Experiences Of Empowerment Research Articles

Plant-based recovery from restrictive eating disorder: A qualitative enquiry

ObjectivesPlant-based/vegan diets are growing in popularity. There are growing numbers of individuals adopting plant-based diets and there are legitimate concerns from professionals that this can enable food restriction or mask disordered eating. The aim of this study was to examine the role a plant-based diet can play for those in recovery from restrictive eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia nervosa). MethodsInterviews conducted with fourteen individuals who identified as having a restrictive eating disorder for which a plant-based diet played/plays an important part in their recovery. Semi-structured interviews explored the individual's lived experiences and motivations of adopting a plant-based diet, and perceptions of the role it played in recovery. Data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). ResultsThree key themes with six contributory subthemes were identified. Key themes were plant-based as a gateway to recovery, the changing value of food, and the function of control. Theme content highlighted an evolving role of identity and community, with a shift in meaning and value of food described, and for some, the development of a new relationship with their body. This facilitated a de-coupling of anxieties about food and promoted positive experiences of eating, esteem and empowerment. ConclusionsThese findings present a unique insight into the role that plant-based eating may play in recovery for some restrictive eating disorders. The data demonstrated that motivations to control food intake may contribute to the decision to eat plant-based. However, for these individuals it provided a “gateway” to a new more meaningful relationship with food. These findings highlight some of the risks and benefits of eating plant-based in recovery and an important role for health professionals in understanding/supporting individuals during recovery. w/c 280

How do local gender norms interact with local conceptualisations of empowerment to shape women’s engagement in local dairy value chains in Tanzania?

IntroductionWomen play important roles in the dairy sector in Tanzania yet many women face local gender norms which inhibit them from benefitting from their enterprises. This affects women’s empowerment and the development of effective livestock businesses.MethodsThis study addresses the question: How do women’s empowerment and gender norms affect women’s engagement in livestock business? To respond, this study explores how women attempt to negotiate gender norms in order to create a niche for their agribusiness, and thereby to empower themselves. Since gender norms are diverse, research was undertaken in 2021 with agripreneurs running dairy-related businesses in two regions of Tanzania. Gender-disaggregated focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and individual interviews were carried out in Kilimanjaro and Tanga regions which had been target sites for the bigger Maziwa Zaidi Phase II project in Tanzania. In total, 24 women dairy farmers, 25 men dairy farmers, 20 women agripreneurs and 22 men agripreneurs involved in selling feeds, milk collection and agro-veterinary goods and services such as artificial insemination and livestock extension participated in the FGDs. Twelve women and 16 men were interviewed as KIIs while 12 women and 15 men were interviewed individually.Results and DiscussionThe findings show that women agripreneurs are active in selling milk and earning an income, and a few women provide AI services. However, local gender norms significantly reduce potential gains. Normative sanctions are applied to women who are perceived to be moving beyond acceptable gender norms in their efforts to establish their dairy related livelihoods. Yet this picture is not uniform. The presence of traditionally more favorable local gender norms towards engagement in smallholder dairy related businesses allows women in the Kilimanjaro Region to openly exercise more decision-making power and secure more benefits compared to women in Tanga Region where local norms largely limited women’s engagement because dairying is a rather novel concept and was introduced in the 1990s as a men’s income generation enterprise.Our own findings indicate that local patriarchal contexts remain powerful in both study sites. However with sustained empowerment efforts, women and men fairly express an understanding of empowerment as a process, involving building capacity, supporting, creating an enabling environment for achieving of one’s goals. Women note that an empowered woman faces more barriers than an empowered man because if married, she has to consult with her husband prior to making big investments. Empowered men are however free to do as they like with their resources. Patriarchal norms guiding social ordering in Tanzania therefore place a cap on achievement as well as expression of empowerment by women. Moreover, through gender norms gatekeeping, significant relations such as husbands and community members can also act as empowerment gatekeepers reining in women’s expression and experience of empowerment, especially if her husband is economically disempowered while she is.

