Themes Of Empowerment Research Articles

Is this really Empowerment? Enhancing our understanding of empowerment in patient and public involvement within clinical research

BackgroundThere has been a growing push to involve patients in clinical research, shifting from conducting research on, about, or for them to conducting it with them. Two arguments advocate for this approach, known as Patient and Public Involvement (PPI): to improve research quality, appropriateness, relevance, and credibility by including patients’ diverse perspectives, and to use PPI to empower patients and democratize research for more equity in research and healthcare. However, while empowerment is a core objective, it is often not clear what is meant by empowerment in the context of PPI in clinical research. This vacancy can lead to insecurities for both patients and researchers and a disconnect between the rhetoric of empowerment in PPI and the reality of its practice in clinical trials. Thus, clarifying the understanding of empowerment within PPI in clinical research is essential to ensure that involvement does not become tokenistic and depletes patients’ capacity to advocate for their rights and needs.MethodsWe explored the historical roots of empowerment, primarily emerging from mid-20th century social movements like feminism and civil rights and reflected the conceptual roots of empowerment from diverse fields to better understand the (potential) role of empowerment in PPI in clinical research including its possibilities and limitations.ResultsCommon themes of empowerment in PPI and other fields are participation, challenging power structures, valuing diverse perspectives, and promoting collaboration. On the other hand, themes such as contextual differences in the empowerment objectives, the relationship between empowerment and scientific demands, research expertise, and power asymmetries mark a clear distinction from empowerment in other fields.ConclusionPPI offers potential for patient empowerment in clinical trials, even when its primary goal may be research quality. Elements like participation, sharing opinions, and active engagement can contribute to patient empowerment. Nonetheless, some expectations tied to empowerment might not be met within the constraints of clinical research. To empower patients, stakeholders must be explicit about what empowerment means in their research, engage in transparent communication about its realistic scope, and continuously reflect on how empowerment can be fostered and sustained within the research process.

Perspectives of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth on Anti-Vaping Messages in Social Media.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth have higher rates of nicotine vaping than other youth in the United States. While social media can be effective in reaching youth and discouraging vaping, informed cultural tailoring is necessary to ensure effective messaging to SGM youth. This study aimed to understand SGM youth perspectives on anti-vaping social media messages and tailoring approaches. In-depth, qualitative videoconference interviews were conducted from February to July 2022 with 34 SGM youth recruited in the United States via social media ads. The interview guide addressed participants' beliefs about vaping, the context of vaping, perspectives on tailoring messages, and responses to examples of social media anti-vaping messages. Coding and thematic analysis followed a team-based approach. SGM youth perspectives fell into four categories - representation and diversity, facts and evidence, empowering messages, and source credibility. Participants stressed the importance of accurate, genuine representation of SGM youth in messages, but also noted that more overt representation may be seen as tokenizing. Participants recommended partnering with known LGBTQ+ influencers who can promote or share anti-vaping messages on social media platforms. They also recommended using culturally tailored language, including statistics specific to SGM youth, and invoking themes of empowerment to improve the relevance, reach, and effectiveness of anti-vaping campaigns. Findings can inform future efforts to develop anti-vaping messages for SGM youth with effective reach through social media. Nuanced perspectives on SGM representation in messages suggest a careful approach to tailoring. Concerns around inauthenticity may be minimized by ensuring SGM youth are included in message development and dissemination. This study describes the importance of being attentive to the tailoring preferences among the current generation of sexual and gender minority youth. Findings will inform social media-based messaging strategies that discourage nicotine vaping tailored for SGM youth in health campaign material design and evaluation, ensuring that tailored messages are designed in ways that avoid unintended consequences. The study also describes methods for effectively engaging SGM youth in research to improve the relevance of health education materials for this population and increase reach, which in turn can lead to reduction in vaping practices among SGM youth.

