Strong Interpersonal Relationships Research Articles

‘It's Never about Me, It's Always about You’: Generosity in Zarrilli's Training Space

In his extraordinary essay ‘The Metaphysical Studio’, Phillip Zarrilli advocated for the actor's psychophysical exploration of risky uncertainties and unknown possibilities in the ‘spatio-temporal realm between presence and absence, between “what is” and “what is not” – this liminal realm between’. It was typical of Zarrilli that when he received confirmation that his cancer had returned for the third and final time, he both responded pragmatically and perceived the experience as a philosophically interesting inhabitation of ‘that liminal place between’. Just as ‘The Metaphysical Studio’ emphasizes the actor's investigation of ‘the relationship between that “self” and “others” – the other “selves” that inhabit me; those I might wish to inhabit; the other as “Character”; the interpersonal you-as-other;’ it was also typical that Zarrilli sought to take care of many of the ‘others’ connected with him. These others included a sprawling global training community of students, practitioners and scholars. In a final video call alongside his life and work collaborator Kaite O'Reilly and with more than thirty-five students from around the world who had studied his intercultural performer training at the University of Exeter, Zarrilli stressed, ‘it's never about me, it's always about you’. This stress on ‘you’ was rooted in his emphasis on participants gaining ownership of the training and assimilating it into their own practice, along with a core focus on the other and the collective. During the call, Zarrilli signalled the importance of consistently working within the studio and performance space on strong interpersonal relationships, which ‘can arise when people are learning how to be generous with their energy, with what they can give, with how they can be present to each other. And again, we need more of that in the world’. It is unsurprising that those who participated in Zarrilli's training experienced how that focus on intersubjectivity developed a joyful international and intergenerational community, underpinned by politicized intentions around accessibility, generous group awareness, an ethics of care, and an ability to share the space, which could also be carried into the wider world.

Feasibility of the Hand in Hand Relationship Intervention for Stroke Survivor–Caregiver Dyads: A Randomized Trial

Purpose: A strong interpersonal relationship after stroke is important for the prevention of depression in survivors and family caregivers. This study aimed to test the feasibility of quality of relationship intervention for stroke dyads called Hand in Hand (HiH). Methods: Sixteen dyads were randomized into either the HiH group ( n = 8) or information, support, and referral (ISR) control group ( n = 8). HiH dyads received up to eight sessions, with topics prioritized according to a 17-item screening tool. ISR dyads received up to eight sessions that included information, active listening, and referrals. Feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes data were collected for both groups. Results: The HiH and ISR groups were feasible and acceptable. Caregivers in both groups, as well as survivors in the ISR group, experienced improvements in depressive symptoms and other select outcomes. Conclusions: Findings suggest that HiH is feasible to implement with stroke dyads and that it merits further refinement and testing.

“It’s a very nuanced discussion with every woman”: Health care providers’ communication practices during contraceptive counseling for patients with substance use disorders

ObjectiveTo explore health care providers’ communication practices during contraceptive counseling for women with substance use disorders (SUDs). Study DesignIn 2019, we conducted semi-structured phone interviews with a purposive sample of medical doctors and advanced practice nurses (n = 24). A two-member team analyzed these interviews for themes using deductive and inductive techniques and ATLAS.ti to manage the data. ResultsProviders discussed that developing strong interpersonal relationships and trust is critically important to provide effective contraceptive counseling to women with SUDs. Providers reported exchanging information with patients by asking open-ended questions, tailoring discussions to patients’ responses, and being direct but not judgmental. To facilitate contraceptive decision-making, providers described eliciting patients’ preferences for contraceptive methods while simultaneously using their own clinical judgment and professional experience to identify which methods would be most effective and appropriate for their patients. Most often these were long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, and providers emphasized the benefits of these methods for women with SUDs. ConclusionProviders used a variety of communication strategies, some of which were grounded in the principles of patient-centered care and others that were directive, to discuss contraception with women with SUDs. ImplicationsBecause of past and ongoing stigma and discrimination by health care professionals and the general public, women with SUDs may be distrustful of contraceptive providers. Patient-centered contraceptive counseling may be an effective approach to increase trust and improve relationships and communication between women with SUDs and their providers. Additional research with women with SUDs is needed to understand women’s experiences with and preferences for patient-provider communication during contraceptive counseling.

