An Examination of the Therapeutic Benefits of Focus Groups on Elderly Worriers

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. Powers ◽  
Patricia A. Wisocki
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Psychological Symptom ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Therapeutic Effectiveness ◽  
Criterion Variable ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Symptom Domains ◽  
Group Experience

This study examines the effects on elderly worriers, of a focus group discussion about the topic of worry. All subjects ( N = 21) were self-designated worriers, and at least seventy years of age. Pretest and Posttest measures included questionnaires on worry, life satisfaction, and psychological symptom domains unrelated to the focus group topic. The percentage of the day spent worrying variable, which was the criterion variable for admittance into the groups, showed a significant reduction from pre to post. The focus group participants also evaluated the focus group experience as positive and beneficial. The value of focus groups for therapeutic effectiveness and data collection with the elderly are discussed.

scholarly journals Validating The Düsseldorf Orthorexie Scale (DOS) For Use In Adolescents Aged 14–17

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 217-217
Author(s):  
Elizabeth King ◽  
Heidi Wengreen ◽  
April Litchford ◽  
Caitlyn Bailey ◽  
Chante Beck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Key Words ◽  
School Health ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Survey Questions ◽  
Dos Scale

Abstract Objectives To determine the face validity of the survey instrument, Düsseldorf Orthorexie Scale (DOS), in adolescents aged 14–17 years. The DOS has been validated for use in adults to identify individuals at-risk for symptoms and behaviors consistent with the condition of Orthorexia Nervosa (ON). This condition is characterized by a pathological obsession with healthy or “clean” eating which leads to psychological and physical impairment. Methods Researchers conducted seven focus groups with male and female students currently enrolled in a high school health class (n = 40; 11 males, 29 females aged 14–17). Participants first completed the DOS scale and then were asked to participate in a group discussion regarding their understanding of the meaning of the questions in the DOS survey. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify recurring themes. Codes for each of the 10 questions in the DOS scale were analyzed to determine group understanding of key words identified for each question. Results Key words in the original DOS survey questions were in agreement with the codes identified from the transcript of the focus groups for eight of the 10 DOS survey questions. The key words in the other two questions (indulgence in question one and colleague in question seven) were either not understood by focus group population or would need to be altered due to incorrect or inadequate understanding by focus group participants. 38 participants completed the DOS (M = 18.5, SD = 4.88). 7.9% of participants DOS responses indicated they were at moderate (n = 2) or high (n = 1) risk of practicing orthorexic behavior. Conclusions The DOS scale demonstrated good face validity in an adolescent population and the modification of two questions may improve its face validity. Though our sample was small, results indicate that a sizeable proportion of adolescents may already be practicing orthorexic behaviors. This demonstrates a need for further research to be conducted on effective prevention and intervention strategies for this age group. Funding Sources The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Identifying and understanding how to address the gaps in care experienced by adolescent and young adult cancer patients at UIHC.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18238-e18238
Author(s):  
Erin Michele Mobley ◽  
Kristin Foster ◽  
William W. Terry
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Survey Questions

e18238 Background: Cancer survival rates for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have not improved at the same rate as other age groups. According to the National Cancer Institute, these patients may fall into a gap between pediatric and adult practices. In an effort to counteract the decreased survival rates of AYAs, the Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center joined forces to develop an AYA cancer program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Methods: The target population included patients aged 13-31 treated for malignancy in one of the following diseases or disease sites: central nervous system, leukemia, lymphoma, neuroendocrine, sarcoma, thyroid, and other. Four focus groups were held to identify and describe gaps in care, as well as provide suggestions for program development. A convergent-parallel mixed-methods design was used. Qualitative data were derived from focus group discussion and selected free-response survey questions, while quantitative data were derived from objective survey questions. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to gain targeted feedback from participants. Results: Across the four focus groups, the number of participants ranged from 8 – 19 (n = 24). Topics discussed included: communication, treatment experience, overall AYA program; finances, work, school, late effects; relationships, emotions, spirituality; and body image, infertility, sexuality, risky behavior, and suicide. The results of the analyses found three unique domains that are important to AYAs across the cancer continuum: autonomy, communication, and relationships. The three primary domains make the AYA population different from traditional adult or pediatric populations. The surveys corroborated the focus group discussion findings. Conclusions: Information obtained from these analyses have been used to inform specific projects within the development of the AYA program to address patient-identified gaps. For AYAs, the importance of autonomy, communication, and relationships should be considered when developing an AYA program, as well as for potential policy or health services research utilization in the future.

scholarly journals FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION: A TOOL FOR QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
Hom Bahadur Basnet
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Social Process ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Qualitative Information ◽  
Research Journal ◽  
Field Setting

