‘What hurts and worries us’: the meaning of autism from the perspective of the family.

The prevalence of young people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased significantly in Chile, with most studies investigating its impact on the nuclear family - leaving the impact and influence of this phenomena on the extended family to be overlooked. This qualitative study explores the whole family experience of a child diagnosed with ASD, from the perspective of parents, siblings, grandparents and uncles

A phenomenological exploration of men’s experience of happiness

This paper presents findings from a phenomenological study on men’s experience of happiness and its accompanying feelings

To thine own self be true: Alcoholics Anonymous, recovery and care of the self

In this paper, a discussion is built upon findings from a qualitative study that investigated how young men worked through the process of recovery from substance use disorder whilst participating in 12-step fellowships in the UK (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous). Alcoholic Anonymous’ spiritual discourse on recovery gives prominence to the development of a set of spiritual practices that trains participants in their capacities of self-care and self-regulation (i.e. writing, praying). Drawing on Foucault (2005), spiritual exercises were in antiquity a form of pedagogy, designed to teach people of a philosophical life that had both a moral and existential value. Spiritual practices were ways in which to enact self-transformation - an exercise of self upon the self by which one attempts to develop and transform, in order to attain a certain mode of being. The participants’ narratives presented authenticity and care of the self as a salient aspect of their recovery. Care and authenticity had become, in Antonovsky's (1987) words, ‘a generalized way of seeing the world’

In your own skin: The experience of early recovery from alcohol-use disorder in 12-Step fellowships

This paper presents a single case study of a young adult’s early recovery from alcohol-use disorder whilst participating in 12-step fellowships. A longitudinal, qualitative study was carried out with semi-structured interviews taking place at intervals of three months. The transcripts were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. During the participant’s two months of recovery, a series of intrapersonal changes were reported concerning issues of self-care and emotional development. Following six months in recovery, the participant’s recovery focus then centred on the interpersonal issues related to changes in his social network and ways of relating. By ten months, the participant’s recovery emphasized aspects of self-actualization, including a sense of spirituality. The findings illustrate how issues of authenticity, emotional expression and identity transformation are intertwined in the participant’s early recovery. This idiographic case study offers an in-depth examination into the early days of recovery of a young adult within the context of 12-step recovery fellowships in the UK

A hero's journey: Becoming and transcendence in addiction recovery

This paper presents findings from a study that explored young adult men’s lived experience of addiction recovery whilst participating in Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Step fellowships in the UK. It argues that changes in self-narrative and temporality might be critical features of the experience of addiction recovery in young adults, facilitating the process of individuation. Examples from the participants’ accounts are provided to illustrate the changes in their sense of identity in light of their recovery trajectories. Participant recovery, as in the mythical hero’s journey, shows itself to be a quest through transformation and growth into a genuine and balanced selfhood, necessitating the difficult transcendence of an unwholesome selfhood that was manifested in their addiction. In mythical literature, the hero develops authenticity and a higher ethical conduct as the result of a process of individuation, and we can find evidence to suggest a similar occurrence in the participants’ journeys. Finally, I reflect on the limitations of the biomedical language of addiction and the potential implications of the hero’s journey myth in the delineation of a more humane and empathic discourse on young men’s recovery and self-change

‘That’s the Spiritual Side of Me’: Men’s Autobiographical Accounts of Recovery in Twelve Step Fellowships

This study explores young adult men’s lived experience of addiction recovery through their involvement in Twelve Step fellowships’ spirituality. Although there is a large body of research on Twelve Step’s recovery model, few studies have examined young adult men’s psychological and identity transformation in light of its spiritual principles. Ten men participating in Twelve Step fellowships in the UK were recruited and invited to write a topical autobiography of their recovery. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants in early recovery (six months to two years in recovery) provided accounts mostly concerned with maintaining abstinence and incorporating the Twelve Step spiritual principles and practices into their lives. Participants in long-term recovery (five to ten years) portrayed ‘personal growth’ narratives, reflecting on their involvement with the fellowships through their life-course. Values of belonging, authenticity, care and love were identified as significant themes in their narratives and continue to infuse their identities long after initial sobriety establishment. The findings suggest that participants’ spirituality evolves into a loving and caring masculine identity, which is key to their psychological development into mature adulthood. It is suggested that amidst the variety of spiritual recovery experiences (religious, atheist or secular) within the Twelve Step programmes, members share life-enhancing values that support the transcendence of their addiction

