From Community Based Identities to Individual Benefits for Volunteers: A Comparison of Three Sporting Events

This is an Open Access article published in Scandinavian Sport Studies Forum. It can be accessed by following this link: http://sportstudies.org/2014/05/28/from-community-based-identities-to-individual-benefits-for-volunteers-a-comparison-of-three-sporting-events/The purpose of this paper is to explore and identify different types of volunteers at three major sporting events: the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria; the 2012 GöteborgsVarvet (a half-marathon race), Sweden; and the 2012 FIS World Ski Flying Championships in Vikersund, Norway. Altogether, 37 volunteers were interviewed, and Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and field, as well as modernization theories, were employed in the analyses. Data revealed that all three groups of volunteers had different motives for volunteer work. The young, international volunteers at the Winter Youth Olympic Games were concerned with learning and gaining experience; the volunteers at Vikersund were motivated by the commitment to the local community; while the volunteers at GöteborgsVarvet volunteered for their local sport club. In conclusion, we argue that there is an increased complexity of volunteer patterns. Theoretically speaking, there is a difference between subfields of volunteering which fit various individual habitus. Clearly, modern volunteers, particularly young people, extend the complexity of the sport field and the volunteering field

Trauma in childhood and adolescence and impaired executive functions are associated with uncertain reflective functioning in mothers with substance use disorder

© 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/BY/4.0/).Aims: Impairments in reflective functioning are known to have adverse effects on the ability to display sensitive parenting as a caregiver. Several factors are associated with impairments in reflective functioning, such as impaired executive functioning and experienced trauma. We investigated how these factors contribute to an impaired reflective functioning style, such as pathological certain or uncertain reflective functioning. Extreme scores on these two subscales reflect two kinds of impairments in reflective functioning. We assessed executive functions, reflective functioning, and trauma in 43 mothers diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUD). Methods: Certain or uncertain reflective functioning were assessed using the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire 8 (RFQ-8). Executive functions and trauma were assessed by administering various questionnaires, interviews and neuropsychological tests. Results: High uncertain reflective functioning was more than six times as common (odds ratio) in mothers reporting high amounts of trauma in childhood and adolescence compared with mothers reporting low amounts of trauma. Impaired executive functions were also significantly associated with high uncertain reflective functioning. Certain reflective functioning did, however, not show any significant associations. Conclusion: When the SUD mothers give information about relational trauma in childhood and adolescence, it might therefore be worth investigating and addressing the potential tendency to have an uncertain reflective functioning style.publishedVersio

Phenology of the avian spring migratory passage in Europe and North America : Asymmetric advancement in time and increase in duration

Climate change has been shown to shift the seasonal timing (i.e. phenology) and distribution of species. The phenological effects of climate change on living organisms have often been tested using first occurrence dates, which may be uninformative and biased. More rarely investigated is how different phases of a phenological sequence (e.g. beginning, central tendency and end) or its duration have changed over time. This type of analysis requires continuous observation throughout the phenological event over multiple years, and such data sets are rare. In this study we examined the impact of temperature on long-term change of passage timing and duration of the spring migration period in birds, and which species' traits explain species-specific variation. Data used covered 195 species from 21 European and Canadian bird observatories from which systematic daily sampling protocols were available. Migration dates were negatively associated with early spring temperature and timings had in general advanced in 57 years. Short-distance migrants advanced the beginning of their migration more than long-distance migrants when corrected for phylogenic relatedness, but such a difference was not found in other phases of migration. The advancement of migration has generally been greater for the beginning and median phases of migration relative to the end, leading to extended spring migration seasons. Duration of the migration season increased with increasing temperature. Phenological changes have also been less noticeable in Canada even when corrected for rate of change in temperature. To visualize long-term changes in phenology, we constructed the first multi-species spring migration phenology indicator to describe general changes in median migration dates in the northern hemisphere. The indicator showed an average advancement of one week during five decades across the continents (period 1959-2015). The indicator is easy to update with new data and we therefore encourage future research to investigate whether the trend towards longer periods of occurrence or emergence in spring is also evident in other migratory populations. Such phenological changes may influence detectability in monitoring schemes, and may have broader implications on population and community dynamics.Peer reviewe

