Theoretical reflections on the nexus between research, policy and practice

The health field is being subjected to a dictate that policy, practice and research should be informed by evidence. The mere generation of evidence, however, does not mean that policy and practice will act upon it. Utilisation and application of research findings (often equalled with \u27evidence\u27) is a political process following rationalities that are not necessarily similar to those of researchers. In response to this issue that evidence does not naturally finds its way into policy and practice (and back into research), the concept of \u27knowledge translation\u27 is becoming increasingly popular. In this article we demonstrate that \u27translation\u27 can have different meanings, and that current perspectives (both Knowledge Translation and the Actor-Network Theory) do not reflect appropriately on actions that can be taken at the nexus between research, policy and practice in order to facilitate more integration. We have developed seven conceptual categories suggesting different action modalities. Actors and actants in this game should be aware of the complex political nature of these modalities. <br /

Happy to talk.... to a point : bereaved young men and emotional disclosure

This study focuses upon the social experiences of bereaved young men, with particular emphasis on the social costs of bereavement-related personal disclosure. Participants\u27 experiences of regulating their social behaviour were suggestive of the persistence of \u27traditional\u27 notions of masculine identity (e.g. hegemonic masculinity). While this study cautions that opportunities for emotional disclosure should not be viewed as the only form of social support for bereaved young men, its principal assertion is the necessity for emotional disclosure to be socially recognised as a legitimate form of male social expression.<br /

A qualitative variant of the friendship scale: bereaved young adults and social isolation

This paper will examine how qualitative research into bereaved young adults&rsquo; experiences of social isolation can constitute a qualitative variant on the study of social isolation to Hawthorne&rsquo;s quantitative &lsquo;Friendship Scale&rsquo; (FS). As an instrument for measuring social isolation, the FS derives primarily from a particular dimension of social support; that is, the individual&rsquo;s sense of connection to other people. This sense of connection to others is similarly a principal concern in the author&rsquo;s study of bereaved young siblings (aged 18-30). The death of a close family member is commonly identified by researchers as the most debilitating stressor in everyday life. How then does this major life stressor impact on the individual&rsquo;s sense of social connectedness?<br /

Bereaved young adults : social isolation and the influence of gender

This qualitative study examined the social experiences of twenty-five young adults, each bereaved of a sibling in the last ten years. The outcomes emphasised the importance of \u27meaningful\u27 support, the value of gender sensitive approaches toward studying bereavement, and the need for a wider social acknowledgement of the ongoing nature of grief

The social consequences of \u27how the sibling died\u27 for bereaved young adults

Research into how the \u27type\u27 of sibling death impacts surviving siblings at a social level was conducted using a semi-structured interview format with 25 bereaved siblings and seven counsellors. The results indicated that in cases where a sibling\u27s death had a greater impact within public spheres, the young adult was more likely to receive beneficial social support than young adults associated with \u27private\u27 death examples. The paper concludes by outlining how individuals can provide effective support for bereaved young adults, as well as avoid unhelpful support behaviours.<br /

Acting at the Nexus : integration of research, policy and practice

This report is the result of an exciting journey of discovery. As with all journeys, we have been to many exotic places, have met extraordinary people, and at times have been challenged to keep going ahead rather than retreating. Good journeys are also enjoyed best in good company. We would like to thank VicHealth for giving us the opportunity to embark on our voyage, but also specifically to some great VicHealth staff: John Biviano, Si&acirc;n Lloyd, Barb Mouy and Ali Barr have all been travelers along the way, providing us with encouragement, directions and nourishment. We know that our Project Advisory Committee and the then Chief Executive of VicHealth, dr. Rob Moody, have followed our progress on the journey with great interest. A special word of thanks to professor David Hill, chair of our advisory committee and member of the VicHealth Board of Governance, to sit down with us and critically review our navigation procedures. But we could not have reached our destination without the great assistance of the people and agencies that gave us their time, energy, and sometimes precious resources, to engage in data collection for our case studies. Again, a particular word of appreciation, to professor Brian Head, and to Ruth Belben for her incredibly efficient assistance, in organising the ARACY workshop on 24 November, 2006 in which we were given an opportunity to triangulate our position with colleagues from research, policy and practice.<br /