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The revised model for initial and continued involvement in fantasy football
Get PDFFantasy football (FF) is an online game that plays an increasingly central role in fan engagement with the sport. Wilkins et al.’s [45] Model for Initial and Continued Involvement in Fantasy Football (MICIFF) proposed several possible motivations for FF participation. The present study examined the validity of this model whilst also exploring potential age-related differences in perspectives. Integrative content analysis of qualitative responses from 698 FF players revealed support (i.e., >8% coverage) for 12 of the 15 factors in the model, with ‘mimics real football’ (45.7 % coverage) and ‘maintaining friendships’ (44.8 %) most frequently cited. No evidence was found for two factors, whilst amendments were made to another factor. Two new factors emerged from the analysis. Chi-square tests identified significant differences between younger and older adults in five factors. These changes are reflected in a revised MICIFF. The findings enhance our understanding of why individuals participate in FF and have implications for both players and stakeholders in the game
Innovation in music: Technology and Creativity
No full textInnovation in Music: Technology and Creativity is a groundbreaking collection bringing together contributions from instructors, researchers, and professionals. Split into two sections, covering composition and performance, and technology and innovation, this volume offers truly international perspectives on ever-evolving practices.
Including chapters on audience interaction, dynamic music methods, AI, and live electronic performances, this is recommended reading for professionals, students, and researchers looking for global insights into the fields of music production, music business, and music technology
Urban Drainage Infrastructures Toward a Sustainable Future
Get PDFUrban drainage infrastructures (UDIs), as one of the main urban infrastructures, serve some important functions in urban areas and can be considered vital to reach the global goals that were set out by the United Nations to tackle current problems and make a more sustainable future. However, climate change and other drivers such as population growth, infrastructure aging, and rapid urbanization are exerting pressure on UDIs. This can not only undermine the expected performance of UDIs but also deviate from their role in the global goals. This chapter aims to shed light on the probable impacts of climatic change, urbanization, etc., on UDIs, and to propose measures to make them more resilient. Urbanization and climate change can have different negative impacts on deteriorating the performance of UDIs through an increase in flood risk and water pollution-related problems, which highlight the significance of incorporating these stressors into any adaptation and rehabilitation strategies in UDIs
Book review: “A Research Agenda for Urban Tourism” edited by Jan van der Borg, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022
Get PDF“A Research Agenda for Urban Tourism” is an edited collection that brings together a number of scholars in urban tourism, including well-known names in the field and younger researchers who look at urban tourism from different perspectives. This book is part of the Elgar Research Agendas series, aimed at exploring certain subjects and outlining the future of research in those fields, in this case urban tourism
A qualitative exploration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents’ experiences of parental alienation in the United Kingdom
Get PDFAbstract
In the aftermath of the global Covid-19 pandemic, it has been highlighted how measures necessary to fight the disease inadvertently exacerbated family violence and placed strain on the judicial system. Across the four countries within the United Kingdom (UK), delays were, and still are, particularly prevalent in family law proceedings, partly due to new breaches in child arrangement orders associated with the pandemic lockdown. The present study therefore examined the experiences of non-resident parents (NRPs) who self-identified as targets of behaviours representative of Parental Alienation (PA) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Using an online survey, 76 non-residential parents’ responses (92% male, Mage = 45.1 years of age; SD = 7.9) were thematically analyzed. Several themes emerged, including: (1) experiences of parental alienation (i.e., risks for children and risks for parents), (2) intimate partner violence (IPV) (i.e., emotional abuse, physical abuse, and financial abuse), and (3) institutional abuse (i.e., Covid-19, family law, and safeguarding). Specifically, parents detailed several alienating behaviours such as belittling, manipulation and coercive control, as well as novel forms of coercive controlling patterns which illustrated how the COVID-19 lockdowns created new opportunities for alienating parents to manipulate the non-resident parent-child relationship. The implications of results are discussed, including recommendations on improving safeguarding protocols for children with contact orders in place, and adopting policy measures to support non-resident parents. These are also discussed in the context of reforming the justice system utilizing COVID-associated “lessons.
Love Addiction: Trait Impulsivity, Emotional Dysregulation and Attachment Style
Get PDFBackground and Objectives
Growing attention has been given in the last few years to psychological predictors of love
addiction (LA) 1 broadening the understanding of developing effective therapeutic measures.
Emotional dysregulation, attachment style and trait impulsivity were examined in this study.
Methods
Participants (N = 249) completed a survey assessing the predictors of LA: impulsivity, emotional
dysregulation, attachment styles and the Love Addiction Inventory Short Form 2
(LAI-SF).
Results
Regression analyses indicated that negative urgency (NU), anxious attachment, and emotional
dysregulation (impulse) all significantly predicted LA (p < .001). Moreover, impulse moderated
the relationship between LA and negative urgency (NU)3.
