Coping Practices Research Articles

“Vacunas”: Permanence of Crime in The New Dynamics of Violence and Post-Agreement in Colombia

Objective: This study aims to explore the criminal dynamics and socioeconomic implications of extortion, specifically the "vacuna" (protection payment) phenomenon, in Colombia. It seeks to understand how this practice contributes to the persistence of crime and violence, and how victims manage and cope with this form of violence. Theoretical Frmework: The literature review is based on the theory of psychological coercion, where the threat and intimidation through force are used as a means of social control, as well as the economics of crime, which proposes that criminality is a rational act aimed at maximizing benefits for offenders. Finally, the theory of the state and security explains how the absence of the state in Colombia allows criminal groups to assume roles of "protection." Method: A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured and unstructured interviews with merchants and business owners in the Department of Santander, Colombia. The study focuses on a narrative approach, allowing victims to express their experiences with extortion. This method aims to capture the diversity of perspectives and coping practices in response to the crime. Results and Discussion: The results reveal that extortion persists as a common practice due to weak state presence and the transformation of criminal actors. It was observed that victims, both individually and collectively, develop diverse strategies to confront extortion. The study also identifies the perpetrators, although in many cases, victims are unable or unwilling to directly point out their aggressors due to fear of reprisals. Research Implications: The findings suggest the need to rethink public policies focused on security and wealth distribution in Colombia. Strengthening state presence in regions most affected by violence and improving protection mechanisms for extortion victims is crucial. Originality/Value: This study provides a detailed and contextualized analysis of a criminal practice that has been underrepresented in academic literature. By focusing on the voices and experiences of the victims, it offers new insights into the dynamics of power and violence in Colombia, highlighting the importance of addressing structural inequalities to mitigate crime and violence.

Lament: Measuring a Christian Meaning-Making Coping Practice

Research demonstrates that people draw on their religions in coping with difficult life circumstances, and that more religious people tend to cope better than less religious people. Lament is a religious prayer practice that constitutes a form of meaning-making coping. Here, we explicate this form of coping and, in a series of three studies with Christian participants, report on the development of a lament scale. In the first study, we develop items and test the items for clarity and for generalizability to diverse Christian groups using expert review and cognitive interviewing with participants representing five Christian groups. In the second study, we report results of exploratory factor analysis using data from primarily White and Protestant MTurk participants ( N = 303). In the third study, we report on factor stability and construct validity using data from largely White and African American Protestant and Catholic Prolific participants ( N = 346). The studies demonstrated generalizability to diverse Christian groups, a three-factor structure consistent with our theoretical formulation, good construct validity and relationships with well-being. Moderation analyses also indicated that when both Complaint and Praise are either high or low, the severity of the event is inversely related to flourishing. However, when either Complaint or Praise is high, the negative relationship between severity of the event and flourishing is ameliorated. The Lament Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing lament in ways that are consistent with the conceptualization of lament as a meaning-making coping practice.

Relationship Between Happiness, Culture, Socio-Economic Status, And Religious Coping Among Muslim Women Students Residing In Sokoto State, Nigeria

The goal of happiness is to have a stress-free and functional society. Yet, stress from cultural and socio-economic factors may arise when Muslim women student’s issues are discussed within society practices; which has resulted in illiteracy in Nigeria due to low enrolment attendance and school completion rates. Despite this, the World Happiness Report (WHR, 2023) ranked Nigeria as 95th happiest country in the world, and the fifth happiest country in Africa. Nevertheless, not many researches on happiness among Muslim women students in Northern Nigeria have been reported. This study investigated the relationship between happiness, culture, socio-economic status (SES), and religious coping, among Muslim women students at the Women Centre for Continuing Education (WCCE), in Sokoto, Northern Nigeria. A total number of 269 Muslim women students were selected to participate in this study using purposive random sampling. Instruments namely Orientation to Happiness Scale (OHS), Cultural Questionnaire for Women, (CQW), Socio-Economic Status Scale (SESS), Islamic Religious Coping Scale (RCOPE) were used for data collection. The total Cronbach’s alpha Coefficiency was 0.937, which was found to be reliable. The results were analysed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The measurement model was evaluated using items loading of average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability (CR). The findings of this study showed that the direct relationship of culture, socio-economic status and religious coping towards happiness were significant. As a conclusion, this study provides useful information for counsellors who can assist their clients in improving and maintaining their positive religious coping practices, as well as their ability to encounter positive feelings, engage in Islamic practices, have a meaningful life, and cope with stressors. Future research on happiness in other Northern states of Nigeria is recommended.

