Mothering on the margins of space: meanings of space in accounts of maternal experience

This exploration of ‘space’ and its meaning to mothers represents one response to the calls for space to be considered in all theories of subjectivities (Brown, 2001). It considers the normalisation of mothers that has arisen from psychological research in western culture. The paper draws on Winnicott’s notions of potential space and the ‘capacity to be alone in the presence of another’ (Winnicott, 1958) to consider the significance of space. It inquires into how narratives about space can inform us of the relationship between physical and psychic space and ways in which access to both can be restricted. The paper discusses the role of psychology and psychoanalysis in the formation of social support for mothers and in our understanding of mothers’ experiences. The paper seeks to question the role of normalisation as a way of portraying mothers

Intercalation of Hydrotalcites with Hexacyanoferrate(II) and (III)-a ThermoRaman Spectroscopic Study

Raman spectroscopy using a hot stage indicates that the intercalation of hexacyanoferrate(II) and (III) in the interlayer space of a Mg,Al hydrotalcites leads to layered solids where the intercalated species is both hexacyanoferrate(II) and (III). Raman spectroscopy shows that depending on the oxidation state of the initial hexacyanoferrate partial oxidation and reduction takes place upon intercalation. For the hexacyanoferrate(III) some partial reduction occurs during synthesis. The symmetry of the hexacyanoferrate decreases from Oh existing for the free anions to D3d in the hexacyanoferrate interlayered hydrotalcite complexes. Hot stage Raman spectroscopy reveals the oxidation of the hexacyanoferrate(II) to hexacyanoferrate(III) in the hydrotalcite interlayer with the removal of the cyanide anions above 250 °C. Thermal treatment causes the loss of CN ions through the observation of a band at 2080 cm-1. The hexacyanoferrate (III) interlayered Mg,Al hydrotalcites decomposes above 150 °C

Mother, researcher, feminist, woman: reflections on maternal status as researcher identity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the ways in which a researcher's maternal status as “mother” or “non-mother/child-free” is implicated in the research process. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on the experiences as two feminist researchers who each independently researched experiences of motherhood: one as a “mother” and one as a “non-mother/child-free”. The paper draws on extracts from the original interview data and research diaries to reflect on how research topic, methodology and interview practice are shaped by a researcher's maternal status. Findings – The paper found that the own maternal identities shaped the research process in a number of ways: it directed the research topic and access to research participants; it drove the method of data collection and analysis and it shaped how the authors interacted with the participants in the interview setting, notably through the performance of maternal identity. The paper concludes by examining how pervasive discourses of “good motherhood” are both challenged and reproduced by a researcher's maternal status and question the implications of this for feminist research. Originality/value – While much has been written about researcher “positionality” and the impact of researcher identity on the research process, the ways in which a researcher's “maternal status” is implicated in the research process has been left largely unexamined. Yet, as this paper highlights, the interaction of the often-conflicting identities of “mother”, “researcher”, “feminist” and “woman” may shape the research process in subtle yet profound ways, raising important questions about the limits of what feminist social research about “motherhood” can achieve

Developing a qualitative research culture in university psychology departments

We are academics in the Department of Psychology, Middlesex University. Nollaig’s research is primarily qualitative and Richard’s primarily quantitative. We form part of a team responsible for developing and delivering Research Methods modules to students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. In this paper, we draw on our experiences and those of colleagues to discuss some challenges (and possible solutions) to changing the research culture in a psychology department

Commentary: new pluralistic strategies for research in clinical practice

This article provides a Commentary on a paper by Warner and Spandler (2012. The Spandler and Warner paper draws on the ‘triangle of communication’ to develop the FIND framework for research and to promote and support new ways of gathering evidence for the development of strategies of evaluation, intervention and treatment in clinical psychology. This article discusses this in terms of the pluralism in qualitative research (PQR)approach to show the benefits and limitations of flexible, high quality research approaches to service development

“And it was all my choice but it didn’t feel like a choice”: a re-examination of interpretation of data using a ‘rhetoric of choice’ lens

