Personal Empowerment Research Articles

Attitudes Toward Inclusion and Utilitarian-Progressive Philosophical Orientations: A Survey Study of Maltese State Primary School Educators

This article conceptualises Maltese educational philosophy according to a utilitarian-progressive dualism, with critical theory as the source of antagonism between the two positions. In this sense, education for work and economic development serves as a utilitarian or technocratic justification for the prevailing socioeconomic status quo. In contrast, education for personal and social development serves more progressive or humanistic goals of personal empowerment and sociopolitical emancipation. Given that inclusion is a relatively explicit feature of Maltese educational policy and practice, we asked how attitudes towards inclusion currently interact with the broader foregoing philosophical orientations among Maltese primary school educators. A survey of 62 educators in a large state primary school was carried out, consisting of an existing scale for measuring attitudes toward inclusion, as well as a locally contextualised bespoke scale designed to measure philosophical orientations. Factors such as role and experience, as well as initial and ongoing training were included as explanatory factors. The results suggest overall positive attitudes toward inclusion, combined with a juxtaposition of utilitarian and progressive views about education. Based on the findings, we argue that initial training is a particularly important opportunity for educators to engage more fully with philosophy of education and critical pedagogy since they are less likely to do so later in their careers in the Maltese primary state school sector.

Empowering Women in Agriculture: Assessing the Impact of the Food Acquisition Program (Paa) on Family Farming in the Western Region of São Paulo, Mirante do Paranapanema, Brazil

Purpose: The objective of the research was to analyze, based on the interfaces between gender and family farming, how access to a public policy, in this case, the Food Acquisition Program (FAP), influences (or not) the empowerment of participating female farmers. Theoretical framework: The methodology used in the research was a case study and interviews were carried out based on elaborate semi-structured scripts (Triviños, 1987). A bibliographical survey was carried out using HERÉDIA; CINTRÃO, 2006, BRASIL, 2011, HAESBAERT (2004), among other literature publications, and systematization of data from secondary sources with National Supply Company. Conception/Methodology/Approach: We took as empirical reference the “Associação Força Feminina” in the municipality of “Mirante do Paranapanema”, in the State of São Paulo. This Association participated of FAP between 2011 and 2016, and it was verified through data from secondary sources that there was growth in terms of values of approved projects. Findings: We consider that the PAA was an action that made it possible to expand the participation of family farming and that generated economic autonomy for women. The PAA provided advances in relation to the quality of life to the women farmers of the Associação Força Feminina, as it valued agricultural products, increased the diversity of production, brought producers and consumers closer together, offered sales guarantees and paid more advantageous prices. Research, practical and social implications: The study deals with issues related to public policies and issues of empowerment in the state of São Paulo – BR. Access to the Food Acquisition Program (SAP), aimed at rural women workers, intends to take into account the social and cultural specificities of family farming, and makes it possible to understand that public policies are an important instrument, that can change the living situation of the families involved and of their beneficiaries. Originality/Value: In this article, a careful case study was developed, based on research into the participation of women farmers in the Food Acquisition Program (PAF), establishing parameters for analysis of whether this participation increased their level of economic and personal empowerment.

Impact of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises on Women's Empowerment in Nigeria

This study examines the impact of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on women's empowerment in Oyo state. A cluster sampling procedure was used to select 283 respondents for this study. Data for this study was sourced using primary sources. The questionnaire was administered to elicit information from the study respondents. Data obtained were measured using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics using binary logistic regression. The results showed that 43.1% of the respondents were between the ages of 41-50years, 48.8% of the respondents had NCE/OND qualification, most (57.6%) of the respondents were divorced, 32.9% of the respondents were engaged in agriculture, most (66.4%) of the respondents were sole proprietorship, 43.8% of the respondents have 10-20year of operation. Furthermore, the majority (77.0%) of the respondents agreed that involvement in SMEs has positively impacted their personal empowerment or financial stability, 98.6% of the respondents believe that government policies and support systems adequately promote women's empowerment through SMEs in Oyo State, most (67.8%) of the respondent thought SMEs enhance financial literacy. Also, the majority (93.6%) of the respondents agreed that involvement in SMEs has empowered them economically and socially.

