Mineko Wada

Theoretical perspectives of balance and the influence of gender ideologies

Despite increasing attention to balance in everyday life and its impact on health and well‐being, the concept of balance lacks clarity and consensus. Aiming to clarify the fundamental concept, this article discusses four theoretical perspectives drawn from literature: quantity of involvement across occupations, congruence between values and occupations, fulfillment of demands of roles/occupations, and compatibility in occupational participation. As gender is one factor associated with individuals’ perception of balance, the influence of gender on each of these four perspectives is also explored. Finally, these theoretical perspectives are applied to the example of parents: we discuss how gender ideologies and power relations between heterosexual partners may influence perceptions of balance in everyday life in the family context. Implications for future research are discussed.

Values concerning employment-related and family-related occupations: Perspectives of young Canadian male medical students

Based on qualitative interviews with 11 male medical students at one Canadian university, this paper explores the values influencing current and anticipated participation in family- and employment-related occupations. Men increasingly express desire for greater family involvement, yet participation has not necessarily altered. In this study we found mens occupational participation is shaped by their values concerning gender roles, a commitment to fairness, a deep sense of responsibiIity in all of their roles, and a desire for occupational balance which does not necessarily result in achievement of such balance. We suggest that while an egalitarian gender ideology, desire for fairness and a sense of responsibility toward family encourage participation in family-related occupations, at the same time gender traditionalism and professional responsibilities, as well as a demanding professional culture, mitigate such involvement.

Strengthening the Kawa model: Japanese perspectives on person, occupation, and environment.

Background. The Kawa model emerged to meet a need for occupational therapy models and theories relevant to Japanese clients and since its inception has evolved considerably. Purpose. To provide an overview of the Kawa model and to contribute to a critique of the model from Japanese perspectives on person, occupation, and environment. Key Issues. The paper notes that the Kawa model does not portray inner self nor does it integrate ones active belonging; the author identifies the challenges of addressing issues related to occupations, and introduces the concept of seken (day-to-day community). Implications. The model would be strengthened by presenting inner self and a discrete layer of seken in the environment to effectively articulate belonging. The ways of presenting occupation need to be improved to capture relationships between occupation and belonging, effects of occupations, and positive and negative meanings attributed to an occupation. Exploring relationships between self, occupation, life flow, and harmony is warranted.

Older Adults' Online Dating Profiles and Successful Aging

RÉSUMÉ: Cette étude a examiné la pertinence des trois critères de Rowe et Kahn pour le vieillissement réussi à des représentations de soi dans profils de recontre en ligne des aînés: faible probabilité de maladie ou d’invalidité; fonctionnement élevé et l’engagement de la vie active. Dans cette étude transversale, 320 profils de rencontre en ligne des personnes âgées ont été choisis aléatoirement et codés selon ces critères. Les analyses de régression logistique ont déterminé si l’âge, le sexe et la race / ethnicité prédit l’auto-présentation. Peu de profils étaient révélateurs du vieillissement réussi en raison de la faible prévalence des deux premiers critères. Cependant, le troisième critère a été identifié dans de nombreux profils. Les Amérindiens étaient beaucoup moins susceptibles que les autres groupes ethniques pour mettre en évidence les premier et deuxième critères. Présentant le premier critère prédit le jeune âge. Profils de présentations des femmes du troisième critère sont restés très élevés avec l’âge. Les résultats suggèrent que les critères peuvent être sans importance pour les personnes âgées qui cherchent des partenaires, ou peuvent refléter l’exclusivité de cette idée. This study examined how relevant Rowe and Kahn’s three criteria of successful aging were to older adults’ self-portrayals in online dating profiles: low probability of disease and disability, high functioning, and active life engagement. In this cross-sectional study, 320 online dating profiles of older adults were randomly selected and coded based on the criteria. Logistic regression analyses determined whether age, gender, and race/ethnicity predicted self-presentation. Few profiles were indicative of successful aging due to the low prevalence of the first two criteria; the third criterion, however, was identified in many profiles. Native Americans were significantly less likely than other ethnic groups to highlight the first two criteria. Younger age predicted presenting the first criterion. Women’s presentation of the third criterion remained significantly high with age. The findings suggest that the criteria may be unimportant to older adults when seeking partners, or they may reflect the exclusivity of this construct.

