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The study sought to examine school administrators' engagement in the reintegration of students in schools during the pandemic era. The study was conducted using a multiple case study design that used an open-ended survey design to collect data from the selected school administra-tors. A total of eight participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. The results of the study found that several challenges such as disruptions, indiscipline, fights, abnormal behaviors, and inadequate support structures all affected the reintegration process of students during the COVID-19 pandemic era. © 2023 James Nicholas Publishers.
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For many years, Nepal has relied on the import of labour by foreign countries to sustain its economy with income from remittances having approached 30% of the national gross domestic product for close to a decade. Besides being the most valuable source of hard currency, earnings by labour migrants have also contributed to reducing poverty levels drastically in recent years while also providing the impetus for rapid urbanization and rising consumerism. All of that has now been put in jeopardy as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to tens of thousands of Nepali workers being laid off in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the major destination for Nepalis in foreign employment. This chapter explores how the pandemic has affected the foreign employment sector with a particular focus on the number of Nepalis returning home, how the government plans to deal with a large number of unemployed young men and women, the expected reduction in remittances, and the possible social dislocations as a result of sudden loss of inflow of cash in the rural hinterlands of the economy. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.
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Prison reentry programs attempt to equip justice-involved veterans with life skills necessary for their transition out of prison. This qualitative study addressed the scant understanding of the impact pre-released prison reentry programs have on justice-involved veterans' transition and reintegration back to the community. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the perceptions of justice-involved veterans regarding prison reentry programs that have impacted their transition out of prison. The well-being development model and Castro's military-to-civilian transition model provided the conceptual framework for this qualitative study, using semistructured questions to interview 11 justice-involved veterans regarding their participation in prison reentry programs. Directed content analysis was used to categorize, synthesize, and interpret data. The first theme revealed that prison reentry programs helped with transition when there was family support, when one participated in industry reentry training, when there is community support, and housing. The second theme that emerged from the data revealed that prison reentry programs did not help with transition when prison reentry programs were cancelled due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), prisoners faced difficulty in adjusting, had no knowledge of community resources, received no help from prison, and did not have access to housing, transportation, or healthcare. The research findings may contribute to positive social change by engaging justice-involved veteran stakeholders to review and revise prison reentry policies for justice-involved veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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As the prison population grays, so too does the people leaving prison. In New Jersey and New York, 35% and 26% of people on parole are over the age of 50 respectively. While older persons have lower recidivism rates compared to younger persons, there are physical, mental, and societal challenges that come with advancing age that can make reentry and reintegration a particularly difficult experience compared to younger persons. The aim of this dissertation is to explore the experiences of older adults on parole and the parole officers that assist them in their reentry and reintegration.This study is unique in that it is the first known study that looks at differences in redeemability and reintegration based on age. Additionally, this study uses sociological perspectives that are under-utilized when studying the correctional, but more specifically, the paroled population. Maruna (2001) and O'Sullivan's (2018) Belief in Redeemability, and Braithwaite's (1989) Reintegrative Shaming and Wolff and Draine (2004), Smith & Hattery (2011) and Lin's (2000) social capital theories will be used to address the following four research questions addressing persons on parole: (1) Do the needs of people leaving prison differ based on age? (2) Are there age-related differences in concerns regarding reintegration for people leaving prison? (3) Are there age-related differences in concerns regarding stigmatization for people leaving prison? (4) Are there age-related differences in finding meaning in life post incarceration? To understand parole officer perceptions of counseling older persons on parole Helfgott's (1997) theory on social distance as well as parole officer decision-making theories will be used to answer the following two research questions: (1) Are parole officers' experiences working with older persons on parole different than younger persons? (2) How do parole officers manage counseling and supervision of older persons on parole compared to younger persons?This dissertation is, as far as the author knows, the first mixed methods examination of life on parole for older persons, and how their experiences differ from their younger cohorts. This mixed methods study will use qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis to understand the experiences of older person on parole from multiple angles including thematic and quantitative content analysis, descriptive analyses and chi-square analyses where appropriate. This study defines older person on parole as someone over the age of 50, and a younger person on parole as someone between the ages of 18-49 under parole supervision. This proposal investigates whether older persons on parole believe they can be successfully reintegrated into the community, considering their age, time served and health conditions that typically accompany older persons who have been impacted by the criminal justice system as it compares to younger persons on parole. Furthermore, this study aims to understand how older persons on parole find life satisfaction after prison and parole. Finally, this dissertation aims to understand how parole officers view older persons on parole and seeks to understand their perceptions of managing and counseling older persons on parole.Data for the New Jersey responses was obtained from the New Jersey State Parole Board, which included access to people on parole, and parole officers. Data for the New York and Colorado parolee responses was obtained through convenience sampling and snowball sampling techniques. People on parole were surveyed on their experiences, and a subset of older adults were interviewed to obtain rich data on the experiences of being an older person on parole. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, younger people on parole were also interviewed to understand how their experiences compared to the older population. In addition to surveying parole officers in New Jersey, parole... (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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This study aims to analyze the reintegration problems faced by Indonesian Migrant Workers (IMWs). This study was conducted using a qualitative design in Indramayu Regency, Indonesia. Data was collected from IMWs who returned during the pandemic, brokers, and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) staff and analyzed descriptively. The results showed that returnee migrants face problems such as the inability to manage remittances, poor investment choices, and the inability to run a business. A comprehensive reintegration policy is needed starting from pre-departure until the migrants return to their country of origin. © 2023, Zalozba ZRC. All rights reserved.
