an article by Sarah L. Plimley and Sarah Krahenbuhl (Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK) published in Safer Communities Volume 18 Issue 3/4 (20119)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand what motivates members of the public to volunteer within the Special Constabulary and seek to understand their experiences when engaging in this role. There is little qualitative research examining the experiences of volunteers and yet such literature is pivotal in supporting positive future engagement of a valuable resource.
Design/methodology/approach
Six currently serving Special Constables (SC) were interviewed about their role. The semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analysed qualitatively through thematic analysis.
Findings
Thematic analysis identified four main themes: “Proud to be a Special”: active demonstration of pro-social behaviour; “Lines of Division”: recognition of distinction between SC and Regular Police Officers; “Levels of Training”: adverse consequences of inadequate training; and “Mind the Gap”: impact of financial austerity. The SC recognised their role as a utilitarian resource with both positive and negative impacts on all Police Officers.
Originality/value
The findings highlighted the need for a careful balance between having enough SC to maintain appropriate policing and yet ensuring opportunity for sufficient experience to develop and implement their skills, successful demonstration of which would support more positive working relationships with Regular Police Officers.
Showing posts with label qualitative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label qualitative. Show all posts
Monday, 4 November 2019
Thursday, 8 August 2019
‘‘They’re Going to Smoke Anyway’: A Qualitative Study of Community Mental Health Staff and Consumer Perspectives on the Role of Social and Living Environments in Tobacco Use and Cessation
an article by Laura Twyman (Tabacco Control Unit, Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia; University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia), Carla Cowles (Human Capital Alliance, Potts Point, NSW, Australia), Scott C. Walsberger (Tabacco Control Unit, Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia), Amanda L. Baker and Billie Bonevski (University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia) and the Tackling Tobacco Mental Health Advisory Group published by Frontiers in Psychiatry: Smoking and Schizophrenia research
Background
Addressing the high prevalence of tobacco use experienced by people with severe mental illness (SMI) requires consideration of the influence of wider cultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors. This qualitative study aimed to examine the impact of social and living environments on tobacco use and cessation by people with SMI accessing community managed mental health services. The perspectives of both staff and consumers with SMI were explored.
Methods
Semi-structured focus groups were undertaken with a purposive sample of community mental health staff and consumers from three sites in three major cities in NSW, Australia. Two sites provided outreach support, and one site provided residential support. Data were collected (2017–2018) until saturation was reached. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was conducted.
Results
Thirty-one staff and 17 consumers participated separately in six focus groups. Themes identified by staff included a degree of fatalism, conceptualising tobacco use as choice rather than addiction and tensions between cessation support and broader models of care. Staff viewed smoke-free home and mental health service policies as effective at promoting quitting but contradictory to recovery-oriented models of care. Consumers identified smoking as an integral part of life and social networks, as a way of maintaining control and lack of social support to quit as key themes. While many consumers reported smoking inside the home, others described enforcing smoke-free rules.
Conclusion
Social and living environments played an integral role in tobacco use and cessation for both staff and consumers. The role of community managed mental health organisations in addressing tobacco use within social and living environments was not strongly supported by staff and sometimes seen as antithetical to recovery-oriented models of care. Potential ways to address this include education and training for prospective and current community mental health organisation staff highlighting the synergy between the recovery-oriented model and provision of preventive health support.
Full text (HTML) with access to (PDF 11pp) for download
Background
Addressing the high prevalence of tobacco use experienced by people with severe mental illness (SMI) requires consideration of the influence of wider cultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors. This qualitative study aimed to examine the impact of social and living environments on tobacco use and cessation by people with SMI accessing community managed mental health services. The perspectives of both staff and consumers with SMI were explored.
Methods
Semi-structured focus groups were undertaken with a purposive sample of community mental health staff and consumers from three sites in three major cities in NSW, Australia. Two sites provided outreach support, and one site provided residential support. Data were collected (2017–2018) until saturation was reached. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was conducted.
Results
Thirty-one staff and 17 consumers participated separately in six focus groups. Themes identified by staff included a degree of fatalism, conceptualising tobacco use as choice rather than addiction and tensions between cessation support and broader models of care. Staff viewed smoke-free home and mental health service policies as effective at promoting quitting but contradictory to recovery-oriented models of care. Consumers identified smoking as an integral part of life and social networks, as a way of maintaining control and lack of social support to quit as key themes. While many consumers reported smoking inside the home, others described enforcing smoke-free rules.
Conclusion
Social and living environments played an integral role in tobacco use and cessation for both staff and consumers. The role of community managed mental health organisations in addressing tobacco use within social and living environments was not strongly supported by staff and sometimes seen as antithetical to recovery-oriented models of care. Potential ways to address this include education and training for prospective and current community mental health organisation staff highlighting the synergy between the recovery-oriented model and provision of preventive health support.