The role of subjective power dynamics in far-right collective action: The “Unite the Right” rally and the Capitol insurrection

Far-right collective action has previously been explained in terms of collective grievances. However, this does not adequately explain mobilisations after ingroup-relevant successes. Based on the broader collective action literature, we suggest that analysing experiences of subjective power before and during collective action may significantly complement existing explanations of far-right mobilisations. We used secondary data (predominantly videos from YouTube and ProPublica) from the 2017 Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally and the 2021 Washington Capitol insurrection to qualitatively examine the extent to which attendees reported experiencing collective psychological empowerment alongside the perception of collective grievances. The events were connected by the effort to unify the far-right yet were shaped by different immediate contexts. We find that at Charlottesville, attendees arrived already feeling empowered and gained further empowerment from the rally itself. While the Capitol insurrection seemed to be driven by collective grievances, there were some indicators of empowerment experiences mainly deriving from the event itself. Our analysis has implications for disempowering far-right collective action.

Understanding Place Histories to Inform Positive Ageing-in-Place Transitions: An Intersectional Place Perspective of Forced Relocation Experiences

Background: Forced relocation is not always experienced as a single occurrence or event in time. Currently, there is a limited knowledge on how several substantial relocations across a lifetime impacts the health and wellbeing of older people. Aim: This study explores forced relocation experiences of older, low-income migrant Canadians through inquiries into their past place histories and examines how these have shaped opportunities and oppressions leading up to transitions into affordable housing in Richmond, BC, Canada. Methods: Informed by an intersectional place perspective model developed specifically for this research, a multi-method, qualitative community-based approach was undertaken involving in-depth interviews (N = 15), storytelling sessions (N = 10), and photo-tours (N = 8), with 28 participants. Narrative and visual data were co-analysed with participants, using a framework thematic analysis approach. Results: The analysis revealed oppressive structures that influenced the everyday lives of older people, which generated feelings of distress, fear, exclusion, feeling unsettled, and being ‘othered’. However, within oppressive structures of enforcement emerged experiences of empowerment engendered through gaining a sense of community, realising social belonging and family, maintaining pride and personal integrity as well as capturing community, social, psychological, physical and health transitions. Discussion: Unique insights acquired from an intersectional place analysis highlight how past experiences of place shape current perceptions of home and provide important implications for supporting and maintaining the health and wellbeing of older people during this type of relocation. The theoretical resource developed for this study, offers researchers, planners and developers an important tool for procuring a more critical perspective when creating homes for marginalised persons.

Vulnerable consumer experiences of (dis)empowerment with consumer protection regulations

AbstractThe payday lending industry has been characterized as predatory, which has led to tougher government interventions. However, research on how stricter consumer protection regulations affect actual vulnerable consumers' lived experiences remains seriously underdeveloped. Following in‐depth interviews with financially excluded and therefore vulnerable payday loan consumers, this study finds that increased payday loan industry regulations are perceived by consumers as either empowering, disempowering, or simultaneously (dis)empowering. Accordingly, practical implications are developed to help public policy makers navigate vulnerable consumers' ambivalent relationship with consumer protection regulations.

다문화가정 서포터즈로 활동하는 결혼이주여성들의 임파워먼트 경험에 관한 현상학적 연구

다문화가정 서포터즈로 활동하는 결혼이주여성들의 임파워먼트 경험에 관한 현상학적 연구

Pictures of you: God images, gun ownership, and empowerment in the United States

AbstractObjectiveIn the current study, we seek to shed new light on the role of religion in American gun culture by considering whether images people hold of God affect the probability of gun ownership and the experience of empowerment through guns for religious Americans (i.e., the extent to which owners derive security, identity, and status from their guns).MethodsWe analyze nationally representative data from the 2021 Baylor Religion Survey in the United States. Binary logistic and ordinary least squares regression models were used.ResultsWe failed to observe any associations between God images and gun ownership. However, among gun owners (n = 430), belief in an engaged God was associated with lower levels of gun empowerment, while belief in a judgmental God was associated with higher levels.ConclusionGod images may contribute to the experience of empowerment through guns by representing spiritual connection and intimacy or divine anger and retribution. We suggest that future research delve deeper into the intersection of God images and gun‐related beliefs and behaviors.

