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The experience of partner relationships for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse: a qualitative synthesis
No full textResearch has documented wide-ranging psychological impacts of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) for male survivors, but their experience of relationships is understudied. This qualitative review aimed to synthesize the qualitative literature concerning the experience of partner relationships for male CSA survivors. Electronic searches were conducted across PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed, complemented by hand searches of references. Searches were limited to English-language peer-reviewed studies. Studies were included if they sampled adult male CSA survivors and reported qualitative data on their experience of partner relationships. Sixteen studies met the review criteria. Articles were quality-appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist (2018), and narrative synthesis derived five themes: “sexual orientation confusion,” “sexual intimacy difficulties,” “the barrier of emotional intimacy,” “navigating agency,” and “healing and growth through love.” Key findings were male CSA survivors can face considerable barriers to relational intimacy; however, romantic relationships also offer a space to heal and experience post-traumatic growth (PTG). Clinicians should be aware of the diffuse impacts CSA can have upon male survivors’ intimate relationships. Helping survivors and their partners build a safe space in which to process CSA, reassert agency and relational boundaries, and express love and validation can support survivors toward PTG
Positive psychology and the I-FLOW model: a new dynamic model of homeostatic wellbeing for mental health nursing
No full textThis is the tenth article in a series that explores the meaning of positive psychology and the importance of applying the latest related research findings, for the wellbeing of the mental health workforce. It will focus on the innovative I-Flourishing and Languishing Opportunities Wheel (I-FLOW) model, which can be applied to mental health nursing from a different perspective to many other frameworks. It positions realistic optimism and flow at its epicentre, suggesting that these are in a constant dynamic state of homeostatic balance. It recognises that wellbeing can be a combination of managing positive and negative feelings, thoughts and behaviours and that this is central to successful navigation of our life experiences. This article will frame the historical context of the model's development as a multi-dimensional concept through a range of positive psychology theorists and their respective frameworks. Finally, it encourages the reader to consider how the application of I-FLOW could be of benefit to them, through increased self-awareness and feedback. The practical tasks provided in the boxes throughout the article will help the reader identify what flourishing and wellbeing means to them and understand how to further develop its transferability through evidence-based, user-friendly exercises
Loneliness and mental health at the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in England
Get PDFThe current researchers carried out a large online survey on 18 March 2020 and unintentionally provided a ‘snap shot’ of how the British population was responding in
the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between loneliness and mental health at the early stages of the global crisis. This
cross-sectional study was carried out using Prolific, an online participant recruitment
platform that allowed 1608 responses in just 2 hr. Participants completed measures
of Personal Well-being, Psychological Distress, Flourishing and Loneliness. Numerous
associations between loneliness and mental health were found. A multiple regression
found that 43% of the variance in loneliness can be accounted for by age, psychological distress and flourishing. Responses were also categorised into three groups: the
non-lonely (n = 311), averagely lonely (n = 1054) and the severely lonely (n = 243),
with analysis indicating that poorer well-being was associated with increased loneliness. Due to the cross sectional nature of this research, determining the direction of
causality is not possible. It remains uncertain whether increased loneliness negatively
impacted on mental health, whether poor mental health lead to increased loneliness,
or both in fact. Current findings suggest that severely lonely individuals may be particularly vulnerable to psychological distress and that individuals with poor mental
health may be especially prone to loneliness. Individuals experiencing loneliness and/
or poor mental health will almost certainly need additional support during and beyond
the pandemi
An investigation into the impact of financial institutions on economic growth in Nigeria
Get PDFFinancial institutions’ benefit to an economy comes in diverse ways. In addition to the generic role of mediating between the ultimate providers and users of funds, financial institutions promote economic growth by encouraging the accumulation of capital, providing funds for investment opportunities, mobilizing domestic savings into productive investments, mobilization of savings, risk transfer and indemnification while influencing savings and investment decisions. However, the level of financial institutions’ activities relative to Nigeria’s huge potentials have not been actualized. Also, the previous studies in Nigerian context (Asongu and Odhiambo, 2019) failed to investigate the aggregation effect of financial institutions on economic growth and the evidence that supply leading hypothesis holds in Nigeria is inconclusive. It is against this background that this study investigates the impact of financial institutions on economic growth in Nigeria. The study adopted a diagnostic and ex-Post Facto research design and annualized time series data for a 30-year period (1987-2017) and the research used the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model with data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin to analyze the shortrun and longrun impact of financial institutions on economic growth in Nigeria. The results emanating from this study revealed that commercial bank loans had insignificant impact on the Nigerian economy in the short-run as well as the long-run. Microfinance bank loans have a significant impact both in the short-run and the long-run.
