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1 – 10 of 35Jackie Wales, Nicola Brewin, Iain Williamson, Jakub Štický, Rachael Lawrence and Alison Eivors
Effective transitions from child and adolescent to adult services are important for continuity of care for patients with eating disorders. This study aims to examine the relative…
Abstract
Purpose
Effective transitions from child and adolescent to adult services are important for continuity of care for patients with eating disorders. This study aims to examine the relative importance of a series of statements about the transition process, elicited from an earlier service evaluation, from the perspectives of patients, parents/carers and clinicians.
Design/methodology/approach
Twenty-eight participants completed a Q-sort task ranking 40 statements, developed from an earlier study, using a normal distribution pattern on a scale, which ranged from strongly agree to strongly disagree, to identify their priorities for transition. Analysis resulted in the extraction of four factors explaining 52% of the variance.
Findings
Four distinct factors were elicited: “parents and carers need including too”, “facilitating effective transfer between services”, “supporting the patient through transition” and providing “timely, patient-centred care”. The study enabled similarities and differences in priorities to be observed for the three respondent groups.
Practical implications
These rankings, noting the differences between the respondent groups, can be used to inform the development of effective transition protocols. This study suggests these protocols should ensure a person-centred approach; timely planning; include parents/carers; provide continuous care and have good transfer of information and sensible timing of transitions. Differences in priorities/opinions can be addressed through open communication channels.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first UK-wide study examining priorities for transition from the perspectives of patients, parents/carers and clinicians.
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Iain Williamson and Kiran Spence
Presents results of an exploratory study into potential risk factors for eating disturbance amongst gay men. A community sample of 202 gay men, aged 14‐72, from across the UK…
Abstract
Presents results of an exploratory study into potential risk factors for eating disturbance amongst gay men. A community sample of 202 gay men, aged 14‐72, from across the UK completed a battery of measures anonymously using a postal questionnaire method. The measures included the EDI‐2, the revised NHAI, and an adapted version of the Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire. The internalisation of sociocultural norms regarding the importance of slimness and attractiveness was the most powerful predictor of maladaptive eating‐related attitudes, although self‐esteem, internalised homonegativity and satisfaction with sexual orientation were also significant factors. Younger gay men demonstrated higher levels of disturbance and the strongest relationship between body‐esteem and self‐esteem. Many participants perceived the gay scene to be highly body‐conscious but measures of gay identity development and community involvement were associated with lower levels of disturbance. Concludes that health education workers with gay men should take this issue more seriously.
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Katie Bell, Helen Coulthard, Diane Wildbur and Iain Williamson
Self-disgust appears to be a prominent feature in anorexia nervosa (AN), which might help explain why AN is often such a persistent disorder. Little is known about how this…
Abstract
Purpose
Self-disgust appears to be a prominent feature in anorexia nervosa (AN), which might help explain why AN is often such a persistent disorder. Little is known about how this emotion can impact on recovering from this disorder. This study aims to develop our understanding of how people experience the emotion of self-disgust after physical recovery from AN.
Design/methodology/approach
Twelve female participants who reported previously having had a clinical diagnosis of AN but had physically recovered according to their EDE-Q scores took part in a semi-structured interview to explore their experiences of recovery and the role self-disgust played within this. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore the data.
Findings
Three themes were identified within the data to explain the experiences of self-disgust in those with AN: continued self-disgust following physical “Recovery”, multiple manifestations of self-disgust in recovery and increasing self-disgust in recovery as a driver for relapse.
Practical implications
Self-disgust was something each participant appeared to experience often, despite being physically recovered from AN. Disgust-based reactions to the self are enduring and highly resistant to change even whilst other aspects of the disorder become less potent. Self-disgust is multi-faceted and may trigger relapse as the signs of improvement and behaviours inherent in recovering were generally viewed as disgusting to the individuals.
