Opportunities For Participation Research Articles

Exploring Activity Interests of Older People with Low-Income

ABSTRACT Older people living on low incomes may experience inequitable access to activities they find interesting because they may live in homes with even fewer resources and may not be able to afford to participate in the activities they enjoy. The aim of this study was to explore the interests of older people living on low incomes living in residential homes. We used a cross-sectional analytic study design and the Interest Checklist to investigate the activity interests of 82 older people with low incomes in 9 residential homes in Cape Town, South Africa. Findings revealed 27 activities they were most interested in, within five categories: musical, everyday, social, free time, and religious or cultural activities. There were few statistically significant differences between men and women, or between residents with different levels of independence. Understanding the interests of older people with low incomes is a first step toward creating opportunities for participation, and growing well-developed individual interests.

Effects of mobile Internet use on the health of middle-aged and older adults: evidences from China health and retirement longitudinal study

The rapid development of digital technology has radically changed people’s lives. Simultaneously, as the population is rapidly aging, academic research is focusing on the use of Internet technology to improve middle-aged and older people’s health, particularly owing to the popularity of mobile networks, which has further increased the population’s accessibility to the Internet. However, related studies have not yet reached a consensus. Herein, empirical analysis of the influence of mobile Internet use on the subjective health and chronic disease status of individuals in their Middle Ages and above was conducted utilizing ordered logit, propensity score matching (PSM), and ordered probit models with data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The study aimed to provide a theoretical basis and reference for exploring technological advances to empower the development of a healthy Chinese population and to advance the process of healthy aging. The health of middle-aged and older adults mobile Internet users was greatly improved, according to our findings. Further, the use of mobile Internet by these persons resulted in improvements to both their self-assessed health and the state of their chronic diseases. As per the findings of the heterogeneity analysis, the impact of mobile Internet use was shown to be more pronounced on the well-being of middle-aged persons aged 45–60 years compared to those aged ≥ 60 years. Further, the endogeneity test revealed that the PSM model could better eliminate bias in sample selection. The results suggest that the estimates are more robust after eliminating endogeneity, and that failure to disentangle sample selectivity bias would overestimate not only the facilitating effect of mobile Internet use on the self-assessed health impacts of middle-aged and older adults, but also the ameliorating effect of mobile Internet use on the chronic diseases of middle-aged and older adults. The results of the mechanistic analysis suggest that social engagement is an important mediating mechanism between mobile Internet use and the health of middle-aged and older adults. This implies that mobile Internet use increases opportunities for social participation among middle-aged and older adults, thereby improving their health.

Gender Inequality in the Workplace in Japan

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the gender inequality in the workplace in Japan. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Gender inequality in Japan's workplace persists despite initiatives to promote equality, with women facing challenges in accessing leadership roles and equal pay. Traditional gender norms and demanding work cultures contribute to limited career advancement opportunities for women, resulting in a significant gender gap in senior positions. Despite efforts to address these issues through policies promoting women's workforce participation and equal employment opportunities, progress remains slow. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Gender stratification theory, intersectionality theory & social role theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the gender inequality in the workplace in Japan. Implement targeted interventions, such as mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, and diversity quotas, to increase the representation of women in senior management positions, fostering a more inclusive organizational culture and challenging traditional gender roles. Advocate for policy reforms that mandate gender diversity quotas on corporate boards and executive leadership teams, drawing on successful practices from other countries to promote greater transparency and accountability in corporate governance.

Whose culture is it anyway? Perceptions of accessibility in museums by professionals working with people with intellectual disabilities in Greece

ABSTRACT This research examines perceptions of accessibility in museums by professionals who work with people with intellectual disabilities and live in housing/rehabilitation settings in Greece and highlights factors and conditions that hinder people with intellectual disabilities from experiencing culture when visiting museums. Out of the 46 officially registered social organisations by the Hellenic Ministry of Health and the Hellenic Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs, 35 participated in the study, a percentage that allows monitoring the situation on a national level. The results showcase deficiencies in the provision of accessibility to cultural heritage with regards to information content, exhibitions and visitor experience, and participation and co-creation opportunities for this particular audience. This paper also makes policy proposals targeted at museums, aiming at enhancing accessibility to culture for people with intellectual disabilities and comes to fill a gap in the respective literature.

Is patient participation in hypertension care based on patients' preferences? - A cross-sectional study in primary healthcare.

