Individual Experiences Research Articles

Leisure constraints towards accessible tourism: self-characteristics of people with disability along tourism value chains

ABSTRACT Despite the intensifying legal focus on enhancing accessible infrastructure, people with disability are still often marginalized in traveling. To facilitate the advancement of accessible tourism, this research employs the self-categorization theory, incorporating the experiences of individuals with disabilities within all stages of the travel process. Following a qualitative approach, leisure constraints of people with hearing, seeing, learning, and mobility disability in traveling are examined, deriving potential pathways towards holistic accessible tourism value chains from a multidimensional disability perspective. The findings of this study show a lack of awareness among industry stakeholders regarding the needs of people with disabilities. This is indicated by inaccessibility and weak reliability of information, insufficient sensitisation of staff, or the absence of adequate feedback possibilities. Inherent to this, participants evolve structural and interpersonal constraints, particularly in the pre-travel and on-site phases. While positive travel experiences lead to an increase in the self-confidence of people with disabilities, negative examples trigger intrapersonal constraints, whereby travel plans are discarded due to a self-categorization as individuals with limited opportunities for social inclusion. Theoretical contributions as well as implications for practice are derived to address shortcomings along accessible tourism value chains.

Tacit Skills of Return Migrants to Poland and Lithuania from the UK: Twenty Years After the May 2004 EU Enlargement

ABSTRACT This study investigates the reintegration of tacit skills among Polish and Lithuanian migrants returning from the UK amid Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a CAWI survey of 740 returnees, it explores the application of tacit skills acquired abroad in their origin countries’ labor markets. The research reveals the challenges return migrants face in utilizing their overseas-acquired skills, influenced by local labor market structures, employers’ attitudes, and individual experiences. The findings contribute to understanding the role of international migration in skill distribution and labor market dynamics, focusing on the personal and economic reintegration of return migrants.

Personality in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus): Temporal stability and methods of assessment

Personality is the essence of individuality in animals, affecting individual behaviours, perceptions and lived experiences. Being able to reliably assess personality in animals holds the key to understanding individual differences, and application of this knowledge is paramount in the provision of individual-level management of animals to optimise welfare. A key aspect of the definition of animal personality is ‘consistency over time’. Yet, despite the range of studies assessing elephant personality, there is a lack of consistency within methodologies and personality is usually assessed at a single point in time. Here, we examine personality data from adult members of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) herd at Chester Zoo at five separate time points, across a ten-year period (2013−2023). Data were analysed in terms of the instruments used to measure personality (differences in questions/items across assessments, presentation of the personality assessments, raters), and changes over time in elephant personality assessment scores. Select personality traits were consistent over multiple time points. Inter-rater reliability across personality adjectives is highest when keepers are involved in scale development, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between scientists and animal caregivers in building tools for evidence-based management decisions over the lifetime of animals.

Cultural Memory and Trauma: Commemorating the Past in Post-Conflict Bosnia Herzegovina

Post-conflict societies grapple with the complex interplay of cultural memory and trauma. Bosnia and Herzegovina, marked by the devastating 1992-1995 war, provides a poignant case study. This research delves into how collective memory shapes commemoration practices and influences the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating qualitative data collection and analysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with survivors, community leaders, and cultural practitioners. Additionally, content analysis was performed on commemorative events, memorials, and public discourses. Findings highlight the dynamic nature of cultural memory. Commemoration practices serve as sites of contestation, reflecting diverse narratives and interpretations of the past. Trauma manifests in both individual and collective experiences, shaping identity and influencing social relations. In conclusion, the study underscores the crucial role of cultural memory in post-conflict societies. Commemoration serves as a vehicle for acknowledging suffering, promoting healing, and fostering reconciliation. However, it is essential to navigate the complexities of diverse narratives and ensure inclusive representation.

Adherence to treatment in pulmonary tuberculosis: Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis.

