146 research outputs found
Social support and mastery influence the association between stress and poor physical health in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities
No full textTo date, much of the research linking the stress of caring for children with developmental disabilities (e.g. Autism & Down syndrome) with parental health outcomes have tended to concentrate on mental health with less attention paid to the physical health consequences. Thus, this study sought to explore the psychosocial predictors of poor physical health in these caring parents. One hundred and sixty-seven parents (109 caregivers and 58 control parents) completed measures of stress, child problem behaviours, social support, mastery and physical health. Parents of children with developmental disabilities had poorer physical health compared to control parents. Stress and mastery, but not social support and problem behaviours, were significant predictors of poor physical health within caring parents for children with developmental disabilities. However, the association between mastery and physical health was mediated by perceived stress such that those parents who were higher on mastery reported less stress and better physical health; furthermore, the association between stress and physical health was moderated by social support; those parents high on social support and low in stress had better physical health. These results indicate that the paths between psychosocial factors and poor physical health in the caring parents are working synergistically rather than in isolation. They also underscore the importance of providing multi-component interventions that offer a variety of psychosocial resources to meet the precise needs of the parents. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ACCEPTEDpeer-reviewe
Classed identities in adolescence
No full textThe central argument of this thesis is that social class remains a persistent system of inequality in education, health, life chances and opportunities. Therefore class matters. But why is it that so little attention has been paid to class in the psychological literature? Three papers are presented here which draw together theoretical advances in psychological understandings of group processes and sociological understandings of the complexity of class. As western labour markets become increasingly credentialised the overarching aim is to reveal the hidden nature of privilege and disadvantage in the education context.
The first theoretical paper considers what it is that social psychology, a discipline so self-evidently interested in social context can offer to understanding class given its salience as a social category of consequence. Drawing on social identity approach the analysis considers the characteristics of class that make it difficult to conceptualise, measure and challenge. Paying particular attention to the political dimensions of class, contemporary theoretical developments and methodologies within psychology are used to highlight how class is rendered implicit rather than explicit in everyday life.
The second empirical paper suggests banal meritocratic and individualist ideologies construct class group boundaries as permeable, status relations as stable, and inequality as legitimate. This may prevent explicit identification with class. This is problematic for the social identity approach which emphasises the importance of self-categorisation and identification. People tend to distance themselves from explicit collective class categories and contemporary class cultures have become individualised and implicit. Two related studies are presented exploring adolescents self-categorisations and identification with class groups. The first cross-sectional qualitative study of (N=32) adolescents demonstrates that despite the lack of explicit identification and a language to talk about class, adolescents define themselves and others, as distinct classed groups. The second quantitative study (N=190) found adolescents had difficulty naming their social class and the strength of this identification was significantly weaker than gender or national identification but was not absent.
In the third empirical paper we seek to understand cultural and group level factors that contribute to the social class educational achievement gap and under-representation of working classed students in higher education settings. The first qualitative study of (N=32) adolescents reports on 5 focus group interviews completed in middle class and designated disadvantaged schools. Young people in disadvantaged schools evidence awareness of barriers to higher education and an interdependent model of personal agency. In contrast middle class participants see agency in educational settings as individualised and ultimately independent. Building on this study a second quantitative study of (N=199) adolescents all attending disadvantaged schools shows community identification and an interdependent model of agency are however associated with young people’s positive feelings about school.
