Sophie Valeix, Rachel Moss and Charlotte Morris
This paper aims to present the critical reflections of three women implementers formerly working in projects that seek to support the mental health and well-being (MHW) of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the critical reflections of three women implementers formerly working in projects that seek to support the mental health and well-being (MHW) of postgraduate researchers (PGRs), which has become a recent focus for UK researchers and policymakers. The paper offers an experience-based perspective on tensions in PGR-MHW project implementation by providing personal accounts of several social dilemmas the authors encountered. From reflecting on experiences, the authors derived recommendations for mitigating such dilemmas when designing and delivering future projects.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the experiences of dilemmas as female project implementers of PGR-MHW projects were recalled, listed and discussed and identified broad overarching themes. Second, one dilemma for each of the three themes was fleshed out according to the ones that carried meaning for how the role was personally experienced. Third, what the accounts of dilemmas meant for project implementation and outcomes was analyzed. Then the findings to existing literature where similar tensions were identified were linked, including how these could be mitigated.
Findings
The dilemmas experienced as implementers in PGR-MHW projects fit among three interconnected themes: identity, values, and motivations and relationships. It was showed that, although they may be hard to see, the dilemmas presented in this paper impede project’s success, outcomes for PGRs and implementers’ well-being. Mitigating such dilemmas when designing, funding, implementing and evaluating future projects is not straightforward, and the findings in this article open avenues to tackle this problem.
Originality/value
Focusing on reflections of female implementers, the paper provides an original perspective on PGR-MHW project evaluation. Using reflective writing as a research tool allowed us to identify overlooked dilemmas in project implementation. Honest and critical accounts of implementers’ experiences revealed important lessons such as different framings of project success, the intersection between the personal and the professional and individual responsibilities in project networks.
Emily Summers has been project leader of Fit for Life for three months, during which time she has helped clients to access a wide range of activities, from yoga to astronomy…
Abstract
Emily Summers has been project leader of Fit for Life for three months, during which time she has helped clients to access a wide range of activities, from yoga to astronomy. Emily introduces the project, and Rachel Moss describes her experience of Fit for Life from a mental health service user's perspective.
Rachel Connell and Darren Johnson
Whilst a great deal of research exists on the effectiveness of treatment with violent offenders comparatively little is known about the experience of treatment providers. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Whilst a great deal of research exists on the effectiveness of treatment with violent offenders comparatively little is known about the experience of treatment providers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of four prison officers delivering a high-intensity intervention, with violent offenders.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was used to gain a rich, individualised account of treatment providers’ experiences, with interpretative phenomenological analysis applied by the lead researcher (first author). External auditing analysis was conducted by the second author.
Findings
The analysis generated two superordinate themes: “Impact on Self-Coping” and “With Great Challenge Comes Great Reward” with pertinent sub-themes. The findings support the existing evidence regarding the relevance of individual characteristics and coping style on well-being, regardless of the nature of the offences being discussed. Working with violent offenders could be challenging yet rewarding with adequate support in place.
Practical implications
It is imperative that treatment providers are offered support and encouragement in undertaking their role and that a rehabilitative culture is promoted and reinforced within custodial environments. Additional training for facilitators to develop effective self-coping strategies was recommended in addition to careful management of delivery periods.
Originality/value
These findings add to the evidence base in relation to the impact of high-intensity treatment provision on individual well-being; suggestions are made to support clinical and organisational good practice.
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Rachael Elizabeth Sanders, Corina Modderman, Stacey Bracksley-O'Grady, Fiona Harley, Jacquelin Spencer and Jacinta Molloy
There is a growing recognition of the urgency to enhance health outcomes for children and young people residing in out-of-home care (OOHC). Research underscores the need to…
Abstract
Purpose
There is a growing recognition of the urgency to enhance health outcomes for children and young people residing in out-of-home care (OOHC). Research underscores the need to establish effective pathways to quality health care for children and young people who have been exposed to trauma. Child protection (CP) practitioners should play a vital role in proactively improving health outcomes and navigating the intricacies of healthcare systems. Their involvement in initiating and collaborating on healthcare interventions is pivotal for the well-being of these vulnerable children and young people. However, challenges associated with poor health literacy and the complexities of healthcare systems hinder collaborative service delivery in the Australian context. This review explores how CP practitioners support the health care of children and young people in their care.
Design/methodology/approach
A scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, employing a narrative synthesis to assess the selected studies.
Findings
Health outcomes for children and young people in OOHC remain under-researched and potentially under-resourced within the realm of CP practice. There is room for enhanced practices and system integration in CP service delivery to better address health needs and prevent further health and well-being disparities.
Originality/value
Through this scoping review and involving industry experts in the discussion of findings, this study contributes valuable insights to the existing knowledge base regarding the active participation of CP practitioners in addressing the healthcare needs of vulnerable children.
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Gordon Fletcher, Anita Greenhill, Marie Griffiths and Rachel McLean
The purpose of this paper is to examine how independent social and commercial activities have developed in response to the perceived decline in the UK High Street and in response…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how independent social and commercial activities have developed in response to the perceived decline in the UK High Street and in response to the challenges of increasing digital retailing opportunities. This examination is undertaken through the lens of the social supply chain as a means to understanding, suggesting and expanding on current research regarding retailing and the UK High Street. The authors reveal some of the challenges being posed by the changing patterns of growth and consumption in cities and couple these with shifting supply chain trends.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach is used to explore the rapid advances and influence of digital technologies on businesses operating on the primary business street of suburban centre, towns or cities (described in the UK collectively as the “high street”). The research is conducted through the analytical lens of the social supply chain.