Women’s Empowerment: Impact of RMG; Case from BISIC, Fatullah, Narayanganj District

The multifaceted concept of women's empowerment has gained prominence, particularly in the context of the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry. This paper investigates the impact of the RMG sector on women's empowerment, centering on ten garment companies located in BISIC, Fatullah, Narayanganj District, Bangladesh. Employing a sample of 150 women workers (with a response rate of 90%), this study examines the contribution of employment in this industry to economic, social, and political empowerment. Through a comprehensive review of literature and empirical studies, the research explores the complex relationship between women's participation in the RMG industry and the outcomes of their empowerment. The findings underscore that, while the RMG sector has created employment opportunities for a substantial number of women in developing countries like Bangladesh, the nature and extent of their empowerment experiences are shaped by factors such as workplace conditions, education, and societal norms. Recognizing these nuances is crucial for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and advocates of women's rights to formulate effective strategies that optimize the positive impact of the RMG sector on women's empowerment in BISIC, Fatullah, Narayanganj District.

Empoderamiento de las enfermeras durante la pandemia de COVID 19 en una unidad de nueva creación

Objective: to explore the empowerment experience of nurses at a Semi-critical Care Unit created during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Fundación Althaia hospital, and to understand the influential factors. Method: a qualitative phenomenological study conducted from March to May 2020. The 25 nurses who had worked in the unit for continuous periods of at least two weeks were included. There was purposive sampling of different demographic and occupational profiles until data saturation. Participant observation was conducted for eight weeks, and semistructured interviews after unit closure. The latent contents were analysed with support by the Atlas Ti software, version 8.4, and investigator triangulation. Results: eight nurses were interviewed; 37 codes were determined, distributed in nine groups and two final subjects. They reported an increase in empowerment. The driving factors for this were identified as: teamwork, learning, awareness of the holistic vision of Nursing, impact on organization, social and institutional recognition, and moral duty. The hindering factors found were: initial lack of knowledge, material and structural resources, and the institutional support received. Conclusions: structural, psychological and relational factors were identified as having impact on nursing empowerment. These findings can contribute to improving the organization of health services and nursing care in similar situations.

The MAGNUS Experience: An Opportunity for Renewal, Respite, and Reflection

The nursing literature is replete with accounts of disenfranchised nurses leaving their workplaces to embark on travel assignments, retire early, or seek alternative careers after living through a pandemic not experienced since 1918. Nurse leaders are employing a myriad of strategies to retain staff and recruit new nurses. Investing in professional development activities has been purported as an effective strategy to retain and engage staff. This article describes the evolution of a continuing education course from a clinical leadership development program to an empowerment experience. Responses from participants who completed MAGNUS “post pandemic” are included.

Key tips to providing a psychologically safe learning environment in the clinical setting

Having psychological safety embedded in preceptorship relationships facilitates positive interpersonal and educational experiences for students. Psychological safety refers to a student’s belief as to whether or not it is safe for them to take interpersonal risks, such as asking questions, sharing an idea for improvement or speaking up to maintain patient safety. Having psychological safety leads to collaboration, positive student learning experiences and effective patient care. This article presents key guidelines for preceptors to provide a psychologically safe learning environment for their students. Guidelines fall under four categories 1) before meeting students, 2) first meeting students, 3) continued relationship with students, and 4) general rules. These guidelines are informed by current literature on psychological safety and preceptorship and the author's clinical expertise in nursing preceptorship. We conceptualise psychological safety in a nursing preceptorship for preceptors to denote the experience of inclusivity, empowerment, and well-being of students within the social, cultural and physical clinical learning environment. A crucial attribute to cultivating a psychologically safe environment involves being an accessible and approachable preceptor.

LGBTIQ CALD People's Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Literature Review.