It is argued that social identities do not, necessarily, require explicit knowledge of belonging in order to be important processes to study. We demonstrate class issues are localised by, often, parochial self and other definitions. This obscures the structural factors which perpetuate inequality and render advantage and disadvantage invisible. Finally, discussion centers on the value of a group level approach that orients to the cultural fit and compatibility of educational settings for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
Mobilising collective action and constructing positive political identities through ambivalent discourses within the immigration debate
No full textThis project explores if people employ ambivalent discourses within
contentious political debate. And, if so, what opposing ideological themes are
drawn upon – or left unsaid – and what is potentially being accomplished through
the deployment of these ambivalent discourses? This project specifically explores
the contentious immigration debate through three empirical studies. Study one is a
discourse analysis of advocates on behalf of refugees on a national phone-in radio
program in Ireland. Study two is a discourse analysis of speeches by leading
populist radical right politicians at an international conference in Koblenz,
Germany. Study three is an experiment exploring if people’s exposure to competing
and conflicting interpretive frameworks, of identity threat discourses, patterns the
shared construction of an immigrant group – specifically the potential ambivalent
stereotyping of refugees. These advocates on behalf of refugees, in the context of
study one, take up a rhetorical strategy of ‘ambivalent paternalism’. This labours
on a shared embodied emotional distress in response to the plight of refugees but
avoids claims of unconditional and unambiguous inclusive solidarity. Conversely,
the populist radical right speeches, in the context of study two, drew on a rhetorical
strategy of ‘ambivalent diversity’. This celebrates cultural diversity between
monocultural nation-states, whilst declaring hostility to minority cultural diversity
within nation-states. The experimental study indicates that these divergent
ambivalent strategies is potentially due to these speakers, in both discursive studies,
orienting to a hegemonic interpretive framework where refugees and immigrants generally are depicted as an economic burden and cultural threat to the nation. But
these advocates, in the context of study one, are constrained by the claim that the
nation is meeting its moral and legal obligation towards refugees. Whilst the
populist radical right speakers, in the context of study two, are countering the claim
that the nation is not meeting its moral and legal obligation
A social identity approach to acquired brain injury (ABI)
No full textThe central argument put forward in this thesis is that, in the context of acquired brain injury (ABI) social identity matters. The first article is a theoretical paper which reviews an emerging literature that is trying to draw together social psychology and neuropsychology in the study of ABI. This article argues that the social identity approach is an appropriate vehicle for such integration and introduces the concept of identity sub-types based on belonging and based on participation in activities. Social support is recognized as an important factor in rehabilitation following ABI. The second paper is an empirical study which employs the concepts of affiliative and self as doer identities to explore reciprocal relationships between social identity, social support, and emotional status following ABI. Results support a hypothesised model indicating that affiliative identities have a significant indirect relationship with emotional status via social support and self as doer identification. Evidence supports an ‘upward spiral’ between social identity and social support such that affiliative identity makes social support possible and social support drives self as doer identities. The third paper examines relationships between cause of ABI, level of disability, stigma, survivor identity, and quality of life amongst a group of ABI survivors. This study found that cause of injury and disability severity, had a significant mediated relationship with quality of life outcomes via stigma and survivor identity. The fourth paper, presenting the third and final study, was a longitudinal investigation that explored how the understandings that people have of themselves, as expressed in their affiliative and self as doer self-categorisations, impact anxiety. Anxiety is of particular importance following ABI because anxiety has been identified as a significant predictor of functional outcomes. Results indicate that, over time, identity continuity and multiplicity following ABI contribute to lower levels of anxiety. Social identities matter
Child exposure to domestic violence, social factors and wellbeing in young people
No full textDomestic violence (DV) is a pervasive worldwide problem. Growing up in a home affected by DV has been established as a complex trauma (Marigold, 2011) and as such may have negative consequences for children’s cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social functioning (Holt, 2008). However, meta-analyses show not only variations in outcomes within studies, as not all children are impacted equally (Kitzmann, 2003) but also an inconsistency in findings between studies, which may be attributed to methodological issues (Haselschwerdt, 2014). The overall objective of this thesis research was to address these concerns.
The first study (Paper 1) is based on an online survey of students (n = 465) aged 17-25 years. Applying a social identity perspective, findings highlight the beneficial effects of having a strong family identification for such young people. However, as those who reported the highest level of exposure also reported the lowest level of family identification, those most in need of this beneficial psychological resource are least likely to access it.
The second study is based on face-to-face interviews with 14 young people who grew up in homes affected by DV. This study aimed to analysis how young people understood and therefore construct their exposure to DV. Findings suggest that such constructions depend on the type of DV, which occurred in their home. The occurrence of physical DV was recognised as DV and facilitated help-seeking, however the occurrence of psychological DV was not labelled as DV and therefore led to ambiguity and confusion. Similarly, while the occurrence of extreme incidence of physical DV facilitated discussions on DV with mothers; this was not the case when psychological DV occurred.
The third study, based on the quantitative dataset (study 1) evidenced the presence of two discrete yet inter-correlated dimensions of exposure to DV; namely psychological and physical DV. Significantly, findings verified the psychological dimension as the main driver in the reduction in psychological wellbeing, with exposure to the physical dimension contributing no additional impact. We also found that those reporting high levels of exposure to the psychological DV fared better in terms of social support when they also reported coexisting exposure to high (as opposed to low) levels of physical DV.