Conclusions
Further qualitative research is suggested to provide a richer picture to the current findings and
the use of neural correlates to ascertain the neuro-biological basis of LA. The present findings
may inform treatment plans and suggests the use of psychotherapy to identify indicators of
potential LA, manage emotions and to avoid addiction replacement
Bridge Monitoring Strategies for Sustainable Development with Microwave Radar Interferometry
Get PDFThe potential of a coherent microwave radar for infrastructure health monitoring has been investigated over the past decade. Microwave radar measuring based on interferometry processing is a non-invasive technique that can measure the line-of-sight (LOS) displacements of large infrastructure with sub-millimeter precision and provide the corresponding frequency spectrum. It has the capability to estimate infrastructure vibration simultaneously and remotely with high accuracy and repeatability, which serves the long-term serviceability of bridge structures within the context of the long-term sustainability of civil engineering infrastructure management. In this paper, we present three types of microwave radar systems employed to monitor the displacement of bridges in Japan and Italy. A technique that fuses polarimetric analysis and the interferometry technique for bridge monitoring is proposed. Monitoring results achieved with full polarimetric real aperture radar (RAR), step-frequency continuous-wave (SFCW)-based linear synthetic aperture, and multi-input multi-output (MIMO) array sensors are also presented. The results reveal bridge dynamic responses under different loading conditions, including wind, vehicular traffic, and passing trains, and show that microwave sensor interferometry can be utilized to monitor the dynamics of bridge structures with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. This paper demonstrates that microwave sensor interferometry with efficient, cost-effective, and non-destructive properties is a serious contender to employment as a sustainable infrastructure monitoring technology serving the sustainable development agenda
Experiences of a communication-skills course for care partners of people living with dementia, empowered conversations: A qualitative framework analysis
Get PDFObjectives: Our aims were to examine whether an experiential course for care partners of people living with dementia, Empowered Conversations (EC), was acceptable to participants and to explore participants' perceptions of the impact of the course upon their communicative interactions. EC is based on an integrative model derived from psychological and linguistic theory and empirical evidence. EC is based on mentalisation theory, perceptual control theory and linguistic theory (The Communicative Impact Model).
Methods: Qualitative data were collected via 28 semistructured interviews. Framework analysis was used to analyse data.
Results: Three superordinate themes, ‘improved communication’, ‘improved well-being’ and ‘support through others’ were identified. Twenty-seven out of the 28 participants described feeling that they were able to better connect with the person living with dementia that they were supporting through attending EC.
Conclusions: The findings indicated that EC was acceptable and beneficial to care partners. Care partners developed a range of strategies and understandings that enabled them to communicate better with the person they were supporting, enhanced well-being and relationships, as well as developing social networks. This is the first qualitative study to examine a psychosocial intervention for care partners of people living with dementia using a non-CBT framework and indicates that perceived control could influence how care partners respond to stress and difficulties
Exploring the Experiences of Family Caregivers in the Management of Stroke Among Older Adults in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
Get PDFBackground
Stroke, a significant neurological condition, often results in older adults’ survivors relying on family caregivers, including children and spouses, leading to increased challenges for caregivers.
Objective
This study investigates the experiences of family caregivers caring for older adults’stroke patients, focusing on the context of stroke management.
Methods
Participants were purposively sampled, and three focus group discussions involving family caregivers (n=18) of older adults who had experienced strokes were conducted. Conversations were recorded, translated, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis utilizing NVivo (version 12 pro) software.
Results
Thematic analysis yielded five distinct themes. The first theme illuminated family caregivers’ insights regarding the management of stroke in their members or significant others. The second theme emphasized the support and information received at the medical facility. The third theme showcased the perceived value of the information provided. The fourth theme highlighted unmet needs for both information and training in social support. The final theme illuminated the participants’ preferences for how they would like to receive information and training.
Conclusion
This study highlights family caregivers’ experiences, encompassing a range of burdens, stresses, and challenges while caring for older adult’s stroke survivors. Findings emphasize the necessity for formal caregivers to provide adequate information, support, and training to family caregivers, thereby alleviating their burdens and enhancing stroke management in a home environment
Digital reflective practice in textile design studio courses: perspectives from Pakistan
Get PDFThis multiple case study aimed to investigate how digital reflective practice (DRP) influences the creative process of textile design students. Interviews were conducted with textile design instructors, heads of department, and students from four higher education textile design departments in Pakistan. The main themes elicited from the four case studies were teachers’ and students’ perceptions of DRP, challenges to its implementation, and prospects for DRP in the context of textile studio design. Digital technologies can improve students' creativity and comprehension of tasks in textile design studio courses through reflection. Furthermore, teachers can play a crucial role in helping students to utilise digital reflection technologies through mentorship