Anna Tsaroucha, Paul Kingston, Tony Stewart, Ian Walton and Nadia Corp
This paper aims to present the findings of research commissioned by a Primary Care Trust in the UK to assess the implementation of a new pilot Human Givens mental health service…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the findings of research commissioned by a Primary Care Trust in the UK to assess the implementation of a new pilot Human Givens mental health service (HGS) within primary care.
Design/methodology/approach
Participating General Practitioners practices were designated as either “Human givens” or “Control” practices. The study focused on service users with mild to moderate depressed mood measured using HADS. The well-being of these participants was examined at the point of referral, and after four, eight and 12 months using three well-being questionnaires.
Findings
The results revealed that emotional well-being significantly improved during the first four months following referral for both groups and this improvement was maintained up to and including one year post referral. Compared to the Control group Human givens therapy was found to be of shorter duration, lasting one or two sessions compared to standard treatment which lasted on average four sessions.
Originality/value
Apart from the psychological insight and emotional support, it is suggested that Human givens therapy might help the client to better function in society and maintain a sense of social integration. This has benefits to other providers of social care.
Details
Keywords
Reports on the pilot study to the initiative to expand the existing Performance Indicators in Primary Schools (PIPS) project to include physical and movement indicators. The PIPS…
Abstract
Reports on the pilot study to the initiative to expand the existing Performance Indicators in Primary Schools (PIPS) project to include physical and movement indicators. The PIPS project is co‐ordinated from the Curriculum Evaluation and Management Centre at the University of Durham and currently covers approximately 120,000 children in 2,000 schools. The aim of this initiative is to produce a test battery, to be administered by class teachers in schools, which will provide valuable data on the physical and movement development of children. Sets out the rationale underpinning the development of the test, through reference to relevant literature and existing tests, along with the perceived role and value of the battery. Describes the initial pilot study and presents a summary of the results. Concludes with a summary of the future avenues to be explored before the new test battery is offered on a national basis.
Details
Keywords
The aim of this paper is to explore Whitehall motivations underpinning the Sub‐national Review of Economic Development and Regeneration.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to explore Whitehall motivations underpinning the Sub‐national Review of Economic Development and Regeneration.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on interviews conducted with senior Whitehall officials involved in regional working.
Findings
The Sub‐national Review seeks to streamline regional structures and provide regions with enhanced autonomy. However, findings indicate that there are distinct differences of opinion across Whitehall departments regarding the future trajectory of English regionalism and what powers and functions regional bodies should acquire. These contradictory positions raise questions about the implementation and effectiveness of the proposals.
Originality/value
An examination of these phenomena is intended to provide greater clarity regarding the opportunities and constraints presented by the latest phase of regional restructuring.
Details
Keywords
It has often been said that a great part of the strength of Aslib lies in the fact that it brings together those whose experience has been gained in many widely differing fields…
Abstract
It has often been said that a great part of the strength of Aslib lies in the fact that it brings together those whose experience has been gained in many widely differing fields but who have a common interest in the means by which information may be collected and disseminated to the greatest advantage. Lists of its members have, therefore, a more than ordinary value since they present, in miniature, a cross‐section of institutions and individuals who share this special interest.
Katrien Verleye, Elina Jaakkola, Ian R. Hodgkinson, Gyuchan Thomas Jun, Gaby Odekerken-Schröder and Johan Quist
Service networks are inherently complex as they comprise of many interrelated actors, often driven by divergent interests. This can result in imbalance, which refers to a…
Abstract
Purpose
Service networks are inherently complex as they comprise of many interrelated actors, often driven by divergent interests. This can result in imbalance, which refers to a situation where the interests of at least one actor in a network are not secured. Drawing on the “balanced centricity” perspective, the purpose of this paper is to explore the causes of imbalance in complex service networks.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a qualitative case-based approach, this paper examines a public health service network that experienced imbalance that was detrimental to the lives of its users: the Mid-Staffordshire National Health Service (NHS) Trust, UK. Drawing on service-dominant logic and stakeholder theory, case evidence provides insight into the origin and drivers of imbalance in complex public service networks.
Findings
The origin of imbalance stems from competing institutional logics of various actors (patients/public, employees, managers, regulatory bodies, etc.), but the degree to which these competing institutional logics lead to imbalance is moderated by accountability, communication, engagement, and responsiveness within the service network.
Research limitations/implications
By uncovering causes of imbalance in complex public service networks, this paper pinpoints important research avenues for developing the balanced centricity perspective.
Practical implications
The inherent existence of multiple parallel institutional arrangements makes networks imbalanced, but value creation can be achieved when the appropriate mechanisms are fostered to manage balance between divergent logics.
Originality/value
By examining imbalance as the underlying cause of network dysfunction, this research contributes to understanding of the dynamics in, and performance of, complex public service networks.