Adaptation and Adversity Acceptance as Resilience to Flooding at World Heritage Sites: A Case Study of Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam

ABSTRACT This article investigates long-term adaptation and resilience to floods at World Heritage sites through a case study of Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, Vietnam. Drawing on fieldwork observation, document review, and unstructured interviews conducted in Hoi An, we examine the enduring processes and experiences of co-living with floods. The article considers residents’ ability to comprehend, acknowledge, and address the challenges of flooding using the conceptual lens of adaptation and adversity acceptance as resilience. Our findings reveal an inseparable bond between residents and their built environment, encompassing invaluable lessons and experiences, local beliefs, resource availability, and adaptive strategies aimed at harmonious cohabitation with flooding described as ‘leaning into nature’. Strikingly, residents have developed their own practices and identities shaped by the town’s inundation by flood waters over a few centuries. Various modern flood prevention measures trace their origins to historical efforts, underscoring the vital role of traditional knowledge and practices in coping with the impacts of climate change. Those efforts are also framed within the local policy context such as Heritage Management Plan, Disaster Risk Management Plan, and Regulation for the Protection of the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town.

Religious, Practical and Future-Oriented Coping Strategies to End Intimate Partner Violence: An In-Depth Examination of Ultraorthodox Israeli Women’s Narratives

Abstract Purpose Much attention has been devoted to the ways in which women have made sense of, worked through, coped with, and recovered from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), but the insights of survivors affiliated with religious minorities are scarce. The purpose of this study is to advance understandings and practices concerning the coping experiences of Ultraorthodox women (UJW) survivors of IPV. Using descriptive phenomenological methodology, in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 Ultraorthodox Israeli women who identified themselves as survivors of IPV. Methods The research design and data analysis were inspired by a phenomenological approach to document, analyze, and understand these women’s subjective experiences on this heretofore under-studied topic. Shenton’s four criteria were assessed to promote the current study’s rigor and trustworthiness. Results Thematic analysis revealed three core themes and seven related sub-themes: (1) Devoting time to spiritual activities (sub-themes: daily prayers and attending Jewish classes); (2) Finding inspiration in a role model (sub-themes: a woman who survived IPV, a well-appreciated rabbi); and, (3) Planning the future (sub-themes: commitment to a new project, helping other women to cope with IPV, and commitment to the future and well-being of their children). Conclusions An integrative synthesis of the findings reveals two distinctive forms of coping: spiritual-based and practical-based coping strategies, that demonstrate the survivors’ multifaceted perceptions and coping narrative with IPV. The strengths and limitations of this study are addressed along with implications for practice and theory.

Financial struggles and coping with the aftermath of breast cancer care: An ethnographic study in Vietnam

Breast cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed among women, disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Based on an ethnographic study conducted in Central Vietnam in 2019, including observation and interviews with 33 women patients, we investigate how women and their families managed the financial burden of breast cancer care. Our findings suggest that in a context where health-related risk protection is poorly organised and out-of-pocket expenses are burdensome, despite the presence of universal health coverage, patients must rely heavily on informal arrangements to finance their treatment. They proactively researched available information and undertook extensive and ramified work to prove their deservingness for some types of assistance, including strategically disclosing their cancer status or using tactics to accelerate the process of applying for state welfare. Affected families must make hard calculations to prioritise the pressing health need of a member diagnosed with cancer and in many circumstances, forfeited the education of their young children. We offer theoretical understanding of ‘patient work’ beyond the routine management of the biological aspects of an illness. In addition, we demonstrate how engaging in those various coping practices can reinforce one's vulnerability to a vicious cycle of illness and poverty and amplify socio-economic inequalities among the affected community and the larger society. We argue this situation, if not tackled urgently and appropriately, can impede the progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) in LMICs amidst the non-communicable disease epidemic.

The Materiality of Data: Practices of Coping with Imperfect Data for Machine Learning Development

The Materiality of Data: Practices of Coping with Imperfect Data for Machine Learning Development

Sustaining mental health amidst high-pressure job scenarios: a narrative review

Today’s fast-paced world presents with increased work-related demands and pressures. These pressures may overwhelm an individual’s coping ability. From recognizing the signs of stress to implementing proactive measures for self-care, we embark on a journey to promote resilience and a healthy equilibrium between professional aspirations and mental well-being. Maintaining mental health and well-being is essential to living a healthy life even in high-pressure professional contexts. Nursing is one of the most challenging and demanding professions and use their psychological and emotional resources in service of their patients as well as navigating through the ups and downs of their own lives. Workplace stress has the potential to adversely impact both the physical and mental well-being of individuals, leading to a decline in job productivity through heightened stress levels. This leaves the professionals depleted and drained. Through this article, the author tries to highlight major stressors related to nursing and some practical coping measures.

