Interpersonal Factors Research Articles

Validation of the content of an instrument for nursing consultations with children with disabilities

Objective: To build and validate an instrument for Nursing consultation for Children with Disabilities. Method: Methodological study developed in two stages, namely: 1st stage: planning and construction of the instrument; 2nd stage: validation of the instrument's content by experts through the application of an individual online questionnaire and by conducting a focus group. The results of the first stage underwent a quantitative analysis in which were considered as validated indicators those whose content validity index was equal to or greater than 0.80 and in the second stage, a qualitative analysis was carried out to make adjustments to the instrument. Results: After being validated, the indicators were organized based on the concepts of King's Goal Achievement Theory, resulting in the structuring of the instrument that is subdivided into three domains: Personal, Interpersonal and Social Factors. Conclusion: The final instrument showed content validity for its use at the moment of collecting data during the nursing consultation for Children with Disabilities receiving care at Specialized Rehabilitation Centers.

Supplemental Material for Suicidal Thoughts Among Young Bisexual Women: Sexual Violence, Minority Stress, and Interpersonal Factors

Supplemental Material for Suicidal Thoughts Among Young Bisexual Women: Sexual Violence, Minority Stress, and Interpersonal Factors

Parents' satisfaction with physiotherapy services for neuropediatric outpatients in government and private hospitals in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study.

Healthcare, like other industries, emphasizes performance, quality, and consumer experience while also attempting to reduce costs. However, high-quality healthcare remains paramount for vulnerable and ill patients. This study aimed to investigate parents' and caregivers' level of satisfaction with physiotherapy services provided to neuropediatric outpatients on the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This descriptive cross-sectional study included 103 parents/caregivers of children with neurological disabilities that were randomly selected from different Emirates Health Services Hospitals in the UAE. Data was collected using the long-form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-III). The overall mean satisfaction was 159±7.73 (out of 250 points). Communication (20.36/25), interpersonal factors (20.17/35), and doctor-patient time (20.17/35) had the highest mean satisfaction scores (8.06/10). The lowest mean satisfaction scores were for access/availability/convenience (34.60/60), technical quality (33.17/50), and economic elements (23.83/40). Despite participants' overall satisfaction scores being positive, some service domains require improvement to improve satisfaction, specifically the access/availability/convenience, technical quality, and economic elements. These areas should be prioritized by service providers and managers to improve patients' experiences and clinical outcomes.

Taiwanese nurse educators' behaviour or intention to teach LGBT health content: A qualitative study.

To explore factors associated with Taiwanese nurse educators' behaviour or intention to teach lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health content. Nurse educators were found to have limited experiences and readiness to teach LGBT health content. However, limited evidence exists to comprehensively understand factors associated with nurse educators' behaviour and intentions to teach LGBT health content. A qualitative descriptive study design was adopted. A total of 24 nurse educators were interviewed. One-on-one interviews were conducted employing a semi-structured topic guide and were audio-recorded. Interview data were analysed using the socio-ecological model and constant comparative technique. This article was reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Most nurse educators had no experience of teaching LGBT health content and expressed their low or no intention to teach it. Factors associated with nurse educators' behaviour and intention to teach LGBT content were categorised by the socio-ecological model level: intrapersonal factors, interpersonal factors, community factors and societal and policy factors. This study identified multilevel factors associated with Taiwanese nurse educators' behaviour and intention to teach LGBT health content. Recommendations were provided to address multilevel barriers to diminish nurse educators' challenges in teaching LGBT health content. Supervisors of nurse educators should assess and discuss nurse educators' concerns and competencies regarding teaching LGBT health content. To address schools' or organisations' adverse climates and conventional societal atmosphere, related policies and regulations should be developed and implemented.

Interacting with a friend after a trauma film reduces anxiety and intrusive memories.

