Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Methodology Research Articles

"It is not all glowing and kale smoothies": An exploration of mental health difficulties during pregnancy through women's voices.

This study aimed to explore the experiences of women with moderate-to-severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy, with a focus on establishing their psychological needs. Psychological distress caused by mental health difficulties during pregnancy is common and can significantly impact women and their babies. However, women's subjective experiences of difficulties with their mental health throughout pregnancy, alongside their experiences of staff, services and treatments are less well understood. In this qualitative study, an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants recruited via a regional Perinatal Mental Health Service. Interviews were transcribed and analysed following the IPA methodology. Five superordinate themes were identified which represented the lived experiences of the 11 participants on their journey through pregnancy whilst living with mental health difficulties and subsequent psychological distress: (i) Feeling the 'wrong' feelings, (ii) Societal pressures and a desire for greater acceptance, (iii) Searching for answers despite a lack of resources, (iv) What made a difference and (v) Experiences and expectations of service provision. Within these themes, 13 subordinate themes were also identified. These themes highlight the need for greater awareness and acceptance of mental health difficulties during pregnancy as well as postnatally. While perinatal mental health services are evolving, there is still an urgent requirement for services to continue to develop to meet women's needs, as well as to develop the role of clinicians as facilitators of engagement with needs-matched care.

Creative critical reflection through poetry and prose

ABSTRACT Artefacts considered in this paper include poetry and prose from my previous doctoral research with social work students; exploring how they experience, express, and manage the emotional content of practice learning. The poetry includes I-poems, where words of students are taken directly from verbatim research transcripts and reconstructed as part of my sense-making. Additionally, an autoethnographic response via poetry and prose creates a counterpoint and further perspective. This co-construction between my experience and that of student participants promotes authenticity via powerful messages in poetic form. In the context of performative research, these artefacts are best shared. Utilising teaching sessions within a 3-year undergraduate social work programme in the UK, as a performative medium, these research artefacts enable current social work students to explore overarching learning outcomes. Students engage with artefacts as an introduction to qualitative research. Students experience at first hand, poetry and prose as a non-traditional research medium through the methodology of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). This enables exploration of artefacts, promoting a deeper engagement with complex narratives. They discover how poetry and prose present a valuable conduit for tangible emotional engagement and connection. In addition, students develop their own creativity when reflecting on practice, to support critical reflection.

Eat Breathe Thrive: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of a yoga-based eating disorder intervention

ABSTRACT A growing body of evidence suggests that yoga-based interventions might aid in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. The current qualitative study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to analyze the nature and degree of impact of a yoga and mindfulness-based eating disorder prevention intervention Eat Breath Thrive (EBT). Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with 16 participants over the age of 18 who took part in the EBT program between 2018 and 2022. Using IPA methodology, and after several rounds of coding, emergent themes were interpreted and organized to develop a theoretical model explaining the mechanism of change experienced and described by EBT participants. The resulting model outlines an experiential progression from psychoeducation and skill development/practice to increased mindful awareness, and empowered state experiences which led to the following outcomes: independent positive action, self-initiated positive state experiences, and increased embodied well-being. Participants reported increased self-compassion and self-acceptance, with decreased emphasis on disordered eating behaviors. Qualitative data is necessary for understanding why yoga works, from an experiential perspective. This study adds to the new, and rapidly expanding body of research supporting the positive effects of yoga and mindfulness on the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.

Far from Home: Women’s Experiences of Being in Secure Forensic Inpatient Services

Specialist secure mental health inpatient service provision for women in England and Wales is limited, and beds are often commissioned in out-of-area services to meet their mental health and risk management needs. In North Wales, there are no NHS beds for women at any secure level, and most women are placed out-of-area in South Wales or England. The current study aimed to explore the experiences of women from North Wales who had resided in out-of-area secure inpatient services, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. Participants described the challenges that they and their families experienced when in services at a great distance from their home areas. Services responded to women’s expressions of distress with restrictive interventions, including physical restraint and seclusion, exacerbating their sense of isolation. Participants voiced a desire to return home and viewed returning to Wales as indicative of progress they had made. This is thought to be the first study involving women from across the secure pathway, from high secure to the community. The findings are explored in relation to existing literature and study limitations are discussed.