Adherence to treatment is essential for the management of pulmonary tuberculosis. Nurses and healthcare professionals play a significant role in promoting adherence behavior among this population. Nevertheless, defining adherence to treatment within this particular population remains complex. This study aimed to explore and clarify the concept of adherence to treatment among individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis. Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis was employed in this study. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies published between July 2013 and July 2023. The attributes of adherence to treatment in pulmonary tuberculosis consist of multiple components: biological, individual, social, health service, and policy-making processes. Antecedents include various patient-related factors as well as factors associated with clinical conditions and patient-health professional engagement. Three consequences of the concept have emerged: enhanced treatment efficacy, increased commitment to tuberculosis treatment adherence, and improved health service quality. This study provides a comprehensive operational definition of adherence to tuberculosis treatment, including its attributes, antecedents, and consequences. This framework will assist nurses in evaluating adherence more effectively. However, further research into the experiences of individuals adhering to tuberculosis treatment is needed to confirm and enhance these strategies.

Imposter Phenomenon in Pediatric Residency: An Empirical Simulation-Based Educational Study.

The imposter phenomenon (IP) may have a negative impact on the ability of healthcare providers to make difficult and accurate decisions. This study presents an empirical approach, segregating the real imposters based on a simulation, and aims to investigate the prevalence and severity of IP and evaluate the attitude in the decision-making process of pediatric residents with impostorism. A simulation-based case study with the 113 pediatric residents was performed with the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale to identify IP scores and appropriate management skills for the case. The collected data were divided and combined into different categories based on the IP scale scores and the success of case management to further detect how real imposters were affected. Our study revealed that 24 (21.2%) of residents have moderate, 33 (25.7%) of residents have frequent, and 29 (29.2%) of residents have intense impostorism feelings. The imposter scores were found to be higher among female participants (P = .006). However, when considering the prevalence of significant impostorism (defined as both frequent and intense), there was no statistically significant difference between females and males (P = .088). The data indicated that an increase in IP scores was associated with a higher likelihood of delayed pressing the help button for both the overall and post-exclusion groups (P < .001). The analysis also revealed a significant correlation and a monotonic-linear trend between IP scores and the decision-making process, even after excluding the unsuccessful participants (P < .001). This is the first study to demonstrate the prevalence of IP among pediatric residents, potentially leading to challenges in patient care and resulting in delayed decisionmaking and self-doubt with feelings of inadequacy. The findings support the claim that higher imposter scores are associated with a greater tendency to seek help from more experienced individuals, even when fully capable of managing cases independently. This emphasizes the importance of awareness about the IP, as these factors can directly impact both the well-being of trainees and patient care outcomes.

The Healing Heuristic of the Medicine Buddha in Bhutan

This paper examines the role of the Medicine Buddha in the healthcare system in Bhutan, a bipartite system where allopathic and Bhutanese Traditional Medicine co-exist. Discussion is informed by a wider study that explored the use of mindfulness practices by nurses across both sectors. An emergent theme from this narrative inquiry is that health practitioners across the sectors spoke of the importance of the Medicine Buddha in their professional practice. To better understand this centrality, we provide a historical overview of the long-standing presence of the Medicine Buddha in Bhutanese society and the materiality and spirituality of Medicine Buddha practice, and review how this healing aspect of Awakened Mind (Buddha) is integrated into nurse training. We then explore how this unique holistic education is integrated into the lives and practices of nurses and their workplaces. While recognizing that empirical proofs remain elusive, this paper is also informed by our own reflective practice and individual experience with the Medicine Buddha in affirming a healing heuristic in our own lived experiences. To wit, we can see value in the pivotal role of Medicine Buddha in the Bhutanese health system, and, more broadly, the health of Bhutanese society.

