This paper provides an overview of the history and current activities of a group of researchers focused on the experiences of young people who “age out” of foster care in the United States. These transition-age youth (TAY) often have intersecting marginalized identities, as youth of color, queer youth, and youth with disabilities are disproportionately represented in care. Members of the Transition-Age Youth Special Interest Group (TAY-SIG) conduct research in several key domains, many addressing the discrimination, trauma, and poverty experienced by the majority of TAY. We report on the cutting-edge research happening in these areas and highlight the gaps in the research that require urgent attention. Despite these gaps, we argue that research undertaken by TAY-SIG members has driven the field of TAY research forward in a variety of timely and important ways.

Acne vulgaris (acne) is a common dermatological condition that can profoundly affect psychosocial well-being. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome measure to assess the burden of acne in research and clinical practice. This systematic review aimed to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize current evidence on the effects of acne on HRQoL and other psychosocial outcomes. Structured searches of PubMed and Web of Science were conducted to identify studies measuring any HRQoL or psychosocial outcome in patients with acne vulgaris (all ages). Eligible studies were those that included ≥ 50 patients with acne, measured HRQoL or psychosocial outcomes as primary endpoints, were conducted in Europe and North America, and were published in English from 1 January 2014 to 30 April 2024. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. In total, 101 studies were deemed eligible for inclusion. They varied widely in terms of study design, population, outcomes, and quality, but overall demonstrated the adverse impacts of acne on HRQoL, mental health outcomes, and the lived experiences of people with acne. Despite their heterogeneity, studies frequently found that acne predominantly affected the emotional and psychological domains of HRQoL, and was particularly burdensome to adults, females, and those with more severe acne. This review collated the spectrum of impacts that acne vulgaris can impose on psychosocial well-being, and highlighted the need for consensus outcome measures to streamline future research and improve clinical practice. CRD42024539174.

This article explores how spoken-word poetry in Kenya serves as a crucial medium for framing and articulating the fluid identities of Kenyan youth. Drawing upon a formalist theoretical framework, the paper examines the aesthetic and structural elements of spoken-word performances to understand how they construct meaning and voice various identity expressions. Specifically, the analysis delves into four key dimensions: cultural hybridity, social norms, political issues, and social nationalism, demonstrating how youth navigate and represent their multifarious selves through poetic form and delivery. By giving voice to subaltern experiences and confronting stereotypes, spoken-word poetry emerges as a potent artistic and socio-political tool, reflecting the dynamic interplay of cultural, social, and political influences that shape young people's experiences in contemporary Kenya. The findings reveal that Kenyan spoken-word poetry functions as both a creative and political platform through which youth assert agency, negotiate belonging, and challenge dominant discourses surrounding identity and power. The study concludes that spoken-word poetry not only redefines the contours of Kenyan youth identity but also fosters critical dialogue and social transformation by bridging art, activism, and everyday lived realities.

Background. Despite belonging to the northern latitudes, the Northeast of the Russian Federation and its Arctic (Northwest) region show a significant climatic variability, which undoubtedly requires a comprehensive study in terms of the mechanisms of physiological adaptation. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a highly sensitive marker of autonomic nervous system activity since it reflects the dynamic interaction of sympathetic and parasympathetic factors in regulating cardiovascular performance, which allows quantitatively assessing the body adaptation reserves and identifying functional changes under various influences including specific features of the climate and geography of the region. Objective. The research comparatively analysed HRV parameters in residents of different natural and climatic zones of Russia: Northeast (the city of Magadan), Northwest (the city of Murmansk), and the baseline (control) group from Central Russia (the cities of Ulyanovsk and Moscow) with the further studying region-related neuro autonomic regulation of cardiovascular system. Material and Methods. Two hundred and ninety-nine male volunteers participated in the survey: 119 people aged 17–21 from the Northeast of Russia, 72 people from Russia’s Northwest and 108 young men from Central Russia. Resting (sitting position) heart rate variability parameters were recorded and analysed using the Varicard hard software unit. Results. It was found that living in the Polar region contributes to reducing autonomic functions owing to a decrease in the activity of the parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system and a shift to the sympathetic activation dominance. In residents of the northeastern region, heart rate variability parameters were observed to be mainly within the optimal physiological ranges, with some parameters indicating increased parasympathetic activity. The control group (Central Russia) demonstrated normotonic autonomic status that excluded significant adaptation changes in regulatory mechanisms. Conclusion. The study results allowed us to conclude of the region-specific ranges of the functional norm that is forming under the influence of the natural and climatic conditions. The revealed regularities contributed to considering the parameters of heart rate variability as informative and significant physiological markers reflecting different climatic impacts that people experience in different regions of Russia.