N46 Stress after an Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis: examining the role of psychological factors in Ulcerative Colitis using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract Background People with ulcerative colitis (UC) report higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than the general population. 89% of people with IBD in the UK surveyed in 2019 said they found coping hard. However, most relevant research relies on generic stress questionnaires which ignore confounders typical in UC, such as fatigue. This study aims to provide rich, detailed accounts of how individuals encounter stress after a UC diagnosis. Methods An hour-long, semi-structured interview was conducted in January 2022 with a 76-year-old man, reporting high levels of perceived stress and diagnosed with UC three months previously. He was asked about stressors, coping and support during UC diagnosis and beyond. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) examines the detailed, unique interpretation of a significant experience to an individual. IPA methodology follows four stages: exploratory notes; formulating Experiential Statements (ESs) summarising the meaning of the experience to the interviewee; connecting similar ESs and developing Personal Experiential Themes (PETs), the three to five most important elements of the participant’s experience. Results Four PETs were formulated: My UC needs a positive, practical mental approach, not an emotional one Mixed experience with healthcare services affected my anxiety and disease management My UC symptoms and overall health affected my emotional well-being and coping I believe there is an absence of evidence on UC’s causes, cure, or helpful lifestyle changes The interviewee didn’t "dwell on these things" although he felt "it’s another thing and I’m going to have to deal with this long term". He "could email the nurse there if I had any problems and I did at one stage and got an instant reply" but at other times he felt "abandoned here because nobody is taking me seriously. I keep phoning these people up, they keep passing me to other people". He had developed "strategies to cope with being diagnosed" but was surprised "nobody seems to know why [UC onset] happens. There isn’t a cure for it. They don’t seem to know what causes these flare-ups etc. etc. and all we know is that it’s going to carry on." Conclusion Our interviewee described his symptoms and existing health and healthcare services as stressors, his family and clinicians’ support, his practical, unemotional approach to coping and the need to keep positive. IPA comprehensively captured the interviewee’s interpreted experiences after an UC diagnosis, charting nuanced relationships between stressors, support, and coping. Our study will analyse a further nine individuals’ experiences of stress in the year after an UC diagnosis to inform development of an intervention enhancing resilience to stress.

"It was a reflection of myself, that i was weak": The impact of depression on the sense of self - An interpretive phenomenological analysis.

The World Health Organisation states that more than 350 million people experience depression globally. The phenomenological changes in individuals experiencing depression are profound Phenomenological research can further researchers' and clinicians' understanding of this experience. This study aimed to gain a phenomenological understanding of how individuals with depression understood and made sense of their experiences. A methodology of interpretative phenomenological analysis was adopted. In-depth semi-structured interviews explored the lived experience of depression for eight individuals. Data were analysed into the superordinate theme Broken Self - Transforming the Self. The superordinate theme developed from the subordinate themes of 'unknown self, loss of self and one's identity', 'desperate for a way out', and thirdly, 'conflict with self and what's known', which related directly to how individuals made sense of their experience of depression. These research findings highlight the human implications of the experience of depression and the limitations of viewing depression from a biological or medical model lens. Understanding the human impact is essential for the effective, holistic practice of mental health nursing.

Reconciling Work-Life Balance: An In-depth Exploration of Generation X’s Career Experiences

This research delves into the intricate dynamics of work-life balance among Generation X professionals in the context of the 21st century, aiming to understand their challenges within a rapidly evolving technological and workplace landscape. Previous research has demonstrated that Generation X workers are exceptionally adaptable in managing the changing technological world and workplace relations. Work-life balance has been highlighted as an important component impacting job satisfaction and general well-being. It delves deeper into these features by investigating how Generation X professionals deal with these problems and identifying specific ways to inform both professionals and companies to improve the understanding of the complex interplay between technology, workplace dynamics, and work-life balance for Generation X professionals in today’s professional world. Employing an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology, the study emphasizes the importance of adaptability, flexible work methodologies, and work-life balance prioritization. With five participants aged 41 to 56 representing various professional fields, the findings indicate that Generation X professionals adeptly navigate contemporary challenges, focusing on adaptability, client-centric approaches, engagement in leisure activities, and effective work-life balance management. These strategies are closely linked to their job satisfaction and overall well-being. In essence, this research sheds light on the multifaceted relationship between work-life balance and the challenges Generation X professionals encounter in the 21st century, providing insights into their coping mechanisms and underscoring the pivotal role of work-life balance in shaping their experiences and overall professional satisfaction.

