Individual Experiences Research Articles

Human-made sounds in informal learning spaces on a university campus

The university property management department has been facing a challenge with the strategic management of campus spaces due to the need for informal learning spaces (ILSs) to facilitate students’ independent studies. However, there’s limited research on how these ILSs perform, particularly concerning human-made sounds. This study delves into the impact of human-made sounds on students, considering their individual differences and positive experiences in various types of ILSs within an Australian university campus. The investigation includes open-ended questions to delve deeper into students’ positive experiences with human-made sounds across different ILSs. The research findings demonstrate that the impact of human-made sounds on students is influenced by certain individual characteristics. Additionally, the study identifies three types of positive experiences regarding human-made sounds in ILSs for students: a sense of relaxation induced by human-made sounds, the sound-masking effect, and increased motivation for learning. This study could assist university property managers in understanding students’ perceptions of human-made sounds and aid in strategic management of campus space that aligns with students’ needs and preferences for ILSs, improving the overall learning environment and support student success.

Pre and post diagnostic dementia care in four Scottish prisons.

The number of older people in prisons is increasing across the globe. Many have poor physical and mental health, higher prevalence of head injury, cognitive impairment and dementia than found in community populations. Meeting the complex needs of this vulnerable group has become an increasing concern for prison and prison healthcare services. The aim of this multi method qualitative study was to investigate how men with diagnosed or suspected dementia were identified, assessed, and cared for in Scottish prisons. It also explored the lived experience of individuals being assessed for or diagnosed with dementia within four prisons. The data from twenty nine interviews was thematically analysed and used to collaboratively propose principles for dementia care in prison and present the resultant co-designed care pathway. At the time of data collection almost all the men known to have a dementia diagnosis or suspected dementia had complex health and social care needs, and some were living with advanced dementia. Prison healthcare staff reported taking a 'case by case' approach to their pre- and post-diagnostic care. Meeting these prisoner's needs was complicated by the absence of organisational leads for care of older adults or people with dementia and there was no pathway or model in place to guide staff. Prison healthcare teams often had difficulty accessing specialist community services to support diagnosis. There was a lack of dementia education and knowledge about how to provide pre and post diagnostic dementia care in this setting amongst staff. The findings arising from this research have informed the co-production of two important evidence informed innovations namely a Model of Care and a pre- and post-diagnostic Care Pathway. This research adds insights critical to understanding the adequacy of current approaches to meeting dementia related needs within the prison setting. To our knowledge this paper offers the first co-produced evidence informed pre- and post- diagnostic dementia care pathway and model of care for use in prisons. These could serve as tools for change that could enable prison healthcare staff to deliver the right care, at the right time, by the right people, and provide an opportunity to assess risk and plan care for the future.

A detailed analysis of game statistics of professional tennis players: An inferential and machine learning approach.

Tennis, a widely enjoyed sport, motivates athletes and coaches to optimize training for competitive success. This retrospective predictive study examines anthropometric features and statistics of 1990 tennis players in the 2022 season, using 20,040 data points retrospectively obtained from the ATP official source after the end of the season. These data were cross-verified with information from other sources before categorisation to address any discrepancies. Employing various analytical methods, the results emphasize the strategic importance of tournament participation and gameplay for financial gains and higher rankings. Prize money analysis reveals a significant disparity favoring top players. Multivariate Analysis of Variance highlights the need to consider multiple variables for understanding ATP rankings. Multinomial Logistic Regression identifies age, height, and specific service-related metrics as key determinants, with older and taller players more likely to secure top positions. Neural Network models exhibit potential in predicting ATP Rank outcomes, particularly for ATP Rank (500). Our results argue for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Neural Networks, in handling complex interactions and emphasize that AI is a supportive tool in decision-making, requiring careful consideration by experienced individuals. In summary, this study enhances our understanding of ATP ranking factors, providing actionable insights for coaches, players, and stakeholders in the tennis community.

Redefining adjustment after acquired brain injury.