Perspectives of autistic students and their teachers on self-determination and peer support

Autistic students may need individualized supports to meet their academic, social, and self-determination needs in inclusive classrooms. However, few evidence-based interventions have been developed to provide these supports for autistic adolescents, and little is known about the perceptions of autistic youth about these interventions in use in high schools. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of autistic students and their teachers on self-determination and peer support, as well as their thoughts about two evidence-based interventions used in their classroom settings: the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction and Peer Supports. An overall theme of empowerment was identified from student and teacher data collected across the interventions, which highlighted the importance of enabling students to access these interventions in inclusive environments. Autistic students experienced growth in understanding their identity and role as students, peers, and learners, and many felt empowered to set and achieve goals important to their future success. Teachers noted increased self-confidence and assertiveness in students pursuing their goals, highlighting the need for inclusive interventions that address positive in-school and post-school outcomes for secondary autistic students.

“I Feel Like a Fraud Who Acts Like a Feminist”: The Discussion Themes and Sexual Scripts in the Porn Free Women Online Forum

Research on online pornography abstinence movements has predominantly focused on men’s perspectives, often within the context of the broader manosphere. This focus has overshadowed the unique experiences and viewpoints of women in these movements. Our study aimed to fill this gap by exploring women-centric perspectives in pornography abstinence forums, particularly Porn Free Women (r/pornfreewomen). Using a mixed methods approach, this study examined the sexual scripts presented in women-dominated pornography abstinence communities. Our structural topic modeling analysis delineated the interplay of therapeutic, heteronormative, and empowerment themes that were evident in women’s narratives and expressions. Further, our discourse analysis elucidated three specific scripts: the addiction script, the heterosexual script, and the liberation script. These interweaving narratives show that discussions of women’s pornography abstinence are multifaceted and include a variety of perspectives to negotiate. These results contribute to a nuanced understanding of the values of health and well-being, sexual liberation, and feminism within women’s pornography abstinence communities.

A Systematic Review of Potential Mindfulness Assessment Tools for Parenting Children with Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents lifelong challenges to children's cognitive, social, and communication skills, often resulting in substantial parental stress. Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as promising approaches to alleviate stress and improve the well-being of parents raising children with ASD. This paper conducts a comprehensive systematic review and critical evaluation of existing mindfulness assessment tools specifically tailored to this demographic. We assess these tools against a set of established criteria, offering a nuanced understanding of their applicability and effectiveness in the unique context of parenting children with ASD. By conducting this in-depth analysis, we aim to provide valuable insights that can inform and enhance support systems and interventions for families navigating the distinct challenges of ASD parenting. More than an academic pursuit, this study aspires to empower parents in their journey of self-discovery and acceptance. We believe that equipping them with the knowledge of effective tools to enhance their well-being is a vital step toward offering practical and meaningful assistance. This research, therefore, underscores the profound theme of empowerment, arming parents with the resources they need to navigate the complex landscape of raising children with ASD with resilience and confidence.

PENDAYAGUNAAN ZAKAT PRODUKTIF PADA KELOMPOK LAPAK BERKAH BINAAN IZI KOTA MAKASSAR

Zakat is an obligation for every Muslim because zakat is one of the pillars of Islam. The benefits of tithing include two dimensions, namely the spiritual dimension and the social dimension. A spiritual dimension is a form of obedience in carrying out religious orders, while the social dimension is the implementation of a caring attitude among fellow Muslims. Zakat is very useful to ease the economic burden of the poor. The distribution of zakat is not only to meet the needs of daily life but can also be distributed in the form of working capital assistance so that zakat funds can be productive. Management of zakat funds will be productive if it can be managed professionally. Therefore, to realize this goal, we, from the Department of Sharia banking, Faculty of Economics and Islamic Business, State Islamic University, Makassar, are moved to carry out community service activities that are packaged in the form of empowerment activities and business management assistance. The method used in community service activities with the theme of Empowerment of Productive Zakat as an effort to strengthen the economy of the community who are members of the Blessings group under the guidance of the Indonesian Zakat Initiative in Makassar. Stages of activity, first conducted observations to obtain initial information related to the condition of the target group. The next stage is to draw up a plan for empowerment and mentoring activities. Next, conduct education through lecture methods, discussions, and consultations related to business management. Speakers describe business management and market-building strategies. The next stage is to assist by conducting regular consultation visits every month. The results of these activities can help provide solutions to various problems in business management, both in terms of financial management and marketing aspects.