Reablement in Flanders: An exploration of the Flemish context. Voices of those receiving care.

Introduction: The primary care sector in Flanders, Belgium is undergoing an intense period of reform. Care is shifting from acute, disease oriented care to chronic, integrated care to incorporate health, well-being and quality of life.
 There is a need to understand and describe the chances for and barriers to reform of primary sector care services Reablement is an approach, or service model, that has been researched to a gold standard in different countries worldwide, and can be described as a multidisciplinary short term community based service aimed at helping people who receive home care to be more independent with their daily activities and to participate more in their wider communities. Results show cost savings, reduced readmission to hospital and reduced admissions to nursing homes as well as increased satisfaction for the client in their everyday meaningful activities.
 There is a need to understand the context in which a reablement service could occur by illuminating the daily living experiences of people who are living at home with a chronic condition and who are receiving paid home care in Flanders, the potential reablement service users.  This study starts with describing the effect receiving home care has had on their daily lives, what their feelings are about this and whether the person had been able to continue to engage in their meaningful activities of daily living at home and in their wider communities.
 Methods: This qualitative design study utilises a phenomenological, epistemologically based approach in order to capture individual experiences. From data gathered through individual interviews, the aim was to illuminate the lived experiences of older people with chronic conditions and what it means to receive paid care at home. This study therefore adopted an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology as this approach is particularly suitable for understanding the lived experience
 Results: 6 interviews, resulting in 6 hours of data were analysed. 9 themes were generated which illuminate the persons experiences, these themes are also reflected in the principals of person centred care and goal oriented care.
 The person receiving home care described how the system works means they feel powerless when regarding decisions around their care. The need for flexible and dynamic care was highlighted as was the persons need to engage in activities outside their home together with people they know. The person receiving care described how understanding them and who are they are is integral to good care, and that what they do is part of who they are and this needs to be taken into account by those providing care.
 Discussion and conclusion: This is the first study involving stakeholders in primary care in Flanders that looks at the chances for reablement.
 Working with national care providers we now aim to conduct Reable-Labs in different primary care settings in order to provide real life examples of reablement and its outcomes in the Flemish sector.

‘We cry together every day’ – expressing complex emotion in research with early childhood practitioners

ABSTRACT This article uses selected findings from a small-scale research project entitled ‘Exploring early childhood practitioners’ perceptions of empathic interactions with children and families’. The project used an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology to explore data from a small number of early childhood practitioners working in nurseries and preschools in the UK. Participants completed diaries, reflecting on empathy throughout their working week; this was followed by a semi-structured interview to further discuss the diary content. This article focuses on findings demonstrating emotion within close empathic relationships with children, indicating that the inherent emotional labour has the potential to cause stress and burnout, although empathic satisfaction can counter this to some extent. The findings of the project call for improved reflective supervision for early childhood practitioners who report an impact upon their own well-being daily. There are potential opportunities for applying findings to international contexts and to parallel roles in working with children.

Pakistani children's lived experiences of relationships in the context of child protection services in Norway: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

AbstractThis paper examines how children from immigrant background experience and negotiate power relations with family and social workers in the context of child protection services (CPS) in Norway. Using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology, 11 children from Pakistani background were interviewed about their lived experiences with CPS. Analysis of the data highlights that children have to negotiate and navigate generational and gendered power relations both within the families and the CPS to exercise their agency. The analysis contributes to a limited research field focusing on immigrant children's multidimensional lived realities in the context of CPS, where children's voices are largely missing.

Knowledge Shared by Alaska Native Commercial Salmon Set Gillnetters in Norton Sound to Reduce Marine Fatalities