Adjusting to life changes posed by an acquired brain injury (ABI) can be challenging for both individuals with ABI and their families. The current study explores the experience of adjustment, incorporating similarities and differences in this process as reported by the family members and individuals with ABI. Thirty-nine participants, recruited from a regional brain injury charity group, took part in semi-structured interviews (20/39 individuals with ABI, 19/39 relatives). Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three main categories of adjustment were developed: adjusted to life after ABI, partially adjusted to life after ABI and not adjusted to life after ABI. However, it is the complexity of experiences within these main categories which uncovers the diversity in individual experience. Of specific interest are adjustment as best case and resigned adjustment responses which indicate a level of burden for the person experiencing these feelings of adjustment. The categories of grateful acceptance and resigned acceptance were specific to relatives and show the need to look beyond the individual with ABI to identify where support may be required for a family as a whole. On the basis of these findings, we offer an inclusive, family-oriented conceptualization of adjustment to brain-injury.

Exploring religion's influence on causing emotional distress

While Hinduism offers many positive teachings and practices that promote well-being, certain interpretations and pressures within the religion—such as rigid social hierarchies, religious guilt, and community pressure—can also contribute to feelings of isolation, low self-worth, and anxiety. Cultural pressures and gender-specific roles within Hindu families can also significantly impact mental health, particularly for married Hindu women who face the dual responsibilities of managing household chores and fulfilling religious obligations. These expectations to raise children, participate in daily prayers, and uphold familial honor can lead to emotional and psychological overwhelm, resulting in heightened stress levels and decreased mental well-being. It is essential to recognize that the effects of these pressures vary widely based on individual experiences, family dynamics, and personal beliefs. By emphasizing flexibility, inclusivity, and mental health awareness within Hindu communities, we can help mitigate these negative impacts and foster a supportive environment where individuals can balance spiritual practices with their well-being.

ANCIENT GREEK EXPERIENCE OF POLITICAL AND LEGAL REGULATION OF OIKONOMIA AS A BALANCE OF INDIVIDUAL AND GENERAL

The paper examines the political and legal means and ethical principles of harmonizing the interests of the individual and the general in the economic activity of ancient Greek society in the 8th–4th centuries BC. Explore the reform of the economic sphere, reveal the meaning of oikonomia, its structural components in the imagination and state legal practice of the ancient Greeks, highlight the shortcomings of legal regulation in matters of capital accumulation to level out the contradictions of the individual and the general. The ancient Greeks were aware of the antagonism between the individual and the general, understood the dynamic essence of their relationship and formed ethical and legal means of harmonizing the manifested contradiction. As a result of the pan-Athenian agreement, polic was determined as the dominant sphere, where oikonomia acted as a separate subject of citizen activity and consisted of three meanings: a) archaic form of blood-family economic activity, closed in itself, despotic in its essence and therefore destructive for the general; b) a household that naturally provides everything necessary for a patriarchal family and provides the opportunity for its owner to become a “master of industrial relations management.” Individual management experience ensures freedom for each citizen and can promote the interests of the general; c) chremastics is an element of оікіа. This type of activity, under the influence of egocentrism and an anti-human position, naturally threatens the common because it destroys the solidarity and democratic foundations of the policy. Therefore, certain types of chremastics (usury) were prohibited, and the type of activity itself was placed under ethical and legal control – in the form of voluntary charity. This policy was not effective and the way of managing authority was replaced by the state-legal way of managing domestic policy. Since the formation of the professional state apparatus and the formation of the Athenian Empire, oikonomia and chremastics have been transformed from a multiple phenomenon of the internal life of policy into a political lever of the external activities of the state. Athens was transformed into a large archaic оікіа – the majority of citizens and the state itself were enriched unlimitedly. Chremastics have become the dominant activity and value of the public sphere in Athens. This became one of the levers of a new imbalance of individual and general interests, the decline of ancient Greek civilization.