Details
Keywords
Ian Handley and Lawrence Lockshin
The growth of wine sales in the Pacific Rim is receiving a large amount of attention. This study was designed to look more deeply into the actual purchase behaviour of middle…
Abstract
The growth of wine sales in the Pacific Rim is receiving a large amount of attention. This study was designed to look more deeply into the actual purchase behaviour of middle class wine buyers in a selection of Singaporean supermarkets. Purchase behaviour was observed for 60 hours in a total of eight representative supermarkets. The findings show a smaller number of sales than would be expected, especially based on the size of the category displays. The types of wines, countries of origin, prices, browsing, and purchases are noted. The overall conclusion is of a wine market in its infancy with a need for education and further development before wine becomes a regular part of weekly shopping and consumption.
Details
Keywords
Anna Tsaroucha, Paul Kingston, Nadia Corp, Tony Stewart and Ian Walton
To broaden the range of well-being outcomes that can be measured for patients with depressed mood and/or other mental health issues the aim is to determine the reliability and…
Abstract
Purpose
To broaden the range of well-being outcomes that can be measured for patients with depressed mood and/or other mental health issues the aim is to determine the reliability and validity of a self-reported instrument that was designed by the Human Givens Institute to evaluate emotional distress (emotional needs audit – ENA).
Design/methodology/approach
The ENA was administered to 176 patients, aged between 18-65 years (mean age: 39.2 years). The acceptability of the ENA was examined as well as its internal consistency (Cronbach ' s alphas). ENA was administered at four time points and test-retest reliability was conducted between times 1 and 2. The data from three scales also administered to these patients (SWLS, CORE-OM and HADS) were used to aid the conduct of the ENA construct validity (concurrent and discriminant). Analysis of the ENA sensitivity/specificity was also performed.
Findings
All the ENA items (except one) were shown to have good acceptability. The internal consistency was also very strong (Cronbach ' s alpha: 0.84); the construct validity also revealed positive results for the ENA: concurrent validity (r=0.51-0.62; p < 0.001); discriminant validity (r=0.22-0.28; p < 0.01). Test-retest reliability was r=0.46 (p < 0.001). Finally, ENA demonstrated high sensitivity (80 per cent), and moderate specificity (35 per cent).
Originality/value
ENA was shown to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring wellbeing, quality of life and emotional distress. It also allows insight into the causes of symptoms, dissatisfaction and distress. It is suggested that this tool has complementarity to standardised tools when used in clinical practice.
Details
Keywords
Ian Yates, Guy Holmes and Helena Priest
This paper seeks to discuss recent research concerning the subjective experience of recovery from severe mental health difficulties, with the aim of appraising the extent to which…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to discuss recent research concerning the subjective experience of recovery from severe mental health difficulties, with the aim of appraising the extent to which this literature has attended to the role of environmental and social conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an overview of research focusing on environmental and social conditions and mental health generally, a focused literature review was undertaken to analyse gaps within the recovery literature, specifically in relation to the importance of environmental or social contexts. Thematic analysis was used to derive salient themes from this literature. Research methodologies are appraised with regards to the extent to which they are congruent with an examination of the context of recovery.
Findings
A total of 11 papers relating to the impact of place or context on recovery were reviewed. Key themes identified were: the relationship between place, social context, and identity; safety and security; social connectedness; and contradictory impacts of the mental health system. The authors argue that recent qualitative research has over emphasised the subjective experience of recovery at the expense of a rich description of the place in which research is conducted. This approach dislocates recovery from its geographical location and the wider political and economic system in which it occurs.
Originality/value
A gap is identified within the current literature concerning recovery from severe mental health difficulties. In order to better understand the environmental factors that contribute to recovery, research needs to include rich descriptions of place, i.e. the physical and social environment as situated within the wider political and economic context.
Details
Keywords
Tasos Spiliotopoulos and Ian Oakley
The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on how people navigate the social media ecosystem and how they decide, which social network site (SNS) to use. To this end, the current…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on how people navigate the social media ecosystem and how they decide, which social network site (SNS) to use. To this end, the current study draws from uses and gratifications (U&G) theory to elicit and compare motives for the use of Facebook and Twitter and uses behavioral data to examine the findings in the context of technology non-use.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was administered to 232 Facebook users and the results were complemented with 12 usage variables collected via the Facebook application programing interface for the same users. Exploratory factor analysis identified and described the motives for using Facebook and Twitter and multiple regression models examined the relationships between the motives for using the two sites. A multivariate analysis of variance and a series of t-tests investigated the differences in actual behavior between Twitter users and non-users.
Findings
Results suggest that SNS users will use both sites to gratify their need for information, but will only do so for entertainment that has social characteristics. Furthermore, Facebook users that are more embedded in the site and use the site to support their offline life are more likely to also use Twitter.
Practical implications
The paper includes implications for SNS researchers, designers and managers by highlighting the motivational and behavioral differences between users of the two sites and the importance of technological affordances for understanding and explaining SNS selection.
Originality/value
This study extends previous cross-site U&G and non-use research by combining survey and behavioral data.