ABSTRACT Objectives The goal of this exploratory pilot study was to reduce marine fatalities in Norton Sound using knowledge shared from Alaska Native salmon set gillnetters in Unalakleet, AK. The following objectives to address this goal were: 1) identify factors that influence safety for Alaska Native commercial set gillnetters in Norton Sound; 2) use findings from objective 1 to improve commercial fishing training, education, and resources; and 3) disseminate and communicate results from objective 1 to commercial fishers in the Norton Sound fleet, commercial fishing safety partners, and the Alaska Native injury prevention community. Methods Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with Alaska Native commercial set gillnetters in Unalakleet, AK. We utilized knowledge shared to identify factors that influence safety for their fleet. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Methodology, 10 interviews were recommended for a homogenous sample. Results Most participants learned to fish at a young age from the family, with safety lessons passed on by family members. Fishing is a lifestyle and interconnected with harvesting and a way of living. Set gillnetters in Norton Sound use open skiffs and have limited access to workable Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and safety training. Participants reported health benefits but also negative long term physical effects, financial stress, and difficulty fishing with age. Respect and awareness of the ocean was reported as the most important strategy to reduce risk. Stories were shared of falls overboard, capsizing, and local fatalities and hazards, such as being overloaded with fish, entanglement, and maneuvering a small boat in large waves. Stronger winds and shifting weather patterns were experienced from climate change. Conclusion This exploratory pilot study identified factors that influence safety for Alaska Native commercial set gillnetters. Findings should be used to 1) determine best methods to influence behaviors to reduce risks in this hazardous fishery; 2) increase awareness and promote expanded application of best practices, equipment, and resources; 3) encourage and promote outreach initiatives targeted for this unique population; and 4) develop tailored training programs for commercial fishing in an open skiff. Research with Alaska Native fishing communities will require value and respect of indigenous knowledge, collaboration with local people, and follow-up to bring findings back to the community.

Advancing Health Equity in Neurologic Disorders and Stroke: Stakeholder Insights Into Health Disparities, Research Gaps, and Potential Interventions.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Request for Information (RFI) input from the public-including health care providers, researchers, patients, patient advocates, caregivers, advocacy organizations, professional societies, and private and academic stakeholders with an interest in health disparities (HDs) in neurologic disease. RFI questions were structured to solicit input on what stakeholders believe are neurologic disease HD research priorities, drivers of health inequity, and potential interventions. Furthermore, these stakeholder insights were examined within the context of contemporary scientific literature and research frameworks on health equity and health disparities. The NINDS published a RFI from March 31 to July 15, 2020. The RFI analysis presented here is part of a larger strategic planning process aimed to guide future NINDS efforts in neurologic disorder health equity (HE) research and training. The public commented on facilitators of HDs, populations that experience HDs (HDPs), potential interventions, and research opportunities related to HDs in neurologic disease and/or care in the United States across the lifespan. Responses were analyzed using qualitative methodology. Frequently suggested interventions were thematically clustered using the interpretive phenomenological analysis methodology and are presented in this article to provide a stakeholder-identified roadmap for advancing HE. Respondents identified socioecological factors as driving HDs in 89% of determinants reported. Stakeholder-reported HD determinants and subsequent interventions could be classified into the following conceptual categories: HDP neurospecialty care access, innovative HDP engagement and research inclusion strategies, and development of a well-trained clinician-scientist HD workforce. Clustering of the feedback from patient and patient-adjacent respondents (i.e., caretakers and patient advocates) highlighted the prevalence of patient-provider interpersonal factors and limited resources driving access-to-care barriers among their sentiments. Respondent sentiments suggest prioritization of social determinants of health (SDOH) research, shifting away from the common target of biological and behavioral themes addressed in the existing body of HE research provided by the stakeholder. Overall, respondents suggest focusing research prioritization on access to care, engagement across the HE research and care landscape, and HE workforce development.

'You learn to smile with your eyes', exploring the impact of enhanced personal protective equipment on primary care dental practitioners in the UK: An interpretative phenomenological study.

The aim of the study was to explore how dental practitioners in primary care settings perceive the impact of enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) upon patient communication and wider clinical practice. This study utilized a qualitative approach, rooted in critical realism. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology was adopted as the study method. In accordance with IPA, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Eight dental practitioners were recruited, with data analysis conducted according to the principles of IPA. Three themes were synthesized (related to communication and clinical practice): (1) Impaired communication and relationship building; (2) Physical impacts and required adjustments when wearing enhanced-PPE; and (3) Psychological stress of implementing enhanced-PPE. Theme one reflects changes to the dynamic of communication between patients and colleagues brought about by enhanced-PPE. Theme two describes the physical and psychological strains of providing care in enhanced-PPE and the ways through which practitioners tried to overcome these challenges. Theme three explores how the roll-out and guidance related to the use of enhanced-PPE affected clinical practice. Dental Practitioners described several barriers to communication as well as physical and mental stressors caused by enhanced-PPE, all of which were perceived to impact upon the quality of care provided to patients. Further research is required to develop effective interventions to mitigate the impact of enhanced-PPE upon clinical practice and to explore the long-term impact of enhanced-PPE on clinical practice, post-COVID.

