No abstract

Participant observation of a 6-week Executive Development Course suggests that humor provides a key mechanism for enacting a sense of community for group members. Specifically, the study examines the process through which putdown humor helps foster group identity and cohesion in a temporary group. Putdowns followed a pattern of development that signaled increasing trust and inclusion, and was regulated by implicit rules that incubated the emergent solidarity. The meaning of certain humorous episodes was equivocal, but the act of laughing together glossed over the equivocality so that the sense of community was reaffirmed. Further, social identity dynamics appeared to strongly affect perceptions of the appropriateness of humor. The authors conclude that shared putdown humor and the implicit set of rules regarding its use may facilitate solidarity, and they attempt to reconcile why ‘inclusionary putdowns’ were found here when ‘exclusionary putdowns’ are usually reported in the literature.

Purpose – Reproductive health is critically important for women and yet minority women in Canada are less likely to use preventive health care services. The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of the health behaviours of this minority population and, in particular, identify barriers to accessing reproductive health care services. Design/methodology/approach – This study qualitatively analysed data from focus group discussions with 22 Muslim immigrant women in Ottawa, Canada. Findings – The theme of modesty emerged as one of the main barriers in the health seeking behaviour of Muslim immigrant women when it comes to reproductive health and, therefore, the gender of the physician was very important. Focus group participants also discussed a preference for family physicians from the same ethnic and cultural background. Adaptation, or the need to be flexible if there was no alternative to a male doctor, emerged as a theme throughout the focus groups. Emergencies were frequently cited as a reason to adapt. Practical implications – The findings reveal that while religious rules do play a predominant role in the health behaviour of Muslim immigrant women, communication by health care providers, government and health agencies can offer strategies to increase the uptake of preventive reproductive care. Originality/value – This study offers unique insights into the very personal experience of reproductive health care through rich, qualitative data. Given the impact of culture and religion on perceptions and practices, in particular related to reproductive health, this study contributes to more effective communication strategies with Muslim women.

Given the drug and alcohol-friendly nature of most college and university campuses, young people who have struggled with addiction to substances -and who are overcoming these struggles -face many challenges in maintaining their recovery and achieving academic success. Using recovery capital as a theoretical framework, this study explored aspects of the academic experience of students in recovery, including the identity formation process, development of relationships, and use of support services. Thematic analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews showed the development and mobilization of personal, family/social, and community recovery capital and highlighted areas of difficulty in building these resources. The article points to the importance of social and personal relationships to both abstinence and academic success for students in recovery and discusses the role of policy in facilitating the mobilization of recovery capital.

No abstract