Interpersonal factors have been linked with psychological adjustment to trauma, but how interpersonal factors influence trauma response is still unclear. Experimental paradigms such as the trauma film paradigm offer a valuable approach for studying this complex dynamic. However, few studies have used the trauma film paradigm to examine the interpersonal context of trauma response, and no studies have incorporated friends into the trauma film paradigm. The purpose of the current study was to examine how inclusion of a friend influenced reactions to a trauma analog. One hundred young adult females were randomized to watch a brief stressful film of a sexual assault either with or without a friend and the Friend Present condition was given an opportunity to interact following the film. Participants were evaluated on distress during the film, skin conductance, anxiety and negative affect immediately postfilm (preinteraction) and 5 minutes later (postinteraction), and intrusive memories over a three-day period. No differences were found between conditions on skin conductance or subjective distress during the film. However, the Friend Present condition experienced a greater reduction in state anxiety from preinteraction to postinteraction and greater decreases in intrusive memories over the three-day period. Findings show the inclusion of a friend mitigated trauma-related stress reactions and suggest that interacting with a friend aided in adaptive processing of the stressor. Findings indicate that additional work is needed to examine how platonic relationships can be targeted to improve prevention and intervention efforts in trauma-related outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cognitive and interpersonal moderators of two evidence-based depression prevention programs.

To test potential cognitive and interpersonal moderators of two evidence-based youth depression prevention programs. Two hundred four adolescents (Mage = 14.62 years, SD = 1.65; 56% female; 71% White, 11% Black, 11% multiracial, 5% Asian, 2% other races, 18% Hispanic/Latinx) were randomized to either a cognitive-behavioral (Coping With Stress [CWS]) or interpersonal (Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Adolescent Skills Training [IPT-AST]) prevention program. Potential moderators, selected based on theory and research, included rumination, negative cognitive style, dysfunctional attitudes, hopelessness, parent-adolescent conflict, negative interactions with parents and friends, and social support from parents and friends. Depression symptoms were assessed repeatedly through 18 months postintervention. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, rumination (B = -2.02, SE = .61, p = .001, d = .47), hopelessness (B = -2.03, SE = .72, p = .005, d = .41), and conflict with father (B = 1.68, SE = .74, p = .02, d = .32) moderated intervention effects on change in depression symptoms from postintervention through 18-month follow-up. For example, at high levels of conflict with father, youth in IPT-AST reported a significant decrease in symptoms during follow-up, whereas youth in CWS reported a nonsignificant change in symptoms. At low levels of conflict with father, youth in IPT-AST reported a significant increase in symptoms during follow-up, whereas youth in CWS reported a nonsignificant change in symptoms. These exploratory secondary analyses of Personalized Depression Prevention study data highlight specific cognitive and interpersonal risk factors that could be considered when determining which prevention program may be most effective for a given adolescent. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Adolescent Social Media Use through a Self-Determination Theory Lens: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Social media is an integral part of adolescents' lives and has a strong influence on development and wellbeing. Research examining adolescent social media use and wellbeing is confusing as findings are inconsistent, inconclusive and contradictory. To address this issue, digital wellbeing scholars recommend that researchers adopt a theoretical approach with the aim of increasing meaningfulness and applicability of findings. Hence, this review applies self-determination theory to investigate how adolescent social media use supports and thwarts the basic psychological needs of relatedness, autonomy and competence. Satisfaction of all three psychological needs is essential for optimal development and wellbeing. A scoping review was conducted using a systematic search of five databases relating to adolescent social media use. The preferred items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (extension for scoping reviews) was applied resulting in 86 included studies. Adolescent social media use both supports and thwarts relatedness, autonomy and competence. The findings highlighted how different aspects of adolescent social media use (including intra-personal, inter-personal, situational and environmental factors) contribute to the satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs. This review illustrates how social media can be both beneficial and detrimental to satisfying the basic psychological needs of relatedness, autonomy and competence. This is important when considering that if psychological needs are satisfied or frustrated in adolescence, the repercussions can have a cascading effect throughout adulthood. This review identifies gaps in the literature and provides suggestions for future research.

