| 1. |
- Eklund Karlsson, Leena, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Are universal measures sufficient in reducing child poverty in the Nordic countries? : An analysis of policies and political commitments
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - London : Sage Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 50:7, s. 892-902
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) have long traditions of social welfare policies that have eradicated poverty as part of their goals. The purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of why child poverty is still significant in the Nordic countries despite existing strategies. Methods: A qualitative analysis of Nordic government documents and reports between 2007 and 2019 was carried out to track changes in public health priorities and political measures and to determine the similarities and differences between the five countries. Results: In all countries, most of the measures were universal, such as benefits during pregnancy, paid parental leave before and after the child was born, paid parental leave related to children’s sickness, child allowances, day care, free health care for children and support for disabled children. National policies aimed to reduce social inequalities and child poverty exist in all five countries, but unaffordable housing, unequal disposable family income distribution and unequal income distribution at local municipality levels seem to be obstacles to reaching national policy goals. Conclusions: Despite comprehensive universal measures to eradicate child poverty, inequalities are significant and increasing in some of the Nordic countries. This might be due to a lack of proportional universalism, where universal measures are in place in all Nordic countries, but with a lack of scale and intensity proportional to the children and families at risk. The significance of eliminating social inequalities needs to be emphasised at the local level.
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| 2. |
- Fawcett, Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Individual differences in pupil dilation to others’ emotional and neutral eyes with varying pupil sizes
- 2022
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Ingår i: Cognition & Emotion. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0269-9931 .- 1464-0600. ; 36:5, s. 928-942
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sensitivity to others’ emotional signals is an important factor for social interaction. While many studies of emotional reactivity focus on facial emotional expressions, signals such as pupil dilation which can indicate arousal, may also affect observers. For example, observers’ pupils dilate when viewing someone with dilated pupils, so-called pupillary contagion. Yet it is unclear how pupil size and emotional expression interact as signals. Further, examining individual differences in emotional reactivity to others can shed light on its mechanisms and potential outcomes. In the current study, adults’ (N = 453) pupil size was assessed while they viewed images of the eye region of individuals varying in emotional expression (neutral, happy, sad, fearful, angry) and pupil size (large, medium, small). Participants showed pupillary contagion regardless of the emotional expression. Individual differences in demographics (gender, age, socioeconomic status) and psychosocial factors (anxiety, depression, sleep problems) were also examined, yet the only factor related to pupillary contagion was socioeconomic status, with higher socioeconomic status predicting less pupillary contagion for emotionally-neutral stimuli. The results suggest that while pupillary contagion is a robust phenomenon, it can vary meaningfully across individuals.
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| 3. |
- Aspberg, A., et al.
(författare)
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Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein forms protein complexes with synovial lubricin via non-covalent and covalent interactions
- 2017
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 25:9, s. 1496-1504
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Understanding the cartilage surface structure, lost in arthritic disease, is essential for developing strategies to effectively restore it. Given that adherence of the lubricating protein, lubricin, to the cartilage surface is critical for boundary lubrication, an interaction with cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) was investigated. COMP, an abundant cartilage protein, is known to be important for matrix formation. Design: Synovial fluid (SF) from arthritic patients was used to detect possible COMP-lubricin complexes by immunological methods. Recombinant (RC) COMP and lubricin fragments were expressed to characterize this bonding and mass spectrometry employed to specifically identify the cysteines involved in inter-protein disulfide bonds. Results: COMP-lubricin complexes were identified in the SF of arthritic patients by Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation and sandwich ELISA. RC fragment solid-phase binding assays showed that the C-terminal (amino acids (AA) 518-757) of COMP bound non-covalently to the N-terminal of lubricin (AA 105-202). Mass spectrometry determined that although cysteines throughout COMP were involved in binding with lubricin, the cysteines in lubricin were primarily focused to an N-terminal region (AA 64-86). The close proximity of the non-covalent and disulfide binding domains on lubricin suggest a two-step mechanism to strongly bind lubricin to COMP. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that lubricin forms a complex network with COMP involving both non-covalent and covalent bonds. This complex between lubricin and the cartilage protein COMP can be identified in the SF of patients with arthritis conditions including osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). (C) 2017 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Broesby-Olsen, Sigurd, et al.
