People In Vulnerable Situations Research Articles

Using Walking / Go Along Interviews With People in Vulnerable Situations: A Synthesized Review of the Research Literature

Walking/go along interviews are increasingly used in qualitative research studies to explore various phenomena, including the experience of disability. The method involves a researcher walking or travelling alongside a participant in their local neighborhood and asking questions along the way. It enables researchers to generate data about a person’s relationship with themselves and others, as well as the place in which they live. Scholars acknowledge that this method may pose risks and challenges for both participant and researcher, and so the rationale for using walking/go along interviews must be clarified. Further, qualitative researchers need to keep abreast of how the method is used with different participant groups, so methodological lessons can be shared within the research community. Therefore, the aim of this synthesized review was to identify, collate and analyse current evidence related to the use of walking/go along interviews with adults in a vulnerable situation, defined as those ‘at risk’ of discrimination, harm, or abuse due to disability and/or age. As such, the article combines, for the first time, the collective methodological knowledge of scholars working across disability, ageing, and dementia studies. The 23 articles included in the review were analyzed using the thematic synthesis method. Five themes were identified; (1) shifts in power dynamics (2) making things known and knowable (3) revealing barriers in the environment (4) embodied knowledge (of place), and (5) being one. An overall synthesis of these themes culminated in the methodological insight that walking interviews are broadly aligned with applied phenomenological research. Having studied how and why researchers deploy walking/go along interviews with people in a vulnerable situation, we conclude that it is a tool favored by scholars who wish to advance knowledge of the connection between micro-experiences, meso-movements, and macro-change.

The Participation of People in Vulnerable Situations in Interest Organisations: A Qualitative Study of Representatives Views

Abstract People in vulnerable situations have the same right as others to participate in public spheres and influence health and welfare services. However, organisations that support these people and promote their interests are essential to their participation. This study investigated how people in vulnerable situations with lived experiences of using public services participate in organisations representing their interests. Fourteen representatives from eight interest organisations were interviewed. The first theme we developed – namely, participation as representatives of the organisations, revealed that a spokesperson’s role is connected to competence and that users of public services rarely obtain such a position. However, people with experience of using public services participate as living examples in external activities, increasing the groups’ visibility through their physical presence and their stories. The second theme was titled participation in organisational activities. The extent to which people with lived experiences participate in formal meetings varies, but they are often consulted by the organisations and attend events and informal gatherings. Notably, people in vulnerable situations interact with and, thus, influence the service-providing organisations. This article discusses the findings in light of representation theory and their implications for practice.

Caring for Delivery: Healthcare Professionals’ Ethical Conflicts in Surrogate Pregnancy

AbstractFrom the beginning of the practice of surrogate pregnancy, ethical approaches to it have included several dimensions. Central issues such as surrogates’ genuine autonomy, the risk of exploitation of people in vulnerable situations, or the legitimacy of the commercialization of the body have kept this debate alive for more than three decades. Among all the conflicts, those related to healthcare professionals involved in the surrogacy process have been less frequently addressed. Which patient(s) should they protect? Whose interests should they preserve, the surrogate mother's or the intended parents’? Are there differences in healthcare provision between regular pregnant women and those who are going to relinquish their babies? Is adequate compliance with the ethical standards of the caregiver–patient relationship possible? In this article, I will address these questions to identify interests and practices at stake in the healthcare context, where an important part of the surrogacy process occurs.

Acoustic event characterization for service robot using convolutional networks

<p>This paper presents and discusses the creation of a sound event classification model using deep learning. In the design of service robots, it is necessary to include routines that improve the response of both the robot and the human being throughout the interaction. These types of tasks are critical when the robot is taking care of children, the elderly, or people in vulnerable situations. Certain dangerous situations are difficult to identify and assess by an autonomous system, and yet, the life of the users may depend on these robots. Acoustic signals correspond to events that can be detected at a great distance, are usually present in risky situations, and can be continuously sensed without incurring privacy risks. For the creation of the model, a customized database is structured with seven categories that allow to categorize a problem, and eventually allow the robot to provide the necessary help. These audio signals are processed to produce graphical representations consistent with human acoustic identification. These images are then used to train three convolutional models identified as high-performing in this type of problem. The three models are evaluated with specific metrics to identify the best-performing model. Finally, the results of this evaluation are discussed and analyzed.</p>