Identifying the potential for increasing cycling in Denmark: Factors associated with short-distance and long-distance commuter cycling

IntroductionIncreasing transportation cycling is an effective initiative toward better population health. The aim was to describe differences between less and more frequent cyclists, and to identify factors associated with transportation cycling for people with short and long distances to work or education. MethodsThe study is based on data from approximately 46,000 respondents from a Danish cross-sectional survey conducted in 2020. The survey included questions on active transportation, barriers, and social background. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed for two groups of less and more frequent cyclists: short distance (1–5 km) and long distance (6–15 km). ResultsOverall, 49.3% of those living within a short distance and 73.0% of those living within a long distance cycled two or fewer days a week to work or education. The odds of cycling more often were significantly higher for individuals aged 15–29, women, higher-educated people, students, people with Danish ethnicity, those with daily access to a bike, people living with children, and those in the municipality area. The odds of cycling more often were significantly lower for people who identified time, physical appearance, safety issues, capabilities, and a preference for car driving as barriers to more active transportation. ConclusionsThis study shows that there are geographical differences within Denmark that affect cycling Rates, despite the country being categorized as a cycling nation. People living in rural areas are less likely to cycle to work or education despite having the same commuting distances as people living in the cities. This is surprising and should be further investigated to identify potential infrastructural, cultural, or interpersonal factors that may promote more commuter cycling among people living in rural areas.

New ways of fostering sustainable employability in inter-organizational networks: an explorative study to understand the factors and mechanisms for their success

PurposeOrganizations are increasingly joining inter-organizational networks to foster sustainable employability for their employees. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors and mechanisms central to their success as experienced by key stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachAn explorative, qualitative approach was adopted, using four focus groups with network coordinators (N = 18) and HR professionals (N = 14). Fourteen Dutch inter-organizational networks were represented. Respondents were recruited through purposive and snowballing sampling techniques. Thematic analysis was applied using open coding to generate themes.FindingsThe results of this study outline environmental, structural, and inter-personal factors and mechanisms that contribute to the success of inter-organizational networks that aim to foster sustainable employability for their employees. The environmental factors and mechanisms consist of challenges stemming from the labor market. The structural factors and mechanisms include: a network’s flat structure, flat fee, lack of informal rules, the allocation of roles and expectations for stakeholders and shared network activities. Lastly, the inter-personal factors and mechanisms are: communication among stakeholders, establishing reciprocity, interaction and collaboration between stakeholders, the valuation of trust, a convivial culture and shared vision among stakeholders. The dynamics between these factors and mechanisms are compared to other forms of inter-organizational networks. Furthermore, several recommendations for network coordinators and practitioners regarding the development of networks are presented.Originality/valueThis study provides insights into the factors and mechanisms that are regarded by stakeholders as influencing the success of inter-organizational networks in their ability to foster sustainable employability for workers. We have identified a unique model that captures this new way of inter-organizational collaboration and builds on insights from literature on collaborative governance regimes, institutional fields and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Specifically, the model provides a framework that consists of environmental, structural and interpersonal factors and mechanisms for network success. This study increases our understanding of how collaborative efforts can be fostered beyond organizational boundaries and existing Human Resource Management practices.

Social cognition and bulimic symptoms in male undergraduate students: The conditional effect of emotion dysregulation.

Research demonstrates associations between poor social cognition and eating disorder (ED) pathology. Moreover, research shows that individuals with EDs struggle with emotion regulation. The present study replicates and extends the literature on social cognition and ED pathology, which previously focused largely on symptoms of anorexia nervosa among women while the present study focuses on symptoms of bulimia nervosa among undergraduate men. Further, this study tests the hypothesis that better emotion regulation mitigates the association between social cognition and ED pathology. At a single timepoint, undergraduate males (n=520) completed a series of questionnaires, and a task assessing mentalising, a key element of social cognition. Consistent with hypotheses, bulimic symptoms were associated with worse mentalising and worse self-reported emotion regulation. Moreover, the association between mentalising and bulimic symptomatology was conditional on emotion regulation, such that it was strongest among those with more difficulties regulating their emotions. Results are consistent with existing theories that highlight an interplay between interpersonal (e.g., mentalisation) and intrapersonal (e.g., affective functioning) factors in relation to ED symptomatology. Among undergraduate males, bulimic symptoms were associated with worse mentalisation. However, a good ability to regulate emotions interrupted this association.

