Personal Friend Research Articles

Development and Preliminary Validation of Stigma Measures for Care Partners of Persons Who Are d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

A great deal of literature documents the significant demands, both physical and psychosocial, that care partners experience when providing care to persons with a range of health conditions. There is, however, far less research available on care partners of adult persons who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing (d/DHH). In response to this gap, the authors developed measures of d/DHH stigma among care partners as part of the work of the Lancet Commission on Hearing Loss' Measures, Models, and Stigma Reduction Subgroup. The measures examined in this article are part of a larger set of parallel measures to enable comparison of stigma measurement across groups. The present study describes the preliminary validation of five stigma scales specifically tailored for use to assess the prevalence and effect of stigma on the care partners of adult people who are d/DHH in the United States. Care partners in this context are defined broadly and can include spouses, partners, adult children, siblings, and friends of persons who are d/DHH. The scales describe the care partner's own assessment of how the person who is d/DHH experiences and perceives stigma as well as the care partner's own internalized, experienced, and perceived stigma as a result of their association with a person who is d/DHH. This latter set of three scales describes secondary stigma, or the stigma a person experiences related to their association with a member of a stigmatized group. Measures were developed through a process that included a literature review, Delphi groups with people who became d/DHH after they developed spoken language, cognitive interviews, and a pretest. An online, self-administered preliminary validation survey was conducted with 151 care partners. Results support the internal reliability of each of the five stigma scales (ordinal α's all greater than 0.9) and that each scale is assessing a single factor. Additional testing is needed to confirm the validity of these measures. After further validation, they can be used to assess the prevalence and effect of stigma on care partners of persons who are d/DHH and to evaluate the success of interventions developed to address stigma and its effects both on the care partner and the person who is d/DHH and receiving the care.

Multiplicities and fluidity in the networked relationships of migrant academics in Britain

AbstractIncreasing internationalization and marketization of higher education, global research collaboration, and staff mobility place academics' networking practices at the centre of higher education systems. Migrant academics are conceptualized with different network types including personal, local and transnational family and friendship networks. However, this research aims to understand the boundaries between different types of participants' networked relationships. The data of this paper comes from a larger research project on transnational family relationships of migrant academics conducted between 2018 and 2022. Life story interviews with 45 migrant academics from 27 different national backgrounds working at British universities were conducted. Additionally, sociogram maps are used as embedded in qualitative interviews. Migration background (as European or non‐European countries); gender; age; the length of the stay in the UK; academic position/contract type; annual income level and marital/relationship status were considered while forming the sample. The findings reveal that network forms and structures do not determine the resources and benefits of relationships; rather, individuals' actions over a time period and the meanings they attribute shape the positions of an alter (other actors that the focal person have connection with) within the personal network structure. As such, actions and meanings regarding those actions can bring one forward or backward in the personal network hierarchy. The boundaries regarding the content of these networks are usually blurred in relation to time, relationality and human agency attributing specific sets of meanings to certain relationships. The findings of this research translate into specific contributions to the discussions in migration and social network research. That is, research findings emphasized that different types of networks shaping participants' lives and migratory experiences are far from being stable and fixed, rather, they are characterized by being transmissive and dynamic. It is revealed that none of the network categories are homogenous, stable and fixed in terms of the content of the relationships. This adds to Emirbayer and Goodwin's (1994) discussions around the ‘form’ and the ‘content’ of networks. This paper underscores the significance of the historical settings, dynamism and the content of each relationship in understanding individual networks.

Analysis of the adoption process of instant noodle giving behavior to toddlers: A phenomenological study of learn, feel, and do in mothers