The purpose of this study was to address the need to improve opportunities for patient participation in their health and health services. This paper reports if and how patients' preferences matched their experiences of participation in treatment for hypertension in primary healthcare, and what factors were linked with having had opportunities for participation that matched one's preferences. A total of 949 adult patients treated for hypertension completed the 4Ps (Patient Preferences for Patient Participation) tool, with which they ranked their preferences for and experiences of patient participation. Descriptive and comparative analyses of 4Ps data were performed to identify patient characteristics associated with preference-based participation.Approximately half of the participants experienced patient participation to the extent that they preferred. Women were more likely to have had less patient participation than their preference compared to men. Women were also more likely to prefer being more engaged in hypertension care than men. There were also marked associations between age and educational level with the extent of participation preferred and experienced, leaving patients younger than or with lower education than the mean in this study with more insufficient conditions for patient participation. There is a lack of concurrence between patients' preferences for, and experiences of, patient participation, especially for women. Further efforts to facilitate person-centred engagement are required, along with research on what strategies can overcome human and organisational barriers. The PERHIT- trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03554382.

Research on the Effectiveness of Vocational Education in Special Education School

The importance of vocational education curriculum setting in special education schools cannot be ignored. On the basis of following the teaching purpose, schools need to plan school-based courses conducive to the lifelong development of students according to their own development needs. The curriculum arrangement should take students as the main body, pay attention to their long-term development needs, and provide students with more opportunities for active participation and hands-on practice, so as to cultivate their social practical skills and good habits. The overall teaching arrangement should reflect a scientific, reasonable, holistic, and practical teaching structure. In view of this, this article will analyze the effectiveness of vocational education in special education schools and put forward some strategies for reference.

Barriers to diverse clinical trial participation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Engaging Hispanic/Latina caregivers and health professionals

BackgroundDespite the increasing availability of clinical trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, racial/ethnic minorities and other populations facing health disparities remain underrepresented in clinical trials evaluating products for Duchenne. We sought to understand the barriers faced by Hispanic/Latino families specifically and underrepresented groups more generally to clinical trial participation in Duchenne.MethodsWe engaged two participant groups: Hispanic/Latino caregivers of children with Duchenne in the US, including Puerto Rico, and health professionals within the broader US Duchenne community. Caregiver interviews explored attitudes towards and experiences with clinical trials, while professional interviews explored barriers to clinical trial participation among socio-demographically underrepresented families (e.g., low income, rural, racial/ethnic minority, etc.). Interviews were analyzed aggregately and using a thematic analysis approach. An advisory group was engaged throughout the course of the study to inform design, conduct, and interpretation of findings generated from interviews.ResultsThirty interviews were conducted, including with 12 Hispanic/Latina caregivers and 18 professionals. We identified barriers to clinical trial participation at various stages of the enrollment process. In the initial identification of patients, barriers included lack of awareness about trials and clinical trial locations at clinics that were less likely to serve diverse patients. In the prescreening process, barriers included ineligibility, anticipated non-compliance in clinical trial protocols, and language discrimination. In screening, barriers included concerns about characteristics of the trial, as well as mistrust/lack of trust. In consent and recruitment, barriers included lack of timely decision support, logistical factors (distance, time, money), and lack of translated study materials.ConclusionsNumerous barriers hinder participation in Duchenne clinical trials for Hispanic/Latino families and other populations experiencing health disparities. Addressing these barriers necessitates interventions across multiple stages of the clinical trial enrollment process. Recommendations to enhance participation opportunities include developing clinical trial decision support tools, translating prominent clinical trials educational resources such as ClinicalTrials.gov, fostering trusting family-provider relationships, engaging families in clinical trial design, and establishing ethical guidelines for pre-screening potentially non-compliant patients.

Building momentum through networks: Bioimaging across the Americas.

In September 2023, the two largest bioimaging networks in the Americas, Latin America Bioimaging (LABI) and BioImaging North America (BINA), came together during a 1-week meeting in Mexico. This meeting provided opportunities for participants to interact closely with decision-makers from imaging core facilities across the Americas. The meeting was held in a hybrid format and attended in-person by imaging scientists from across the Americas, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay. The aims of the meeting were to discuss progress achieved over the past year, to foster networking and collaborative efforts among members of both communities, to bring together key members of the international imaging community to promote the exchange of experience and expertise, to engage with industry partners, and to establish future directions within each individual network, as well as common goals. This meeting report summarises the discussions exchanged, the achievements shared, and the goals set during the LABIxBINA2023: Bioimaging across the Americas meeting.