Intersectionality in the activity of lesbian and feminist movements in Ukraine

The article defines manifestations of the concept of intersectionality between Ukrainian feminist and lesbian movements. The research is based on the results of theoretical analysis and results of 13 semistructured in-depth interviews with 13 Ukrainian activists of feminist and lesbian movement from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Uzhhorod, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr and Kherson, who were involved in feminist and lesbian movements in different periods – from the end of the 1990s to the beginning of the 2000s, in the mid-2000s and after 2014. As a result, the patterns of intersectionality between these two movements were defined.The concept of intersectional was defined in the mid-20th century by the American researcher Kimberle Crenshaw. It involved the rethinking of the concept of identity and social inequality under the influence of diverse individual experiences and socially significant characteristics. This concept became fundamental for the activity of new social movements at the end of the 20th century, in particular lesbian and feminist ones that are interrelated due to common resistance practices, ideological aspects, and people’s potential as well as the topic of the fight for women’s rights.Ukrainian feminist and lesbian movements are not exceptions, as they have manifested this intersectionality since their establishment as public social movements in Ukraine after the collapse of the USSR in 1991. This feature makes them different from the movements in countries of Western Europe and the USA, where lesbians used to be excluded from the mainstream feminist movement.After the analysis of in-depth interviews with activists of feminist and lesbian movements, it was defined that intersectionality between feminist and lesbian movements in Ukraine can be defined in ideological, thematical and practical aspects – common ideological basis, resistance practices represented in demonstrations, common actions, significant dates and topics, that prove that these 2 movements are interrelated and interconnected.

Understanding an emerging maker community in India: Socio-demographic traits, motivations, and satisfaction factors

Makerspaces are becoming increasingly popular due to their capacity for hands-on learning, innovation, collaboration, and the democratisation of technology. While numerous studies have explored makerspace users, they have largely focused on contexts within the Global North or China, leaving a significant gap in understanding the demographics and experiences of individuals who frequent these spaces in the Global South. The paper addresses this gap by understanding the factors influencing the motivations and satisfaction levels of an emerging community of makerspace users in India. Employing a cross-sectional survey methodology, data from 51 participants were collected via an online questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression. Key findings indicate that access to specialised tools, expert guidance, and opportunities for personal and professional development are significant motivators for makerspace usage. Users expressed high satisfaction with the learning opportunities and resources provided. The study concludes that makerspaces play a crucial role in supporting innovation and professional growth in the Indian context, suggesting that policymakers and educators should consider these insights to enhance the effectiveness and reach of makerspaces, thus promoting broader innovation ecosystems. Future research should aim to include a more diverse participant pool to validate and expand upon these findings.

Using Voice-activated Technologies to Enhance Well-being of Older Adults in Long-term Care Homes

Abstract Background and Objectives Information communication technologies (ICTs) can enhance older adults’ health and wellbeing. Most research on the use of voice-activated ICTs by older adults has focused on the experiences of individuals living in the community, excluding those who live in long-term care homes. Given evidence of the potential benefits of such technologies to mitigate social isolation and loneliness, more research is needed about their impacts in long-term care home settings. With this in mind, we evaluated impacts and engagement of older adults with voice- and touchscreen activated ICTs in one long-term care home in Canada. Research Design and Methods Interviews were conducted with older adults who were provided with a Google Nest Hub Max and with staff as part of a larger implementation study. Participants completed semi-structured interviews before the technology was implemented, and again at 6 and 12 months. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Results We found that residents primarily used the technologies to engage in self-directed digital leisure and to engage with others both in and outside the home, and that this in turn enhanced their comfort, pleasure, and social connectedness. We also identified ongoing barriers to their engagement with the technology, including both personal and structural factors. Discussion and Implications Our findings suggest that implementation of voice-activated ICTs can bring added value to broader efforts to improve well-being and quality of life in long-term care by enhancing choice, self-determination, and meaningful relationships.