“Nothing to do but be borne and steered”: Unpacking Feminist Scripts in Elana Arnold’s <i>Damsel</i>

Feminism in novels marketed for young adults often reflects the values of a popular feminism that relies on individual and personal means of empowerment, rather than critiquing or seeking to dismantle systems of domination. In this paper, we illumminate frameworks and methods for engaging students in careful readings and evaluations of texts marketed as feminist, through an analysis of Elana Arnold’s feminist fairy tale, <em>Damsel</em> (2018). Drawing on theoretical frameworks of popular feminism, feral feminism, and theories of becoming, the authors use Critical Content Anlaysis to explore several tenets in contemporary feminist thought in order to analyze Arnold’s text and its themes of empowerment and liberation, domestication and ferality, and the discursive and material conditions of becoming. The authors argue that complex understandings of feminist frameworks can move readers toward more robust critique of the various forms of feminism that can be found in young adult literature, and suggest that this novel offers pathways for interrogating complex feminist scripts in young adult literature.

Promoting empowerment for people living with dementia in nursing homes: Development and feasibility evaluation of an empowerment program.

ObjectivesThis article describes the development and feasibility evaluation of an empowerment program for people living with dementia in nursing homes.MethodsDevelopment and feasibility evaluation of the empowerment program was guided by the British Medical Research Council’s (MRC) framework. In the developmental phase, we used intervention mapping to develop the theory- and evidence-based intervention. During the feasibility phase, two care teams utilised the program from September to December 2020. We evaluated the feasibility in terms of demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality, integration and limited efficacy.FindingsThis study showed that, according to healthcare professionals, the program was feasible for promoting empowerment for people living with dementia in a nursing home. Healthcare professionals mentioned an increased awareness regarding the four themes of empowerment (sense of identity, usefulness, control and self-worth), and greater focus on the small things that matter to residents. Healthcare professionals experienced challenges in involving family caregivers.ConclusionAn important step is to take into account the implementation prerequisites that follow from our findings, and to further investigate feasibility, as the use of the program and data collection was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent research could investigate the effects of the empowerment program.

Supporting perinatal individuals with opioid use disorder and their newborns experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome: impressions from patients and healthcare providers

ABSTRACT Background: Facilitating maternal-newborn involvement and care is critical for improving outcomes for perinatal individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and newborns experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Comprehensive education strategies are needed to prepare pregnant individuals receiving OAT for navigating the perinatal period. Objectives: Identify facilitators to successful care of perinatal individuals receiving OAT and newborns experiencing NAS via interviews with perinatal individuals and healthcare providers. The goal of identifying this information is to inform a future educational tool development. Methods: Ten perinatal individuals receiving OAT and ten healthcare providers participated in interviews conducted via phone or video conference using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Data were analyzed separately for the two groups and later merged across samples using a qualitative descriptive content analysis approach to identify themes. Results: Under the overarching theme of empowerment to improve outcomes for perinatal women, four themes arose from perinatal and provider interviews: 1) Preparation for Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement, 2) Healthcare providers shape experience through stigma and support 3) Caring for newborns with NAS, and 4) Managing health and resources during postpartum. Conclusion: Perinatal participants emphasized the importance of self-advocacy while navigating healthcare and social systems. Providers highlighted the importance of communicating expectations to empower patients. Education is needed for pregnant individuals receiving OAT on what to expect during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as for providers to help them optimally support their perinatal patients receiving OAT.