From the waiting list to the transplanted heart: a qualitative approach to emotions, feelings, and coping strategies

Abstract Introduction Living with a complex disease such as heart failure (HF) can influence the functional and emotional capacity of individuals, compromising their quality of life. Furthermore, it is a progressive disease that can result in the final route of treatment, which is heart transplantation (HT), and the patient suffers an impactful change in health and disease status that can generate different emotions and feelings. A stressful factor can interfere with the way an individual deals with situations and this can result in negative behavior that harms themselves, their quality and meaning in life. Understanding emotions, and feelings and being able to deal with emotions are fundamental practices for coping with the disease and maintaining quality of life. Objective To identify the emotions, feelings, and coping strategies of patients who are on the waiting list for an HT and those who have already received the graft. Method Qualitative and exploratory research was conducted with 3 patients on the waiting list and 3 HT patients undergoing outpatient follow-up in a Brazilian public hospital. The Symbolic Interactionism was used as a theoretical framework. Data collection was carried out through a semi-structured interview with the following triggering questions: "How do you feel when you think about Heart Transplantation?", and "What do you usually do to deal with these emotions and feelings?", "Is the way you deal with these emotions ideal for you?" The interview was recorded in audio, and transcribed in full and the data was subjected to content analysis consisting of 03 phases: I) Pre-exploration; II) Selection of analysis units; III) Categorization and subcategorization. Results The emotions mentioned by patients on the HT waiting list were fear, anger, and surprise and the feelings were hope, melancholy, and disappointment. The coping strategies of this group were religious belief, support from family and friends, or even introspection and resignation to the disease. Heart transplant patients reported emotions such as joy and sadness, and feelings such as gratitude and loneliness. The beliefs, the presence of family and friends, psychiatric support, and carrying out work activities were reported as ways of dealing with loneliness and sadness. Regarding self-perception of emotional management, both groups reported an adequate approach when they can rely on beliefs/family/friends. Conclusion Patients on the waiting list or who have already undergone an HF experience a duality of emotions and feelings characterized by fear, anger, surprise, joy, sadness, hope, melancholy, disappointment, gratitude, and loneliness, respectively. These findings contribute to the development of new tools that enable specific management of these emotions and feelings that emerge in patients who experience the context of HF.

Exploring the First-year Journey of Elementary Education Graduates of the Pandemic Era

One of the most fulfilling jobs that one may consider is teaching. In teaching, one can provide today’s youth with the knowledge that would lead them to a better and brighter future. The teacher’s potential to influence, change, and push them to give their optimum capacity would be the legacy that they could leave among the learners entrusted to them. The researcher explored on the experiences of the graduates of the Bachelor of Elementary Education program relative to their initial teaching experiences. This is a qualitative paper that employed a descriptive approach in exploring the experiences of the graduates as they have indulged themselves in the teaching profession. Seven (7) informants were involved in the study. These informants were the ones who started their teaching career right after graduation. Interview guide questions were crafted, and informants were given a chance to give their views regarding their initial teaching experiences. Four overarching themes emerged in the course of the study; and these were the descriptions of the informants in their initial teaching experience after graduation, challenges encountered by the informants in their initial teaching experience, coping practices employed by the informants in dealing with these encountered challenges, and insights of the informants on the significance of receiving awards and motivation in their initial teaching experience. The findings of the study will have an impact on the sustainability of the good performance of the program in the college.

The impact of their role on telephone crisis support workers’ psychological wellbeing and functioning: Qualitative findings from a mixed methods investigation

Little is known about how telephone crisis support workers are impacted by frequent empathic engagement with callers in crisis, including those who are suicidal. This is the only known qualitative study to specifically examine the impact of their role on telephone crisis support workers’ psychological wellbeing and functioning. Eighteen telephone crisis support workers participated in semi-structured interviews, providing detailed accounts of the impact of the role on their wellbeing and functioning. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of interview data resulted in four key themes. Results suggest that telephone crisis support workers’ motivations, background, personal help-seeking and coping practices are likely to impact their experiences of psychological wellbeing and functioning in relation to empathic engagement with callers in crisis. Telephone crisis services should seek to integrate an understanding of workers’ experiences into the provision of training, supervision and support strategies to optimize workers’ wellbeing and functioning.