The analytic focus of study four shifts from a micro to a macro level. A discursive analysis of interviews explored Irish Family Law Judges constructions of the relevance of child exposure to DV for their child custody decision-making. The findings suggest that Judges’ discourses were shaped by an idealisation of the nuclear family unit. Judges’ talk normalised, ignored or trivialised DV, rendering child exposure to DV as irrelevant to child custody and access to decision making.
The thesis research provides nuanced insights to the child exposure literature and had implications for policy and practice as will be discusses throughout the thesis
Parental imprisonment in a changing Irish prison system
No full textParental incarceration is demonstrated to have a negative impact not only on the
incarcerated parent but also their partners and families as well. Meaningful contact
between the incarcerated parent and their family is shown to reduce negative impact.
Consequently, there has been a rise in interventions aimed at facilitating meaningful
connection as well as supporting those involved. However, reforms that do not address
the needs of those involved are destined to fail. Very little research has been conducted
in an Irish setting and so we know very little about the needs of the population or for that
matter how they can be supported. The purpose of this thesis is to address this gap by
exploring the experiences of families affected by parental incarceration in a changing
Irish prison system.
Recognising the importance of meaningful family connection, many jurisdictions are
providing family friendly supports in order to emphasise father over prisoner identity.
However, father identity can be seen as problematic for incarcerated men, so we examine
if, and how these men maintain a father identity. Paper one used semi-structured
interviews with 15 incarcerated fathers to examine the construction of fatherhood in
incarcerated men with children. While prison contexts influences self-categorisation by
regulating enactment of parenting behaviour, the assumed nature of fatherhood
legitimises the accessibility of this identity construct. Identification appears to be
facilitated through a comparative process that maximises the fit between learning as a
consequence of negative life trajectories and the needs and advice their children will
require into the future
Research exploring the association between parental incarceration (PI) and negative
developmental outcomes for children affected often reports conflicting results. Authors
using comparative cross-national analysis across Europe argue that the effects of PI are
not universal but may differ across socio-political contexts. To examine the association
of PI on developmental outcomes for children in an Irish context, Paper two used data
from two waves of a population representative cohort study of children aged 9 years and
followed up aged 13 years living in the Republic of Ireland. Children who had
experienced PI came from more socially disadvantaged homes and were more likely to
have experienced other stressful life events (SLE’s). After accounting for socio demographics and other SLE’s, results indicate that there were no medium term
differences in children’s self-concept. However, PI did have a medium-term association
with care-giver assessments of emotional and behavioural problems.
In an effort to combat the social isolation and stigma associated with the incarceration of
a family member increasingly efforts are made to support families affected by
imprisonment. Many of these supports are delivered in group formats. Participation in
support groups accrue benefits, sometimes referred to as the social cure, by enhancing a
sense of belonging, social connection and subjective identification with the group. Where
an identity is stigmatised, subjective group identification may be resisted with the knock
on potential to undermine the effectiveness of group-based support. Paper three used
semi-structured interviews with 12 partners of incarcerated men participating in a group
based support, to explore their identity constructions as well as their perceptions of the
value of the support group. Where an identity is stigmatised, subjective group
identification may be resisted with the knock-on potential to undermine the effectiveness
of group-based support. Findings emphasise the importance of shared experiences as a
basis for connection with others where subjective identification with an identity is
problematic.
Taken together this thesis increases our understanding of the experiences of those affected
by parental incarceration, as well as our understanding of identity construction in the
context of stigmatising or potentially contested identities. In doing, so this thesis
addresses can inform Irish Prison Service policy by facilitating the development and
maintenance of family connection and a greater understanding of the association of PI
and implications for families involved
A community approach to suicide and mental ill-health : the role of stigma, help-seeking and group identification
No full textOur lives, and the events that punctuate them, do not play out within a vacuum. Rather, we are all part of an intrinsically connected network of people that cumulatively influence our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Even the seemingly individualistic act of taking one’s own life is irrefutably linked to the social environment in which it occurs. With over 800,000 lives lost each year, the equivalent of one death every 40 seconds (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2014), suicide is recognised as a major global health issue. A dominant research theme across multiple disciplines is thus the prevention and prediction of future suicidal behaviour. The research outlined in this thesis will add to this growing body of literature by exploring, through the lens of the social identity approach, how social determinants may enhance or exacerbate protective and risk factors linked to suicidal behaviour in community settings. For the purpose of this thesis, these factors are stigma of mental ill-health, help-seeking, and well-being in those bereaved by suicide. Four empirical papers, as follows, are presented in this body of work:
Paper 1 demonstrates how, within a university community (N = 493) in which there are high levels of stigma of mental-ill health, students that identity more highly with the university group exhibit greater reluctance to avail of on-campus mental health services.