(författare)
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Multidisciplinary Management of Mastocytosis : Nordic Expert Group Consensus
- 2016
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Ingår i: Acta Dermato-Venereologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden AB. - 0001-5555 .- 1651-2057. ; 96:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases defined by an increased number and accumulation of mast cells, and often also by signs and symptoms of mast cell activation. Disease subtypes range from indolent to rare aggressive forms. Mastocytosis affects people of all ages and has been considered rare; however, it is probably underdiagnosed with potential severe implications. Diagnosis can be challenging and symptoms may be complex and involve multiple organ-systems. In general it is advised that patients should be referred to centres with experience in the disease offering an individualized, multidisciplinary approach. We present here consensus recommendations from a Nordic expert group for the diagnosis and general management of patients with mastocytosis.
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| 5. |
- Crondahl, Kristine, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Perceptions on health, well-being and quality of life of Balkan Roma adolescents in West Sweden
- 2012
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Ingår i: Romani Studies. - United Kingdom : Liverpool University Press. - 1528-0748 .- 1757-2274. ; 22:2, s. 153-173
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examine the perceptions of Roma adolescents on health, well-being and quality of life (QoL) and how the Roma managed their own life situation within these areas. The data, which consists of interviews, was analysed through content analysis. The most common understanding of health and well-being was to feel good, secure and happy. A wide social network of family and friends was seen as an additional element. The respondents perceived their own health and well-being to be good. A feeling of freedom, the ability to make decisions independently and the possibilities for education and employment were the most important elements of QoL. Quality of life was perceived to have something to do with values and beliefs in the future. Social support from family and friends were the most frequently used coping strategies. The perceptions of the Roma adolescents on health, well-being and QoL turned out to be quite similar to the perceptions of the non-Roma adolescents.
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| 6. |
- Crondahl, Kristine, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Roma Empowerment and social inclusion through Work-Integrated Learning
- 2015
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Ingår i: SAGE Open. - : SAGE Publications. - 2158-2440. ; :jan-march, s. 1-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The basis for this article was a health promotion program based on participatory action research and work-integrated learning (WIL). Seven Roma people were employed and trained to work as local coordinators to empower the local Roma community by strengthening their participation in society and their sense of community, as well as to promote self-led integration. The study aimed to analyze the program from the Roma coordinators' perspectives, focusing on perceived individual empowerment and perceptions of contribution to the common good and to community empowerment. The findings, based on qualitative data, primarily interviews with the Roma coordinators, indicated that the WIL approach, the participatory nature of the program, and the trust and support from the Roma colleagues and non-Roma facilitators were essential for the development of empowerment. Three main themes emerged that portrayed the participants' psychological empowerment: strengthened Roma identity, a sense of power, and a sense of enculturated social inclusion.
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| 7. |
- Crondahl, Kristine, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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The Nexus Between Health Literacy and Empowerment
- 2016
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Ingår i: SAGE Open. - : Sage Publications. - 2158-2440. ; 6:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this article was to explore what is known about the assumed connection between health literacy and empowerment and how this connection is portrayed in the scientific literature. If empowerment is an outcome of health literacy, what are the mechanisms behind this process? A literature search conducted in 2013 yielded 216 hits, of which five met the inclusion criteria, and thus were read in depth and analyzed through a narrative-review approach. The findings indicate that health literacy might be regarded as a tool for empowerment but does not automatically lead to empowerment. Health literacy might be increased by health education. Crucial for empowerment is to achieve the critical level of health literacy including an ability to question and reflect on the prevailing power relations and societal conditions; increased senses of power, self-esteem, and self-efficacy; and an ability to utilize these resources to engage in social and political action for change. This article suggests that for health literacy to be critical to empowerment, there must be a focus on social health determinants and individuals’ subjective perceptions of health and health needs. The article proposes functional and interactive health literacy as a form of capacity building for health and empowerment and critical health literacy as a way to describe empowerment. This scoping review indicates a research gap and a need for future research examining the relationship between health literacy and empowerment.