Experience of surviving intimate partner violence (IPV) is well documented in research, policing practices, newspapers, and awareness campaigns domestically and internationally. Arguably, those who have survived IPV and have their experiences reflected within society undergo a transformative experience of empowerment. As society recognises and validates their experience has occurred, and responds to it, accordingly, as some survivors have targeted services and interventions to assist in this transformation. However, for LGBTIQ-identifying peoples, experiences of IPV are poorly understood in contemporary society, which is further exacerbated for LGBTIQ-identifying CALD people as they continue to remain hidden. The systematic literature review aims to explore the experiences of this group in their development of resilience following an abusive and violent relationship. Of the potential 230 identified studies, 5 studies met the eligibility criteria. In line with the eligibility criteria, these studies were first reviewed by title, then by abstract and then by full text. Of those studies which the research team deemed relevant for inclusion, their reference lists where also reviewed to determine if any further relevant studies could be identified using this strategy. As a result of the above process, five (5) studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. From data extraction, three major themes emerged: Intimate Partner Violence as Experienced by LGBTIQ survivors, Marginalised Identity and Types of Survivorship. While refined, these themes capture a more robust set of sub-themes that identify the diverse ways in which LGBTIQ survivors experience responses to their victimised status as experienced in IPV situations. Overall, the review found that resilient outcomes for LGBTIQ CALD survivors remain misunderstood and missing within the literature. There is a propensity to focus on negative coping strategies and an exclusive focus on LGBTIQ CALD vulnerabilities. Future research requires investigation into strategies and support that move beyond coping to include resilient outcomes and support systems that allow manifestations of resilience.

Marginalized youth participation in a civic engagement and leadership program: Photovoice and focus group empowerment activity.

To evaluate marginalized youth participation in a civic engagement and leadership program accompanied by a photovoice activity.This study employed an exploratory qualitative method through semistructured focus group discussions among 11 participating teens, as well as 63 photographs from the photovoice activity and their accompanied narratives. The data was coded, and themes related to teens concerns and workshop impact were summarized.Focus group and photovoice analyses showed similar themes related to the experience of participants empowerment, identity recognition, community awareness, and desire for civic engagement. Participants conveyed concerns about gender and race discrimination, community drug abuse, littering, teen pregnancy, and overcrowded schools.This study has implications for professionals and researchers engaging with marginalized teens in the community. Photovoice methodology can complement any program that has teen empowerment among their goals of allowing participants to have a voice.

Barriers and facilitators for coherent rehabilitation among people with inflammatory arthritis – a qualitative interview study

BackgroundPeople with chronic diseases have contact with several different professionals across hospital wards, municipality services and general practice and often experience lack of coherence. The purpose was to explore perceived barriers and facilitators to coherent rehabilitation pathways for health care users with inflammatory arthritis and how coherence can be improved.MethodsSemi-structured individual interviews were conducted before a planned inpatient rehabilitation stay, 2-3 weeks and 4-6 months after discharge. Thematic reflexive analysis guided the analysis of data. Concepts of person-centred care, complex adaptive systems and integrated care were applied in the interpretations.ResultsIn all, 11 participants with IA were included. There was one overarching theme, The importance of a person-centred approach, illuminating the significance of professionals who respect healthcare user’ preferences. To use a person-centred approach, demands professionals who are interested in exploring the persons own values, preferences and experiences and incorporate these when planning care and rehabilitation.Connected to the overarching theme, three sub-themes were derived; 1) Experiences of empowerment and dis-empowerment, covering that most want to be in control and act themselves, but felt overwhelmed and lost energy and they tended to give up; 2) Experiences of communication and coordination, encompass how people feel forced to take on coordination and communication tasks themselves although they do not always feel qualified for this. Some asked for a coordination person and 3) Facing everyday life after discharge, covering how initiatives taken by professionals were not always experienced as helpful after discharge. Some gave up and some tried to find alternative paths themselves.ConclusionProfessionals taking a person-centred approach facilitated coherent rehabilitation pathways. This encompassed care with respect for individual needs and professionals who empowered patients to self-management. Furthermore, to be aware that interprofessional communication and coordination need to take place both between professional within the same department, between departments and between professionals in different sectors.After discharge, some patients were challenged in their everyday life when trying to follow the advice from the professionals. Professionals, who do not use a person-centred approach, hinder coherence. Patients thus feel compelled to take on communication and coordination tasks.

