Kristina Brenisin, Mc Stephen Padilla and Kieran Breen
Transition from inpatient mental health care to community living can be very difficult, as people are at an increased risk of suicide, self-harm and ultimately readmission into…
Abstract
Purpose
Transition from inpatient mental health care to community living can be very difficult, as people are at an increased risk of suicide, self-harm and ultimately readmission into hospital. There is little research conducted exploring peer support workers’ (PSWs) lived experiences that could provide insight into the key transitions of care, particularly the support required after discharge from inpatient mental health care. The purpose of this paper is thus to provide a particular insight into what it feels like being discharged from psychiatric care from a PSW’s perspective, how may support be improved post-discharge and what factors might impact the potential for readmission into inpatient care.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative, phenomenological approach was adopted to explore and describe PSWs’ lived experiences of transitioning from psychiatric care. Four PSWs who were employed by a UK secure mental health facility were recruited. PSW is a non-clinical role with their main duty to support patients, and they were considered for this type of the study for their experience in negotiating the discharge process to better carry out their job as a PSW.
Findings
After being discharged from psychiatric care, PSWs experienced issues that had either a negative impact on their mental wellbeing or even resulted in their readmission back into inpatient psychiatric care. This study identified three inter-related recurrent themes – continuity of support, having options and realisation, all concerning difficulties in adjusting to independent community life following discharge. The findings of the study highlighted the importance of ensuring that service users should be actively involved in their discharge planning, and the use of effective post-discharge planning processes should be used as a crucial step to avoid readmission.
Research limitations/implications
A deeper insight into the factors that impact on readmission to secure care is needed. The active involvement of service users in effective pre- and post-discharge planning is crucial to avoid readmission.
Practical implications
Mental health professionals should consider developing more effective discharge interventions in collaboration with service users; inpatient services should consider creating more effective post-discharge information care and support packages. Their lived experience empowers PSWs to play a key role in guiding patients in the discharge process.
Originality/value
This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to explore what it feels like being discharged from inpatient mental health care by interviewing PSWs employed at a forensic mental health hospital by adopting a phenomenological approach. This paper offers a deeper insight into the transition process and explores in detail what support is needed post discharge to avoid potential readmission from PSWs’ perspectives.
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Exploring a new conceptual framework for authentic followership (AF) comprised of three components: individual, dyadic and organisational. The purpose of this paper is to explain…
Abstract
Purpose
Exploring a new conceptual framework for authentic followership (AF) comprised of three components: individual, dyadic and organisational. The purpose of this paper is to explain how the components of AF interact as a positive, non-linear feedback loop. It presents three propositions of positive outcomes arising from AF. First, AF builds follower’s strengths and capacities. Second, AF strengthens dyadic relationships between followers and leaders. Third, AF deepens and strengthens positive organisational culture thereby improving organisational performance. It discusses the practical significance of these propositions for followers, leaders and firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides an overview of AF. Then three propositions of positive outcomes arising from AF are presented. It identifies how these propositions could benefit followers, leaders and firms. In conclusion, it offers suggestions for future research directions and notes some limitations of this work.
Findings
The key finding of this paper is that AF could potentially strengthen the capacities and performance of followers, leaders and organisations if the propositions presented in this work are correct – if the three components of AF interact with each other as a positive feedback loop strengthening and reinforcing each component of AF. To establish the validity of the AF model and the three propositions the paper suggests that investigations in different empirical settings are undertaken: SME’s and multinational corporations, in different countries under different market conditions, with followers and leaders of different gender, age, education level, roles and tenure of employment.
Originality/value
The paper’s core contention that the components of AF interact as a positive feedback loop has significant practical implications – beneficial outcomes for followers, leaders and firms. P1 explains how AF enables followers to gain confidence, maturity and create solid foundations from which to thrive and flourish. P2 explains how dyadic relationships between followers and leaders could be strengthened, deepening trust and respect between each party, thereby enhancing leadership effectiveness. P3 explains how the dynamic processes of AF can strengthen and deepen positive organisational culture and enhance organisational performance.
