structural equation modeling revealed that self-esteem consists of 2 independent dimensions, self-worth and self-deprecation; affective characteristics are more influential than cognitive characteristics in predicting self-esteem; and the predictive factors and paths of the dimensions differ. Implications for future social work research are discussed.
Developing an integrated strategy: the Lothian experience
- Author:
- LOWRIE Sheena
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 3(4), December 2004, pp.6-8.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
Lothian NHS Board in the second largest in Scotland, serving a population of 780,000 in a mix of urban and rural areas covered by 3 NHS Lothian divisions and 4 local authorities with whom the joint strategy has been developed, along with service users, voluntary organisations and carers. Integration of mental health improvement into Lothian's joint strategy for mental health and wellbeing mirrors activity at national level. Concludes Lothian has come a long way and has established a strong foundation on which to build improvement.
A service user-led study promoting mental well-being for the general public, using 5 Rhythms dance
- Authors:
- COOK Sarah, LEDGER Karen
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 6(4), November 2004, pp.41-51.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
There is increasing interest in leisure pursuits promoting health including public dance classes. Some studies suggest dance movement therapy can have a positive effect on mental health in psychiatric settings, but there is little in the literature about effects in public settings. Reports a study of women's experience of a form of expressive dance called Rhythm 5, led by current and former service users. Benefits are reported. Dancers were recruited from the general public. Interviews, diaries and a survey were used. Qualitative analysis showed participants appreciated dance workshops providing safe space, freedom of expression, structure, powerful music and group connections. Dance was transformative, helping people move from being 'stuck', release powerful feelings and integrate parts of themselves. Dancers reported using regular dancing as a strategy for emotional well-being and dealing with emotional crises. Discussion emphasises that 5 Rhythms is not a therapy but an emotional and therapeutic experience in which dancers must take responsibility for themselves. 5 Rhythms comes from the tradition of shamanic dance in that it acts to maintain community psychic well-being. Suggests that pleasurable activities such as dance should be accessible to everyone and makes recommendations to promote this.
Ubuntu: a cultural method of mental health promotion
- Authors:
- EDWARDS Steve, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 6(4), November 2004, pp.17-22.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The context of this article is an indigenous South African knowledge system of health promotion called ubuntu. Visitors have often remarked on a universal yet unique form of humanity they have experienced. Based on their shared experience as psychologists working together over many years in Zululand, the authors present a phenomenology of ubuntu as a deeply human, meaningful way of life and an original, cultural method of mental health promotion.