Women’s Empowerment in Post-Conflict Housing Reconstruction in Palestine

The occurrence of disasters, especially in the post disaster phase, could be an opportunity to empower women in housing reconstruction. Despite that the disasters are on increase globally; they affect women and men differently. Women are still passive in disaster management and they have been found more vulnerable to disasters than men. This study provides insights into the experiences of women empowerment in post disaster housing reconstruction (PDHR) in the Gaza Strip-Palestine. The study used a questionnaire survey to obtain data from women who had been involved in post conflict housing reconstruction. The results indicated that, five of nine practices of women empowerment were determined statistically significant. The findings showed that, the top three practices for women empowerment are: ensuring rights of land titles for female-headed households in the PDHR, equal distribution of financial assistance to both men and women, and equal access to resources and information related to reconstruction. Gaza Strip lacks researches regarding women empowerment in general and in PDHR in particular. This study fills the knowledge gap relating to women empowerment in post conflict housing reconstruction. The study results established a basis for better understanding of the women empowerment and could minimize their vulnerabilities to future disasters.

원격수업을 경험한 대학 교수의 임파워먼트에 대한 질적 사례 연구

The purpose of this study is to identify the changed empowerment experience and meaning of distance learning through the qualitative case study on professors conducting food and beverage practical classes, and to find ways to use teaching empowerment in future remote learning. The results of this study are as follows. First, it is said that there were many difficulties in preparing classes and knowing distance learning programs to adapt to teaching styles that most professors did not experience. Second, professors continuously try to encourage participation and communication to induce class concentration and students' independent learning during distance learning classes. The results of this study will improve the teaching empowerment of professors who conduct remote learning in food and beverage practical subjects in the future, to overcome the limitations of classes as much as possible and improving the learning effect of students.

11.J. Workshop: Enabling participation of vulnerable groups in primary health and long-term care

Abstract Enabling individual and collective participation or vulnerable people in health and social care is fundamental to achieving equitable, people-centered care. However, for vulnerable groups and clients, unfolding opportunities for participation in their care is closely related with experiences of empowerment and disempowerment. The workshop focuses on primary health and long-term care, as those are the pillars of resilient health care systems able to meet the complex care needs of vulnerable people. From a public health perspective, the facets of participation range from providing access to comprehensive services for people in need, to developing a shared understanding between clients and health professionals regarding clients’ everyday and care preferences, to sharing decision-making on health and care matters. In this workshop, we will discuss how helpful public health interventions between individual, professional and systemic-structural approaches should or could be designed, to (better) enable participation of vulnerable groups in primary and long-term care. The workshop presentations draw on empirical research with members of vulnerable groups, health professionals and key informants in care policy and practice conducted in Brazil, Germany, India, and Spain. By focusing on different primary and long-term care settings as well as vulnerable groups (undocumented persons, older people in need of care, people living with chronic illnesses) we will address and discuss the following questions: • What ideas can we find to strengthen participation of vulnerable groups in primary and long-term care settings? • Which opportunities and barriers are involved? • How can individual, professional, and structural approaches ‘fit together’ to enable greater participation of vulnerable groups in their (self-)care? Key messages • Practitioners’ efforts to enable participation have to be accompanied by qualification- and governance-oriented public health approaches to achieve patient oriented health and social care systems. • Present barriers and opportunities for vulnerable groups are instructive indicators for broader challenges towards comprehensive people-centered care.

Overcoming the Challenges of Scale in Less Hierarchical Organizing

There is growing interest in alternative, less hierarchical forms of organizing, understood as forms of organizing that distribute formal authority more widely than in conventional hierarchical firms. A fundamental question about less hierarchical organizing is its ability to scale. At the center of this concern is the issue of coordination as typical coordination mechanisms in less hierarchical organizations become prohibitively costly at scale and even if efficient mechanisms are developed, they may fail to provide individuals the experience of empowerment and participation that attracted them to the organization and motivated their contribution to it. Bringing together four papers on the topic of scaling less hierarchical organizing, this symposium will present a vibrant picture of the current state of research on the topic and provide a compelling set of insights about how the challenges of scale can be overcome. Scaling up without blowing up: How collaborative organizing manages conflict Presenter: Fang He; ESSEC Business School NETWORKED ACTIVISM AT SCALE: SELF-ORGANIZING IN THE ABSENCE OF MANAGERIAL CONTROL Presenter: Felipe Gorenstein Massa; Loyola U. New Orleans Presenter: Siobhan O'Mahony; Boston U. Sortition and the scaling of democratic organizations: An empirical investigation Presenter: Simon Pek; U. of Victoria Employee allocation and problems with scaling up boss-less organizations Presenter: Maciej Workiewicz; ESSEC Business School

