1,068 research outputs found
More than a cognitive experience: unfamiliarity, invalidation, and emotion in organizational learning
Literature on organizational learning (OL) lacks an integrative framework that captures the emotions involved as OL proceeds. Drawing on personal construct theory, we suggest that organizations learn where their members reconstrue meaning around questions of strategic significance for the organization. In this 5-year study of an electronics company, we explore the way in which emotions change as members perceive progress or a lack of progress around strategic themes. Our framework also takes into account whether OL involves experiences that are familiar or unfamiliar and the implications for emotions. We detected similar patterns of emotion arising over time for three different themes in our data, thereby adding to OL perspectives that are predominantly cognitive in orientation
âHe's Still the Winner in My Mindâ: Maintaining the Collective Identity in Sport through Social Creativity and Group Affirmation
Social Creativity and Group Affirmation are two strategies by which individuals that identify with a sporting activity, team, group or individual may protect that sense of identification in light of negative events. This paper explores the use of such strategies through examining reactions to doping allegations surrounding Lance Armstrong to explain how members of two brand communities (one based on the brand of Armstrong as cyclist and the other on the brand of Armstrong as cancer survivor) maintain a sense of allegiance. Through undertaking a netnographic approach, six strategies were identified by members of these communities, three of which could be identified as Social Creativity Strategies (Lance Armstrong as âsuperhumanâ, the notion of cycling as a âlevel playing fieldâ, Armstrong as scapegoat) and three as Group Affirmation (Armstrong as a continuing inspiration, the Armstrong legacy, and denial). The two brand communities demonstrated differing patterns of maintenance, with those within the cycling community focusing more upon Social Creativity strategies, whereas those members of the Armstrong as cancer survivor brand tended to focus upon Group Affirmation strategies
Recommended from our members
Recovering from stillbirth: the effects of making and sharing memories on maternal mental health
Objective: This study examined whether the experience of creating and sharing memories of their babies is associated with mothersâ mental health after stillbirth, taking account of factors previously shown to be important. Background: Mothers of stillborn babies are usually offered the opportunity to spend time with and create memories of their babies. However, evidence on whether this leads to better mental health outcomes is equivocal. One possible explanation is that the impact of making memories is mediated by the extent to which women subsequently share these memories. Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire study. Mothers (N = 162) of stillborn babies completed online questionnaires of how memories were made and shared, satisfaction with memory-making and sharing, professional and social support, and symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Results: The majority of mothers made and shared memories. The number of different memory-making activities was not associated with mental health outcomes. However, the degree to which mothers shared their memories was associated with fewer PTSD symptoms. Regression analyses showed that good mental health was most strongly associated with time since stillbirth, perceived professional support, sharing of memories and less wish to talk more about the baby. Conclusion: This study confirms research showing that time since stillbirth and perceived professional support is associated with better mental health following stillbirth and for the first time shows the importance of opportunities to share memories of the baby. Variation in sharing opportunities may contribute to inconsistencies in the association between making memories and mental health following stillbirth
A Good Death?
This paper offers some personal reflections on the idea of âa good deathâ, a theme in the writing of philosophers since classical times. The hospice movement has made immense progress in creating conditions in which we can âdie betterâ. But such experiences are still the exception rather than the rule. The psychological challenge is how to relate to the dying as they are dying, and how as we die we relate to the living. I reflect on my own experience of my fatherâs death, and a moment of fleeting but genuine contact between us. Atul Gawandeâs idea of the âhard conversationsâ we must learn to have as we approach death are enlightening. Ultimately I argue, we die alone, and how we are, or are not, âheld in mindâ as we approach death may be an index of the nearest we can approach to the idea of an âafterlifeâ
The impact on relationships following disclosure of transgenderism : a wife's tale
What is known on the subject?: The experiences of transgender people are becoming increasingly more visible in popular culture, biographical literature and the media. The topic has received little attention within the psychiatric and mental health nursing literature. There is a paucity of literature exploring the impact on relationships following a disclosure of transgenderism. What does this paper add to existing knowledge?: A narrative account of the consequences for the wife of one transwoman and their relationships with friends and family following the disclosure of transgenderism. The article identifies a range of issues that require further attention in relation to healthcare provision. These include the mental health needs of partners and spouses; attitudes of healthcare professionals towards transgender issues; and the adequacy of the formal support offered to partners and spouses of transgender people. What are the implications for practice?: There is a need for healthcare practitioners to explore their understanding of transgender issues and how these may impact on the mental health of partners and spouses. It is important that healthcare professionals provide a hopeful and supportive environment to enable couples to explore their relationships following disclosure of transgenderism
The impact of living with long-term conditions in young adulthood on mental health and identity: What can help?