Perceptions of the acceptability and effectiveness of a localised lifestyle medicine initiative to improve mental health – the lift project

ABSTRACT Objective Evaluate survey respondents’ perceptions concerning the acceptability and effectiveness of a localised, community-based mental health program. Method Avondale University and Lake Macquarie City Council partnered to implement an online, lifestyle-based program for all Council residents during a COVID-19 lockdown period. The University and Council promoted the program through established networks, resulting in 2390 registrations representing 4041 participants. Researchers invited registered users to respond to a post-program survey assessing their perceptions concerning program satisfaction, mental health benefits, and self-efficacy for managing mental health. Qualitative questions probed respondents’ likes and dislikes and were analysed thematically. Results Response rates were low, 6% (138/2390) of registered participants completed the post-program survey. Of the 138 responses, 99% indicated they would recommend the program to others, and 94% believed they gained skills to manage their mental well-being into the future. Themes generated from the qualitative data indicated that respondents liked the video content and delivery style, community camaraderie, personal empowerment, and easy accessibility. Some respondents found online accessibility problematic, disliked the delivery style, and experienced technical difficulties. Discussion The findings from a limited number of respondents indicate that a localised, community-based lifestyle program may offer a replicable model that is acceptable and effective in improving perceived mental health and self-efficacy in managing mental well-being. Survey respondents valued the practical content, community togetherness and emphasis on self-empowerment.

The experiences of familial mental illness stigma among individuals living with mental illnesses.

Persons with mental illnesses may experience stigma from their immediate family members in addition to other forms of stigma. Using semi-structured interviews, we investigated experiences of familial mental illness stigma among 15 people diagnosed with mental illnesses in a mid-sized city in Canada. We identified five themes that speak to participants' experiences of familial mental illness stigma and ways to reduce it. The themes include the following: diagnosis as a 'double-edged sword,' potential familial isolation, familial stigma as societal stigma localized, stories of acceptance, and confronting potential familial mental illness stigma. Participants' narratives indicate that familial mental illness stigma is rooted in the broader social or public stigma, which sees its way into familial relations as well. This stigma takes various forms, including relationship bias or unfair treatment, breakdown in romantic relationships, loss of status, verbal and emotional abuse, exclusion from decision-making, and alienation within their immediate and extended families. Familial mental illness stigma experiences negatively impact participant's psychological well-being and personal empowerment. However, participants also shared ways that family members create supportive environments or actively confront or prevent stigma. Overall, this study has contributed to knowledge on mental illness stigma, particularly familial mental illness stigma from the perspective of participants living with a mental illness in a high-income country. Suggestions for future research include a focus on strategies to prevent ongoing familial mental illness stigma and large-scale studies to explore familial mental illness stigma to understand why families might perpetrate stigma.

Identifying and interpreting gendered violence: Visual literacy in an audience reception study of Issa López' Casi Divas

AbstractWe present an audience reception study of participant reactions to gender‐based violence in Issa López' 2008 film, Casi Divas, chosen for its nuanced depiction of women grappling with several violences. Over three focus groups with 15 adult participants, we used Galtung's conflict theory to explore what participants identified as violence, and how victims should respond to violence in various forms. We find that participants have a narrow definition of violence, seeing it as an individualized act and therefore neglecting to consider its cultural or structural foundations. The participants' responses to violence largely reflected neoliberal values of personal empowerment and choice, resilience, and “leaning in.” We recommend critical visual literacy as a tool in the educational context to identify and address violence, to fight inequity, and to establish emancipatory discourses.

