Search Results (281)

In the Hexaflex model of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychological flexibility refers to the ability to openly embrace difficult thoughts and emotions while acting in alignment with personal values. In contrast, psychological inflexibility involves rigid avoidance and control strategies that hinder adaptive functioning. Although previously studied, more culturally relevant evidence is needed to inform interventions that promote well-being and mental health among Latin American students. This study explored manifestations of psychological flexibility and inflexibility in 15 undergraduate students from the University of Magdalena in Colombia (mean age = 20.13 years; 53.33% female) through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews (~45 min each). Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), focusing on how participants described and made sense of their experiences. A total of 25 emergent themes were identified and grouped into 12 subordinate themes, mapped onto the 6 core ACT processes. The participants reported efforts to control or avoid distressing internal experiences, often resulting in difficulty acting in accordance with their values. The findings highlight a recurring ambivalence between avoidance and acceptance, and barriers to committed action, underscoring the dynamic interplay between flexibility and inflexibility. These results support the relevance of ACT-based interventions, such as structured group sessions that foster acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based behavior. Integrating this training into counseling and academic support services could enhance students’ well-being and performance. Future research should examine these dynamics longitudinally and across diverse contexts. Full article

Background/Objective: Non-specific chronic neck pain (CNP) greatly affects the social dynamics, the work performance, and the personal independence of patients. Research emphasizes the significant role of sociological factors, psychological stress, and emotional conflicts in the development, regulation, and endurance of chronic pain. This study aims to explore the influence of emotional conflicts on pain experience among CNP patients, drawing from their experiences. Methods: A phenomenological investigation was conducted, grounded in Heideggerian philosophy, involving CNP patients and healthcare professionals in Madrid, Spain. Participants were recruited from Primary Health Care centers. Data collection methods included semi-structured in-depth interviews, focus groups with patients, focus groups with healthcare providers, participant observation, and reflective diaries. Hermeneutic phenomenology guided the data interpretation. Thematic analysis was applied to transcribed audio recordings. Results: This study included 12 patients with CNP who participated in two in-depth interviews conducted at different time points—before and after receiving physiotherapy treatment. Additionally, 23 CNP patients took part in four focus groups, and 46 healthcare professionals (including physicians, nurses, and physiotherapists) participated in three focus groups. A hermeneutic analysis revealed the following three main categories: “Self-concept and pain experience”, “Daily life obligations and pain perception”, and “Emotional conflicts related to CNP”. Patients described themselves as nervous, having communication difficulties, and often prioritizing family or work tasks, leading to stress. They indicated that their interpersonal conflicts with close relations intensified their perceived pain in the neck, head, shoulders, and arms. Conclusions: From the perspective of the participants in this study, interpersonal and emotional conflicts appear to influence their perception of CNP. Full article

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 10% of the global population and imposes a growing burden on healthcare systems. Aim: To explore nurses’ perceptions of their roles in CKD care and identify factors influencing role implementation. Methods: An Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA) was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 16 purposively selected nurses from all district hospitals in the Republic of Cyprus. Thematic analysis was conducted on the transcribed data. Findings: Nurses identified five core roles in CKD care: machine operator, holistic caregiver, bureaucratic coordinator, patient educator, and emotional supporter. These roles varied by setting. Key influencing factors included nurse training, organizational challenges, barriers to patient education, patient behavior, and nurses’ coping strategies. Conclusions: Nurses are essential to quality CKD care, particularly in patient education. A framework was developed to address barriers and support nurses, healthcare organizations, and patients in improving care delivery. Full article