Evaluating the Interdependencies of Infrastructure Critical Systems during Earthquake Event: A Case Study for Padang City

Our modern society is becoming increasingly reliant on transportation networks, as well as the interdependent infrastructures and technologies that interact with them. The increasing complexity and interconnectedness of infrastructure networks make them susceptible to impact not only directly from external shocks but also indirectly from the failure of dependent infrastructures. This research study was conducted in Padang city, one of the most disaster-prone areas in Indonesia. Based on the literature review, it is no doubt that research study on seismic risk assessment is insufficient and outdated. In fact, a study about the interdependency between Critical Infrastructures (CIs) is yet to be done in this region. In this study, there are two approaches used for data gathering which is by surveying existing CIs using Google Earth and by an online questionnaire survey via Google Form. Based on the qualitative survey, a functionality rating method is done to obtain the level of outage/loss functionality which is an indicator for the damage occurred to the structure and infrastructure. Following that, a seismic risk analysis was conducted to assess the interdependency between investigated CIs and facilities. Respondents’ judgement from the questionnaire were used to identify the base criticality of each critical infrastructure. Based on the qualitative survey, the level of loss in functionality for the substation and the telecommunication tower is rated as “High”, but the loss in functionality for the water supply system is rated as “Moderate”. Moreover, the findings used from the respondents’ judgements were used to establish the initial level of criticality for each vital infrastructure. According to the findings, hospitals, power substations, and communication towers all have a criticality level of “5-Vital”, while police stations and fire stations both have a “3-medium” criticality rating. Eventually, the results of this assessment of interdependence are displayed in a criticality map, which shows how the interdependency relationship affects the initial criticality of a certain upstream infrastructure. Understanding the potential consequences of infrastructure failure, especially in regard to dependent infrastructures, can help emergency response teams formulate more targeted strategies for managing risks. As a consequence of this, the resilience of the wider community is improved, which contributes toward the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable cities and communities particularly in reducing disasters and people in vulnerable situation.

Growing up in a never-ending crisis

Over the past two decades, young people have faced increasing social and economic instability. Before the world had fully recovered from the tremendous effects of the global financial crisis of 2007-08, it was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the effects of such crises being felt unevenly, what are the implications of these challenging times for the educational and professional aspirations of young people in vulnerable situations? To investigate, this paper draws on the lived experiences of young people (15-24 years old) in Portugal, ranging from early leavers from education and training to students currently enrolled both in mainstream schools and other educational institutions. The qualitative data used are drawn from two distinct research projects. By combining these two data sets, we have expanded our understanding of the impact of these crises on young people’s aspirations and educational trajectories. The findings indicate that, within the framework of successive economic, political and social crises, pre-existing situations of social vulnerability tend to intensify and may lead to disengagement from school, and even dropping out. Often, the need to help support their families leads many young people to enter a competitive and highly precarious labour market. This article renders visible the impact that structural and systemic factors – intrinsically linked to issues of inequality and social injustice – can have on the educational aspirations and trajectories of young people in a society in which ‘being in crisis’ has somehow become the new norm.

ICOPA 2022: living with parasites, collaborating globally, and breaking a glass ceiling

ICOPA 2022: living with parasites, collaborating globally, and breaking a glass ceiling

Attention to vulnerable people in the First Constitutional and Social Transitory Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Republic in Lima

Object of study: The objective of the research was to explain how vulnerable people are treated in the First Constitutional and Social Transitory Court of the Supreme Court of the Republic, in Lima; that is, how is the preferential treatment of people in vulnerable situations: people over 75 years of age, the disabled and others. Methodology: A descriptive qualitative methodology was used, which allowed us to understand the way in which the fourteen participants in this research appreciated the phenomena or events through the understanding of the main aspects of the phenomena, of the facts under observation or of the relationships established by the subjects. This research will provide a service to jurisdictional operators and citizens seeking fast and efficient jurisdictional protection; optimizing and improving the attention of the community in the judicial processes that reach this institution, based on conceptual formulations and implementation measures related to this problem. Main results: The results show us that the attention to vulnerable persons in the First Supreme Court is inadequate due to the existing procedural overload; that is, it is not prompt, which affects compliance with the deadlines established in the legal regulations in force, of the controversies of the administrative process and will contribute to the modernization of the mentioned judicial body in order to provide a better service to its users. Theoretical contributions: Rights must be complemented by political and social rights that allow the needs of the most vulnerable to be met, alleviating their suffering and providing them with opportunities for progress. To safeguard the vulnerable, bioethics must be considered in public policies by standardizing their care practices.