THEORY OF RECEPTION AND CRITICISM OF FILMS BASED ON THE RECEPTION AND CRITICISM OF THE FILM “ANNA KARENINA” (1997)

The word reception means the acceptance of foreign ideas, norms and values or behaviors. Reception history elaborates the reception that a literary text, a film, or in this case an adaptation of a novel, has found in its audience over time. This paper delves into the core concepts of film reception theory, shedding light on how audiences interpret and actively engage with cinematic narratives. The theoretical part includes different perspectives, recognizing that audience responses are shaped by individual experiences, cultural contexts, and societal influences. This study also delves into the concept of criticism, whether that from the audience or from theorists and critics. This study after the theoretical part of the reception elaborates the reception and criticism of the film Anna Karenina (1997) directed by Bernard Rose. As an adaptation of the novel Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1887), criticism and reception in this case focuses, among other things, on the stallings and deviations of the adapted story. Additionally this paper addresses the evolving landscape of film reception in the digital age, considering the impact of online communities, social media and interactive platforms on audience engagement. This study aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on film reception theory by providing insights into the multifaceted nature of audience engagement and its implications for the wider field of film studies. During this study, I came to the conclusion that coded messages and pre-existing expectations also influence the audience’s reception of a film. The coded message is deciphered by the audience based on the knowledge they possess and not the way the producer thought. In this case, the producer too should not convey messages that are not easily decoded by the audience.

Biomechanical Effects of Titanium Alloy Based Single versus Dual Cage Fusion Devices

Degenerative disc disease is an increasing problematic complication following lumbar fusion surgeries. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a well-established surgical method for spine stability following intervertebral disc removal. The position and number of titanium cages in PLIF are remain contingent on individual surgeon experience. Thus, a systemic investigation of the efficacy of titanium single mega cage versus two cages in treating degenerative lumbar spinal diseases is imperative. A biomechanical study was aimed to compare the stability achieved in PLIF through interbody reconstruction using a single mega cage (32 mm) Vs. a dual cage (22 mm). Normal intact finite element model of L3–L4 was developed based on computed tomography images from a healthy 27-year-old male volunteer. The study tested the intact model (Model A) and its surgically operated counterparts using four PLIF implantation methods: single transverse cage (Model B), single transverse cage with bone graft (Model C), dual transverse cage (Model D), and dual transverse cage with bone graft (Model E). Combined loads simulating physiological motions—flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending —were applied across all loading directions. The assessment includes all model range of motion (ROM), micromotion between the cage and endplate, and stress on the cage and internal fixation system (screw and rod). The ROM between Models B, C, D and E were consistently reduced by over 71% compared to intact Model A under all motion scenarios. Model D exhibited the highest peak stress of 115 MPa on the cage during flexion, surpassing Model C and E (Flexion) by fourfold. Model E demonstrated the lowest cage stress (20 MPa) during extension, outperforming the other models. Notably, Model E exhibited minimal endplate stress (2 MPa), cage stress (21 MPa), micromotion (13 µm) during extension, and screw-rod stress (56 MPa) during flexion, making it superior to other implantation methods. In the context of PLIF, Model E showed enhanced biomechanical stability, reducing ROM, stress on the endplates, cage, screw-rod system and micromotion. Alternatively, Model C may be a viable alternative in standard PLIF, especially in cases with limited intervertebral space, providing efficient clinical outcomes with shorter operative times and reduced costs and ease of implantation. Also, this computational study provides valuable understandings into optimizing cage implantation strategies for improved outcomes during PLIF.

How to Listen Through a Wall: Lessons From Conducting Participatory Action Research in an Urban Prison

This project sought to understand the present-day experiences of individuals housed in prisons by utilizing Participatory Action Research (PAR) methods that partnered a university research team with individuals incarcerated in an urban correctional facility. The team assessed perceptions of the current environment by surveying people incarcerated in an urban prison. This article discusses the role of PAR methodologies from project initiation to finalization, explicitly focusing on coordination with prison and Department of Correction (DOC) administrative leadership and the value of including incarcerated individuals on the research team for successful change. Throughout the process, the team identified areas for improvement and innovations to improve the prison environment. This article provides a road map, lessons learned from conducting PAR in prison environments, and the power of partnering researchers and members of the researched population on one collaborative research team.