The aim of this work is to explore and understand the lived experience of nurses who chose to schedule visits with an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), i.e., a dog, during their working shift. Background/Objectives: Nursing practice is rigorous, weighted with intense responsibility that creates an environment conducive to stress and anxiety for the nurses, who have reported a higher level of work stress than other healthcare professionals. Knowing and addressing the factors impacting mental health/nurses’ well-being is crucial to providing care to patients. Stressful work environments result in burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety, suicide, and resignation. Understanding nurses’ perspectives on work related stress encourages hospitals to structure practices supporting nurses’ mental health and ability to provide quality care. Methods: A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach was employed. Participants scheduled six weekly 10-min visits with Rex, a certified Service Dog for anxiety depression and PTSD, and registered ESA. A sample of 11 RNs participated in Rex visits at the workplace; field notes were taken during observations of visits. Semi-structured 30-min interviews conducted via Zoom, audio-recorded, and transcribed with NVivo were conducted. Results: Data were examined with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four main themes emerged: Preparing for the unknown, Doing the work, Refueling and resetting-Visits with Rex, What about nurses? Conclusions: This study highlights the need for nurses and hospital systems to incorporate self-care/self-reflection, including time/opportunities for nurses’ stress management during their practice. Knowledge of nurses receiving ESA interventions sheds light on how to protect/preserve the well-being of nurses practicing in this demanding profession. ESAs for nurses in the workplace offers an option to utilize dog therapy to re-energize and continue their shift renewed and refreshed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Family assistance by adolescents (e.g., cooking, cleaning, listening to family members) is a common phenomenon. However, the impact of such assistance on adolescent development remains a topic of debate. Increasingly, the importance of adolescents’ own perceptions and interpretations is being emphasized in understanding how family assistance influences their development. Adolescents in marriage immigrant families may face unique psychosocial challenges as they support their immigrant parents. This study explores the family assistance experiences of adolescents in marriage immigrant families. Methods: Data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews with 10 adolescents aged 13–18 years from currently married marriage immigrant families, all of whom were born in Korea. The interviews were conducted between October and November 2022. The data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: The family assistance experiences were categorized into three main themes, namely, “Old enough to help—naturally, and rightly so”, “Foreign mother whom I naturally come to help”, and “Unavoidable family assistance, even under pressure”, and 10 subordinate themes. The adolescents provided support naturally, grounded in familial obligation and empathy toward their immigrant mothers. When the native Korean father shared the responsibilities, the assistance was not perceived as burdensome. However, diminished paternal involvement, traditional gender role expectations, and unmet emotional or academic needs led to more negative perceptions and psychological stress. Conclusions: Support systems are needed to ensure that adolescents do not assume sole responsibility for both the native father’s and the immigrant mother’s roles within marriage immigrant families. Full article

In an era of increasing digital transformation in education, fostering students’ intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning (SDL) is essential, particularly in dynamic fields such as Computer Science Education (CSE). This study explores whether the co-creation of Open Educational Resources (OERs) as renewable assessments can enhance intrinsic motivation and support SDL among postgraduate students. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, social constructivism, and established SDL models, this research adopted a qualitative, phenomenological design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with BEd Honours students who completed an OER co-creation project as part of their final assessment. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed five core themes: ownership and confidence, personal growth and SDL development, collaboration and connection, motivation and engagement, and challenges and problem solving. The findings suggest that, when students are given autonomy, purpose, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully, they experience deeper engagement, stronger SDL skills, and a greater sense of academic agency. Informal peer interaction and scaffolded support further enhanced their learning. This study contributes to the growing evidence that open pedagogical practices, particularly renewable assessments, can transform academic culture by positioning students as active participants in knowledge creation and by promoting sustainable, student-centred learning. Full article

This research explores a studio experience conducted at the Department of Architecture, Gebze Technical University, focusing on the integration of tectonic housing concepts into architectural design education. The study adopts a comprehensive methodology combining phenomenological readings, material experimentation, and contextual analysis through seminars, workshops, and studio projects. Innovative and experimental approaches were employed to move beyond traditional representation techniques, enabling students to engage with architecture through dynamic and multisensory methods. Findings demonstrate that this approach significantly enhances students’ creative capacities, fosters environmental responsiveness, and promotes a deeper understanding of the built environment. The study concludes that integrating tectonic interpretations into studio education can offer a transformative model for future architectural practice, providing a sustainable and human-centered design framework for architectural education and research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Concussions, their physical presentation, and patients’ recovery have been researched and documented numerous times, but the experiences of surviving and recovering from a concussion need to be explored further. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of NCAA Division I, II, and III student athletes who had suffered from one or more concussions. Methods: The consensual qualitative research (CQR) methodology was employed, guiding the formation of the interview questions and the analysis of the responses. The participants completed a free-response questionnaire as well as a semi-structured virtual interview that utilized a blend of idiographic, inductive, hermeneutic, and interpretive phenomenological approaches. Through their questionnaire and interview responses, they discussed their experience being concussed at a collegiate level. Results: Ten NCAA student athletes described their various physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related symptoms due to receiving their concussion(s). Many of these student athletes reported feelings of loneliness, being misunderstood, or even not feeling “normal or at baseline” during and after their concussion recovery. One primary finding was the key role the athletic trainers played in the student athletes’ recovery process from initially receiving the concussion to their return to play. Conclusions: These findings will help contribute to the knowledge of what it is like to experience one or multiple concussions, the recovery process, and how that process can be improved. Full article

