Chiral 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles-versatile tools for foldamers and peptidomimetic applications

1,4- A nd 1,5-Disubstituted triazole amino acid monomers have gained increasing interest among peptidic foldamers, as they are easily prepared via Cu- A nd Ru-catalyzed click reactions, with the potential for side chain variation. While the latter is key to their applicability, the synthesis and structural properties of the chiral mono-or disubstituted triazole amino acids have only been partially addressed. We here present the synthesis of all eight possible chiral derivatives of a triazole monomer prepared via a ruthenium-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (RuAAC). To evaluate the conformational properties of the individual building units, a systematic quantum chemical study was performed on all monomers, indicating their capacity to form several low energy conformers. This feature may be used to effect structural diversity when the monomers are inserted into various peptide sequences. We envisage that these results will facilitate new applications for these artificial oligomeric compounds in diverse areas, ranging from pharmaceutics to biotechnology

Involving children and young people in research on domestic violence and housing: re-visited

Children’s and young people’s opinions and experiences are important to listen to, as they offer perspectives that adults might not be aware of otherwise. Yet children are often viewed as a vulnerable group in need of protection, with adults talking for them instead of letting them speak for themselves. Sometimes this might be the correct decision. However, it is also important to let children and young people participate in research on their own terms, to identify, for example, what kind of support they might need in relation to problems they have experienced. Based on previous research, we revisit this topic and discuss it’s relevance today, once again asking the question of how best to involve children in research in order to hear their views and opinions on matters that concern them. We base our experiences on a research project examining what sheltered housing means for children living there

Young Children’s Lives at Domestic Violence Shelters : Mothers’ Perspectives on Their Children’s Experiences

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze mothers’ narratives about their children’s life situation while living at domestic violence shelters in Sweden. More precisely, the analysis focuses on determining what aspects are highlighted as being most important for the children’s living situation during their stay. Method: This study is based on interviews with mothers who have experience of living at a domestic violence shelter together with their young child/ren. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the narratives. Results: The analysis resulted in seven themes important for the children’s lives during their shelter stay. These are: safety, isolation, a child-friendly environment, shared living space, social relations at the shelter, children’s health during their stay, and support at the shelter. Conclusion: In the narratives, safety was highlighted as the most important issue, and as something that also affects other aspects of the children’s lives during their time at the shelter. A child-friendly environment, access to activities and support, and positive social relations at the shelter are also important. In addition, positive experiences regarding these aspects can be understood to counteract the feeling of isolation and improve children’s ability to process their experiences.Artikel 19: Vad en vistelse på skyddat boende betyder för våldsutsatta bar

The process of leaving a domestic violence shelter for mothers and children

Domestic violence (DV) shelters provide a safe place for women and children; however, they are only intended to be a temporary solution until residents can find a safe place of their own. In Sweden, the social services are responsible for helping and supporting victims of DV to get away from the violence, which can include everything from practical help and housing to emotional support. The present article aims to investigate mothers' descriptions of leaving a DV shelter where they were staying with their children. Interviews with 13 mothers of children aged 0–6 years are analysed using thematic analysis. The results show that the process of leaving a DV shelter begins almost as soon as the mother and her children arrive, as it can take quite some time to find a new safe place and to mentally prepare for the move. Additionally, it takes a lot of effort to plan for life outside the shelter. This involves hardship for the mothers and children, meaning that they need support from both shelter staff and social services. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed

Arriving at the shelter – mothers’ narratives of their children’s experiences

Each year a large number of children are exposed to violence in their homes, for example, by witnessing one parent using violence against the other, or experiencing violence directed at them personally. As a result, together with a parent, often the mother, the children might need to flee from the violence to a domestic violence shelter. The present study is set in a Swedish context and aims to analyse mothers’ narratives of the initial time at a domestic violence shelter for mothers and their young children (aged 0–6), with a focus on children’s right to protection and participation. The study consists of interviews with thirteen mothers, which are analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show that the children rarely know why they are at the shelter, and that it is an unfamiliar place for them, as they have little knowledge of what a shelter is. The children also seem to be afraid of losing their mothers, which is expressed in how they monitor their mothers. Based on the findings, the children need to build trustful relationships, a process that takes time but can already begin on the first day at the shelter. The first day signifies the start of something different, which means that the mothers and children need time to settle into their new lives

Pioneering the use of technologies in qualitative research : A research review of the use of digital interviews

Covid-19 has changed the way research can be conducted. The present literature review, based on 29 studies (2008–2020), investigates and compiles existing research to identify possibilities and limitations of using digital interviews within social work, sociology and adjacent disciplines. The results show that digital interviews can enhance long-distance participation, and that they may be cost-effective. However, technical difficulties can arise that adversely affect the quality of the interviews. Concerning sensitive topics (e.g., victimization, health issues, sexuality), more rich data can be reached with digital options than with in-person options, but it can be difficult to read visual cues, as the camera only captures the participants’ upper body. Based on these results, it is important to strike a balance between the positive and negative aspects associated with digital interviews, and to understand that digital interviews are something different than in-person interviews, with their own logic and rules

The process of leaving a domestic violence shelter for mothers and children

Domestic violence (DV) shelters provide a safe place for women and children; however, they are only intended to be a temporary solution until residents can find a safe place of their own. In Sweden, the social services are responsible for helping and supporting victims of DV to get away from the violence, which can include everything from practical help and housing to emotional support. The present article aims to investigate mothers' descriptions of leaving a DV shelter where they were staying with their children. Interviews with 13 mothers of children aged 0–6 years are analysed using thematic analysis. The results show that the process of leaving a DV shelter begins almost as soon as the mother and her children arrive, as it can take quite some time to find a new safe place and to mentally prepare for the move. Additionally, it takes a lot of effort to plan for life outside the shelter. This involves hardship for the mothers and children, meaning that they need support from both shelter staff and social services. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed

“I put her in the baby stroller and left” : the escape route from violence to a domestic violence shelter for mothers and children

Little is known about mothers’ and children's escape from violence and its aftermath when living in secure accommodation, especially with regard to children. The aim is to investigate mothers’ experiences of their escape, and their considerations regarding the well-being of their young children before or during their escape, based on 14 interviews. Using a narrative thematic analysis, the results show that the escape was often planned, but that the planning horizon varies. In many cases, the mothers’ social network served as a stepping-stone during the escape, before they continued by moving to a domestic violence shelter (DVS). Implications for policy and practice are offered

Children’s Rights and Their Life Situation in Domestic Violence Shelters : An Integrative Review

The aim of this systematic integrative review was to review existing research on children in domestic violence shelters, and specifically to examine previous research on how shelters contribute to children’s life situation after leaving a violent home. The review includes 28 scientific articles published between 1984 and 2021. These were thematically analyzed and discussed using a children’s rights perspective to identify strengths and limitations in existing research and social work practice. The analysis resulted in five themes: (1) safety and security, (2) health, behavior, and support, (3) schooling, (4) spare time and shelter environment, and (5) social relationships. Safety and security is a theme of great importance, and if this aspects is lacking, it can adversely affect other areas of the children’s lives. Overall, the children feel safe at the shelters, and they appreciate the playgrounds and activities offered by the shelter. They often make friends at the shelter. The children’s right to be protected from violence appears to be prioritized, but the studies show the importance of also acknowledging children’s rights to support, education, recreational time, and social relationships, to improve their life situation at the shelter.Artikel 19: Vad en vistelse på skyddat boende betyder för våldsutsatta bar