Originality/value
Self-disgust is an emotion that continues to affect people with AN despite physical recovery. The recovery process itself is not linear and self-disgust is enduring and may cause those affected to relapse. Considering this emotion within therapeutic intervention may encourage those with AN to accept their recovered self.
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Iain Williamson, Dawn Leeming, Steven Lyttle and Sally Johnson
Audio-diary methods are under-utilised in contemporary qualitative research. The purpose of this paper is to discuss participants and researchers’ experiences of using…
Abstract
Purpose
Audio-diary methods are under-utilised in contemporary qualitative research. The purpose of this paper is to discuss participants and researchers’ experiences of using audio-diaries alongside semi-structured interviews to explore breastfeeding experiences in a short-term longitudinal study with 22 first-time mothers.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors provide a qualitative content analysis of the participants’ feedback about their experiences of the audio-diary method and supplement this with the perspectives of the research team based on fieldwork notes, memos and team discussions. The authors pay particular attention to the ways in which the data attained from diaries compared with those from the interviews.
Findings
The diaries produced were highly heterogeneous in terms of data length and quality. Participants’ experiences with the method were varied. Some found the process therapeutic and useful for reflecting upon the development of breastfeeding skills whilst negative aspects related to lack of mobility, self-consciousness and concerns about confidentiality. Researchers were positive about the audio-diary method but raised certain ethical, epistemological and methodological concerns. These include debates around the use of prompts, appropriate support for participants and the potential of the method to influence the behaviour under scrutiny. Interview and diary accounts contrasted and complemented in ways which typically enriched data analysis.
Practical implications
The authors conclude that audio-diaries are a flexible and useful tool for qualitative research especially within critical realist and phenomenological paradigms.
Originality/value
This appears to be the first paper to evaluate both participants and researchers’ experiences of using audio-diaries in a detailed and systematic fashion.
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Andrew McCulloch, Iain Ryrie, Toby Williamson and Tara St John
Kieran Taylor, David J. Edwards, Joseph H.K. Lai, Iain Rillie, Wellington Didibhuku Thwala and Mark Shelbourn
This study aims to develop a decision-making tool that assesses the economic feasibility of converting commercial and industrial buildings into rented residential accommodation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a decision-making tool that assesses the economic feasibility of converting commercial and industrial buildings into rented residential accommodation. This tool also enables developers to provide high-quality rented residential accommodation that contribute to the gentrification of formerly industrialised inner city or developed areas.
Design/methodology/approach
The overarching epistemological approach adopted used inductive reasoning and a postpositivist philosophical design to structure the research problem and devise new theories about the phenomena under investigation. From an operational perspective, a two-phase “waterfall” research approach was adopted. Phase one used extant literature to identify development factors and variables for consideration, risks posed and conversion appraisal criteria. Two case studies formed the basis of a cross comparative analysis, namely, a new build and conversion of a former industrial building into rented residential accommodation. Phase two identified development appraisal criteria, conducted a cost analysis and premised upon the findings, developed a decision support appraisal tool as a “proof of concept”.
Findings
The research combined key decision factors and variables that assist property developers when evaluating whether to convert commercial and industrial property into rented residential accommodation. The appraisal tool’s functionality was validated via a focus group discussion with senior property developers to ensure that assessment criteria and development weightings were appropriate. Feedback revealed that the tool was suitable for purpose and should now be adopted in practice and refined as appropriate and with usage.
Research limitations/implications
The appraisal tool presented could yield a far more accurate means of decision-making which, in turn, could ensure that predicted investment returns are received (thus reducing errors and lowering risk for investors). Future work is required to robustly test and validate the tool’s accuracy in practice. It is envisaged that future projects will provide a rich stream of data for such testing.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work constitutes the first attempt to conceptualise a decision support tool for rented residential property development.
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Nilanjan Basu and Orlin Dimitrov
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the passage of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX) on a number of governance and governance‐related characteristics, such as board…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the passage of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX) on a number of governance and governance‐related characteristics, such as board structure and committee composition, as well as the effect of those changes (if any) on both accounting performance and company value.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper derives its results using a series of statistical analyses performed on the universe of firms comprising the S&P 500 index. To better gauge the effect of governance changes on firm performance, it uses four different performance measures.