Background: Healthcare is a dynamic environment for nurses, with early career nurses (ECNs) needing to adapt and learn while also meeting care demands. Effective support systems, mentorship, and continuous professional development are vital in facilitating their transition while navigating competing demands. The aim of this study is to interpret and understand the meaning of ECNs’ professional experiences four years after completing their bachelor’s degree in Australia. Method: A qualitative descriptive design using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used as part of a longitudinal study. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were conducted among twenty-five ECNs between 2022 and 2024 using purposive sampling to recruit ECNs who had graduated four years ago. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data while adhering to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: Four themes emerged among participants, which encompassed professional growth and unwavering commitment, ongoing professional adaptability, feeling stuck with limited choices, and continual learning amid career challenges and personal life demands. Conclusions: Change is needed to ensure professional learning becomes a shared responsibility among policy makers and healthcare leaders and to ensure that professional learning leads to more nurses taking up further study, thus increasing the safety and quality of care delivered in the healthcare environment. Full article

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to increased risk of deliberate self-harm (DSH), yet little is known about how women in forensic inpatient settings with histories of childhood abuse understand their self-harm. This study aimed to explore how such women make sense of their self-harm, including perceived contributing and protective factors. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six female psychiatric inpatients (aged 22–38) detained in a low-secure forensic hospital in the north of England. All had a history of ACEs and DSH. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data. Results: Three overarching themes were identified: (1) Journey of self-harm, (2) reasons for self-harm, and (3) relationships and self-harm. Participants described self-harm as a method of emotional regulation, a way to regain control, or a means of feeling something. Protective factors included supportive relationships, self-awareness, and having meaningful goals. The findings reflect complex, evolving understandings of self-harm shaped by personal histories and relational dynamics. Conclusions: This study highlights the persistent and multifaceted nature of self-harm among women in forensic settings. The findings support the need for trauma-informed interventions that address emotion regulation, relational support, and personal empowerment. Implications for clinical practice and directions for future research are discussed. Full article

We survey developments in the use of entropy maximization for applying the Gibbs Canonical Ensemble to finite situations. Biological insights are invoked along with physical considerations. In the game-theoretic approach to entropy maximization, the interpretation of the two player roles as predator and prey provides a well-justified and symmetric analysis. The main focus is placed on the Lagrange multiplier approach. Using natural physical units with Planck’s constant set to unity, it is recognized that energy has the dimensions of inverse time. Thus, the conjugate Lagrange multiplier, traditionally related to absolute temperature, is now taken with time units and oriented to follow the Arrow of Time. In quantum optics, where energy levels are bounded above and below, artificial singularities involving negative temperatures are eliminated. In a biological model where species compete in an environment with a fixed carrying capacity, use of the Canonical Ensemble solves an instance of Eigen’s phenomenological rate equations. The Lagrange multiplier emerges as a statistical measure of the ecological age. Adding a weak inequality on an order parameter for the entropy maximization, the phase transition from initial unconstrained growth to constrained growth at the carrying capacity is described, without recourse to a thermodynamic limit for the finite system. Full article

Background: Little is known about the perspectives of elite female rugby union players and practitioners towards rehabilitation and return to play (RTP) following shoulder injuries and how to manage these complex injuries. Methods: An interpretive hermeneutic phenomenology study was undertaken within a subtle realist paradigmatic view. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite female rugby union players and practitioners working in elite female rugby union. Data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis. Results: Four themes emerged from the data: (1) growth of the women’s game, which involved several influences on the support and resources players received; (2) different viewpoints between players and practitioners concerning injury reporting and objective testing; (3) threats to identity, a player-only generated theme centred around the risk to their career following a significant injury and the isolation they faced; and (4) RTP, exploring strategies and influences to players’ and practitioners’ confidence in the RTP process following a shoulder injury. Conclusions: Practitioners should consider the non-physical factors during the rehabilitation process and the theory of care concept in supporting and collaborating with female rugby union players following a shoulder injury. Full article

Despite the climate crisis, a significant barrier to sustainability is limitations to the current accounting and reporting system. These deficiencies, mean the global financial system continues to invest trillions of dollars annually in environmentally sub-optimal projects. To catalyze the economic transition away from fossil-fuel and plastic configurations to more sustainable ones, sustainability accounting and reporting (SAR) is imperative. However, theoretical contention, pragmatic concerns, and costs stoke strong resistance to SAR. The research used ablative thematic analysis to apply hermeneutic phenomenology. First, it scanned the backdrop to the SAR problem and identified a corpus of recent literature from key associated institutions. The initial interpretation of the texts disentangled SAR’s conflicting threads and generated three themes of ‘climate crisis’ and ‘conservative’ or more ‘radical’ SAR reform paradigms. Iteratively harnessing these thematic lenses, the investigation re-examined the SAR literature corpus. The textual ‘dialogue’ generated understanding of the fragmented SAR responses to the climate crisis. Accordingly, the research reformulated its first theme to ‘dystopic climate crisis fragmentation’ and refined the other themes to take account of materiality and the split between Anglo-Saxon (IFRS, SSAB) or global (UN) and continental European accounting institutions (EU, GRI). Conservatives retain a single materiality investor-focus and concede only incremental standard improvements. Radicals seek to implement double materiality with a broader spectrum of stakeholders in mind. Both approaches have theoretical as well as pragmatic advantages and disadvantages, so the SAR contention rumbles on. Whilst the standard-setting landscape is evolving, disagreements remain. Its roots of contention are philosophical and pragmatic. Philosophically, radicals strive to temper libertarian anarcho-capitalist proclivities and broaden firm responsibility. Pragmatically, social, or environmental externalities are problematic to assign or measure. Given vested interests in the destructive status quo, it would be naïve to expect a harmonious SAR Ithaca to emerge anytime soon. Yet the challenges impel an intensification of SAR dialogue and concrete actions. Rather than a scientifically nomothetic contribution, the paper provides a qualitative, artful interpretation of a complex, contentious but crucial field. Full article

