Erika Cantrell, Stephen Weatherhead and Hayley Higson
This study aimed to explore the interaction between the benefits system and the work of clinical psychologists. The perceived impact of the benefits system on the practice of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to explore the interaction between the benefits system and the work of clinical psychologists. The perceived impact of the benefits system on the practice of clinical psychologists and their perspectives on the role of Clinical Psychology this context were explored.
Design/methodology/approach
Fifteen clinical psychologists who worked in a variety of National Health Service (NHS) settings across England were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in the data.
Findings
Issues relating to the benefits system were seen to increase the demand for psychological support but created barriers to engagement. Participants faced dilemmas regarding how best to practice in this context and felt uncertain of their role. Participants wanted further support and guidance to understand their role and how they could effectively support clients affected by the benefits system. Most participants interacted with the benefits system on an individual-level but believed that clinical psychologists should influence higher-level change, with adequate support and professional leadership.
Originality/value
There is a paucity in research exploring the practice of mental health professionals in relation to socioeconomic influences on mental health. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study exploring the association between the work of clinical psychologists and the benefits system.
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Keywords
Yuri Cantrell and Xiaohua Awa Zhu
Narrative-driven, choice-based games, games that allow gamers to make decisions regarding the game characters and storylines, can bring forth emotional changes in their players…
Abstract
Purpose
Narrative-driven, choice-based games, games that allow gamers to make decisions regarding the game characters and storylines, can bring forth emotional changes in their players and offer empathy during scenarios that a player may not experience in real-world situations. Therefore, they can be used as tools to help with gender nonconforming (GNC) individuals’ resilience regarding their gender identities. This study explores GNC peoples’ game-playing experiences with choice-based games, especially how such experiences help them gain resilience and shape their gender identities.
Design/methodology/approach
This study follows the classic phenomenological approach to understanding the experience of GNC gamers’ resilience experience from their own perspectives. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 GNC participants, aged between 18 and 34. Each interview lasted 45–90 minutes. Interviews were transcribed and coded using NVivo R1. The essence of meanings was identified using themes and interpreted through qualitative analysis.
Findings
This paper identified six gender- and resilience-related common themes within GNC people’s gaming experiences, including 1) character creation: exploring gender identity through an avatar; 2) self-exploration and experimentation in games; 3) resonating experiences; 4) positive inclusive features in games; 5) storytelling and involving the player and 6) your actions have meaning.
Practical implications
The themes, patterns and game features identified in this study may provide insight into potential resilience-building activities for GNC people. They may inform digital mental health interventions, information services and game design practices.
Social implications
Equity, inclusion and social justice have become a significant theme in today’s society. This study focuses on a marginalized community, GNC people and their mental health and resilience building. Results of the study will contribute to the understanding of this community and may inspire more intervention methods to help them cope with stress and difficult situations.
Originality/value
Research on gaming’s health benefits for the general population has been abundant, but studies about using games to help the LGBTQ+ community have been largely overlooked until recent years. Research on casual games’ mental benefits for LGBTQ+ people is particularly lacking. This research is one of the first in-depth, comprehensive investigations of GNC individuals’ resilience experiences with a particular type of casual video games, choice-based games. The phenomenological study offers rich description of gaming and gender identity exploration from gamers’ viewpoints.
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Sarah Dawn Lee, Mahitab Hanbazaza, Geoff D.C. Ball, Anna Farmer, Katerina Maximova and Noreen D. Willows
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a narrative review of the food insecurity literature pertaining to university and college students studying in Very High Human Development…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a narrative review of the food insecurity literature pertaining to university and college students studying in Very High Human Development Index countries. It aims to document food insecurity prevalence, risk factors for and consequences of food insecurity and food insecurity coping strategies among students.
Design/methodology/approach
English articles published between January 2000 and November 2017 were identified using electronic databases. Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies assessed the study quality of quantitative research.
Findings
A total of 37 quantitative, three mixed-methods and three qualitative studies were included from 80,914 students from the USA (n=30 studies), Australia (n=4), Canada (n=8) and Poland (n=1). Prevalence estimates of food insecurity were 9–89 percent. All quantitative studies were rated weak based on the quality assessment. Risk factors for food insecurity included being low income, living away from home or being an ethnic minority. Negative consequences of food insecurity were reported, including reduced academic performance and poor diet quality. Strategies to mitigate food insecurity were numerous, including accessing food charities, buying cheaper food and borrowing resources from friends or relatives.
Research limitations/implications
Given the heterogeneity across studies, a precise estimate of the prevalence of food insecurity in postsecondary students is unknown.
Practical implications
For many students studying in wealthy countries, obtaining a postsecondary education might mean enduring years of food insecurity and consequently, suffering a range of negative academic, nutritional and health outcomes. There is a need to quantify the magnitude of food insecurity in postsecondary students, to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies to reduce the impact of food insecurity on campus.
Originality/value
This review brings together the existing literature on food insecurity among postsecondary students studying in wealthy countries to allow a better understanding of the condition in this understudied group.