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This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 related-anxiety on academics and absenteeism pre- and post-pandemic school years. The aim of this research was to investigate if anxiety impacted at-risk youths' (ethnically diverse high school students living in low-income areas) mental health during an important transitional stage of their lives following quarantine due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (COVID-19) pandemic. The sudden changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including pivoting to online learning, social distancing from peers, and a seemingly endless quarantine, increased students' uncertainties, and anxiety (Besser et al., 2020). This study further investigated gender differences in youths' anxiety response to COVID-19 as prior research indicates that females tend to be at higher risk for anxiety following trauma. This researcher recruited 99 high school students (grades 10-12) from a local, low-income suburban/rural high school with an ethnically diverse population. Findings indicated that COVID-19 related-anxiety impacted female students significantly more than male students upon returning to in-person learning (p = .05). In addition, COVID-19 related-anxiety had a positive correlation with State-Trait Anxiety scores. Results did not indicate significant changes due to COVID-19 related-anxiety on absenteeism, GPA or ELA grades upon returning to in-person learning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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The purpose of this study was to better understand the lived experiences of veterans and the transferability of military morals and values. At the time of this study, there was limited research exploring the phenomenon of the military morals and values that become ingrained during Basic Combat Training and how they affect a veteran's life once they reintergrate back into the civilian sector. To further investigate the phenonmenon of the transferability and impact of the military morals and values post-military, the researcher posed this question: How do veterans adapt their military cultural experience, specifically their acquired morals and values, to civilian life? Eight Army veterans were interviewed utilizing a semi-structured format (both in-person and virtual due to COVID-19) and their narratives were analyzed by using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Thirteen themes were identified, organized into clusters, and classfied as prominent or moderate. Findings from this study suggests that there is nuanced transferability of the Army Values and Warrior Ethos for veterans once they leave the military. These findings also indicate that veterans have embraced the military morals and values in ways that they hold themselves and civilians to higher standards, as well as the morals and values providing a sense of psychological safety through trusting relationships established in the military. Clinical implications of this study point to the usefulness of the thematic findings for professionals providing services to veterans in various settings by having a deeper understanding of veterans' experiences with the military morals and values and how they navigate the systems they encounter. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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Offenders aged 50 and older represent a growing population among the incarcerated. Around 80 % of them struggle with difficulties related to their physical and mental health, as well as their social well-being. These difficulties heavily impacts their social and community reintegration process. The pandemic has given rise to additional and greater challenges. This interpretive descriptive qualitative study aims to comprehend older offenders' experiences related to their incarceration at the time of COVID-19, as well as its perceived influence on their social and community reintegration. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants ranging from 50 to 73 years of age. A thematic analysis was conducted to further understand the aspects modulated by COVID-19 during each key period of the social and community reintegration process, namely, while they were incarcerated and while they were released into the community. The pandemic influenced the social and community reintegration process, and had a larger impact on offenders at the beginning of the pandemic, as compared to a year later. Results highlight the lack of consistency between health measures and social and community reintegration objectives. © 2022 Intellect Ltd Article.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown declared by the Indian Government in March 2020 lead to an unexpected turn of events for many, causing a huge psychosocial impact on them. Methodology: The study focused on evaluating a family from Kerala with major language difficulties and the distress being faced by them during their stay in the government provided shelter home in Delhi. The family was assessed by the multidisciplinary team from the Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences visiting various shelter homes across the state. The study was aimed to assess the importance of psychological first aid (PFA) on the individual and the family in distress. Results: The family was assessed by the student counselor, who was well versed in their native language Malayalam. They were able to connect well, and hence, an appropriate psychosocial intervention was provided to them under the guidance of her supervisor. The family was highly distressed and had almost developed xenophobia. They were very happy to get a Malayalam-speaking counselor and were provided with all possible support. The authorities were also explained about their specific needs, which was not possible earlier due to the language barrier. They were ultimately successfully integrated with the other residents and returned to their home state, i.e., Kerala. Conclusion: Although PFA is definitely not a substitute for mental health care, ample research and experience has shown that it is a useful tool to assist people in acute distress when applied with a truly professional yet sensitive, empathetic approach. © 2022 The Author(s).