Full text (HTML) with access to (PDF 11pp) for download
Saturday, 30 December 2017
What happened to the border? The role of mobile information technology devices on employees’ work-life balance
an article by Toyin Ajibade Adisa (Brunel University, London, UK), Gbolahan Gbadamosi (Bournemouth University, UK) and Ellis L.C. Osabutey (Middlesex University, London, UK) published in Personnel Review Volume 46 Issue 8 (2017)
Abstract
Purpose
Mobile information technology devices (MITDs) are of special interest for researchers who seek to understand the role of these devices on employees’ work-life balance (WLB). The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of MITDs on employees’ WLB.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses semi-structured interviews to investigate the role of MITDs on employees’ WLB.
Findings
The findings underscore the important role of MITDs in terms of the attainment of flexibility (how, where, and when work is done), which is significant for achieving WLB. However, the use of MITDs has blurred the division between work and non-work domains. This has inadvertently lengthened employees’ working hours, has affected their family relationships, and affected their general health and well-being. The evidence suggests that MITDs have the potential to improve WLB but could also lead to work-life conflict if not properly managed.
Originality/value
The study calls for a re-examination of WLB policies and practices, specifically border theory, in order to ensure that MITDs can enhance productivity without inadvertently resulting in poor WLB.
Abstract
Purpose
Mobile information technology devices (MITDs) are of special interest for researchers who seek to understand the role of these devices on employees’ work-life balance (WLB). The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of MITDs on employees’ WLB.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses semi-structured interviews to investigate the role of MITDs on employees’ WLB.
Findings
The findings underscore the important role of MITDs in terms of the attainment of flexibility (how, where, and when work is done), which is significant for achieving WLB. However, the use of MITDs has blurred the division between work and non-work domains. This has inadvertently lengthened employees’ working hours, has affected their family relationships, and affected their general health and well-being. The evidence suggests that MITDs have the potential to improve WLB but could also lead to work-life conflict if not properly managed.
Originality/value
The study calls for a re-examination of WLB policies and practices, specifically border theory, in order to ensure that MITDs can enhance productivity without inadvertently resulting in poor WLB.
Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Learning to cope with stressful organisational change
an article by Roy K. Smollan (Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand) published in International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion Volume 8 Number 2 (2017)
Abstract
Organisational change can exacerbate pre-existing levels of work stress and employees need to cope with the new stressors as well as the old.
A qualitative study was conducted in a New Zealand healthcare authority where a number of major restructurings and other changes had occurred. The findings show that the coping strategies used before, during and after change varied over time as new demands were faced.
While the choice of strategies was influenced by personality, emotional intelligence and social identity, specific stressors needed tailored coping strategies.
The lessons the participants learnt from coping with stressful organisational change included relying on their own strengths, taking problem-solving action, managing their thoughts and emotions and accessing support networks.
Managers have a key role to play in anticipating when organisational change may elicit stress and in helping those affected to cope with it.
Abstract
Organisational change can exacerbate pre-existing levels of work stress and employees need to cope with the new stressors as well as the old.
A qualitative study was conducted in a New Zealand healthcare authority where a number of major restructurings and other changes had occurred. The findings show that the coping strategies used before, during and after change varied over time as new demands were faced.
While the choice of strategies was influenced by personality, emotional intelligence and social identity, specific stressors needed tailored coping strategies.
The lessons the participants learnt from coping with stressful organisational change included relying on their own strengths, taking problem-solving action, managing their thoughts and emotions and accessing support networks.
Managers have a key role to play in anticipating when organisational change may elicit stress and in helping those affected to cope with it.
Friday, 24 March 2017
Workplace bullying complaints: lessons for “good HR practice”
an article by Bevan Catley, Kate Blackwood, Darryl Forsyth and David Tappin (Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand) and Tim Bentley (New Zealand Work Research Institute, AUT University, New Zealand) published in Personnel Review Volume 46 Issue 1 (2017)
Abstract
Purpose
Current research provides an incomplete picture of the challenges facing human resource personnel (HRP) tasked with managing a workplace bullying complaint. The purpose of this paper is to provide a holistic model of the complaint management process in order to advance the theorising of HRP’s role in this important process, and the challenges they face in undertaking it.
Design/methodology/approach
Cases of workplace bullying heard before the legal system were analysed – a novel data source in research on workplace bullying. Thematic analysis was undertaken on the case determinations to identify the challenges HRP faced that prevented the resolution of the complaint.
Findings
The analysis indicated two key phases in the complaints management process with five associated challenges. The first two challenges were related to HRP’s ability to assess the substance of the complaint. HRP’s ability or inability to “sort out” conflicting accounts and to follow the process saw the complaint follow one of three “resolution pathways”. Three further challenges were associated with HRP communicating the outcome to the complainant. Failure to overcome these challenges left the complainant aggrieved at the unfairness in which their complaint had been handled – triggering legal action.
Originality/value
This paper draws on a novel data source to provide a holistic model of the complaint management process related to workplace bullying which details the various components and challenges related to HRP throughout the process. Alongside advancing theory, this research has practical value for improving HR practice.