Understanding the contexts in which female sex workers sell sex in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative study

BackgroundStructural, interpersonal and individual level factors can present barriers for HIV prevention behaviour among people at high risk of HIV acquisition, including women who sell sex. In this paper we document the contexts in which women selling sex in Kampala meet and provide services to their clients.MethodsWe collected qualitative data using semi-structured interviews. Women were eligible to participate if they were 18 years or older, self-identified as sex workers or offered sex for money and spoke Luganda or English. Ten women who met clients in venues and outdoor locations were selected randomly from a clinic for women at high risk of HIV acquisition. Ten other women who met clients online were recruited using snowball sampling. Interviews included demographic data, and themes included reasons for joining and leaving sex work, work locations, nature of relationships with clients and peers, interaction with authorities, regulations on sex work, and reported stigma. We conducted interviews over three months. Data were analysed thematically using a framework analysis approach. The coding framework was based on structural factors identified from literature, but also modified inductively with themes arising from the interviews.ResultsWomen met clients in physical and virtual spaces. Physical spaces included venues and outdoor locations, and virtual spaces were online platforms like social media applications and websites. Of the 20 women included, 12 used online platforms to meet clients. Generally, women from the clinic sample were less educated and predominantly unmarried, while those from the snowball sample had more education, had professional jobs, or were university students. Women from both samples reported experiences of stigma, violence from clients and authorities, and challenges accessing health care services due to the illegality of sex work. Even though all participants worked in settings where sex work was illegal and consequently endured harsh treatment, those from the snowball sample faced additional threats of cybersecurity attacks, extortion from clients, and high levels of violence from clients.ConclusionsTo reduce risk of HIV acquisition among women who sell sex, researchers and implementers should consider these differences in contexts, challenges, and risks to design innovative interventions and programs that reach and include all women.

Factors Influencing Relationship Disengagement in Married Couples: A Qualitative Study

Background: Relationship disengagement is one of the most common reasons reported by couples when explaining the distress and dissolution of the marriage. The present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting relationship disengagement in Iranian couples. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the conventional content analysis approach. The participants were 24 Iranian married couples (in Mashhad) who were selected using non-random and purposive sampling. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the couples and the interviews continued until data saturation. The collected were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s qualitative content analysis method. Results: Data analysis revealed three themes (each with some categories): (1) Interpersonal factors (problems related to the family of origin, conflict in couple interactions, distancing behaviors, and ineffective spouse selection), (2) individual-personality factors (emotional instability and character traits), and (3) socioeconomic factors (financial and vocational issues and perceived fairness and inequality). Conclusion: The findings indicated that marital relationship disengagement leads to emotional apathy and dissolution of marital relationships. Couples therapy approaches should target the causes of relationship disengagement to increase the quality of couples’ relationships and prevent divorce. The insights from this study can be used for formulating treatment and preventive approaches to prevent couple relationship disengagement.