Towards a framework for public relations practice in the financial services sector of Ghana

PurposeThe goal of the study is to develop an integrated, non-sequential framework for excellent public relations management for the financial services sector in Ghana. The study empirically analyzes how PR is conceptualized and practiced in relation to the purpose (models) and roles (activities).Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted the qualitative in-depth interview approach to gauge the views of 22 PR practitioners.FindingsPractitioners of most communication departments have no PR background, and this influenced their conceptualization of PR. Essentially, PR in Ghana is shaped, to a large extent, by a western ideology. PR is however influenced greatly by strong interpersonal relationships, which is premised largely on the culture of the country. What is obvious is that PR in the financial services sector is not fully strategic. Although practitioners occupy managerial roles, they are limited in their ability to make impact due a lack of understanding by management about the purpose of PR and budgetary constraints.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a qualitative approach means the result cannot be generalized. As the study focussed on one sector, it will be essential to look at other sectors using a generalized sample.Originality/valueThe study developed an integrative non-sequential PR framework based on literature and empirical findings. The framework differs in certain aspects from some of the recommendations made by literature for an excellent PR practice.

Developing an Effective Campus Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force: Lessons Learned From Multiple Midwestern Universities.

Background/Aim. Developing a comprehensive prevention strategy requires a coordinated effort among campus stakeholders. Creating a campus sexual assault prevention task force consisting of key stakeholders is a way to ensure coordinated and sustainable prevention efforts. Understanding how to convene and maintain an effective campus prevention task force is important. However, there is little literature offering such guidance. In this article, we present the facilitators, barriers, and lessons learned from creating a campus sexual assault prevention task force in seven Midwestern postsecondary institutions. Method. Our data come from interviews with 25 key stakeholders, representing seven Midwestern postsecondary institutions. Questions focused on the perceived strengths and capacity to form a campus prevention task force, barriers, current campus knowledge, and attitudes toward sexual assault, current institutional support for prevention efforts, and current prevention programing. Results. Main barriers to developing a task force included (a) limited capacity, (b) lack of knowledge, (c) limited student engagement, and (d) bureaucratic structure. Facilitators included (a) strong interpersonal relationships, (b) a positive campus culture, and (c) preexisting programing.

Mentors' approach to practicum mentoring in the Spanish and Thai contexts: a two-cohort comparison using the Mentoring Profile Inventory

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to better understand the work of mentors or cooperating teachers (CTs) in Spain and Thailand, by comparing how mentors in both contexts conceive of their work in teacher education.Design/methodology/approachA comparative study based on a crossnational research (CNR) approach was used. An internationally validated instrument, the Mentoring Profile Inventory (MPI), was given to 171 Spanish and 170 Thai CTs, and an analysis using t tests and constant comparative methods was conducted.FindingsThe main results indicate that the Spanish cohort reported being significantly more challenged than their Thai counterparts in working with preservice teachers (PSTs). Both groups indicated a similar degree of motivation. The comparative analysis revealed that the Thai CTs emphasized the importance of ethics in teaching and being a role model for PSTs, whereas the Spanish CTs emphasized the need for strong interpersonal relationships as being central to successful mentoring.Research limitations/implicationsUnderstanding mentors' challenges and motivations can form the basis for reflecting upon the essential components of teacher preparation in both contexts. Furthermore, comparative cross-context analyses, as demonstrated in this paper, are vital for the identification of important differences that might otherwise remain invisible or unrecognized from a single-context perspective.Originality/valueThe study is original in its focus in that it offers insights that help better understand attitudes and performance within and across contexts – in this case, a European and an Asian country – using a common metric, the MPI. This study serves as an exemplar for other comparison studies for countries of mentors.

Traumatic childhood events of parents enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Background: Early life experiences can have a significant impact on an individual's later behaviour, the way they view the world, their beliefs and their success at forming strong interpersonal relationships. These factors may subsequently influence the way that the individual may parent their children, which in turn may have an effect on their child's behaviour, mental health and world view. Research has linked early traumatic life experiences in the parent's childhood to disorganised attachment to their own child. In this paper we describe the data collected from parents enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) on traumatic events experienced during their childhood, so that it can act as a resource for researchers in the future when considering outcomes on the adult, their children and grandchildren. Methods: Data were collected via multiple questionnaires completed by parents enrolled into the ALSPAC study. During pregnancy and post-delivery, questionnaires were administered between 1990 and 1992 via post to the study mothers and their partners. Data were collected on life events including bereavement, sexual abuse, physical abuse, abandonment, neglect, memories of childhood and accidents. Other reports of traumatic events in childhood were reported by parents using free text. This can be made available to researchers for coding on request.

Characteristics of highly resilient therapists.

