CARL Research Reports 2015
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Item “Me Da’s in Jail”: does the Irish criminal justice system punish the children of fathers in prison?(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2015-05-01) Brennan, Cathy; Leahy, Pat; St. Nicholas Trust; Civil Society OrganizationThis dissertation is primarily interested in exploring the key issues in relation to children who are affected by paternal imprisonment in Ireland. There is no doubt the impact of imprisonment is not limited to prisoners alone as it affects members of their families and it is crucial to consider the wider implications of incarceration for society. Presently, there is no record of the number of children with a parent in prison in Ireland, however, it is estimated that the number of children separated from an imprisoned father is approximately 4,300 while an estimated 142 children are separated from an imprisoned mother (Martyn, 2012).Item Life after care: transitional pathways, reconstruction of life post care and outcomes(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2015-04-27) Barrett, Trisha; Burns, Kenneth; The Carers Association; Civil Society OrganizationTo date, much of the research conducted in the area of informal family care concentrates on either those in receipt of care or those engaged in active caregiving roles; consequently, there is a dearth of information and research that comprehensively examines the ‘post care’ stage of the caregiving career. This study, in collaboration with The Carers Association, aims to make a contribution to the limited research pool regarding former carers, through an in-depth exploration of the post care transition and an investigation of the factors that support or impede a positive reconstruction of life post care. Through the medium of seven semi-structured interviews, this research examines the issues that confront and exist for those who may evolve into a post caring role, largely an evolution of which is outside of their control. It is aspired that this study will highlight the necessity for a social and political response in order to make advancements towards alleviating the challenges faced by former carers in Irish society. The culmination of comparable studies and reiterated recommendations could, in time, feed into social and governmental policy with regard to the acknowledgement, treatment and social protection of former carers and ultimately, contribute towards combating the developing marginalisation of this cohort of individuals.Item An evaluation of the experiences of the participants of a Men’s Shed in County Cork(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2015-05) Daly-Bütz, Jacqueline; Sapouna, Lydia; Men’s Shed, Blarney, County Cork; Civil Society OrganizationMen appear to be struggling to adapt to life-changes and they seem more at risk to experiencing social isolation. Men’s physical health is not improving, neither is their mental and emotional health. While the recent nationwide survey on Men’s Sheds was undertaken with focus on the organization as a forum for men’s access to further education, there is a gap in the research in examining Men’s Sheds as a forum in the context of men’s health.Item Infrastructural faults within the Lehenaghbeg/Lehenaghmore residential area(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2015-07) Nolan, Pacelli; Hall, Jonathon; Lehenaghbeg /Lehenaghmore Residents Association, Cork; Civil Society OrganizationMany families aspire to live in a rural environment close to the city. Due to this need increased numbers of developments at the edges of Cork city’s greenbelt, were approved by Cork County Council planning authority, for high density builds. However these permissions in the study area of Lehenaghbeg/Lehenaghmore, Cork failed to deliver the required infrastructure for the residents leading to hazardous and unsatisfactory environmental conditions. This study seeks to analyse the planning documentation and ancillary documents in an effort to explain the lack of delivery of essential infrastructureItem Fabrication or induction of illness in older people(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2015-09-24) Ngambi, Esther; Burns, Kenneth; Age: Wisdom and Hope, Cork County; Civil Society OrganizationFabrication or Induction of Illness (FII) in older people (65 and above) is an extraordinary type of abuse in which carers (spouse, family member, companion, professional or nonprofessional worker) exaggerate, invent or induce illness in an older person under their care in older to gain attention or praise for helping them (Bennett, 2007). A group of professionals called Age: Wisdom and Hope (community partner) who deal with the welfare of older people recorded a number of case examples that led to the partnership with Community Academic Research Links (CARL) of University College Cork (UCC) to undertake this qualitative research study in order to develop public and professional awareness. In view of the fact that this dissertation was a collaborative research process, the community partner and UCC through the student researcher worked together from design to some dissemination activities by holding a number of meetings (McNiff, 2013). Eight medical and non-medical participants were selected through purposive sampling technique (Silverman, 2010) and participated in one Irish location (not mentioned to preserve anonymity). The findings in this dissertation suggest that although FII has been well-documented in children, there is a major lack of information on FII in older people. A comprehensive search strategy involving leading databases found no formal studies and only six published cases from around the world, none of which were from the Republic of Ireland. This reveals that FII in older people by carers is uncommon; the phenomenon has been underresearched, leading to its being underreported. This problem is compounded by the absence of any policy guidelines, best practice or legal framework that recognises FII, coupled with the difficulty in diagnosis and limited public and professional awareness. Furthermore, the findings suggest that FII could take place in any setting in which older people receive long-term care, including medical or nonmedical settings. The motivations of perpetrators are complex but include attention-seeking, self-praise, and/or the desire to be seen as a wonderful carer. However, some participants in this dissertation did not rule out financial gain as a motivating factor. In addition, signs and symptoms of FII comprise the carer being overprotective individuals who make persistent complaints to professionals and interfere with treatment. Additionally, there are different viewpoints regarding the mental health status of perpetrators. While some perpetrators’ behaviour can be linked to mental health challenges, others would not have had a history or formal diagnosis of the same. Moreover, perpetrators may not always meet the criteria for mental health diagnosis which may not justify the claim that perpetrators are consistently those with mental health issues. Participants in this research mainly recommend professional and public awareness, while other long-term recommendations pertaining to policy and legislation are discussed, and details of dissemination outlined.