User participation among people in vulnerable situations at service level. A scoping review exploring impact for individual stakeholders and services

User participation among people in vulnerable situations at service level. A scoping review exploring impact for individual stakeholders and services

From Substitute to Supported Decision-Making: Participatory Action Research on the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities

In this article, we present findings from a participatory action-research program in France on the exercise of human rights and supported and substitute decision-making, inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (“CRPD”). Bringing together persons with the lived experience of disability; academics; and health, social care, and support professionals, the project used the method of “experience-based construction of public problem” to transform experience into collective expertise. This enabled the exploration of support that people in vulnerable situations, whose capacity to exercise their human rights has weakened, need to make decisions in their lives and participate meaningfully in public debate. The relationship between the awareness of rights and exercise of rights is discussed. We argue for the need to balance out the positions of different contributors in participatory action research, in a reasoned manner, by recognizing the scientific and citizen-based participation of all partners.

The social disintegration from a mixed approach of quantitative and qualitative analysis

This paper aims to analyze, through a quantitative and qualitative approach, social categories related to vulnerability. This reflection is based on the analysis of concepts that are part of the sociology of poverty, exclusion, and social vulnerability, with contributions from the theory of intersectionality and the concept of social disintegration. Through this approach, vulnerability is a plural concept that results from the intersection of social positions, life experiences, and skills. In addition to the analysis of secondary data, the characteristics of social groups in situations of vulnerability will be examined through interviews with professionals who carry out their daily monitoring. The results indicate that social vulnerability results from the intersection of socio-demographic and economic factors that weaken the educational and professional trajectory of people in situations of vulnerability, particularly about their social and emotional competencies.

Desastres Naturais, Política de Agentes Internacionais e Vulnerabilidade no Haiti

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi fazer uma análise sobre os desastres naturais no Haiti, que são usados como justificativa para a ampliação de agentes internacionais no território sob auspício da ajuda humanitária para pessoas em situação de vulnerabilidade. Este processo foi intensificado após o terremoto de 2010. Nesse sentido, observou-se como as instituições nacionais passaram a ser controladas por agentes internacionais neste processo, fazendo com que o país perdesse parte da autonomia e controle do seu território devido à constantes intervenções. Em adição, foi analisado como esse tipo de atuação pode contribuir para a continuação deste processo, uma vez que acaba atraindo e surgindo quantidade significativa de Organizações Não Governamentais (ONGs) para dar suporte à gestão de assistência social no Haiti. Para se chegar ao objetivo, foi analisada literatura especializada sobre desastres naturais, atuação de ONGs e vulnerabilidade no país em questão, além de pesquisa documental realizada em jornais, reportagens, relatórios e dados oficiais do governo local. Por fim, destaca-se que o Estado deve preparar um plano de investimento em infraestrutura e conscientizar a população a deixarem áreas consideradas de risco, criando mecanismos para que a mesma possa ser realocada para locais planejados. Assim, o Estado não será capaz de eliminar os riscos associados aos desastres naturais, mas reduzirá perdas em bens materiais e em vidas humanas.