Transcriptional Activation of Interferon-Stimulated Genes but Not of Cytokine Genes after Primary Infection of Rhesus Macaques with Dengue Virus Type 1▿

Macaques are the only animal model used to test dengue virus (DENV) vaccine candidates. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of DENV in macaques is not well understood. In this work, by using Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays, we studied the broad transcriptional modifications and cytokine expression profile after infecting rhesus macaques with DENV serotype 1. Five days after infection, these animals produced a potent, innate antiviral immune response by inducing the transcription of signature genes from the interferon (IFN) pathway with demonstrated antiviral activity, such as myxoprotein, 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase, phospholipid scramblase 1, and viperin. Also, IFN regulatory element 7, IFN-stimulated gene 15, and protein ligases linked to the ISGylation process were up-regulated. Unexpectedly, no up-regulation of IFN-α, -β, or -γ genes was detected. Transcription of the genes of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha was neither up-regulated nor down-regulated. Results were confirmed by real-time PCR and by multiplex cytokine detection in serum samples

'Finding your own place': an interpretative phenomenological analysis of young men's experience of early recovery from addiction

Young adults are significantly more likely to experience problematic substance use than mature adults. Identity transformation is known to be a key feature of mature adult recovery, but for the culturally distinct young adult demographic, the links between their identity and their recovery from addiction have not been well investigated. This paper presents a qualitative study on young men’s experience of recovery in Narcotics Anonymous. Processes of change and identity transformation in early recovery are under particular focus. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four young adult men and the resultant transcripts were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results section gives a detailed account of these processes; the findings are then considered in relation to extant literature. The posited suggestion is that through examining the participants’ experience of recovery we can better understand their self-change in light of their journey as young men; proper understanding of which is essential for the creation of intervention programmes that consider the developmental challenges of early adulthood today

The meaning of compulsive exercise in women with Anorexia Nervosa: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Background Despite the substantial role of compulsive exercise in the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa, and despite associated risks of medical complications, longer length of hospitalization and higher relapse rates, little is understood about the personal experience and meaning of compulsive exercise in this context. This study explored the experiences of compulsive exercise in women with anorexia nervosa, restrictive type, and the sense they make of these experiences in the context of their daily lives and treatment programme. Methodology Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six females, four of whom were former athletes. Transcripts were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings This paper reports on the first superordinate theme, paradoxical functions of exercise. An account of the participants' perspectives regarding their engagement with compulsive exercise as a means of emotion regulation is presented first. Secondly, the manner in which participants experience the embodiment of emotional states is explored. Thirdly, the ability of exercise to offer participants a sense of time-out is presented. Finally, the meaning of exercise in relation to the participants' sense of self and identity are analysed. Conclusions The study demonstrates how compulsive exercise represents an essential means of emotion distraction and management for individuals with anorexia nervosa. The finding that feelings are echoed in the participants' bodies is significant, as this gives participants a sense of connecting with their emotions. The time outs offered by exercise provide a degree of structure, control and stability for the participants' sense of self, helping them commit to the demands of treatment. However, this control and stability is short lived, as it may lead to a subsequent loss of control if underlying concerns and emotions are not addressed. It is suggested that interventions should aim to increase recognition and tolerance of negative feelings. Body-oriented and physical therapy interventions tailored specifically to individuals with anorexia nervosa may provide a fresh way of addressing emotions that is complementary to other therapies