University of Humanistic Studies OAI Repository
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The social fabric of voluntary and community initiatives:On crafting space for meaningful relationships
Get PDFThe 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
Differentiating social environments of high-risk professionals and specialised nurses:a qualitative empirical study on social embeddedness
No full textObjective: High-risk professionals and specialised nurses in hospitals are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events. Psychotrauma researchers have extensively studied personal risk factors of traumatisation among high-risk professionals, but it is hard to understand psychological functioning when professionals are decontextualised from their social environment. Generally, it has been well documented that to reduce the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health problems related to traumatisation, it is essential to be embedded in a supportive social environment. However, study results among and within these occupational groups show great variety and even inconsistencies as to what is a supportive social environment. Method: This ethnographical research, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, explored the social environment of firefighters, police officers, ambulance paramedics, specialised nurses, and military personnel and aims to explore their social connections and embeddedness. We performed a thematic content analysis of data to identify themes related to social or emotional support, social relationships, and stress or traumatisation. Results: An analysis of the observational field notes, which covered 332 h of participant observation and 71 evenly distributed formal in-depth interviews, identified four themes related to social connections and embeddedness: Family, Hierarchical relations versus autonomy, Group versus individual, and Conditional family ‘love’. Results revealed that the military, police, and professional firefighters have family-like hierarchical connections and highly value group unity. Paramedics and most specialised nurses, however, tend to value individuality and autonomy in their work relationships. Conclusion: This research shows noticeable differences in the social environments and social connections of these professionals, which implicates that prevention and mental health treatment might also have to be differentiated among occupational groups
Differentiating social environments of high-risk professionals and specialised nurses:a qualitative empirical study on social embeddedness
No full textObjective: High-risk professionals and specialised nurses in hospitals are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events. Psychotrauma researchers have extensively studied personal risk factors of traumatisation among high-risk professionals, but it is hard to understand psychological functioning when professionals are decontextualised from their social environment. Generally, it has been well documented that to reduce the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health problems related to traumatisation, it is essential to be embedded in a supportive social environment. However, study results among and within these occupational groups show great variety and even inconsistencies as to what is a supportive social environment. Method: This ethnographical research, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, explored the social environment of firefighters, police officers, ambulance paramedics, specialised nurses, and military personnel and aims to explore their social connections and embeddedness. We performed a thematic content analysis of data to identify themes related to social or emotional support, social relationships, and stress or traumatisation. Results: An analysis of the observational field notes, which covered 332 h of participant observation and 71 evenly distributed formal in-depth interviews, identified four themes related to social connections and embeddedness: Family, Hierarchical relations versus autonomy, Group versus individual, and Conditional family ‘love’. Results revealed that the military, police, and professional firefighters have family-like hierarchical connections and highly value group unity. Paramedics and most specialised nurses, however, tend to value individuality and autonomy in their work relationships. Conclusion: This research shows noticeable differences in the social environments and social connections of these professionals, which implicates that prevention and mental health treatment might also have to be differentiated among occupational groups
Navigating uncertainty: taking methodological cues from relatives and care professionals for researching the perspectives of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
No full textBackgroundResearching the perspectives of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) presents complexity and uncertainty. Traditional research often prioritises rational, objectivist methods, which may overlook this complexity.AimsThis study aimed to develop methodological cues for researchers studying the perspectives of people with PIMD by exploring how support workers and relatives deal with the uncertainty of uncovering these perspectives, drawing on Zinn’s typology of strategies for dealing with uncertainty: “rational,” “non-rational,” and “in-between”.MethodWe conducted interviews with support workers and relatives and observed interactions through shadowing.ResultsAll of Zinn’s strategies were observed, leading to six cues: (1) practicing an ethic of engagement; (2) valuing non-rational knowledge; (3) collaborating closely with caregivers; (4) acknowledging intertwined perspectives; (5) adopting phenomenological approaches; and (6) accepting uncertainty as inevitable.ConclusionThese cues promote an “anti-sceptical ethic of engagement” that encourages researchers to actively attune to the perspectives of people with PIMD
Onderzoeksrapport Kennisagenda Geestelijke Verzorging Thuis:Behorend bij ‘Kennisagenda GV Thuis’ (november 2023)
No full textWaarden traceren, twijfels ontrafelen:Over ‘Reinventing the Good Life' van Jeannette Pols
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Doelen van geestelijke verzorging in de thuissituatie:Empirisch onderzoek bij geestelijk verzorgers, cliënten en collega's van geestelijk verzorgers
No full textExperience sampling of suicidality, religiosity and spirituality in depression: Network analyses using dynamic time warping
No full textBackgroundSuicidality is a clinically important and multifaceted phenomenon, frequently present in depressed subjects. Religiosity and spirituality (R/S) can have an attenuating as well as a reinforcing effect on suicidality.MethodsFrom two Dutch mental health care settings, a sample of 31 depressed and in- and outpatients with suicidal ideation, self-identifying as being religious or spiritual, was selected by convenience sampling. Using an experience sampling method (ESM) mobile application, during six days (mean of 42 assessments per subject), the association between symptoms of depression, suicidality, and specific positive-supportive affective R/S and positive psychology variables. For 28 participants symptom network plots on a group level, and on an individual level, were analyzed using dynamic time warping (DTW).ResultsParticipants were on average 35.7 years old, and 65 % were women. In the group-level undirected network, R/S variables were linked to positive psychology variables via a bridge function of inner peace. Changes in the experience of inner peace and enjoying a physical activity preceded changes of several other symptoms. A network dynamic appeared with a dense cluster of ‘positive psychology’ items.LimitationsOnly a limited number of R/S variables were included.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that religiosity and spirituality function as meaningful factors in depression and suicidality in religiously or spiritually engaged persons. Experienced inner peace has a positive association with reasons to live. Experience sampling method data can be effectively analyzed using dynamic time warping. Exploring individual religious or spiritual engagement can prove important in treating suicidality and depression