Discrimination experiences of transgender individuals in healthcare: an interview study on the perspective of health professionals specializing in the treatment of transgender individuals

BackgroundExperiences of discrimination in healthcare lead to poorer mental and physical health for transgender individuals. There is evidence that trans-specialists, i.e. health professionals specializing in transgender care, are an important source of discrimination experienced by transgender individuals in healthcare. In this qualitative interview study, we explored the reasons for this possibly surprising finding by analyzing subjective views of trans-specialists on various issues related to discrimination of transgender individuals.MethodsWe conducted 20 semi-structured, qualitative, exploratory interviews with healthcare professionals specializing in transgender care. Interview questions were developed based on an extensive literature analysis and results of previous research on the topic. The interviews were conducted online, were digitally recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted using the methods of content analysis and thematic analysis.ResultsThe interviewees had great difficulty giving a consistent definition of the concept of gender identity. Most of them saw it as a self-determination of a transgender individual. Although herewith emphasizing the autonomy of transgender individuals, most trans-specialists felt that they had to be convinced of their patient’s transsexuality to carry out treatment. Most trans-specialists reported having had doubts about whether some transgender individuals were suffering from gender incongruence or not. There was also ambiguity among interviewees about whether transsexuality is a mental illness.ConclusionsWe were able to identify specific topics that can cause discrimination experiences on the part of transgender individuals in their contact with trans-specialists. These include the vagueness of the construct of gender identity and the ambivalence between respect for the autonomy of transgender individuals and the validation of the diagnosis “transsexuality”. Also, uncertainties regarding the classification of transsexuality as a mental illness can lead to experiences of discrimination. Furthermore, our results imply that trans-specialists might remember own discriminatory behavior less than it actually took place. Our results can contribute to the development of specific measures to avoid discrimination experiences of transgender individuals in contact with trans-specialists. These should include a reflection on one’s own gender identity and training on mechanisms of discrimination.

Using Ecological Momentary Analysis to explore stigma experiences in the real world for adults with acquired hearing loss

Objective The aim of this study was to use Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to capture how stigma-induced identity threat is experienced by adults with hearing loss and how they respond to such threats in daily life. Design and study sample Twenty adults with hearing loss from 53 to 88 years (mean age of 69.4 years) completed a range of demographic and stigma questionnaires in the laboratory and, over a two-week period, answered daily EMA surveys. Results A total of 633 EMA surveys were collected. Five participants reported 13 listening events in which they experienced stigma. These events were typically when conversing with family or friends who were aware of the adults’ hearing loss. Conclusions The number of individual stigma experiences captured by EMA were low, when viewed across a large number of social interactions. However, as a group, a quarter of the participants in this study experienced stigma over a two-week period, typically from others close to them. This suggests that stigma experiences may be a regular occurrence for some adults with hearing loss.

Using patient-reported experiences to inform the use of foam dressings for hard-to-heal wounds: perspectives from a wound care expert panel.

Caring for patients with hard-to-heal (chronic) wounds requires a multifaceted approach that addresses their diverse needs, which can contribute to the complexity of care. Wound care providers must have a comprehensive understanding of the patient's comorbid conditions and psychosocial issues to provide personalised and effective treatment. Key quality indicators for effective wound care involves not only selecting appropriate local wound care products, such as foam dressings, but also addressing individual patient experiences of wound-related pain, odour, itch, excessive wound drainage, and self-care needs. The purpose of this review is to inculcate the wound care practice community, research scientists and healthcare industry with a sense of accountability in order to work collaboratively in addressing these unmet care needs.

Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: Understanding How Local Communities Perceive and Engage with Spa Tourism Development Initiatives in Rural Areas

This study investigated the intersection of healthy and sustainable human settlement, and land use for spa tourism in rural areas. Recognizing the crucial role of youth in shaping the future of tourism, this research aimed to provide an insight into the young local rural community representatives’ perception of sustainable spa tourism development and to identify whether these attitudes are shaped by their socio-demographic characteristics. The applied methodology was the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS). A total of 254 respondents took part in this research. Using SPSS 30.0.0, the gathered data were subjected to additional analyses based on factor analysis, descriptive statistics, and the general linear model. The results showed a general positive attitude of local community members towards the further development of spa tourism in their communities. The especially important factors were the following: long-term planning of development, environmental protection, negative attitudes towards spa tourism development, economic benefits, as well as community participation. By providing an empirical analysis based on the use of robust tools for measuring youth attitudes, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and community leaders into how they can design and implement tourism strategies that align with sustainability principles while fostering local economic development and environmental stewardship. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the broader discussion on developing healthy, sustainable human settlements that balance economic benefits with ecological and social well-being. Synergy/harmony between communities and their natural surroundings is essential for the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of rural human settlements. Mineral springs and spas facilitate sensory experiences for individuals (both tourists and residents) through the utilization of natural resources and the environment.