Pregnant Women Reported Coping Practices during COVID 19 Pandemic

Pregnant Women Reported Coping Practices during COVID 19 Pandemic

With a little coping from my friends: a case study of voice, manager response and collective coping in an organisational context

Although research has established the importance of employee voice on job performance, turnover, and job satisfaction, little is known about the impact of voice, particularly group voice, on collective coping. Thus, this study examines the interplay between group voice, managerial responses, and collective coping practices among groups of employees over time. This case study was conducted at two units of a large Danish company, involving worksite observations as well as individual and group interviews over five months. The findings demonstrate that managerial response to voice combined with the prevailing group voice/silence climate impacts collective coping practices. Specifically, a group voice climate combined with managerial openness to voice leads to collective action. In contrast, a lack of managerial openness results in collective resignation, and a group silence climate with managerial unresponsiveness leads to collective adjustment to workplace challenges. Implications to theory and practice are discussed.

Warao Self-care practices in Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil)

This article put together information about the formation of the warao self-care practices, exposing the centrality of shamanism in the processes of health and illness. The reflection is built from the context of coping with the COVID-19 pandemic in indigenous shelters in Manaus (Amazonas), between March and December of 2020. These actions not only systematically disregarded shamanism and native theories, but also produced strong control over the presence of these indigenous people in the city. Through a critical analysis of the situation in the Amazonian capital, it reflects on the need for adaptation in health care for the Warao in Brazil and, by extension, for other indigenous people, especially those residing in urban contexts. The data presented were obtained through fieldwork with an ethnographic perspective, in addition to documentary and bibliographical research.

Emotion regulation styles and the tendency to learn from academic failures.

Research on learners' reactions to failure finds negative emotions may present an obstacle for learning; a painful experience of failure may result in disengagement and avoidance. However, research on styles of emotion regulation and learning from failure is scarce. Self-determination theory's (SDT) conception of adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation differentiates among three styles of regulation: integrative emotion regulation (IER), suppressive emotion regulation (SER) and amotivated emotion regulation. Two studies were conducted, one cross-sectional and one longitudinal, to test the associations between IER and learning from failure among adolescents. Study 1 comprised 184 adolescents (mean age = 16.55; SD = 1.2). Study 2 comprised 565 adolescents (8-12 graders). The main analysis was based on 192 adolescents' perceptions of failing math grades. Study 1 surveyed adolescents on their emotion regulation styles, adaptive and maladaptive coping practices when dealing with failure and tendency to learn from failure. Study 2 was longitudinal and focused on failure in math. We approached participants twice, before and after the math test. In both studies, IER was related to adaptive coping practices and the tendency to learn from failure. In Study 2, adaptive coping practices mediated relations between IER and learning from failure in math and learning from failure mediated relations between IER and future engagement. These findings suggest that styles of emotion regulation play an important role in learning from failure.

Lived Experiences and Coping Practices of Those Living in Food Poverty: A Qualitative Study from Greater Manchester, UK

Lived Experiences and Coping Practices of Those Living in Food Poverty: A Qualitative Study from Greater Manchester, UK

Community Perceptions of Blackfly Nuisance and Acceptability of the "Slash and Clear" Vector Control Approach in the Ntui Health District of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study.

Besides being vectors of the onchocerciasis parasite, blackflies are a source of nuisance in onchocerciasis-endemic communities. We investigated the experience of residents in the Ntui Health District (Cameroon) regarding blackfly nuisance and assessed their perceptions of a novel "Slash and Clear" (S&C) intervention for blackfly control. Focus group discussions were conducted before and after S&C implementation (respectively, in February 2022 and December 2023). Blackflies were known to emerge from the river areas and cause disease. To prevent blackfly bites, the population often covered their body with protective clothing and applied various substances (kerosene, oil, or lemon) to their skin. Post-intervention data showed reduced blackfly nuisance, and the willingness to sustain blackfly control in the long-term was unanimous among community leaders and members, including the village volunteers who implemented the S&C intervention. In conclusion, blackfly nuisance is evident in the Ntui onchocerciasis focus of Cameroon and led to a panoply of coping practices, some of which could be detrimental to their health. Implementing S&C for blackfly control is well accepted and could sustainably alleviate the nuisance caused by blackflies while simultaneously breaking the onchocerciasis transmission cycle.

