Participation In Social Contexts Research Articles

Social Participation in Context. Participatory Culture in Spain and Germany

ABSTRACT This article aims to examine and describe the ways in which elderly people participate in post-industrial societies. The literature points out the benefits of social participation. However, the influence of context in features of civil society has remained relatively understudied. This article analyses the influence of context on the conceptualization of the phenomenon of social participation and civic engagement. In addition, the findings are linked to the broader academic debate on civil society. This empirical study consists of results from semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted with experts on social participation and elderly members of different associations. The German and Spanish case studies confirm that socio-demographic variables, cultural frames, political structures and social structure shape the culture of participation. The article argues that each context creates its own participatory culture through the incorporation of four different conceptualisations of participation: (1) participation as a right; (2) participation as an attitude; (3) participation as civic engagement; (4) participation as a slogan. The Spanish discourse tends mostly to conceptualize participation as a right and/or a slogan. The German discourse conceptualizes participation mainly as civic engagement. These conceptual differences give rise to two different participatory culture models.

Glad Tidings? Personal Witnessing, Religiosity, and Mental Health among U.S. Adults

A growing body of research has documented connections between religious involvement and mental health. However, religion is complex and multidimensional. Religious witnessing, the interpersonal sharing of religious faith, is an important religious practice that has received little attention. Religious witnessing is a relatively unconventional behavior in contemporary American society, yet it can promote social interaction and belonging and has implications for personal identity and sense of self-worth. Using data from a 2010 national random sample (N = 1,342) of U.S. adults, we examine associations between religious witnessing and mental health and the moderating role of public and private religiosity. Mental health is measured using three classes of psychiatric symptoms (general anxiety, social anxiety, and paranoia). Results show that witnessing is related to positive mental health among more highly religious individuals and negative mental health among less religious individuals. Drawing from identity theory and authenticity research, we argue that the contingent impact of religious witnessing on mental health can be explained by (1) participation in social contexts and groups conducive to religious self-expression and (2) the interplay between witnessing, private religiosity, and feelings of authenticity.

Everyday life and mastocytosis from a patient perspective—a qualitative study

To investigate and gain knowledge about patients' perspectives on everyday life with mastocytosis and how they experience, understand and manage symptoms and challenges. Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is a disease characterised by the accumulation and activation of mast cells. Symptoms are diverse and range from mild to severely debilitating or even fatal. It is considered rare but is underdiagnosed due to lack of awareness. Quantitative studies have shown that ISM can negatively impact quality of life. No qualitative studies have described everyday life with the disease. A qualitative interview study taking a phenomenological approach. Seven qualitative, semi-structured interviews with adult patients with ISM. The analysis was inspired by Giorgi's phenomenological method. COREQ reporting guidelines were used. Three themes and five subthemes emerged from the analysis. (a) The everyday life with a rare disease, unknown to most people. Being perceived as a hypochondriac in the encounter with the health system. The diagnosis makes a difference. Expert knowledge is important. (b) Living with and handling the invisible and visible symptoms. The visible body. (c) Fearing an attack. Feeling safe and vulnerable at the same time. Patients with ISM are severely affected in their everyday lives, especially in terms of their relationship with family and social network. Symptoms restrict and complicate activities and participation in social contexts, and the fear of an anaphylactic attack is always present. The disease affects patients' self-perception and sexuality. The rarity of the disease and general low awareness seems to be of great importance in the encounter with the healthcare system, both before and after diagnosis, and there is a need for expert knowledge, support and care. The focus of counselling should not only be on the disease itself, but also on living life with the disease.

Development of the quality of reaching in infants with cerebral palsy: a kinematic study.

To assess development of reaching and head stability in infants at very high risk (VHR-infants) of cerebral palsy (CP) who did and did not develop CP. This explorative longitudinal study assessed the kinematics of reaching and head sway in sitting in 37 VHR-infants (18 CP) one to four times between 4.7 months and 22.6 months corrected age. Developmental trajectories were calculated using linear mixed effect models. Motor function was evaluated with the Infant Motor Profile (IMP) around 13 months corrected age. Throughout infancy, VHR-infants with CP had a worse reaching quality than infants without CP, reflected for example by more movement units (factor 1.52, 95% CI 1.16-1.99) and smaller transport movement units (factor 1.86, 95% CI 1.20-2.90). Total head sway of infants with and without CP was similar, but infants with CP used more head movement units to achieve stability. The rate of developmental change in infants with and without CP was similar. Around 13 months, head control and reaching quality were interrelated; both were associated with IMP-scores. Infants with CP showed a worse kinematic reaching quality and head stability throughout infancy from early age onwards than VHR-infants without CP, implying that kinematically they do not grow into a deficit, but exhibit deficits from early infancy on. Reaching quality improves throughout infancy in all infants at high risk (VHR-infants). Infants with cerebral palsy (CP) show a worse reaching quality than VHR-infants without CP. Infants with CP achieve head stability differently from infants without CP. Infants with CP exhibit kinematic reaching problems from early age onwards.

"Why would I want to go out?": Age-related Vision Loss and Social Participation.

Social participation, a key determinant of healthy aging, is often negatively impacted by age-related vision loss (ARVL). This grounded theory study aimed to understand social participation as a process negotiated in everyday life by older adults with ARVL. Interviews, audio diaries, and life space maps were used to collect data with 21 older adults in two Ontario cities. Inductive data analysis resulted in a transactional model of the process of negotiating social participation in context. This model depicts how environmental features and resources, skills and abilities, and risks and vulnerabilities transacted with values and priorities to affect if and how social participation occurred within the context of daily life. The findings point to several ways that research and services addressing the social participation of older adults with ARVL need to expand, particularly in relation to environmental features and resources, risk, and the prioritization of independence.

AB1457-HPR “I feel sad when they don’t understand that it hurts so much.”

BackgroundDespite early interventions, pain intensity is still moderate to high in the majority in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), leading to activity limitations and participation restrictions. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability...

Promoting Social Participation for Adults Through Arthritis Self-Management: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACTThe focus of this study was to determine how a self-management program impacted social participation and social roles in clients living with arthritis. Ten participants over the age of 50, with arthritis, participated in the 6-week Arthritis Foundation's Self-Help Program conducted by a team of occupational therapy students and faculty researcher. Related pre- and postsurveys were administered to participants to measure self-efficacy behaviors, social roles, social participation, and energy and level of fatigue. Based on participants’ responses, increased levels of participation in social activities and expansion of social roles following the program implementation were evident. The results of this study suggest a potential connection between self-efficacy, self-management programs, and participation in social contexts for persons living with arthritis. Occupational therapists and other professionals should conduct further research on this topic to validate the importance and means of enhancing social roles and social engagement of clients living with arthritis.