Reiterating the Need for Trauma-Informed and Anti-Oppressive Spaces for Disclosure of Sexual Violence: Learning from Those Who Have Lived Through It

The social movements of #metoo and #notokay illuminated the extent of sexual violence. By providing a safe platform the movement enabled victims/survivors opportunity to share their own experiences of victimization, often in a delayed disclosure, years after the violence occurred. With new disclosures of sexual violence, also comes a growing awareness of the lasting impact and the requirement to take steps to improve responses to sexual violence across the social and clinical spectrum to address and respond to victims/survivors’ holistic needs. The primary research question is, what is the retrospective life experience of individuals marginalized by gender who encounter sexual violence in post-secondary education? The authors of this manuscript used trauma- informed qualitative individual interviews with a feminist perspective to explore the retrospective experience of 10 victim/survivors, a decade or more after their experience of sexual violence. The inquiry discovered the themes of recognizing the wrong, the internal struggle, forging new relationships, and the lasting trauma of sexual violence. Learning from those that lived it legitimizes victims/survivors’ experiences and deepens clinical knowledge of these impacts and associated needs.

From Patrilineal Tradition to Gender Equity: The Evolution of Inheritance Law in Indonesia’s Batak Toba Community

The Batak Toba community in Indonesia, traditionally governed by a patrilineal kinship system, has historically excluded women from inheritance rights. This deeply ingrained custom has perpetuated gender inequality within the community. However, the landscape of inheritance law has undergone significant transformation due to the influence of national legislation and landmark court rulings. This study explores the dynamic evolution of inheritance practices among the Batak Toba, tracing the shift from a patriarchal tradition to a more equitable system that recognizes the rights of women. This research employs a qualitative approach, combining legal analysis with empirical data gathered through interviews and case studies within the Batak Toba community. The study examines customary laws, national legislation, and judicial decisions to understand the legal framework governing inheritance. Additionally, it delves into the lived experiences of individuals within the community to capture the social and cultural dimensions of inheritance practices. The findings reveal a gradual but significant shift in inheritance practices among the Batak Toba. While the patrilineal tradition remains influential, there is growing recognition of women's inheritance rights. This change is attributed to several factors, including increased education, economic empowerment of women, and greater awareness of gender equality principles. The study also highlights the role of legal reforms and judicial activism in challenging discriminatory customary laws and promoting a more inclusive approach to inheritance. The evolution of inheritance law in the Batak Toba community reflects a broader societal transformation towards gender equity. While challenges persist, the study underscores the importance of continued legal reforms, community engagement, and education to ensure the full realization of women's inheritance rights. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, legal practitioners, and community leaders working towards a more just and equitable society.

The Development and Initial Validation of the Multidimensional Fairness Scale

Research in psychology, sociology, economics, and other disciplines investigating social justice has identified associations between fair treatment and human well-being. However, the lack of a practical and valid instrument for measuring individual experiences of fair treatment in multiple areas of life has limited the ability to understand the relationship between fairness and wellness. The purpose of these studies was to develop and establish the initial psychometric properties and convergent validity of a scale measuring personal experiences of fairness across various life domains. Development and validation occurred across three studies. Scale development in Study 1 included the generation of items, item revision, and analysis of content validity. A review of existing literature and qualitative data derived from focus group discussions informed the initial pool of items. Cognitive interviews and expert input aided in analysis of content validity and revision of items. Study 2 consisted of confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate the performance of items and determine the underlying factor structure of the scale. In Study 3, factor analyses were used to evaluate convergent validity with other fairness-related instruments. Results of the first study supported the conceptualization of fairness along a social-ecological spectrum: experiences of fairness existed in multiple distinct life domains (e.g., interpersonal, occupational, community). Results from the second study revealed a bifactor model with one general Fairness factor and four Interpersonal, Occupational, Community, and Societal ecological group factors. Results from the third study suggested acceptable convergent validity among some subscales and other established instruments, while also suggesting that refinements to the Community fairness subscale might improve the scale. The final 12-item scale demonstrated good reliability. Results of this study produced an instrument able to measure individual experiences of fair treatment across four life domains.

