Use Of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Research Articles

Innovative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach in a coaching research project: implications for future qualitative coaching research and beyond

ABSTRACT This paper discusses an innovative use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) within a coach development research project. Since its introduction, key authors of IPA have been inviting researchers to innovate within the methodology. However, the response to the invitation has, to-date, been limited. In this paper, we address this absence by reflecting on the methodological choices within a recent global coaching study. This study is innovative compared to many IPA studies due to (a) the relatively large sample size; (b) involvement of multiple researchers and analysts; (c) researchers being part of the community and having direct experience of the phenomenon being investigated and (d) introduction of additional analytical steps. These individually and taken together within one project, provide a unique IPA research design. Our innovation facilitated a detailed account of the participants’ experience and a clear research output with implications for practice and research. This novel approach to IPA may help improve the scholarly confidence to innovate within qualitative methodologies in general, but particularly within IPA studies. The benefits of our approach – such as richness and enhanced understanding of the diversity of the phenomenon – may encourage scholars to explore bolder research designs to uncover hidden phenomena.

Exploring the Client-Therapist Relationship in Music Therapy

Introduction: Most of the existing literature on the therapeutic relationship in music therapy rests on the researcher’s point of view. Hence, there is a limited amount of research that focuses on what creates a helpful client-therapist relationship from the client’s perspective. This study aimed to explore what participants from various psychiatric units at different hospitals in Norway find to be helpful characteristics in the client-therapist relationship in music therapy.Method: Four participants were interviewed using in-depth semi-structured interviews focusing on their perspectives on what creates a helpful client-therapist relationship in music therapy. Through the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis, two superordinate themes, each with four following subordinate themes, were developed.Results: Two super-ordinate themes were developed, namely “Power relations” and “Feeling safe and being challenged.” The participants expressed that “to not feel judged,” “the use of layman’s language,” “informality, flexibility, and collaboration in treatment,” as well as “trust” and “honesty” are important elements for a helpful client-therapist relationship.Discussion: The findings presented in this article, are discussed in relation to theory from psychology, music therapy, and previous studies from the field of mental healthcare. All participants spoke about previous experiences of power imbalance in mental health care. The findings suggest that a relationship that is based on equality and mutual respect contributes to a feeling of trust – all of which are proposed as helpful characteristics in the client-therapist relationship in music therapy.

Informal caregiver motivations, values, challenges and gains: A photovoice and interpretative phenomenological analysis of interrelationships.

The adoption of a caregiving role in the context of illness and disability is often taken for granted. This study explores caregivers' motivations to provide care and how these relate to values, and to the challenges and gains of caregiving. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers and photographs were taken by caregivers to exemplify their caregiving experiences. This photo-elicitation method complemented the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis when applied to verbatim transcripts. Superordinate themes included: caregiver's life story; significance of family; caregiving obligations; caring relationship; challenges and gains associated with caregiver motivations. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations were less distinct in caregivers' lived experiences than previously suggested, and were influenced by family values and specific challenges and gains of caregiving. The coexistence of different motivations and the nature of single complex motivations is discussed. The importance of caregiver assessment and support planning, and regular breaks from caregiving are highlighted.

“Staka Woman Tumas”: An Examination of Police Perspectives on Gender-Balancing within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force

In countries emerging out of conflict, state-building initiatives tend to prioritize gender-balancing. Post-conflict police reform in the Solomon Islands aligned with this set standard, as capacity-building efforts within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) prioritized the empowerment, inclusion, and promotion of women within the force. Through the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) this study investigated, identified, and described common perceptions held by eighteen (18) officers about how they viewed gender reform in the RSIPF. The research found that although officers believed that gender-balancing was necessary, the increased inclusion of women conflicted with their traditional roles and positions and brought several challenges to the effective functioning of the force. It was also revealed that officers were of the view that the organization was not yet ready to fully embrace gender-balancing. The arguments presented herein further build on scholarly discussions about gender equality in policing organizations in small-island developing states in the Pacific.