Gratitude despite unease among Swedish male forensic psychiatric patients with substance use disorders: an interview study

ABSTRACT Purpose Forensic psychiatric inpatient care in Sweden is characterized by strict regulations and adherence to court-mandated rules, with a median care time of 7 years. Comorbity has significant clinical implications, impacting health and well-being, violent behaviour and criminal recidivism, and prolonging inpatient stays. This study investigated the individual experiences and perspectives of Swedish patients in forensic psychiatric care with substance use (SU) disorders, focusing on past, present and future orientations. Methods Ten male forensic psychiatric inpatients were individually interviewed following a semi-structured interview guide. A qualitative content analysis was conducted to inductively analyse the participants’ experiences. The study adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results Under the main theme of “embracing harmony in opposition”, three categories emerged: (1) unveiling the beginning of SU and its impact on navigating challenges in care, (2) exploring current confined care and gratitude despite unease and (3) yearning for a somewhat normal life. Conclusions Participants’ subjective perspectives underscored the importance of factors such as forensic nurses/healthcare providers in forensic psychiatry considering the patients’ life narratives, their aspirations for the future, their need for a secure environment and patient—staff relationships. These findings highlight the need for structural interventions that emphasize the importance of tailored and comprehensive health plans within rehabilitation.

Femme-bracing Neurodiversity: Applying Femme Theory to the Experiences of Feminine Autistics

Abstract At the crossroads of femme theory and Autistic femininity lie the nuanced experiences of individuals whose identities challenge societal norms of both gender and neurodiversity. By delving into these intersections, this article seeks to illuminate the unique perspectives of Autistic individuals who, in some aspect, identify with femininity. Employing six core principles of femme theory—reclaiming femininity, valuing feminine knowledge and characteristics, intersectionality, agency and empowerment, visibility and inclusivity, and resistance to femmephobia and misogyny—, the authors analyze, through theory application, how these principles manifest in the lives of Autistic individuals. Using femme theory, this research identifies the nuanced ways Autistic individuals navigate societal expectations and stereotypes. The findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse spectrum of femininity, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting the agency and experiences of Autistic individuals.

The influences of virtual-reality- and animation-supported gamified learning processes on students’ learning achievement and behavioral intention in retailing management courses

The application of virtual reality (VR)/animation-enhanced technologies to various educational settings has received increasing attention from academics and educators. However, empirical investigation of this issue using an integrated theoretical perspective is scarce in management education. Additionally, prior studies that specifically investigate the influences of the technological attributes of VR/animation-enhanced technologies and learners’ perceptions and experiences in management education contexts are scarce. This study thus investigates this issue by adopting the viewpoints of technological attributes and individual perceptions and experiences to comprehend students’ situated experiential learning. Therefore, to examine whether such a learning method improves learning achievement by enhancing long-term memory, this study conducted a quasi-experiment to understand how technological attributes influence students' cognitive and affective responses, confidence, and satisfaction, thus affecting behavioral intention and learning achievement. A total of 230 students participated in this study. The stimulus-organism-response model, situated learning theory, and flow theory were integrated in this study to explore the relationships between the factors of psychological state and students' experiential learning processes. All hypotheses were supported, except confidence did not significantly influence students' behavioral intention and learning achievement after four weeks. The implications for theory and practice of this study are subsequently discussed.

External Debt and Economic Growth of BRICS Nations: How can BRICS Integration help them?