(018) PILOT TESTING A NEW COUPLE-BASED SEX THERAPY INTERVENTION FOR SEXUAL INTEREST/AROUSAL DISORDER

Abstract Introduction Sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD) includes persistent and distressing symptoms of low sexual desire and/or arousal, which are the most common sexual difficulties among women. Meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials show that psychological therapies produce moderate to large improvements in clinically low sexual desire (Banbury et al., 2021; Frühauf et al., 2013; Günzler & Berner, 2012). However, these therapies focus on individuals, neglecting the partner’s experience, which is known to affect and be affected by SIAD symptoms (Rosen et al., 2019). Despite the prevalence of SIAD and importance of interpersonal factors in the development and maintenance of low sexual desire, there are no empirically supported couple-based sex therapy interventions for this disorder. Objective To develop a new couple-based sex therapy intervention for SIAD following a cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) framework. To test the CBCT intervention for SIAD in terms of feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. Methods Nineteen couples in which a woman was diagnosed with SIAD completed a 16-session CBCT intervention delivered via Zoom by therapists with PhD-level training in clinical psychology. The goals of the CBCT intervention were to re-conceptualize SIAD in biopsychosocial-interpersonal terms, modify psychological and interpersonal factors associated with low sexual desire/arousal (Rosen & Bergeron, 2019), and consolidate skills. Participants completed measures of dyadic sexual desire and sexual distress (primary outcomes) as well as sexual communication, sexual satisfaction, relationship intimacy, and relationship satisfaction (secondary outcomes) at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up. We assessed preliminary efficacy using multilevel models guided by the actor-partner interdependence model (Kenny et al., 2020) to account for the interdependence of couple members’ data. Results The CBCT intervention was feasible as indicated by therapists’ high adherence to the treatment manual (96.8%) and couples’ high rates of homework completion (82.0%). The intervention was acceptable to couples, based on high session attendance rates (97.4%) and treatment satisfaction ratings (7.39/10 for women, 7.33/10 for partners). The intervention produced moderate to large pre- to post-treatment improvements in women’s dyadic sexual desire for their partner (p = .002, d = 0.73) and couple members’ sexual distress (p = .001, d = -0.93 for women, p = .002, d = -0.54 for partners) that were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Couples also reported moderate improvements in sexual communication and satisfaction immediately post-treatment (ps = .001-.02, ds = 0.40-0.53), but there were little to no changes in relationship intimacy or satisfaction post-treatment (ps = .05-.84, ds = 0.10-0.19). Conclusions Findings show that a couple-based sex therapy intervention grounded in theory and dyadic research evidence reduces SIAD symptoms (greater sexual desire, lower distress) and more broadly improves couples’ sexual wellbeing (improved sexual communication, satisfaction; lower distress). The lack of change in relationship outcomes may have been the result of couples having relatively high relationship wellbeing as a prerequisite for participation in the study. Also, the focus of the CBCT intervention was on sexual, rather than relationship wellbeing. This pilot study was based on a small sample and had no control group by design. A randomized clinical trial of the CBCT intervention is needed. Disclosure No.

Receiving Social Support Motivates Long-Term Prosocial Behavior

AbstractProsocial behavior—actions aimed to benefit other individuals, groups, or communities—are important for promoting and maintaining a healthy society. Extant research on the factors driving prosocial behavior has mainly addressed short-term effects, overlooking the factors that motivate long-term prosocial behavior. Building on attachment theory, we theorize that an interpersonal factor, receiving social support, can foster prosocial behavior in the long-term, both in the environment where the support was received and beyond it. We argue that receiving social support positively predicts felt security—a sense of being safe, cared for, and loved—which in turn associates with higher motivation to engage in behaviors that benefit others. We test our hypotheses with cross-sectional, longitudinal, retrospective, and experimental data. In Study 1, data from a sample of international business school alumni validate past research and show a significant positive relationship between receiving social support and engaging in prosocial behavior both within and beyond the environment in which support was received. Study 2 leverages data of US adults in a multi-wave study to show that receiving social support predicts prosocial activities several years later. Study 3 uses a retrospective survey to show that receiving social support relates positively to long-term prosocial behavior through higher felt security. Study 4 experimentally manipulates social support and further demonstrates that receiving social support fosters prosocial behavior through boosting felt security. Overall, our findings show that receiving social support motivates long-term prosociality through its positive association with felt security.

"Speak from a place of love": The family dynamics surrounding Black father-daughter sexual health communication.