In the current clinical psychiatric practice in most of the world, treatment decisions are based on a person’s capacity to make these decisions. When a person lacks the capacity to understand and appreciate treatment decisions, in many jurisdictions a third-party substitute decision maker (SDM) is appointed on his or her behalf in order to promote safety and optimal clinical outcome. In Ontario, Canada, for example, family members (typically) or public guardians are appointed as SDMs, and they form an integral part of the medical–legal system in psychiatric care. Clinicians working with both patients and their SDMs in these circumstances encounter unique challenges and deliver care in specialized ways, though little research has focused on their experiences and reflections. Based on focus group data, this qualitative study uses a descriptive and interpretative phenomenological approach through thematic analysis to examine these aspects from clinicians working in both inpatient and outpatient settings of an urban teaching hospital’s psychiatric services in Toronto, Canada. Seven key themes emerged: Clinicians (1) appreciate hardships and challenges in lives of SDMs and patients—including the challenging emotions and experiences on both sides, and the risks and relational changes from being an SDM; (2) have an understanding of the patient’s situation and respect for patient autonomy and wishes—they are promoter of autonomy and mindful of patients’ prior wishes amidst patients’ fluctuating capacity, facilitating communication, keeping patients informed and promoting transitioning from SDM to self-determination; (3) have a special working relationship with family SDMs—including supporting SDMs, avoiding harm from delayed or denied treatment, and educating and collaborating with SDMs while maintaining professional boundaries; (4) at times find it difficult working with SDMs—stemming from working with over-involved or uninterested family SDMs, coping with perceived poor SDM decisions, and they sometimes ponder if SDMs are necessary; (5) delineate differences between family and Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) SDMs—they see PGT as closely aligned with medical decision makers, while family SDMs are more intimately involved and more likely to disagree with a physician’s recommendation; (6) recognize the importance of the SDM role in various contexts—through seeing social values in having SDMs, and acknowledging that having SDMS help them to feel better about their actions as they work to protect the patients; and (7) express ideas on how to improve the current system—at public, societal, and family SDM levels. We conclude that clinicians have unique mediating roles, with privilege and responsibility in understanding the different roles and challenges patients and SDMs face, and have opportunities to improve patient and SDM experiences, clinical outcomes, carry out education, and advocate for ethically just decisions. These clinical roles also come with frustration, discomfort, moral distress and at times vicarious trauma. Clinicians’ unique understanding of this complex and nuanced intersection of patient care provides insight into the core issues of autonomy, duty to care and protect, advocacy, and emotional dynamics involved in this sector as a larger philosophical and social movement to abolish SDMs, as advocated by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), is taking place. We briefly discuss the role of supported decision making as an alternative as. Full article

Although the existing literature provides some evidence of identity transformation among STEM teachers following their participation in various communities of practice (CoPs), the specific mechanisms driving this transformation remain unclear. This study attempted to narrow this gap by analyzing the transformation process of STEM teacher identity among CoP participants. This study constructed a STEM teacher identity model comprising six dimensions (motivation, task perception, self-image, teaching interest, self-efficacy and recognition). Six STEM teachers from Guangdong Province, China, were interviewed, and interview data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings revealed that, first, CoPs generally facilitated the transformation of STEM teachers’ identities, though anomalies were observed in the dimensions of teaching interest and parental recognition. Second, the degree of transformation in two identity dimensions (motivation and task perception) increased with STEM teaching experience, while teachers of science subjects demonstrated a stronger degree of self-efficacy. Third, case development and case presentation emerged as the most impactful CoP activities in fostering STEM teachers’ identity transformation. This study provides critical insights for advancing quality STEM education within the SDG4 framework by examining the identity transformation process of STEM teachers participating in CoPs. Full article