Findings
Theoretically extending the “social” in the social supply chain, the authors illustrate the usefulness of the nuanced concept of the “social supply chain” with two related strategies concerning delivery and balance. These strategies are themselves interlinked with the actions of co-creation, co-production and co-consumption. Examples of social supply chain strategies presented include retail businesses giving away something as an incentive, where the underlying requirement from the customer is that they will bring their own specialist product, skill or social network to a specified location (real or virtual).
Originality/value
For the purpose of this paper, the authors use two distinct strategies relating to delivery and balancing and in relation to the actions of co-creation, co-production and co-consumption to emphasise and analyse changes currently occurring in the UK High Street. The authors take a social supply chain management (SCM) perspective to undertake a systematic critical review of the various recent efforts undertaken by local governments, communities and trader groups to revitalise the High Street.
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It has been suggested that over the last decade interest in and delivery of psychological therapy for people with learning disabilities have increased (Beail et al, 2005). While…
Abstract
It has been suggested that over the last decade interest in and delivery of psychological therapy for people with learning disabilities have increased (Beail et al, 2005). While the literature continues to highlight the need for further evidence of its effectiveness (Willner, 2005) there is a general ‘swell of opinion’ that psychological therapy for individuals with learning disabilities is helpful (Mason, 2007). A component of psychological therapy that is generally considered to be universally important is the quality of the relationship between therapist and client (Clarkson, 2003). However, in the relatively new field of psychological therapies for people with learning disabilities, there remains a poor empirical and theoretical understanding of the role and potential complexities of the therapeutic relationship. The paper explores some of the existing literature in this field. It highlights the limited empirical evidence before exploring some of the common themes outlined so far in the clinical literature. The paper concludes with some suggestions for future research in this area.
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Michelle Bauml and Sherry L. Field
Notable Social Studies Trade Book (NSSTB) lists include books selected annually by the Book Review Committee of the National Council for the Social Studies in conjunction with the…
Abstract
Notable Social Studies Trade Book (NSSTB) lists include books selected annually by the Book Review Committee of the National Council for the Social Studies in conjunction with the Children’s Book Council. These lists are excellent resources for teachers who use children’s literature to support social studies instruction in their classrooms. We report our analysis of award-winning titles for primary grades published from 2001-2011. Biographies and books that address topics about families are featured as a starting place for primary grades teachers to begin incorporating NSSTB into their social studies instruction. We conclude by suggesting ways for primary grade teachers to utilize the book lists each year.
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Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are known to experience increased emotional and behavioural concerns. The study aims to assess whether detained ID patients with a…
Abstract
Purpose
Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are known to experience increased emotional and behavioural concerns. The study aims to assess whether detained ID patients with a forensic history (IDPF) have increased difficulty managing their impulse control in comparison to detained ID patients without a forensic history (IDP). Using the externalising behaviour problems (EBP) subscale of the EPS, the study aims to compare the differences between the IDFP and IDP groups.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 60 patients with ID detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (Revised 2007) were assessed using the behaviour rating scale of the EPS. The outcome scores of the EBP were used to examine any observed differences between the scores of forensically involved patients [n = 34] and those without a forensic history [n = 26]. It was hypothesised that patients with a forensic history would display higher scoring on externalised behavioural problems (EBP) than patients without such a history.
Findings
Non-parametric testing revealed that there were no significant differences in EBP scoring between the two sample groups. These findings indicate that, for patients in the present study, no differences were detected in the presentation of these two distinct groups. In fact, with the exception of the verbal aggression subscale of the EBP, the other three subscales (physical aggression, non-compliance and hyperactivity) show that actually the IDP group displayed the higher ranked means in these subscales when compared with the forensically involved group.
Originality/value
These results indicate possible increased treatment needs within the IDP group and question whether offending history is necessarily a reliable predictor of ongoing hostility and behavioural concerns within similar inpatient services.
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Esther Unger-Aviram, Tal Katz-Navon and Dana Rachel Vashdi
By combining the influence tactics and team development literatures, this paper aims to propose a new team-level approach to influence tactics in self-managed teams and a temporal…
Abstract
Purpose
By combining the influence tactics and team development literatures, this paper aims to propose a new team-level approach to influence tactics in self-managed teams and a temporal account of the extent to which team-level influence tactics are associated with team performance as a dynamic process.
Design/methodology/approach
Using 75 self-managed teams, we examined the relationship between the proportion of team members who tend to use each influence tactic to a high degree and team performance at initial versus advanced stages of team development.
Findings
Results demonstrated at initial stages of team development, a high proportion of team members who tend to use assertiveness was detrimental to team performance, whereas at advanced stages of team development, a high proportion of team members tending to use ingratiation was detrimental, while rationality was positively associated with team performance. Additionally, a Fuzzy Qualitative Comparative Analysis showed that at advanced stages of team development, tactics configuration matters.
Originality/value
This study sets the stage for a team-level theory of influence tactics by examining the relationship between the proportion of team members who tend to use influence tactics to a high degree and team performance at initial versus advanced stages of team development, and the configurations of tactics associated with better team performance at these developmental stages. While the individual-level literature on influence tactics is based on notions of power and politics, in a team context and specifically with self-managed teams, there is a need to integrate theories of team processes and dynamics to understand how influence tactics are associated with performance.