Outnumbered and outranked: a macrostructural snapshot of gendered inequalities in higher academia in Jordan

Purpose This article aims to illuminate the gendered organisational structure of higher education in Jordan by collecting and analysing a national-level snapshot of the current distribution of women and men in leadership positions and academic ranks across Jordanian universities to pinpoint inequalities in specific levels and fields. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in gendered organisational theory, this study presents a snapshot of the gender composition of 10 public and 14 private universities in Jordan. The snapshot, collected in September 2022 from these universities’ websites, examines counts of male and female administrative leaders as well as academic staff across all ranks for all faculties in both STEM and liberal arts fields. Findings The distribution of women and men in leadership positions in universities across Jordan is highly unequal, with men outnumbering women in the uppermost positions by nearly 10:1. This gap decreases as the rank of positions decreases, indicative of a highly gendered organisational structure, with only three to four fields approaching gender parity. Research limitations/implications This paper offers a comprehensive and detailed quantitative foundation for researchers to investigate the underlying social, cultural, legal, political and economic factors perpetuating gender inequality in academia in Jordan and in comparative studies. Practical implications This study is relevant for targeting policies for advancing sustainable development goals, specifically 5.5, which aim at women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making. Originality/value This study provides the most detailed and extensive macro-level analysis of the gender composition of universities in Jordan.

Time use of patients in a secure forensic hospital: A mixed methods study.

Forensic mental health services balance recovery-focussed therapy with risk management, which may limit opportunities for participation in meaningful occupation. Previous research describes forensic patients in secure settings participating mainly in passive leisure and sleep. This study aimed to use quantitative and qualitative evidence to investigate how patients in the sub-acute and rehabilitation units of an Australian forensic hospital perceive and use their time and to discuss how the findings compare with the previous study within the organisation, published in 2004. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used with convenience sampling of patients and purposive sampling of staff. Patients completed time use diaries followed by semi-structured interviews. Staff perceptions were obtained via survey. Seven male patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and five staff members (three occupational therapists and two nurses) participated. Time use diaries indicated patients spent most time in personal care, passive recreation, and leisure activities. Qualitative data illustrated patient time use was influenced by the individualised meaningfulness of activities. Patients drew meaning from past roles, personal interests/needs, and their goals for recovery. While patients had some choice over how time is spent and with whom they chose to engage, external factors such as staff/program availability prevented their having full control. Staff provided additional perspectives on the links between time use and recovery, identifying enablers and barriers to meaningful time use. Patient time use has not changed significantly when compared to past research, although perceptions of time use are more future and recovery-focussed. The amount of time recorded in activities typically associated with recovery does not necessarily capture the quality and benefit of that time use. Patient participation continues to be influenced by broader systems.

Emerging technologies in citizen science and potential for insect monitoring.

Emerging technologies are increasingly employed in environmental citizen science projects. This integration offers benefits and opportunities for scientists and participants alike. Citizen science can support large-scale, long-term monitoring of species occurrences, behaviour and interactions. At the same time, technologies can foster participant engagement, regardless of pre-existing taxonomic expertise or experience, and permit new types of data to be collected. Yet, technologies may also create challenges by potentially increasing financial costs, necessitating technological expertise or demanding training of participants. Technology could also reduce people's direct involvement and engagement with nature. In this perspective, we discuss how current technologies have spurred an increase in citizen science projects and how the implementation of emerging technologies in citizen science may enhance scientific impact and public engagement. We show how technology can act as (i) a facilitator of current citizen science and monitoring efforts, (ii) an enabler of new research opportunities, and (iii) a transformer of science, policy and public participation, but could also become (iv) an inhibitor of participation, equity and scientific rigour. Technology is developing fast and promises to provide many exciting opportunities for citizen science and insect monitoring, but while we seize these opportunities, we must remain vigilant against potential risks. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.

Young People’s Interaction with Political Information in Japan

This paper investigated how Japanese young people’s attitudes toward politics and the social environments they are in affect their interaction with political information in their daily life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty people to gather data about their experiences with political information and their attitudes toward politics. The results show that they have mixed feelings about political information, which arise from personal factors but are interrelated with broader social factors. Their attitude, which comprises their sense of remoteness to politics, low political efficacy, and difficulty understanding politics, reduces their interest in knowing political information. Social factors that limit opportunities for political participation and conversation diminish the utility of information and the motivation for seeking information. The habit of monitoring political information, often facilitated by experience watching television news with family, emerges as a factor that can maintain young people’s exposure to political information, regardless of their level of political interest.