Community Health Agents Advancing Women’s Empowerment: A Qualitative Data Analysis

Community health agents (CHAs) play a critical role in primary healthcare delivery and health promotion in low-resource settings. Though there is substantial evidence of the benefits of CHAs in achieving targeted community health outcomes, there is limited research into the impact of empowerment experienced by CHAs themselves. This study examined how working as a CHA impacts the lives and self-perceptions of women in Peru volunteering with Catholic Medical Mission Board’s (CMMB) markedly successful robust CHA model. We conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) of 53 CHAs who implement CMMB programming in Trujillo and Huancayo, Peru. The FGDs were designed to explore themes related to empowerment, changes in women’s lives, and perceptions of themselves. We identified four major themes related to women’s empowerment: achievements, agency, meaningfulness, and resources. The most common empowerment theme was achievements, expressed through subthemes of changes in family behavior, self worth, education, health and nutrition, and rights and politics. The second most common empowerment theme was agency, with subthemes related to increases in using their voice, confidence, decision making, and participation. CHAs also reported experiencing empowerment through enhanced meaningfulness. CMMB’s CHA model is an example of how well-structured community programs can facilitate women’s empowerment. Providing meaningful community leadership opportunities can have far-reaching effects on women’s perceptions of themselves as valuable, capable, and empowered leaders. This work deepens our understanding of how to practically improve community health through empowering women to catalyze gender equality in communities with disproportionate barriers and limited opportunities burdening them.

Fungible Citizenship

Fungible Citizenship

A Thin Line Between Helpful and Harmful Internet Usage: Embodied Research on Internet Experiences Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to expand upon findings from a prior Delphi study of adolescent and young adults' (AYAs') preferences for cancer resources. Utilizing an embodied approach, this study intended to elucidate a deeper and nuanced understanding of the expressed benefits and risks of engaging in cancer-related online interactions. Methods: Using Gale et al.'s framework method for qualitative, multidisciplinary health research and Thanem and Knights's embodied research methods for the social sciences, an investigative team of embodied researchers (AYA cancer patients turned researchers) conducted semistructured in-depth interviews with AYA cancer patients (n = 10) diagnosed between ages 15 and 39 years. To generate themes, researchers identified commonalities and differences within the qualitative data, and indexed codes according to the agreed analytic framework. Furthermore, by fully engaging with personal reflexivity, bracketing, and analytic memos across data collection and analysis, the investigative team elucidated benefits and risks of embodied research. Results: Findings impart evidence on AYAs' needs for internet-based content at the time of cancer diagnosis, use of the internet to fulfill cancer-related needs, perception of gaps in online cancer resources, and advice to other AYA cancer patients accessing internet-based information and support. Content analysis of interview data on participants' descriptions of personal engagement with the internet revealed beneficial themes of empowerment and harmful themes of fear-inducing consequences. Conclusions: In our rapidly evolving context of postpandemic internet reliance, developers of online cancer content should prioritize and respond to the nuanced vulnerabilities of AYAs. Future research must include socioeconomically disadvantaged participants to better understand practical challenges and promote health equity.

Last love: The ‘double standard of ageing’ and women's experience of gender and sexuality at mid-life

This paper explores the concept of the double standard of ageing as applied to women's experience and perceptions of mid-life sexuality and love affairs. Drawing on a selection of popular and literary women's writing, it argues that the recurring trope or motif of the ‘last chance’ affair is an ideological vehicle that serves to age women by dividing their lives in two – pre and post-sexual, youthful and middle-aged - with all the associations of a decline in status and value that have, moreover, much broader implications for gendered equality. There is also a submerged theme of empowerment running through these women's stories, through which, among other things, it is possible to critique normative sexuality, which enshrines male privilege, at earlier points in the life course. However, the continued salience of the double standard suggests both the presence of a powerful tributary feeding ongoing gender inequality and the role that age plays in this.

415 - Promoting empowerment for nursing homes residents with dementia: a feasibility study of the SPAN+ program