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Mauro Leoni, Serafino Corti, Roberto Cavagnola, Olive Healy and Stephen J. Noone
The purpose of this paper is to present a review on evidence-based intervention concerning the reduction of stress/burnout and the improvement of wellbeing for professionals…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a review on evidence-based intervention concerning the reduction of stress/burnout and the improvement of wellbeing for professionals working with people with intellectual disabilities (IDs).
Design/methodology/approach
Theoretical models and literature related to stress reduction are reviewed from a classical cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) approach up to the novel contribution of the third generation of cognitive-behavioural therapies, with a specific focus on contextual behavioural sciences and acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT).
Findings
Despite the improvement of CBT-based interventions in reducing risk factors for stress and burnout, the limitations of a problem-solving approach when applied to challenging environments like those of direct support to persons with ID, are still large. Interventions based on the core processes and the related techniques of ACT appear to be promising in promoting the well being of paid carers reducing the risk of burnout, and increasing psychological flexibility. Such factors can increase the ability to clarify personal and professional values, as well as the opportunities to act consistently with such values and achieve greater social reinforcement in the work environment.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the existing research are presented and discussed. There are several aspects that future research should address in order to promote staff training protocols that could be extensively applied with preventive aims. Organisations could take the available procedures and methodologies and implement these evidence-based practices within existing training.
Originality/value
The research on the application of ACT and third generation of behavioural approaches to the wellbeing and behaviour of staff supporting persons with IDs remains limited. The present paper is the first narrative review on this topic.
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Nishant Kumar and Neeraj
The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of functional properties of the polysaccharide-based component and their application in developing edible film and coating for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of functional properties of the polysaccharide-based component and their application in developing edible film and coating for the food processing sector.
Design/methodology/approach
In this review study, approximately 271 research and review articles focusing on studies related to polysaccharide-based components and their film-forming properties. This article also focused on the application of polysaccharide-based edible film in the food sector.
Findings
From the literature reviewed, polysaccharide components and components-based edible film/coating is the biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging of the materials and directly consumed by the consumer with food. It has been reported that the polysaccharide components have excellent properties such as being nontoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal and with good nutrients. The polysaccharide-based edible film has lipid and gas barrier properties with excellent transparency and mechanical strength. In various studies, researchers worked on the development of polysaccharide-based edible film and coating by incorporating plant based natural antioxidants. This was primarily done for obtaining improved physical and chemical properties of the edible film and coating. In future, the technology of developing polysaccharide-based edible film and coating could be used for extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of fruits and vegetables at a commercial level. There is more need to understand the role of edible packaging and sustainability in the food and environment sector.
Originality/value
Through this review paper, possible applications of polysaccharide-based components and their function property in the formation of the edible film and their effect on fruits, vegetables and other food products are discussed after detailed studies of literature from thesis and journal article.
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Anil Kumar K, Reshmi R S and Hemalatha N
In India, the number of migrants to urban areas is increasing over time. Unlike in earlier years where male migration was prominent, recent trend shows an increasing trend of…
Abstract
Purpose
In India, the number of migrants to urban areas is increasing over time. Unlike in earlier years where male migration was prominent, recent trend shows an increasing trend of female and family migration. As migration and health status are highly correlated, the nature of relationship deserves greater attention from researchers. Although literature on internal migration in India is abundant, little attention is given to the research on the effect of migration on the health status of children. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The present paper, based on National Family Health Survey 3 data, examines the health status of migrant and non-migrant children in the urban areas of India.
Findings
Distribution according to social and demographic characteristics is disadvantageous for urban children who are born to migrant women. As seen from various child health indicators, urban children’s health in general and the health situation of migrant women’s children in particular leaves much to be desired. Pattern of migration tends to have an impact on child health in urban areas; children of women who migrate from rural areas are in an adverse position. Duration of migration has a negative influence on health status of urban children. Overall, it was found that migration status of mothers has an independent effect on child health outcomes; children of migrant mothers have a lower health status.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills the need to study the health status of migrant and non-migrant children in the urban areas of India.