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| 8. |
- Crondahl, Kristine, 1973-
(författare)
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Towards Roma Empowerment and Social Inclusion Through Work-Integrated Learning
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Roma people are the largest ethnic minority group in the EU and all over, they have been subject to prejudice, stigma, discrimination and oppression. Thus, Roma are the most economically and socially excluded and marginalized group in Europe. The Roma living in Sweden are no exception; many are on the margins of society and face problems of social exclusion, institutional discrimination, low education, unemployment, and poor objective health. The Roma have been treated as a helpless group in need of "expert" help and action from the authorities. They have usually not been permitted to actively participate in adjusting efforts to their needs and situation. An alternative approach to the Roma situation is to allow the Roma to take the leading role and to initiate processes and activities concerning the group.These were the foundations for the 3-year health promotion project based on participatory action research (PAR) initiated in West Sweden in 2009. Through work-integrated learning(WIL) and the principle of training the trainers, the purpose of the programme was to strengthen Roma empowerment and participation in society, enabling Roma-led integration.The overall aim of the PhD thesis was to analyse and elaborate a WIL model to be applied inempowerment and adult education for the Roma minority- and other vulnerable groups in similar situation. The thesis is based on five papers: Paper 1 aimed to examine how 14 Roma adolescents in West Sweden perceive the concepts of health, well-being and quality of life, and further, to investigate the degree to which theyconsider themselves able to cope with their own life situation within these areas. The data, comprising six interviews, was analysed through qualitative content analysis. The most common understanding of health and well-being was to feel good, secure, happy and having awide social network of family and friends. Health and well-being were considered in a collective perspective, thus controversy earlier studies, the respondents perceived their health and well-being to be good. Freedom, independency, education and employment were the most important elements of QoL. Social support was the most frequently used coping strategy.The Roma adolescents preferred the tight relationship within the Roma community and associated mostly with Roma, a phenomenon previously referred to as homophily. The processof homophily seemed to be a salutogenic factor and a general resistant resource of the Roma adolescents and hence health-enhancing. Homophily was suggested as a determinant factor of health.Paper 2 aimed to explore how Roma people in West Sweden understand health, well-being,and quality of life, and how they cope with their life-situation. The data, consisting of 27 interviews (n = 33), were analysed qualitatively using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. The findings indicated that the respondents perceived health as a resource and an ability to self-manage. Crucial elements of the respondents' health perception were being employed, having an education, social support from family and friends, freedom and security,and involvement in society. The findings demonstrated that the respondents perceived their health and life situation as good, despite being marginalized and discriminated. A possible explanation to this is what the respondents described as survival strategies. As a result of decenniums of oppression, the Roma have developed survival strategies helping them to cope with the situation and to survive. Paper 3 aimed to analyse whether there is connection between health literacy and empowerment. The paper is based on a literature search conducted in December 2013. Of the total 303 initial hits, no articles primarily addressing the issue were found; yet five articles were identified taking up on both health literacy and empowerment, hence reviewed in more detail. The five articles acknowledged a nexus between health literacy and empowerment, though the nexus itself was never discussed in specific. The paper suggests that for health literacy to be critical to empowerment, the focus has to be on social determinants of health and the involved individuals', groups and/or communities perceptions on health and health needs defined by themselves. Such a perspective will build on the genuine needs of the people in concern. The paper proposes functional- and interactive health literacy as another way to label capacity building for health and empowerment, and critical health literacy as a way to describe empowerment. Hence, health literacy might be regarded as a tool for empowerment. Health literacy is considered not to automatically lead to empowerment. Health literacy as such might be increased by health education. Crucial for empowerment is to achieve the critical level of health literacy including an ability to question the prevailing power relations and societal conditions and reflecting on these, a strengthened sense of power, self-esteem and self efficacyand an ability to utilize these resources to engage in social and political action for change.Paper 4 aimed to explore how participatory action research (PAR) and work integrated learning (WIL) might function as empowering tools in the Roma inclusion process and to propose a working model to use in empowerment of the Roma minority- and other vulnerable groups in similar situation. The data were collected and produced continuously during the project and consisted of interviews, self-evaluation reports and written essays by the seven Roma participants, participatory observations, research groups' workshop notes, 21 monthly project reports, the project plan, syllabus of the WIL training programme and notes from ajoint planning workshop. The data were considered as a whole and analysed in a triangulating fashion using hermeneutical understanding inspired by heuristic research. Through improved abilities to mobilise the local Roma community for social change, the participants' critical health literacy improved, allowing them to experience a greater control over their own lives and integration processes. The results indicate an increased empowerment of the local coordinators indicating that WIL may be a worthwhile approach in strengthening the individual empowerment of Roma people. Based on the findings, health literacy was suggested as a catalyst in the empowerment process, serving as a tool for analyzing and describing the process of empowerment.Paper 5 aimed to analyse the health promotion