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Historical abuse in Dutch Catholic institutions: An ex ante evaluation of institutional and non-institutional response procedures
No full textWith the disclosure of widespread sexual abuse within the Dutch Roman Catholic Church, victim-survivors demanded justice from Dutch Church authorities and the Dutch state. As conventional approaches, such as criminal and civil law, were deemed to be inept in achieving recognition and repair, new procedures had to be established. The Church initiated several complaint, compensation and mediation procedures. Besides these ‘institutional’ procedures (initiated by the ‘wrongdoer’ itself), a victim-led mediation procedure was developed. This article provides an ex ante evaluation of these varied response procedures in terms of the promise they made to achieve recognition and repair. Their design was assessed through the theoretical lenses of procedural and restorative justice. While the procedural lens shows that there is too little space for the voice of victim-survivors, the restorative lens shows that all responses were too individualistic in design, failing to integrate systemic aspects of the harm done at the institutional, societal and familial levels. These aspects are crucial to addressing the recognition claims at stake
‘I’m a fighter and I do not give up’:– Socially isolated older adults’ experiences with meaning in life.
No full textPositively experienced relationships with family, partners and friends are the most important source of meaning in life for older persons. At the same time, Western countries are confronted with a growing number of socially isolated older adults who lack those relationships. This study aims to explore whether and how older adults who live in social isolation experience meaning in life. Data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 24 socially isolated older adults, ranging in age from 62 to 94, all living in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The criterion-based sampling of participants took place in close consultation with social workers of a mentoring project for socially isolated older adults. Follow-up interviews with 22 participants improved the credibility of findings and contributed to the breadth and depth of the researched casuistry. Data were analysed using an analytical framework based on seven needs of meaning identified by Baumeister (purpose, values, efficacy, self-worth) and Derkx (coherence, excitement, connectedness). The study demonstrates that isolated older adults may find anchors for meaning in life, although not all needs for meaning are satisfied, and there can also be tension between different needs. The needs-based model provides concrete distinctions for enabling care-givers to recognise elements of meaning
The social fabric of voluntary and community initiatives:On crafting space for meaningful relationships
No full textThe publication The social fabric of voluntary and community initiatives reflects on the role that voluntary and community initiatives can play in pressing societal issues. How do they contribute to such a social fabric? The publication is based on the ethnographic research of the University of Humanistic Studies. The most important insight is that voluntary and community initiatives do not simply strengthen social fabrics but perform the ongoing work of crafting space within these fabrics for something meaningful to emerge. Simply bringing people together does not automatically add value to people’s life. Among the support and activities in for example community centers, attention is needed to foster meaningful relationships. The publication is a special edition associated with Growing Older Together a development program of NOV (Association of Dutch Volunteer Organizations) in which older people are the resource to improve health and wellbeing
Understanding Epistemic Justice through Inclusive Research about Intellectual Disability and Sexuality
No full textFormal language: This paper discusses inclusive research and epistemic justice by using an example of a published study the authors conducted on intellectual disability and sexuality in supported living environments. Our study addressed taboos and pushed boundaries in content and methodology through two ways of inclusive research: (1) the second author of this paper who has an intellectual disability was a main researcher in the study; and (2) we interviewed people with intellectual disabilities about their own experiences as well as their desired solutions to obstacles they face in their supported living environments. Their input was centralized in the final research report. This method challenged the epistemic injustice of who have historically not been ‘allowed’ to produce knowledge in research. This paper offers historical insight into epistemic injustice as well as relational approaches from critical disability studies and non-Western understandings of disability that ‘rethink’ disability and that can thus promote epistemic justice in academic theory. By addressing both practice and theory in this paper, we aim to contribute to the growing body of inclusive research and to the epistemic justice of people with intellectual disabilities. Plain language: (1) Epistemology = thinking about knowledge, producing knowledge, sharing knowledge. (2) In history, people with intellectual disabilities have often been excluded from participating in this. This is called epistemic injustice. It is caused by the discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities (ableism). (3) Performing inclusive research with people with intellectual disabilities challenges this. It contributes to epistemic justice. Researchers and interviewees with intellectual disabilities can bring knowledge from lived experience into research. (4) Knowledge from lived experience has not always been valued in traditional research. That means we also need to think differently about ‘knowledge’, and about ‘disability’ and its ‘value’. (5) Discrimination based on disability has a long history. For instance: during colonialism by European countries (starting in the 15th century), false ideas about ‘poor health’ and ‘low intelligence’ were already used to justify slavery. People with disabilities have often been locked away or even killed because they have been seen as ‘less valuable’. These ways of thinking still exist. They influence our understanding of ‘epistemology’ because they decide whose way of thinking and way of life is valuable or not valuable. We need to change this way of thinking. (6) Some academic fields that help are critical disability studies, indigenous studies, and feminist posthumanism. These fields challenge ableist ways of thinking. They can help us understand disability as something that is not negative or less valuable, but simply part of what makes us human
Collaboration with patients' family members and representatives:legal perspective and barriers in clinical practice
No full textBACKGROUND: In the Compulsory Mental Health Care Act (Wvggz) family members and representatives have a more central position. However, in clinical practice there is a lack of collaboration.AIM: Giving an overview of the relevant legal texts and analyzing possible reasons for the lack of collaboration.METHOD: Discussion of relevant legal texts and publications.RESULTS: The aim of the Compulsory Mental Health Care Act is to enhance the patients' rights and rights of their family. In clinical practice it is difficult to find a good collaboration. One problem is that patients' competence may fluctuate over time. And also confidentiality is seen as an important barrier. Family members also experience tension by fulfilling different roles, especially when they are representative.CONCLUSION: Although the Compulsory Mental Health Care Act gives a clear framework for collaboration with family members, the application is complex in clinical practice. The formal possibilities can only be applied, when relations with both patients and their family members are built in trust.</p
The intersection of teacher modelling and student emulation in moral education.