This qualitative study aimed to explore characteristics that sustain therapists' resilience over years of practice. Ten highly resilient therapists were recruited during two phases of sample screening: peer nomination and the use of quantitative scales. Data were collected through in-person interviews and analyzed using grounded theory. Results as characteristics showed that highly resilient therapists are (a) drawn to strong interpersonal relationships, (b) actively engage with self, (c) possess a core values and beliefs framework, and (d) desire to learn and grow. The authors identified a central characteristic that interlinks with each characteristic: have a strong web of vibrant connectedness. Implications for counselor resilience development, training, and supervision are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Identifying the context, mechanisms and outcomes underlying collective leadership in teams: building a realist programme theory

BackgroundThere is accumulating evidence for the value of collective and shared approaches to leadership. However, relatively little research has explored collective leadership in healthcare and thus, there is a lack understanding of the mechanisms that promote or inhibit the practice of collective leadership in healthcare teams. This study describes the development of an initial programme theory (IPT) to provide insight into the mechanisms underpinning the enactment of collective leadership.MethodsThis IPT was informed by a multiple-method data collection process. The first stage involved a realist synthesis of the literature on collective leadership interventions in healthcare settings (n = 21 studies). Next, we presented initial findings to receive feedback from a realist research peer support group. Interviews with members of teams identified as working collectively (n = 23) were then conducted and finally, we consulted with an expert panel (n = 5). Context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs) were extrapolated to build and iteratively refine the programme theory and finalise it for testing.ResultsTwelve CMOCs were extrapolated from these data to form the initial programme theory and seven were prioritised by the expert panel for focused testing. Contextual conditions that emerged included team training on-site, use of collaborative/co-design strategies, dedicated time for team reflection on performance, organisational and senior management support, inclusive communication and decision-making processes and strong supportive interpersonal relationships within teams. Mechanisms reported include motivation, empowerment, role clarity, feeling supported and valued and psychological safety which led to outcomes including improvements in quality and safety, staff and patient satisfaction, enhanced team working, and greater willingness to share and adopt leadership roles and responsibilities.ConclusionsThis study has identified preliminary support for the contexts, mechanisms and outcomes underpinning the practice of collective leadership. However, it must be noted that while they may appear linear in presentation, in reality they are independent and interlinked and generative of additional configurations. This paper contributes to the nascent literature through addressing an identified gap in knowledge by penetrating below the surface level inputs and outputs of an intervention to understand why it works or doesn’t work, and for whom it may work.

Grassroots entrepreneurial program: developing best practices

Entrepreneurial programs often do not address the needs of Millennial learners nor do they offer students an opportunity to enhance skills that companies want most. We examined high recognition programs and present a framework that incorporates their positive attributes and addresses their gaps. Top entrepreneurship programs employ professors with entrepreneurial backgrounds, and offer experiential classes that are supplemented by well-financed extra-curricular activities like pitch contests. The gaps in current top programs include a lack of a full entrepreneurial experience for students and a need for students to gain skill sets most desired by organizations. We present a framework for transferring best practice attributes to a start-up program that also addresses the gaps outlined. This framework includes having professors with entrepreneurial experience who teach a selection of courses comparable to those offered by top programs, activities where students learn teamwork, communication, and other skills desired most by companies, and an immersive component such as a practicum or internship where students are fully immersed in an entrepreneurial experience. Teaching methods that utilize active learning, immediate application of concepts, informal learning environments, and a strong interpersonal relationship with faculty combine to enhance the Millennial students’ learning experiences and produce positive stakeholder outcomes.

Peran Konselor dalam Perspektif Hadist Akhir Zaman

THE ROLE OF COUNSELOR IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF AKHIR ZAMAN HADITH. This literature review addresses the role of the counselor by pressing on a number of common phenomena that occur today. This phenomenon turns out to correspond to a number of “akhir zaman” hadiths. Of course, with this description, you will increasingly realize that the role of counselor is very much needed now to deal with student dynamics. The ‘akhir zaman’ characters in question include: (1) aspects of humanitarian setbacks caused by drugs; (2) the fading of the tradition of family life and social interaction tends to be individualistic, thus requiring solutions to Islamic values ​​and norms themselves but should be structured by involving school components reflected in the school's vision and mission; (3) the choice of social context needs to be formulated in depth which places the teachings of Islam as a whole without compromising the teachings of Islam as a religion of da'wah; and finally, (4) massive relationships that emphasize strong interpersonal relationships between counselors and students and subject teachers.

Interpersonal relationship challenges among stroke survivors and family caregivers

ABSTRACT A strong interpersonal relationship after stroke is important for the well-being of survivors and family caregivers. However, as many as 54% of families experience relationship problems after stroke and as many as 38% of couples experience overt conflict. The purpose of this study is to enhance understanding about relationship challenges among stroke dyads and to identify implications for direct practice in social work. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with N = 19 care dyads. Qualitative data were analyzed through an interpretive description lens. Seven themes about relationship challenges were identified. Findings highlight areas to consider in promoting strong relationships between survivors and family caregivers. Social workers may have the opportunity to assist dyads with disrupting negative communication cycles, strengthening empathy and collaboration, and achieving a balance so that each person’s needs are met.