Background: Instant noodle giving by mother to toddler can be bad for toddler's health, especially if presented without additional material containing protein, mineral or vitamin. The purpose of this study is to determine the stage of learn, feel and do experienced by informants in adopting the behavior of giving instant noodles in toddlers. Method: Researchers use qualitative approach method with phenomenology design. The research data was collected through interviews and observation of 23 informants consisting of mother of toddler, family of toddler and TPG of Puskesmas Turikale. The data is then processed using content analysis. Findings: Sources of informant information are personal experiences, friends, television and internet. Informants know the side effects of instant noodles such as allergies, digestive disorders, and addictions. Informants also looked at instant noodles as a practical food, affordable, easy to find, and increase appetite of toddlers. Conclusion: Based on the result of the research, it can be concluded that at the stage of learning is found the reason for giving instant noodles due to the child's desire factor and belief to the excess of instant noodles, while at the feel of informant stage confident of the danger of instant noodle but not bigger than the child's desire factor, to stage do with the pattern of adoption trial-do is to try some practices such as giving instant noodles that are not berkuah with additional ingredients that informants provide eggs and green mustard greens. Novelty/Originality of this article: The novelty of this study lies in the use of the learn, feel, and do approach to analyze the process of adopting instant noodle-giving behaviour in toddlers, focusing on the mother's internal conflict and the trial-do adoption pattern. This study is also unique because it uses a phenomenological method to explore various factors influencing mothers' decisions, including social, economic, and psychological aspects, and identifies diverse sources of information shaping their knowledge and perceptions.

SENTIMENTAL CONCEPTUALISM OF TIMUR KIBIROV’S EARLY POETRY (“A MESSAGE TO L. S. RUBINSTEIN”)

The purpose of the work is to analyze the early texts of Timur Kibirov and determine his involvement in the group “Moscow romantic conceptualism” (B. Groys). The article shows that personal friendship with D. A. Prigov, L. Rubinstein, D. Novikov, M. Eisenberg and other conceptualists and soc-artists does not make Kibirov a conceptualist in the exact sense of the word. It is demonstrated that already in the early poems Kibirov overcomes the limited framework of conceptual art, following the path of perception of the tradition of Russian classical literature, inheriting its best examples. During the analysis, the sentimental components of Kibirov’s early poetry are shown using the example of the poem “A Message to L. S. Rubinstein” (1989).

Using a Next-Gen Platform and Deeply Digital Curricula to Support Alpha and iGen Learners and Their Teachers

Current curricula and pedagogy need to change to effectively support the learning needs of the Alphas and iGens. The Alpha Generation, children born after 2012, known as the “digital-first” generation, have grown up on hand-held, digital screens not watching television or reading paper-based books. Similarly, the iGens, also known as Gen Zs, university students born between 1995 and 2012, are the first generation to spend their entire adolescence in the age of the smartphone. "With social media and texting replacing other activities, iGen spends less time with their friends in person” (Twenge, 2017). The COVID disruption further pushed the Alphas and iGens onto screens for social interaction and learning. Returning to paper-and-pencil curricula and pedagogy does not serve the needs of these generations. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) (2010) issued a prescient report describing the potential for deeply-digital curricula to “provide a richer and more engaging experience through interactive components, videos, simulations, hyperlinks …” (p. 77). Alphas' and iGens' deeply-digital experiences outside of school have them expecting deeply-digital learning experiences inside of school. Toward addressing the learning needs of Alphas in Kindergarten through sixth grade and iGen university students, we have been studying how deeply-digital, highly-interactive curricula plus digitally-motivated, pedagogical practices can increase their engagement and achievement in both in-class and remote learning environments.

Creating a capital-efficient organization: Accele BioPharma

Research methodology Case information was mainly acquired through interviews with Richard Gammans, chief operating officer. Dr Gammans was a visiting professor at Fayetteville State University for a year, and two of the case authors developed personal friendships with Richard. Interviews were conducted over a two-year period as the accelerator got started. In addition, one author conducted a team-building session with the management team and one of the bio-startup researchers. An interview was also conducted with Clayton Duncan, chief executive officer, to gain his agreement with developing the case. The Accele website included a write-up on each of the pharmaceutical startup companies. The write-up included a company summary, description of the science (disease and cure), the size of the market, results from testing, regulatory considerations and intellectual property. A literature review was conducted as the basis for the information on the pharmaceutical industry. Case overview/synopsis This case is about a biopharmaceutical accelerator founded in 2011 by two senior executives with experience in both large pharmaceutical companies and running biotech startup companies. The founders were successful in raising capital to start their first venture capital fund which they used to invest in four biotech startups. All four startups were working in very different disease areas. For example, one developed a drug to help with hearing loss that the department of defense was funding. Another of the startups discovered drug candidates that attack antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Biopharmaceutical accelerators were relatively new. They differed from business incubators because they invest in the startups and provide operational support, but the degree of support provided varies across accelerators. The Accele BioPharma accelerator operated in virtual, network type of organization, and Accele BioPharma provided primary strategic and operational management for the startups. The challenge in this case is to identify how the leaders managed the virtual network, and what additional resources were needed so that the management team could expand their ability to assist startups to get drugs approved by the food and drug administration. Complexity academic level This case is suitable recommended for undergraduate/graduate strategy, undergraduate/graduate organizational behavior, entrepreneurship and health-care management courses.

