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Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Dawn Brooker, Rose-Marie Dröes and Shirley Evans

The purpose of this paper is to describe the Adaptation-Coping Model developed by Dröes in the Netherlands to frame the process of optimal adjustment for people diagnosed with…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the Adaptation-Coping Model developed by Dröes in the Netherlands to frame the process of optimal adjustment for people diagnosed with dementia. This model is not well-known in English-speaking countries, but appears to have much to offer practitioners and researchers. As part of a large EU research project (MeetingDem) the authors translated and utilised this model in piloting the Dutch Meeting Centre Support Programme in the UK. This is a local community place-based approach to post-diagnostic psychosocial support. It is aimed at people diagnosed with dementia alongside their families and has proven benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

The Adaptation-Coping Model underpins the support provided by the Meeting Centre Programme. The model and its translation into the UK context are described. Focus groups were undertaken with people living with dementia (n=9) and family carers (n=6) at the UK Meeting Centre pilot. Examples from these focus groups are provided in order to illustrate different aspects of the model.

Findings

The translated Adaptation-Coping (adjusting to change) Model provides a way for service users (people with dementia and families) to conceptualise their journey with dementia post-diagnosis, and potentially provides service providers and researchers with aims for treatment and support.

Research limitations/implications

These are initial observations based on a UK pilot service.

Originality/value

Ways of conceptualising psychosocial support for people living with dementia often do not get translated between countries. This model has been successfully utilised within the Netherlands for many years. This paper highlights the opportunity to build on this in English-speaking countries.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2021

Shirley Evans, Jennifer Bray and Dawn Brooker

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Meeting Centres (MCs) for people affected by dementia in the UK ceased to meet physically but continued to provide remote support. The aim was to…

Abstract

Purpose

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Meeting Centres (MCs) for people affected by dementia in the UK ceased to meet physically but continued to provide remote support. The aim was to understand the extent to which MCs were able to operate when physical meetings were not possible and how they achieved particularly in relation to the adaptation and coping model and practical, emotional and social adjustment.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with people affected by dementia, staff, volunteers, managers and trustees from MCs. Data were collected on the type and quantity of contact MCs had with people affected by dementia during lockdown. Data were coded and mapped against adaptation and coping strategies, i.e. practical understanding and empowerment, optimising emotional well-being and opportunities for social engagement.

Findings

A range of remote approaches, both technological (e.g. using online platforms) and non-technological (e.g. newsletters and post) were implemented alongside limited face-to-face contact. Regular MC activities were adapted using the different approaches. It was possible to map all the adaptation and coping model support strategies to the activities delivered in this way. MCs were able to adapt rapidly to continue to support people to adjust to change.

Social implications

Moving forward, combining approaches (usual MC and remote) means person-centred support could be optimized, addressing social isolation and reaching those who cannot attend MCs.

Originality/value

This paper offers new insight into the extent to which community-based support for people with dementia can continue when face-to-face contact is not possible because of COVID-19.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 September 2022

Shirley Evans, Jennifer Bray, Dawn Brooker and Nathan Stephens

Meeting Centres (MCs) are a complex community-based psychosocial intervention to support people affected by dementia. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of…

Abstract

Purpose

Meeting Centres (MCs) are a complex community-based psychosocial intervention to support people affected by dementia. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of identifying the essential features of MCs from a UK perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The essential features were examined within a concept analysis framework, which combines both static and evolutionary methods, enabling multiple stakeholder groups to be included in the process in an iterative manner.

Findings

Eleven essential features were developed, providing a conceptual model of the UK MCs. The underpinning rationale is sufficiently flexible to enable community-based development, while at the same time providing a robust platform upon which to build the evidence base.

Originality/Value

While some features may be common to other types of community-based support, the combination of characteristics and the underpinning ethos differentiates MCs and enables each one to meet the needs of its own community.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2023

Thomas Morton, Shirley Evans, Ruby Swift, Jennifer Bray and Faith Frost

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption in community support for vulnerable older people and is thought to have exacerbated existing issues within UK adult social care. This…

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption in community support for vulnerable older people and is thought to have exacerbated existing issues within UK adult social care. This study aims to examine the legacy of that disruption on how meeting centres for people affected by dementia have been impacted in continually evolving circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted at three meeting centre case study sites. Ninety-eight participants, including people living with dementia, family carers, staff, volunteers, trustees and external partners, were asked about the impact and legacy of the pandemic upon meeting centres. A thematic analysis was carried out on the data.