Still Arctic? — The changing Barents Sea

The Barents Sea is one of the Polar regions where current climate and ecosystem change is most pronounced. Here we review the current state of knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological systems in the Barents Sea. Physical conditions in this area are characterized by large seasonal contrasts between partial sea-ice cover in winter and spring versus predominantly open water in summer and autumn. Observations over recent decades show that surface air and ocean temperatures have increased, sea-ice extent has decreased, ocean stratification has weakened, and water chemistry and ecosystem components have changed, the latter in a direction often described as “Atlantification” or “borealisation,” with a less “Arctic” appearance. Temporal and spatial changes in the Barents Sea have a wider relevance, both in the context of large-scale climatic (air, water mass and sea-ice) transport processes and in comparison to other Arctic regions. These observed changes also have socioeconomic consequences, including for fisheries and other human activities. While several of the ongoing changes are monitored and quantified, observation and knowledge gaps remain, especially for winter months when field observations and sample collections are still sparse. Knowledge of the interplay of physical and biogeochemical drivers and ecosystem responses, including complex feedback processes, needs further development.Still Arctic? — The changing Barents SeapublishedVersio

Certain and Uncertain Reflective Functioning in Mothers with Substance Use Disorder: Investigating the Associations between Reflective Functioning, Trauma and Executive Functions

Abstract Authors: Tore Bergby Handeland and Vidar Roald Kristiansen Title: “Certain and Uncertain Reflective Functioning in Mothers with Substance Use Disorder” Main supervisor: Merete Glenne Øie. Co-supervisor: Bjørn Lau. Background: Impairments in reflective functioning (RF) are known to have adverse effects on the ability to exhibit sensitive parenting as a caregiver. Several factors are associated with impairments in RF, such as level of executive functioning (EF), degree of trauma experienced and having a substance use disorder (SUD). However, no studies have investigated in what way these individual factors contribute to the specific RF impairments, such as pathological certain RF (RFQc) or uncertain RF (RFQu). Neither has there been studies investigating the relationship between these two forms of impaired RF and general measures of RF. Methods: In the current thesis, EF, RF and degree of trauma experienced in 43 mothers diagnosed with SUD were assessed. The occurrence of maternal (general) RF was assessed by administering the Parent Development Interview, while RFQc and RFQu were assessed using the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire 8 (RFQ-8). EF, trauma and SUD were assessed by administering various questionnaires, interviews and neuropsychological tests. The data used in this thesis are based on data already collected as part of an ongoing doctoral thesis called the “Mosaic Project”1. The data are cross-sectional and the relationships between the constructs of interest are investigated through covariate and multivariate analyses and descriptive data. Results: The results revealed that RFQu was significantly associated with maternal RF, while RFQc was not. The analyses revealed several significant associations between RF and trauma. High RFQu was more than twice as common in mothers reporting high amounts of trauma in adolescence, and almost three times as common in mothers reporting high amounts of trauma across the lifespan, compared with mothers reporting low amounts of trauma. When investigating the relationship between EF and RF, working memory, cognitive flexibility and planning turned out to be significantly associated with RFQu, with lower levels of EF correlating with higher levels of RFQu. The RFQc did, however, not show any significant associations. Conclusion: Results from this thesis indicate that trauma and EF are associated with uncertain RF style in mothers with SUD. Further, we suggest that EF may impair RF through the impediment of proper affect regulation. More research is needed in order to assess the relationship between RFQc and maternal RF, EF, trauma and SUD. 1The “Mosaic Project” is a collaborative project between Lillehammer University College and Sykehuset Innlandet HF. The project aims to generate knowledge about important aspects in promoting competence development and well-being for children residing in families with parental substance abuse problems and/or parental mental illness

Journalists and Olympic athletes: a Norwegian case study of ambivalent relationship

This case study explores the relationship between media and sport. More specifically, it examines the association (i.e., the contact and communication) between Norwegian journalists and athletes during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. Ten athletes and three journalists were interviewed about their relationship. To regulate and improve the journalist–athlete relationship during special events like the Olympics, media rules have been formulated. In regard to the on-site interactions, they accepted that they are working together where one was performing and the other reporting the event “back home.” While the best advice is to be understanding of the journalists’ need for stories and inside information, the media coverage was perceived as a constant stress factor for the athletes. However, because of the media rules the athletes were able to keep their distance but one athlete did comment: “You will not survive if you take it personally.