Friendship Followership and Leadership

This article investigates church members' understanding of leadership and the follower–leader relationship in local congregations. The main problem is: How do followers in three Lutheran free churches in Norway describe the follower–leader relationship, and how can this relationship influence the leadership process? The material is constructed from qualitative interviews with followers; as such, it is the followers’ perspective on the leadership process. The informants in this study associate leadership with responsibility. This is a responsibility given and monitored by the congregation. Leadership is understood as socially and relationally constructed. It is a process co-created by leaders and followers in the congregation. This relationship between leaders and followers is described with friendship terminology by the informants. The pastors are described as close or personal friends of the informants. This understanding of the follower–leader relationship as friendship means influence is connected to equality. Moreover, pastoral friendship has implications for the accessibility and expectations of leaders, whereas money becomes more of a challenging matter in relationships understood to be friendship. Finally, findings suggest that the pastor also is seen as representing friendship with God.

#2739 Determinants of well-being of spousal caregivers of CKD patients: a directed qualitative content analysis

Abstract Background and Aims Informal caregivers are essential to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in all stages of the disease. They provide, most often unpaid, practical and emotional support to someone with whom they have a personal relationship, mostly spouses, family members and friends. Support from caregivers helps CKD patients adjust to their disease and increase treatment adherence. However, CKD puts a large burden on both patients themselves and their caregivers. Overburdening is especially seen in spousal caregivers, as they are more often older, co-residents, perform longer hours of care, and suffer more from relational stress compared to other types of informal caregivers. Although previous studies show high levels of caregiver burden, a comprehensive understanding of caregiver role, caregiver burden, and factors that may relieve this burden is lacking. Therefore, our aim was to explore both the contributing and alleviating determinants of well-being of spousal caregivers of patients with CKD in a qualitative way. Method A qualitative interview study was performed among spousal caregivers of patients with CKD. Informal caregivers were recruited by the Dutch Kidney Patients Association to assist in the development of an informal caregiver module with interviews for the Kidney Guide (Nierwijzer.nl). Fifteen face-to-face interviews were held between December 2021 and April 2022 at participants’ homes. Interviews lasted approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. All participants were adults and able to speak and understand Dutch. A directed qualitative content analysis was performed, using the stress-appraisal model as a framework. The model proposes that the care demand (primary stressors) leads to the actual provision of care by the informal caregiver (primary appraisal). Consequently, the provision of care leads to consequences for the caregiver's own life (secondary stressors), leading to burden (secondary appraisal). Finally, the experienced burden leads to the outcome, namely caregivers’ well-being. Moderators change the effect of stressors (e.g., social support may alleviate burden by sharing care tasks). Results Of the fifteen participating spousal caregivers, nine were female. Caregivers’ age ranged from 34 to 82 years. Duration of informal caregiving ranged from approximately 4 to 37 years. Most patients were on a type of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). In this study, we extended the stress-appraisal model to the context of CKD, providing a disease-specific model for practice (Fig. 1). Through this model, we describe the impact of care provision on all aspects of spousal caregivers’ lives and the burden associated with it, and identify possible modifiable factors to prevent overburdening of spousal caregivers. CKD-specific determinants included, amongst others, the impact of kidney disease and KRT on patients themselves as well as the associated caregiver tasks, for example adjusting to dietary restrictions and attending dialysis appointments. KRT options and flexibility (e.g., the choice for home or in-center dialysis) were CKD-specific moderators that alleviated burden. The care for someone on dialysis led to additional tasks (e.g., transportation to the dialysis center or assisting with home dialysis), negative impact on caregivers’ personal and social lives, and additional burden, emphasizing a distinction with caring for a CKD patient not on dialysis. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study that gives a comprehensive overview of the contributing and alleviating determinants of the well-being of spousal caregivers of CKD patients. A disease-specific version of the stress-appraisal model for use in practice was provided, with evidence for all paths in the model. Moreover, we underline the need for acknowledgement of spousal caregivers in four areas: (1) personal and relational, (2) social environment, (3) healthcare, and (4) work and legislation (Fig. 2). This acknowledgement is of great importance to support and facilitate informal care within nephrology.