Findings

Ten themes were identified: ability to re-open venues; increased health decline and loss of members due to isolation; closure or halting of linking services and dementia community support; disruption to diagnosis and referrals; increase in outreach, building communities and overall reach; digital access and use of technology (boom and decline); changes to carer involvement and engagement; continued uncertainty and changes to funding, resources and governance; staff and volunteer recruitment issues; and relief at/wish for return to pre-pandemic norms.

Originality/value

This paper offers new insight into a still-developing situation, namely, the legacy effects of the pandemic upon third-sector community support for people affected by dementia and the health and social care services that support it. The reduction in maintenance of pandemic-era technological innovations is a key finding.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 6 September 2021

Clodagh G. Butler, Deirdre O’Shea and Donald M. Truxillo

Interest in psychological resilience has grown rapidly in the last couple of decades (Britt, Sinclair, & McFadden, 2016; King & Rothstein, 2010; Youssef & Luthans, 2007)…

Abstract

Interest in psychological resilience has grown rapidly in the last couple of decades (Britt, Sinclair, & McFadden, 2016; King & Rothstein, 2010; Youssef & Luthans, 2007). Psychological resilience occurs when a person can “recover, re-bound, bounce-back, adjust or even thrive” in the face of adversity (Garcia-Dia, DiNapoli, Garcia-Ona, Jakubowski, & O’flaherty, 2013, p. 264). As such, resilience can be conceptualized as a state-like and malleable construct that can be enhanced in response to stressful events (Kossek & Perrigino, 2016). It incorporates a dynamic process by which individuals use protective factors (internal and external) to positively adapt to stress over time (Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000; Rutter, 1987). Building on the dual-pathway model of resilience, we integrate adaptive and proactive coping to the resilience development process and add a heretofore unexamined perspective to the ways in which resilience changes over time. We propose that resilience development trajectories differ depending on the type of adversity or stress experienced in combination with the use of adaptive and proactive coping. We outline the need for future longitudinal studies to examine these relationships and the implications for developing resilience interventions in the workplace.

Details

Examining and Exploring the Shifting Nature of Occupational Stress and Well-Being
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80117-422-0

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 September 2019

Neena Gopalan, Nicholas J. Beutell and Wendy Middlemiss

This study aims to investigate international students’ cultural adjustment, academic satisfaction and turnover intentions using ecological systems perspective and explores factors…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate international students’ cultural adjustment, academic satisfaction and turnover intentions using ecological systems perspective and explores factors that affect academic success and turnover by exploring three stages: arrival, adjustment and adaptation.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 208 international students enrolled at a mid-Western university in the USA. Confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling and mediational analyses were used to test hypotheses.

Findings

Findings indicate that self-efficacy, as a pre-sojourn characteristic, affects adjustment variables inclusive of cultural adjustment, affecting academic satisfaction and turnover intentions. Adjustment variables (coping, cultural adjustment and organizational support) mediated relationships between self-efficacy and turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model moves the research forward by examining an ecological systems framework describing how individual, social, academic, cultural and institutional factors function in supporting international students’ transitions. Results may be generalizable to other large US universities with varying dynamics and resources available (or not) for international students.

Originality/value

Given the challenges international students face in the USA in adapting to both new culture and academic setting, it is imperative to identify what elements of their transition and academic environment predict academic success. This is one of the first studies testing the propositions derived from Schartner and Young’s (2016) model.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2018

Pengzhen Yin, Carol X.J. Ou, Robert M. Davison and Jie Wu

The overload effects associated with the use of mobile information and communication technologies (MICTs) in the workplace have become increasingly prevalent. The purpose of this…

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Abstract

Purpose

The overload effects associated with the use of mobile information and communication technologies (MICTs) in the workplace have become increasingly prevalent. The purpose of this paper is to examine the overload effects of using MICTs at work on employees’ job satisfaction, and explore the corresponding coping strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is grounded on the cognitive load theory and the coping model of user adaptation. The overload antecedents and coping strategies are integrated into one model. Theoretical hypotheses are tested with survey data collected from a sample of 178 employees at work in China.