However, the results further revealed that the expenditures of insurance companies have a significant positive impact both in the short-run and long-run. Interestingly, the aggregated impact of the three selected financial institutions has a significant positive impact on economic growth in Nigeria in the long-run and the short-run. Lastly, the Grouger Casuality Test shows that the demand following hypothesis explained the finance-growth nexus for Nigeria rather than the supply-leading hypothesis and this study is the first to investigate the aggregated dynamic impact of the aforementioned financial institutions on economic growth in Nigeria. The sensitivity analysis conforms to all the results obtained. However, the sensitivity analysis revealed a slight deviation from the initial results obtained about the impact of commercial bank loans on economic growth in Nigeria in the short run. That is, commercial bank loans have a significant (negative) impact on economic growth in Nigeria in the short run when inflation is not included in the control variables. The study therefore recommends among others, that the Nigerian Government should offer strategic policy direction that will strengthen the various financial institutions while creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive in order to drive economic growth which in turn will lead to more demand for financial services
Effect of simultaneous impact and heat/fire on carbon fibre-reinforced composites containing nano additives
Get PDFCarbon fibres, owing to their highest tensile strength and stiffness amongst all fibres used in
composite fabrication, are most popular in structural composites. However, out-of-plane impact
forces are a major design concern when carbon fibre is used since its impact resistance is lower
than that of glass fibre. There is considerable literature available on the impact and post impact
behaviour of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composites (CFRP). However, there is a gap in
literature on the effect of heat/fire on impact damage to CFRPs, especially concerning the nature of
particulates released during these conditions. Quite often nanoparticle additives are introduced in
the matrix of the CFRP to increase impact resistance and other properties including flame
resistance, which could also be released along with other debris, during impact and fire.
The aim of this research was to understand the behaviour of carbon fibre/epoxy composites (CFE)
containing nano and micro particulate additives subjected to simultaneous impact and heat/fire
conditions. This required novel laboratory scale testing equipment to be designed and developed
with the ability to combine impact and heat/fire conditions testing whilst capturing any released
debris/particulates and post-test characterisation of physical and chemical properties of the
captured particles, from which the associated health environmental concerns could be established.
The design of such novel equipment incorporated a pendulum impactor to create impact whilst the
sample was exposed to a radiant cone heater at a particular heat flux for a specified period of time.
Moreover, protocols using the bespoke impact and fire equipment for testing samples under
different conditions and capturing particulates released, both from the front and back faces, along
with those in the effluents were established. Parallel to the development of the set-up, high fibre
ratio CFE composites, comparable to aero grade materials, were produced by resin infusion. CFE
laminates with incorporated organomodified montmorillonite clays (nanoclays), layered double
hydroxide (LDH), graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotubes (NT), were also produced.
These samples were then subjected to 19J impact by a hemispherical type impactor as: impact
only, impact after 50kW/m² radiant heat exposure at 90s, 120s,180s and 240s and impact during
75kW/m² fire conditions, 20s post ignition. A loss of stiffness as a function of heat exposure time
was found to affect the damage type observed for CFE samples. The introduction of nanoparticle
additives LDH, NT and GO; reduced impact resistance during impact only and impact at 90s heat
exposure, whilst at extended heat exposure duration, past 180s, improved damage resistance
owing to increased charring and char reinforcement, especially in samples containing GO.