The Influence of Communication on the Whole Company

The major problem in the company is the interaction of staff and cooperation between divisions. If employees do not have valid connections, they will pull down the advancement of the company. Several researchers found that communication skills can affect the operation of the whole enterprise. However, conservation skills still have unitary cognition, and some specialists recognize the importance of connection. Some people think that communication just has an impact on personal friendships. Therefore, this article collects data on communication behavior and work performance from employees. The information relies on the literature review method to observe separately the relationship work team of individuals and the communication of departments. This article studies the relationship between staff and company with communication. In the research, communication skills have a direct ratio between staff sense of belonging and the active environment in the company. These skills have an enormous influence on both the work performance of individuals and the run of the enterprise. Communication skills can improve the capacity of staff and hasten the reconciliation of sections. Communication is one of the serious factors to value in order to consider the entire framework of the company.

The factors affecting substance abuse relapse based on theory of planned behavior in male addicts covered by addiction treatment centers in Southern Iran

BackgroundGiven the destructive nature of addiction and its relapse after quitting, the present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting substance abuse relapse based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in male addicts covered by addiction treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 male addicts covered by addiction treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran, in 2021–2022. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software through descriptive statistical methods, linear regression, and binary logistic regression.Results190 people (47.50%) were aged 31–40 years, 265 people (66.25%) were married, 224 people (56%) lived with their spouses, and 192 people (48 percent) had their first use at the age of 16–20. The substance respondents used were methamphetamine (59.5%), heroin (53%), opium (48%), and alcohol (40%). 138 people (34.5%) had their first place of consumption at friends’ houses (Tables 1 and 2).342 people (85.5%) had a history of relapse, and 172 people (50.29%) had 1–5 relapses. Marital status, occupation, and income were among the demographic risk factors, and addicted friends and close relatives were among the behavioral risk factors for drug relapse among people with a history of relapse. Personal desire and the insistence of friends were also among the individual and interpersonal factors of drug use among participants. The regression results showed that the constructs of awareness, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention were predictors of drug relapse among addicts (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe current study’s findings indicate that among the behavioral risk factors for drug relapse in individuals with a history of relapse are addicted friends and close relatives, while marital status, occupation, and income are among the demographic risk variables. Among the individual and interpersonal factors influencing drug usage among participants were personal desire and friends’ insistence. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the TPB’s structures might be used to predict drug relapse in addicts.

Преодоление поэтического концептуализма («Солнечное утро» Тимура Кибирова)

The article is devoted to the analysis of images and motifs, as well as the structural-compositional features of Timur Kibirov’s latest poetry collection “Sunny Morning” (2020). The research aims to comprehend not only the formal features of the poems included in the book, but also the content and semantic layer of Kibirov’s later texts. The structural-compositional features of the collection are considered, the series of motifs are traced in the lyrical texts. The author of the article identifies the main ideological and image dominants of Kibirov’s later texts, outlines the existential space of the persona (the poet’s alter ego), traces the reflection of the hero’s personal ideas about the world and about himself. In particular, the researcher examines the system of “eternal” and “damned” questions that give an idea of the existential dilemmas of the persona in the book “Sunny Morning”. The study is novel in that it is the first to consider the poetical features of Kibirov’s late collection, to identify the axiological perspectives of the persona’s worldview, to reveal his reflections on the Soviet past of the country and himself. As a result, it is proved that Kibirov’s texts, typified by critics as conceptualist, are quite far from the strategies and practices of conceptual experiments. Personal friendship with conceptualist poets did not affect Kibirov’s personal identity, the originality of his poetry, or the recognizability of his individual style.