Findings

The results indicate that information overload significantly reduces job satisfaction, while the influence of interruption overload on job satisfaction is not significant. Two coping strategies (information processing timeliness and job control assistant support) can significantly improve job satisfaction. Information processing timeliness significantly moderates the relationships between two types of overload effects and job satisfaction. Job control assistant support also significantly moderates the relationship between interruption overload and job satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study suggests that information overload and interruption overload could constitute an important index to indicate employees’ overload level when using MICTs at work. The two coping strategies provide managers with effective ways to improve employees’ job satisfaction. By taking advantage of the moderation effects of coping strategies, managers could lower employees’ evaluation of overload to an appropriate level.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive model to examine how the overload resulting from using MICTs in the workplace affects employees’ work status, and how to cope with it. Two types of overload are conceptualized and corresponding coping strategies are identified. The measurements of principal constructs are developed and empirically validated. The results provide theoretical and practical insights on human resource management and human–computer interaction.

Abstract

Details

Understanding Intercultural Interaction: An Analysis of Key Concepts, 2nd Edition
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-438-8

Article
Publication date: 25 February 2020

Edgardo R. Bravo and Jhony Ostos

In dynamic environments, employees should respond to changing demands carrying out actions to achieve proper knowledge of the information systems (IS) that they use (individual…

Abstract

Purpose

In dynamic environments, employees should respond to changing demands carrying out actions to achieve proper knowledge of the information systems (IS) that they use (individual adaptation). However, few studies have investigated the determinants of this behaviour. This study proposes and empirically evaluates a cognitive-attitudinal model grounded in migration theory, which considers push, pull and mooring factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from ERP users were analysed using partial least squares.

Findings

Coherent with migration theory, the results show that the individual adapts influenced by push factors (dissatisfaction with their current command of the IS), pull factors (expected benefits from improving their command) and mooring factors (attitude to the adaptation process). Also, inertia and cost of adaption impact on attitude.

Research limitations/implications

This study introduces migration theory to the IS literature as a basis for comprehensively explaining adaptation in organisational settings.

Practical implications

The results suggest that management should: exhibit the instrumental benefits of a solid command of the IS; show the current gap in employee knowledge to revert it and, introduce changes to move employees out of their comfort zone to encourage ongoing learning and reduce resistance.

Originality/value

While previous studies have focused on the implementation stage and the emotional factors to explain adaptation, this study intends to bridge this gap by investigating cognitive-attitudinal factors that trigger the intention to adapt in the post-adoption stage. The findings of this study are useful to researchers in adaptation behaviour, and to managers to promote IS learning for their staff.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 August 2015

Norma Gomez

– This paper aims to assess the vulnerability of the farmer-respondents in Southern Philippines, specifically Region XI and XII, to climate change.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the vulnerability of the farmer-respondents in Southern Philippines, specifically Region XI and XII, to climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted an empirical analysis of the impact of climate change on maize (Zea mays), banana (Musa sapientum) and durian (Durio zibethinus) production. Furthermore, it estimated the determinants of adaptation to climate change and its corresponding effect on farm productivity. The analysis used primary data from 541 farmer-respondents producing maize, banana and durian in the 6 provinces and 18 municipalities of the sample areas.

Findings

Based on the probit estimate results, farmers adaptation decisions were influenced by information about future climate change conditions, social capital, access to formal extension and farmer-to-farmer extension. The author found from the stochastic frontier estimation in the production function that climate change adaptations exerted a significant impact on farm productivity. It helped in coping with the adverse effects and risk of climate change while increasing agricultural productivities of the farmer-respondents.

Originality/value

This research paper will be an addition to the body of knowledge on the socioeconomic aspects on the climate change and adaptation on the production of maize, banana and durian in the case of a developing country like Southern Philippines. This will bring more insights into the adaptation strategies that are crucial to cope with climatic variability and change.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

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