Kimmo Jokinen

A Mobile-Assisted Working Model for Supporting Daily Family Life: A Pilot Study

Despite rapid technological development, very few new technology-assisted tools have been developed specifically for use in family services. This article describes a new, mobile-assisted working model designed to enhance the quality of daily family life. The model has its origins in the existing research on daily family life and on the diary method, which has been widely used in data collection in family research. The model provides support for the daily life of client families in the intervals between meetings with family counselors via the use of text messages. The pilot study explored family members’ and family counselors’ experiences of using the model. Data on 26 parents and four children participating in the new mobile-based service were collected via feedback text messages and web questionnaires. The research findings are also based on interviews with family counselors (n = 6). Although clients’ experiences of the model varied widely, the results show that, in general, it was regarded as effective in invoking reflection, keeping the goals of family counseling in mind and implementing family practices at home. On the basis of the experiences of the family counselors, the mobile-based working model offers a new, systematic, and structured tool for use in working with families and monitoring processes in families.

A Mobile Diary Method for Studying Children’s and Adolescents’ Emotions: a Pilot Study

Researching children’s and adolescents’ emotions from their own perspectives possesses special requirements for the data collection tools used. In this study, children’s and early adolescents’ emotions were investigated using a mobile diary method. The article describes and evaluates this data collection method and presents empirical results on fluctuation in the emotions of children and adolescents (n = 60, aged 7–14 years). The data, in the form of short text messages, were collected over one week. Every evening, children received seven questions on their emotions. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the data. The results illustrate the potential of the mobile diary method with children and early adolescents. The data showed a two-factor structure, indicating that the mobile diary method was able to reveal the underlying dimensions of positive and negative emotions. The study also showed that daily variation in emotions along with systematic differences between participants in their emotional experiences (related to, e.g., the form of the family) can be captured using the method.

Children with Their Dreams--What Kind of Reveries Are Accepted in School Context?

The media and the contemporary consumer culture are central categories in modern childhood. They have opened new kinds of experiences and learning situations for children. In this article we are interested in the role of the media and consumption in schoolchildrens daily life. The data consist of writings and drawings of 7–12-year-old schoolchildren. Children have told us about their dreams, social worlds and doings in the mediated world. By asking children about all these things we are most likely able to find out how modern childhood and the learning situations in the class are influenced by the media and consumer goods. It is important to analyse childrens experiences in the virtual environments because todays teachers have to confront these new mediated meaning structures in schools. At all events, the experiences are deeply embedded in teacher–pupil relationships.

Subjective quality of life among youth with severe physical disabilities during the transition to adulthood in Finland

Abstract Purpose: This study examined the subjective quality of life among youth with severe physical disabilities during the transition to adulthood. Method: A purposive sample of 74 youths (mean age 20.19) with severe physical disabilities completed World Health Organization Quality of Life – Brèf (WHOQOL-BREF) to measure the quality of life; the Severely Disabled Youths’ Life Situation and Functioning of Service Systems in Finland to measure health issues. The data were analyzed using one-sample and independent-samples t-tests, and sequential multiple regression analysis. Results: Compared to youth without disabilities, the study youth scored lower values in physical, social, and environmental quality of life. No gender differences were found in the quality of life among youth with severe physical disabilities. Age, gender, and intensity of pain were associated with quality of life. Conclusions: This evidence-based knowledge can be used to provide guidance for policy issues such as providing health and social services for youth with severe physical disabilities in Finland.

Childhood reproduced: images of childhood represented in children's daily lives in home and day-care settings

ABSTRACT This study explores images of childhood by analysing childrens pictorial representations and accompanying captions. The focus is on how children together with adults represent childhood in the home and daycare settings in a oneweek diary study. The key analytical tool was framing, which is used to highlight what kinds of images are (re)produced and narrated. The frames that emerged were (1) portrayal of the child via cultural products and societal relations, (2) portrayal of the child via individuality, relationships and attachment, (3) the child as a symbol of capabilities, and (4) the child as a learner. While illustrating how childhood was intertwined with consumption, cultural products and various expectations, these frames also highlighted displays of individuality, in which the childs relationships clearly emerged. The results show how children can make an important contribution to research on images of childhood and also reveal some of the conventions underlying child-related everyday interactions.

Stepmothers’ constructions and negotiations of belonging

ABSTRACT Applying a narrative approach and symbolic interactionist frame of reference, this study examines how Finnish stepmothers in their written narratives construct and negotiate their belonging. Belonging is a relevant concept in this study since it focuses on social interaction and intersubjectivity, and their emotional content. Three types of belonging were identified: (a) restricted belonging, (b) dyadic stepmother–stepchild belonging and (c) the spousal relationship as a focal dyad of belonging. Attainment of belonging may be especially challenging for stepmothers owing to their dependence on the willingness of the biological mother and father to share the emotional dimension of the parent–child dyad. If stepmothers fail to achieve any aspect of belonging, they are vulnerable to depression. This, in turn, indicates a need for clinical intervention. In sum, the results point to the key role of the spouses in enhancing stepmothers’ sense of belonging.

Young Men in Digital Culture: A New Form of Informal Learning?

In this chapter, the interest lies in the role of the media in young people’s and young adults’ everyday life. Of special interest is the idea of virtual environments as a learning environment, because the aspects of media, virtual realities and learning are socially important and scientifically challenging. In the analysis, three main areas are taken into consideration: First, the discussion on new learning models; second, the progress of information technology; and third, the gap between the styles of learning inside and outside the school. The study focused on young men who practically live in the online world, either playing or talking with each other via online gaming and social portals. The basic question is: What do young men learn online? For the purpose of the study, online chats which had been stored by the young participants in early 2007 were examined with permission. The extent of the material reviewed amounted to 140 pages. Some of the young participants were also interviewed. Based on this material, it is possible to claim that new media, such as the Internet, has more to do with changes in sociability than with new kinds of learning, although there is still cause to talk about learning as well. However, the modern media environment is a place for ‘hanging out’ together, chatting, commenting, criticising, reflecting, passing time, having fun, and – most of all – being together.