Jan Aasen, Fredrik Nilsson, Torgeir Sørensen, Lars Lien and Marja Leonhardt
This study aims to explore how people with concurrent mental health and substance use disorders and lived experience of deep social marginalization perceived barriers and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore how people with concurrent mental health and substance use disorders and lived experience of deep social marginalization perceived barriers and facilitators to mainstream social participation. The purpose of this study is to identify meaningful and relevant learning content for a virtual reality-based intervention to promote social participation in this group.
Design/methodology/approach
This formative qualitative study was conducted in Norway during Autumn 2022. Nine in-depth individual interviews with adults recovering from dual diagnosis were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis in a collaborative analysis process.
Findings
Results indicated that social alienation, poor social skills, stigma, low self-esteem and social anxiety were key barriers to social participation in this group. This study suggests a need to learn appropriate social behaviour in mainstream society, in addition to better employability skills, civic literacy and health literacy to improve utilization of social opportunities.
Practical implications
This study implies that virtual reality-based interventions for promoting social participation in people with dual diagnosis should primarily focus on learning and practising appropriate social behaviour in shared public spaces before practising advanced social skills such as employability skills in simulated work environments. Learning and practising social skills appears decisive for using more complex social opportunities, such as in education, health, social services and work.
Originality/value
This research provides suggestions for the content of a novel virtual reality-based intervention to promote social participation among people in recovery from dual diagnosis.
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Ragnhild Dybdahl, Torgeir Sørensen, Hans A. Hauge, Kjersti Røsvik, Lars Lien and Ketil Eide
There is substantial research on the experiences, needs and well-being of unaccompanied refugee adolescents, but less is known about existential aspects of their lives. The…
Abstract
Purpose
There is substantial research on the experiences, needs and well-being of unaccompanied refugee adolescents, but less is known about existential aspects of their lives. The purpose of the current study is to explore existential meaning-making among unaccompanied refugee children.
Design/methodology/approach
The informants in this study are young unaccompanied refugees (n = 30) living in Norway, and young Norwegians (n = 46). The authors undertook a secondary analysis of in-depth qualitative refugee interview data and a quantitative analysis of questionnaire data from Norwegian informants.
Findings
Both the refugee youths and the Norwegian youths expressed that social relationships and connections to others were most important for meaning. Moreover, both groups emphasized the importance of relatedness and generativity, i. e. commitment to worldly affairs beyond one’s immediate needs. The main differences between the two groups were related to the significance attached to religion and to loneliness.
Research limitations/implications
The comparison between the two groups is only possible to some degree. Secondary analyses have some limitations, as well as strengths.
Practical implications
The findings may be useful for supporting young refugees, as they provide insights into less-studied aspects of their lives.
Originality/value
The originality of this study lies in the focus on and broad interpretation of meaning, of secondary data analyses, and of comparisons between youths that are refugees versus non-refugees.
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Eva Brekke, Ottar Ness and Lars Lien
The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe first-person experiences of relational recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe first-person experiences of relational recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Within a phenomenological and collaborative approach, in-depth individual interviews with eight persons with co-occurring conditions were analysed using systematic text condensation.
Findings
Participants described interpersonal relationships as both supporting and hindering recovery in fundamental ways. Four categories of experiences of relational recovery were described as follows: choosing one’s child; living with loneliness and a painful past; sacrificing everything for one’s partner; and regaining trust and support.
Originality/value
This paper provides an enhanced understanding of how interpersonal relationships may be experienced by persons who live with co-occurring conditions. The results generally support an understanding of recovery as a relational process.
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Eva Brekke, Lars Lien, Larry Davidson and Stian Biong
The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe experiences of recovery among people with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions (co-occurring conditions) in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe experiences of recovery among people with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions (co-occurring conditions) in a rural community in Norway.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth individual interviews with eight persons with co-occurring conditions were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological approach. This study is part of a research project investigating recovery orientation of services in a Norwegian district.
Findings
The analysis yielded four dimensions of recovery: feeling useful and accepted; coming to love oneself; mastering life; and emerging as a person. Insecure and inadequate housing and limited solutions to financial problems were described as major obstacles to recovery.
Research limitations/implications
Further research into the facilitation of recovery as defined by persons with concurrent disorders is needed, particularly regarding the facilitation of community participation.
Practical implications
This study supports an increased focus on societal and community factors in promoting recovery for persons with co-occurring conditions, as well as service designs that allow for an integration of social services and health care, and for collaboration among services.