Parent-child sexual health communication reduces sexual risk behaviors among youth, which in turn lowers the transmission rate of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Despite being a known protective factor, gender differences persist with mothers being more likely to discuss sexual health with their children than fathers. Although individual characteristics, interpersonal familial factors and societal norms (e.g., communication self-efficacy, parent-child closeness, and cultural and gender norms) are associated with Black parents'likelihood to communicate about sex with their children, the current study seeks to explore which of these factors found among Black mother-child or father-son dyads extend to Black father-daughter dyads and how this phenomenon (i.e., Black father-daughter sexual health communication) relates to family structure. Seven father-daughter dyads (N = 7) and an additional five daughters (n = 5) in the United States completed individual in-depth semi-structured interviews. Daughters (Mage = 20.3) and fathers (Mage = 56.7) were biologically related, majority heterosexual, close, and lived together. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Analysis revealed three themes centering around the role of authoritative parenting, the tactics and skills facilitating sexual health communication, and family structure. Black father-daughter sexual health communication is facilitated by close father-daughter relationships, non-authoritative parenting styles, and open, supportive, and non-judgmental communication. Fathers can be better supported in knowing how and when best to communicate sexual health messages, and to mitigate the possibly negative impacts on communication of divorce or having multiple children.

Longitudinal contributions of parent-child and teacher-student relationships to adolescent problematic internet use: The mediating role of self-esteem

Problematic internet use (PIU) is becoming an increasingly common issues among adolescents. A number of cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that the relationships in family (i.e., parent–child relationship) and in school (i.e., teacher-student relationship) are separately associated with PIU among adolescents. However, whether the contribution of the relationship in school could above and beyond family remain unknown. Moreover, few studies have explored the potential mediating mechanisms underlying these associations with longitudinal data. The current study used a 3-year longitudinal design to test (a) the separate (i.e., interpersonal factors are examined one at a time) and unique (interpersonal factors are examined simultaneously) contributions of parent–child relationship and teacher-student relationship to adolescent PIU, and (b) whether self-esteem acts as a mediator of these links. A sample of 1,365 adolescents (Mage at wave 1 = 14.68 years, SD = 1.56) from junior and senior high schools were surveyed once a year. After controlling for baseline covariates, the analyses revealed that (a) both parent–child relationship and teacher-student relationship had separate contributions to adolescent PIU two years later; however, only parent–child relationship had unique contributions to PIU; and (b) both parent–child relationship and teacher-student relationship positively predicted self-esteem one year later, which in turn negatively predicted adolescent PIU two years later. These findings underscore that PIU is embedded in family and school microsystems and shaped by dynamic cascades across interpersonal relationships and self-esteem.

Unpacking Chinese Mingshi’s (expert teachers) career trajectories

Drawing on in-depth interviews with six Chinese Mingshi (expert teachers), this qualitative study examined how these teachers became Mingshi through three decades of endeavors. Using 53 critical events as landmarks, we found that these teachers first stood “up” as effective teachers in classrooms, next stood “out” as leading teachers in local communities, and then stood “ahead” as model teachers in the country under the influence of an array of personal, interpersonal, and institutional factors. The research findings constitute a Chinese model of teacher development, which contributes scholarly new insights and suggests practical implications to the field of teacher education.

