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PubMed2004

Social and political amplification of technological hazards. The case of the PEPCON explosion.

Using an industrial explosion in Henderson, Nevada, as a case study, this paper examines three main issues: the efficacy of a technological hazard event in amplifying otherwise latent issues, the extent to which the hazard event can serve as a focusing event for substantive local and state policy initiatives, and the effect of fragmentation of political authority in managing technological hazards. The findings indicate that the explosion amplified several public safety issues and galvanized the public into pressing for major policy initiatives. However, notwithstanding the amplification of several otherwise latent issues, and the flurry of activities by the state and local governments, the hazard event did not seem to be an effective focusing event or trigger mechanism for substantive state and local policy initiatives. In addition, the study provides evidence of the need for a stronger nexus between political authority, land-use planning and technological hazard management.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2006

Putting at risk what we know: reflecting on the drug-using subject in harm reduction and its political implications.

This paper provides a poststructuralist analysis of the cultural inscription of drug-using subjects in the neo-liberal discourses of contemporary harm reduction. We argue that although neo-liberal discourses downplay material constraints on individual human agency, divert policy and practice away from structural issues, limit the conception of effective strategies for harm reduction and ignore alternative formulations of the subject, they are also potentially empowering for drug users. Approximating the neo-liberal subject offers political benefits in terms of recognition, trust and legitimation, even as those values assume and reproduce understandings of behaviour, thought and sociality that fit only poorly the realities faced by many drug users. We explore this dilemma and consider three available directions in formulating the subject of harm reduction: (1) embracing the neo-liberal subject; (2) employing a more contextualised version of the neo-liberal subject; and (3) adopting alternative notions of subjectivity, extending the critique of the neo-liberal subject to all citizens, not solely drug users. To clarify some of these issues surrounding this strategic process, the paper considers another field in which struggles over the nature of the subject have been conducted--feminism. The intention is not to resolve the question of the most appropriate subject for harm reduction, but to sketch the political consequences of adopting particular models of the subject as a stimulus to further discussion and debate.

Culture↗
PubMed2003

Street children and political violence: a socio-demographic analysis of street children in Rwanda.

OBJECTIVE: The aims were: (1) to examine the profile of African street children and to assess the link between street children in Africa and political violence; (2) to undertake a systematic examination of causal factors of street children in postgenocide Rwanda; and (3) to situate this analysis in the context of the socio-cultural and political impact of the genocide on Rwandan communities. METHOD: Observational mapping examined the profile and activities of Rwandan street children. Structured interviews were carried out with 290 children in four regional towns to obtain information on socio-demographic, familial, educational background, causal factors surrounding street life involvement, psychological well-being, and relationship to the street. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews examined the relationship between street children and the broader Rwandan society. RESULTS: Street children in Rwanda were predominantly adolescent boys, almost half of whom were homeless (42%), with a high proportion of orphaned children or children who had lost at least one parent. Two variables predicted homelessness: child's guardian and reason for being in street. Qualitative accounts of children conveyed the impact of death of family members, repatriation, imprisonment of parents, and poverty on their lives. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis highlighted the need for community based support for children in alternative guardianship care and for policies to support the reintegration of male youths in postconflict welfare strategies as prevention strategies for street migration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The impact of political violence on moral reasoning in children.

OBJECTIVE: The moral development of three groups of children, who had been subjected to varying degrees of political violence and economic advantage, was examined in an attempt to determine if group membership or gender influenced the level of moral reasoning or orientation. METHOD: Ninety-three 8- to 13-year-old Israeli Jewish and Bedouin school children, and Palestinian West Bank school children were asked various moral reasoning questions based on an animal fable involving a moral dilemma under three (hypothetical, role-taking, political) conditions. RESULTS: Results indicate that mutuality solutions to moral dilemmas were given more frequently by Israeli Jewish children than Israeli Bedouin or Palestinian children as the questions shifted from abstract to real-life situations. No significant gender differences were found between Jewish children and Bedouin children in hypothetical issues; however, violence and limited resources were found to affect moral judgment in real-life situations for boys, but not for girls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings supported the hypothesis that moral reasoning in children is significantly linked to real-life situations and resources. The results were discussed in terms of their relevance to future researchers and the manner in which children interpret moral questions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Science, politics and animal health policy: epidemiology in action.