Architects’ ‘enforced togetherness’: new design affordances of the home

Lockdown impositions have impacted people’s lives, their health and wellbeing, changing the ways in which dwellings are used and occupied. Spaces within the home have had to be rapidly renegotiated, redesigned and resynchronised in ways not yet fully explored or understood. Social relationships in the home have shifted and adapted as a result of ‘enforced togetherness’. This study presents a rich snapshot of 23 UK designer-architects’ transformative lived experiences of lockdown, using an interpretative phenomenological approach. It identifies four critical socio-spatial affordances that are rooted in the physical and mental wellbeing of the architects/designers. ‘Individuality’ suggests the need for increased physical separation to be alone. ‘Communality’ denotes a need for household members to be together. Both individuality and communality are seen as two opposite dimensions of the socio-spatial affordance of the home. ‘Adaptability’ points to requirements for flexible, decluttered and versatile spaces to enable ‘vibrancy’ not ‘suffocation’. Finally, ‘connectivity’ encompasses the need for a strong connection between the indoors and outdoors. These dimensions must be considered in housing design, so new housing models can emerge. The use of interpretative phenomenological analysis, employing the architectural tool of drawing, is shown to be a useful approach for housing research. <em><strong>Practice relevance</strong></em> The impact on households’ wellbeing as a consequence of Covid-19 lockdowns has led to new considerations for future housing design. In a post-Covid environment, the particular needs for housing have been transformed. The findings and insights from this study will help to reframe the existing conventions of housing design criteria (e.g. a reliance on defining space functions) toward a clearer set of qualities for inhabitant and household wellbeing. New housing criteria involving socio-spatial affordances of individuality, communality, adaptability, and connectivity are shown to be viable and highly appropriate. These new dimensions highlight how inhabitants’ wellbeing can be included in viable and affordable housing.

Barriers of Online Education in the New Normal: Teachers’ Perspectives

This paper explores college instructors’ lived experiences in an online learning environment. This study employed a qualitative research design with the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Ten college instructors from various private universities were involved in this study, and they were from learning institutions that fully implemented online learning delivery. They were trained by the institutions on how to use their learning management systems and other learning tools. Due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the data collection was done online using a semi-structured interview guide that was validated and checked by research experts. One-on-one interviews and focus group discussions were conducted until data saturation was reached. Findings revealed various barriers experienced by students. First, they experienced technological barriers, such as lack of good internet connectivity, lack of devices, and lack of technical skills in manipulating the online platforms. Second, there were attitudinal barriers, which include procrastination in doing school tasks on time, poor time management, and feeling unmotivated. Lastly, they experienced environmental barriers, which relate to noisy surroundings, lack of workspaces, and a distracting online environment.

Images of Resilience: Outness in Same-Gender Romantic Relationships

Outness is an inevitable component of lived experience for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. Relatedly, levels of outness change based on environment, social location, and surrounding influences, and little research exists exploring the construct of outness within same-gender romantic relationships. Through a photovoice methodology, participants engaged with participant-taken photographs depicting their experiences during a structured focus group. Through use of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, the researchers distilled themes within the focus group discussion and study artifacts to provide counselors and counselor educators with insight and depth into the role of outness in same-gender romantic relationships.

‘It’s been taken away’: an experience of a disappearing dyslexia diagnosis

ABSTRACT This research explores the experiences of Beth, a university student in the UK, as she comes to be labelled as ‘dyslexic’, and as she has her diagnosis taken away. Through use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and discourse analysis, the research seeks to understand how Beth made sense of these experiences, and to explore the discursive ‘life’ of dyslexia within this sense-making. The discussion in this paper proceeds chronologically through Beth’s story, from ‘struggle’, to ‘legitimation’ to ‘derogation’, and concludes with a call to recognise the role of diagnosis in the field of special educational needs (SEN) from a social constructionist and relational perspective.