Don’t look like lesbian when you walk through the village, lesbians, gays, and transgenders in rural communities

This study explores the coping practices of lesbians, gays, and trans (LG&T) people, living in rural communities, as they experience hardships originating from their surroundings in small rural communities in Israel. The research findings based on in-depth interviews with 24 gay, lesbian, and trans subjects, suggest that those who live in rural communities feel that their lifestyle is subjected to prejudice and scrutiny and monitoring. This anachronistic homophobic attitude is still prevalent in smaller communities in Israel. Subjects report that this causes distress and discomfort thus affecting their well-being and sense of belonging to the community, that is their home. The study reveals two approaches utilized to deal with the social control applied to them: the practice of resistance that contributes to the sense of relaxation and resilience of LGBTQ+ people in their surroundings, and the practice of avoidance that allows them to live their lives undisturbed. The findings show the importance of creating unique social services suitable for this minority living in rural communities.

In Conversation with Gary Barkhuizen about Language Teacher Identity

Gary Barkhuizen,Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Auckland, is a prominentscholar studying narrative inquiry and language teacher education. Withacademic roots spanning South Africa and New Zealand, his journey began withstudies at the University of Essex and Columbia University, where he earned hisMaster’s and Doctorate degrees, respectively. His influence extends far beyondhis classroom, with numerous publications in esteemed journals such as TESOLQuarterly, RELC Journal, and Australian Review of Applied Linguistics. Renownedfor his co-authored books such as “Analysing Learner Language” and “NarrativeInquiry in Language Teaching and Learning Research,” he continues to shapediscourse in applied linguistics with his work on language teacher identity. OnJanuary 16, 2024, he was interviewed by Huseyin Uysal. In their conversation,Gary reflects on pivotal career moments, emphasizing the power of connectionsin teaching. He explores the dynamic interplay of self-perception and externaldescriptions in identity formation, introducing facets like reflexive and projectedidentities. Dilemmic aspects during transitions, coping practices, and theimpact of early experiences on identity are discussed. Gary extends the focusto broader socio-political contexts, highlighting the influence of externalrealities. Regarding future research, he suggests exploring teachers ofmultiple languages, heritage languages, and Indigenous languages. He emphasizesthe need for self-study, addressing ideological spaces and practicalimplementation of identity research in language teacher education.@font-face{font-family:"Cambria Math";panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;mso-font-charset:0;mso-generic-font-family:roman;mso-font-pitch:variable;mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face{font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;mso-font-charset:0;mso-generic-font-family:swiss;mso-font-pitch:variable;mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}@font-face{font-family:Georgia;panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3;mso-font-charset:0;mso-generic-font-family:roman;mso-font-pitch:variable;mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal{mso-style-unhide:no;mso-style-qformat:yes;mso-style-parent:"";margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:107%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}.MsoChpDefault{mso-style-type:export-only;mso-default-props:yes;mso-ascii-font-family:Georgia;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-font-kerning:0pt;mso-ligatures:none;}.MsoPapDefault{mso-style-type:export-only;margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:107%;}div.WordSection1{page:WordSection1;}

Curriculum-based sexual and reproductive health education: revealing its relevance for risky sexual behaviors among secondary school students in Mwanza, Tanzania

BackgroundSecondary school students are vulnerable to risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) which may lead to adverse health consequences, such as teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS. In Tanzania, the burden of teenage pregnancy was reported to be 27% in 2016. The integration of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education into the school curriculum is one of the proven crucial interventions. However, there is limited information on the extent to which curriculum-based SRH education is relevant for fostering good practices for coping with RSBs. This study sought to describe students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the relevance of curriculum-based SRH education.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted from May to June 2020 (involving 5 secondary schools in Ilemela district, Mwanza, Tanzania). In-depth interviews (30) were conducted among secondary school students and 10 interviews for teachers. The data were collected in Swahili and then transcribed and translated into English after which thematic content analysis was performed.ResultsThe majority (56%) of secondary school students were revealed to have a limited understanding of curriculum-based SRH education, which was limited to a few aspects of health that involved married people and pregnant women. Teachers of different subjects had different perceptions about the relevance of curriculum-based SRH education. Civics teachers had the perception that it was relevant and enough, while Biology teachers thought that it was not enough. Students reported utilizing the information taught in class to manage and navigate RSBs. Moreover, they expressed a need for additional delivery strategies to be used for a comprehensive understanding of sexual and reproductive health.ConclusionDespite the identified gaps in providing a comprehensive knowledge that builds on the appropriate attitudes and skills, the existing curriculum-based SRH education in secondary schools was utilized to help students in addressing and managing RSBs. However, there is a need for more comprehensive information and an improved delivery approach for SRH to equip students with the necessary skills when faced with RSBs.