{"title":"Understanding the needs and challenges of unpaid carers caring for someone with drug and alcohol dependency: findings from a national qualitative evaluation.","authors":"Sarah Tickle, Sarah Greenhow","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2500395","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2500395","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The cost-of-living crisis witnessed in the UK, in addition to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, has exacerbated growing concerns about its disproportionate impact on caregivers. All caregivers face unprecedented challenges, but this is further intensified when caring for someone with drug and alcohol dependency which this paper argues are direct social harms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This paper presents findings from an external evaluation of three projects from a wider national programme funded by NHS England and Improvement [NHSE/I]. Identified by NHSE/I as a vulnerable community, interviews were conducted with eight caregivers who were caring for someone with drug and alcohol dependency, which this paper focuses on.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative data, key themes emerged that emphasized a range of specific challenges faced by unpaid carers, including stigmatization and marginalization, a lack of understanding about drug and alcohol dependency, and caring for complex needs, which were particularly challenging in accessing appropriate support.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Caregivers overwhelmingly advocated for the urgent need to raise awareness around the role of being a \"carer,\" to see more individualized support provided, in addition to the recognition of treating mental health alongside drug and alcohol dependency in a supportive holistic approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2500395"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12077432/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Aspects of dignity in family caregivers of persons suffering from multiple sclerosis.","authors":"Dagfinn Nåden, Lillemor Lindwall, Vibeke Lohne","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2468047","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2468047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The focus of this study is on preserved dignity and dignity violation of family caregivers of persons suffering from multiple sclerosis.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of the study was to get a deeper understanding of how family caregivers of persons suffering from multiple sclerosis perceive that their dignity is preserved or deprived.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A hermeneutic approach was employed.</p><p><strong>Research methods: </strong>The authors conducted research interviews in the form of conversations with eight family caregivers.</p><p><strong>Analysis and interpretation methods: </strong>Our compass and guide in the interpretation process were Gadamer's hermeneutics and the pursuit of the study' purpose.</p><p><strong>Ethical considerations: </strong>The participants were informed of the possibility of being able to withdraw from the study whenever they wished.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Preserved dignity through: Doing good for others; Compassion with and bearing burdens of others; Being reconciled with life; Violated dignity caused by insensitive health care professionals, public authorities, health care systems and friends.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The family caregivers preserve their dignity by doing good for their loved ones, bearing their burdens and when they become reconciled with life. Their dignity is violated when being met by insensitive healthcare professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2468047"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11841095/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Malin Eriksson, Linda R Sundberg, Ailiana Santosa, Helena Lindgren, Nawi Ng, Kristina Lindvall
{"title":"Health behavioural change - the influence of social-ecological factors and health identity.","authors":"Malin Eriksson, Linda R Sundberg, Ailiana Santosa, Helena Lindgren, Nawi Ng, Kristina Lindvall","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2458309","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2458309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Health behaviour is crucial for influencing health, making it a key component in health promotion. However, changing behaviours is complex, as many factors interact to determine health behaviours. Information, awareness, and knowledge are important but not enough. It is essential to move beyond focusing solely on individual psychological and cognitive factors to an understanding of the complex processes involved in health behaviour change. Social-ecological models account for these complex processes but risk being overly broad and all-encompassing. This qualitative grounded theory study explores how individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors interplay to influence health behaviour, and examines how social-ecological models in health promotion can be tailored to address different ecological needs. Participants were recruited from a community-based cardiovascular disease-prevention program in Northern Sweden. Data was collected through in-depth interviews about health and health behaviours throughout the life course among middle-aged men and women. The results illustrate how factors obstructing or enabling health behaviours vary in patterned ways for individuals with different health identities. Social-ecological interventions could be more effective if adapted to the specific needs of people with different health identities. In addition to screening for various risk factors, screening for health identities could be helpful in designing social-ecological health-promoting interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2458309"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11789218/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143069436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marloes de Brabandere, Ini Vanwesenbeeck, Liselot Hudders
