International Perspectives in Psychology, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2024
Special Issue: Reproductive Justice – Global and Psychological Perspectives
“We Feel Sad for the Baby Because the Mother Is Bad” – A Positioning Analysis of Filipino Ob-Gyns on Women Who Have Undergone Abortion
Mara Teresina D. Lee, Raphael F. Canalita, Janelle Angelica A. Tong, and Ma. Elizabeth J. Macapagal
Published Online: March 13, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Lee, M. T. D., Canalita, R. F., Tong, J. A. A., & Macapagal, E. J. (2024). “We feel sad for the baby because the mother is bad” – A positioning analysis of Filipino ob-gyns on women who have undergone abortion. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(4), 175-184. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000099
Abstract: The criminalization of abortion has limited the access of women who seek to undergo abortion, resulting in women seeking unsafe means to acquire abortions. As experts on women’s reproductive health, obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) have the ability to influence the trajectory of abortion in the Philippines. Our research aimed to discover how Filipino ob-gyns position women who have undergone abortion, how they position themselves in relation to these women, and the rights and duties they ascribe to both themselves and these women. We conducted one-on-one in-depth, semistructured interviews with seven ob-gyns who are currently practicing across different institutions in Metro Manila. The analysis revealed reflexive and interactive positions, along with respective rights and duties of ob-gyns on women who have undergone abortion. The ob-gyns viewed themselves as protectors of religion, informed, moral enforcers, and sympathetic, while women who have undergone abortion were seen as religious transgressors, misinformed, having loose consciences, and selfish. These results imply that, should abortion be decriminalized, ob-gyns in the Philippines may still conscientiously object to performing the procedure for moral and religious reasons.
Impact and Implications: While the current legislature in the Philippines criminalizes abortion, unsafe abortions are still prevalent. A possible solution to this issue may be to decriminalize abortion, but the results of this paper reveal that, should abortion be decriminalized, Filipino ob-gyns may still be unwilling to administer abortions; therefore, women may still be forced to seek other, possibly unsafe means of abortion. This study contributes information that can be used to create effective sexual and reproductive health care policies that ultimately lead to meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 (Good Health and Well-being), especially for individuals seeking abortion.
Everyday Experiences of In-Work Poverty and Policy Responses in the Assemblage of Situations of Precarity in Aotearoa New Zealand
Ahnya Martin, Darrin Hodgetts, Pita King, and Denise Blake
Published Online: March 13, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Martin, A., Hodgetts, D., King, P., & Blake, D. (2024). Everyday Experiences of In-Work Poverty and Policy Responses in the Assemblage of Situations of Precarity in Aotearoa New Zealand. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(4), 185-201. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000100
Abstract: Lived experiences of in-work poverty remain under-researched in countries such as Aotearoa New Zealand NZ. Community-orientated psychologists often argue that people experiencing such complex issues develop considerable expertise that is invaluable in efforts to reimagine effective responses. The core aim of this article is to explore participant experiences of government efforts to alleviate the negative impacts of in-work poverty on socioeconomically marginalized groups, including the emergent Māori precariat class. From the perspective of assemblage theory, this article documents how government efforts to support low-income households become territorialized within a dynamic geography of relations as experienced by 10 precariat households (9 Māori, one Cook Island Māori). The analysis is based on four interviews per household, with a total of 40 interviews across the 10 households. These interviews encompassed photo-elicitation and mapping exercises and document householder experiences of policy initiatives, including annual minimum wage rises, the introduction of healthy homes standards, and related government support initiatives. What emerges from participant accounts is considerable disappointment regarding government efforts to render assistance that do not address dysfunctional and extractive relationships between precariat households and more affluent groups, such as private landlords. Evident from the analysis is how current policies do not adequately address the relational nature of poverty and how many policies combine in the everyday lives of the precariat to cancel out potentially positive impacts on poverty reduction. We offer a series of recommendations for how participant concerns might be addressed.
Impact and Implications: This article responds to several sustainable development goals: SDG1 (no poverty) through the SDG17 (partnerships) are reflected in our embracing of the importance of engaging with people experiencing in-work poverty and communicating their insights to Government policymakers whose work impacts participant lives. We demonstrate how policies are experienced relationally, and that to be more effective, policy efforts to address in-work poverty must encompass more of a relational focus on the experiences of participants in the system. We make various recommendations regarding how the system can be improved, which also relate directly to a further six goals: SDG2 (zero hunger), SDG3 (good health and well-being), SDG8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG10 (reduced inequalities), SDG11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).
Pilot Study of a Positive Psychology Intervention to Reduce Work-Related Stress Among Service Providers in a Drug Abuse Treatment Clinic
Austin J. P. Ferolino and Segundo A. Abrea Jr.