Background: It has been suggested that the mental health impacts of living with long-term conditions are greater in young adulthood compared to older adulthood, due to greater disruption to identity and routine life events.
Objectives: To explore the impact of living with long-term conditions in young adulthood on mental health and identity, and what helps living well with these conditions.
Methods: Fifteen in-depth interviews with young adults with various conditions were conducted and analysed thematically.
Results: Themes related to the impacts on mental health and identity include: negative mood and depression; anxiety and fear for the future; identity as âillâ/abnormal compared to former self and ânormalâ others. Themes related to suggestions for addressing negative impacts include: promotion of positive thinking; support reaching acceptance with altered identity and limitations (through stages of denial, anger, depression, then acceptance); and more professional mental health support.
Discussion: In order to promote mental health and a positive sense of self/identity, young adults with long-term conditions should be offered advice and support on: positive thinking; the long and difficult process of reconstructing identity; and reaching acceptance. This is particularly important for young adults for whom the identity reconstruction process is more complex and psychologically damaging than for older adults; as this life stage is associated with health/vitality and illness represents a shift from a perceived normal trajectory to one that appears and feels abnormal
Managing lifestyle change to reduce coronary risk: a synthesis of qualitative research on peoplesâ experiences
Background
Coronary heart disease is an incurable condition. The only approach known to slow its progression is healthy lifestyle change and concordance with cardio-protective medicines. Few people fully succeed in these daily activities so potential health improvements are not fully realised. Little is known about peoplesâ experiences of managing lifestyle change. The aim of this study was to synthesise qualitative research to explain how participants make lifestyle change after a cardiac event and explore this within the wider illness experience.
Methods
A qualitative synthesis was conducted drawing upon the principles of meta-ethnography. Qualitative studies were identified through a systematic search of 7 databases using explicit criteria. Key concepts were identified and translated across studies. Findings were discussed and diagrammed during a series of audiotaped meetings.
Results
The final synthesis is grounded in findings from 27 studies, with over 500 participants (56% male) across 8 countries. All participants experienced a change in their self-identity from what was âfamiliarâ to âunfamiliarâ. The transition process involved âfinding new limits and a life worth livingââ, âfinding support for selfâ and âfinding a new normalâ. Analyses of these concepts led to the generation of a third order construct, namely an ongoing process of âreassessing past, present and future livesâ as participants considered their changed identity. Participants experienced a strong urge to get back to ânormalâ. Support from family and friends could enable or constrain life change and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle change was but one small part of a wider âlifeâ change that occurred.
Conclusions
The final synthesis presents an interpretation, not evident in the primary studies, of a person-centred model to explain how lifestyle change is situated within âwiderâ life changes. The magnitude of individual responses to a changed health status varied. Participants experienced distress as their notion of self identity shifted and emotions that reflected the various stages of the grief process were evident in participantsâ accounts. The process of self-managing lifestyle took place through experiential learning; the level of engagement with lifestyle change reflected an individualâs unique view of the balance needed to manage ârealistic changeâ whilst leading to a life that was perceived as âworth livingâ. Findings highlight the importance of providing person centred care that aligns with both psychological and physical dimensions of recovery which are inextricably linked
- âŠ