Individual Experiences Research Articles

Conducting fieldwork amidst earthquakes in Nepal: insights from a tourism researcher

This study presents a comprehensive account of the first-hand experiences encountered by a doctoral researcher during fieldwork conducted in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2015, where two significant earthquakes struck. While existing literature extensively examines the vulnerability of participants, little attention has been given to the challenges faced by researchers themselves within such disaster settings. To address this gap, this study employs an autoethnographic approach to provide a personal and experiential narrative of the researcher’s time in the field. The results of this study shed insight on the difficulties that individual researchers face when working in disaster-affected areas, which is a major contribution to the field of tourism and disaster research. Moreover, it unveils the interplay between individual experiences, logistical intricacies and psychological well-being. This study delves into the practical implications associated with conducting research amidst volatile and uncertain conditions, emphasizing the pivotal role of robust disaster preparedness and response strategies in regions affected by calamities.

The role of positive thinking in overcoming stress a cognitive-behavioural approach

This article discusses the role of positive thinking in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for treating psychological disorders. The relevance of the topic is due to the growing use of CBT in psychotherapeutic practice and the need for a better understanding of its effectiveness, including the role of positive thinking. This work highlights the importance of positive thinking in promoting mental health and well-being. It argues that positive thinking is a practical tool for developing adaptive cognitive strategies, rather than an unattainable ideal. In CBT, positive thinking is not just about replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, but is a component of a comprehensive approach to re-evaluating an individual's experience. Such an approach contributes to the formation of a more realistic and adaptive perception of oneself and the world. The main methods and techniques of CBT, including cognitive restructuring and behavioral experiments, utilize positive thinking as a tool for correcting destructive thoughts and behaviors. This article discusses different perspectives on the effectiveness of positive thinking in CBT, weighing the arguments for and against its potential limitations. It contributes to improving an individual's psychological well-being and developing psychological resilience, which enables more effective coping with life challenges and stresses. However, to achieve maximum effectiveness, the application of positive thinking must be closely integrated with a comprehensive treatment strategy that considers the individual needs and characteristics of each client. This approach requires a profound understanding of the mechanisms of cognitive distortions and their impact on a person's emotional state.

Phenomenological Method as A Theoretical Basis of Qualitative Methods

This paper discusses the phenomenological method as a theoretical basis for qualitative research. Phenomenology, which originates from the philosophical tradition, emphasizes the importance of understanding individual subjective experiences of a particular phenomenon or event. Through this approach, researchers can deepen and understand individual meanings, perceptions, and interpretations of the reality they experience. This paper explains the basic concepts of phenomenology, contributions from leading philosophers such as Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, and Jean-Paul Sartre, and how phenomenological principles are applied in qualitative research. Apart from that, this paper also reviews the advantages and disadvantages of the phenomenological method in the context of qualitative research and provides examples of its practical application in various fields of study. It is hoped that through this paper, readers can gain a deep understanding of the relevance and significance of phenomenology in qualitative research.

Identifying ordinal categories for the Water Insecurity Experiences Scales

ABSTRACT The Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) and Individual Water Insecurity Experiences (IWISE) Scales are globally suitable tools for comparably measuring water insecurity experiences among households and adults, respectively. The potential range for HWISE and IWISE scores is 0–36. When the WISE Scales were first published, scores of 12 and higher were considered indicative of water insecurity, but additional cut-points are needed to provide more nuanced insights. We therefore sought to develop a practical set of cut-points for the WISE Scales using HWISE data from 13 sites across 12 countries (n = 3,293) and nationally representative samples of IWISE data from 38 countries collected by the Gallup World Poll (n = 52,343). We selected cut-points in water insecurity scores to establish four ordinal categories: no-to-marginal (0–2), low (3–11), moderate (12–23), and high (24–36) water insecurity. These categories were monotonically associated with increasing odds of reporting water dissatisfaction and helped to differentiate the breadth of water insecurity across populations with heterogenous water insecurity experiences and frequencies. These four water insecurity categories can be used to better understand how water insecurity may be related to livelihoods, health, and well-being, both at low and high water insecurity.

First reported human use of wireless laparoscopic system: is it ready for prime time?