INTERVENÇÃO PSICOSSOCIAL ONLINE COM IDOSOS NO CONTEXTO DA PANDEMIA DA COVID-19: UM RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent protection measures brought significant changes to the lives of the elderly who, being part of the risk group of the disease, began to be isolated. Such isolation can have harmful effects on mental health, being a risk factor for the development of psychopathologies. In view of this scenario, we were asked to adapt and adapt our strategies to mitigate the psychosocial effects of quarantine among the elderly. The project “O de casa: abrindo as janelas da vida” aimed to carry out an online psychosocial intervention with elderly participants in the Universidade Aberta a Terceira Idade at a public university in the state of Bahia. We developed activities to strengthen the support networks of the elderly participants, promoting reflection and care, enabling the psychoeducation of mental health issues and cognitive stimulation. The activities took place during 29 weeks of the year 2020. Weekly meetings were held, synchronously, through a virtual meeting platform, and asynchronous activities twice a week, through WhatsApp. The activities developed included group video calls, in which we adopted a psychoeducative approach on cognitive functions; exercises and challenges for cognitive stimulation; dissemination of classes, workshops and virtual lectures; and the Anjo Virtual, on which each participant received the contact of another participant, becoming responsible for talking to that person during the week. Sharing feelings, experiences and information, as well as the supporting and the strengthening the support networks of the elderly participants were some of the results achieved, being essential factors to reduce the psychosocial impacts on people in vulnerable situations and in need of support in the context of the pandemic. The intervention found, however, challenges being carried out in a virtual modality, both due to difficulties in handling the technologies used by the elderly, and due to the characteristics of cyberspace, which required flexibility in the planning and execution of activities, involving experimentation within ethical limits.

Analysis of nonsuicidal self-injury posts on Twitter: A quantitative and qualitative research

Retrospective study, of mixed approach, with quantitative and qualitative approaches, with the objective of analyzing posts about non-suicidal self-harm on Twitter. The posts were collected through screen capture, transcribed and encoded. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, association tests and multiple logistic regression, with a significance level of 5%. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke. In the results, female profile tweets and potentially harmful content prevailed. The expression of the suicidal behavior of the author of the post was associated with the encouragement of non-suicidal self-harm and increased chances of sharing and commenting on the posts. Reply posts were more likely to receive likes and comments. Posts encouraging non-suicidal self-harm describe social manifestations of behavior and exposure to non-suicidal self-harm through mass communication. The results bring important discussions about the potential impact of posts on non-suicidal self-harm and reflection on the discussion of behavior in the digital social context. It is important that mental health actions include tracking risk behaviors on the internet, supporting people in situations of vulnerability, redirecting to support services, as well as strategic actions to promote the conscious and healthy use of social networks.

The Activist Craft: Learning Processes and Outcomes of Professional Activism

Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particularly within educational, social, and community intervention with people in situations of vulnerability. This qualitative study aims to unveil the richness of activists’ learning processes and outcomes by reflecting on the pedagogy of professional activism, with professionals working in Portugal. Their sharing reveals a thematic influence and interdependence between the dimensions “How?” and “What?” of professional activism learning and the themes composing them—respectively, “political socialization” and “work experience”; and “critical, social and political consciousness,” “sense of (in)justice and empathy,” and “know-how to speak out.” As professionals learn how to become activists, they also construct this praxis, and themselves as professionals, giving meaning and (re)defining their activist craft, through a learning-creative process.

Exploring the meanings of professional activism

ABSTRACT There is growing recognition of the relevance of political mobilization in educational, social and community work, particularly when working with people in situations of vulnerability. However, there is also a scarcity of research that describes and explains professionals’ political involvement and mobilization and allows them to share their activist experiences, to inspire others and legitimate this crucial dimension of their work. This qualitative study explores the meanings of “professional activism” for professionals working in Portugal, who are recognized for developing relevant political work related to their profession. A net of themes – Taking Sides, Utopian Ideal, Sense of (In)Justice and Praxis – portrays professional activism as a praxis that promotes and is guided by a sense of (in)justice, which demands a positioning in defense of the people with whom professionals work, leading to interventions oriented by/for a utopian ideal of transformation.