THE LEGAL CAPACITY (AL-AHLIYYAH) OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FROM AN ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE

Capacity is the legal right and empowerment of a legal person to individual responsibility. A legal person has the right to social, economic, and political duties and responsibilities in the society to sue and be sued in the law court. However, the issue of artificial persons has been gaining attention in recent times, especially its legal capacity. This paper examines the legal capacity of Artificial Intelligence from Islamic jurisprudential perspective. For instance, legal and juristic issues remain around the legal capacity of humanoids like Sophia Robot which was granted the first full citizenship in Saudi Arabia. Does that citizenship translate to full rights and responsibility like a normal human? The study uses a qualitative method to employ the doctrinal approach of analyzing Islamic jurisprudential opinions on the legal personality of an artificial person. Although there are Islamic thresholds on minors and other interdicted persons, however, the study explores the extent of interpolating classical Islamic rulings of the legal capacity of certain corporations, entities, and interdicted persons on the artificial intelligence robot. The study found that an artificial intelligence robot does not have the complete traits to be considered for natural legal capacity. However, AI has the trait of artificial personality that is justified in Islamic jurisprudence. The vicarious tortious liability can be interpolated on the artificial personality of AI to ensure the protection of the public interest. Therefore, this study lays the groundwork for further studies in understanding how Islamic law can address the rights, responsibilities, and ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI, thereby facilitating the development of comprehensive, and religiously sensitive regulatory frameworks.

Towards An Integrated Understanding of Art, Spirituality, and Well-Being

This paper explores how art and spirituality are connected and examines how art-based pedagogy, including art appreciation and art making, can facilitate not only developing emotional skills, but also cultivating spirituality and spiritual wisdom in management education. It further proposes that art appreciation is a virtuous activity, as it can facilitate the learning of spiritual values in a more personally meaningful way. By presenting an integrated model of art appreciation and sharing pedagogical examples of art appreciation, I propose that art appreciation can provide a more intuitive and immediate approach for developing spiritual values such as empathy and interpersonal care in management education. The primary purpose of this paper is therefore to explore the pedagogical potential of contemplative art-based practices in cultivating not only the students' emotional skills, but also their understanding of spirituality, thereby contributing to a heightened sense of their personal empowerment and overall well-being.

Impact of Ageism on Civic Engagement and Mental Health Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

IntroductionAgeist beliefs and attitudes may restrict the opportunities for older adults to participate actively in their communities, resulting in strong effects on mental health.ObjectivesThis study has three objectives: 1) To investigate the effect of ageism on older adults’ civic activities; 2) To analyze the influence of ageism on mental health; and 3) To explore the impact of civic participation on older adults’ mental health.MethodsThis qualitative study included 391 older people from three different nationalities (Portuguese, Brazilian and English) ranging in age from 65 to 88 years old. All the interviews went through the process of content analysis.ResultsFor the first objective, findings encompass four major themes: (1) Social disapproval (86%); (2) Perceived Ineptitude (84%); (3) Anticipated Failure (83%); and (4) Inability to Contribute (77%). For the second objective, findings indicated six categories: (1) Helplessness and Despair (89%); (2) Rage (81%); (3) Self-Perceived Inability (77%); (4) Sense of Unimportance (71%); (5) Anxiety (68%); and (6) Outbursts of Emotion (63%). For the third objective, the following five major subjects emerged: (1) Meaningfulness (81%); (2) Embracing Social Belonging (80%); (3) Cognitive Abilities (71%); (4) Personal Empowerment (67%); (5) Emotional Expression (54%). Additionally, findings indicated that the most verbalized themes for the three objectives were the same across the three nationalities.ConclusionsThe results of this study offered insight into how ageism, mental health, and civic engagement are related. Ageism seems to have a negative impact on mental health. Ageism also made it difficult for people to participate in civic life, which has been linked to better mental health. These findings emphasize the need to identify ageism and encourage inclusive civic involvement to improve older individuals’ mental health.Keywords: Mental health; ageism; civic participation; older adults.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Symptom and Technology Management Intervention Usefulness for Caregivers of Children With Tracheostomies and Feeding Tubes.

