Sanjana Arora, Jonas Debesay and Hande Eslen-Ziya
The COVID-19 pandemic has resurfaced challenges to gender equality and gender relations both worldwide and in Norway. There have been massive public discussions on social media…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has resurfaced challenges to gender equality and gender relations both worldwide and in Norway. There have been massive public discussions on social media platforms, highlighting the potential of analysing public discourses in a non-reactive manner (Rauchfleisch et al., 2021). Further, discourses from social media may affect cultural representations and broad discourses in society (Rambukkana, 2015), such as that related to gender. In this article, by studying the Norwegian Twitter users' discussion on gender as related to COVID-19 pandemic, the authors will examine the everyday gendered discourses.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for this project were collected from the social media platform Twitter. The authors conducted the search on 16th November 2020, and that resulted in a total of 485 results, inclusive of both original tweets and replies. The data were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis.
Findings
The thematic analysis of the tweets revealed three main categories which were mirrored in recognisable and widespread discourses about gender: (1) stereotypical gendered behaviours, (2) construction of masculinities and (3) othering. The authors argued that the stereotypes on gendered behaviour, traits and ideology together attribute to the maintenance of unequal gender structures.
Originality/value
This article explored discourses on gender on Twitter, the networked public sphere of Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that discourses both reflect and shape social configurations, they have the power to shape gender realities. With the transcendence of social media across geographic boundaries, the authors’ findings are relevant both for Norway and globally.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-08-2022-0482
Sanjana Arora, Astrid Bergland, Melanie Straiton, Bernd Rechel and Jonas Debesay
The purpose of this paper is to synthesise data from the existent literature on the experiences of non-western older migrants in Europe in accessing and using healthcare services.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to synthesise data from the existent literature on the experiences of non-western older migrants in Europe in accessing and using healthcare services.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 1,606 records were reviewed and 12 studies were selected. A thematic synthesis using Thomas and Harden’s approach was conducted.
Findings
The findings resulted in the three overarching themes: traditional discourses under new circumstances; predisposed vulnerabilities of older migrants and the healthcare system; and the conceptualization of health and the roles of healthcare professionals. The authors found that older migrants’ experience of accessing healthcare is influenced by many factors, such as health literacy, differences in healthcare beliefs and language barriers, and is not limited to cultural and traditional discourses of care. Findings reveal that there is a limited body of knowledge on barriers experienced by older migrant women.
Research limitations/implications
The geographical scope of the study and subsequent type of healthcare systems should be taken into account while understanding barriers to care. Another limitation is that although we studied different migrant groups, the authors synthesised barriers experienced by all. Future research could study migrants as separate groups to better understand how previous experiences with healthcare in their home country and specific social, cultural and economic circumstances shape them.
Originality/value
This paper provides a synthesis of the experiences of migrants from non-western countries who moved to a host country with a very different language, culture and healthcare system.
Details
Keywords
Nancie Luth-Hanssen, Marit Fougner and Jonas Debesay
Immigrant women show a higher risk of mental health problems and report higher levels of musculoskeletal disorders. Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy (NPMP) is a body awareness…
Abstract
Purpose
Immigrant women show a higher risk of mental health problems and report higher levels of musculoskeletal disorders. Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy (NPMP) is a body awareness treatment that has been used to alleviate musculoskeletal disorders and mental distress. The purpose of this study is to explore immigrant women’s participation in a low threshold training group and identify what motivates and affects their attendance and well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is informed by a phenomenological approach. The data collection methods consisted of participatory observation and interviews. Observations and interviews were carried out between December 2016 and March 2017.
Findings
The findings show that the content and context of the movement group, being able to participate in exercises wearing own clothes and relying on previous body experiences motivate the women to attend and continue in the training program. NPMP inspired group training takes into account women’s cultural preferences and values. The culture-sensitive approach to physical exercise seems to motivate attendance and contribute to social and mental well-being. Low threshold physical programs should, therefore, be considered to provide immigrant women with the opportunity to experience well-being and social participation.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the better understanding and promotion of the physical and mental health of immigrants.