ObjectiveDuring the advent of laparoscopy, surgeons directly explored the abdominal cavity with a telescope-like device through a small incision. Since then, numerous technological advances have transformed minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Yet, in our wireless world, various devices crowd the surgical field, with long wires and light sources posing fall and fire risks. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the first reported human use of a novel wireless laparoscopy system or WLS (ArthroFree™, Lazurite®, Cleveland, Ohio).MethodsThe utility and convenience of the WLS was assessed via two avenues: (1) by analyzing surgical outcomes from first human use and (2) by surveying healthcare professionals regarding its quality and utility.ResultsEighteen patients (mean age 44.2, 83.3% female, mean BMI 33.4) underwent operations with the WLS. Operations included gynecologic and general surgical procedures. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and no conversions to traditional laparoscopy or laparotomy. Mean operating time was 71.94 ± 20.41 min, and estimated blood loss was minimal. Survey results revealed varied individual experiences. Strengths included adequate illumination, improved ergonomics, and simplicity of setup and ease of operation. One respondent criticized the image resolution. Feedback indicated an overall positive impact, and 67% of respondents supported inclusion of the device at their facility. Moreover, its deployment in resource-limited settings abroad has demonstrated its efficacy in global surgery, indicating its potential in various healthcare environments.ConclusionsThis is the first reported human use of a novel WLS. Clinical results supported efficiency and safety of the technology. The successful deployment of the WLS in diverse surgical environments, including resource-limited settings, highlights its potential as a universally adaptable tool in global surgery. This report represents a strong first step toward a wireless operating room with the promise of redefining surgical standards as well as bridging gaps in surgical care worldwide.Graphical abstract

Unpacking the components of positive affect variability: Implications for psychological health across contexts.

Prior research suggests variability of positive affect (PA), or the degree to which an individual's experience of PA is variable rather than stable, is associated with worse psychological health. However, it is unclear whether different aspects of PA variability serve different psychological functions. One possibility is that changes in PA in response to rewarding contexts, or PA reactivity, serve a healthy function, while general instability of PA from one moment to the next serves an unhealthy function. The current investigation separated out PA reactivity to pleasant activities from general PA instability. We tested associations in three experience-sampling studies collected between 2012 and 2020 (N = 323). An internal meta-analysis revealed a significant association between PA reactivity to pleasant activities and less well-being. Moderation by average levels of PA was present but inconsistent across studies. We discuss how PA reactions to rewarding contexts may not necessarily reflect healthy emotion regulation and consider that "mood brightening" effects in daily life may indicate ill-being rather than well-being. Caution is warranted when interpreting the primary findings, as the indirect effect of PA reactivity was significant in only one of the three individual studies, and the effect was only found for the outcome of well-being and not distress. Results can be most confidently generalized to White adults living in the Midwest region of the United States. Future research should test not only the intensity of PA reactivity to rewarding contexts but also how long a person can sustain elevated PA-in relation to psychological health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Developmental changes in the time window for the explicit sense of agency experienced across the lifespan

Sense of agency (SoA) is the subjective experience of individuals that they are initiators and controllers of their own actions, but it is not known how the time window for SoA changes developmentally over the lifetime. The present study examined developmental changes in the time window for SoA in school-age children (6–12 years), adolescents (16–18 years), young adults (20–25 years), adults (28–64 years), and older adults (65–83 years). The current results show that the time window for SoA is longer in young adults than in school-age children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, suggesting that young adulthood may be an important period of developmental change in the time window for SoA across the lifespan.

STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGIES ON THE INDEPENDENT FORMATION OF INFORMATION CULTURE IN TEENAGERS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

In this regard, this study aims to investigate the peculiarities of the influence of artificial intelligence technologies on the process of independent formation of information culture in adolescents with visual impairment. To achieve the goal, the methods of analysis, deduction, classification, and systematization were used, and an experiment was conducted regarding the influence of artificial intelligence on the education of teenagers with visual impairments in schools in Kazakhstan. This paper reveals the technologies of artificial intelligence and describes the social necessity of providing equal access to education and information for persons with disabilities. The practical part reveals the importance of developing methods and ways to meet the needs related to social interaction and information culture. The study included a questionnaire aimed at understanding the individual experience of visually impaired teenagers in the use of artificial intelligence technologies. The total sample was 30 students aged between 13 and 17 years old. The paper showed an analysis of the impact of technology on visually impaired adolescents and presented statistics on the use of these technologies in children's learning. In addition, the experience of using artificial intelligence technologies was identified and the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on the development of analytical and critical skills of adolescents was investigated. The work revealed possible problems and ways to improve social adaptation and proposed practical recommendations for educational institutions and specialists working with adolescents with visual impairments. The research materials are of practical and theoretical value for pedagogy, typhlo pedagogy, psychology, and sociology, as they help to reveal the prospects of teaching blind or visually impaired children.