This research aims to re-examine interpretations of data collected from second-time 2 mothers about their experiences of becoming a mother to a second child using lenses of 3 rhetoric of choice and choice feminism. The interpretations are reconsidered to identify 4 ways in which tensions between maternal status and researcher positionality have 5 influenced the ways they were reached. The paper describes two studies, each conducted 6 by one of the authors, and the interpretations of the data made at the time the research 7 was carried out. It discusses alternative interpretations and how they challenge both the 8 researcher role and theoretical explanations of gender inequity and attachment. The paper 9 concludes that feminist research can be strengthened by attending to the intersections 10 between maternal status, and positioning as feminist, woman and researche

The diffuse X-ray spectrum from 14-200 keV as measured on OSO-5

The measurement of energy spectrum of the diffuse component of cosmic X-ray flux made on the OSO-5 spacecraft is described. The contributions to the total counting rate of the actively shielded X-ray detector are considered in some detail and the techniques used to eliminate the non-cosmic components are described. Positive values for the cosmic flux are obtained in seven energy channels between 14 and 200 keV and two upper limits are obtained between 200 and 254 keV. The results can be fitted by a power law spectrum. A critical comparison is made with the OSO-3 results. Conclusions show that the reported break in the energy spectrum at 40 keV is probably produced by an erroneous correction for the radioactivity induced in the detector on each passage through the intense charged particle fluxes in the South Atlantic anomaly

The idealization of 'compassion' in trainee nurses' talk: a psychosocial focus group study

Why do nurses in training continue to draw on the ideal of compassion when responding to their experiences of nursing work in the UK National Health Service (NHS), despite the difficulties that they face in developing compassionate, long-term relationships with patients in practice? To answer this question, we draw from a psychosocial analysis of focus groups data from 49 trainee nurses in the NHS. First, we show how the manifestation of this ideal in trainee nurses’ discourse leads them to blame qualified nurses for failures in patient care. We suggest this is an unconscious defence against the anxiety evoked both by the vulnerability of their position as those who need to gain access to the profession, and of being unable to conduct compassionate nursing work. Second, we emphasise that less powerful occupational groups, such as trainee nurses, may adopt defences that underpin dominant organizational policy, such as idealization, despite further disadvantaging their group and benefitting those in power. We conclude by questioning the particular emphasis on compassion in nurses’ training, which can prevent occupational solidarity and the ability to reflect on the structural and organizational factors required to conduct patient-centred nursing work

Encouraging planting in urban front gardens: a focus group study

AIMS: Encouraging planting in front gardens offers mental and physical health benefits, as well as positive local environmental impacts such as reducing flood risk and improving air quality. However, urban front garden greenery has reduced in recent years. We aimed to explore adults' views regarding planting greenery in front gardens, barriers and facilitators, and their understanding of health and environmental impacts, to identify appropriate intervention mechanisms for behaviour change. METHODS: We carried out five online focus groups with 20 participants aged 20-64 in England, purposively sampled for variation according to age, gender, home ownership, income, ethnicity and residing in an urban or suburban area. We audio recorded each focus group, transcribed it verbatim and analysed transcripts using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Front gardening was a relaxing activity that provided benefits including increased wellbeing, fresh air and vitamin D. Planting in front gardens depended heavily on available time and space, garden orientation, local security and the weather. Front gardens could be a place for social interaction. Participants tended to prioritise neatness and tidiness over greenery. Lack of knowledge and low self-efficacy were key barriers. There was little awareness of the environmental benefits of front garden greenery; however, reducing flood risk and encouraging biodiversity were viewed positively. CONCLUSION: Initiatives to encourage front garden planting should focus on plants that require little knowledge to acquire and care for, are suitable to the local environmental conditions and with a visual impact of neatness and bright colour. Campaigns should draw attention to local flood risk reduction and increasing biodiversity, in addition to personal health benefits

The application of a qualitative approach to adult attachment research: a short report

A qualitative pluralistic exploration of a couple relationship across the transition to second-time parenthood. This short article reports on the female partner during the pregnancy phase. It reports on her attachment history using BNIM and reports on her pregnancy phase using narrative analysis