Astronomy Education for the Persons with Disability: A Systematic Literature Review

Astronomy Education for the Persons with Disability: A Systematic Literature Review

Examining the impact of urban built environment on sport participation: Development of a conceptual framework

Examining the impact of urban built environment on sport participation: Development of a conceptual framework

Examining the Quality of Learning Environment of Sandwich Programmes in Ghana: A Case of Institute of Education

This paper reports on a study that examined the quality of the learning environment of sandwich programmes in Ghana. The study used a sequential explanatory mixed method design and focused on tutors and 400 students of the programme. The Total Quality Management Theory, Expectation Confirmation/Disconfirmation Theory, Context, Input, Process, and Product Evaluation Model underpined the study. A disproportional stratified selection method was used to select 1,000 students and 50 tutors from each of the four teaching centres. While a purposive sampling method was employed to select 12 students and eight tutors involved in sandwich programmes for follow-up interviews. The data were collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. The quantitative data was analysed using means and standard deviation, while the qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. These findings revealed that the tutors show concern for the welfare of the students and offer chances for student-teacher contact. However, big class sizes limit how much faculty can customise the learning environment. Also, students were friendly, helpful, cooperative, and supported one another during activities. The study recommended that the management of the Institute of Education and centre coordinators make every effort to secure spacious classrooms to help reduce large class sizes and increase opportunities for student-teacher interactions, cohesiveness, and students' participation in the classroom. In addition, tutors should foster an atmosphere that invites student interaction and identify students' strengths and weaknesses.

A co-designed mixed methods study on community-based gym exercise for non-ambulant adults with childhood onset disability

Purpose Explore community-based gym exercise for non-ambulant adults with childhood-onset disability. Materials and methods Non-ambulant adults with childhood-onset disability participated in four, weekly gym sessions co-facilitated by physiotherapists and exercise professionals. Practicalities of participating in the sessions were recorded via uptake and attrition, weekly surveys, and focus groups. Perspectives of those who designed/delivered the study were gathered via weekly debrief meetings. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results Ten non-ambulant adults with childhood-onset disability participated; 70% completed all exercise sessions. Focus groups identified three themes. “I wouldn’t be able to exercise…there’s no option for a community-based setting” described the lack of opportunities for exercise in gyms. “You don’t realise the benefit of coming here” highlighted benefits of exercise. “We can do better” had two sub-themes: problem solving and ingredients for community-based gym exercise. Weekly feedback and debrief meetings identified practicalities related to equipment, exercises, and collaborative working between facilitators. Conclusions Whilst there is an interest in community-based gym exercise for non-ambulant adults with childhood-onset disability, there remains a lack of inclusive gyms. Co-design of inclusive gym guidelines and condition-specific physical activity referral scheme may enhance opportunities for participation in gym exercise for adults with childhood-onset disability.

Building a Better Participatory Culture and Enhancing Sense of Community in Podcasts – Systematic Literature Review

ABSTRACT This article studies the mechanisms for building a better participatory culture around podcasts and narrows the information gap among the podcast studies from the perspective of a sense of community. The research question is “What kind of participatory culture enhances a sense of community among the audiences of podcasts? A model of six enhancers of sense of community was developed. The research draws practical implications from this model and concludes that a participatory culture that embraces liveness, works in small communities, includes parasociality, provides opportunities for meaningful participation on transmedial platforms, and builds on shared intimacy will enhance a sense of community.

Gaze and tactile sense

Background: Visual and hearing impairments are common co-morbid conditions for Down syndrome (DS). Combined sensory loss can present major communication challenges, which affect the opportunities for equal participation, learning, and development. This article focuses on facilitating social interaction. Method: The study uses conversation analysis based on video recordings of naturally occurring interaction during various activities in school. The sample consists of five children with DS and combined sensory loss and their teachers. Results: The results indicate that the pupils use gaze and vision actively in interaction with adults and respond actively to the other’s communicative use of gaze. Gaze is an important resource for the pupils and is strategically used to regulate, orient, and establish attention, but also to express interest and intention. Discussion/conclusion: Despite the pupils’ visual impairment, eye contact plays an important role in their communication. To optimize meaning-making and communicative participation, it is important to have knowledge of the individual child’s specific sensory and communication challenges as they occur in social interaction. This will increase the opportunity to uncover pupils’ communicative strategies, resources, and tactile preferences, which in turn are prerequisites for the facilitation of participation, learning, and development.