The stakes of stimulant use, psychosis, and antipsychotic treatment among youth who use drugs: A longitudinal qualitative study.

ABSTRACT Peer evaluations of creativity are common practice in numerous contexts. Within such contexts, creators often receive and deliver assessments of creative ideas. One challenge of such arrangements is that people's experiences on the receiving end of creativity assessments may influence their future judgments of others' works. In particular, those who have recently faced creative idea rejection may be prone to negativity biases when evaluating the creativity of others' ideas. To understand whether and why receiving harsh critiques may lead one to propagate criticism, I present three possible explanations for such effects and test them experimentally in a sample of 205 university students. Specifically, I argue that creative idea rejection can fuel negativity biases in subsequent interpersonal creativity evaluations through (a) negative and positive affective reactions, (b) attempts to re‐establish justice, and (c) attempts to restore self‐competence. Results suggest that recent experiences with idea rejection can negatively bias one's assessment of peers' idea usefulness (but not novelty) indirectly through reductions in positive emotion (rather than increases in negative emotion); and further, those who perceived injustice (but not lowered self‐competence) rated others' ideas lower on both novelty and usefulness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Hospital architecture is essential for the well-being of patients, especially the elderly, who face serious physical and emotional challenges during hospitalization. With the IBGE projecting that the population over 60 will triple by 2030, it is urgent that this longevity be accompanied by significant improvements in health and quality of life. This study aimed to describe the needs and expectations of elderly patients regarding their hospital room. Data collection was conducted in a public hospital in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, and involved two main techniques: the use of EmoCards, which helped participants express their emotions, and semi-structured interviews, which allowed for deeper exploration of their experiences. The results highlighted environmental attributes that favour the permanence and comfort of elderly patients, providing a broader understanding of their needs and expectations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring adequate circulation in the rooms and creating specific areas for storing belongings. Furthermore, the comfort of companions is an important factor, as those who accompany patients play a significant role in their overall well-being. These aspects emerged as fundamental to improving the experience of elderly people during hospitalization.

To develop an in-depth understanding of peoples' perceptions and experiences of decision-making and reasons why they declined the opportunity of a kidney transplant. The Theory of Planned Behaviour informed the qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between August 2022 and June 2023 with thirty adults in the United Kingdom who had declined a kidney transplant. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Deciding against having a kidney transplant for the majority of people was a concrete decision. Multiple reasons transcended four cross cutting themes: The impact of negative past experiences on kidney transplant decision-making, Negative attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions towards kidney transplantation, Preferred not to have a kidney transplant, and Perceived benefits of deciding against a kidney transplant. Earlier negative experiences culminated in mistrust. People feared kidney transplant failure and were not willing to take the risk of being worse off. Some people perceived they were too old and preferred younger people to be offered available kidneys. COVID-19 negatively impacted some people's decisions. Despite people's decisions being perceived as at odds with healthcare professionals and current policies to increase transplantation rates, overall, the decision not to have a kidney transplant appeared carefully thought through. People's choices were informed, multifaceted and shaped by personal experiences, perceived risks and individual values. Recognising these factors is essential in improving patient-centred care and shared decision-making. Nurse-led patient education needs to carefully balance promoting kidney transplant as the preferred kidney replacement treatment option. The findings contribute new understanding and theory as to why people living with kidney failure decide against having a kidney transplant. Perceived benefits of not having a transplant outweighed potential advantages, and patients exercised their legal right to make an informed decision. COREQ and SRQR. People living with kidney disease were involved from the outset; their contributions included prioritising the research question, shaping the study design, commenting on participant documents, analysing, interpreting findings and dissemination.