Experiences of inadequate interpersonal relationships regarding quality improvement and quality assurance in the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia

ABSTRACT Quality improvement and quality assurance in healthcare settings depend to a great degree on interpersonal relationships that enable effective communication and understanding between individuals. Poor interpersonal relationships between health professionals, patients or groups are considered detrimental to the achievement and sharing of common goals. This paper explored the experiences of managers and health professionals regarding the quality of health care delivery at the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in Namibia, using interviews and focus group discussions. The findings indicated negative attitudes by health professionals towards patients; poor communication among health professionals; lack of motivation and team work as well as resistance to change. It was concluded that most of the problems at MoHSS health care facilities are due to the lack of strong interpersonal relationships, either between patients and health professionals or between health professionals and management. The researchers recommend future research to document the views and experiences of private health providers and patients.

"It makes such a difference": An examination of how LGBTQ youth talk about personal gender pronouns.

The World Health Organization has developed standards for youth-friendly health services to support adolescents and encourage health care utilization among youth. Necessary building blocks for youth-friendly care include strong interpersonal relationships between youth and health care providers. Nurse practitioners (NPs) may be particularly well positioned to form these relationships. This study explored a core aspect for building youth-provider relationships. The study examined how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) adolescents discussed use of personal pronouns (e.g., he, she, they, ze) in relation to transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. A secondary qualitative analysis of 66 in-depth interviews with LGBTQ youth from across Minnesota, Massachusetts, and British Columbia, Canada was conducted. Results were sorted into four main themes describing different aspects of personal pronoun use as related to TGD individuals. Stories and experiences shared by participants illustrate how to assess which pronouns to use for a given person, how to use pronouns in different contexts, why respecting pronouns is important to TGD people, and flexibility as an integral component of the learning process when it comes to appropriate pronoun use. Understanding how youth discuss personal pronouns could improve practice with TGD youth. Each of the four themes can be applied to clinical encounters to ensure culturally sensitive care. Practice recommendations include asking adolescents what pronouns they prefer clinic staff to use on intake forms and having NPs and clinic staff provide their own pronouns to patients in introductions.

DEVELOPING A QUALITY-OF-RELATIONSHIP INTERVENTION FOR STROKE-SURVIVOR FAMILY CAREGIVER DYADS

A strong interpersonal relationship after stroke is important for the well-being of survivors and family caregivers. At present, few interventions are specifically designed to strengthen the relationship between members of the care dyad. The aim of this study is to develop, validate, and pilot test a quality of relationship intervention for stroke dyads. This poster presents findings from the content validity phase of the study and includes “tips” that dyads offered for maintaining a strong relationship. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with N=19 dyads to solicit information about relationship problems and tips. These data were used to develop a 17-item relationship assessment questionnaire with 17 “tip sheets” corresponding to each item. A Delphi process was used to obtain feedback from a 10-member expert panel about the degree to which the questionnaire and each tip sheet was (1) relevant; (2) clear; (3) accurate, and; (4) useful. Expert agreement ranged for 80% to 100%. The final materials included tips for dealing with issues that arise when one or both partners experience communication, mobility, cognitive, or emotional issues; reaching agreement about different aspects of recovery; working together to meet each partners’ needs; adjusting to new roles after stroke; dealing with relationship problems that predated stroke, and; getting support from other family members, friends, peers, and professionals. Findings highlight areas to consider in promoting strong relationships in care dyads. Future research is needed to examine whether these materials can help to reduce stressful interactions for care dyads, promote dyadic coping, and improve overall relationship quality.

Diffusion of disinformation: How social media users respond to fake news and why

This exploratory study seeks to understand the diffusion of disinformation by examining how social media users respond to fake news and why. Using a mixed-methods approach in an explanatory-sequential design, this study combines results from a national survey involving 2501 respondents with a series of in-depth interviews with 20 participants from the small but economically and technologically advanced nation of Singapore. This study finds that most social media users in Singapore just ignore the fake news posts they come across on social media. They would only offer corrections when the issue is strongly relevant to them and to people with whom they share a strong and close interpersonal relationship.

