Audience development in public cultural centers: a qualitative study in Helsingborg and Elsinore

Audience development in cultural arts organizations is the institutional practice of increasing audiences, deepening relationships with the audiences and diversifying the audience base (EAC/08/2015 Tender specifications). As a critical function of the strategic management in arts organizations (Varbanova, 2012) audience development thus contributes, to the cultural policy goal of providing access to the high arts for all and the cultural policy goal of providing opportunities for the self-expression of the community (Bjørnsen, 2014). However, public local cultural centers, as the community centers that offer different art forms and opportunities for social interaction (Shaw et al., 2006), are absent from the audience development literature and as such, one of the main ambitions of this doctoral thesis is to explore the critical function of management for this type of cultural organizations. The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand the perception of directors of cultural centers and their practice of audience development, and more, the management implications of a city’s political visions on audience development and what the directors perceive it would take to improve the practice of audience development all the while taking into consideration the current challenges in practicing audience development. In order to answer the research questions, this study uses a qualitative approach to compare two case studies (Yin,2009), namely the Dunkers Kulturhus in Helsingborg, Sweden, and the Culture Yard in Elsinore, Denmark. According to the semi-interviews with their directors and the documents related to the political vision of the respective cities and the management of the two cultural centers, the findings show that directors perceive audience development to play a major role in their organizations although they understand audience development in a more holistic way than the literature suggests. Moreover, the political visions in the cities of Helsingborg and Elsinore clearly impact strategic management in both organizations and their directors navigate between the political and the art market by considering the legitimacy criteria of both markets when planning for audience development (Lindqvist, 2007). Finally, the success of any audience development plan depends on the ability to keep the relationship with their audience in the core of everything these cultural centers do

The components, construction and correlates of quality of school life in secondary education

The present thesis is an investigation of the components, constmction and correlates of Quality of School Life (Q.S.L.). Firstly, a new Q.S.L. scale was constmcted and its psychometric properties tested. Secondly, the association between demographics (gender, age / school grade, school), school stress, well - being and personality (self - esteem, affectivity, locus of control) and Q.S.L. was studied. Cross - cultural comparison between Scotland and Greece regarding levels of Q.S.L., as well as correlates and predictors of Q.S.L. across cultures, were also investigated. Finally, the association between Q.S.L. and school performance, school misbehaviour, bullying / victimisation and substance use, in comparison with school, well - being and personality factors, was studied. Participants consisted of a sample from two secondary schools in Stirling area, in Scotland (n = 425) and a sample of Greek secondary school pupils from Agrinio region (n = 173). Data were collected by means of questionnaires. Eleven scales were administered to the Scottish sample (e.g. demographics, affectivity) and six scales (e.g. demographics, school stress) were administered to the Greek sample. Univariate parametric (e.g. t - test, ANOVA) and non - parametric tests (e.g. chi - square) were used in data analysis. Mutli - variate tests (e.g. Logistic regression) were also used. Seven cross - sectional studies are reported. Results indicated that the new Q.S.L. scale has good psychometric qualities both in the Scottish and the Greek sample, although such qualities need to be investigated further. Personality factors were found to be the best predictors of Q.S.L. in two studies. In the study regarding the correlates of Q.S.L., it was found that school self - esteem was the best predictor of Q.S.L., whereas in the cross - cultural study between Scotland and Greece it was found that, for both Scottish and Greek samples, positive affectivity was the best predictor of Q.S.L. However, both Greek and Scottish samples in the cross - cultural study consisted of 4'*' to 6“* graders, whereas the sample in the study regarding the correlates of Q.S.L. (Scottish only) consisted of L* to 6*** grade secondary school pupils. Greek and Scottish pupils were found to differ in relation to Q.S.L. levels total and across domains with a privilege of Scottish pupils regarding Q.S.L. Q.S.L. was not found to be the best predictor of self - rated performance neither across subjects nor overall. School self - esteem was found the best predictor of self- rated performance overall. However, Q.S.L. was found to be associated with school misbehaviour, but again it was not its best predictor. The best predictor of school misbehaviour was found to be gender, with males being more likely to misbehave than females. Nevertheless, Q.S.L. was found the best predictor of overall involvement in bullying and / or victimisation, alongside with school stress, implying its significant association with the phenomenon as a whole. It was also found that peer self - esteem and demographics, such as gender, differentiate bullies and victims. Finally, Q.S.L. was found to predict at best smoking maintenance, whereas other factors (e.g. school stress) where found to predict at best experimentation with smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs and maintenance of alcohol use. The role of Q.S.L. as well as of demographic, school stress, well - being and personality factors in relation to school performance, school misbehaviour, bullying and substance use are discussed. The results of each study are discussed in relation to previous relevant literature, practical implications for each area, limitations of the research, and some suggestions for future research are also provided