Best Practices in the Development of Transversal Competences among Youths in Vulnerable Situations

(1) Background: The aim of Second Chance Schools (E2Cs) is to provide employment-focused training for young people who left compulsory education without any formal qualifications by encouraging them to pursue initial vocational training. Transversal Competences (TCs) are important for enabling the social inclusion of young people in vulnerable situations by promoting their entry into the labour market. However, TCs are not always systematically developed. The objective of this study is to analyse good practices in inculcating these skills in this group of young people. (2) Methods: In-depth case studies were conducted in six best-practice schools. The following methods were used in the studies: questionnaires to school; a checklist to analyse the teaching materials used: an interview with the people responsible for the programme; an interview with students; and a questionnaire to representatives from the business sector. (3) Results: The six E2Cs attached great importance to TCs, which were taught specifically through a student-centred, active, varied and collaborative methodology that was periodically reviewed and adapted to students’ needs. TCs were evaluated before, during, and after the process was completed. (4) Conclusions: The results identified specific key elements for promoting the development of TCs that could be transferred to other schools and, consequently, could have implications for education policies in this field.

Mujeres víctimas de violencia de género en Ecuador: redes de apoyo y estrategias de afrontamiento

La Encuesta Nacional sobre Relaciones Familiares y Violencia de Género contra las Mujeres realizada por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC, 2019): evidencia que un 64,9% de las mujeres han sufrido algún episodio de violencia a lo largo de su vida. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar las redes de apoyo y las estrategias de afrontamiento de mujeres que han sufrido violencia de género y que han acudido a la Defensoría Pública, para ello se realizaron encuestas a 75 mujeres de distintas edades. La investigación se llevó a cabo en el marco del proyecto de investigación que lleva adelante la Universidad Internacional SEK (UISEK), en la cual se planteó a las participantes una matriz de 12 problemas y 12 personas a las que podrían recurrir en caso de necesitar ayuda. Como resultado se observó que la mayor red de apoyo se centra en el ámbito cercano (madre, hermana, mejor amiga, psicóloga, padre), estas redes pueden constituirse en recursos para el afrontamiento a la violencia experimentada.

Egresados de Telebachillerato Comunitario y su capacidad de aspiración

Este estudio colectivo de “casos típicos” por muestreo teórico tiene el objetivo de caracterizar las aspiraciones de jóvenes que egresaron recientemente de los Telebachilleratos Comunitarios (TBC) en Morelos. Con base en entrevistas semiestructuradas, se obtuvo una valoración sobre el TBC desde la mirada de sus egresados; se identificaron obstáculos y apoyos que delinearon sus aspiraciones distinguiendo entre quienes continuaron sus estudios y quienes no lo hicieron. Se encontró que son los primeros quienes ejercen más su capacidad de aspiración. Con la intención de contribuir desde la investigación a la mejora de sus condiciones y perspectivas a futuro, en las conclusiones se ofrecen orientaciones para fortalecer estos espacios donde la educación media superior (EMS) se puede hacer llegar a personas en situación vulnerable, empoderándolos y ampliando sus posibilidades de superación con equidad, menos injusticia y de manera más digna.

An Ensemble Detection Model Using Multinomial Classification of Stochastic Gas Smart Meter Data to Improve Wellbeing Monitoring in Smart Cities

Fuel poverty has a negative impact on the wellbeing of individuals within a household; affecting not only comfort levels but also increased levels of seasonal mortality. Wellbeing solutions within this sector are moving towards identifying how the needs of people in vulnerable situations can be improved or monitored by means of existing supply networks and public institutions. Therefore, the focus of this research is towards wellbeing monitoring solution, through the analysis of gas smart meter data. Gas smart meters replace the traditional analogue electro-mechanical and diaphragm-based meters that required regular reading. They have received widespread popularity over the last 10 years. This is primarily due to the fact that by using this technology, customers are able to adapt their consumption behaviours based on real-time information provided by In-Home Devices. Yet, the granular nature of the datasets generated has also meant that this technology is ideal for further scalable wellbeing monitoring applications. For example, the autonomous detection of households at risk of energy poverty is possible and of growing importance in order to face up to the impacts of fuel poverty, quality of life and wellbeing of low-income housing. However, despite their popularity (smart meters), the analysis of gas smart meter data has been neglected. In this paper, an ensemble model is proposed to achieve autonomous detection, supported by four key measures from gas usage patterns, consisting of i) a tariff detection, ii) a temporally-aware tariff detection, iii) a routine consumption detection and iv) an age-group detection. Using a cloud-based machine learning platform, the proposed approach yielded promising classification results of up to 84.1% Area Under Curve (AUC), when the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) was utilised.