project from the Roma participants' perspective. The focus was on the participants' perceived individual empowerment and perceptions on their contribution to the common good and community empowerment. The data, consisting of interviews and self-evaluation reports of the Roma participants,participatory observations, newspaper articles with interviews of the participants and 21 monthly reports, were analysed through an approach that comes closest to hermeneutical phenomenology. The findings indicate that the WIL approach, the participating nature of the programme, and the trust and support from both the Roma and the non-Roma facilitators, were essential for the development of empowerment. Three main themes emerged portraying the participants' psychological empowerment: strengthened Roma identity, sense of power and sense of enculturated social inclusion. Sense of enculturated social inclusion demonstrated the participants "new" way of understanding social inclusion; turning social inclusion from something they feared to something they embraced. As the participants realized that social inclusion would not require them the let go of their Roma identity and culture, their Roma identity was strengthened, they became more hopeful, felt more in control and felt generally better. Despite of limited time and resources for local community directed activities, the participants perceived that improvements were achieved at the local level. In conclusions, the findings indicate that when based on the specific health needs of the people involved, basic/functional- and interactive health literacy together comprise the same idea as capacity building for health that might lead to empowerment. What found to be essential for the Roma local coordinators development of empowerment was the combination of the WIL approach, the participatory nature of the project, the trust and support from the non-Roma facilitators and Roma colleagues, and the perception of being respected as human beings and as equals. The local coordinators empowerment consisted of strengthened Roma identity, sense of power and sense of enculturated social inclusion. This indicates that the suggested WIL model/approach, comprising a participatory approach with health literacy as a tool may be a worthwhile strategy in empowering Roma people and enhancing their self-led social inclusion process. A possible road for Roma self-led integration, hence, might be through a process of enculturated social inclusion. This may also be the case for other vulnerable groups in similar situations. Further research and interventions are needed however, in order to elaborate and verify WILs' potential and sustainability in empowering other minority- and vulnerable groups
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| 9. |
- Dahlqvist, Johanna, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Identification and functional characterization of a novel susceptibility locus for small vessel vasculitis with MPO-ANCA
- 2022
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Ingår i: Rheumatology. - Oxford, United Kingdom : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0324 .- 1462-0332. ; 61:8, s. 3461-3470
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To identify and characterize genetic loci associated with the risk of developing ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). Methods Genetic association analyses were performed after Illumina sequencing of 1853 genes and subsequent replication with genotyping of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms in a total cohort of 1110 Scandinavian cases with granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis, and 1589 controls. A novel AAV-associated single nucleotide polymorphism was analysed for allele-specific effects on gene expression using luciferase reporter assay. Results PR3-ANCA(+) AAV was significantly associated with two independent loci in the HLA-DPB1/HLA-DPA1 region [rs1042335, P = 6.3 x 10(-61), odds ratio (OR) 0.10; rs9277341, P = 1.5 x 10(-44), OR 0.22] and with rs28929474 in the SERPINA1 gene (P = 2.7 x 10(-10), OR 2.9). MPO-ANCA(+) AAV was significantly associated with the HLA-DQB1/HLA-DQA2 locus (rs9274619, P = 5.4 x 10(-25), OR 3.7) and with a rare variant in the BACH2 gene (rs78275221, P = 7.9 x 10(-7), OR 3.0), the latter a novel susceptibility locus for MPO-ANCA(+) granulomatosis with polyangiitis/microscopic polyangiitis. The rs78275221-A risk allele reduced luciferase gene expression in endothelial cells, specifically, as compared with the non-risk allele. Conclusion We identified a novel susceptibility locus for MPO-ANCA(+) AAV and propose that the associated variant is of mechanistic importance, exerting a regulatory function on gene expression in specific cell types.
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| 10. |
- Eklund Karlsson, Leena, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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An approach to integrate bottom-up and top-down initiatives for sustainable social inclusion and empowerment
- 2023
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Integration of immigrants has been high on the policy agenda for the last 20 years. Many immigrants face specific integration challenges and often continue to experience poorer outcomes than their native-born peers at several levels of life. Integration of immigrants is vital for social cohesion and inclusive growth and for the ability of migrants to become self-reliant, productive citizens. New evidence indicates that the past interventions and policies to facilitate inclusion are not sustainable because they are small-scale, informal, and complementary to the core services and lack systematic efforts to scale up with the formal integration programming.Purpose: The aim is to propose a framework for an alternative way to empower socially vulnerable populations to meaningfully participate in their host communities and foster their social capital and -bonding through work-integrated learning (WIL) and Critical Participatory Action Research (C-PAR).Methods: Systematic narrative synthesis of existing evidence and best practices.Findings: When combined, C-PAR and WIL seem to be effective way to mobilize and empower localcommunity groups. This approach facilitates societal change, capacity building, and co-creation of knowledge needed for self-led integration. The study suggests novel indicators to evaluate the integration process leading to better social inclusion and quality of life.Conclusion: For scaling up and long-term sustainability, the approach needs to combine the proven successful local bottom-up initiatives with larger top-down interventions.
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