Initiating Entrepreneurship to Improve Health amongst People in Lio Village during The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Community development in Lio Village performed by Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia students aimed to improve the health status of villagers. Because economy correlates with health, an economic intervention may increase the health status of the people. Based on this, an entrepreneurship program was initiated as a part of a community development program. This study is qualitative study that was conducted between July 2020 and February 2021. The intervention consisted of asynchronous webinar sessions, workshops, and business competition. Data were gathered from post-test questionnaires through a Google form. The winners were chosen according to the business ideas and given prizes. Then, a follow-up interview was conducted to measure the benefits of the intervention. For the results, more than 50% of the participants understood the theory by answering correct questions in the post-evaluation forms. The participants also reported feeling happier and having better mental health. Of the 88 medical students who volunteered in the event, 78.2% felt a tremendously beneficial experience of community empowerment and 21.8% felt they have experienced community empowerment. In conclusion, remote-online community development intervention may be a solution during the COVID-19 pandemic. By acknowledging the importance of the economic aspect to health and improving aspects that influence health holistically, both economic and health states of the people may be improved.

“Taking care of your pregnancy”: a mixed-methods study of group antenatal care in Kakamega County, Kenya

BackgroundTraditional antenatal care (ANC) models often do not meet women’s needs for information, counseling, and support, resulting in gaps in quality and coverage. Group ANC (GANC) provides an alternative, person-centered approach where pregnant women of similar gestational age meet with the same health provider for facilitated discussion. Few studies show associations between GANC and various outcomes.MethodsWe employed a pre-post quasi-experimental design using mixed methods to assess a GANC model (Lea Mimba Pregnancy Clubs) at six health facilities in Kakamega County, Kenya. Between April 2018 and January 2019, we tracked 1652 women assigned to 162 GANC cohorts. Using an intention-to-treat approach, we conducted baseline (N = 112) and endline surveys (N = 360) with women attending immunization visits to assess outcomes including experience of care, empowerment and self-efficacy, knowledge of healthy practices and danger signs, and practice of healthy behaviors, including ANC retention. At endline, we conducted 29 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and three focus group discussions with women who were currently and previously participating in GANC, and 15 IDIs with stakeholders.ResultsThe proportion of survey respondents with knowledge of three or more danger signs during pregnancy more than tripled, from 7.1% at baseline to 26.4% at endline (OR: 4.58; 95% CI: 2.26–10.61). We also found improvements in women’s reports about their experience of care between baseline and endline, particularly in their assessment of knowledge and competence of health workers (OR: 2.52 95% CI: 1.57–4.02), respect shown by ANC providers (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.16–2.85), and women’s satisfaction with overall quality of care (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03–2.53). We saw an increase from 58.9% at baseline to 71.7% at endline of women who strongly agreed that they shared their feelings and experiences with other women (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.1–2.7). The mean number of ANC visits increased by 0.89 visits (95% CI: 0.47–1.42) between baseline (4.21) and endline (5.08). No changes were seen in knowledge of positive behaviors, empowerment, self-efficacy, and several aspects related to women’s experience of care and adoption of healthy behavior constructs. Qualitatively, women and stakeholders noted improved interactions between health providers and women, improved counseling, increased feelings of empowerment to ask questions and speak freely and strengthened social networks and enhanced social cohesion among women.ConclusionsGANC offers promise for enhancing women’s experience of care by providing improved counseling and social support. Additional research is needed to develop and test measures for empowerment, self-efficacy, and experience of care, and to understand the pathways whereby GANC effects changes in specific outcomes.