Olga Sutherland

Qualitative Analysis of Heterosexual Women's Experience of Sexual Pain and Discomfort

In this qualitative analysis, the author explored heterosexual womens accounts of the lived experience of sexual pain and discomfort. The authors aim was to expand theoretical and empirical knowledge in the area of female sexual dysfunction by providing a detailed description of the subjective experience of female sexual concerns. The author used empirical phenomenological methodology to analyze the data generated during semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with 9 women and generated 42 themes that were woven into a common story of the experience, its preconditions, coping strategies, and aftereffects. The limitations of the study and implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

Young women's descriptions of sexual desire in long-term relationships

The aim of this study was to gain a greater understanding of how women in emerging adulthood describe and make sense of their experience of sexual desire in long-term relationships. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women in long-term relationships (2.5 years or longer) in emerging adulthood (ages 18–29) regarding their experiences of sexual desire. In order to ensure a range of experiences, we recruited two groups of women: those who were “wondering where the passion has gone” and those who felt “the passion was stillalive”. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Women provided various explanations for why they continued to experience high desire orexperience a decrease in desire. Similarities and differences between the two groups of women are explored and implications of this studys results are discussed.

Considerations for a discourse of collaboration in counseling

In this paper we consider a discourse of collaborative counseling practice drawing from developments in discourse and social constructionist theory. Collaboration, as we shall refer to it, speaks to negotiating and hopefully sharing initiatives, knowledge and judgment in counselor–client dialogues. However, such negotiations and sharing occur within perceived constraints associated with institutional and professional accountabilities, and are related to unequal powers seen as exercisable by clients and counselors. With these possibilities and constraints in mind, we articulate a discourse of collaborative practice based on counselors and clients sharing content and process expertise in areas often considered the sole prerogative of the counselor.

Conversational perspective of therapeutic outcomes: The importance of preference in the development of discourse

Abstract Major theme: Evaluation of therapeutic outcome. Logical development of the theme: We suggest a way for practitioners and researchers to assess if they are on track in conversing towards client preferred goals. We offer a critique of more conventional approaches to studying therapeutic progress, suggesting how a discursive (i.e. focused on interaction and language use) lens can address these limitations. Through this lens we examine therapeutic progress evident in ‘preference work’, where clients demonstrably indicate, imply, agree and disagree with where the therapeutic conversation is heading. Such ‘preference work’ offers a form of evidence of within-session outcomes in a process of reaching larger client preferred outcomes. Authors’ point of view: We present the results of conversation analysis – a qualitative approach to the study of therapy – to illustrate our discursive perspective on therapy progress and change. Implications: we suggest a way for practitioners to assess if they are on trac...

Core Competencies in Social Constructionist Supervision

Family therapy is moving increasingly toward evidence-based practice and competency-based training. This article explores what might seem to be an unlikely link between social constructionist supervision, which is based on dialogic and fluid processes of meaning-making, and the increasing reliance on discrete core competencies in the education and training of family therapists. We propose an alternate approach to competencies for supervision with therapists in training that, among other things, invites accountability and provides evaluative props. The approach we propose is based on a set of orientations that we hope reflect the dialogic and contextual nature of social constructionist practice and supervision. These orientations consist of reflexivity and attention to power, fostering polyphony and generativity, collaborative stance, and focus on client resourcefulness. Ideas and questions for supervisors and therapists in training to address the orientations are articulated.

A Qualitative Comparison of Young Women's Maintained versus Decreased Sexual Desire in Longer-Term Relationships

The present study investigated sexual desire in young, heterosexual women in longer-term relationships. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who self-identified as belonging to one of two study groups: “the passion is still alive” (Mean age = 24.0 years, n = 10) or “wondering where the passion has gone” (Mean age = 24.8 years, n = 10). Analysis was conducted using grounded theory methodology to investigate experiences of women in these two groups. Although women in both groups reported some common meanings and experiences, sexual desire was also described and experienced differently by women in each group. Categories distinguishing two groups included an ability to stay mentally present, sexual particularity, importance of sex in ones relationship, feeling desired, effectiveness of partners sexual initiation, relational intimacy, the interpretation of monotony and routine, and sexual communication. Most differentiating factors were linked to personal and relationship factors, followed by partner factors. Women in the “passion is still alive” group appeared to embrace certain inevitabilities about sexual desire in long-term relationships and were more likely to recognize that their sex life required attention and maintenance as their relationship progressed. The findings point to factors that could be valuable to younger women who are in longer-term relationships.

Food behavior change in late-life widowhood: A two-stage process

Widowhood is a common life event for married older women. Prior research has found disruptions in eating behaviors to be common among widows. Little is known about the process underlying these disruptions. The aim of this study was to generate a theoretical understanding of the changing food behaviors of older women during the transition of widowhood. Qualitative methods based on constructivist grounded theory guided by a critical realist worldview were used. Individual active interviews were conducted with 15 community-living women, aged 71-86 years, living alone, and widowed six months to 15 years at the time of the interview. Participants described a variety of educational backgrounds and levels of health, were mainly white and of Canadian or European descent, and reported sufficient income to meet their needs. The loss of regular shared meals initiated a two-stage process whereby women first fall into new patterns and then re-establish the personal food system, thus enabling women to redirect their food system from one that satisfied the couple to one that satisfied their personal food needs. Influences on the trajectory of the change process included the couples food system, experience with nutritional care, food-related values, and food-related resources. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Self-compassion in online accounts of nonsuicidal self-injury: An interpretive phenomenological analysis

Self-compassion has been described as an adaptive form of self-to-self relating. It involves the three interrelated components of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness exhibited toward the self at times of pain and failure. The current study explored the self-compassion among individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury. It involved a qualitative analysis of online autobiographical stories from self-injury websites. The data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis with the aim of identifying how individuals who self-injure describe and express self-compassion in their online communications. Various themes and subthemes were generated within the three components of self-compassion. Implications of the analysis for future research, theory, and clinical practice are discussed.

Social Justice Oriented Diagnostic Discussions: A Discursive Perspective

Abstract In the West, the concept of mental illness represents the dominant perspective on emotional distress. Despite their prominence, psychiatric diagnoses have been subject to extensive critiques, including their suitability for increasing therapists’ understanding of distress of socially marginalized clients. Family therapists are among the professionals expected to treat mental disorders. As family therapists are becoming increasingly oriented to social justice issues, the question arises whether they should continue using diagnoses. In this article, we set aside the should question and focus on how a social justice perspective can be infused into diagnostic conversations. We analyzed diagnostic discussions in family therapy to highlight how medical constructions of clients’ experiences are constituted using language in therapy.

A recipe for mealtime resilience for families living with dementia

To date, research delving into the narratives of persons living with dementia is limited. Taking part in usual mealtime activities such as preparing food can sustain the identity of persons living with dementia. Yet if capacity for mealtime activities changes, this can put a strain or demand on the family, which must adjust and adapt to these changes. The aim of this study was to develop an in-depth story of resilience in one family living with dementia that was experiencing mealtime changes. Thematic narrative analysis following the elements of Clandinin and Connellys (2000) 3D narrative inquiry space was used. One familys dementia journey was highlighted using the metaphor of a baking recipe to reflect their story of resilience. Developing positive strategies and continuing to learn and adapt were the two approaches used by this resilient family. Reminiscing, incorporating humour, having hope and optimism, and establishing social support were specific strategies. This family continued to learn and adapt by focusing on their positive gains and personal growth, accumulating life experiences, and balancing past pleasures while adapting to the new normal. Future work needs to further conceptualise resilience and how it can be supported in families living with dementia.