No full textThis paper explores the intersection of teacher modelling and student emulation in moral education. First, two interpretations of teacher modelling are discussed: expressing moral virtues unintentionally and intentionally teaching morality. Next, student emulation is examined, differentiating between mimicry, imitation, and emulation. Third, the paper introduces four scenarios of intentional/unintentional and effective/ineffective modelling, highlighting the complex relationship between teachers’ intentions and students’ responses in the moral education process
Gerotranscendence as a new perspective on life?:A qualitative study among the oldest elderly in a nursing home
No full textIn de gerontologie bestaan meerdere theorieën over goed ouder worden. Eén daarvan heet gerotranscendentie. Op latere leeftijd kan een verandering in levensvisie optreden, waarbij een transcendente en kosmische kijk op het leven ontstaat, en daarbij meer levensvoldoening. In dit empirische onderzoek onder twintig bewoners van een verpleeghuis (77 - 105 jaar) is gekeken of zij kenmerken hiervan bij zichzelf herkennen
"I have some wishes, which are actually demands.”:A qualitative mixed methods study on the impact of consumerism on the therapeutic relationship in mental healthcare
No full textIntroduction: Alongside the logic of care, many Western welfare states have introduced market elements or a logic of choice in their healthcare systems, which has led to consumerist behavior in patients. For the medical field, it is well documented how consumerism creates complex ethical dilemmas and undermines ways of thinking and acting crucial to healthcare. Little is known about these dynamics in mental healthcare.Methods: This study used a qualitative mixed methods design, combining 180 online patient narratives (blogs) with 25 interviews with therapists in a grounded theory approach.Results: Findings show that articulate behavior can be divided into two categories: assertive and adamant. While assertive behavior is understood as an integral, reciprocal part of therapy and is stimulated by therapists, adamant or consumerist behavior is experienced as damaging the relationship—the “commodity” the patient is seeking to obtain, as the single most important predictor of treatment success. Findings also show that articulate behavior in both varieties takes a different shape over time during the course of treatment.Discussion: Adamant behavior clashes with the internal logic of care, which is especially problematic in mental healthcare where the relationship with one's therapist is key to successful treatment. Therefore, patients should be taught and helped to display assertive behavior without resorting to adamancy. Individual therapists cannot achieve this alone; this endeavour should be supported by their organizations, societal beliefs about therapy and policy choices
'New worlds open up':A qualitative study on Wonder Lab practices in Dutch paediatric palliative care with parents, healthcare professionals, and students
No full textWithin paediatric palliative care, it is essential for families and providers to have open, equal, and trusting relationships. In practice, however, building relationships can be challenging. Investing in better understanding the differences in each other's frames of reference and underlying values seems important. Wonder Lab practices provide a space to explore these differences by focusing together on life phenomena in curious and Socratic ways. Wonder Labs were organised with parents, healthcare professionals, and students involved in Dutch paediatric palliative care. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of how participants experienced participating in Wonder Labs. We conducted twenty in-depth interviews with Wonder Lab participants and used inductive thematic analysis for data interpretation. Five themes were identified: Slowing down, Appreciating stories, Becoming vulnerable, Opening up and diving in, and Reframing perspectives. Participating in Wonder Labs allowed mothers, healthcare professionals, and students to contribute to deepening experiences and gain an expanded understanding of what is at play in caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Through working in pluralised groups, frames of reference and understandings complemented each other and could change. Participants often adopted a more open attitude towards others involved in care after participating and adapted day-to-day practices. Deliberating within paediatric palliative care on sensitive issues and their underlying personal and professional beliefs and values must be part of working together, without specific care situations being the catalyst. This may foster the mutual understanding needed in searching for quality of life, death, and bereavement