Abstract Background and Aims Calciphylaxis, or calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), is a rare but devastating condition predominantly seen in people (with kidney failure) undergoing dialysis. It occurs when small arterioles within the skin become calcified causing painful skin lesions. Prevalence of calciphylaxis is reported to be 1–4% in end stage kidney disease with a reported mortality rate of 50–60% within a year of diagnosis. At present there are no diagnostic tests or licensed treatments and clinical management is largely informed by case series reports and small uncontrolled studies. This study aims to evaluate patient experiences of calciphylaxis diagnosis and treatment, to determine what occurs and what would help, for the benefit of i) informing and improving future patient care and ii) increasing awareness (earlier diagnosis). Method Ethical approval was received. The study was promoted to clinical care teams through the UK Kidney Association and UK Kidney Research Consortium, and directly to patients through Kidney Research UK and Kidney Wales. Inclusion criteria: ≥18 years of age and current or previous (<3 years) diagnosis of calciphylaxis, or carer/relative of someone with calciphylaxis. Study information was sent remotely by the research team and informed consent was undertaken by telephone or in person. Research interviews were conducted in-person, via video call or telephone. The recruitment target was 10-20 people to ensure data saturation was achieved (new participant repeats previous information and no new information is obtained). Interviews were transcribed (anonymised) and inductive thematic analysis is currently underway. Results Recruitment was open from October 2023 to December 2024 inclusive. 19 people living in England and Wales were approached and sent participant information sheets. 12 of 19 (63%) were identified by their clinical care team and 7 of 19 (37%) self-initiated participation in response to a study advert. 17 of 19 (89%) consented to participate (14 of whom were patients with current or previous calciphylaxis and 3 were relatives of calciphylaxis patients). The median patient age was 68 years (range 52-82) and 43% (6 of 14) were male. 1 patient withdrew from the study prior to interview (due to ill health). 16 interviews were successfully undertaken; 10 in person, 5 via video call, and 1 over the telephone. The average interview duration was 49 minutes (range 15–81 minutes). Theme saturation was achieved. Participants described the importance (and helpfulness) of continuity in wound care management/dressings, feeling informed, being given ‘good news’ stories (not just bad), good pain control and clear communication. The reported challenges related to: the diagnosis itself (delays, how the diagnosis was delivered, and a lack of information for both patients themselves and their relatives), limited understanding about the condition, a lack of overall support, and feelings of fear. Conclusion Qualitative research in calciphylaxis, a rare and devastating condition, has been lacking. This study was well received, participants were welcoming of the research and keen to share their journey. Findings identified areas that can be developed to improve the experiences of people diagnosed with calciphylaxis (and their families). This includes developing: i) educational resources for both patients and their relatives, ii) a best practice quick reference guide for clinicians, and iii) a care card for primary care, targeted at district nurses, explaining what calciphylaxis is and best practice advice for wound care management. In a condition where there are no proven treatments and outcomes are poor, this study demonstrates the value of the patients’ voice in identifying areas of care that can be improved.

Long COVID has been described as a ‘mass disabling event’, affecting over 400 million people worldwide. In the context of evolving medical knowledge around this novel condition, there is little research on how the broader determinants of health might interact with symptoms to influence the lived experience of people with Long COVID. This paper contributes a critical disability studies perspective to explore the structural determinants of well-being for people with Long COVID. Drawing on interviews with 30 people with Long COVID and eight caregivers, we conducted a qualitative study (March-July 2023), applying reflexive thematic analysis to identify themes related to cultural norms/values and public policies. The results illustrate how social understanding of disability contributes to feelings of poor self-worth, increased isolation, and decreased motivation to access disability support. Disability support and return-to-work programs depict the dominant influence of ableist policies and their negative impact on people with Long COVID’s wellbeing. In particular, respondents described how gaslighting occurs within social policy and work, as well as medical and environmental factors. Multilevel interventions are needed to strengthen health and social policies, engage patients and caregivers, and address health and social disparities associated with Long COVID.

The unpredictability of acute care, rising patient multimorbidity and the under-resourcing of community palliative care services mean that more patients are presenting to emergency services in the final stages of illness, with emergency departments (EDs) increasingly becoming places where people experience end of life. Nurses are often the first to recognise a dying patient and initiate essential care in the ED's high-pressure, intervention-focused environment. This narrative review article explores how emergency nurses can provide high-quality care at the end of life when supported by access to appropriate advanced care planning documentation, integrated records, education and interprofessional collaboration. Given these circumstances, nurses can have a critical role in recognising dying patients, managing their symptoms and supporting their family members. However, the emotional burden and organisational pressures of providing end of life care can also contribute to moral distress among emergency nurses.