This article focused on to explore the concept, use, strengths and weakness of focus groups discussion. It also provides the ideas about searching qualitative information in field setting. This tool has the potential to become a central approach in sociological and educational research, whether focused on the pragmatic end of evaluation or the abstract goal of theory building. Moreover, focus group discussion is an efficient and effective way to gain insights into social process. During focus group discussion, the moderator facilitates all informants in active participation and dig out the richer information.Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society Vol. 3, No. 3, January 2018, Page: 81-88

scholarly journals Captioning Prosody: Experience As A Basis For Typographic Representations Of How Things Are Said

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey Irvin
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Theoretical Underpinning ◽  
Bodily Experience ◽  
Bodily Experiences ◽  
George Lakoff ◽  
The Voice

This project explores a potential framework for expressing prosody in typefaces used for captioning video. The work employs C. S. Peirce’s triadic form of the sign, specifically the icon and index; Theo van Leeuwen’s exploration of the semiotics of typography and the voice; and George Lakoff and Mark Johnson’s idea of experiential metaphors to form a theoretical underpinning that explains the meaning of speech and typography in terms of physical, bodily experiences. Seven typefaces were designed to show shouted, whispered, quick, slow, tense, relaxed, and trembling ways of speaking respectively. A series of three focus groups with deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing participants were held to evaluate the usefulness of these typefaces and, based on the results of a questionnaire and group discussion, alterations were made to the designs after each focus group. Bodily experience is found to be a potentially suitable groundwork for showing prosody in video captions.

scholarly journals Personal characteristics of the focus group participants as a factor of the data quality

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 722-738
Author(s):  
Zh. V. Puzanova ◽  
T. I. Larina ◽  
A. T. Gasparishvili ◽  
K. V. Radkevich ◽  
S. V. Zakharova
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Differential Method ◽  
Training System ◽  
Coding System ◽  
Psychological Techniques ◽  
Multi Stage

The article presents the results of the search for methodological ways to improve the quality of sociological information obtained in the focus group discussion. Today the scientific sphere is changing, and, in addition to the development of new methods, the existing interdisciplinary ones are being adapted to the specific research goals. An important way for improving sociological methods is the study of psychological aspects of respondents behavior during focus groups, since unconscious reactions can indicate the potential information bias and affect the quality of the project results. In the RUDN University, a three-stage methodological experiment was conducted based on the psychological technique 7 radicals, the Specific Affect Coding System (SPAFF) and the personal differential method. At the first stage, the experiment aimed at examining the ability of respondents without special knowledge in the field of psycho-typing to identify the dominant radicals. At the second stage, representatives of different psycho-types assessed each other so that the researchers would develop recommendations for the seating of focus group participants. At the third stage, the quality of the data obtained in focus groups was assessed depending on the moderators special skills (knowledge of psycho-types, FACS and SPAFF). Thus, the recommendations for moderators were developed - to increase the efficiency of work with focus group participants and to improve the quality of sociological data. The moderator needs knowledge in three areas: respondents psycho-types, affects in SPAFF, and the proxemic component (seating of respondents). The authors assess the prospects for introducing psychological techniques into the training system for focus group moderators and provide recommendations for moderators based on the results of the multi-stage experiment. Its results partially solve the problem of the quality of the focus group data by explaining the need to teach moderators interdisciplinary techniques (SPAFF and psycho-typing of the focus-group participants).

scholarly journals Management of Elderly Health and Welfare of the Elderly School in the Northeast

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 1518-1522
Author(s):  
Pairat Chimhad Et al.
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Health Management ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Elderly Health

The study entitled management of elderly health and welfare of the elderly school in the Northeast aimed to study the appropriate model for enhancing the health of the elderly in the northeast, and to strengthen cooperation in the management of health and welfare of the elderly in the Northeast. Qualitative research was conducted and the research tools were interview form and focus group discussion guidelines. Data were collected from in-depth interviews of 10 key informants who were senior school administrators, and also from focus group discussion with 15 experts. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Research findings indicated that strengthening elderly health has been promoted to allow older people to have activities in the community with statistical data. Comparative activities between provincial communities and community activity have taken the activity to develop and adjust the model to be suitable for the elderly and is relaxing the stress of the elderly from being at home without any activity. Promotion and health management elderly welfare promoting food hygiene arrange activities on health care to be correct promote exercise that is suitable for the elderly at least 2 days per week as well as encouraging families to be aware of the daily life of the elderly and holistic health care.

scholarly journals Climate Change Anxiety Focus Groups: Executive Summary

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Lies ◽  
Glenn Adams
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Kansas City ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Executive Summary ◽  
Statistical Relationships ◽  
Climate Crisis