POSITIVE: experiences of an intervention aiming for reversing and preventing frailty using a home monitoring and communication platform within primary health care.

Frailty is increasing worldwide as the population ages. Physical activity is one component that has been shown to hinder and even reverse the process. The POSITIVE system (i.e., maintaining and imPrOving the intrinSIc capaciTy Involving primary care and caregiVErs) is a prevention program that consists of home-monitoring equipment and a communication platform to support the initial treatment of frailty symptoms in primary health care. The participants, older aged (+ 70) frail persons and those at risk for frailty, took part in the program that promoted physical activity at home for six months. The aim was to explore and describe older persons' experiences of participating in a new prevention program using the POSITIVE system including technological tools intended to prevent the development of frailty. Nine interviews were conducted about experiences of participating in an intervention including use of technological tools to support physical activity. Qualitative content analysis was applied. Two themes revealed: (1) Perceptions of being old are seldom positive, and (2) A rewarding and fruitful participation in the project with suggestions for improvement. Becoming older was related to physical pain and tiredness reducing the performance of former meaningful activities as well as an increase in mental stress. There was also a tendency to postpone the start of everyday activities, and in general, fewer activities were planned for one day than at younger ages. Participating in a physical activity intervention, including the use of technical tools, was considered meaningful and added motivation for engaging in other physical activities, this despite some difficulties with technical tools provided by the program. The contact with health care and the research team was appreciated. In addition, contact with other participants was requested and reported to be highly valued if added to the intervention, which could have been an expression of loneliness. Participation in a prevention program motivated activities and social interaction. Adding opportunities for participants to meet each other is suggested for improving the intervention in terms of increasing the social dimensions. Our findings conclude that despite difficulties with handling the technical tools for the home-monitoring and communication platform, participation in the POSITIVE intervention was in general a positive experience.

A feasibility study to assess a co-designed behaviour change intervention to support people living with achalasia

Abstract Introduction Achalasia is a rare oesophageal condition that affects the motility of the oesophageal body and the relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter. Even the most effective treatments are unlikely to be curative. The main goal of medical treatments and interventions are mitigation of symptoms. The medical interventions are pharmacologic, endoscopic and surgical treatments to achieve symptom relief. As all medical treatments only help to alleviate symptoms, it is important for people living with achalasia to use non-pharmacological interventions to manage their condition. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of recruitment and assess the acceptability of a co-designed behaviour change intervention, targeting eating in a social setting for people living with achalasia. Methods The mixed-method study used pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and semi-structured post-intervention interviews. Achalasia Action (a UK-based support group) emailed members the study information and participants contacted the researcher to take part. The intervention was a workbook designed collaboratively by the researchers and people living with achalasia, with strategies built on the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation).[1] Participants were given up to two months to complete the workbook. The interview was optional and it was an opportunity for participants to give further feedback on the intervention. Quantitative measures were subjected to descriptive analysis reporting recruitment and retention rates, and self-reported changes in eating behaviours. Qualitative data were analysed descriptively using the APEASE criteria (Affordability, Practicality, Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, Acceptability, Side-effects/safety, and Equity).[2] Results The study aimed to recruit 20 participants, and this target was achieved, resulting in a 100% recruitment rate. However, the post-intervention questionnaires were completed by only 10 participants, indicating a 50% retention rate from baseline. Quantitative measures demonstrated an improvement in confidence and enjoyment levels while eating in a social setting post-intervention and a decrease in symptoms such as pain, regurgitation, stress and anxiety. Qualitative feedback (n=5) on the intervention described enhanced social support and improved symptom management of achalasia in a social setting. Furthermore, the intervention met the APEASE criteria, indicating its usability and acceptability. Conclusion The recruitment success of this study underscores the feasibility of involving people living with achalasia in intervention research. However, with a retention rate of only 50% at follow-up, it is evident that future studies should consider recruiting a larger baseline sample to ensure the target is achieved. The study acknowledges that the sample size was small and limits the generalisability of the findings. However, this is a characteristic typical of feasibility studies; therefore, the study is designed to assess the feasibility of recruitment and implementing a co-designed intervention rather than drawing conclusions on its efficacy. The positive outcomes of the co-designed intervention highlights the importance of user involvement in developing interventions. The intervention demonstrated the potential to support people living with achalasia in eating in a social setting. The co-designed intervention has significant practical implications by providing healthcare professionals and support groups with a feasible, effective method to enhance the social eating experience of people living with achalasia, potentially improving their overall quality of life.