A Study on the Awareness of Workplace Emotional Intelligence in the Corporate Sector

Workplace Emotional Intelligence is a critical and essential skill in any sector especially the corporate sector. Organizations are recognizing the importance of fostering EI among their workforce, as it leads to more productive, harmonious and successful workplace. Workplace Emotional Intelligence (EI) has emerged as a critical factor in the success of employees and organizations. The purpose of the study is to examine the awareness of workplace emotional intelligence among employees in the corporate sector. Workplace Emotional Intelligence is the ability to find, understand, and manage one’s own emotions and those of others in the workplace. It encompasses a wide range of skills, including empathy, self-regulation, social awareness, leadership, conflict resolution and stress management. The importance of emotional intelligence has notably reached a majority of the employees. They do realize that emotional intelligence skills in the workplace affect job performance and effective leadership. Employees are able to self - regulate their emotions when facilitates conflict resolution. The employees’ ability to exhibit self-awareness and sensitivity shows an inclination towards fostering positive workplace relationships, building rapport and maintaining personal friendships among colleagues. The consistently shows that high levels of EI lead to improved communication and leadership effectiveness. The findings of this study provide insights on how emotionally intelligent individuals are to an organization’s success.

Przyczynek do rumuńsko – mołdawskich zainteresowań i kontaktów naukowych Józefa Andrzeja Gierowskiego

The article addresses the topic of the professional contacts between the renowned Polish histor-ian, Józef Andrzej Gierowski, and Romanian historians from academic institutions in Bucharest, Iasi and Chisinau. Following an analysis of the extant sources, it has been concluded that these contacts were the most intensive in the 1970s. They included participation in academic con-ferences, congresses and symposia, as well as private correspondence, e.g. with Veniamin Ciobanu from Iasi. In this particular case, the professional relationship evolved into a personal friendship. Józef Andrzej Gierowski’s recognisability among historians on a foreign academic forum attests to the fact that his achievements in research on the history of Central and Eastern Europe earned him considerable standing and respect among his peers.

Study protocol for the Screen-Free Time with Friends Feasibility Trial

BackgroundChildren are spending less leisure time with their friends in person and an increasing amount of time with digital screens. These changes may negatively affect children’s physical and mental health. The Screen-Free Time with Friends Feasibility Trial will test the feasibility, including acceptability and compliance, of an intervention designed to reduce screen media usage and encourage physical interaction with friends during leisure time in 9–11-year-old children.MethodsA non-randomized single-group feasibility trial will be conducted from March to October 2023 including approximately 75 children (aged 9–11 years) and 75 parents (at least 1 per child) from 3 different schools recruited from 3 different municipalities in Denmark. The Screen-Free Time with Friends intervention is a multicomponent intervention targeting families, afterschool clubs, and local communities. It has been developed using a systematic process guided by the Medical Research Council UK’s framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions. With a systems perspective in mind, the intervention and implementation approach has been designed to facilitate adaptation to the specific needs of diverse local communities while maintaining the core components of the intervention.Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention will be assessed during the intervention using process evaluation inspired by the RE-AIM framework including questionnaires and interviews with the municipality project managers, research team members, local ambassadors and stakeholders, parents and school, and afterschool club personnel. In addition, participation, recruitment, retention rate, and compliance to the outcome measurements will be investigated and presented.DiscussionThe trial will investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the Screen-Free Time with Friends intervention, the recruitment strategy, and the planned outcome measurements. This feasibility study will investigate necessary refinements before the implementation of the intervention program in a larger cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate its impact.Trial registration.ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT05480085. Registered 29 July 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05480085?cond=Screen+free+time+with+friends&draw=2&rank=1

Strange Bedfellows: Anti-trans Feminists, VOX Supporters and Biologicist Academics

In 2015 and 2016, Professor Esther Mayoko Arjonilla and I wrote two articles that demonstrated the absence of major conflicts between feminist and trans movements in Spain. We explained that since the democratic transition of the 1970s, Spanish feminism had been strongly committed to the sexual and reproductive rights of ‘women’, an inclusive category. This also applied to lesbians, though not without some internal struggles to claim that space (Pineda 2008). We hypothesized that lesbian feminist groups had been the necessary allies for the inclusion of trans women, often based on factors like personal friendship ties, and their leadership in addressing sexual rights (Platero &amp; Arjonilla, 2015). Another key element was the overlap between the two movements in the feminist critique of the pathologization of women, in consonance with critiques of the psychopathologization of trans women.