Disrupted Relationships, Chaos, and Altered Family Meals in Food-Insecure Households: Experiences of Caregivers and Children

BackgroundRegular family meals foster healthy physical and social development of children but often occur less frequently in households experiencing food insecurity. How food insecurity influences the quality of these interactions is not understood well. ObjectiveTo better understand family meal experiences of caregivers and children living in food-insecure households. DesignA qualitative method with cross-sectional sample was used, collecting data using semistructured interview guides. ParticipantsTwenty ethnically diverse caregiver–child (aged 9 to 15 years) dyads in South Carolina were interviewed. Statistical analysisData were analyzed using grounded theory in Nvivo 10. ResultsFood-insecure households described family meals that varied in frequency, location, and quality of foods served, especially during times of food shortages. Interpersonal relationships drove the quality of mealtime interactions for these households. Household chaos not only influenced the frequency and location of meals, but also strained mealtime interactions in households with poor interpersonal relationships. In these homes, household chaos included conflicts with work and afterschool schedules, food shortages, coping with poverty and food insecurity (eg, working extra hours or seeking food assistance), and children visiting multiple homes, particularly when food was limited. All households experienced chaos, but strong interpersonal relationships were described as the primary reason for enjoyable mealtime experiences with few disruptions. ConclusionsExploring family meal experiences of children in food-insecure households highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships and regular, positive mealtime interactions that may strengthen emotional connections in families to improve child health outcomes.

Measuring Mentalizing in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples With Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors and Their Partners

The purpose of this study was to explore the temporal relationships between Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT) therapist interventions and mentalizing responses in couples where one or both partners are survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) by using a novel form of qualitative coding for mentalizing in EFT with CSA couples. Mentalizing can be defined as thinking about thinking. It is a developmental self-capacity that includes being able to flexibly and reflectively make sense of our internal and interpersonal mental worlds and is essential in the development and maintenance of strong interpersonal relationships. Findings of this study indicated that levels of negative mentalizing responses decreased while positive mentalizing responses increased over the course of therapy. Observed temporal relationships between therapist interventions and patient mentalizing were discussed in relation to outcomes in couple satisfaction and posttraumatic symptomatology. This novel form of coding mentalizing, while in depth, proved to be labour intensive and lacking in long-term feasibility.

Developing a conceptual framework of knowledge management

Purpose Knowledge management is a function of learning orientation, knowledge sharing, organizational memory and knowledge reuse. This paper aims to endeavor to explore a link between knowledge management and value creation which seem to be fragmented in the literature due to various conceptualizations and meanings. The study hypothesized a moderating role of social capital on the relationship between knowledge management and value creation. Design/methodology/approach The study was approached from the theoretical perspective. Study thoroughly reviews and analyzes the literature by developing a link between knowledge management and value creation. The studies were explored from selected databases including “Google scholar”, “Emerald” and “ProQuest” using the keyword search, namely, “Knowledge Sharing”, “Learning Orientation”, “Organizational Memory”, “Knowledge Re-use”, “Knowledge Management”, “Knowledge-based View”, “Competitive Advantage”, “Value Creation” and “Social Capital” to reduce the interpretation bias. Findings Knowledge management is an important predictor of value creation which can be strengthened by developing strong interpersonal relationships with all stakeholders. Organizations can create competitive advantage by managing social capital through knowledge management processes including learning orientation, knowledge sharing, organizational memory and knowledge reuse. Research limitations/implications The study is based on a theoretical model and an apparent limitation is the non-existence here of contributions and discussions that have been based on empirical data. Future study may use other moderating and mediating variables such as industry type, market orientation, human capital and organizational climate to know whether knowledge management directly affects the value creation or indirectly through these variables. The hypotheses emerged from the model can be operationalized by generating the items from the review of the literature. Originality/value The study contributes to the knowledge management literature by developing a theoretical model of knowledge management based on underlying dimensions of learning orientation, knowledge sharing, organizational memory and knowledge re-use.

Interculturality as social capital at work: The case of disagreements in American-Japanese interaction

AbstractTheories of social capital hold that strong interpersonal relationships can be leveraged to facilitate information sharing, gain trust, and strengthen group solidarity. Thus, it is often predicted that international workers are disadvantaged in these areas because they lack established social ties. Using data from disagreements between American interns and their colleagues in Japanese companies, this study critically examines this prediction by illustrating some ways participants use socially constructed representations of intercultural ideologies in ways that facilitate similar outcomes and substitute for their lack of relational histories. Specifically, these representations temporarily reverse flows of information, resist restrictions stemming from perceived lack of trust, and create shared humor that helps redefine in-group boundaries. By using a formal social capital model to interpret these results, this study helps position socially constructed representations of interculturality within a broader theoretical account of the potentially many forms of symbolic ‘capital’ that enable action. (Social capital, interculturality, disagreements, workplace, social identity)*