Fathers' experiences as carers for autistic children with learning disabilities

Accessible Summary This research explored the experience of four fathers of autistic children who also have learning disabilities. Fathers' experiences as carers are increasingly recognised in the literature; however, the studies of parental experience tend to centre mothers. The current research builds upon the recent and important focus upon fathers' experiences. The fathers in this study sometimes felt helpless and unable to fulfil the traditional role as protectors and providers, but they also had strong feelings of closeness with their children and developed new identities through the challenges and joys they experienced alongside their children. AbstractBackgroundThis small study explores the lived experience of four UK‐based fathers (one black British, one white Polish and two white British) caring for at least one child with a dual diagnosis of learning disability and autism. The key aim was to get as close as possible to understanding the experience of these fathers in their role as carers.MethodsThe study makes use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as an approach to gathering (via interview) and making sense of the fathers' experiences.Findings and discussionWe co‐constructed three themes following analysis of the interview transcripts: "fatherhood: not doing enough, not doing it right"; "crossing worlds: relearning how to communicate and reclaiming fatherhood"; and "uncertain futures." We found that, for these fathers, the experiences of anxiety and helplessness were balanced with the appreciation of their value as protectors, their shifting sense of identity and of their closeness with their children. Relationships were central throughout.ConclusionsThe exploration of fathers' experiences helps to highlight the less‐measurable, nuanced aspects of the joys and challenges of caring for children with dual diagnoses of learning disability and autism which might be used to enhance the support provided and to inform new approaches.

“You can be my coach, but I am the one in charge” An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the importance of the coach-athlete relationship in Norwegian super-elite athletes

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of the coach-athlete relationship for two Norwegian male super-elite athletes. By means of semi-structured interviews and the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) the results revealed four emergent themes that represent underlying dynamics that influenced the athletes’ perception of what constitute an effective coach-athlete relationship; 1) Extreme independence. 2) Coaching without skills? 3) The coach as a butler, and 4) Expectations – make it or break it. These underlying dynamics are further discussed using the theoretical frameworks of coping strategies and power with the need for control as an important common denominator.

Exploring the experiences of student midwives completing the newborn infant physical examination: part 2

Background This is the second part of a series of two papers which explores the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) within midwifery education in order to examine students' perspectives of the newborn infant physical examination (NIPE). Part one, featured in the British Journal of Midwifery volume 28, no 2, explains the background to the development of the study and explores the use of IPA within an emerging aspect of midwifery education. Part two of the series will present the research findings and implications for practice. Objectives This study aims to explore the experiences of student midwives completing the theory and practice aspects of the NIPE within a pre-registration midwifery programme. Design A qualitative design was utilised to analyse data collected by semi-structured interviews. Setting A large university in the West Midlands geographical area. Participants Five student midwives were purposively selected to participate in the study. Methods This study was conducted using IPA. Findings Three superordinate themes were generated: learning by doing, mentorship and transition to qualification. The findings demonstrate the significance of student midwives being exposed to the practical aspect of the NIPE during their training. Conclusions The study findings indicate that standardisation is required within preparation to undertake the NIPE within clinical practice. Higher educational institutes must also provide greater support with regards to the mentorship of student midwife NIPE practitioners. Further research should examine the maintenance of the NIPE role within newly qualified midwives.

Work Related Paternal Absence among Petroleum Workers in Canada

Work-Related Parental Absence (WRPA) is common in contemporary family life. Industries such as aviation, fishing, logging, mining, and petroleum extraction all require the employee to work away from family from short to significant periods of time. In Canada’s petroleum industry, work schedules that involve parental absence are especially common. There has been ample research conducted on the impact of military deployment on families, some research on how mining families are impacted by WRPA, and a small amount of research on the effects of WRPA among offshore European petroleum workers and their families. However, there is no research currently available that investigates the impact of WRPA on Canadian oil and gas petroleum workers and their families. In this article, we share the results of a qualitative study that examined the experience of WRPA through interviewing 10 heterosexual couples. Use of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis identified a tripartite thematic structure consisting of positive, negative, and neutral aspects of the WRPA experience, which in turn were shaped by specific adaptive strategies undertaken by families. The results of this research provide important insights into a common, yet poorly understood, lifestyle within the Canadian employment landscape.