Published Online: August 8, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Ferolino, A. J. P., & Abrea, S. A., Jr. (2024). Pilot study of a positive psychology intervention to reduce work-related stress among service providers in a drug abuse treatment clinic. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(4), 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000107
Abstract: Service providers in community-based drug abuse treatment and recovery clinics are more likely to experience work-related stress, which has negative repercussions for their mental health, their employing organizations, and their clients. A randomized pretest–posttest research design was utilized to assess the preliminary efficacy of a positive psychology intervention aimed at enhancing psychological capital (PsyCap) to reduce work-related stress experienced by these service providers. Fifty-three service providers were randomly assigned to the immediate group or the delayed intervention group. Results indicated significant postintervention enhancement in PsyCap and reduction in work-related stress. At 1-month follow-up, intervention effects were sustained for PsyCap and work-related stress. Although the intervention appears to be a promising stress management strategy for community-based substance abuse treatment providers, additional research is needed to improve its efficacy, generalizability, and sustainability.
Impact and Implications: This pilot study aimed to tackle work-related stress among service providers at a government-operated community-based drug addiction treatment and recovery clinic through the implementation of a positive psychology intervention. The findings of the study provide preliminary data on the feasibility and efficacy of the positive psychology intervention in reducing work-related stress by enhancing service providers’ awareness of their personal strengths (i.e., psychological capital). The study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3-good health and well-being) by emphasizing the importance of ensuring that these service providers have safe working conditions and access to services promoting well-being.
Predicting Professional Psychological Help-Seeking Intentions for Indians Through Envisioning Counseling and Psychotherapy as Western Cultural Healing Practices
Robinder Bedi, Jessica Y. Ahn, Rajneesh Choubisa, and Namita Ruparel
Published Online: November 14, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Bedi, R. , Ahn, J. Y., Choubisa, R., & Ruparel, N. (2024). Predicting professional psychological help-seeking intentions for Indians through envisioning counseling and psychotherapy as Western cultural healing practices. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(4), 212-220. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000109
Abstract: There remains considerable ambiguity in predicting which Indians seek professional psychological services during times of distress and which do not. This study expands past research on predicting professional psychological help-seeking attitudes of Indians to help-seeking intentions. Drawing on variables previously examined as predictors of help-seeking attitudes from a frame of psychotherapy as a manifestation of Western culture, this study aimed to investigate the predictive ability of six cultural variables (Asian values, European American values, importance of one’s ethnic group to their identity, commitment to one’s ethnic group, westernization, and cultural mistrust). Participants were 377 university students from India. The results can be taken to suggest that a highly westernized lifestyle and greater adherence to European American values are best predictive of professional psychological help-seeking intentions among Indians. Assessing these two variables will enable practitioners to direct prospective clients to culturally congruent treatment methods that they are most likely to attend and perhaps benefit more from. Overall, the findings of this study are in line with conceptualizing professional psychological treatment as a manifestation of Western culture.
Impact and Implications: The findings justify the examination of cultural variables, such as European American values and Western lifestyle, in predicting the professional psychological help-seeking intentions of Indians. This type of information help identify which individuals are likely to utilize counseling or psychotherapy in times of distress and which would be more likely to utilize and perhaps benefit more from culturally Indigenous healing practices to maximally promote their well-being. The results help promote the 2016–2030 UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Filipino Community Healthcare and Service Providers Toward Drug Addiction and Persons Who Use Drugs
Camille Therese C. Yusay, Ma. Regina M. Hechanova, and Amihan R. Perez
Published Online: November 14, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Yusay, C. T. C., Hechanova, R. M., & Perez, A. R. (2024). Knowledge and attitudes of Filipino community healthcare and service providers toward drug addiction and persons who use drugs. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(4), 221-231. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000110
Abstract: Healthcare and service providers (HSPs) are crucial in reaching persons who use drugs (PWUDs) to get them screened and treated. Because of their crucial role in the recovery of PWUDs and the dearth of evidence about attitudes of HSPs in community settings and in countries with a punitive approach to drug use such as the Philippines, this study aimed to assess and determine HSP’s knowledge, attitudes, and level of stigma and discrimination towards PWUDs. Using a mixed-method approach, 36 HSPs were interviewed and 276 were surveyed to determine attitudes toward drug use and PWUDs across five regions in the Philippines. The results show that HSPs still subscribe to three myths about drug users and addiction that need to be broken, specifically majority of users become addicted to drugs, all an addict needs to do to recover is the will to stop, and addiction is a sign of moral and character weakness. Moreover, the results showed that faith-based workers are more likely to view drug use as a moral issue compared to other HSPs. However, those with greater exposure to PWUDs report greater understanding and comfort in dealing with PWUDs. The results suggest the need for experiential approaches in training of HSPs to improve knowledge and attitudes toward PWUDs.
Impact and Implications: Stigma and discrimination of healthcare and service providers (HSPs) affect the quality of care. This study highlights the importance of providing adequate knowledge on substance use and addiction and using experiential approaches to training HSPs to avoid stigma and discrimination. A health perspective toward addiction and an empathic attitude toward drug users are essential to encourage help-seeking and provide quality care. This study’s implications support the United Nations SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being by highlighting the crucial role of service providers in the treatment and recovery of those suffering from drug abuse.