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Abstract This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on justice-involved African Americans during incarceration and post-release. The study population comprised 25 African American men and women recently released from prison. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, and the reflexive thematic analysis process was utilized. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted and imported into NVivo 11 qualitative research software. The analysis revealed four major themes: stress, reentry, substance use, and community adjustment. The findings implied a need for (1) policy creation and revision to prepare jails and prisons for public health crises;(2) more realistic post-release coping strategies to prepare individuals to face post-release obstacles, such as COVID-19, housing, employment, relapse, and social reintegration;(3) improvements in data collection and transparency in disseminating such data to enhance healthcare services in jails and prisons;and (4) additional evidence-based research to address current concerns with data availability, misreporting, reporting delays, testing rate differences, and inconsistencies in population estimates. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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This dissertation fills critical gaps in the literature on women's reentry with three studies. The first study examines the reentry and job-seeking experiences of formerly incarcerated women who began living at a halfway house during the COVID-19 pandemic. I interviewed women multiple times during their stay and after they left the halfway house. I found that women used various coping techniques to navigate challenges brought on by the pandemic. These coping techniques are categorized as flight, fight, and freeze. The second study is an experimental correspondence audit study using resumes of fictitious formerly incarcerated women seeking employment after incarceration. I applied for entry-level jobs in Prince William County, Virginia and varied resumes by applicant race, conviction status, and the presence or absence of a desistance signal in the form of a career readiness and job skills certificate. Results show no statistically significant differences in employer callback rates between black and white applicants, applicants with and without a criminal record, and applicants with and without a desistance signal. The third study examines the meaning of "rehabilitation" from the perspectives of the women interviewed in the first study. During their interviews, women were asked: "In your opinion, what does it mean to be rehabilitated?" Three conceptualizations of rehabilitation emerged from their answers: living responsibly, actively engaging in an ongoing coping process, and self-actualization. All three studies contribute to the literature by examining the reentry and job seeking experiences of formerly incarcerated women, providing insight into the job search process by applying to jobs formerly incarcerated women would typically seek upon release from custody, and allowing formerly incarcerated women to define "rehabilitation" for themselves. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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Successful reintegration following prison for those with sexual convictions is a key aim of criminal justice policy. Whilst there is a wealth of research detailing the desistance and reintegration process of current Core Member's (CMs) within Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), there is limited research that captures the experiences of ex-CMs once the support of the volunteers had ceased. In addition to this, there is limited research that focuses on the impact COVID-19 has had upon those convicted of sexual offences, living within the community following a CoSA. This study aimed to explore these experiences finding that whilst volunteers helped some ex-CMs to form their own support networks, some ex-CMs appeared to rely more upon informal community support. Participants also maintained fears of their past being discovered and thus, avoided transparency, which is valuable for reintegration. In relation to the pandemic, COVID-19 was recognized as having some detrimental effects for ex-CMs, however, positive impacts and adaptability were also discussed. Conclusions drawn from the analysis provide implications for future multi-perspective and longitudinal research.