Contemporary societies are increasingly characterised by secularisation, which leads to dechurching and a pluralisation of religions and worldviews. These dynamics manifest themselves chiefly in post-secular cities. Multi-religious houses of the 21st century reflect these transformation processes. We have seen a growing phenomenon in recent years: multireligious houses of worship have been opening on a regular basis. In Berlin, for instance, the “House of One” is being set up. These spaces aim to inspire interfaith dialogue while also engaging the public life of the city. Their goal is to dispel xenophobic prejudices against people of other religions and to promote social cohesion within a multicultural and multi-religious urban population. Furthermore, they explicitly seek to engage in dialogue with secular individuals in post-secular cities such as Berlin. The architecture should enable transcendental experiences for secular people, offering space for dialogue and rooms for prayer. One could say that the architecture of post-secular sacred buildings is intended not only to serve self-discovery but, above all, to provide a space for dialogue. This could be a sign of the refiguration of religion in societies of late modernity.

IntroductionInternationally, there has been a drive toward developing an inclusive and equitable educational system which promotes lifelong learning for all. This is reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 and its associated targets. The current study focuses on some of the challenges and tensions associated with inclusive practice in non-formal education settings for children and young people with a disability, specifically sensory loss, from the perspective of parents/carers and professionals/volunteers.MethodsA commissioned project, conducted in one local authority in Scotland in 2022, investigated the experiences of children and young people with sensory loss (deaf and/or visual impairment) of participating in activities, in school and in the community, with children with and without sensory loss; the opportunities and challenges associated with engaging in these activities; and the perceived benefits. As part of a larger study which gathered the views of children and young people with sensory loss, a virtual focus group was conducted with two parents/carers who are British Sign Language (BSL) users and a semi-structured interview with a parent who is not a BSL user. Furthermore, a virtual focus group was undertaken with three professionals/volunteers working with children and young people with sensory loss (deaf and/or visual impairment).ResultsFindings from the study highlight some of the tensions associated with inclusion in non-formal education settings.DiscussionThere are implications for practice, such as awareness raising for peers and adults; offering more opportunities for children and young people to mix socially with their peers in accessible and well-resourced environments outside school; the importance of seeking children's views about the non-formal activities they like to participate in; and the importance of raising awareness of the benefits for children and young people with sensory loss of being with others with sensory loss. Although the research was conducted in one locality in Scotland, the insights are relevant to an international audience.

ABSTRACTThe Darién Province separating Panama and Colombia has experienced unprecedented movement of people across its border since the easing of COVID‐19 border restrictions in 2021. Panama established the “controlled flow” migration strategy in 2016 to manage “irregular” migration within its national borders as this flow rapidly increased in Darién Province. This policy provided basic services while containing people in reception centers after their journey across the Darién Forest. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Darién Province, we elucidate how the Panama‐Colombia border transcends its geopolitical boundaries and shapes embodied borders based on the experiences of people excluded from legal migration pathways to North America. We examine how the “controlled flow” infrastructure in Panama constructs new systems of control and surveillance, embodied health impacts, and regimes of agency and migrant refusal after crossing one of the most treacherous borders in the world.

As immersive technologies reshape how people experience identity, emotion, and loss, virtual memorialization is emerging as an important application of virtual reality. This study examines the psychological mechanisms influencing user intentions to engage in virtual memorialization by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to incorporate Avatar Attachment and Social Identity theories. A survey of 437 participants with diverse experiences in virtual worlds and memorial practices was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that Avatar Attachment (AA) and Social Identity (SI) significantly predict perceived usefulness (PU), Perceived Role Importance (PRI), and behavioral intention (BI), with PU and PRI mediating these effects. Perceived ease of use (PEOU) directly influences both PU and BI. Furthermore, perceived human-likeness (PHL) moderates the effect of AA on PU, indicating that anthropomorphic avatars enhance the perceived emotional value of memorialization. However, PHL does not moderate the AA–PRI pathway, suggesting that the salience of avatars in mourning contexts relies more on narrative identity than visual realism. This research advances the application of TAM in immersive environments and contributes to digital thanatology by highlighting the interplay between identity, emotion, and technology. The findings provide design implications for creating user-friendly and emotionally meaningful virtual memorial platforms within emerging VR ecosystems.