50 Years of Research on the Psychology of Sport Injury: A Consensus Statement

Factors influencing sport injury risk, rehabilitation outcomes, and return to sport processes have been the focus in various research disciplines (sports medicine, psychology and sociology). One discipline, with over 50 years of scholarship, is the psychology of sport injury. Despite the research in this field, there is no evidence-based consensus to inform professional practice. The aim of this original and timely consensus statement is to summarise psychological sport injury research and provide consensus recommendations for sport practitioners seeking to implement psychological principles into clinical practice. A total of seven experts with extensive experience outlined the consensus objectives and identified three psychology of sport injury sub-domains: risk, rehabilitation and return to sport. The researchers, grouped in pairs, prepared initial drafts of assigned sub-domains. The group met in Stockholm, and the three texts were merged into a draft and revised in an iterative process. Stress responses are the strongest psychological risk factor for acute injuries. Intra- and interpersonal factors, as well as sociocultural factors, are demonstrated psychosocial risk factors for overuse injuries. Stress management and mindfulness interventions to prevent injuries have been successfully implemented. The rehabilitation process may influence athlete’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural responses. Social support, mindfulness, acceptance-based practices, and cognitive-behavioural based intervention programs reduce negative reactions. Return to sport includes various stages and different trajectories. Returning athletes typically experience concerns regarding competence, autonomy, and relatedness. It is recommended that athletes focus on the physical, technical, and psychological demands of their sport as they progress to increasingly intense activities. Interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., sports medicine and psychology) would be beneficial in enhancing clinical practice and improving athlete outcomes.

‘It was like coming back from the clouds’: a qualitative analysis of the lived experience of overdose consequent to drug use among a cohort of people who use drugs in Scotland

BackgroundGlobally, non-fatal overdose (NFOD) rates consequent to drug use, typically opioids, continue increasing at a startling rate. Existing quantitative research has revealed myriad factors and characteristics linked to experiencing NFOD, but it is critically important to explore the lived context underlying these associations. In this qualitative study, we sought to understand the experiences of NFOD among people who use drugs in a Scottish region in order to: enhance public policy responses; inform potential intervention development to mitigate risk; and contribute to the literature documenting the lived experience of NFOD.MethodsFrom June to July 2021, two peer researchers conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with people who use drugs who had experienced recent NFOD attending harm reduction services in Tayside, Scotland. These were transcribed verbatim and evaluated using thematic analysis with an inductive approach which had an experiential and essentialist orientation.ResultsTwenty people were interviewed across two sites. Of those, 15 (75%) were male and mean age was 38.2 (7.7) years. All had experienced at least one NFOD in the prior six months, and all reported polydrug use. Five themes were identified, within which 12 subthemes were situated. The themes were: social context; personal risk-taking triggers; planned and impulsive consumption; risk perception; and overdose reversal. The results spoke to the environmental, behavioural, cognitive, economic, and marketplace, factors which influence the context of NFOD in the region.ConclusionsA complex interplay of behavioural, psychological, and situational factors were found to impact the likelihood of experiencing NFOD. Structural inequities which policy professionals and civic leaders should seek to remedy were identified, while service providers may seek to reconfigure healthcare provision for people who use drugs to account for the interpersonal, psychological, and social factors identified, which appear to precipitate NFOD.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Barriers and enablers to accessing perinatal health services for rural Australian women: A qualitative exploration of rural health care providers perspectives.

To identify perceived barriers and enablers for rural women in accessing perinatal care within their own community from the perspective of perinatal health care providers. A qualitative descriptive study design utilising reflexive thematic analysis, using the socioecological framework to organise and articulate findings. Victoria, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine perinatal health care providers who provide care to pregnant women or new mothers in rural communities. Participants were recruited across Victoria in 2023. Providers reported multi-level barriers and enablers that exist for rural women in accessing perinatal care within their communities. Barriers included women's personal circumstances, challenging professional relationships, inequitable service provision, ineffective collaboration between services and clinicians and government funding models and policies. Enablers included strength and resilience of rural women, social capital within rural communities, flexible care delivery and innovative practice, rural culture and continuity of care models. Rural perinatal health care providers perceived that rural women face multiple barriers that are created or sustained by complex interpersonal, organisational, community and policy factors that are intrinsic to rural health care delivery. Several addressable factors were identified that create unnecessary barriers for rural women in engaging with perinatal care. These included education regarding health systems, rights and expectations, equitable distribution of perinatal services, improved interprofessional relationships and collaborative approaches to care and equity-based funding models for perinatal services regardless of geographical location.