Caregivers of children who require medical technology of tracheostomies and feeding tubes provide intensive and specialized care at home. They have extensive training in the hospital prior to their child's discharge; however, there is limited education about their child's care once they are at home. The Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment: Symptom and Technology Management Resources intervention focused on commonly experienced symptoms and technology used at home by caregivers. We present the findings from the intervention exit interviews to gain insight about the intervention from caregiver perspectives, notably their perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, and acceptability. A qualitative descriptive design was used to examine caregivers' perceptions of the intervention in exit interviews. These interviews were conducted upon completion of the intervention as part of feasibility testing. Sixteen caregivers completed the study and participated in exit interviews. Caregivers described the themes of the best that you can do, a reminder that I am doing it the right way, and I wish I had these when my child first had the tracheostomy and feeding tube. Caregivers also provided feedback about the intervention's usefulness and suggestions for further refinement and future adaptations of the intervention. Caregivers provided valuable insights about the intervention, describing its usefulness to them, the potential for usefulness for other caregivers of these children, and their experiences with care of their children at home. Future plans include efficacy testing and modifications to enhance the intervention based on caregiver feedback.

Mosque Management Revitalization Through Economic Empowerment of Ummah

This study aims to enhance the role of the mosque's function as a religious institution so that it is not only used for the spiritual welfare of the community but also must be able to prosper economically. This study adopts a qualitative approach with the phenomenology study method and combines analysis techniques of reduction, display, and verification. The object of this research is the Jenderal Sudirman mosque, Surabaya, where the collection of data comes from observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The results of the study show that the application of inputs (institutional, leadership, and goals), processes (spiritual formation, personal mental formation, capacity building, and empowerment), outputs (strengthening of character, strengthening of emotional relationships, strengthening of business and strengthening of the economy and outcomes ( spiritual ability and financial ability)) in economic empowerment is still suboptimal. Therefore, mosques need to revitalize their management to collaborate with the government, state or private universities, private institutions or institutions, and the community. Moreover, the mosque should not only be prospered by the ummah; conversely, it can also prosper the ummah.

Factors influencing renal replacement therapy modality choice from the nephrologist's perspective.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers quality of life and empowerment for persons with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Nevertheless, theprevalence of PD is low in Belgium and Europe in general. Reimbursement, patient mix and late referral have been quoted as underlying reasons. However, to date no one-size-fits-all solution increasing uptake of PD has been successfully implemented. We aimed to understand the nephrologist's perspective, beliefs, and experiences on dialysis modality selection and to clarify underlying process-level and intrinsic motivations steering final decisions. Using purposeful sampling, Belgian nephrologists (non-/academic, geographical spread, age, gender) were selected. We conducted semi-structured interviews, and audiotapes were transcribed verbatim. Meaningful units were grouped into (sub-)themes, and a conceptual framework was developed using grounded theory according to Charmaz as guidance. Twenty-nine nephrologists were interviewed. We identified four themes: Trust and belief (in PD as a technique; own expertise, knowledge and team; in behavior of patient, family practitioner), feeling of control (paternalism; insecurity; prejudice), vision of care and approach (shared decision making; troubleshooting attitude; flexibility and creativity; complacency), and organizational issues (predialysis; access; financial; and assisted PD). Based on these interviews, it is apparent that next to already identified singular issues such as late referral, predialysis education, patient mix and financial incentives, more intrinsic factors also impact uptake of home-based therapies. These factors intertwine and relate both to process-level topics and to attitudes and culture of the nephrologists within the team.

Exploring suicide resilience experiences in Chinese youth after self-poisoning: A qualitative study

ObjectiveThis inquiry probes the suicide resilience experiences in suicide attempts by self-poisoning among Chinese youth. The study's goal is to provide healthcare professionals with critical insights to develop effective interventions that enhance suicide prevention measures and diminish the likelihood of subsequent attempts. MethodsUtilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 youths (Mean age = 21.1 ± 2.8 years; n = 7 females) who survived suicide attempts by self-poisoning. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi's seven-step method, a rigorous method entailing iterative reading for the extraction of key statements and the distillation of thematic essence. ResultsFour primary themes with ten sub-themes were extracted: (1) New understanding of life (cherish life, and meaning of life), (2) Self-Reconciliation (self-acceptance, self-understanding, and self-openness), (3) Personal empowerment (increased self-reliance, increased responsibility, and increased emotional regulation), and (4) Life redesigning (faith in the future, and plan for the future). ConclusionsThe findings reveal a potential for psychological growth and beneficial transformation in youth following suicide attempts by self-poisoning. These insights advocate for the integration of positive psychology principles in therapeutic interventions for this demographic.