Cultural concepts of distress and complex PTSD: Future directions for research and treatment

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) was introduced as a new diagnostic category in ICD-11. It encompasses PTSD symptoms along with disturbances in self-organisation (DSO), i.e., affect dysregulation, negative self-concept, and disturbances in relationships. Quantitative research supports the validity of CPTSD across different cultural groups. At the same time, evidence reveals cultural variation in the phenomenology of PTSD, which most likely translates into cultural variation with regard to DSO. This theoretical review aims to set the ground for future research on such cultural aspects in the DSO. It provides a theoretical introduction to cultural clinical psychology, followed by a summary of evidence on cultural research related to PTSD and DSO. This evidence suggests that the way how DSO symptoms manifest, and the underlying etiological processes, are closely intertwined with cultural notions of the self, emotions, and interpersonal relationships and interpersonal relationships. We propose directions for future research and implications for culturally sensitive clinical practice

The International Grief Questionnaire (IGQ): A new measure of ICD-11 Prolonged Grief Disorder.

Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is included in the 11th version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD‐11). This study sought to test the validity and reliability of a new brief measure to screen for ICD‐11 PGD—the International Grief Questionnaire (IGQ). The psychometric properties of the IGQ were tested using data collected from two bereaved samples of adults from the United Kingdom (n = 1,012) and Ireland (n = 1,011). Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that a correlated two‐factor model best captured the latent dimensionality of the IGQ in both samples. Estimates of internal reliability were high, whereas the convergent and concurrent validity of the scale were supported through strong associations with external measures. Measurement invariance and differential item functioning testing showed no statistically significant difference in the latent structure of the IGQ nor the functioning of the IGQ items by age, sex, and nationality. For participants who were bereaved for more than 6 months, the rates of probable PGD derived from the IGQ were 10.9% and 15.3% for the Irish and U.K. samples, respectively. The IGQ is a brief, easy‐to‐use, self‐report screening measure that captures all diagnostic criteria of PGD set forth in the ICD‐11. Findings from this study provide initial support for the validity, measurement invariance, and reliability of the IGQ among two national samples

Personally meaningful recovery in people with psychological trauma:initial validity and reliability of the Individual Recovery Outcomes Counter (I.ROC)

Individual Recovery Outcomes Counter (I.ROC) is a brief tool measuring personal recovery designed for collaborative use within support. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of a self‐report version of the I.ROC within a trauma population. A total of 107 adults attending trauma interventions in an NHS service in Scotland completed I.ROC alongside measures of self‐esteem, mental illness symptoms, and functional impairment. Scores on each measure were compared to evaluate the convergent validity of I.ROC. Internal consistency and factor analytical techniques were also used to assess the structural validity and reliability of the measure. Results of internal consistency, convergent validity, and factor analysis provide preliminary support for I.ROC’s validity within a trauma population. Previously proposed models were a poor fit for the current sample; principal components analysis suggested a three‐factor structure with acceptable internal consistency, comprising ten of the original twelve items (I.ROC‐10). Correlations with all measures reached significance for the original and modified I.ROC and its subscales. I.ROC appears to be a valid and reliable tool for use in measuring recovery within a trauma population, but further research is needed to examine the structural validity of I.ROC

Can developmental trauma disorder be distinguished from posttraumatic stress disorder? A symptom-level person-centred empirical approach