This study examines the relationship between external debt and economic growth in the BRICS countries. It explores how BRICS integration can aid these economies and newly joined countries in solving the debt problem. Using the latest panel data techniques and country experiences, we employed the panel mean group method (PMG) and interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) for South Africa, who joined in 2010. Results show a negative relationship between external debt and economic growth at the group level, with mixed results for individual countries. Using individual country experiences, valid implications are drawn for debt-stressed countries like Ethiopia and oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia. Integrating new member countries in BRICS can overhaul the existing system towards broader perspectives of reforms in global financial institutions. Integration into the BRICS association can benefit these countries through reforms in global financial institutions, fairer debt restructuring, joint investment projects, macroeconomic coordination, debt management knowledge sharing, innovative financing, and collective advocacy for debt relief to enhance stability and resilience.

A Qualitative Exploration of Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training by the Alabama Suicide Prevention and Resources Coalition

Objective: Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The goal of this research was to explore the experiences of individuals who participated in the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training and subsequently intervened during a suicidal crisis post-QPR training. MethodsThe study team conducted key informant interviews with eight participants who completed QPR Gatekeeper Training between September 2018 and March 2019. Study participants worked in occupations with some exposure to suicide and expressed interest in suicide prevention based on previous personal or professional experiences. Team members used template analysis for thematic analysis. ResultsStudy results focused specifically on program improvement; themes were divided between strengths of QPR training and opportunities for improvement. Results from this current study supported findings from previous studies including enhanced self-efficacy, the value of role-play, and the need for engaging presenters and relevant resources. Study findings add an important voice to the discussion: trainees who intervened in a suicidal crisis post-QPR training. ConclusionDespite its shorter duration, QPR Gatekeeper Training has been shown to be a highly effective program to prepare people to successfully intervene during a suicidal crisis. This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding QPR Gatekeeper Training efficacy and highlights the need for further study regarding program enhancements.

Multimodal Feedback Methods for Advancing the Accessibility of Immersive Virtual Reality for People With Balance Impairments Due to Multiple Sclerosis.

Maintaining balance in immersive virtual reality (VR) environments poses a significant challenge for users, particularly affecting those with pre-existing balance disorders. This study investigates the efficacy of multimodal feedback-comprising auditory, vibrotactile, and visual stimuli-in mitigating balance issues within VR. A sample of 68 participants, divided equally between individuals with balance deficits related to multiple sclerosis and those without, was evaluated. The research explored the impact of various feedback conditions on balance performance. The results demonstrated that the multimodal feedback condition significantly enhanced balance control compared to other conditions, with statistical analysis confirming this improvement (p<.001). These findings underscore the potential of integrated sensory feedback in addressing balance-related difficulties in VR, thereby improving the overall accessibility and user experience for individuals affected by balance impairments. This research contributes valuable insights into optimizing VR environments for enhanced stability and user comfort.

Strategies at the platform-train interface: in the pursuit of psychological comfort?

ABSTRACT Platform-train interface (PTI) is a shared space with several interactions between travellers. These interactions lead to congestion, delays, safety concerns at PTI and resulting in a negative experience for users. Understanding individual behaviour is crucial to improving pedestrian flow at stations and users’ experience, to fine supporting public transport use. This study aims to understand how individuals experience and behaviour at PTI. Specifically, we investigate psychological comfort and its link with approach/avoidance strategies (AAS) used by travellers at PTI. Based on the critical incidents technique, 22 interviews were conducted. Participants were asked to describe multiple trips according to their valence (positive v. negative). Seventy-seven critical incidents representing 125 route sections involving a station were collected, coded and analysed through multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), to determine reasons of incidents’ valence. The descriptive analysis of the 125 sections aims at identifying AAS used by individuals at PTI. Results suggest that reasons of the valence of the trip (e.g., security or density) could be related to the different psychological comfort’s dimensions. AAS reported seem to be aimed at increasing psychological comfort. Finally, we observed that while crowds usually link to avoidance strategies, in specific cases of uncertainty travellers also reported approaching a crowd.