Sleep as a social and cultural practice in Aotearoa: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Traditionally, sleep science is grounded in biology, physiology, and medicine. But socio-cultural considerations provide a crucial lens into sleep health. Exploring the sociology of sleep in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) could broaden our understandings and better represent sleep-related practices among our diverse communities. This scoping review represents the pre-existing literature concerning sleep as a social or cultural practice in AoNZ. The initial search (via Discover and Scopus) search yielded 2,442 results. Of these results, 113 manuscripts were characterised of interest, but only 20 were directly related and included in the review. This literature was presented in relation to Meadows’ (2005) modes of ‘sleep embodiment’ including sleep practice norms, the pragmatics of sleep and social roles, individual experiences and feelings related to sleep, and the visceral need for sleep. The findings highlight the progress of sleep literature in AoNZ. This covers diverse sleep practices, perspectives and experiences of sleep and sleeping, as well as the broader socio-cultural factors and unique AoNZ context that influence sleep. However, gaps in the field of local sleep research are also identified. Findings lay the foundation for further research in AoNZ to explore sleep-related discourses and practices that will ultimately broaden existing perspectives.

Understanding violence in the context of psychosis: contribution of phenomenology and its limitations

SUMMARY Navigating the complex relationship between violence and psychosis can frequently be challenging. Psychiatrists may find assessing and managing the risk of violence in this context daunting. In their article on the topic, Anderson et al helpfully summarise the role that psychopathology can play in this process. However, although careful elucidation of an individual's experiences may assist in the nuanced formulation of their risk and could offer a specific focus for interventions, the approach has potential shortcomings in certain settings. For some phenomena the link with violence is unclear and it may be constellations of symptoms that are important. Causal pathways are not always linear and there may be important mediators linking psychopathological features to behavioural outcomes. In the resource-limited settings in which many contemporary health services operate, a detailed assessment of psychopathology may be hampered by time or other constraints. Alternative, more scalable solutions may therefore be needed in particular scenarios.

Exploring Perceived Limitations to Daily Activities Due to Chronic Conditions: A Person-Centered Approach to Measuring Multimorbidity Severity.

Person-centered approaches to measuring severity of multimorbidity (≥ 2 chronic conditions) can help clinicians assess the individual experience of multimorbidity and inform effective caregiving and intervention strategies. We examine how limitations in everyday activities attributable to specific chronic conditions act independently and in tandem to influence individual perceptions of multimorbidity severity. Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (2005-2021) were used to investigate self-reported limitations in normal daily activities resulting from nine chronic conditions (hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, heart condition [heart disease/heart attack], cancer, lung disease, stroke, depression, and memory loss) in 4,318 adults aged 55-95 (18,878 person-wave observations). We used descriptive and inferential analyses to estimate limitations resulting from specific conditions, limitations attributable to condition combinations, and the contribution of comorbid conditions to condition-specific and overall severity. Follow-up analyses addressed mortality selection using inverse probability weighting (IPW) and examined cancer type and cancer status/treatment modality among respondents reporting cancer diagnosis. Of the more prevalent conditions, arthritis was associated with the most severe limitations to normal activities. Memory loss was the least frequent condition reported, but resulted in the most severe limitations, and as a comorbid condition, increased limitations reported for most conditions. IPW adjusted models revealed heterogeneity in estimates for some conditions including cancer and cancer survivors tended to report less lethal cancers that were cured or in remission. Our results suggest that efforts to prevent and treat arthritis and support cognitive function may reduce the severity of multimorbidity experienced by the individual.

The struggle of dealing with uncertainty: a qualitative, phenomenological study about how Dutch novice physical therapists experience their transition from student to professional

Objective To explain how Dutch novice physical therapists experience their transition from student to physical therapist in private practice. Methods A qualitative, phenomenological study was performed in The Netherlands to collect personal experiences from novice physical therapists who graduated <1 year ago. Data were collected with semi-structured interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results The transition experience from student to novice physical therapist is a personal, complex, and context-dependent phenomenon. Sixteen novice physical therapists (of whom 10 were still working in private practice) said their transition was liberating, stressful, insecure, unexpected, chaotic, and challenging. The variety in experiences occurred from the fact that the impact of an experience varies from one individual to the other, depending on their previous (life) experiences, uncertainty tolerance, coping, and personal and professional environment. Four overarching themes emerged: (1) ‘Suddenly, I was on my own’, (2) ‘I was unprepared for the hassle and demands of clinical practice’, (3) ‘I couldn’t make the impact I expected’, and (4) ‘I had to find a new me’. Conclusions A novice physical therapist’s transition is a context-related phenomenon, unique for each individual and determined by individual experiences and coping strategies. Novice physical therapists described a feeling of ‘faking’: they had to pretend to know what they were doing [while treating a patient] while in reality, they felt like they did not. For some novice physical therapists, a primary reason to leave the profession.