Social implications
The results suggest that the community can aid recovery by accepting persons with co-occurring conditions as fellow citizens and welcoming their contributions.
Originality/value
The paper provides an enhanced understanding of how persons with co-occurring conditions may experience recovery.
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Monica Stolt Pedersen, Anne Landheim, Merete Møller and Lars Lien
Audit and feedback (A&F) often underlie implementation projects, described as a circular process; i.e. an A&F cycle. They are widely used, but effect varies with no apparent…
Abstract
Purpose
Audit and feedback (A&F) often underlie implementation projects, described as a circular process; i.e. an A&F cycle. They are widely used, but effect varies with no apparent explanation. We need to understand how A&F work in real-life situations. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to describe and explore mental healthcare full A&F cycle experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a naturalistic qualitative study that uses four focus groups and qualitative content analysis.
Findings
Staff accepted the initial A&F stages, perceiving it to enhance awareness and reassure them about good practice. They were willing to participate in the full cycle and implement changes, but experienced poor follow-up and prioritization, not giving them a chance to own to the process. An important finding is the need for an A&F cycle facilitator.
Practical implications
Research teams cannot be expected to be involved in implementing clinical care. Guidelines will keep being produced to improve service quality and will be expected to be practiced. This study gives insights into planning and tailoring A&F cycles.
Originality/value
Tools to ease implementation are not enough, and the key seems to lie with facilitating a process using A&F. This study underscores leadership, designated responsibility and facilitation throughout a full audit cycle.
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An investor saving for retirement attempts to allocate as sets in a manner that provides enough savings to produce a secure post retirement income. Falling short of the desired…
Abstract
An investor saving for retirement attempts to allocate as sets in a manner that provides enough savings to produce a secure post retirement income. Falling short of the desired saving level has a large negative impact on retirement income and is a major concern for the investor. We empirically investigate the allocation of assets between equities and less risky bonds constrained by a desire to minimize the size and occurrence of a short fall. Contrary to much of the theoretical finance literature, we find that the investor should decrease the portion of saving in equities as the retirement date approaches.
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Robert J. Carney and Lise Graham
Notes increasing US support for the BTID insurance strategy, i.e. buy low cost term life insurance and invest the difference between the cost of this and of whole life insurance…
Abstract
Notes increasing US support for the BTID insurance strategy, i.e. buy low cost term life insurance and invest the difference between the cost of this and of whole life insurance. Points out some other investment possibilities and compares the terminal and interim wealth accumulation potential of five different insurance/saving combinations for both sexes at five ages, taking tax into account. Discusses ease of access to savings, taxation of death proceeds and restrictions on creditor rights to distribution for various types of insurance/savings and considers the implications. Draws some conclusions about the best investment performance but stresses that investment choice also depends on individual factors, e.g. tax bracket, risk, tolerance and investment knowledge.
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Discusses foreign investment in the USA, which often carries the prerequisite of acquisition of intellectual property rights. Talks about some of the issues that can arise when…
Abstract
Discusses foreign investment in the USA, which often carries the prerequisite of acquisition of intellectual property rights. Talks about some of the issues that can arise when acquiring intellectual property rights and outlines some planning procedures which helps to protect the buyer from, for example, third party claims to the rights. Starts with patents and offers advice on checking ownership, acquiring all existing and pending patents, carrying out independent title searches in the US Patent and Trademark Office, as well as on‐line, checking to see if any legal action has been taken on patent infringement, acquiring assignments and licenses, reviewing employment agreements, checking for infringement of third party rights, and checking who has responsibility for recordation of the assignment. Moves on to trademarks – their ownership and registration, assignments and licenses, proper use, infringement and validity of the mark, recordation and cost of assignment. Deals next with copyrights and their ownership, licenses, proper use, validity and enforcement. Finishes with trade secrets and their ownership and maintenance of secrecy. Concludes that diligent investigation is the only way to safeguard that what you expect to get will be what you actually receive.
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Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way…
Abstract
Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way of using the law in specific circumstances, and shows the variations therein. Sums up that arbitration is much the better way to gok as it avoids delays and expenses, plus the vexation/frustration of normal litigation. Concludes that the US and Greek constitutions and common law tradition in England appear to allow involved parties to choose their own judge, who can thus be an arbitrator. Discusses e‐commerce and speculates on this for the future.