Background: Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) is a proposed childhood psychiatric diagnosis for psychopathological and developmental sequela of victimization and attachment trauma extending beyond posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: To determine whether a sub-group of trauma-impacted children is characterized by symptoms of DTD that extend beyond, or co-occur with, the symptoms of PTSD. Method: Person-centred Latent Class Analyses (LCA) were done with data from 507 children (ages 7–18 years, (M = 12.11, SD = 2/92); 49% female) referred to the study by mental health or paediatric clinicians. Results: A four class solution was optimal (LMR = 398.264, p \u3c .001; Entropy = .93): (1) combined DTD + PTSD (n = 150); (2) predominant DTD (n = 156); (3) predominant PTSD (n = 54); (4) minimal symptoms (n = 147). Consistent with prior research, the DTD + PTSD class was most likely to have experienced traumatic emotional abuse and neglect (X2(3) = 16.916 and 28.016, respectively, p \u3c .001), and had the most psychiatric comorbidity (F(3, 502) = 3.204, p \u3c .05). Predominant DTD class members were most likely to meet criteria for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) (X2(3) = 84.66, p \u3c .001). Conclusion: Symptoms of DTD may occur with, or separately from, PTSD symptoms. Children with high DTD|+PTSD symptoms had extensive psychiatric comorbidity, while those with high DTD symptoms and minimal PTSD symptoms were highly likely to meet criteria for ODD. In clinical and research assessment and treatment of children with complex psychiatric comorbidity or disruptive behaviour problems, symptoms of DTD should be considered, both along with, and in the absence of, PTSD symptoms. - Antecedentes: El trastorno traumático del desarrollo (DTD en su sigla en inglés) es un diagnóstico psiquiátrico infantil propuesto para las secuelas psicopatológicas y del desarrollo de la victimización y el trauma del apego que se extiende más allá del trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT). Objetivo: Determinar si un subgrupo de niños afectados por un trauma se caracteriza por síntomas de DTD que se extienden más allá o coexiste con los síntomas del trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT). Método: Se realizaron análisis de clase latente (LCA en su sigla en inglés) centrados en la persona con datos de 507 niños (de 7 a 18 años de edad, (M = 12.11, DS = 2/92); 49% mujeres) remitidos al estudio por médicos pediátricos o de salud mental. Resultados: Una solución de cuatro clases fue óptima (LMR = 398.264, p \u3c .001; Entropía = .93): (1) combinado DTD + TEPT (n = 150); (2) DTD predominante (n = 156); (3) TEPT predominante (n = 54); (4) síntomas mínimos (n = 147). De acuerdo con investigaciones previas, la clase DTD + TEPT tenía más probabilidades de haber experimentado abuso emocional traumático y negligencia (X2(3) = 16.916 y 28.016, respectivamente, p \u3c .001), y tenía la mayor comorbilidad psiquiátrica (F(3, 502) = 3.204, p \u3c .05). Los miembros de la clase DTD predominante tenían más probabilidades de cumplir los criterios para el trastorno oposicionista desafiante (ODD en su sigla en inglés) (X2(3) = 84.66, p \u3c .001). Conclusión: Los síntomas de DTD pueden ocurrir con, o por separado de, los síntomas de TEPT. Los niños con síntomas de DTD + TEPT altos tenían una comorbilidad psiquiátrica extensa, mientras que aquellos con síntomas de DTD altos y síntomas mínimos de TEPT tenían muchas probabilidades de cumplir con los criterios para ODD. En la evaluación y tratamiento clínico y de investigación de niños con comorbilidad psiquiátrica compleja o problemas de comportamiento disruptivo, se deben considerar los síntomas de DTD, tanto junto con, como en ausencia de, síntomas de TEPT. - 背景：发育性创伤障碍 (DTD) 是一种倡议的儿童精神病学诊断，用于治疗超出创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 受害程度和依恋创伤的精神病和发育后遗症。 目的：确定一个受创伤影响的儿童亚组是否具有超出创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 症状或与之并发的 DTD 症状。 方法：对 507 名转诊到心理健康或儿科医生的儿童（年龄 7-18 岁，（平均年龄 = 12.11，标准差 = 2/92）；49% 女性）的数据进行了以人分类的潜在类别分析 (LCA)。 结果：四类解决方案是最佳的（LMR = 398.264，p \u3c .001；熵 = .93）：（1）DTD + PTSD 组合（n = 150）； (2) 主要 DTD (n = 156); (3) 主要的 PTSD (n = 54); (4) 轻微症状 (n = 147)。与先前研究一致，DTD + PTSD 类最有可能经历过创伤性情绪虐待和忽视（分别地，X2(3) = 16.916 和 28.016，p \u3c .001），并且有最多的精神并发症（F(3, 502) = 3.204, p \u3c .05)。主要的 DTD 类人群最有可能符合对立违抗障碍 (ODD) 的标准 (X2(3) = 84.66, p \u3c .001)。 结论：DTD 症状可能与 PTSD 症状同时出现，或与 PTSD 症状分开出现。高 DTD|+PTSD 症状的儿童具有广泛的精神并发症，而高 DTD 症状和少 PTSD 症状的儿童很可能符合 ODD 标准。在对患有复杂精神并发症或破坏性行为问题的儿童进行临床和研究评估和治疗时，无论是否存在 PTSD 症状，都应考虑 DTD 的症状