The purpose of this paper is to show how the blurring of public and private spheres is among the changes associated with the phenomenon of blogging. In linking this to theories of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how the blurring of public and private spheres is among the changes associated with the phenomenon of blogging. In linking this to theories of globalization shows more clearly how new media transformations have macro as well as micro significance.
Design/methodology/approach
An assessment of blogging is undertaken in the context of theories of globalization, with specific focus on issues related to public/private linkages, the aim being to make theory‐practice connections to enhance understanding of the wider implications of blogging.
Findings
The analysis identifies how theories of globalization offer foundational understanding for investigating blogging as a social rather than purely new media development. This relates to the spatial reconfigurations of social, political, economic and cultural life, which have been characteristic of processes of globalization. The ways in which blogging demonstrates the blurring of public and private spheres is usefully understood within this broader spatial framework.
Research limitations/implications
This is a primarily conceptual and theoretical approach with substantive reference to blogging, which remains at the general level rather than looking in detail at different kinds of blogs and their implications. Its contribution is therefore located primarily in the conceptual and theoretical domains.
Practical implications
This form of analysis foregrounds public/private sphere boundaries in relation to blogging and could contribute to critical thinking about the social implications of blogging for bloggers and readers alike.
Originality/value
Conceptual and theoretical linkages between theories of globalization, especially in relation to spatial issues, blogging and the blurring of public and private.
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The purpose of this paper is to show how blogging has grown as an online phenomenon.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how blogging has grown as an online phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
Examines the way that blogs have become a phenomenon that embrace private authors who go online to write personal diaries through to representatives from different types of commercial, political and voluntary organisations who utilise them for a range of information exchange, debating, promotional and support purposes.
Findings
As blogging grows as an online phenomenon its impact in areas such as news, politics, and social networking is being taken ever more seriously. While the internet has been held up by governments as holding great economic and political promise, acting as a vehicle that can enhance public services, empower and engage citizens, and trigger new ways of doing business, the reality in terms of how it is actually applied can be poles apart from the ideal.
Originality/value
The paper provides an overview of blogging and introduces the papers in this special issue.
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Nicola Patterson and Sharon Mavin
Through a feminist lens, the study explores women’s experiences of entrepreneurial leadership in the UK and how the women manage competing and contrary patriarchal and…
Abstract
Purpose
Through a feminist lens, the study explores women’s experiences of entrepreneurial leadership in the UK and how the women manage competing and contrary patriarchal and individualism discourses and associated discursive paradox.
Design/methodology/approach
This study follows social constructionism and Feminist Standpoint Research approach, providing space for women to voice and contextualise lived experiences from multiple standpoints. The study comprises five cases of women entrepreneurs in IT, law, construction, beauty and childcare, using a two-stage semi-structured interview process analysed through discourse analysis.
Findings
This study provides new insights into the entrenched patriarchal socio-cultural context for women entrepreneurial leaders in the UK. The competing discourses provoke a discursive paradox, which dominates and oppresses women. This is managed through a process of discursive blending, blurring and merging contrary discursive expectations. The women use the individualism discourse to obscure patriarchy’s domination and as a resource to resist patriarchal gender power relations. To blend the discourses, the women use particular tactics: engaging in patriarchal bargains, such as “dressing not to impress”; can sidestep and manoeuvre these bargains and can utilise “patriarchal advantages”, turning gender oppression into benefits by “working it positively”.
Originality/value
This study addresses the lack of research interrogating patriarchy in the Global North and the absence of understandings of how women entrepreneurial leaders manage the competing and contrary discourses of patriarchy and individualism, which actively shape their experiences. The study illuminates the significance and increasing requirement for feminism to disrupt the ever-increasing power of patriarchy in entrepreneurship.
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Aileen O’Reilly, Alanna Donnelly, Jennifer Rogers, Olive Maloney, Gillian O’Brien and Elizabeth Doyle
Measuring parent satisfaction is regarded as essential but there is a paucity of research reporting on parental satisfaction with community youth mental health services. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Measuring parent satisfaction is regarded as essential but there is a paucity of research reporting on parental satisfaction with community youth mental health services. This study aims to examine parent satisfaction with Jigsaw – a primary care youth mental health service.
Design/methodology/approach
A measure of parent satisfaction was developed and administered to parents in 12 Jigsaw services over a two-year period (n = 510, age range: 28 to 70 years) when young people and parents were ending their engagement with these services.
Findings
Overall, parents had high levels of satisfaction with Jigsaw and their level of satisfaction did not vary depending on the parent or young person’s age and/or gender. Examination of qualitative feedback revealed three overarching themes relating to growth and change in young people, parents and their families; strengths of the service and; suggestions for future service development. Analysis of the psychometric properties of the measure provided evidence for a two-factor structure examining satisfaction with the intervention and outcomes and service accessibility and facilities.
Originality/value
This study represents one of the first efforts to measure parent satisfaction with primary care youth mental health services. It has resulted in the development of a brief measure that can be more widely administered to parents engaging with primary care youth mental health services.
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Shirley Prendergast, Gillian A. Dunne and David Telford
Suggests that research specifically at the homeless lesbian, gay or bisexual person is sparse. Presents some of the stories found from interviewing 19 cases within their category…
Abstract
Suggests that research specifically at the homeless lesbian, gay or bisexual person is sparse. Presents some of the stories found from interviewing 19 cases within their category. Shows that whilst the samples share characteristics with other homeless groups that can also be characterised in four distinct ways based on their sexuality. Looks at each group in turn. Highlights that whilst sexuality is often portrayed as one more disadvantage to deal with, it can become a way to inclusion. Cites some examples.