An exploration of how adolescents experience and reason their parents' comments on their weight, shape, and eating.

Disordered eating amongadolescents is of increasing concern given associated physical and mental health sequelae. Cognitions underlying disordered eating are formed in childhood and adolescence. Parents are a significant presence during this period, so it is critical to understand how they influence their adolescent's eating cognitions and behaviors. Qualitative analysis using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology was employed to consider the lived experiences of 10 Australian adolescents (14-19 years), 60% female, as they engaged with their parents in a range of weight, shape, and eating communications. Our inductive IPA revealed three key themes representing adolescents' experiences and meaning-making: Parents as Influencers-adolescents acknowledged parents are influencers (objects) within a wider context of community and cultural norms (symbols) and can be protective for peer influence on body image ideals; Expression and Perception-the "what" (weight-talk as an object) and the "how" (objects as independent influences) of gendered parental communication related to health and fitness ideals and illustrated diverse interpretations of both verbal and non-verbal expression; and Fertile Soil and Maturity-the adolescent's characteristics and context influence perceptions of communication, a fear of deviating from norms, and an overarching focus on being "healthy" yet not always knowing what that was. Perception of bidirectional communication also offered valuable insights into potential dangers through family loyalty and in-group permissions. Findings highlight implications for the nuanced influence of parental communication and illustrate the pivotal role of parents within the bioecosystem of adolescent development.

The Experience of School-Age Assistive Technology Users and Their Families During Emergency Remote Instruction and the Impact on Classroom Engagement

ABSTRACT Student engagement in the classroom is important for academic and future success. Many students with disabilities rely on classroom supports, such as assistive technology (AT), to access the curriculum and demonstrate their understanding. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many school districts to abruptly shift to emergency remote instruction. Numerous factors impacted the individual student experience and their classroom engagement. As engagement is vital for student success and well-being, this study aimed to gain a rich understanding of the student and caregiver experience during emergency remote instruction. Nine dyad pairs of AT student users with disabilities and their caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), four superordinate themes were constructed to reflect participant responses. During emergency remote instruction, daily student occupations changed. Students reported feeling socially isolated and confused by the added school demands from the home environment and caregivers, and schoolwork was less meaningful. Students were forced to redefine what it meant to be a student. Future research should continue to use IPA methodology to generate a richer understanding of the student experience and to explore long term impact of emergency remote instruction on occupational participation.

Sustained practice of Qigong results in a somatic hermeneutic process, contributing to appreciation of life. An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Over the past few decades evidence has accumulated into the health benefits of practising Qigong, particularly in the amelioration of physical conditions. Previous studies have been conducted using positivist biomedical model methodologies, which may be limited in understanding the nuanced meaning-making and embodied experience of practitioners. This study uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to inquire into how the sustained practice of Qigong contributes beyond the relief of physical conditions to improved self-awareness and appreciation of life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five Qigong practitioners who each had over 10-years’ experience and analysed using the interpretive methodology of IPA. Findings reveal a crucial antecedent theme of ‘Openness to experience’ and four, interrelated, super-ordinate themes common to each of the participants: ‘Finding a Teacher’, ‘Bodymind’ (proprioception and interoception), ‘Primary Process of Developmental Change’, and ‘Awareness of emergent Authenticity’. Insights revealed how each practitioner makes sense of the sustained ‘autotelic’ practice of Qigong, and how this contributes to a transformative understanding of themselves and of life. Qigong presents a possible promising intervention to improve both physical and psychological well-being.