Particulates released during impact only testing were fibres and resin particles. Impacts after
50kW/m² radiant heat exposure at 90s, 120s, 180s and 240s, carbon fibres, decomposed resinous
particles and resin coated fibres were released. During fire conditions additional soot particles were
released. Quantitative and morphological analyses of captured particles from CFE samples
demonstrated that the sizes of decomposed resin particles reduced with increasing time up to
impact at 180 or 75kW/m² heat flux. The type, size and shape of particles released from samples
containing nano particles were similar to those released from CFE without nanoparticles with the
exceptions that there was a significant increase of resin particles released from LDH samples
during impact only and particulates captured during fire conditions appeared less decomposed.
During impact only and impact during 50kW/m², fibres released regardless of sample composition,
were in a size range (diameter 5-7.5µm and length 5-250µm) which can be deposited in the nose
and throat region of the respiratory tract. On two separate occasions, fibres were sampled from
effluents during impact after 50kW/m² radiant heat exposure at 90s, indicating released fibres could
remain airborne. Fibres of reduced diameter and fibril bundles were observed from CFE samples
without nanoparticles during fire conditions. Their dimensions (diameters less than 1μm and
lengths 5-20µm) were within a range (diameters less than 3μm and lengths between 3-80μm) that
could potentially enter the alveoli region of the respiratory tract and resist biological removal
mechanisms, making them the greatest concern regarding potential health effects.
Many of the released resin particles observed throughout the research from all sample
compositions and test conditions, had respirable diameters less than 4µm. Some resin particles
were in or close to nanoscale in which they can deposit more effectively in the alveolar region of
the respiratory tract. The introduction of heat and the decomposition of the resin particles
potentially increased their deposition efficiency compared to impact only.
A specific study investigating sub-micron sized particles released in effluent during impact and fire
conditions involved combining a Dekati Low Pressure Impactor (DLPI) and a Ecomesure Mini
Particle Sampler (MPS) with the bespoke impact and fire equipment. The results from the DLPI
showed that up to 75% of the soot and particles released could deposit in the lungs reaching the
bronchi region at a minimum, whilst for the MPS 75% of soot agglomerates released from CFE
samples could deposit deep in the lung in the bronchioles and alveoli.
Finally, an in vitro toxicological study using murine macrophage cell culture media was performed
on particles released from CFE and CFE containing GO during impact and fire to finalise the
research. The results indicated that GO induced pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress responses
when diluted alone or as part of soot agglomerates and fibres of reduced diameter induced a
cytotoxic response
Syd Barrett took a left turn and never came back, Andrew Voyce took a left turn and did. Why?
Get PDFThe aim of this paper is to compare the stories of Syd Barrett musician, with Andrew Voyce, and their respective recovery journeys.
The authors use collaborative autoethnography to share their own perspectives on Syd Barrett and to contrast his story with that of Andrew, a co-author.
Both Syd and Andrew experienced serious mental distress. While Syd had only limited contact with mental health services, Andrew’s contact was extensive, with a 20-year history of admissions and discharges. In the end, when the psychiatric services listened to Andrew’s concerns and acted on them, he was able to enter into the journey of recovery.
The authors are restricted in the amount of available information on Syd Barrett, especially that related to mental health problems. The story of Andrew shows how recovery is possible even after years of serious mental illness.
Andrew’s story shows why professionals should never give up on people, with even the most seemingly severe and intractable problems. Could services have done more for Syd?
Mental illness still attracts huge stigma. Today there is a much more open culture. Would Syd have come out about his own struggles with mental health had society been more open?
Bringing together two stories of mental distress enables the authors to explore the concept of recovery
Online mental health communities supporting mental health
No full textObjectives/Purpose. The online platform can be a beneficial resource for those experiencing mental health issues, having numerous provisions to support mental health with one such resource available being online mental health communities (OMHCs).