Deaf Beki Humor: A pastoral-theological articulation of Pagbabangong-Dangal—Resurrection

Humor is underexplored in theology. Thus, this study re-examines the Christian concept of resurrection through the lens of dignity, grounded in the lived experiences of select Filipino Deaf LGBT individuals. An exploration of their beki (queer) humor can enrich our orthodoxic pastoral-theological approach with this group whose location is pegged in the margins. In probing their beki humor experiences and expressions, this article rethinks the Christian core concept of resurrection as pagbabangong-dangal (uplifting one’s dignity) where its point of departure is hiyâ (generally accepted as “shame”). However, for Virgilio Enriquez, hiyâ is dignity or propriety, a nuance that was not promoted or studied further. Hence, this article will explore beki humor from the perspective of hiyâ taken as dignity and further explore its contour with resurrection. In this context, it is apt to inquire, how might Deaf beki humor enrich our theopastoral articulation of resurrection as pagbabangong-dangal?

(Un)Settling the Black-White Binary: Korean American and Immigrant Youth Navigating Racial Discourse in School Curriculum

ABSTRACT Objective: The study examines how Korean American and immigrant youth interpret the Black-White binary in U.S. history and social studies curricula. Method: Task-based interviews were conducted with 23 Korean-heritage students from two Midwestern cities. The study used Asian Critical Theory (AsianCrit) and sociocultural theory as frameworks for analyzing students’ responses. Results: This research highlights that Korean American and immigrant youth interpret the Black-White binary in school curricula in diverse ways, despite sharing an ethnic background. Conclusion: By presenting a nuanced understanding of individual community experiences, this study challenges the dominant narrative that tends to homogenize not only Korean American/immigrant students but also APIDA/A students.

Class experiences and the long-term evolution of economic values

Abstract While there is a strong cross-sectional association between social class and political attitudes, recent research—based on longitudinal data—finds that changes in class are, at most, weakly related to changes in such attitudes. One common explanation for this finding is that early life socialization affects both social class and political attitudes and that class has little, if any, direct effect on them. In this manuscript, we explore an alternative explanation that centers on the importance of cumulative class experiences for the long-term evolution of attitudes. To evaluate this perspective, we leverage data from the British Household Panel Survey, which contains measures of economic values that span up to 16 years, as well as complete work-life histories of respondents that allow us to track individual class experiences over people’s life span. Our findings show that cumulative class experiences are strongly associated with the development of economic values.

"Oh my Dave, your face says it all!": Exploring the Multimodal Practices of Tasting in Live Streaming

Research on the activity of tasting, examined through the lens of conversation analysis, reveals that in face-to-face contexts, tasting is an interactive and sequential process that combines individual sensory experience with a public, witnessable, accountable, and intersubjective dimension. This perspective can be extended to the realm of live-streamed tasting, where streamers demonstrate and communicate the taste of food products to online audiences in real time. By adopting multimodal conversation analysis to scrutinize the unfolding sequence moment by moment, my study aims to demonstrate 1) Three practices to achieve the configuration of "tasting heads," wherein the current taster's face is displayed on-screen. 2) Patterns of gaze withdrawal from the screen and subsequent gaze back to the screen during the tasting process. 3) The performative and animated facial expressions. 4) The structure of responses from both streamers and viewers after the tasting.

Systematic review in relation to support of diversity in nursing homes.

Given the increasing global population of older adults, it is essential and inevitable that healthcare centers and nursing homes address and accommodate diversity in their support systems as interventions for healthy aging. The active aging and the inclusion of all people regardless of their religion, origin, and/or sexual orientation is essential to create a climate of safety. Discrimination must be addressed from all angles, at the social level, at the business level and by all workers in nursing homes. This study provides a comprehensive review of existing literature to systematize information on diversity among older adults in healthcare centers and nursing homes. Out of 1.458 articles identified, 10 were analyzed in depth, revealing that addressing diversity among older adults is crucial to overall mental and physical healthy aging. The findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary approach and effective management through the Person-Centered Care Model (PCCM). This study highlights the critical role of the Person-Centered Care Model (PCCM) in addressing diversity in aging needs. It highlights the necessity of tailoring care based on individual life histories and experiences. Additionally, it calls for the implementation of inclusive policies in nursing homes and emphasizes the need for professional training on diversity to ensure these facilities are safe and supportive for all residents.

