Helen Murphy

Intrinsic Motivation and Self-esteem in Traditional and Mature Students at a Post-1992 University in the North-east of England

Recent figures have suggested that the composition of the student body is already changing in terms of mature and traditional student learner numbers--while 24% of full time students were over the age of 21 in 1980, this figure rose to 33% by 1996 (Merrill, 1999). Using the Intrinsic Motivation towards Learning Questionnaire (Whitehead, 1984) and the Rosenberg Global Self-Esteem Questionnaire (Rosenberg, 1965), the current study documents the relationship between intrinsic motivation towards learning and self-esteem in traditional and mature students, in order to compare these groups in their approach to learning. Results from sample size of 160 research participants indicated that self-esteem and intrinsic motivation towards learning were significantly associated. Mature women students had the highest intrinsic motivation scores, as well as the highest self-esteem scores in the sample. The findings are discussed in the light of previous research, which suggests that mature women students are vulnerable learners in higher education institutions and the studys conclusion draws attention to the current UK Government policys commitment to expand student numbers.

Comparing quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life measure (WHOQOL-100) in a clinical and non-clinical sample: Exploring the role of self-esteem, self-efficacy and social functioning

Background: Quality of life assessments provide a measure of client-assessed wellbeing and help clinicians recognize issues of importance to clients. Comparing quality of life in individuals with a mental illness and individuals without mental illness would allow us to profile and understand the needs of individuals with mental illness understand the impact of stigma and narrow the treatment gap. Aims: To compare quality of life in individuals with severe mental illness against a sample of the general population and to investigate the role of self-esteem, self-efficacy and social functioning. Method: The World Health Organization Quality of Life measure (WHOQOL-100) along with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and the Generalized Self Efficacy Scale (GSES) were administered to 104 individuals, 52 of whom were mental health service users with the remaining 52 participants sampled from the general population. Results: Significant differences were found between clinical and non-clinical groups in four domains of the WHOQOL-100 and in a majority of the facets within domains. Two domains, Level of Independence and Social Relationships, were important differentiating aspects of QoL between the clinical and non-clinical sample as the highest significant differences were recorded there (t = 12.150, p < 0.001 and t = 7.252, p < 0.001 respectively). Lower self-esteem and self-efficacy scores were recorded for the clinical sample compared to the non-clinical sample. Conclusions: The negative repercussions of mental illness encompassed almost all aspects of QoL that individuals had ascertained to be important for satisfaction and wellbeing in everyday life. Findings also indicated that individuals with mental illness have similar needs to a “normal” population in terms of social support and social networks and that inter-personal issues were probably more pervasive than intra-psychic events with regard to QoL. We conclude that the concept of QoL offers clinicians an increased awareness and greater concern for life issues for people who are mentally ill, helping us to develop collaborative relationships and provide effective interventions for individuals with mental illness. Declaration of interest: None.

Civil conflict in Northern Ireland and the prevalence of psychiatric disturbance across the United Kingdom: a population study using the British household panel survey and the Northern Ireland household panel survey.

Background: To date, no large-scale cross-comparative study of psychiatric morbidity in the United Kingdom has been carried out until recently when the Northern Ireland Household Panel Survey (NIHPS) included the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in 2001. The GHQ-12 has been included in the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) since 1991 for England and since 1999 for both Scotland and Wales. The purpose of this article is to compare rates of psychiatric morbidity across the United Kingdom, given that one region in particular, Northern Ireland, has experienced political conflict and civil strife for more than 35 years. Aims: To assess the impact of low-intensity warfare on rates of psychiatric morbidity in Northern Ireland and to compare these with psychiatric morbidity rates across England, Scotland and Wales. Method: The sample consisted of 17,343 respondents completing the GHQ-12 across the United Kingdom. In England, 8286 respondents completed the GHQ-12 while 2729, 3165 and 3163 respondents from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland completed the GHQ-12 respectively. Results were then weighted according to population size. Results: Rates of psychiatric morbidity varied across each UK region. Wales had the highest mean GHQ-12 score (11.54), followed by Northern Ireland (11.41). English respondents had the lowest mean score (11.02). The difference in mean scores across the four regions in the UK was statistically significant (F = 5.04, df = 3, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses indicated that the mean scores for England differed significantly from those for Wales and Northern Ireland but not for Scotland. Region accounted for less than 1% of the variation in GHQ-12 scores. Conclusions: Psychiatric morbidity rates for adults in Northern Ireland are comparable to other parts of the United Kingdom and we propose that individuals in Northern Ireland use a range of coping strategies to moderate the impact of the conflict in everyday life. These include habituation to the violence, denial and social cohesion, evidenced in the tightly knit Unionist and Nationalist communities. Particular concern was noted over GHQ-12 scores for Wales and while social and economic factors are acknowledged in our commentary, we conclude that further research appears to be crucial in understanding and preventing poorer rates of mental health in this region.