Purpose This paper engages with the concept of tragedy to deepen our understanding of how organizational ethnographers can make sense of the injustices we face and the emotions we feel during fieldwork. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses empirical extracts from one interview and field experiences from a two-and-a-half-year ethnographic study on social entrepreneurship. Findings The paper first shows how tragedy, as a distinct way of seeing, and, more specifically, as a radical critique, enables organizational ethnographers to reflect on injustices without disregarding people's harsh and ambiguous living conditions. It then shows how tragedy can transform us as organizational ethnographers by changing what we know, who we are, and what we do. This transformative experience involves gaining new knowledge and a deepened understanding of people's lives. It also involves changing one's identity, preferences, and values as a researcher. Lastly, this transformation holds the potential to foster a sense of resistance and collective responsibility for the injustices people experience. Originality/value The paper adds to our knowledge by demonstrating how tragedy can function both as a radical critique that generates relevant and meaningful knowledge about injustices and emotions and as a transformative experience that profoundly shapes our becoming as organizational ethnographers.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb is a rare and challenging pain condition that usually develops following an injury. No studies have identified influential aspects of healthcare specific to upper limb CRPS or the New Zealand (NZ) healthcare context. The aim of this study was to explore people's experiences of diagnosis and treatment for upper limb CRPS in NZ. An online survey was designed from themes identified in a preceding interview study. Participants were recruited from healthcare services NZ-wide, social media, and through online advertisements. Eligibility criteria were: 18 years or older, diagnosis of upper limb CRPS for more than 3 months and less than 3 years, and reporting high levels of ongoing pain and three or more CRPS symptoms over the past 48 h. Data were exported to SPSS software for descriptive analyses. Seventy-five people participated in the survey (91% female, mean age 50 years, SD 13). Nearly half of participants (43%) identified being diagnosed within 1-3 months of symptom onset. Most (81%) desired more accompanying information. Support and guidance were identified as the most valuable aspects of healthcare (72%). Participants reported difficulty accessing required treatment (60%) at the right time (61%). Nearly all participants (98%) perceived that having easy ongoing access to healthcare was important. People with upper limb CRPS prioritize early access to information and support to navigate complex systems. Updated online information about region-specific CRPS treatment options needs to be made readily available to both people with CRPS and healthcare professionals.

Educational disparities have long shaped the schooling experiences of the Indigenous people of North America. Since the 20th century, many Indigenous female leaders have stepped forward, using various methods of advocacy to improve Indigenous education. This paper seeks to compare the methods used by Canadian and American Indigenous female leaders in education. Through analyzing the cross-generational and cross-country historical context of indigenous leadership based on literature review, individual case analysis, the research reveals no significant links between the methods of advocacy and national contexts across countries. However, across generations, there were significant links in socioeconomic contexts and the methods of advocacy used. These findings highlight how shifts in social and economic factors influence Indigenous advocacy, offering a deeper insight into the forces that shape Indigenous leadership.

People experiencing severe distress increasingly use Large Language Model (LLM) chatbots as mental health support tools. Discussions on social media have described how engagements were lifesaving for some, but evidence suggests that general-purpose LLM chatbots also have notable risks that could endanger the welfare of users if not designed responsibly. In this study, we investigate the lived experiences of people who have used LLM chatbots for mental health support. We build on interviews with 21 individuals from globally diverse backgrounds to analyze how users create unique support roles for their chatbots, fill in gaps in everyday care, and navigate associated cultural limitations when seeking support from chatbots. We ground our analysis in psychotherapy literature around effective support, and introduce the concept of therapeutic alignment, or aligning AI with therapeutic values for mental health contexts. Our study offers recommendations for how designers can approach the ethical and effective use of LLM chatbots and other AI mental health support tools in mental health care.

Intergroup contact is regarded as a powerful tool for reducing prejudice. However, recent research has questioned the ability of naturalistic contact to produce true within-person attitude change-that is, shifts in an individual's attitudes over time. Much of this work has focused on minor variations in routine intergroup contact, which may be too subtle to produce meaningful, lasting change. Conducted in the United Kingdom, this research explores two instances of "contact ruptures" wherein individuals undergo abrupt environmental changes that disrupt existing social networks and substantially alter their amount of intergroup contact, such as when starting university (Study 1, N = 429, four waves) or studying abroad (Study 2, N = 373, four waves). Using latent growth models, we found that both transitions led to significant and sustained step-level changes in levels of contact with people of different nationalities. Individuals experiencing larger postrupture increases in positive contact showed more favorable shifts in outgroup attitudes, while greater increases in negative contact coincided with greater declines in positive attitudes. Additionally, higher increases in intimate contact, but not casual contact, were associated with greater improvements in attitudes. Findings suggest that the traitlike stability observed in recent studies may stem not only from traitlike features of the individual but also from stable environments. Within-person attitude change is evident when people experience major shifts in contact. We argue that focusing on substantial changes, rather than day-to-day variations, better aligns with how contact effects were originally conceived of in Allport's classic contact theory (yet have not been routinely studied). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).