The journey to radiographer advanced practice: a methodological reflection on the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore perceptions and experiences

AbstractIntroduction:This paper is a methodological reflection on the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) utilised in the context of a qualitative research project that explored perceptions and experiences of the journey to radiographer advanced practice.Methods and materials:A two-phase qualitative research explored the perceptions and experiences. Phase 1 reviewed reflective diaries (n = 12) kept during the educational phase of the practitioner journeys. Phase 2 included one-to-one, semi-structured interviews (n = 6) which were recorded, transcribed verbatim and reviewed using the IPA six-stage thematic analysis for practitioners embedded in the advanced practice role.Findings:Key themes arising from reflective diary analysis informed the interview content; and following interview transcription, data immersion and IPA, 12 emergent sub-themes generated 3 superordinate themes.Discussion:Theoretical perspectives and application of the methodology are discussed. The phenomenological and interpretative qualities of IPA have the potential to provide unique and valuable insights into lived experiences of individuals. It is hoped that this researchers’ reflections are transferrable for those interested in employing a qualitative methodology for radiotherapy and oncology research.Conclusion:Therapeutic radiographers work within rapidly changing environments from technological, treatment and care perspectives. With continued development and change, the impact of research utilising an IPA methodology may allow exploration of perceptions and experiences from a range of key stakeholders with the potential to increase the research base.

Foster Parents’ Experiences with Child-Oriented Family Therapy: A Qualitative Study

Child-oriented family therapy places great emphasis on involving children directly in the course of therapy. The research question for this study was as follows: what are foster parents’ experiences from participating in child-oriented family therapy? To answer this question, we conducted four semi-structured qualitative interviews with foster parents who were connected to a child and adolescent mental health clinic. With the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis, four main findings were identified: (1) The therapist’s competence and way of being have significance; (2) Therapy helps in getting to know the inner life of the child; (3) The everyday life of the family is worked with through the sandbox; and (4) Understanding the child’s perspectives helps foster parents to relate in new ways with the child. The study showed that child-oriented family therapy provides arenas and facilitates dialogical processes in which the child is heard. The foster parents found that child-oriented family therapy had its starting point in real challenges the family faced every day. The concrete work in child-oriented family therapy led the foster parents to experience better collaboration between family members.

The Unfaithful Male in Monogamous and Non-Monogamous Marriage: A Phenomenological Case Study

A comparative case-study method grounded in phenomenology with the use of interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) demonstrated similarities and differences between two men’s experiences with engaging in extramarital affairs who were married to women in either a monogamous or a non-monogamous union. Despite the difference in their marital arrangements, both men were unfaithful to their wives and demonstrated similar themes in their lives, which included religious obligations, communication conflicts, loss of connection in marriage, deception, sexual restriction, absent fathers, compartmentalization of sexual behavior, guilt, and addiction. Differences included how men created boundaries, emotional connections with affair partners, power differentials, and sexual experiences.

Handling “Hot Potatoes”: Ethical, Legal, Safeguarding, and Political Quandaries of Researching Drug-Using Offenders

Conducting qualitative field research involving drug users within a politicized criminal justice setting presents a unique set of ethical, legal, and safeguarding concerns and quandaries for researchers. There is a paucity of qualitative research with community-based drug-using offenders who form part of the UK Government (England and Wales) criminal justice strategies (Senker and Green; Hucklesby and Wincup). Hodgson, Parker, and Seddon highlighted this group as an emerging study population. This article aims to provide a more recent contribution covering the difficulties of accessing and researching with a hard to reach and politicized criminal justice drug-using population, such as risks of re-traumatization, risk assessment, safeguarding, criminal disclosure, and personal safety. The first author reflects on her research from her own unique political position as a policy advisor to the UK Government on criminal justice drug policy, with a view to providing recommendations for research with a hard to reach and hidden population who represent a marginalized group. The combination of reflexivity in research and the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis as a research methodology proved helpful in addressing and overcoming some of these ethical, political, and other quandaries.