Paper 2 examines the relationship between identification and stigma of mental illhealth. Mediation analysis shows how higher identification with a community group (N = 626) results in perceiving lower levels of stigma amongst group members, via increased perceptions of social support. This effect is amplified when participants identify highly with more than one group.
Paper 3 tracks measures of stigma and attitudes towards mental ill-health and helpseeking before and after community-based mental health services were introduced in two towns in Ireland (N = 1074). All measures evidence positive change after these services were introduced, demonstrating how the arrival of such services, and the subsequent increased visibility of the issue of mental ill-health, can help alter public perceptions of both mental illhealth and help-seeking.
Paper 4, the final paper in this thesis, examines a measure of well-being in those bereaved by suicide before and after taking part in a community-based suicide awareness event (N = 3716). This event serves a dual purpose of acting a fundraiser, whilst also drawing attention to the immense issue of suicide and bringing together those who may have previously been isolated in their grief. Results show a significant increase in well-being amongst individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide after partaking in the event, and this effect can be explained through identification with other participants who may have experienced a similar loss.
Cumulatively, this thesis makes a substantial theoretical contribution by demonstrating, first, that identification with a community group can have a significant impact on well-being, the stigma of mental ill-health and help-seeking, and how this impact can be either positive or negative depending on the context and group in question. Second, it evidences that measures of stigma, attitudes, and well-being amongst community respondents are subject to change based on the visibility of the issue of mental ill-health and suicide in local environs, with resultant practical and applied implications for the provision of services and tackling the stigma of mental ill-health in community settings
Adjustment to amputation and psychological distress: an examination of the intervening role of posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth
No full textSuccessful adjustment to amputation can be quantified in a number of ways. Physical measures such as prosthesis use, mobility indices, and activities of daily living have traditionally been suggested as outcome measures in the literature. More recently, the importance of psychological outcomes is gaining attention.
This study was based in a regional prosthetic, orthotic, and limb-absence rehabilitation unit. It was developed in order to provide an overview of a range of issues affecting patients, in a multidisciplinary setting. Sixty-two participants completed self-report questionnaires on a range of constructs while attending the unit. From this general study, a central study evolved looking specifically at the relationship between adjustment to amputation and psychological distress, and the possibility of a moderating and/or mediating effect of posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth on this relationship. Significant relationships between adjustment to amputation and psychological distress were found. No moderating effect of PTS or PTG was found on the relationship between adjustment to amputation and psychological distress; however, a mediating effect of PTS was apparent. These findings indicate the importance of assessing for PTS symptoms in addition to other psychological issues in people who have undergone amputation, and highlight the need for measures of successful adjustment to amputation to include those of a psychological nature. Learning experiences and suggestions for future research are also discussed
“Whose job is it anyway?” Exploring work participation for people in pain
No full textMusculoskeletal disorders (MSD\u27s) are a group of disorders that affect the body’s bones, joints,
muscles and the tissues that connect them. The most common MSD is low back pain (LBP). The
prevalence of MSD’s is rising globally. This is concerning as MSD’s lead to very significant personal,
social and economic costs. There is good evidence to support the role of work in recovery from
MSD’s. Employment is proven to be important for people’s physical and mental health and long term
unemployment is associated with poverty, social exclusion, poorer physical and mental health and
reduced quality of life. Despite the known benefits of work for this population, work disability rates
remain stubbornly high amongst people with MSD’s. Work disability among people with MSD’s is
complex and is not explained by physical factors alone. Studies of interventions to support the work
participation of people with MSD’s recommend good communication, collaboration and coordination
between the individual, the workplace and healthcare providers. In practice, this has been difficult to
achieve and there has been little research conducted to date on this topic. The views and experiences
of the various stakeholder groups are central to understanding how multi-stakeholder collaboration
can be achieved in practice. Although some international literature on this topic does exist it is
imperative to explore this topic in an Irish context given the international variation in workers
compensation systems, social protections systems and employment legislation. This thesis comprises
two main studies which aim to:
o To synthesise the available qualitative literature on the experience of workforce participation
amongst workers with low back pain (LBP) and the barriers and enablers of same.
o To examine the experiences of people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), employers,
health professionals and other key stakeholders involved in the return to work process to
explore their experiences of work rehabilitation and retention.