Design/Background. This research in progress consists of three studies exploring the online provision of OMHCs, of both user and moderator experiences from one US administrated (but globally utilised) OMHC. The three studies aim to explore user experience, the moderator role and the transition from online to offline support, so that recommendations may be given to the online and offline platform alike. Methods Study 1 was an online questionnaire completed by 128 users of the OMHC. The questionnaire consisted of exploratory questions regarding user experience. Study 2 explores the role of the moderator and the research involves email interviews with 7 OMHC moderators to investigate the positive and negative aspects of the role and the reason behind volunteering. Study 3 explores via online interview how users utilise OMHCs to transition to offline support if they need more support than the online platform can provide.
Results. Study 1 results showed that users gain emotional and informational support from OMHCs and showed interesting insights into the transition from online to offline support as well as the role of the moderator on OMHCs. These insights led to the following 2 studies currently in the data collection phase. Conclusions This research hopes to provide insight into the role online mental health communities can have to support mental health, increasing the potential of online support for mental health
Optimal coordination of PSS and SSSC controllers in power system using ant colony optimization algorithm
Get PDFVolatility leads to disruption in synchronism between generators of a continuous system. The frequency of the volatility is usually between a few tenths of Hz to several Hz. This volatility is sometimes divided into two types, local and interregional. Local volatility is the low-frequency volatility of a power plant unit or units of a power plant relative to the grid whereas interregional volatility is the volatility of the units of one area relative to the units of another area. The worst kind of low-frequency volatility occurs when the power system in a region has a short three-phase connection to the earth, creating a complete instability of the grid and operating protective systems. One of the ways to improve the dynamic stability and steady-state of the power system is to use power system stabilizers and FACTS devices in the system. In this paper, the stabilization of the power system stabilizers PSS and SSSC is done using the ant colony algorithm. Studies on a four-machine system with the three-phase error were performed in two scenarios and finally compared with the PSO method. The simulation results show that the proposed method produced more accurate performance
Analysis framework for the interactions between building information modelling (BIM) and lean construction on construction mega-projects
Get PDFPurpose: - The construction industry encounters substantial challenges in its evolution towards sustainable development and to the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology and Lean Construction (LC) practices
on construction mega-projects. This research aims to present critical challenges and to investigate the interactions of BIM and LC on construction mega-projects
encountered by key stakeholders in their efforts to integrate BIM and LC.
Design/Methodology/Approach: - A qualitative research approach is adopted to introduce and validate LC principles and BIM functionalities resulting from a
detailed analysis of extant literature, followed by a conceptual analysis of the interactions between BIM and LC on construction mega-projects. A quantitative questionnaire survey is then utilised. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests are used for data analysis; analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests elaborate and validate results.
Findings: - The research yielded ten BIM functionalities and ten LC principles, that are categorised in four principles areas and four BIM functionality groups. A
research framework for analysis of the interaction between BIM and LC is then compiled.
Originality/value: - Research findings and the proposed framework will enhance the adoption of BIM and LC practices on construction mega-projects and allow project key stakeholders to place emphasis on tackling crucial challenges and barriers identified in this research. The framework will guide and stimulate research; and as such, the approach adopted up to this point is constructive. The
identified interactions between BIM and LC on construction mega-projects show positive synergies between the two
Reflections on the development of a technology enhanced learning App through student–led collaboration
Get PDFThe University of Bolton is a Teaching Intensive Research Informed (TIRI) institution.
In 2016, a successful bid was made for the Higher Education Funding Council for
England (HEFCE) Catalyst fund in Innovation in teaching and learning. The bid written
by the principal investigators was based on their mutual interest in students as
partners and the co-production of technology-based learning interventions. The
project engaged undergraduate students researching their own student body, to
discover the needs of the student community. This paper discusses the process of the
technological development of a mobile app and reflects on the project incorporating
student and staff voice