ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite increasing numbers of men living in isolation with dementia in the community, uptake of supportive interventions remains low. This may be because of limited availability of activities suited to men's interests. One organisation reporting higher attendance from men is Sporting Memories, offering inclusive sports-based reminiscence and physical activities for men living with dementia. This study aimed to explore the impact of the Sporting Memories intervention on men living with dementia. METHOD: This study was an ethnography employing techniques of participant observation, informal conversations and semi-structured interviews with group participants. Data were woven into a series of narratives using creative non-fiction, to bring life to the first-hand accounts of participants and experiences within a typical group setting. FINDINGS: The groups provided an environment for men with dementia to explore, reflect upon and reinforce their masculine identities through the subject of sport. Physical activities further facilitated this embodied demonstration for some, although this was not a feature of all sessions. CONCLUSIONS: The content of Sporting Memories group sessions provides a vehicle for men to retain an important aspect of personhood. They also hold the potential to present opportunities for men to feel a sense of value by contributing to sessions in varied ways. Facilitators and volunteers require support and training to ensure this benefit is maintained.
Subject(s)
Dementia , Independent Living , Anthropology, Cultural , Emotions , Humans , Male , MemoryABSTRACT
The implementation of effective community-based health interventions within Spanish football clubs has the potential to positively influence the public health agenda and enable the healthcare system in Spain to be more successful and sustainable. This paper aims to explore the involvement of Spanish football clubs in health promotion activities, their potential for future involvement and what that would require. A mixed methods explanatory sequential design, with a purposive sample of La Liga clubs. Data collection included online questionnaires and phone interviews. Quantitative methods enabled us to describe the number and types of programmes the clubs are currently involved in. Qualitative data was useful to further unpick the processes followed by the clubs in planning and developing health promotion programmes, while identifying any determinants to change. Seventeen clubs completed questionnaires and 11 participated in interviews. Clubs generally support inclusive programmes that target disadvantaged groups. Health-related programmes focus on healthy eating, physical activity and blood donation. Thematic analysis of interviews with 11 representatives of La Liga clubs resulted in three-key themes. These related to: (i) Diversity of programmes; (ii) (Lack of) evidence-based approaches to intervention design and evaluation and (iii) Contrasting views about a club's role in health promotion interventions. Spanish football clubs have potential to reach into communities that are currently underserved. However, there is limited infrastructure and understanding within the clubs to do this. Nevertheless, there is huge opportunity for organizations with public health responsibility in Spain to implement translational approaches within football-based settings.
Subject(s)
Football , Soccer , Diet, Healthy , Health Promotion , Humans , SpainABSTRACT
Narrative is now an accepted research methodology across the social sciences. However, for researchers from positivistic backgrounds, becoming a narrative researcher can be complex. In this article we share four stories to explore the dilemmas and challenges that Lorena, as PhD student, and David, as supervisor, experienced during Lorena's turn to narrative. We use a duoethnography to focus on pivotal moments during Lorena's journey that elicited important learning and personal development. By sharing these stories, we aim to stimulate reflection and dialogue between students and supervisors who may be embarking on their own journeys towards narrative(AU)
: A narrativa é atualmente uma metodologia de pesquisa aceita em todas as ciências sociais. No entanto, para pesquisadores de fonte positivista, tornar-se um pesquisador narrativo pode ser complexo. Neste artigo compartilhamos quatro histórias para explorar os dilemas e desafios que Lorena, como doutoranda, e David, como supervisor, experimentaram durante a mudança de Lorena para a narrativa. Usamos uma duoetnografia para nos concentrar em momentos cruciais durante a jornada de Lorena, que despertou importantes aprendizagens e desenvolvimento pesoal. Ao compartilhar essas histórias, buscamos estimular a reflexão eo diálogo entre alunos e supervisores que podem estar começando em suas próprios viagem para a narrativa(AU)
La narrativa es actualmente una metodología de investigación aceptada en todas las ciencias sociales. Sin embargo, para los investigadores de origen positivista, convertirse en investigador narrativo puede ser complejo. En este artículo compartimos cuatro historias para explorar los dilemas y desafíos que Lorena, como estudiante de doctorado, y David, como supervisor, experimentaron durante el cambio de Lorena a la narrativa. Usamos una etnografía a dúo para centrarnos en momentos clave durante el viaje de Lorena, lo que generó importantes aprendizajes y desarrollo personal. Al compartir estas historias, pretendemos estimular la reflexión y el diálogo entre estudiantes y supervisores que pueden estar empezando sus propios viajes hacia la narrativa(AU)