Abstract
Purpose
Current research provides an incomplete picture of the challenges facing human resource personnel (HRP) tasked with managing a workplace bullying complaint. The purpose of this paper is to provide a holistic model of the complaint management process in order to advance the theorising of HRP’s role in this important process, and the challenges they face in undertaking it.
Design/methodology/approach
Cases of workplace bullying heard before the legal system were analysed – a novel data source in research on workplace bullying. Thematic analysis was undertaken on the case determinations to identify the challenges HRP faced that prevented the resolution of the complaint.
Findings
The analysis indicated two key phases in the complaints management process with five associated challenges. The first two challenges were related to HRP’s ability to assess the substance of the complaint. HRP’s ability or inability to “sort out” conflicting accounts and to follow the process saw the complaint follow one of three “resolution pathways”. Three further challenges were associated with HRP communicating the outcome to the complainant. Failure to overcome these challenges left the complainant aggrieved at the unfairness in which their complaint had been handled – triggering legal action.
Originality/value
This paper draws on a novel data source to provide a holistic model of the complaint management process related to workplace bullying which details the various components and challenges related to HRP throughout the process. Alongside advancing theory, this research has practical value for improving HR practice.
Monday, 21 January 2013
The domestic and gendered context for retirement
an article by Wendy Loretto (University of Edinburgh, UK) and Sarah Vickerstaff (University of Kent, UK) published in Human Relations Volume 66 Number 1 (January 2013)
Abstract
Against a global backdrop of population and workforce ageing, successive UK governments
have encouraged people to work longer and delay retirement.
Debates focus mainly on factors affecting individuals’ decisions on when and how to retire.
We argue that a fuller understanding of retirement can be achieved by recognizing the ways in which individuals’ expectations and behaviours reflect a complicated, dynamic set of interactions between domestic environments and gender roles, often established over a long time period, and more temporally proximate factors.
Using a qualitative data set, we explore how the timing, nature and meaning of retirement and retirement planning are played out in specific domestic contexts.
We conclude that future research and policies surrounding retirement need to: focus on the household, not the individual; consider retirement as an often messy and disrupted process and not a discrete event; and understand that retirement may mean very different things for women and for men.
Abstract
Against a global backdrop of population and workforce ageing, successive UK governments
have encouraged people to work longer and delay retirement.
Debates focus mainly on factors affecting individuals’ decisions on when and how to retire.
We argue that a fuller understanding of retirement can be achieved by recognizing the ways in which individuals’ expectations and behaviours reflect a complicated, dynamic set of interactions between domestic environments and gender roles, often established over a long time period, and more temporally proximate factors.
Using a qualitative data set, we explore how the timing, nature and meaning of retirement and retirement planning are played out in specific domestic contexts.
We conclude that future research and policies surrounding retirement need to: focus on the household, not the individual; consider retirement as an often messy and disrupted process and not a discrete event; and understand that retirement may mean very different things for women and for men.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Resilience and career adaptability: Qualitative studies of adult career counseling
an article by Jenny Bimrose (University of Warwick, UK) and Lucy Hearne (University of Limerick, Ireland) published in Journal of Vocational Behavior
Volume 81 Issue 3 (December 2012)
Abstract
Global economic recession is exerting extreme pressures not only on individuals attempting to move into and through labour markets, but also on those providing support for such transitions. Resilience and career adaptability are increasingly relevant, yet despite being present in the literature for some time, these concepts have been under-represented in the vocational psychology literature.
This article represents a contribution to redressing this balance by focusing on their potential to make positive contributions both to clients of career counseling and to practitioners delivering these services.
Drawing on data from four qualitative studies conducted in England, Norway and the Republic of Ireland from 2003 to 2012, these concepts are examined, together with their complementarity for career counselling practice. The article also discusses the role, status and conduct of qualitative research as well as the importance of the researcher/participant relationship in qualitative research investigations.
Highlights
► The potential of the concepts of resilience and career adaptability are explored.
► Evidence is drawn from four qualitative studies undertaken across three countries.
► Support for both adult clients and professionals under pressure are considered.
► Participant:researcher relationships in qualitative research are highlighted.
Abstract
Global economic recession is exerting extreme pressures not only on individuals attempting to move into and through labour markets, but also on those providing support for such transitions. Resilience and career adaptability are increasingly relevant, yet despite being present in the literature for some time, these concepts have been under-represented in the vocational psychology literature.
This article represents a contribution to redressing this balance by focusing on their potential to make positive contributions both to clients of career counseling and to practitioners delivering these services.
Drawing on data from four qualitative studies conducted in England, Norway and the Republic of Ireland from 2003 to 2012, these concepts are examined, together with their complementarity for career counselling practice. The article also discusses the role, status and conduct of qualitative research as well as the importance of the researcher/participant relationship in qualitative research investigations.
Highlights
► The potential of the concepts of resilience and career adaptability are explored.
► Evidence is drawn from four qualitative studies undertaken across three countries.
► Support for both adult clients and professionals under pressure are considered.
► Participant:researcher relationships in qualitative research are highlighted.
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