{"title":"Turning likes into lifts: Understanding how adolescents experience fitfluencer content and the opportunities it offers them.","authors":"Marloes de Brabandere, Ini Vanwesenbeeck, Liselot Hudders","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2467520","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2467520","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Current research on fitfluencers and fitspiration content is mostly quantitative and emphasizes its negative impact, overlooking its opportunities. Adolescents, who are undergoing an important and delicate developmental period, are largely understudied in research on fitfluencers and fitspiration. Combined with more than 80% of the world's adolescents not being sufficiently physically active, more research is needed on how fitfluencers may positively impact adolescents' mental and physical health. Through 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews with adolescents (aged 14-18), this study explores their lived experiences with fitfluencers and the role these play in their mental and physical health, and which opportunities fitfluencers offer to positively impact adolescents. Adolescents reported minimal negative consequences of fitfluencers and experience more motivation than demotivation. Four main opportunities-information, authenticity, actionable content, and entertainment-incited motivation to exercise and make fitfluencers' appearance and lifestyle more attainable and relatable. These results can guide future research on how fitfluencers can positively affect adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2467520"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11852233/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143484585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Children's experiences of living with their mental ill-health - a scoping review.","authors":"Eva-Karin Gotting, Laura Darcy, Åsa Israelsson-Skogsberg, Annelie J Sundler, Ewa Carlsson Lalloo","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2501682","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2501682","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to identify and summarize existing qualitative empirical research on children's experiences of living with their mental ill-health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A scoping review with a systematic search of the databases PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychINFO was conducted. The search generated 9,864 studies, which were screened by title, abstract, and full text.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty articles were included comprising 826 children aged 8-19 years. The key findings were described in four themes: <i>Identifying oneself with mental ill-health, Managing suffering and daily challenges, Seeking supportive and caring relationships</i> and <i>Navigating a complex school environment</i>. Being identified with mental ill-health brought challenges for children's everyday struggles. Their own coping strategies as well as supportive relationships with friends and adults were important. However, the balance between support and stress was complex.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Children have a desire to manage and comprehend their complex everyday lives of living with mental ill-health and wish for supported yet independent decision-making. Attitudes of friends, adults and professionals are important in providing understanding and non-judgemental support, valuable for children's well-being. Open conversations about mental health and providing accessible, child-centred interventions based on the needs expressed by children are necessary. This study contributes to the literature by emphasizing the central role of children's voices in matters of mental ill-health.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2501682"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12064100/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144059709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Critical evaluation of methodology in \"Experiences of insomnia among older people living in nursing homes a qualitative study\".","authors":"Milad Kazemi Najm, Nasrin Imanifar","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2522442","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2522442","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This letter critically evaluates the methodology of Eva Hjort Telhede's qualitative study exploring insomnia experiences among nursing homes. While the study contributes valuable insights into subjective sleep challenges, its methodological rigour warrants scrutiny to inform future research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study employed a qualitative descriptive design with semi-structured interviews (<i>n</i> = 19 participants) and inductive content analysis. Data collection occurred in nine Swedish nursing homes, with purposive sampling based on insomnia criteria (ICD-10) and cognitive competence (S-MMSE ≥20). Analysis followed Graneheim and Lundman's qualitative content analysis framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Key methodological strengths included purposive sampling, data saturation, and reflexive practices. Limitations identified were single-researcher bias, lack of intercoder reliability checks, gender imbalance (4 men, 15 women), and exclusion of variables such as cognitive diagnoses and medication use. Environmental factors (e.g. noise and lighting) were self-reported without objective validation, and contextual transferability was constrained by limited demographic diversity.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The reliance on a single coder and absence of triangulation may compromise the depth of thematic analysis. Recommendations include: (1) multi-researcher collaboration to enhance credibility; (2) inclusive sampling of residents with dementia; (3) mixed-methods designs integrating objective sleep measures; and (4) staff training in sleep hygiene to address institutional barriers. Strengthening methodological transparency and addressing contextual factors could improve future interventions for insomnia in nursing homes.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2522442"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12207777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144509314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hanna Tuvesson, A Birgitta Gunnarsson, Markus Sjösten, Viktor Carlsson, Sara Holmberg, Petra Wagman, Cecilia Fagerström, Ulrica Hörberg
{"title":"What people with stress-related disorders experience as being supportive for recovery - a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.","authors":"Hanna Tuvesson, A Birgitta Gunnarsson, Markus Sjösten, Viktor Carlsson, Sara Holmberg, Petra Wagman, Cecilia Fagerström, Ulrica Hörberg","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2516915","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2516915","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Prolonged stress leading to sick leave is a serious health problem, and it is crucial to find ways to support recovery. The aim of this review was to synthesize the results from qualitative research about what people with stress-related disorders experience as supportive for recovery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The systematic review was designed as a qualitative meta-synthesis following the recommendations by Walsh and Downe. Our search across PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo identified 20 articles that met the inclusion criteria. These articles were subsequently assessed for quality and analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three themes were identified that describe what people with stress-related disorders experience as supportive for recovery: ´Engaging and authentic atmospheres-an essentiality for recovery`, ´Pursuing an empowered and hopeful self`, and ´Embracing the continuous demanding quest for personal growth`. Recovery from stress-related disorders can be supported by giving each person the opportunity to grow and pursue an empowered and hopeful self. This requires time and support in an engaging and authentic atmosphere. Having the possibility for existential reflection, learning and exploring through various activities is important.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings show the importance of formal support that patiently stimulates existential reflection and learning in a non-demanding environment. Implementing activities in clinical practice that stimulate such a process, and which can be adapted to each person's needs and preferences could be beneficial.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2516915"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12164390/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144276570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Malene Missel, Linda Kahr Andersen, Camilla Corvinius, Maria Camilla Mathiasen, Pernille Orloff Donsel, Mai Nanna Schønau, Helle Pappot, Nanna Witting, Melissa Culligan, Giulia Locatelli, Mary Jarden, Karin Piil