Public policy decisions underlie society's response to current animal health issues ranging from emerging diseases and public health threats to food safety concerns and sustainable animal agriculture strategies. Despite strong calls for "science-based" decisions, animal health policy most commonly emerges at the interface of science and politics. Too often scientists' disdain for politics limits their involvement in formulating policy. By contrast, epidemiologists are ideally qualified to bring scientific skills to complex policy issues through analytical, macro-epidemiological approaches that consider the economic, legal, and cultural context of policy issues as well as the biological and medical aspects. Risk analysis provides a systematic approach to evaluating animal health issues and comparing policy options. Capturing these opportunities for applied epidemiology requires an understanding of the policy-making process as well as the basic principles of epidemiology. Furthermore, epidemiology training programs must incorporate communications skill building and experiential learning opportunities in a team environment.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Political cultures, health systems and health policy.

Policies for restructuring national health systems in low- and middle-income countries tend to follow similar packages of prescriptions along the lines of those discussed in the World Development Report of 1993. An ubiquitous reform measure is that of decentralisation. Research on decentralised health care in Northeast Brazil demonstrates the critical role played by informal aspects of health system management and the political cultures of the wider context on the implementation of policy and the performance of local health systems. Discussion of incorporating these results into policy making highlights a number of points. Health systems research has failed to take seriously the role of the cultural for various reasons, particularly because of the challenge it makes to our own fundamental values and because of the difficulties of including it into approaches based on rational systems models. At the same time, health system researchers cannot easily draw upon and operationalise more complex and sophisticated explorations of the nature of the cultural domain. Nonetheless, without a concerted effort to engage with this literature, to bridge the gap to the applied policy world and tackle the challenge of incorporating considerations of political culture into policy making, health system management through decentralisation is likely to increase inequalities between local districts rather than the opposite.

Brazil↗
PubMed1998

Political repression and its psychological effects on Honduran children.

This paper, based on an exploratory study in Honduras, examines the psychological effects of political disappearance and assassination on surviving child family members. There are few, if any, comparative field studies of non-immigrant, non-refugee or non-clinical populations of children with forcibly disappeared and assassinated parents. In Latin America, violent state power has been exercised in a number of ways, including physical intimidation, jailing, murder and "disappearance". This research compares 16 Honduran children who have experienced the loss of a parent through forced disappearance with 11 Honduran children who suffered a similar loss from a political assassination. Surviving parents or caretakers of these children were also interviewed. Differences between children of the disappeared and assassinated were analyzed using a Rorschach object relations scale, post-traumatic stress and symptom and behavior scales and interviews with the children and the surviving parents. Both groups of children have symptoms of traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and aggressive feelings. Children of both groups remain symptomatic for many years after their loss and children with disappeared parents present more unconscious emotional disturbance in the Rorschach object relations scale than children with assassinated parents. The lack of physical, emotional and legal resolution in forced disappearance appears to impede mourning and a return to age-appropriate concerns.

Bereavement↗
PubMed1989

The political role of the health service executive.

The "politicization" of health care in Canada means an increasing political role for health service executives. This article focuses on the political activities and skills required for administrators to become effective in this expanded role. In the 1990s, the administrator must become increasingly externally oriented and proactive. Two externally oriented skills, networking and information processing, are discussed in relation to the current health care environment. Practical examples are provided to illustrate how these skills can be used to ensure both the success of the executive and the position of the organization.

Canada↗
PubMed1990

Research utilization in the social-political arena.

