The nature of emotional support and counselling provision for people with sight loss in the United Kingdom

People with sight loss in the United Kingdom are known to have lower levels of emotional wellbeing and to be at higher risk of depression. Consequently ‘having someone to talk to’ is an important priority for people with visual impairment. An on-line survey of the provision of emotional support and counselling for people affected by sight loss across the UK was undertaken. The survey was distributed widely and received 182 responses. There were more services offering ‘emotional support’, in the form of listening and information and advice giving, than offered ‘counselling’. Services were delivered by providers with differing qualifications in a variety of formats. Waiting times were fairly short and clients presented with a wide range of issues. Funding came from a range of sources, but many felt their funding was vulnerable. Conclusions have been drawn about the need for a national standardised framework for the provision of emotional support and counselling services for blind and partially sighted people in the U

Concept Mapping 101

Concept maps are visual depictions of information, generally in diagram form, that are used to enhance and document learning (Novak, 1990; Whiteley, 2005). As a learning tool, concept maps have been used for many years in the fields of education and nursing (Novak, 1990; Schuster, 2002). The methods and uses of concept mapping have evolved in the areas of academic education, clinical education, and research since the 1970s (All & Havens, 1997; Novak, 1990; Schuster, 2002; Whiteley, 2005). This article discusses the use of concept mapping in occupational therapy education

Why Donald Trump’s election may mean we see more liberal conspiracy theories about the government

In 2016, conspiracy theories seem to have become part of politics’ new normal. But what kinds of people are more likely to believe in certain conspiracy theories? In new research, Joanne M. Miller, Kyle L. Saunders and Christina E. Farhart find that conservatives are more likely to endorse ideologically motivated conspiracy theories – such as the idea that President Obama was not born in the US – if they have low levels of trust in government and greater political knowledge. Liberals, on the other hand, are less likely to endorse liberal conspiracy theories if they have both greater political knowledge and more trust in government

Dayton and Emmer Deadlocked

As the general election campaign for Governor enters the symbolic starting point of Labor Day, the Democratic candidate Mark Dayton is deadlocked with the Republican candidate Tom Emmer, 34% for Dayton compared to 34% for Emmer. The Independence Party candidate Tom Horner is drawing 13% support.Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM

U.S. Senate Race is a Toss Up: Anti-Republican Winds Help Franken, Coleman Bolstered by Swing Voters and Centrism

According to a Minnesota Public Radio News and Humphrey Institute poll, the DFL endorsed candidate Al Franken is locked in a close race with incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Norm Coleman. Forty-one percent support Franken and 40% support Coleman, well within the margin of error (+/-3.6 percentage points). Eight percent support contending Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley. The race is wide open with 11% undecided.Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM

Anger at Washington Helping Emmer, But Tea Party Backlash

Minnesota voters are angry, and they are taking it out on incumbents of both parties. There is a powerful reaction against the signature reforms passed by Democrats in Washington (health reform and the economic stimulus) and against the federal government more generally – with solid majorities distrusting it and deciding that it is too powerful.Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM

Economic Turmoil Generates New Agenda and Emerging Consensus on Government

According to a Minnesota Public Radio News and Humphrey Institute study of likely Minnesota voters, the turmoil in the financial sector and broader economy appears to be reshaping the agenda of issues that concern Minnesotans, giving rise to what may be initial steps toward a new consensus about the government’s role and providing a modest boost to the Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. The results are based on interviews with 766 likely voters conducted between September 29th and October 5th. The margin of error is +/-3.6 percentage points. For smaller subgroups the margin of sampling error is larger.Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM

Voters Turn On Bachmann while Strongly Supporting Coleman

Michele Bachmann’s controversial comments that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama “may have anti-American views” have put in jeopardy her campaign for re-election in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District, according to a Minnesota Public Radio News and Humphrey Institute poll. Bachmann narrowly trails her Democratic rival, Elwyn Tinklenberg, 45 percent to 43 percent, which is within the margin of error and therefore should be considered a toss-up. Independence Party candidate Bob Anderson received 5 percent; 7 percent did not indicate support for a candidate. In 2006, Bachmann won the election by 8 points over her Democratic rival Patty Wetterling (50 percent to 42 percent).Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM

Free Thinking Minnesota: Approval of Governor and Opposition to New Sales Tax but Support for Democrats in State Legislative Races and Doubts About Lt. Governor

Despite lingering perceptions of Minnesota as a “lock” for the Democratic Party and supportive of “big government,” the political attitudes of Minnesotan voters are not so clear cut. According to a Minnesota Public Radio News and Humphrey Institute poll, voters do have conservative views on some issues.Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM