Effectiveness of Three Foodservice Equipment Training Interventions for Food and Nutrition Students

This study evaluated students’ (N = 65) reported knowledge, competence, and comfort in using foodservice equipment, as well as confidence in training others after completing one of the following interventions: 1) two food/nutrition courses, and foodservice supervised practice rotations, 2) equipment introduction, and competency exam, and 3) equipment training, practice lab, and competency exam. Foodservice operations and dietetics programs should consider implementing Intervention 3 because there was a significant increase in knowledge, competence, comfort, and confidence using equipment from pre- to post-intervention, it yielded the highest post-intervention scores, and most students received \u3e86% for their actual skill

The Experiences of Being a Full-Time Firefighter: A Qualitative Study

Firefighters are exposed to stress both physically and psychologically on a nearly daily basis, which can have a profound effect on their physical and emotional well-being. In the present qualitative study we explore the effects of being a full time firefighter on both personal and professional aspects of life. Full time firefighters from departments around the southwest Ohio region are being interviewed using a semi-structured format. Those interviews are recorded and transcribed for the purpose of analysis, as we look for common themes among these professionals. Our questions specifically focus on the experiences a firefighter has had while being on call, expectations and motivations when first beginning their career, stressors and coping within the job itself, and how their career choice has affected their familial relationships, health habits, hobbies, and personality. Emerging themes include issues regarding sleep, risk-taking behaviors and habits, and the motivation of helping others

Personal Frustrations of a Full-Time Firefighting Career

In this phenomenological qualitative study, we explored the professional and personal frustrations of being a full-time male firefighter. Themes emerged through analyzing the transcripts of the 26 semi-structured interviews that we conducted. Questions specifically focused on the stress and experiences encountered while on the job and the potential effects that their job has on their personal life, including hobbies, health, and personality. Themes included perceived verbal and physical abuse by the community of the fire service and its services, firefighters’ increased awareness of the environment and how this affects their daily life and the negative/positive implications of the media portrayal of firefighters. We relate the findings of the present study to research on other service-providing professions. Implications of the study include increased awareness and respect for the struggles firefighters endure

Phone Home: Parent-Child Support in College Students\u27 Social Interaction

In this qualitative research study we explored college students’ understanding and appreciation of parental support in social interaction. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 college students who were found to have a close relationship with their parents from a previous study (relative to their peers). The first theme indicated that the majority of these students, who already have close relationships with their parents, benefitted from verbal communication, including phone call and texting with their parents. Texting enables the students and parents to remain in constant contact with each other throughout the day. Parents are able to encourage their children, and let them know they are being thought of and prayed for. They are also able to send reminders about important events, responsibilities, and daily encouragement. Phone calls are another form of communication that was reported. These calls enabled parents to hear about their child’s life, specific stressful events, and personal conflicts in a more detailed way than texting. The second theme revealed that Participants also were grateful for their parents’ availability, giving them a sense of support and security. The students commented that they feel loved and important as a result of being a high priority for their parents. The parents’ consistent communication with their child also served as a morale and self-esteem boost. The last theme represented how students use their parents as a source of relief. When students are on the phone with their parents, the student will often fill in the details and emotions about a conflict and the parent can then provide a safe place for the student to process their thoughts

A Qualitative Study of the Motivations and Affiliation Dynamics Involved with a Firefighting Career

We explored the experiences of full-time firefighters in the present phenomenological qualitative study, having conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 male full-time firefighters. Their personal constructs of motivation and affiliation were explored and, within the constructs of motivation, three themes emerged. First, firefighters were motivated by a love of the excitement firefighting provides. Second, firefighters reported that the work schedule, which allows them more time at home, was a motivation. Third (and most emphasized by the firefighters) was an altruistic motivation to help others. Under the construct of affiliation, the firefighters reported a strong sense of brotherhood with their shift-partners, and they extended this brotherhood to all firefighters and even other emergency workers. We relate these findings to the existing body of research regarding the relationship between motivation, affiliation and satisfaction of firefighters