Introduction:For feeling empowered, a sense of identity, usefulness, control, and self-worth is important for people living with dementia. We developed an empowerment intervention called the SPAN+ program to promote empowerment for nursing home residents with dementia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of the SPAN+ program for these residents.Methods:Healthcare professionals of two dementia special care units of one care organization worked with the SPAN+ intervention, which lasted for four months (September 2020 – December 2020). During the intervention, they reflected together on the four themes of empowerment for each resident, and set specific goals. Subsequently, they discussed and adjusted these goals with family caregivers and the person living with dementia (when possible). Furthermore, their personal professional development was targeted by specific exercises around the themes of empowerment.We used the method of Bowen and colleagues (2009) to evaluate the feasibility of the SPAN+program in terms of acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, integration, and possible efficacy.Qualitative data was collected through interviews and a focus group discussion with participating healthcare professionals. Quantitative data was collected through standardized questionnaires filled in by healthcare professionals and family caregivers at baseline and at four- month follow-up.Results:Preliminary results show that the SPAN+ program supports healthcare professionals to increase attention for empowerment of residents living with dementia, by reflecting together with other healthcare professionals on what matters for each individual resident. Difficulties were reported in engaging family caregivers in the SPAN+ program.Conclusion:The SPAN+ program seems valuable to increase the focus of healthcare professionals on a sense of identity, usefulness, control, and self-worth of people living with dementia in a nursing home, and to promote their empowerment.

Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for recurrent depressive disorder

AimsMindfulness-based therapies have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing anxiety, stress and depressive symptoms in adults. Depression is a chronic relapsing condition. Major depressive disorder is one of the most common causes of ill health and functional impairment.Our goal was to assess the real world clinical effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Recurrent Depressive Disorder in three domains:-Depression, anxiety and stress levels-Mindfulness level-Self-compassion levelMethodPatients with a diagnosis of Recurrent Depressive Disorder (primary or secondary diagnosis) were referred by their community mental health team to participate in an 8-week educational MBCT programme. Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS), 5-Facet Mindfulness and Self Compassion self-rated scales prior to commencing and at the end of the course. They were also invited to give qualitative feedback at the end of the course.Data were collected from four groups who completed the course over a period of twelve months. A paired samples test was used to compare pre and post intervention scores to determine effect size.ResultWe had complete data for 19 participants out of a cohort of 34. Pre intervention scores were similar for both groups.The mean age of the cohort was 47 years (SD of 10 years), 3 male, 16 female.Patients showed a clinically significant reduction of symptoms in depression, anxiety and stress, with respective reductions of 48%, 26% and 43% post intervention. Results were statistically significant for depressaion and stress p &lt;0.001 but not for anxiety p = 0.130.Positive trends were seen in all domains of the 5-Fact Mindfulness and Self Compassions scales, with mean improvements of 28.2% and 35.3% respectively. All results were statistically significant.We also collected anonymized qualitative feedback which highlighted themes of empowerment, skill acquisition and improved coping.ConclusionNumerous studies have demonstrated poor compliance with antidepressant treatments commonly prescribed in Recurrent Depressive Disorder. This small scale study demonstrates a statistical and clinical benefit of MBCT for these patients, supporting greater use of such novel non-pharmacological therapeutic options as treatment strategies..

Mental Spaces of Marginalization and Resistance in Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings A Discourse-Historical Approach

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969) is the first of seven autobiographical books by the American author Maya Angelou. The book recounts Angelou’s childhood and adolescence from age 3 through 16. She narrates her unsettled and traumatic childhood through the themes of intimidation, racism, rape, displacement and family. Her adolescence is narrated through themes of empowerment and resistance. The present study adopts a discourse historical approach (DHA) which is primarily concerned with the integration of the social and political backgrounds of the discursive events. Besides, DHA is highly relevant to discourse studies of inequality and national identity. Its analytical categories reveal the discursive construction of 'self' and 'other' in discourse either positively or negatively (Reisigl & Wodak, 2001). The paper incorporates the five discursive strategies with Fauconnier's (1985, 1997) Mental Space Theory (MST) which represents the study's cognitive aspect. Mental spaces help illustrate the speakers reality as opposed to their wishes, attitudes and attributes. The study aims to examine how strategies of marginalization and resistance are discursively represented. It also seeks to demonstrate the effect of those strategies on the construction of Angelou’s identity by revealing their conceptual structure. Finally, the study reveals the power imbalance in relationships by examining the notion of marginalization through which intimidation and racism are discursively represented. Confronting these techniques, the analyses shed light on Angelou’s discourse of resistance.

Can an Ecological, Multilingual Approach Help Us to Better Support Reunited Refugee Families in Scotland with Language Learning?