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BACKGROUND: Veteran community reintegration (CR) has been defined as participation in community life, including employment or other productive activities, independent living, and social relationships. Veteran CR is a Veterans Health Administration priority, as a substantial proportion of veterans report difficulties with veteran CR following discharge from military service. OBJECTIVE: Enhancing Veteran Community Reintegration Research (ENCORE) is a project funded by Veterans Health Administration's Health Service Research and Development Service. The goal of ENCORE is to maximize veteran and family reintegration by promoting innovative research and knowledge translation (KT) that informs and improves equitable Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policies, programs, and services. Overall, 2 strategic objectives guide ENCORE activities: mobilize veteran CR research and promote innovation, relevance, and acceleration of veteran CR research and KT. METHODS: ENCORE uses a mixed methods and stakeholder-engaged approach to achieve objectives and to ensure that the KT products generated are inclusive, innovative, and meaningful to stakeholders. Project activities will occur over 5 years (2019-2024) in 5 phases: plan, engage, mobilize, promote, and evaluate. All activities will be conducted remotely owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Methods used will include reviewing research funding and literature examining the gaps in veteran CR research, conducting expert informant interviews with VA program office representatives, and assembling and working with a Multistakeholder Partnership (MSP). MSP meetings will use external facilitation services, group facilitation techniques adapted for virtual settings, and a 6-step group facilitation process to ensure successful execution of meetings and accomplishment of goals. RESULTS: As of December 2022, data collection for ENCORE is ongoing, with the team completing interviews with 20 stakeholders from 16 VA program offices providing veteran CR-related services. ENCORE developed and assembled the MSP, reviewed the VA funding portfolio and veteran CR research literature, and conducted a scientific gap analysis. The MSP developed a veteran CR research agenda in 2021 and continues to work with the ENCORE team to prepare materials for dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: The goal of this program is to improve the impact of veteran CR research on policies and programs. Using a stakeholder-engaged process, insights from key stakeholder groups are being incorporated to set a research agenda that is more likely to result in a relevant and responsive veteran CR research program. Future products will include the development of an effective and relevant dissemination plan and the generation of innovative and relevant dissemination products designed for rapid KT. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/42029.
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Mandatory restrictions on social activities and access to services during the COVID-19 pandemic prevented discharge into the community of consumers from an extended-stay, hospital-based rehabilitation program. This article describes a revised discharge process that overcame the pandemic-related restrictions by replacing the graded and slow discharge process with a one-stage, full-time transition that facilitated the discharge of 16 adult consumers. No adverse mental health outcomes occurred during the process. The change of practice with its positive results reflected therapeutic risk-taking. The COVID-19 pandemic provided scope for creativity and innovation in mental health care and psychiatric rehabilitation. IMPLICATIONS Innovation and collaboration by service providers can promote consumers' positive risk-taking to return to a life in mainstream society after a prolonged stay in an inpatient rehabilitation unit. Community reintegration of consumers with enduring severe mental illness can occur under adverse public health and social situations like the COVID-19 pandemic with innovative hospital discharge planning.
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The purpose of this study was to better understand the lived experiences of veterans and the transferability of military morals and values. At the time of this study, there was limited research exploring the phenomenon of the military morals and values that become ingrained during Basic Combat Training and how they affect a veteran's life once they reintergrate back into the civilian sector. To further investigate the phenonmenon of the transferability and impact of the military morals and values post-military, the researcher posed this question: How do veterans adapt their military cultural experience, specifically their acquired morals and values, to civilian life? Eight Army veterans were interviewed utilizing a semi-structured format (both in-person and virtual due to COVID-19) and their narratives were analyzed by using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Thirteen themes were identified, organized into clusters, and classfied as prominent or moderate. Findings from this study suggests that there is nuanced transferability of the Army Values and Warrior Ethos for veterans once they leave the military. These findings also indicate that veterans have embraced the military morals and values in ways that they hold themselves and civilians to higher standards, as well as the morals and values providing a sense of psychological safety through trusting relationships established in the military. Clinical implications of this study point to the usefulness of the thematic findings for professionals providing services to veterans in various settings by having a deeper understanding of veterans' experiences with the military morals and values and how they navigate the systems they encounter. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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Human trafficking is an egregious violation of fundamental human rights and a global challenge. The long-term harms to survivors’ physical, psychological and social wellbeing are profound and well documented, and yet there are few studies exploring how to best promote resilience and holistic healing. This is especially true within shelter programs (where the majority of anti-trafficking services are provided) and during the transition out of residential shelter care, which is often a sensitive and challenging process. The current study begins to address this gap by centering the lived experiences of six women residing in a trafficking-specific shelter in Uganda as they unexpectedly transitioned back to their home communities due to the COVID-19 lockdown. We explore this pivotal moment in participants’ post-trafficking journey, focusing on how these women described and interpreted their rapidly changing life circumstances—including leaving the shelter, adjusting back to the community setting, and simultaneously navigating the uncertainties of a global pandemic. Four core themes emerged from the analysis: economic insecurities as a cross-cutting hardship;intensification of emotional and physical symptoms;social disruptions;and sources of hope and resilience. By centering their personal stories of struggle and strength, we hope to elevate survivors’ own accounts and draw on their insights to identify actionable considerations for future programming. [ FROM AUTHOR]