The Role of Spirituality on the Quality of Life Among Elderly People in the Multicultural Context

The aim of the research is to compare the well-being and social life of people over sixty years of age depending on the degree of national spirituality. The goal is to capture and describe the quality of life and spirituality among the Bhutanese, Norwegian and Chinese populations in comparison with Czech participants, mainly by semi-structured interviews and the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis serving as a tool for evaluating given interviews. For research work, it is crucial to contribute to the understanding of phenomena that can lead to greater seniors' satisfaction, which is important because the amount of these people is still increasing. The current results have shown a big difference between the religion in Norway and Bhutan, the country of happiness. There was found a strong belief in Tibetan Buddhism among Bhutanese participants so far. None of the participants considered himself an atheist or a person with non-religious spirituality. All respondents showed a high level of satisfaction with life, and they often experienced joy. They come from well functional families and are happy with themselves. Norwegian participants are mostly agnostic or non-religious spiritual persons. None of them has proved to be a practicing believer nor a strict atheist. They felt the sense of life primarily in sport and in nature, they often mention cross-country skiing as a way of getting closer to the spirit. Furthermore, the intention is to extend the research on other nations.

The Role of Spirituality on the Quality of the Life Among Elderly People in the Multicultural Context

The aim of the research is to compare the well-being and social life of people over sixty years of age depending on the degree of national spirituality. The goal is to capture and describe the quality of life and spirituality among the Bhutanese, Norwegian and Chinese populations in comparison with Czech participants, mainly by semi-structured interviews and the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis serving as a tool for evaluating given interviews. For research work, it is crucial to contribute to the understanding of phenomena that can lead to greater seniors' satisfaction, which is important because the amount of these people is still increasing. The current results have shown a big difference between the religion in Norway and Bhutan, the country of happiness. There was found a strong belief in Tibetan Buddhism among Bhutanese participants so far. None of the participants considered himself an atheist or a person with non-religious spirituality. All respondents showed a high level of satisfaction with life, and they often experienced joy. They come from well functional families and are happy with themselves. Norwegian participants are mostly agnostic or non-religious spiritual persons. None of them has proved to be a practicing believer nor a strict atheist. They felt the sense of life primarily in sport and in nature, they often mention cross-country skiing as a way of getting closer to the spirit. Furthermore, the intention is to extend the research on other nations.

Chi Sigma Iota Chapter Faculty Advisors’ Experiences of Professional Counselor Identity

ABSTRACTWe explored Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) primary chapter faculty advisors’ (CFAs) understandings and experiences of professional counselor identity through the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results suggest that CFAs experienced and understood their professional counselor identity through (a) meaningful interactions with students, (b) a sense of pride in their CFA role, and (c) a sense of cohesiveness the role provided. Implications for CFAs, CSI chapters, and the development of professional counseling identity are included.

Women as counselling and psychotherapy clients: Researching the therapeutic relationship

The present study explores women clients’ experiences of the therapeutic relationship and their meaning making of the effective therapeutic dyad. The participants of the study were 27 female psychotherapy and counselling clients. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted and the data was analysed with the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings indicated: (a) women clients’ attempt to define their relationship with their counsellor by comparing it to other interpersonal relationships, mostly to friendship or to family relationships; (b) their experience of the qualitative characteristics and the feelings associated with an effective therapeutic relationship; and (c) their experience of the counsellors’ role to the therapeutic outcome. The above results are fully discussed along with implications for practice.