Exploring leisure and psychological health and wellbeing: some problematic issues in the case of Northern Ireland

An under-researched, controversial and complex leisure event is examined in the light of orthodox research that documents the beneficial effects leisure has on the psyche. This involves drawing on contemporary theorizing in leisure studies while at the same time using grounded knowledge of a particular locality and synthesizing the material to identify areas for future theorizing and research. In Northern Ireland, the July summer holiday period was traditionally used to celebrate Protestant culture and religion and Unionist supporters marked these events by holding religious and political rallies. However, this celebration of Protestantism has not (recently) been shared with the Nationalist community and various skirmishes and civil disorder offences have been recorded over this holiday period during the last 5 years. The paper notes the change in emphasis from celebration to confrontation and considers the effects this has on individuals already living in an armed conflict situation. It is contended that during this particular holiday period in the Province, leisure is used as a vehicle for social mobilization as Unionists and Nationalists pursue group interests and engage in collective action for their respective ideologies. Leisure, in Northern Ireland, does not function in a manner that orthodox research would initially suggest but is used to reinforce political and sectarian divisions. The paper concludes by commenting that the political, social and economic indices that shape our experiences of leisure need to be considered and/or incorporated into theoretical understandings of leisure.

“I used to think that they were all abnormal. And I was the normal one”: conceptualizing mental health and mental health treatment under Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)

Abstract Background: Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) was introduced in the United Kingdom in 2006 to provide more effective and efficient services to people experiencing mild to moderate mental ill health. The model represents a paradigm shift in how we provide psychological care to large populations. Aims: We wanted to document how the IAPT program impacted on patients’ understanding of their mental health, and mental health treatment. Methods: We used Foucauldian Discourse Analysis to analyze six semi-structured research interviews with patients from one IAPT service in a major UK city. Results: Participants constructed their mental health problems as individual pathologies. Constructions of mental health and of treatment evidenced the privileging of personal responsibility and social productivity over dependency on others and the state. Conclusions: Services are functioning well for some. The role of IAPT in pathologizing those who are dependent on people and services requires further commentary and action.

‘The Troubles’, geographies of mental health in Northern Ireland and re-conceptualizing social capital

Current research suggests that the presence of social capital (Putnam, 1993) in a community setting positively affects physical and psychological health and well-being. Indeed, McKenzie et al. (2002) highlighted the impact of social context on mental health and noted that social capital may be influential in the incidence and prevalence of mental illness. The authors suggested that studies of the geographies of mental health could also be useful in understanding the relationship between social capital and psychological health and well-being but note that this relationship is likely to be complex. The purpose of this paper is to develop the commentary from McKenzie et al. further and consider the relationship between social capital, psychological health and a society experiencing conflict. Social capital is often described as the glue that holds society together, producing a positive environment for a community to foster and thrive. Little attention has focused on the relationship between social capital and psychological health and well-being when specific communities experience (and/or contribute to) political strife and civil disorder. One would assume that social capital at the horizontal level is minimal in these cases as civil conflict acts as a barrier to its production. This would have a deleterious effect on psychological health and well-being. The issues outlined above are explored in the context of one region of the United Kingdom currently experiencing civil conflict: Northern Ireland. Social capital theory is re-conceptualized in this light.

Becoming Australian: a review of southern Sudanese students’ educational experiences

ABSTRACT This research presents a review of the literature around meeting students’ learning needs in Australian schools. It is referenced to one group of students with refugee experience who have been in Australian schools for over 15 years; students with a background of oracy from Southern Sudan. The development of psychological health and literacy competencies are two of the most critical and complex responsibilities undertaken by education, and, in the case of these students two of the most significant when considered in relation to successful settlement, acculturation and assimilation. In presenting this literature, the bigger picture of how schools can fail, not only these students, but for any number of students from diverse backgrounds, becomes startlingly obvious, as do the ways in which the current political agenda inherent in the public education system in Australia privileges students of specific class and culture. Finally, recommendations are made regarding the development of policy and the concentration on pedagogical practices which acknowledge and respect the strengths and capabilities of this group of students.

Just another ordinary bad birth? A narrative analysis of first time mothers' traumatic birth experiences

ABSTRACT A difficult birth experience can have long lasting psychological effects on both mother and baby and this study details four in-depth accounts of first time mothers who described their birth experience as traumatizing. Narrative analysis was used to record discrepancies between the ideal and the real and produced narrative accounts that highlighted how these mothers felt invisible and dismissed in a medical culture of engineering obstetrics. Participants also detailed how their birth experience could be improved and this is set in context alongside current recommendations in maternal health care and the complexities of delivering such care in UK health settings.