Both aims were achieved through qualitative research methods. A meta-ethnographic synthesis of
qualitative literature related to the work participation experiences of people with LBP was conducted
to achieve the first aim. Following a systematic database search fifteen primary studies involving 320
people with LBP were included in the review and seven main themes were identified. These
synthesised themes highlight that individuals with LBP largely feel unsupported at work and engage
in strategies to remain working without actively seeking support from those around them due to a
perceived sense of judgement confounded by a lack of understanding about LBP. Where help was
offered, this was largely in a format that served to ease the biomedical aspect related to LBP by easing
the load related to the work task. Rarely were the biopsychosocial dimensions of pain addressed or
considered by the employer. The review identified two major issues: (1) employees with back pain
feel largely unsupported with regard to enabling and maintaining work participation and (2)
employees perceive that rehabilitation professionals and employers are focused on symptoms related
to LBP and the work task rather than the emotional well-being and coping skills of the employee with
LBP.
In the second study in this thesis a qualitative interview study with key stakeholders in the work
rehabilitation process was conducted to explore in-depth their experiences related to the retention and
return of work of people with MSD’s. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve people
with MSD’s, six employers with experience of managing and retaining employees with MSD’s and
five health professionals with experience of working with patient with MSD’s. The transcribed
interview data were analysed thematically. Four themes were identified: 1) The employee experience
of working hard to balance pain and work participation; 2) Employers and HCP’s are willing but not
fully ready to support the work participation of people with MSD’s; 3) Perceived dominance of a
biological basis for pain, and 4) The Ominous nature of occupational health. These findings mirror
to a large degree the findings of the qualitative meta-ethnographic synthesis. Across all stakeholder
groups biological factors were most implicated as the reason for work absences and the resolution of
symptoms was identified as the single greatest enabler of return to work. Although pockets of good practice were identified, in the main, health professionals and employers describe uncertainty about
their role and responsibilities and describe a narrow scope of practice. Patients report a mostly
adversarial experience of vocational supports (e.g. Occupational Health services). Mirroring
international research, Irish work rehabilitation stakeholders do not report awareness of the complex
interplay of biological, psychological and social factors influencing work participation for people
with MSD’s. Vocational supports and services are hampered by role uncertainty and consequentially
adversarial experiences for service users.
In the discussion chapter both studies are considered in light of one another and clinical implications
and future research directions are proposed.
iv
practice were identified, in the main, health professionals and employers describe uncertainty about
their role and responsibilities and describe a narrow scope of practice. Patients report a mostly
adversarial experience of vocational supports (e.g. Occupational Health services). Mirroring
international research, Irish work rehabilitation stakeholders do not report awareness of the complex
interplay of biological, psychological and social factors influencing work participation for people
with MSD’s. Vocational supports and services are hampered by role uncertainty and consequentially
adversarial experiences for service users.
In the discussion chapter both studies are considered in light of one another and clinical implications
and future research directions are proposed.
This thesis found that:
The return to work process for people with MSD’s is complex and work participation for
people with MSD’s is influenced by broader factors than the physical injury / disorder alone
Employees with MSD’s bear heavy burden of stigma, symptom management and selfmanagement
and feel largely unsupported in the workplace
Employee experiences of occupational health services are mainly negative
Although pockets of good practice were reported, in the main employers and health
professionals have limited capacity and knowledge to support employees with MSD’s
Key recommendations arising for this thesis are:
Specific training and skill development among employers and HCPs is recommended to build
competence in supporting employees with MSD’s to return to and remain in work. Future
research should identify how education is best delivered to achieve changes in practice and
outcomes for people with MSD’s
Stigma reduction initiatives focused on back pain and MSDs should be considered. Future
research should explore the perspectives of colleagues on working alongside employees with MSD’s and the effectiveness of stigma reduction initiatives in the workplace and broader
community oriented stigma reduction campaigns
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