Sexual Life Experiences of Infertile Individuals: A Meta-Synthesis Study

This study aims to systematically interpret and synthesize the evidence obtained from qualitative research conducted on the sexual experiences of infertile individuals. This study is a meta-synthesis study. A thorough literature review was conducted between February and March 2024 across five electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCO, and Science Direct Embase. This article includes 12 studies published in English since 1990 that have examined the sexual experiences of individuals who have been diagnosed with infertility. This research adhered to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool for qualitative research was used to evaluate the quality of all included articles. To synthesize the data, deductive and interpretation techniques according to Sandelowski and Barroso’s approach have been used. The sexual experiences of individuals who have been diagnosed with infertility were summarized under four main themes: “Reconceptualising Sexuality,” “Change,” “Coping with Sexual Problems” and “Unmet Need for Information on Sexuality.” It has been revealed that individuals diagnosed with infertility need more information and support about sexual health. Health professionals might help these individuals cope with sexual health problems by providing counseling services.

Leveraging ChatGPT for Personalized Learning: A systematic Review in Educational Settings

In today’s digital world, personalization is a leading point for each learner to strengthen their educational achievements. Considering innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in the area of natural language processing, Chat GPT has sparked awareness as a viable mechanism for supporting personalized learning. The aim of the systematic review is to identify the present-day status of research on using Chat GPT for independent learning in educational settings. The research effort combines works that study Chat GPT application in learning environments, summarizing the results of a broad survey of scholarly literature. The significance of the Chat GPT in the learning path was identified from the previous studies. Also, the study discusses the practical difficulties and challenges of this technology. The study highlights some potential improvements by the Chat GPT, like improving the individual learning experience, offering seamless feedback and error corrections, encouraging study, and finding study metrics. Also, the study identified some potential challenges, for example, data privacy, bias, accessibility of databases, and similarity between answers. There is a possibility for further research on this topic in advance to get more valuable ideas in the academic field. This comprehensive study examines a collection of AI-based personalized learning ideas to clearly enlighten the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing Chat GPT in an academic environment. Practitioners can gain a clear idea by referring to the article, which will maximize the usage of technology in the near future.

Candidacy 2.0 (CC) – an enhanced theory of access to healthcare for chronic conditions: lessons from a critical interpretive synthesis on access to rheumatoid arthritis care

BackgroundThe Dixon-Woods et al. Candidacy Framework, a valuable tool since its 2006 introduction, has been widely utilized to analyze access to various services in diverse contexts, including healthcare. This social constructionist approach examines micro, meso, and macro influences on access, offering concrete explanations for access challenges rooted in socially patterned influences. This study employed the Candidacy Framework to explore the experiences of individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their formal care providers. The investigation extended to assessing supports and innovations in RA diagnosis and management, particularly in primary care.MethodsThis systematic review is a Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) of qualitative and mixed methods literature. The CIS aimed to generate theory from identified constructs across the reviewed literature. The study found alignment between the seven dimensions of the Candidacy Framework and key themes emerging from the data. Notably absent from the framework was an eighth dimension, identified as the “embodied relational self.” This dimension, central to the model, prompted the proposal of a revised framework specific to healthcare for chronic conditions.ResultsThe CIS revealed that the eight dimensions, including the embodied relational self, provided a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and perspectives of individuals with RA and their care providers. The proposed Candidacy 2.0 (Chronic Condition (CC)) model demonstrated how integrating approaches like Intersectionality, concordance, and recursivity enhanced the framework when the embodied self was central.ConclusionsThe study concludes that while the original Candidacy Framework serves as a robust foundation, a revised version, Candidacy 2.0 (CC), is warranted for chronic conditions. The addition of the embodied relational self dimension enriches the model, accommodating the complexities of accessing healthcare for chronic conditions.Trial RegistrationThis study did not involve a health care intervention on human participants, and as such, trial registration is not applicable. However, our review is registered with the Open Science Framework at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ASX5C.