Many of the health problems of populations at greater risk for ill health require action at the social-political level for intervention. The experience of working with local community leaders and concerned providers to improve the resources available to meet the needs of the homeless is used to illustrate the value and problems of combining the roles of nurse researcher and change agent. Whereas the researcher must protect the integrity of the research process so that the results will be meaningful, the formation of the research questions and reporting of results also must take into account the social-political aims of the research.

Community Participation↗
PubMed2003

Federal CAT policy: politics and practice.

The critical care nurse encounters a patient in a setting that is charged with overt physiologic needs that are addressed by an array of healthcare providers in a setting dominated by covert political dynamics. Understanding these dynamics can empower critical care nurses to create a voice of agency to advocate disciplinary nursing concerns. Policy skills enable nurses to participate in meaningful ways in the policy process. As conventional and complementary practitioners interact, critical care nurses are likely to confront difficult issues. Insight into the processes that shape the federal CAT agenda allows nurse educators, researchers, and clinicians to anticipate likely effects on their own domains of practice. The ability of nursing as a professional discipline to engage in appropriate political and policy activity concerning CAT policy is enhanced by understanding the complex nature of that discourse.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2004

Power and politics in international funding for reproductive health: the US Global Gag Rule.

Since 2001, the US government has used its power as a leading donor to family planning programmes to pursue policies in conflict with global agreements on reproductive rights. Prominent among these policies is the Mexico City Policy (or Global Gag Rule), which restricts non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in developing countries that receive USAID family planning funding from engaging in most abortion-related activities, even with their own funds. This paper reviews the history and political origins of the Gag Rule under several Republican party presidents. The Gag Rule has not achieved an overall reduction in abortions; rather, where it has disrupted family planning services, the policy is more likely to have increased the number of abortions. This paper concludes that the Gag Rule is a radical intrusion on the rights and autonomy of recipients of US funding. Regardless of whether or not it is rescinded in the future, the underlying issues in the politics of US reproductive health assistance are likely to persist. NGOs that wish to free themselves from the constraints it imposes must find the means to end their dependence on USAID funding, including turning to other donors. NGOs should also take the lead in opposing policies such as the Gag Rule that violate global agreements.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1997

The politics of identity in epidemiology.

The predilection to doubt the objectivity of scientists based on their affiliation--particularly, but not exclusively, focused on scientists affiliated with industry-is a malignant influence in modern epidemiology. Manifestations of this "politics of identity" are widespread and include ad hominem attacks, publication restrictions, and exclusions of scientists from expert panels and advisory boards. These actions are likely to be detrimental to progress in epidemiology and are questionable from an ethical standpoint. The purpose of this commentary is to draw critical attention to the politics of identity in epidemiology and the effects it can have on individual scientists and scientific debate.

Bias↗
PubMed1998

The politics of methodology in 'post-medical geography': mental health research and the interview.

This paper argues that emerging 'post-medical geographies' require attention to the methodological in order to fully appreciate how different geographical knowledges are produced and contextualized within the politics of research relationships. 'Geographies of mental health and illness' are focused upon in order to argue that the 'peopling' of health research should also be accompanied by debate about what sorts of methodologies we employ in accessing these minds/bodies and voices. The research interview is a primary focus here. A critique of psychoanalytic approaches to geographical research argues that such 'models' of interpretation and management can mean that participants or research 'subjects' can be framed in almost diagnostic categories of behaviour. Empirical examples of mental health research in Nottingham are used to argue that more flexible approaches which pay attention to perceived dualisms (such as 'sanity' and 'insanity'), negotiation, embodiment, socio-spatial contexts and content within the interview situation may aid in understanding the politics which encompass geographical health research.

Bias↗
PubMed2001

Assessment of exposure to political violence and other potentially traumatizing events. A critical review.

This paper focuses on the common use of internal-consistency reliability, test-retest, and interrater correlations based on counts of events, events sampling, and factor-analytic techniques in assessment of exposure to political violence and other potentially traumatizing events. The author attributes the continued use of these strategies to a tendency among researchers to identify items from conventional events lists as effect indicators. Through a discussion of four alternative measurement models, the rationale is provided for the proposition that exposure to political violence and similar constructs should be treated as composite variables with causal indicators, rather than as latent variables with effect indicators.