Program for forming psychological readiness for professional communication in future pre-school education teachers during the process of studying at university

Introduction. The article deals with the problem of preparing specialists of the preschool education system for future professional activity in the process of studying at higher school. The authors present the basic concept for the creation and implementation of the main stages of the program for the formation of psychological readiness among students of preschool education for professional communication with all subjects of the educational process. The modular principle of designing a program based on the main components of the structure of psychological readiness is discussed, and the need to increase the practical training of future teachers of preschool education is noted. Materials and Methods. The research used: theoretical methods: analysis of scientific publications, psychological and pedagogical literature; synthesis and interpretation, method of generalization and systematization of information, modeling of the process of formation of psychological readiness for professional communication; empirical research methods: psychological and pedagogical experiment, testing, direct and indirect observation, proximetric techniques; data analysis methods: methods of mathematical statistics, quantitative and qualitative analysis of the results. Results. The authors substantiate and concretize the scientific and theoretical foundations, approaches and principles, organizational, psychodidactic and psychological-pedagogical conditions, present a detailed approbation of the program, assess the dynamics of the formation of psychological readiness for professional communication among future teachers of preschool education. The program allows undergraduate students to consistently master general cultural and general psychological communicative competencies; skills, abilities, actions of planning, designing, building, accumulating individual experience of interpersonal and professional communication with different subjects of the educational process; building personalized communication models with different target groups and subjects of education; to form the initial style of professional communication of the future teacher, his value-semantic, a substantial and structural-organizationaloutline. Discussion and Conclusions. The performed research has shown the need and possibility of systematic and systematic formation of psychological readiness for professional communication among students of preschool education in the process of studying at a university. The psychological readiness of students of preschool education has its own characteristics and correlates with the requirements for the professional competencies of a future teacher of preschool education.

Pharmacy barriers for transgender and gender diverse young adults

BackgroundTransgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals face substantial physical and mental health care barriers. Community pharmacies are one of the most accessible health care settings; however, concern for discrimination at the pharmacy has been reported. It is important to gain a better understanding of TGD individual’s perspectives and experiences at the pharmacy to ensure optimal and inclusive care. ObjectiveTo identify TGD individual experiences and barriers at the pharmacy. MethodsThis institutional review board−approved qualitative study recruited TGD young adults in the United States between ages 18 and 29 years for semi-structured focus group discussions. Questions focused on barriers to obtaining medications at the pharmacy and negative or positive experiences with pharmacists. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and transcripts were analyzed for common themes amongst participants. ResultsNine 1.5- to 2-hour focus groups were conducted and included 30 participants (2–6 participants in each group). All participants reported having been prescribed medications by a physician or mental health provider. Participants self-reported issues at pharmacies and with pharmacy personnel. Major themes included issues accessing medications and supplies (needles, syringes), questioning of prescription validity and patient identity, and lack of education or understanding of TGD individuals by pharmacy staff. ConclusionTGD individuals experience barriers at the pharmacy and concerning issues with pharmacy staff. Education, structural competency, and improvements in gender-related data management are necessary for pharmacists and pharmacy staff to provide equitable and inclusive care for TGD individuals.

Trial‐and‐error: Securing field access for qualitative research in Vietnam

AbstractField access is frequently regarded as a mere practical step in the research process, with insufficient attention given to its broader implications. Numerous writings that focus on gaining field access offer just a collection of practical tips. While these recommendations are valuable, they are specific to each setting and individual experiences. Such an ad hoc approach fosters a limited understanding of the research permit application process and limits the discussion of access by disregarding its inherent uncertainty and its manifold consequences. In authoritarian contexts, obtaining field access remains highly uncertain and can be further complicated by arbitrary decision‐making. This article demonstrates that in Vietnam, social scientists, including anthropologists, must navigate ambiguous processes of trial‐and‐error to secure field access. With the term ‘trial‐and‐error’ we refer to an approach to problem‐solving in which various methods are attempted. Proceeding through trial‐and‐error involves familiarisation, networking, and improvisation. Based on 15 years of experience working in Vietnam we provide evidence that the process of trial‐and‐error is inherent in all three aspects. Beyond the issues surrounding access for foreign researchers, our observations also underscore the pivotal role of trial‐and‐error as a mechanism that Vietnamese citizens employ to navigate the uncertainties and arbitrariness associated with bureaucracy.