Usage Behaviour and Adoption Criteria for Mobile Health Solutions in Patients with Chronic Diseases in Gastroenterology

Introduction: Mobile Health (mHealth) applications allow for new possibilities and opportunities in patient care. Their potential throughout the whole patient journey is undisputed. However, the eventual adoption by patients depends on their acceptance of and motivation to use mHealth applications as well as their adherence. Therefore, we investigated the motivation and drivers of acceptance for mHealth and developed an adapted model of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2). Methods: We evaluated 215 patients with chronic gastroenterological diseases who answered a questionnaire including all model constructs with 7-point Likert scale items. Our model was adapted from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use in Technology 2 and includes influencing factors such as facilitating conditions, performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, social influence factors, effort expectancy, as well as personal empowerment and data protection concerns. Model evaluation was performed with structural equation modelling with PLS-SEM. Bootstrapping was performed for hypothesis testing. Results and Conclusion: Patients had a median age of 55.5 years, and the gender ratio was equally distributed. Forty percent received a degree from a university, college, technical academy, or engineering school. The majority of patients suffered from chronic liver disease, but patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, GI cancers, and pancreatic diseases were also included. Patients considered their general technology knowledge as medium to good or very good (78%). Actual usage of mHealth applications in general was rare, while the intention to use them was high. The leading acceptance factor for mHealth applications in our patient group was feasibility, both in terms of technical requirements and the intuitiveness and manageability of the application. Concerns about data privacy did not significantly impact the intention to use mobile devices. Neither the gamification aspect nor social influence factors played a significant role in the intention to use mHealth applications. Interpretation: Most of our patients were willing to spend time on a mHealth application specific to their disease on a regular basis. Acceptance and adherence are ensured by efficient utilization that requires minimum effort and compatible technologies as well as support in case of difficulties. Social influence and hedonic motivation, which were part of UTAUT2, as well as data security concerns, were not significantly influencing our patients’ intention to use mHealth applications. A literature review revealed that drivers of acceptance vary considerably among different population and patient groups. Therefore, healthcare and mHealth providers should put effort into understanding their specific target groups’ drivers of acceptance. We provided those for a cohort of patients from gastroenterology in this project.

Program Evaluation of the radKIDS® Youth Personal Empowerment Safety Education Program

Developing sound evidence of program effectiveness can be difficult for many programs initiated by schools and communities, and impedes many beneficial programs from broader dissemination. This paper shares results of an evaluation approach used with a bullying and victimization prevention program with elementary school children called the radKIDS® Personal Empowerment and Safety Education Program. The purpose of this study was to examine indicators of initial effectiveness of the radKIDS® program for elementary school child safety skill development and instructor training to reduce child victimization and associated trauma and empower healthy psychosocial child development. The study involved 330 active radKIDS® instructors surveyed during two separate two-week periods, resulting in 148 completed questionnaires (45%). Instructors rated their perceptions of what children effectively learned in radKIDS®, the effectiveness of instructor training, and on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies addressed in the program. Evaluation findings confirmed the theoretical model of the program, and that the developmental safety domains impacting children in radKIDS® differs from those in other bullying prevention interventions focused on SEL and other competencies. Recommended areas of improvement for the program included making training less time consuming and more flexible in delivery, provide more practice opportunities and time on skill acquisition during training, and increase supervision and guidance during program implementation.

The Social Circus in the Construction of Citizenship. A study from Citizenship Competencies for A Democratic Culture

This research aims to investigate the role of the Social Circus in the construction of citizenship through the learning and practice of citizenship competencies. The Social Circus provides a platform for learning circus and creating spaces for collective creation to promote personal, group and community empowerment to improve the quality of life of the participants and the society that surrounds them. Previous research has focused on the Social Circus’ personal and group workspace, but there’s still little literature on the construction of community and citizenship. This research studies the qualitative component in more depth, using a case analysis approach and The Reference Framework of Competencies for Democratic Culture developed by the Council of Europe (2018). To achieve so, two projects that use the concept of Social Circus and have a community perspective have been selected. Semi-structured interviews, group discussion and data analysis were used for the selection process. The results indicate that the Social Circus is an ideal setting to learn and practice citizenship competencies for a Democratic Culture during class, in the preparation of the show or final exhibition and/or in the community spaces related to the project.