Invisibility and silence: an extreme form of art resistance of Aaron Curme

ABSTRACT Social alienation necessitates a critique against social paradoxes that disregard individual experiences and portray societal failures as successes. Aaron Curme adopts the extremes of invisibility and silence to counteract these paradoxes and constructs an artistic identity of resistance, a demonstrative choice of resistance, an extreme, ironic and paradoxical behavior aiming to directly expose the core of problems. Employing auto-hermeneutics, the artist’s self-conscious artistic practices are observed that embody paradoxical empowerment through absence, and constantly transform the silence into a subtly communicative and aesthetically appreciative form that offers a novel interpretation towards the unheard perspectives of others.

Do Difficulties in Career Affect Life Satisfaction? Examining the Relationships Between Life Satisfaction, Career Decision Regret, and Career Distress

Life satisfaction, which is an important indicator of the well-being and happiness of individuals, can be affected by different development areas of the individual. On this basis, the experiences of individuals regarding their career development processes may also have an impact on life satisfaction. In the current study, which was carried out to test this, the mediating role of career distress in the relationship between individuals' career decision regret and life satisfaction was examined. The current study was carried out with 321 university students. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 26, with an average age of 20.78 years. The Career Decision Regret Scale, The Career Distress Scale, and The Satisfaction with Life Scale were used to collect data. The analysis of the data was made with the structural equation modeling method. The results revealed that life satisfaction is negatively related to both career decision regret and career distress. Another important finding is that career distress has a fully mediating role in the relationship between career decision regret and life satisfaction. The findings were discussed based on the relevant literature, and suggestions were presented regarding the results.

Metacognition bridges experiences and beliefs in sense of agency

Cognitive scientists differentiate the “minimal self” – subjective experiences of agency and ownership in our sensorimotor interactions with the world – from declarative beliefs about the self that are sustained over time. However, it remains an open question how individual sensory experiences of agency are integrated into the belief ofbeing an agent.We administered a sensorimotor task to measure subjects’ (n = 195) propensity to classify stimuli as self-caused and metacognitive monitoring of such judgements, and we compared these behavioral metrics to declarative beliefs about their agency. Subjects who were less sensitive to control cues also reported more negative agency beliefs, though positive beliefs were not clearly correlated with any sensorimotor measure. Importantly, this relationship between first-order sensitivity and declarative beliefs essentially disappears when controlling for metacognitive sensitivity. Results suggest agency beliefs are not related directly to the propensity to make positive agency judgements but are connected through introspective access.

Berlin in Cincinnati — Scenes from the End of the ‘Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums’

Abstract A vital centre of Jewish higher learning, the Berlin ‘Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums’ (1872–1942) is part of a larger story about the persecution and subsequent flight of the intelligentsia in Europe. This article will look at the final phase of this institution of Reform Judaism through the lens of Cincinnati’s Hebrew Union College, based on hitherto unpublished sources from the American Jewish Archives. The end of the Hochschule, comprising its last years and immediate afterlife, will be rendered through notable encounters involving former professors and students. Rather than providing a concluded account of this wide and fractured subject, the aim here will be a perspectivation of individual historical experience through a series of notable scenes. These range from (I) a period of precarious blossoming to (II) mounting constraints in the 1930s, (III) dreams of escape and stability, and (IV) the question of mere survival. A short reflection on this exceptional and strangely forgotten institution stands in lieu of a conclusion.