Comparing the experiences and legacies of volunteers at the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Oslo 2011 and Val di Fiemme 2013

Volunteers play an important role in delivering events, especially events over a longer period of time. As example the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships (Nordic WSC) take place every two years in a member country of the International Ski Federation (FIS). These events usually last 12 days and combine competitions in cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic. Furthermore volunteers do also represent one of the biggest groups of stakeholders taking part at the event. The purpose of this article is to shed light on the experiences and legacies as perceived by volunteers at two events of the same type (Nordic WSC), but staged in two different places and two different cultural settings.Therefore, 29 volunteers were interviewed, whereat half at got interviewed at the FIS Nordic WSC Oslo ant the other half at the FIS Nordic WSC Val di Fiemme.The interviews underline that people volunteer for many different reasons, whereat Norwegian volunteers displayed a more individualistic orientation. Italian volunteers have a greater commitment to their local community. In addition Italian volunteers feel that FIS acknowledge them for the good organisation of the events. Other differences can be found in the field of community acknowledgement. Norwegian volunteers added that the Norwegian economy does not appreciate this type of experience and in Italy also Students had to volunteer, which was also appreciated by community.The results show that the retention rate may be higher in Val di Fiemme due to the WSC being a project-based undertaking. Hence, local community loyalty or simple hobbies could show an increase in retention. For future events further research should be undertaken in this field of research

From community based identities to individual benefits for volunteers: a comparison of three sporting events

© E. Kristiansen, E. Å. Skille & D. V. Hanstad 2014The purpose of this paper is to explore and identify different types of volunteers at three major sporting events: the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria; the 2012 GöteborgsVarvet (a half-marathon race), Sweden; and the 2012 FIS World Ski Flying Championships in Vikersund, Norway. Altogether, 37 volunteers were interviewed, and Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and field, as well as modernization theories, were employed in the analyses. Data revealed that all three groups of volunteers had different motives for volunteer work. The young, international volunteers at the Winter Youth Olympic Games were concerned with learning and gaining experience; the volunteers at Vikersund were motivated by the commitment to the local community; while the volunteers at GöteborgsVarvet volunteered for their local sport club. In conclusion, we argue that there is an increased complexity of volunteer patterns. Theoretically speaking, there is a difference between subfields of volunteering which fit various individual habitus. Clearly, modern volunteers, particularly young people, extend the complexity of the sport field and the volunteering field.Seksjon for kultur og samfunn / Department of Cultural and Social Studie

From community based identities to individual benefits for volunteers: a comparison of three sporting events

The purpose of this paper is to explore and identify different types of volunteers at three major sporting events: the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria; the 2012 GöteborgsVarvet (a half-marathon race), Sweden; and the 2012 FIS World Ski Flying Championships in Vikersund, Norway. Altogether, 37 volunteers were interviewed, and Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and field, as well as modernization theories, were employed in the analyses. Data revealed that all three groups of volunteers had different motives for volunteer work. The young, international volunteers at the Winter Youth Olympic Games were concerned with learning and gaining experience; the volunteers at Vikersund were motivated by the commitment to the local community; while the volunteers at GöteborgsVarvet volunteered for their local sport club. In conclusion, we argue that there is an increased complexity of volunteer patterns. Theoretically speaking, there is a difference between subfields of volunteering which fit various individual habitus. Clearly, modern volunteers, particularly young people, extend the complexity of the sport field and the volunteering field

The sustainability of the Youth Olympic Games: Stakeholder networks and institutional perspectives

I Brage finner du siste tekst-versjon av artikkelen, og den kan inneholde ubetydelige forskjeller fra forlagets pdf-versjon. Forlagets pdf-versjon finner du på irs.sagepub.com: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1012690213481467 / In Brage you'll find the final text version of the article, and it may contain insignificant differences from the journal's pdf version. The original publication is available at irs.sagepub.com: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1012690213481467This paper explored the Youth Olympic Games’ (YOG) potential sustainability (survival and success) through an analysis of how actors exert various forms of pressure on the YOG. Given the impact of the Olympic Games and of youth on society, it becomes important to study the newest member of the Olympic Family. Combining stakeholder, network and institutional literatures, a case study of the first Winter YOG in Innsbruck (Austria) was built by means of observations and interviews. The stakeholder network analysis revealed three central stakeholders for the YOG’s sustainability: the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the media (press and broadcast), and the athletes’ parents. The institutional context was challenged by stakeholders’ changing levels of relative saliency, and notably by the parents’ emerging saliency. Practically speaking, YOG managers need to be diplomats in balancing pressures originating from the international (IOC) and local (parents) institutional contexts