Influence of nationality on the interpretation of Ireland's tourism destination imagery

This thesis investigates the influence of nationality on the interpretations of the tourism destination imagery of Ireland, drawing in particular on the views of tourists travelling from Britain. It involved an assessment of the influence (if any) of the nationality of the tourist and the nationality of the place on pre- and post-visit interpretations of Ireland's perceived and projected images, as well as an evaluation of the implications of such influences on Ireland's image as a tourist destination. By means of empirical research applied to the same sample of tourists travelling from Britain to Ireland via Shannon airport, the factors that contribute to the formation of respondents' perceived destination images were analysed, and the degree of image modification was assessed using pre- and postvisitation questionnaires. Meanwhile, the intended projected image of Ireland was determined by means of a semi-structured interview with a representative of Tourism Ireland, and a semiotic and content analysis of brochure material was undertaken to assess the projected and actual image projected. The results of the pre- and post-visit questionnaires demonstrated the need to use nationality and national identity together as both constructs have limitations when applied separately. It was also revealed that images measured over two points in time can vary through the influence of such factors as actual travel experiences with a destination, the nature and extent of information or promotional efforts that the respondents are exposed to, and changes in the economic and social environment. In addition, other factors were also found to mediate the perceived image of a destination and included the perceived national identity held by visitors, the nationality of passport held, levels of destination familiarity, the purpose of trip and travel intensity. Also, the results of the analysis of the intended image indicated that the intended image portrayed of Ireland was one of a natural environment populated with friendly people in an idealised landscape out of time. Collectively, the study identified a number of image gaps between the projected and perceived destination image and highlighted the need for an overall image modification strategy based on a combination of national identity and nationality as an important discriminating variable

Formal home care utilisation by older adults in Ireland: Evidence from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing

The aim of this study is to provide a population based estimate of the utilisation of publicly financed formal home care by older adults in Ireland and to identify the principal characteristics of those utilising formal home care. Data were collected through computer-aided personal interviews from a representative sample of community living older adults in Ireland. The interviews were conducted between 2009 and 2011 as part of the first wave of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). The study is cross-sectional in design and limited to participants aged 65 years and older (n=3507). Results reveal that 8.2% (95% CI 7.1%-9.3%) of participants utilised publicly financed formal home care in the form of home help and/or personal care. Key determinants of formal home care utilisation were Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) difficulty (Adj OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.7-5.3), older age (Adj OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.4-4.8) and living alone (Adj OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9-3.8). Almost half of those utilising formal care did not self-report an Activity of Daily Living (ADL) difficulty or an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) difficulty. Government policy aims to reduce the need for long-term residential care by providing formal home care for older adults with low to moderate levels of dependency. This requires an increasing emphasis on personal care provision in the home. No evidence was found in this study to suggest that a shift in emphasis from formal domestic to personal care is taking place in Ireland. The absence of standardised assessment and eligibility criteria are deemed to be barriers to reorientation of the system. From a health services perspective the current situation is not sustainable into the future and requires a focused policy response

Irish nurses’ and midwives’ understanding and experiences of empowerment

Aim This study explored conceptualisations of empowerment amongst Irish nurses and midwives. Background Current literature on the meaning of empowerment in the literature lacks consensus. As a result there is a likelihood that empowerment will be conceptualised differently between managers and sub-ordinates. Method In order to get a sense of how Irish practitioners viewed empowerment, ten focus groups were held in locations throughout Ireland (n = 93). A national distribution of participants was obtained. Results Twenty-one different responses emerged representing what nurses and midwives understood by the term empowerment. In relation to experiences of empowerment, six themes were found to impact on empowerment experiences. Three themes emerged as central to empowerment. One theme (education for practice) was identified as an antecedent to empowerment. Conclusion Empowerment is a complex concept and its meaning is contextually determined. Managers play a key role in impacting on the empowerment perceptions of Irish nurses and midwives

Caring for older people with dementia in the emergency department.

Background: Admission to an emergency department (ED) may expose the older person with dementia to a range of negative consequences, including a deterioration in their behavioural symptoms. The authors conducted a review of primary research relating to the experiences of older people with dementia, their carers and ED nurses, to understand how these experiences might inform nursing practice. Methods: Integrative review with a search of the electronic databases of Medline, CINAHL and PSYCHINFO using specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Three themes were identified: carers and older people with dementia-waiting and worrying; nurses juggling priorities; and strategies for improvement-taking a partnership approach. Conclusion: Older people with dementia may be exposed to disparities in treatment in the ED. A practice partnership between carers and ED nurses may help to prevent this. ED nurses need support to blend technical- and relationship-centred care. Participatory research exploring the experiences of older people with dementia, their carers and ED nurses is needed

Relational Flexibility and Human Intelligence: Extending the remit of Skinner’s Verbal Behavior

The current article will discuss recent research encompassing the relevance of derived relational responding in intelligence, and the establishment of procedures to target this type of flexibility in derived relational responding in practical learning situations. The chapter will review research findings that indicate correlations between speed in flexible relational responding and higher scores on IQ tests. Relevant to flexibility in relational responding, research has demonstrated that children with autism showed poorer flexibility in relational responding than typically-developing peers, and procedures to remediate this type of “rigid” responding are described. Research on derived manding also has practical implications for incorporating derived relational responding into a mand training program to facilitate a “generative” or flexible component