200 research outputs found
Exploring how parents make sense of change in parent-child psychotherapy
Background: Understanding how change occurs in psychotherapy is imperative in informing clinical practice. Increasing attention has been given to the role that qualitative research could play in enhancing our understanding of therapeutic change. Although quantitative research suggests that parent-child psychotherapy is effective in facilitating change, no research to date has focused on how parents make sense of their change experience.
Methods: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse semi-structured interviews of eight parents who had completed parent-child psychotherapy about their understanding of change.
Results: Five master themes emerged which encapsulated participantâs understanding of change. These included constructing a survivor narrative, the experience of being understood enabling further understanding, adjusting expectations and practising acceptance and feeling empowered to relinquish control. The final theme summarised how despite psychotherapy being conceptualised as a âpreciousâ resource, there was a sense that its limitations could negatively impact participantâs wellbeing.
Conclusions: Meaningful elements of change were identified from the parentsâ experience. Findings were discussed in relation to previous research and limitations were examined. Implications for future research included using other qualitative methods to explore client experience. Implications for practice were noted, including enriched understanding of client change experience enabling therapists to provide a more attuned therapy
A novel, high conductance channel of mitochondria linked to apoptosis in mammalian cells and Bax expression in yeast
During apoptosis, proapoptotic factors are released from mitochondria by as yet undefined mechanisms. Patch-clamping of mitochondria and proteoliposomes formed from mitochondrial outer membranes of mammalian (FL5.12) cells has uncovered a novel ion channel whose activity correlates with onset of apoptosis. The pore diameter inferred from the largest conductance state of this channel is âŒ4 nm, sufficient to allow diffusion of cytochrome c and even larger proteins. The activity of the channel is affected by Bcl-2 family proteins in a manner consistent with their pro- or antiapoptotic properties. Thus, the channel activity correlates with presence of proapoptotic Bax in the mitochondrial outer membrane and is absent in mitochondria from cells overexpressing antiapoptotic Bcl-2. Also, a similar channel activity is found in mitochondrial outer membranes of yeast expressing human Bax. These findings implicate this channel, named mitochondrial apoptosisâinduced channel, as a candidate for the outer-membrane pore through which cytochrome c and possibly other factors exit mitochondria during apoptosis
A qualitative exploration of the experiences of veterans who are serving sentences in custody
The focus on veterans in research is not a novel topic; however, the majority of studies are related to trauma, employment, mental health, suicide, and substance misuse. The Criminal Justice System involvement with veterans is a topic that has yet to be examined to a great extent. This study, conducted with adult male prisoners, elicited information from six veterans regarding their experiences of being in the armed forces, leaving the armed forces and becoming involved in the Criminal Justice System. Responses were evaluated using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and three main themes were identified: âyouâre baptised into the armyâ, âthem and us,â and âoperational mind setâ; each of which comprised a number of superordinate themes. The research highlights that, although it is important to acknowledge the heterogenic nature of this group, it is equally important to note that much of their thinking and behaviour may be similar to those that have not had these experiences. As such, there is a need to reduce the notion that they are separate and different to other prisoners, requiring different treatment. The study highlights that many of the Offending Behaviour Programmes and interventions already available to prisoners would be appropriate for this group. The current research supports the merit in creating a service in prisons that will allow for ex-servicemen to meet together and access the support that is available to them. The implications of the research are discussed further
Family carersâ experiences of nutritional care for people living with dementia at home: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
An interpretative phenomenological study of midwives supporting home birth for women with complex needs
Background
As the landscape of women presenting for maternity care changes, so do the challenges associated with providing quality, informed and compassionate care, particularly for women with complex needs.
Aim
To explore the lived experience of midwives in facilitating care for women with complex needs who choose to birth at home.
Method
A qualitative design is employed, using an interpretative phenomenological analysis informed by hermeneutic principles. Purposive sampling is used to recruit midwives through social media and JiscMail. Data are collected via semi-structured interviews.
Findings
Two interpretative themes arose. A âradical midwifeâ embraces the phrase âradicalâ by positioning midwives between traditional beliefs and practices, physiological processes, midwife knowledge and skill set by applying current evidence and professional context. A âconflicted midwifeâ arises out of this dichotomy and exposes the realities of striving for radicality while the negotiating âthe systemâ.
Conclusions
It is no longer acceptable to assume that home birth for women with complex needs is exceptional. This must be the catalyst to move towards a constructive discourse with midwives, women and the wider team to address and expand the evidence base and pathways to support those who are already facilitating this care and those who will inevitably continue to provide care âoutside of current guidelines
Lipid analogs reveal features critical for hemolysis and diminish granadaene mediated Group B Streptococcus infection
Although certain microbial lipids are toxins, the structural features important for cytotoxicity
remain unknown. Increased functional understanding is essential for developing therapeutics
against toxic microbial lipids. Group B Streptococci (GBS) are bacteria associated with preterm
births, stillbirths, and severe infections in neonates and adults. GBS produce a pigmented,
cytotoxic lipid, known as granadaene. Despite its importance to all manifestations of
GBS disease, studies towards understanding granadaeneâs toxic activity are hindered by its
instability and insolubility in purified form. Here, we report the synthesis and screening of
lipid derivatives inspired by granadaene, which reveal features central to toxin function,
namely the polyene chain length. Furthermore, we show that vaccination with a non-toxic
synthetic analog confers the production of antibodies that inhibit granadaene-mediated
hemolysis ex vivo and diminish GBS infection in vivo. This work provides unique structural
and functional insight into granadaene and a strategy to mitigate GBS infection, which will be
relevant to other toxic lipids encoded by human pathogens.This work was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health
Grants R01AI112619, R01AI133976, R01AI100989, and R21AI125907 and seed funds
from Seattle Childrens Research Institute to L.
Stress appraisals of UK soccer academy coaches: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
© 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Knowledge of how sports coaches appraise stress is sparse. This study investigates coachesâ cognitive appraisals and explores the transactional nature of how coaches experience stress. Ten academy soccer coaches were interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to explore coachesâ lived experiences of stressful situations. Coaches identified a range of situational demands including performance expectations, conflicting tasks, and managing relationships. Demands were evaluated in terms of perceived psychological danger. Coaches appraised their ability to meet these demands through resources such as self-efficacy, autonomy and social support. Emotional and behavioural consequences of coachesâ cognitive appraisals were also revealed. Findings provide a deeper understanding into the specific cognitive appraisals of coaches, revealing that determinants of stress appraisals are interdependent and complex
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