scholarly journals Climate Change Anxiety Focus Groups: Executive Summary

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Lies ◽  
Glenn Adams

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.

2017 ◽  
pp. 1351-1365
Author(s):  
Bhupen Mili ◽  
Anamika Barua ◽  
Suparana Katyaini

Climate Change impacts would disproportionately have larger impacts on the developing countries. Both government and development agencies have initiated various adaptation strategies in the developing countries to enhance the adaptation of the local communities. Various policies and programmes have been designed keeping in mind the impact of climate change. This study was conducted in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, to see the benefits of such policies and programmes. Focus group discussion with community members were held in the study area. Based on the fieldwork it was seen that most of the intervention made in the study area focused on income, resources, and assets. It has failed to benefits the people due to variation in the capability among various section of the society. Various projects related to health, education, housing, and livelihood, have been implemented in the study region. However, due to lack of conversion factors in the form of gender inequality, discriminatory practices, transparency among others have come as a hindrance in the successful implementation of the projects. Hence, such project-based approach to enhance community's adaptation to climate risk, in the end fails to show benefits as it fails to expand community's capabilities and real freedom, due to the project's pre-defined aims. It is important to understand community's as agent of change rather than merely beneficiaries of adaptation projects. This study therefore recommends that to enhance community's adaptation to climate change, the interventions should be such that it enlarges the range of people's choices so that when climate disaster strikes them they will have a set of opportunities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 217-217
Author(s):  
Elizabeth King ◽  
Heidi Wengreen ◽  
April Litchford ◽  
Caitlyn Bailey ◽  
Chante Beck ◽  
...  

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18238-e18238
Author(s):  
Erin Michele Mobley ◽  
Kristin Foster ◽  
William W. Terry

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.


1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. Powers ◽  
Patricia A. Wisocki

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.


Author(s):  
Atika ◽  
Tri Indah Rusli

Community radio established to fulfill the information and communication needs of the community members. The purpose can be achieved when its existence used by community members. Therefore, the purpose of  this research was to analyze the utilization of community radio as the information and communication media for society in Southeast Sulawesi. The study was used a qualitative approach, while the research subject was Radio Fajar FM that was located in Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri (STAIN) Kendari. The informants in this study were 7 parties. The data collection techniques were used the observation method, in-depth interviews, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The results showed that the the utilization of community radio in Southeast Sulawesi was still less frequency channel that was provided exclusively for community radio in Southeast Sulawesi was not used optimal.  Keywords: community radio, information, communication   ABSTRAK Radio komunitas didirikan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan informasi dan komunikasi anggota komunitasnya. Tujuan tersebut dapat dicapai ketika keberadaannya dimanfaatkan oleh anggota komunitas. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan menganalisis pemanfaatan radio komunitas sebagai media informasi dan komunikasi bagi masyarakat di Sulawesi Tenggara. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, dengan subjek riset adalah Radio Fajar FM yang berlokasi di Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri (STAIN) Kendari. Informan dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 7 pihak, dengan teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan metode observasi, wawancara mendalam, dan Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemanfaatan radio komunitas di Sulawesi Tenggara masih sangat kurang. Frekuensi yang disediakan khusus untuk radio komunitas di Sulawesi Tenggara belum dimanfaatkan atau digunakan secara optimal.  Kata kunci: radio komunitas, informasi, komunikasi


Author(s):  
Muhtar Lutfi ◽  
Eko Jokolelono ◽  
Armin Muis ◽  
Yunus Sading

This study aims to identify the social capital, co-production, and sustainability of KUD (Village Unit Cooperatives) business. It used descriptive research design using primary data obtained from KUD administrators and KUD members through the focus group discussion (FGD). It used FGD because in general KUD activities stopped after being affected by the natural disasters on September 28, 2018, and during the Covid 19 pandemic so that most of the KUD administrators and members were inactive and difficult to find. The findings of this study showed that (1) some KUD businesses have decreased the number of active KUD members, reduced income and SHU (net income) of KUD members due to the natural disasters that damage property and livelihoods of community members, especially members of KUD; (2) The active participation of KUD members has significantly decreased; (3) Only half of the number of KUDs are still running their activities; and (4) Overal, the social capital, co-production, and sustainability variables of KUD business are low.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
Hom Bahadur Basnet

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


Author(s):  
MN Uddin ◽  
N Anjuman

Different tools and techniques of participatory approaches are the basic way of conducting qualitative research especially in the field of applied social science. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is one of the main Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) technique often used in combination with others to achieve desired goals. Considering this concept, this paper attempts to review the PRA approach and then application of FGD, in combination with matrix scoring and ranking to identify problems and causes of climate change along with possible mitigation and adaptation strategies. A group of 20 students at post graduate level under the faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture at Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany those from different corner of the world was considered as target people of the study. The results concluded that “unpredictable weather events” was ranked as the present outstanding visible climate change problem caused by “human activities”. However, it was noted that if alternative renewable energy sources are exploited, this could contribute to solving the present climate change problem. This finding might have the good reference for the policy makers in the same line not only for developing countries but also for developed countries. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v3i2.17848 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 3 (2): 72-78, December, 2013


Author(s):  
Bhupen Mili ◽  
Anamika Barua ◽  
Suparana Katyaini

Climate Change impacts would disproportionately have larger impacts on the developing countries. Both government and development agencies have initiated various adaptation strategies in the developing countries to enhance the adaptation of the local communities. Various policies and programmes have been designed keeping in mind the impact of climate change. This study was conducted in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, to see the benefits of such policies and programmes. Focus group discussion with community members were held in the study area. Based on the fieldwork it was seen that most of the intervention made in the study area focused on income, resources, and assets. It has failed to benefits the people due to variation in the capability among various section of the society. Various projects related to health, education, housing, and livelihood, have been implemented in the study region. However, due to lack of conversion factors in the form of gender inequality, discriminatory practices, transparency among others have come as a hindrance in the successful implementation of the projects. Hence, such project-based approach to enhance community's adaptation to climate risk, in the end fails to show benefits as it fails to expand community's capabilities and real freedom, due to the project's pre-defined aims. It is important to understand community's as agent of change rather than merely beneficiaries of adaptation projects. This study therefore recommends that to enhance community's adaptation to climate change, the interventions should be such that it enlarges the range of people's choices so that when climate disaster strikes them they will have a set of opportunities.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002190962110345
Author(s):  
Itai Kabonga ◽  
Kwashirai Zvokuomba

Volunteer scholarship in Zimbabwe tends to focus on volunteer motivations, volunteers’ role in community development and, to a lesser extent, volunteers’ challenges. In this study, we captured the lived experiences of volunteers in the current milieu of socio-economic challenges. We discovered that the major challenges affecting community volunteers in the Chegutu District are poverty and vulnerability, burnout, too much work, lack of community appreciation of volunteerism and lack of adequate volunteer paraphernalia. We move beyond other studies to explore how volunteers are coping with the challenges. Volunteers are reliant on spiritual support and encouragement by some community members. The study adopts a qualitative approach with data collected using in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. The findings are presented and discussed thematically.


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