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Nikki Holliday, Gillian Ward, Aimee Walker-Clarke and Rachael Molitor
The purpose of the study is to assess the usability and acceptability of FallCheck, a Web app that allows users to complete home-hazard assessments within their own home, with a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to assess the usability and acceptability of FallCheck, a Web app that allows users to complete home-hazard assessments within their own home, with a group of people at risk of falling and their carers.
Design/methodology/approach
This mixed method study used an online survey followed by semi-structured telephone interviews to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. A Think-Aloud study was used to test usability of the Web app through structured tasks.
Findings
Findings showed that FallCheck was easy to use with few usability issues. The Web app was deemed appropriate to use by people at risk of falling (young or old) or by carers if appropriate. The depth of knowledge provision and breadth of content was acceptable, and many participants reported subsequently making changes to their home environment to reduce their risk of falling. Overall, the majority of participants reported feelings of improved confidence and safety with an increased awareness of fall risks and a reduction in fear of falling at home.
Practical implications
FallCheck has good acceptability and usability with people at risk of falling and their carers and has the potential to improve access to home-hazard assessment and affect behavioural change regarding fall risk hazards and behaviour.
Originality/value
This study describes successful use of an app that may be helpful in identifying home-hazards and making changes to reduce risk of falls, particularly in the absence of occupational therapy intervention and has the potential for integration into falls care pathways.
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Shalhevet Attar, Gillian Parker and Jim Wade
Several studies have used secondary data sources in order to learn about outcomes for adults who have been in contact with the care system in childhood. This article discusses two…
Abstract
Several studies have used secondary data sources in order to learn about outcomes for adults who have been in contact with the care system in childhood. This article discusses two of the large‐scale longitudinal datasets in the UK that are available to researchers and which include information on adults who were looked after in childhood: The National Child Developmental Study (NCDS) and The British Cohort Study (BCS70). These databases are considered to be among the best sources available to investigate long‐term outcomes for looked‐after children in the UK. This article describes these databases and the use made of them by researchers exploring the life chances of looked‐after children. It also identifies the advantages as well as the limitations of these datasets and presents implications for this field of research.
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Gillian Bendelow, Simon J. Williams and Ann Oakley
Reports results from a study concerning children’s knowledge of and attitudes towards cancer, and their understanding of health and health‐related behaviours, with the specific…
Abstract
Reports results from a study concerning children’s knowledge of and attitudes towards cancer, and their understanding of health and health‐related behaviours, with the specific aim of informing future health promotion work. Using “draw and write” techniques, the findings indicate that these children possessed considerable health‐related knowledge. Exercise and healthy eating were seen as the most important factors in keeping healthy, whereas smoking and bad diet were cited most often as representing unhealthy behaviour. However, both categories also included more general items, embracing both environmental and “individualistic” factors. Similarly, children appeared to possess considerable knowledge about cancer, particularly about lung cancer, but there was also some understanding of other cancers such as breast and skin cancer and leukaemia. Concerning sources of information, most of the children’s knowledge about cancer appeared to derive from television and other media; in particular, soap operas appeared to exert a considerable influence on these young children. Considers the implications of these findings for traditional approaches to health education and the methodological issues involved in researching children’s health.
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Gillian Bendelow, Simon J. Williams and Ann Oakley
Reports the findings from a study of young people’s knowledge of and attitudes towards cancer, and their understanding of health and health‐related behaviours, the aim of which is…
Abstract
Reports the findings from a study of young people’s knowledge of and attitudes towards cancer, and their understanding of health and health‐related behaviours, the aim of which is to inform future health promotion work in this area. Finds, from the study of three inner city, suburban and rural schools involving 226 young people aged 15‐16, that young people know most about lung cancer, but there is also some understanding of other cancers, particularly breast and skin cancer and leukaemia. Reveals that smoking, pollution and other environmental factors are seen as the dominant causes of cancer, and the latter are more often mentioned by the inner city samples. Shows that young people appear to be more worried about unemployment than ill health, and that happiness comes before health as a priority in their lives. Finds television and the media to be the most important sources of information. Considers the implications of these findings for traditional approaches to health education and health promotion.
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Jeffrey DeMarco, Yael llan-Clarke, Amanda Bunn, Tom Isaac, John Criddle, Gillian Holdsworth and Antonia Bifulco
Current government policy aims to tackle youth anti-social behaviour and its psychological and social impacts. Given an increased likelihood that young victims of crime are also…
Abstract
Purpose
Current government policy aims to tackle youth anti-social behaviour and its psychological and social impacts. Given an increased likelihood that young victims of crime are also likely to engage in aggressive or deviant behaviour and to have psychological and social difficulties, interventions are needed which access vulnerable youth with adverse lifestyles to increase well-being and reduce offending. The current project utilised a hospital emergency department (ED) as an appropriate location to identify and interact with youth victims of violent crime; to support key lifestyle risk and mental health difficulties; and build resilience. The purpose of this paper is to use a youth work paradigm, to target vulnerable youth in a health setting at a crisis point where intervention may have a higher chance of uptake.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applied a quasi-experimental, longitudinal design. Using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire and the “What Do You Think” component of the ASSET risk assessment, data were collected from 120 youth aged 12-20, at baseline with 66 youth who successfully completed the programme with assessments at baseline and follow-up, at an average of 14 weeks.
Findings
There was significant reduction in both psychological problems and lifestyle risk at follow-up.
Research limitations/implications
These findings support the government initiative to intervene in youth violence in healthcare settings. Challenges revolve around increasing participation and greater formalisation of the intervention.
Originality/value
The youth work led violence intervention in the ED is successfully tackling psychological problems and lifestyle risk following injury.