Abeilles en série, crime au rucher…

Through the sentimental-criminal adventures of Audrey Astier the beekeeper, Valérie Valeix’s heroine, we discover how an ‘FSP’ (fiction with professional support) manages to take into account the honey people. However, bees, or their more aggressive cousins, wasps, can be the vectors of real horror scenes when they are used as predators or as weapons of mass destruction; it is their dark side, which makes them both personal friends and helpless victims of the mercantile madness of Men. There remains the constant parallel between the destiny of the apiary, threatened, indispensable and valiant, and our own world, vulnerable, prey to our self-destructive impulses, even if precious and essential: apis servat homines!

Dementia Researchers’ Inside Views on Research Networks and Alignment With Public Research Funding: A Qualitative Study

This study presents the dementia researchers views of research networks, and how the networks fit into their pursuit of research objectives and dementia research funding. We conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with 10 leading dementia researchers in Norway, for a qualitative study inspired by grounded theory. The dementia researchers consider the six categories to determine the legitimacy of the proposed network and its proposing person. The six categories are: personal motivation, relationship and friendship, communication, research funding, research management, and network characteristics. The dementia researcher offers insights into best practice of research networks. The study suggests that leading dementia researchers collaborate effectively on research activities toward personal research interests and objectives, but these are not actively aligned coordinated with the interests of the public research funding institutions. Lack of coordination between the funded dementia researchers and the funding institutions limits the potential performance from the dementia research.

Aristotle on Friendship in Association

Abstract This paper argues that Aristotle’s account of friendship can be applied equally to cases of friendship in association and personal friendship. It argues that both types of friendship are similar insofar as both are primarily concerned with the common good that serves as the basis of the friendship. This notion of the common good is what allows Aristotle to draw a connection between personal relationships, the more circumscribed associations, and the political association. This focus on the common good allows one to look to the political association to inform one’s understanding of both friendship and justice in both the smaller associations and in personal relationships.

Behavioral Intention on Islamic Crowdfunding Usage among Malaysian Bumiputera SMEs: Moderating effect of technology readiness

Access to financing is crucial for Bumiputera SMEs’ growth, but lending from financial institutions is reduced due to default risk. Therefore, entrepreneurs often rely on short-term resources like personal savings, friends and family. Islamic crowdfunding offers wider financing alternatives to help Bumiputera SMEs grow their businesses. Hence examining the contructs that influence Bumiputera SMEs&amp;#39; intentions to use Islamic crowdfunding is vital. These factors are investigated using UTAUT theory, adding technology readiness as moderating factor. The proposed framework could provide insights for crowdfunding providers and policymakers to increase awareness of financing alternatives among SMEs in Malaysia.

Die GfM als gesamtdeutsche Gesellschaft

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The “Gesellschaft für Musikforschung” (GfM) was, from its foundation until 1968, the professional representation of musicologists in all German occupation zones and of both German states. Since the establishment of the branch office in Leipzig (1954), the GfM was politically instrumentalized by the GDR party and state apparatus as well as by musicologists loyal to the SED. The most important goal was the creation of two sections representing East and West Germany respectively; alternatively, the foundation of a separate musicological society in the GDR was prepared. These efforts were intensified after the construction of the Berlin Wall (1961). A central role was played by Karl Laux, the director of the Dresden Music Academy, and a personal friend of GfM president Friedrich Blume. Following a decision of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the SED on April 5, 1967, the GfM finally had to end its activities in the GDR in September 1968, and East-German musicologists joined the “Verband Deutscher Komponisten”.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;