Findings
The paper finds that as a direct consequence of the passage of SOX, the fraction of outsiders on corporate boards and all major board committees has gone up significantly. In addition, total chief executive officer compensation relative to sales as well as the amount of illegal insider trading (measured by a proxy based on the abnormal profits derived from insider trades) have declined. Finally, board size has declined marginally. None of these changes, however, is associated with any improvement in corporate performance or value.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the brewing debate on the usefulness of SOX regulations. It examines several performance and governance‐related variables that have been previously overlooked. In addition, unlike most previous studies that look at the effect of SOX on governance, or valuation, the paper controls for the incremental effect of stock exchange regulations.
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The purpose of this paper is to define and characterise the precise nature of these cultural systems and their resulting impact on the respective art and artists of each…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to define and characterise the precise nature of these cultural systems and their resulting impact on the respective art and artists of each territory, by ascertaining the impact on those systems of their respective government and governance.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on three approaches to art market modelling. All three are based on political ideologies. The first, which typifies the art markets of Western Europe and the USA, is predicated on a Pluralist and Neo-Liberal ideology. The others correspond to the systems of government in China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.
Findings
It has been shown in this paper that political systems and their accompanying ideology, born of cultural preferences, have impacted on the art markets of China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. It has been demonstrated that all four markets are employing variants of the international norm.
Research limitations/implications
The art that is exported from East Asia will only be accepted by East Asian national markets when East Asian art markets exercise a majority influence on emerging and transitional markets. It is not the intention of this paper to pursue this thought beyond the possibility that it may occur.
Practical implications
The ineluctable conclusion is, therefore, that the global art market is moving towards a bipolar affair.
Social implications
This paper also suggests the disengagement of East Asian and Chinese “culture” and art from a global (western) norm and production and consumption of national culture in East Asia by East Asians.
Originality/value
The paper looks (for the first time) at the direct (and subliminal) influence of political systems on art markets and the consequential effects of political ideology on the art markets of East Asia and China. The paper arrives at a series of precise definitions for the way that these art markets operate.
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Iain Haysom and Kay Sharp
In this study a simple meal was prepared from raw chicken and lettuce in a manner which incorporated examples of common food hygiene malpractice. Prior to meal preparation, the…
Abstract
In this study a simple meal was prepared from raw chicken and lettuce in a manner which incorporated examples of common food hygiene malpractice. Prior to meal preparation, the chicken was inoculated with varying levels of Salmonella Typhimurium. The spread of microbial contamination (total viable counts, Enterobacteraceae counts and the presence of Salmonella species) from the chicken to sites in the kitchen was traced. Results indicate how easily bacterial contaminants from food may be spread around a kitchen. Levels of contamination on foods ready for consumption and in areas considered clean after washing up and wiping surfaces are established. These indicate that contaminants are unlikely to be removed from some sites unless cleaning procedures are rigorous.
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Jonathan Parker and Kelly Veasey
This paper aims to explore Joint couple payments under Universal Credit which tend to privilege male partners. This may entrap women in abusive relationships, foster poverty which…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore Joint couple payments under Universal Credit which tend to privilege male partners. This may entrap women in abusive relationships, foster poverty which are indicative of gendered structural abuse.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a critical review of the literature and qualitative interviews with third sector support workers, the authors explore the impacts that Universal Credit has on women, especially those in abusive partnerships.
Findings
Current welfare processes reinforce patriarchal assumptions and are indicative of the structural abuse of women. This has increased during the lockdowns imposed to tackle COVID-19.
Practical implications
Changes are needed in the ways in which welfare benefits are disbursed. Gendered structural abuses should be explicitly considered when working with women who experience domestic violence and abuse.
Originality/value
This paper argues that there needs to be a wider a recognition of gender power relations and the concept of structural abuse in policy formation and implementation.
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