‘Living in two worlds’: A qualitative analysis of first-time mothers’ experiences of maternal ambivalence

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this qualitative study was to examine experiences and meanings of maternal ambivalence in first-time mothers with young children. Background In contrast with normative expectations surrounding contemporary motherhood, there is growing recognition that becoming and being a mother involves ambivalent feelings, and that these feelings are normal and have positive psychological consequences. Yet, little attention has been paid to women’s subjective experiences of maternal ambivalence, and capacity to acknowledge and manage ambivalent feelings. Methods Eleven semi-structured online interviews, with first-time mothers, were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. Results Two group experiential themes were identified: Crossing boundaries of acceptable mothering feelings and Mothering from a place of ‘enough’. Ambivalent mothering feelings challenged participants’ expectations about motherhood and themselves as mothers, producing anxiety, self-doubt and feelings of failure. Distress accompanying maternal ambivalence was especially acute when participants perceived their feelings to be unacceptable. Viewing conflicting feelings with compassion, however, helped participants to cope with their diverse and fluctuating emotional mothering experiences, allowing them to mother with a greater sense of equanimity, agency and competence. Conclusion The study’s findings indicate the potential benefits of providing information about the emotional turbulence of early motherhood as part of routine maternity care, as well as the potential value of offering parenting interventions that promote self-compassion to mothers struggling to manage feelings of ambivalence.

Mental Health Nurses’ Self-Care at Work, Searching for Equilibrium: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

The nursing workforce plays a central role in quality health care delivery. Nursing work is associated with high levels of stress due to often unmanageable workloads. The associated attrition poses a serious challenge for recruitment and retention strategies. Self-care is recognised as a tactic for addressing workplace stressors, shaping a sense of cohesion where the world is viewed as comprehensible, meaningful, and manageable, thereby mitigating the risk of burnout. Yet research suggests it is not widely utilised by nurses. The aim of this study was to understand mental health nurses’ lived experience of self-care at work. The research was undertaken using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology. In-depth individual interviews explored nurses’ attitudes to self-care and how they did or did not adopt self-care practices in the workplace. Data were analysed thematically. The Search for Equilibrium, was identified as the superordinate theme, developed from three subordinate themes, The past self: “tormented and spent”, the intricacy of self-care, and the trusted inner circle: “safe and supported”. These findings highlight the complexity of self-care and the importance of considering it as much broader than purely an intra-personal phenomenon, emphasising the importance of relationships and interpersonal connections. Time past, present, and future influenced how participants made sense of their workplace experiences. These findings provide a deeper understanding of self-care in response to workplace stress and could assist in developing strategies to promote self-care for nurses, and ultimately positively enhance recruitment.

“It Almost Makes Her Human”: How Female Animal Guardians Construct Experiences of Cat and Dog Empathy

Understanding how humans perceive and construct experiences of non-human animal empathy (hereafter, 'animal/s') can provide important information to aid our understanding of how companion animals contribute to social support. This study investigates the phenomenology of animal empathy by examining how humans construct sense-making narratives of these experiences, with the hypothesis that anthropomorphic attributions would play a key role in these constructions. Comprehensive, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants, using established interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology to facilitate deep examination of how they interpreted and reacted emotionally. Participants were consistent in reporting changes to their companion animals' normal behaviour as the key to the identification of animal empathy experiences, yet they were highly paradoxical in their constructions of perceived internal drivers within their dogs and cats. Explanations were highly dichotomous, from highly anthropomorphic to highly anthropocentric, and these extremes were combined both within individual participant narratives and within some thematic constructs. This research demonstrates that experiences of companion animal empathy can be powerful and meaningful for humans, but the inconsistent mixture of anthropomorphic and anthropocentric reasoning illustrates the confused nature of human understanding of animals' internal states. Insight into how humans construct animal empathy has implications for the moral status of these animals and an application for companion animals used explicitly for social support, such as in animal-assisted therapy and emotional support animals.

“Waiting out the day, not living, not fun”: a qualitative investigation of children’s experiences of school closures due to COVID-19

Early school leaving (ESL) is considered a significant societal issue globally due to the negative effect on young people’s health, affect, and quality of life. Continued absenteeism is a risk factor for ESL. This study aimed to explore Irish children’s health and wellbeing experiences during school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These children were all considered at risk of ESL by their schools. Semi-structured interviews, adopting a “write, draw or tell” method, were conducted with ten children ages 9 − 13 years old. The study used an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. The loss of routine, social ties, and sense of success and belonging experienced in schools had a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of the children. They experienced adverse mental health effects, including anxiety, depression, anger, and loneliness. Their physical health and wellbeing were impacted by changes to sleep behavior, physical activity levels, boredom, and gaming usage. Children remain very vulnerable to the impact of school closures, contact restrictions, and living with the pandemic. Recommendations include improving online resources for young people and developing in-school programs to improve sleep hygiene.