{"title":"Understanding symptoms in the lives of adult patients with acute or chronic illness: a phenomenological study of patient experiences.","authors":"Malene Missel, Linda Kahr Andersen, Camilla Corvinius, Maria Camilla Mathiasen, Pernille Orloff Donsel, Mai Nanna Schønau, Helle Pappot, Nanna Witting, Melissa Culligan, Giulia Locatelli, Mary Jarden, Karin Piil","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2534871","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2534871","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Exploring how patients with acute and/or chronic illnesses experience symptoms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a phenomenological approach, interviews were conducted with patients to gain insights into their lived experiences and the meanings they attribute to symptoms. Phenomenological concepts of lifeworld, body and embodiment, intentionality, and existential anxiety provide lenses for examining the realities of patients' experiences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three central themes emerged from the Ricoeur inspired analysis: Perception of an altered body presence, which highlights how illness transforms the perception of the body from a \"silent\" part of the self to an intrusive presence; Symptoms as a threat to existence, illuminating how symptoms confront patients with vulnerability, mortality, and existential uncertainty; and Loss and reclaiming of control, describing the ongoing struggle patients face between feelings of helplessness and efforts to regain autonomy in daily life.Symptoms are not merely indicators of illness but are intertwined with patients' identities and their sense of meaning in life.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Insights emphasize the importance of addressing both the biological and existential dimensions of symptoms. Face-to-face clinical encounters offer a shared opportunity to create reflective spacesValidating coping strategies and supporting patients in reclaiming control, clinicians can nurture resilience, dignity, and a comprehensive approach to symptom (self)management.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2534871"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12312141/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144745941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anderson Compaoré, Moctar Ouédraogo, Cheick Ahmed Ouattara, Lionel Olivier Ouédraogo, Lishi Deng, Pegdwendé N Sawadogo, Carl Lachat, Laeticia Celine Toe, Trenton Dailey-Chwalibóg
{"title":"Perceptions and practices in urban Burkina Faso: a qualitative study on gestational age estimation among health workers.","authors":"Anderson Compaoré, Moctar Ouédraogo, Cheick Ahmed Ouattara, Lionel Olivier Ouédraogo, Lishi Deng, Pegdwendé N Sawadogo, Carl Lachat, Laeticia Celine Toe, Trenton Dailey-Chwalibóg","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2508421","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17482631.2025.2508421","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The DenBalo study in Burkina Faso aimed to examine biological vulnerability in preterm versus full-term newborns but recorded fewer preterm births than expected based on routine health centre statistics. To investigate this discrepancy, a qualitative study was conducted to understand how healthcare workers assess gestational age in urban Burkina Faso.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ten in-depth interviews and four focus groups were conducted with health workers across four centres in Bobo-Dioulasso. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: definitions of preterm birth, gestational age estimation methods, preterm birth reporting, care challenges, and proposed improvements.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Health workers varied in their definitions of preterm birth, using either gestational age (<37 weeks) or birth weight (<2.5 kg). Gestational age is often estimated from the last menstrual period, though considered unreliable. While early ultrasound is preferred for its accuracy, limited access leads to reliance on less precise fundal height measurements. Documentation of preterm births is inconsistent, and challenges include data collection issues, resource shortages, and parental reluctance to seek specialized care. Respondents emphasized the need for greater community awareness, improved infrastructure, and ongoing staff training to enhance preterm care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Standardized gestational age estimation and improved data recording can enhance preterm birth surveillance and help reduce neonatal mortality in low-resource settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2508421"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231294/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144565503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"User and staff experiences of a revised process for coordinating support with shared decision making in the comorbidity field of practice: a qualitative interview study.","authors":"Amanda Jones","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2024.2447095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2447095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to explore user and staff experiences of a revised process for coordinated individual planning (CIP) that involves the user alongside staff from social services and healthcare and incorporates shared decision-making (SDM).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Eight staff members and five users participated in individual semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Users and staff experienced that the revised CIP process facilitates emotional security through predictability. This predictability is attributed to the predetermined structure in the CIP process and the user involvement enabled through preparations, as well as the mutual trust that arises from following through on expectations and commitments. Furthermore, the importance of partnerships was highlighted. This refers to the intention of respecting users as contributors, the joint understanding achieved between staff and users, and the continuity of care ensured through staff collaboration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings show that incorporating SDM through the CIP process can enhance structure, user involvement, and a sense of emotional security through the process.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":"20 1","pages":"2447095"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142899248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}