‘Hidden habitus’: a qualitative study of socio-ecological influences on drinking practices and social identity in mid-adolescence

This study explored mid-adolescents’ views and experiences of socio-ecological influences on their drinking practices in order to help inform the development of interventions to reduce alcohol-related risk. We conducted 31 in-depth interviews with young people aged 13–17 in North East England. Verbatim interview transcripts and field notes were coded systematically and analysed thematically, following the principles of constant comparison. We adopted Bourdieu’s idea of social game-playing and elements of his conceptual toolkit (particularly habitus, capital and field) during analysis. Analysis yielded three intersecting themes: (1) ‘drinking etiquette’: conveying taste and disgust; (2) ‘playing the drinking game’: demonstrating cultural competency; (3) ‘hidden habitus’—the role of alcohol marketing. Our work demonstrates that there is a nexus of influential factors which come together to help shape and reinforce mid-adolescents’ behaviour, norms and values in relation to alcohol consumption. Drinking practices are not just formed by friendships and family traditions, these are also subject to wider cultural shaping including by the alcohol industry which can encourage brand identification, and gear specific products to add ‘distinction’. However young people are not inactive players and they use aspects of capital and social games to help cement their identity and present themselves in particular ways which in turn are influenced by age, gender and social status. Guided by promising work in the tobacco field, interventions which focus on critical awareness of the framing of alcohol products by key stakeholders, such as policymakers, commercial industry and public health professionals, and by wider society may facilitate behaviour change among young people

Development of machine learning schemes for use in non-invasive and continuous patient health monitoring

Stephanie Baker developed machine learning schemes for the non-invasive and continuous measurement of blood pressure and respiratory rate from heart activity waveforms. She also constructed machine learning models for mortality risk assessment from vital sign variations. This research contributes several tools that offer significant advancements in patient monitoring and wearable healthcare

STORIES AS SITES OF RESISTANCE: RECLAIMING MEN’S NARRATIVES OF CONCURRENT SUBSTANCE USE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

This study examines men’s experiences and perceptions of concurrent substance use and intimate partner violence using qualitative methodology. Previous research on the relationship between these concerns has been primarily quantitative in nature and situated within two dominant perspectives (the medical model and feminism). The aim of this study was to explore men’s stories within social constructionist and postmodern frameworks to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their lived experiences with concurrent substance use and intimate partner violence. Narrative methods were employed to collect and analyze the data. Purposive sampling located twelve men living in the Niagara Region, St. Mary’s, and Brantford who agreed to participate in audio-recorded interviews. Four main open-ended research questions explored various aspects of men’s experiences in childhood/adolescence and adulthood, including their substance use histories, incidents of partner violence, perceptions related to influences on masculinity, involvement with service providers, and support that is required when making change. Findings emerging from a Thematic Narrative Analysis highlighted the significance of trauma in men’s experiences and resulted in three main themes: 1) childhood trauma, 2) adult trauma, and 3) transformation. Within these dominant themes, multiple subthemes emerged and explored various traumas men experienced in childhood/adolescence and adulthood, factors that influenced intimate partner violence situations and use of substances, perceptions of masculinity, and elements that facilitated/obstructed men’s efforts to make change. Overall, this study highlights the significance of trauma in men’s experiences of concurrent substance use and intimate partner violence, contests the narratives proposed by the dominant discourses, and discusses implications for social work research, policy, and practice

STORIES AS SITES OF RESISTANCE: RECLAIMING MEN’S NARRATIVES OF CONCURRENT SUBSTANCE USE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

This study examines men’s experiences and perceptions of concurrent substance use and intimate partner violence using qualitative methodology. Previous research on the relationship between these concerns has been primarily quantitative in nature and situated within two dominant perspectives (the medical model and feminism). The aim of this study was to explore men’s stories within social constructionist and postmodern frameworks to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their lived experiences with concurrent substance use and intimate partner violence. Narrative methods were employed to collect and analyze the data. Purposive sampling located twelve men living in the Niagara Region, St. Mary’s, and Brantford who agreed to participate in audio-recorded interviews. Four main open-ended research questions explored various aspects of men’s experiences in childhood/adolescence and adulthood, including their substance use histories, incidents of partner violence, perceptions related to influences on masculinity, involvement with service providers, and support that is required when making change. Findings emerging from a Thematic Narrative Analysis highlighted the significance of trauma in men’s experiences and resulted in three main themes: 1) childhood trauma, 2) adult trauma, and 3) transformation. Within these dominant themes, multiple subthemes emerged and explored various traumas men experienced in childhood/adolescence and adulthood, factors that influenced intimate partner violence situations and use of substances, perceptions of masculinity, and elements that facilitated/obstructed men’s efforts to make change. Overall, this study highlights the significance of trauma in men’s experiences of concurrent substance use and intimate partner violence, contests the narratives proposed by the dominant discourses, and discusses implications for social work research, policy, and practice

Films of the 1950s: Two Perspectives on Post-War America

Although it is not possible to ascertain with certainty the mood of an entire country at a particular time in history, films of an era can reflect glimpses of the prevalent milieu of a society. The films of the 1 930s reflect a grim view of life as Americans struggle to overcome the Great Depression, while films of the 1940s espouse great patriotism as Americans fight for freedom in World War II. Post-war America of the 1950s is an enigma: great prosperity mingled with Cold War fears. Filmmakers of this era are challenged to reflect the American psyche during this period. The horror film genre emerges in response to the hidden fears of nuclear annihilation. This is balanced out with movies that include musicals, comedies and stories of the good life in suburbia. This paper will look at post-war American society through the lenses of two renowned directors of the time

Value Discretion in a People-Changing Environment: Taking the Long View

This article explores the normative value judgements (called value discretion) made by Ontario Works income assistance case managers in their people-changing roles. The focus of case management under welfare reform has moved from determining eligibility for income assistance—people processing, to moving recipients from assistance to employment—people changing. The article outlines case managers’ pursuit of “the long view” in working with recipients over time moving from assessment to crisis work to meeting workfare requirements. In taking the long view case managers expose a basic contradiction in welfare reform that people changing does not result in the shortest route to a job

Prioritizing partnership: Critical steps towards relationship development for sustaining community-university partnerships

The increase in undergraduate programs in public health within liberal arts institutions in the United States creates an opportunity for community-engaged research with local public health organisations. This type of engagement is one way to connect community members, agency representatives, students, staff, and faculty around social justice organizing efforts that impact entire communities. Authentic relationships and partnerships can reduce real barriers to building bases of support for intervention development, local advocacy efforts, and policy change, to achieve a more just and equitable society. This practice-based article describes key steps to partnership development between a private, engaged-teaching liberal arts institution and a local public health nonprofit located in central North Carolina. The partnership was formed to use community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches to address health equity. To create an authentic CBPR partnership, an intentional partnership development process took place with key steps that were integral to the formation. Structured learning experiences and mentorship provided by previously established CBPR partnerships were critical to partnership development. Shared capacity building experiences, consistent meetings and goal setting facilitated progress. This partnership has lasted since 2015 and continues to grow. Partnership development is an important foundational activity for CBPR and is feasible for local community organizations and undergraduate public health studies departments outside of Schools of Public Health