This paper seeks to explore the relationship between academic literature, policy, and practice in terms of language learning within the specific context of refugee families who have recently reunited in Glasgow through the British Red Cross Family Reunion Integration Service. The paper presents research findings from a pilot teaching study, working collaboratively with participants within their first few weeks of arriving in Scotland to explore whether an ecological, multilingual approach to language learning is effective in this context. Building on principles of translanguaging with participants using their full “linguistic repertoire” (Garcia &amp; Kleifgen, 2010) and drawing on Norton’s construct of “investment” (2013) the paper explores key themes of empowerment and identity in the classroom. The results enable us to draw conclusions regarding the balance of power in the classroom and the impact of the recognition of refugees’ own languages within the learning process.

Empoderamento feminino na agricultura familiar

O empoderamento feminino é um assunto que, não raro, sofre de preconceito no meio rural, pelas questões culturais advindas das gerações passadas que sempre consideraram a mulher um ser fraco e relegado ao segundo plano nos trabalhos da propriedade rural. O estudo, de cunho bibliográfico, busca demonstrar a importância da mulher do campo, como partícipe decisiva na economia da pequena propriedade da agricultura familiar. Neste contexto, o empoderamento é ação decisiva em busca de sua sustentabilidade. O texto aborda a temática do empoderamento, do feminismo e questões de gênero, da agricultora familiar e seu lugar de fala. Apresenta as discussões da sociedade atual, que cobra uma maior participação da mulher no contexto das decisões que afetam a sua realidade, bem como na mudança de paradigmas da própria sociedade. A partir de um processo de empoderamento, a mulher passa a reconhecer o seu lugar no âmbito da agricultura familiar, não só como mão de obra ativa no desempenho das atividades laborativas, mas como gestora do ambiente em que vive e está inserida, gerando desta forma, mudanças na sua posição social, econômica, cultural e política.

Parents' experiences of VOICE: A novel support programme in the NICU.

BackgroundAdmission of an infant to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is often a stressful experience for parents and can be associated with feelings of inadequacy to fulfil the desirable parental role. The values, opportunities, integration, control, and evaluation (VOICE) programme was developed to engage parents in care, to decrease stress, and to increase empowerment.AimTo explore the experiences of parents regarding involvement in the VOICE programme during admission of their infant to the NICU.DesignThe VOICE programme includes at least five personal structured meetings between parents, nurses, and other health care professionals throughout the pathway from birth, NICU, and follow up. A qualitative design was adopted using semi‐structured interviews. Interviews with 13 parents of 11 infants born at <27 weeks' gestational age were conducted: nine mothers and two couples of father and mother. Thematic analysis was deployed.ResultsThe findings have been described in one overarching theme: “parental empowerment.” Parents felt strengthened and were empowered in the development of their role as primary caretaker by the VOICE programme. The parental empowerment theme emerged from four related interpretive themes that were derived: (a) involvement in care, (b) personalized information and communication, (c) transition to a parental role, and (d) emotional support.ConclusionThe VOICE programme can be a structured approach used to implement family support in a NICU to empower parents to become a partner in the care of their infant and feel confident.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study encourages health care professionals to provide parental support through a structured intervention programme, which contributes to the empowerment of parents in the NICU and encouraged them to participate in care and decision‐making.

Stuttering-Related Podcasts: Audio-Based Self-Help for People Who Stutter

PurposeIt is known that people who stutter (PWS) benefit from self-help experiences, such as attending support groups or conferences. However, limited research has been done to explore the listening of stuttering-related podcasts as a form of self-help for PWS. This study seeks to understand the reasons why PWS listen to stuttering-related podcasts and provide descriptions of their listening experiences.MethodThirty-three PWS who have listened to stuttering-related podcasts were recruited to participate in an online survey that included multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Responses were analyzed and grouped into descriptive themes.ResultsParticipants reported listening to stuttering-related podcasts as a way to gain information and perspective. They also reported experiences that fit themes of empowerment and camaraderie, as a result of listening.ConclusionsStuttering-related podcasts seem to be a positive self-help tool for PWS. Stuttering support group leaders and/or speech-language pathologists may consider introducing their group members or clients who stutter to this type of audio-based self-help experience.