‘I am busy independent woman who has sense of humor, caring about others’: older adults’ self-representations in online dating profiles

ABSTRACT Similar to their younger counterparts, older adults (age 60+) are increasingly turning to online dating sites to find potential romantic and sexual partners. In this paper, we draw upon qualitative data from a thematic analysis of 320 randomly selected online dating profiles posted by Canadian heterosexual older adults who self-identified as Asian, Black, Caucasian or Native American. In particular, we examined how the older adults’ self-presentations varied according to race/ethnicity, age and gender, and how the language they used to describe themselves and their preferred potential partners reflected and reinforced idealised images of ageing. Our analysis identified five primary ways in which the older adults portrayed themselves. They depicted themselves as active and busy with cultural/artistic, social and adventurous activities; and also as physically healthy and intellectually engaged. Third, they emphasised the ways in which they were productive through work and volunteer activities. Fourth, they accentuated their positive approach to life, identifying themselves as happy, fun-loving and humorous individuals. Finally, they highlighted their personable characteristics, portraying themselves as trustworthy and caring. We discuss our findings with a particular focus on gender differences, drawing on literature on masculinity and femininity, and also look at capital and power relations by considering the online dating setting as a field in the Bourdieusian sense.

Understanding the functionality of housing-related support services through mapping methods and dialogue

This article describes the experience and process of using community mapping as a tool for collecting data on the functioning of housing-related support services in Metro Vancouver. We outline our mapping methods and discuss strengths and challenges encountered during workshops aimed at understandings how the system of housing-related supports function. Strengths were that workshops provided a forum for social participation and engagement. In addition, mapping is a research tool that enables local knowledge of service functioning and service gaps to be accessed and exchanged. Challenges include ensuring diverse representation; reducing power imbalances; and having adequate space to accommodate interested participants.

Experiences of a Mass Interinstitutional Relocation for Long-Term Care Staff

ABSTRACT This research explored long-term care (LTC) staff perceptions and experiences of working in LTC and providing care to residents following a mass interinstitutional relocation. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 63 LTC workers. Thematic analyses revealed three overarching themes related to how staff members perceived their relationships with other staff members following relocation. The first theme, post-relocation relationships between staff members, included the subthemes “Staff are segregated from each other” (physical distance) and “We were a family” to “barely say hi” (psychological distance). The second theme, post-relocation stress, has two subthemes: “Staffing is our big issue” and consequences of stress: absenteeism and leave. The third theme is recommendations for improving and managing staff relationships post-relocation. Relationships among staff members are integral to working in LTC and providing care to residents following a mass interinstitutional relocation. Recommendations for improving staff relationships and morale are suggested.

Senior Services that Support Housing First in Metro Vancouver

ABSTRACT Housing First is a model and philosophy for housing homeless people in immediate and permanent housing. In order to implement and deliver Housing First, research is essential to understand the system of support services as they currently exist. Guided by principles of community-based participatory research, this paper presents the findings from a senior-focused deliberative dialogue workshop in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Participants (16 service providers and 1 service recipient) identified services and resources available to support seniors in maintaining housing and barriers and facilitators for accessing services. Broadly, data were organized into seven themes: (1) Housing; (2) Home support; (3) Transportation; (4) Information availability, accessibility, and navigation; (5) Cultural diversity; (6) Discrimination; and (7) Funding and financial support. Results found that affordable housing that adapts to changing health conditions, income supports, health services, homecare, transportation, and culturally appropriate and nondiscriminatory informational resources are among the supports most needed for persons as young as 50 years old to succeed under the Housing First model in Metro Vancouver. Barriers to Housing First service provision, including rigid eligibility criteria for chronically and episodically homeless, should be revised to better support the growing number of older adults who are newly entering homelessness in Metro Vancouver.

Male-to-female transitions: Implications for occupational performance, health, and life satisfaction.

Background. People who undergo a gender transition process experience changes in different everyday occupations. These changes may impact their health and life satisfaction. Purpose. This study examined the difference in the occupational performance history scales (occupational identity, competence, and settings) between male-to-female transgender women and cisgender women and the relation of these scales to health and life satisfaction. Method. Twenty-two transgender women and 22 matched cisgender women completed a demographic questionnaire and three reliable measures in this cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regressions. Findings. The results indicate lower performance scores for the transgender women. In addition, occupational settings and group membership (transgender and cisgender groups) were found to be predictors of life satisfaction. Implications. The present study supports the role of occupational therapy in promoting occupational identity and competence of transgender women and giving special attention to their social and physical environment.