During the year 2020, we were considering the problem of climate change anxiety in the Lawrence, Kansas, and Kansas City metro areas. In September of 2020, we partnered to conduct focus groups with environmentally engaged participants to understand their experience of climate change anxiety. We conducted 14 semi-structured focus groups with 46 community members to understand their emotions, behaviors, and perceptions of community in light of the climate crisis. We asked participants, many of whom were local environmental activists, to engage in a group discussion via Zoom videoconference which lasted between 60 and 90 minutes. After the discussion, we sent participants a brief survey. This executive summary is a preliminary report of the findings of that investigation. We present charts detailing participants’ responses to the focus group questions, followed by select excerpts from the conversations and some statistical relationships of interest.

scholarly journals Issues in the Analysis of Focus Groups: Generalisability, Quantifiability, Treatment of Context and Quotations

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilla Vicsek
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Concrete Situation ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Group Research ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Quantifying In

In this paper I discuss some concerns related to the analysis of focus groups: (a) the issue of generalisation; (b) the problems of using numbers and quantifying in the analysis; (c) how the concrete situation of the focus groups could be included in the analysis, and (d) what formats can be used when quoting from focus groups. Problems with respect to generalisation are discussed; types of generalisation are presented which can be used in focus group research. Arguments are made against using a primarily quantitative perspective in the evaluation of focus group data. It is argued that the situation of the particular group discussion should be taken into account in the analysis. A scheme for analysis that has been developed by the author is presented. Suggestions are made for the characteristics of the quotations in the analyses.

scholarly journals Implementation of a Complex Health Services Intervention in Long-term Care Homes: A Process Evaluation Using Focus Groups

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rieka von der Warth ◽  
Vanessa Kaiser ◽  
Christina Reese ◽  
Boris A. Brühmann ◽  
Erik Farin-Glattacker
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Total N ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract BackgroundWith increasing numbers of the elderly living in nursing homes in Germany, the need for on-site primary care increases. A lack of primary care in nursing homes can lead to unnecessary hospitalization, higher mortality, and morbidity in the elderly. Therefore, project CoCare (“coordinated medical care”) implements a complex health intervention in nursing homes, using among others regular medical rounds, a shared patient medical record and medication checks, aiming to improve the coordination of medical care. This study reports the results of a process evaluation assessing the perceived acceptance and barriers of the project by stakeholders.MethodsFocus group interviews were held between the fall of 2018 and the fall of 2019 with nursing staff, general practitioners and medical assistants working in or consulting a participating nursing home. A half-structured modular guideline was used to ask participants about their opinion on different aspects of CoCare. Focus groups were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. ResultsIn total, N=11 focus group interviews with N= 74 participants were conducted. Ten main themes with seven subthemes were identified, encompassing all aspects of CoCare. The overall acceptance of the project was good. Participants elected to talk most often about the project modules “communication and collaboration” and “medical rounds”, with participants concluding CoCare had prevented unnecessary hospitalizations. Main barriers were understaffing and complexity of the program.ConclusionImplementation of CoCare in nursing homes is complex and holds some barriers. However, the overall acceptance was good and first positive results were reported by participants. Furthermore, the project provides a good structure to overcome potential barriers.Trial Registration: German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00012703)

scholarly journals Implementation of a complex health services intervention in long-term care homes: a process evaluation using focus groups

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rieka von der Warth ◽  
Vanessa Kaiser ◽  
Christina Reese ◽  
Boris A. Brühmann ◽  
Erik Farin-Glattacker
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Total N ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract BackgroundWith rising numbers of the elderly living in nursing homes in Germany, the need for on-site primary care is on the increase. A lack of primary care in nursing homes can lead to unnecessary hospitalization, higher mortality, and morbidity in the elderly. The CoCare (“coordinated medical care”) project has therefore implemented a complex health intervention in nursing homes, using inter alia, regular medical rounds, a shared patient medical record and medication checks, aiming to improve the coordination of medical care. This study reports upon the results of the process evaluation assessing the perceived acceptance and barriers of the project by stakeholders.MethodsFocus group interviews were held between the fall of 2018 and the fall of 2019 with nurses, general practitioners and GP´s assistants working in or consulting a participating nursing home. A semi-structured modular guideline was used to ask participants about their opinion on different aspects of CoCare. Focus groups were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. ResultsIn total, N=11 focus group interviews with N=74 participants were conducted. Eleven main themes with four subthemes were identified, encompassing all aspects of CoCare. The overall acceptance of the project was good. Participants elected to speak most often about the project modules “communication and collaboration” and “medical rounds”, with participants concluding that CoCare had prevented unnecessary hospitalizations. The main barriers were understaffing and complexity of the program.ConclusionImplementation of CoCare in nursing homes is complex and presents some barriers. However, the overall acceptance was good and participants reported the first positive results. Furthermore, the project provides a good structure to overcome potential barriers. However, some adaptions to the implementation process should be made.

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