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La Porte verte hospital in Versailles is one of the reference establishments in the Yvelines department (78) for the reception and care of patients with long term cancer. The follow-up care and rehabilitation department and the day hospital organize care dedicated to very complex patients. The teams offer a personalized rehabilitation care program over a defined period of time, with multidisciplinary management and the ability to conduct explorations, assessments and evaluations on site.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Aftercare , Hospitals , Patient Care TeamABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are known to experience higher stress levels compared to other industry workers due to challenges presented in their work environment. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has seen many countries' healthcare systems struggle to meet the demands of healthcare seekers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to explore healthcare professionals' perceptions and experiences of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on their personal and work performance. METHODS: Twelve individuals working in the health sector participated in this study. The researchers used a qualitative exploratory and descriptive research design. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. RESULTS: Theme one "A feeling of ambivalence", describes the positive and negative influence that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on HCWs. Theme two "Unfortunately, the support from the government is not as much as it's said to be in the news", describes the support required from government services during the pandemic. Theme three "Changes experienced by the individual related to his or her personal and work routine", describes the changes experienced by healthcare professionals in their daily tasks during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: The study found that the work environment contributed to experiences of burnout and anxiety due to staff shortages, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and an increase in work pressure. More research needs to be conducted to inform policies and organizations on how to best support healthcare workers to prevent burnout and anxiety.
Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional , COVID-19 , Work Performance , Male , Female , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Health Personnel , Burnout, Professional/epidemiology , Delivery of Health CareABSTRACT
This paper analyses the amplification of social insecurity and the social misrecognition of the homeless during the COVID-19 syndemic. The research was carried out in the city of Bergamo (IT), which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 syndemic since the early months of 2020; the research was developed in two phases. The first one analyses the practices of social resilience activated during the COVID-19 syndemic by the socio-educational staff and the coordination figures who work in the support services. The second phase analyses the different social dynamics that can improve the wellbeing and social reintegration of the homeless from a long-duration perspective. During the first months of 2020, the public authorities failed to pay attention to homeless people who slept on the streets and who lived in communities or found support in night shelters. The support services had to activate immediate emergency response strategies and subsequently had to produce and purchase protective devices for operators, guests and those who remained on the street. Faced with this process of social misrecognition, the support services for homeless people reacted by activating practices of social resilience. These practices have investigated the dimensions of daily interactions and the symbolic and value configurations connected to them. However, directly conversing with the homeless, it emerges that to achieve full social reintegration and to prevent new forms of social misrecognition, in the event of future social or health crises, the relationship with a non-stigmatized social community is fundamental. Consequently, the primary objectives that the support network for homeless people should set for future projects should involve the local community through project participation activities and raise awareness of the phenomenon of poverty.
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Objective: To determine whether a pilot reintegration program for female genital fistula survivors that included a combination of financial support, psychosocial support, and mentoring would result in their long-term economic empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Nine fistula survivors participated in a 29-month pilot reintegration program offered by Kenya Quilts for Empowerment (KQFE), a registered Community Based Organization in Kenya. Originally, the program was intended to last for 18 months, but as a result of the pandemic, this was extended to achieve the long-term economic empowerment of women. The program was based on best practices for poverty alleviation that included multiple sources of income, psychosocial support, and mentoring, sustained over the entire 29-month period. All the women were severely impoverished at the baseline assessment, with one having some savings, and a few having productive assets, which were primarily chickens. Financial training and an initial non-refundable cash transfer provided start-up funds for small businesses; these initially flourished before floundering during the pandemic and eventually recovering. Funds were also used to buy livestock. A key component of the program was the provision of national health insurance for each woman and her family, which helped them stay healthy without having to sell any income-generating livestock. Other key components were the psychosocial support and mentoring provided within their support group. After 29 months, every woman had achieved long-term economic empowerment and "graduated" to become a KQFE ambassador, tasked with identifying fistula survivors within their communities, and referring them for surgery and participation in a reintegration support group.