Bias↗
PubMed2002

"If you and I, if we, in this later day, lose that sacred fire . . .": perspective in political interviews.

It is argued in the following that the dialogical complexity of speaker perspective requires a broad empirical analysis. To date, such analyses, particularly of political discourse, have been couched in terms of narrower concepts, such as self-presentation and political positioning or involvement/distancing, and have been typically carried out by means of qualitative methods applied to pronominal usage. The present research applies complementarily both quantitative and qualitative analyses to BBC television interviews of Shimon Peres (January 29, 2001) and of Edward Said (October 18, 2000) by Tim Sebastian in a program entitled HARDtalk. In addition to pronouns, these analyses include a number of other hypothetical indicators of a broad concept of perspective on the part of both interviewer and interviewees: turn-initial words, hesitations, questions, use of yes and no, personal reference utterances (e.g., I think), interjections, number of syllables spoken, and interruptions and overlaps. Quantitative comparisons of interviewer with interviewee revealed important differences on all these measures. Qualitative analyses also confirmed subtle local dynamics of perspective. Accordingly, the findings are interpreted within a general theoretical concept of perspective, derived from Bakhtin's (1981) dialogicity.

Dominance-Subordination↗
PubMed2003

Predictors of nonpathological dissociation in Northern Ireland: the affects of trauma and exposure to political violence.

Recent work has identified an empirical distinction between pathological and nonpathological dissociation. This study examined the correlates of nonpathological dissociation in a Northern Irish sample. The Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Traumatic Experiences Checklist, the Guilt Inventory, and the General Health Questionnaire, as well as two open-ended questions assessing exposure to political violence were completed by 119 participants. Nonpathological dissociation was predicted by age, perceived impact of traumatic events, and adherence to moral standards. Moreover, dissociation was found to be significantly higher in those exposed directly to political violence and those experiencing childhood emotional abuse. Results are consistent with previous theoretical and empirical work and it is proposed that nonpathological dissociation is related to traumatic experience in Northern Ireland.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Establishing clinical neuropsychology in Germany: scientific, professional, political, and legal issues.

German psychologists may have been first to establish a university curriculum in psychology with the expressed purpose to provide--after its successful completion--a certificate of professional qualification. This "Diplom-Prüfungsordnung" (Diploma Examination Regulation) was accepted nationwide in 1941. However, it took over fifty more years before some progress toward the political and legal acceptance of autonomous clinical activities of psychologists was made. Legislation to secure these advances is still pending. In this context the efforts to establish the profession of clinical neuropsychology are described and discussed within the historical development of professional psychology in Germany with special emphasis on the problems of compromises within the force fields of science and professional politics. Finally, the postgraduate training as well as the certification and accreditation procedures developed by the Gesellschaft für Neuropsychologie, the Society of German-speaking neuropsychologists, are presented.

Credentialing↗
PubMed2003

[Veterinary medicine of the GDR in strained relations between technical instructions and political guidelines].

The development of Veterinary Medicine in the Soviet Occupation Zone in Germany and the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) is sketched in highlights. After the collectivization of agriculture (1960) a centralistically controlled national veterinary system was established. It was suited to the requirements of the industrially organized animal production. The successive classification of socialistic veterinary administration was associated with the following matters: the extension of veterinary subject matters, a vertical division of work with the aid of newly created technical veterinary professions, and a penetration of the profession with political guidelines. As the professional level of the veterinary system in the GDR was relatively high the reflection in retrospective needs to be evaluated in a differentiated way considering the textual and social conditions. In spite of centralism and indoctrination the veterinary system remained professionally autonomous with islands of political independence, which sustained the identity of this profession. The latter formed the base for self renewal of the East German veterinary system at the end of the socialistic area 1989/1990.

Animals↗