Uncovering Factors and Solutions to Gender Inequity in the Workplace

With differences in income, promotion, and opportunity continuing to impede progress toward workplace equality, persistent gender inequality in the workplace remains a major concern. The study examines at the complex interplay of factors that cause gender inequality, from cultural standards to organizational biases. A qualitative methodology is used to assess the data from various workplaces. The survey found significant gender differences in pay, representation in leadership roles, and access to professional development opportunities. Additionally, it shows how biases and cultural norms support the upkeep of these disparities. To address these issues, the research proposes a multifaceted approach that includes changes to the law, initiatives for diversity and inclusion, and tactics for personal empowerment. The study can improve society overall and create a more just workplace by putting these solutions into reality. This research explains the problem of gender inequality in the workplace and offers practical mitigation measures. By promoting more inclusive and egalitarian professional environments, we may foster the circumstances for a more just and progressive society.

Assessment of Community Participation in Sustainable Local Economic Development: The Case of Wolaita Sodo Town, Ethiopia

Economic development is turning into a more regional phenomena. Through active community participation, it brings about a change in the locus of responsibility for development planning from the national to the sub-national or local levels. Nevertheless, Wolaita Sodo town hasn’t done enough research on community involvement with sustainable LEDs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the present level of community involvement in LED, examine the function of community participation in sustainable LED, and pinpoint the key variables influencing community participation in Sustainable LED in Wolaita Sodo town. Economic development is turning into a more regional phenomena. Through active community participation, it brings about a change in the locus of responsibility for development planning from the national to the sub-national or local levels. Nevertheless, Wolaita Sodo town hasn’t done enough research on community involvement with sustainable LEDs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the present level of community involvement in LED, examine the function of community participation in sustainable LED, and pinpoint the key variables influencing community participation in Sustainable LED in Wolaita Sodo town. Data from primary and secondary sources were gathered in both qualitative and quantitative formats. Questionnaires and checklists were used to gather data from sample respondents and relevant government offices. Techniques for multi-stage sampling were used to reach the sample size of 203 households. In addition to employing both descriptive and inferential statistics, a binary logistic regression model was utilized to examine the information gathered through the use of a questionnaire. Results revealed that 72.5% of the residents took part in LED efforts by making monetary or in-kind contributions. Furthermore, even if it is not a continual contribution, communities supply 33 percent of the total funding required for the development project to be carried out in their areas, with the government providing the remaining 27 percent. This is a clear sign of how the community is participating in the research area. Regarding the community’s role in LED, the results demonstrated that participation fosters a sense of ownership and organized performance, aids in social and personal empowerment, and creates locally based and owned development through resource mobilization—all of which contribute to sustainable development. The results also demonstrated that a number of factors, including income, attitude, level of awareness, interest in participating, leadership structure, monitoring and evaluation, partnership structure, and directives, were positively and significantly correlated with community participation in sustainable LED. Therefore, the government and other relevant authorities should actively work on awareness creation forums, knowledge and skill development training, community empowerment, and technical support in order to enhance community engagement. These are the main recommendations offered to improve community participation.

The evidence-based COPE program: Reducing the time between diagnosing and treating depression and anxiety in youth.

The soaring prevalence of depression and anxiety in children, teenagers, and young adults is now a public health epidemic, yet access to timely evidence-based mental health treatment is often lacking due to a severe shortage of mental health providers. This article provides an overview of the current state of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents as well as first-line evidence-based treatment. The Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE) program, a cognitive-behavioral skills-building intervention, is highlighted as an evidence-based intervention for timely treatment that can be delivered by NPs, physicians, and physician associates/assistants in primary care settings, school-based health centers, and chronic care clinics with reimbursement as well as in schools and universities as a preventive mental health intervention.

Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers

Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers