Holly Nelson-becker | Brunel University (original) (raw)
Papers by Holly Nelson-becker
Innovation in Aging, Nov 1, 2018
Innovation in Aging, Nov 1, 2018
Media campaigns in the United Kingdom portray loneliness as a major social and public health issu... more Media campaigns in the United Kingdom portray loneliness as a major social and public health issue. The aim of this study was to explore loneliness representations in the media in England and their possible relationship with key policy initiatives for an ageing population. Using a purposive sampling technique, we adopted a qualitative content analysis of print and digital media targeted at loneliness and older people over a 10 year period. Our findings suggest that skilled marketing within the media has depicted loneliness as an expected consequence of older age, a high burden of 'disease' for the health care sector and easily amenable to social intervention. This highly stigmatizing discourse also continues to reinforce the burden of an ageing population. We conclude that there is a need for a critical analysis of loneliness from the perspective of social and cultural constructions of ageing and the positioning of older people in society.
HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, Jun 1, 2018
How do we understand and manage our thoughts about death? How can we prepare for our own and the ... more How do we understand and manage our thoughts about death? How can we prepare for our own and the deaths of others for whom we care deeply? How can we communicate at times when our clients, significant others, or friends are dying? Finally, how do we say goodbye in haste or cope when we cannot? This article addresses three complementary aspects of death and grief: death and loss for the one who is dying, death and loss for the person mourning, and death and loss for communities. Each section is informed by public health guidelines, statements by professional organizations, and peer-reviewed research. These ideas are further based on personal experiences and the accounts of others dealing with grief
Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, May 19, 2010
Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work, 2011
University of Kansas eBooks Rooted in Strengths, Mar 20, 2020
Social workers in the UK are now expected to use strengths-based approaches to ensure older peopl... more Social workers in the UK are now expected to use strengths-based approaches to ensure older people’s complex and changing needs are met through person-centred assessment leading to care planning, and support for carers, which harnesses wider personal networks and community resources. These, together with an efficacious use of formal services, are provided in a climate which promotes early detection, prevention and education interventions. The G8, a special interest group of social work academics formed in 2010, engages in a range of activities to develop professional practice in work with older people. This chapter explores promising advances in the conceptualisation of and approaches to strengths-based practice in social work with older people alongside relevant policy directives and research. An anti-oppressive analysis of the UK health and social care landscape draws attention to systemic inequalities that also require consideration to uphold human rights and to work flexibly with individuals and organisations
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 2023
A pilgrimage is an intentional journey undertaken for reasons that can increase a sense of well-b... more A pilgrimage is an intentional journey undertaken for reasons that can increase a sense of well-being. Although originally completed for religious purposes, motives in contemporary times may include anticipated religious, spiritual, and humanistic benefits as well as appreciation of culture and geography. This quantitative and qualitative survey research explored the motivations of a sample subset age 65 and over from a larger study who completed one of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela routes in Spain. Consistent with life course and developmental theory, some respondents walked at life decision points. The analyzed sample was 111 people, nearly 60% of whom were from Canada, Mexico, and the US. Nearly 42% were non-religious while 57% were Christian or a subset, Catholic. Five key themes emerged: challenge and adventure, spirituality and intrinsic motivation, cultural or historical interest, recognition of life experiences and gratitude, and relationships. In reflecting, participants wrote about sensing a call to walk and experiencing transformation. Limitations included snowball sampling, as it is difficult to systematically sample those who complete a pilgrimage. The Santiago pilgrimage counters a narrative of aging as diminishment through positioning identity, ego integrity, friendships and family, spirituality, and positive physical challenge at the center of aging.
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 2009
... Address correspondence to Holly Nelson-Becker, PhD, LCSW, The School of Social Welfare The Un... more ... Address correspondence to Holly Nelson-Becker, PhD, LCSW, The School of Social Welfare The University of Kansas, 1545 Lilac Lane, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA. ... 265 structured, sometimes not, allow the researcher to obtain greater depth of information (Creswell, 2007). ...
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 2008
This article identifies the unique contributions social work has made to the study of spiritualit... more This article identifies the unique contributions social work has made to the study of spirituality and religion in relation to aging, based on respect for their diverse expressions. Definitions of religion and spirituality that particularly relate to late life are provided. The study of spirituality and aging is situated in four historical phases ranging from sectarian origins
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 2012
ABSTRACT Case studies provide interesting windows into issues confronting patients in today’s hea... more ABSTRACT Case studies provide interesting windows into issues confronting patients in today’s health care system. We present two cases from our clinical experiences involving spiritual and ethical issues arising in the care of patients facing life-threatening illnesses. We also present two methods that introduce ways of talking about spiritual and ethical issues, the HOPE mnemonic and a clinical ethics paradigm for organizing and analyzing ethical issues in the clinical context from a principled perspective. As growing numbers of older adults seek health care in the face of life-threatening illnesses, many will make decisions based upon values associated with their religious or spiritual beliefs.
Journal of Religious Gerontology, 2000
ABSTRACT
Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work, 2000
ABSTRACT
Journal Of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, 2007
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2005
This study reports the development and empirical test of a measure of spiritual supports used by ... more This study reports the development and empirical test of a measure of spiritual supports used by older adults in managing life challenge. The Spiritual Strategies Scale (SSS) consists of 18 items. Cronbach's coefficient alpha reliability for the measure was .86. The sample, gathered from interviews at four sites, consisted of 79 older adults who were predominantly Jewish European American and African American. Concurrent validity analyses suggest that this measure warrants further testing. This scale also has potential for clinical use in social work practice by counselors for older adults.
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2004
Mental health and social service providers need to understand the contextual experience of divers... more Mental health and social service providers need to understand the contextual experience of diverse aging populations and the types of life challenges they have encountered. This research examined the life challenges specified by a purposive sample of 75 urban community-dwelling low-income older adults from four high-rise housing facilities. Thirty-four study participants were Jewish American and 41 were African American. Results
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 2005
Religion is an important coping resource for many older adults. This paper briefly describes soci... more Religion is an important coping resource for many older adults. This paper briefly describes social work's religious roots, makes a distinction between religion and spirituality for older adults, and presents empirical data showing how older adults employ religious strategies to cope with life challenge. The study reports on religious coping in an available sample of 79 European American and African American older adults residing in urban community dwellings. Implications suggest how social workers and others may support religious coping.
Innovation in Aging, Nov 1, 2018
Innovation in Aging, Nov 1, 2018
Media campaigns in the United Kingdom portray loneliness as a major social and public health issu... more Media campaigns in the United Kingdom portray loneliness as a major social and public health issue. The aim of this study was to explore loneliness representations in the media in England and their possible relationship with key policy initiatives for an ageing population. Using a purposive sampling technique, we adopted a qualitative content analysis of print and digital media targeted at loneliness and older people over a 10 year period. Our findings suggest that skilled marketing within the media has depicted loneliness as an expected consequence of older age, a high burden of 'disease' for the health care sector and easily amenable to social intervention. This highly stigmatizing discourse also continues to reinforce the burden of an ageing population. We conclude that there is a need for a critical analysis of loneliness from the perspective of social and cultural constructions of ageing and the positioning of older people in society.
HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, Jun 1, 2018
How do we understand and manage our thoughts about death? How can we prepare for our own and the ... more How do we understand and manage our thoughts about death? How can we prepare for our own and the deaths of others for whom we care deeply? How can we communicate at times when our clients, significant others, or friends are dying? Finally, how do we say goodbye in haste or cope when we cannot? This article addresses three complementary aspects of death and grief: death and loss for the one who is dying, death and loss for the person mourning, and death and loss for communities. Each section is informed by public health guidelines, statements by professional organizations, and peer-reviewed research. These ideas are further based on personal experiences and the accounts of others dealing with grief
Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, May 19, 2010
Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work, 2011
University of Kansas eBooks Rooted in Strengths, Mar 20, 2020
Social workers in the UK are now expected to use strengths-based approaches to ensure older peopl... more Social workers in the UK are now expected to use strengths-based approaches to ensure older people’s complex and changing needs are met through person-centred assessment leading to care planning, and support for carers, which harnesses wider personal networks and community resources. These, together with an efficacious use of formal services, are provided in a climate which promotes early detection, prevention and education interventions. The G8, a special interest group of social work academics formed in 2010, engages in a range of activities to develop professional practice in work with older people. This chapter explores promising advances in the conceptualisation of and approaches to strengths-based practice in social work with older people alongside relevant policy directives and research. An anti-oppressive analysis of the UK health and social care landscape draws attention to systemic inequalities that also require consideration to uphold human rights and to work flexibly with individuals and organisations
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 2023
A pilgrimage is an intentional journey undertaken for reasons that can increase a sense of well-b... more A pilgrimage is an intentional journey undertaken for reasons that can increase a sense of well-being. Although originally completed for religious purposes, motives in contemporary times may include anticipated religious, spiritual, and humanistic benefits as well as appreciation of culture and geography. This quantitative and qualitative survey research explored the motivations of a sample subset age 65 and over from a larger study who completed one of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela routes in Spain. Consistent with life course and developmental theory, some respondents walked at life decision points. The analyzed sample was 111 people, nearly 60% of whom were from Canada, Mexico, and the US. Nearly 42% were non-religious while 57% were Christian or a subset, Catholic. Five key themes emerged: challenge and adventure, spirituality and intrinsic motivation, cultural or historical interest, recognition of life experiences and gratitude, and relationships. In reflecting, participants wrote about sensing a call to walk and experiencing transformation. Limitations included snowball sampling, as it is difficult to systematically sample those who complete a pilgrimage. The Santiago pilgrimage counters a narrative of aging as diminishment through positioning identity, ego integrity, friendships and family, spirituality, and positive physical challenge at the center of aging.
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 2009
... Address correspondence to Holly Nelson-Becker, PhD, LCSW, The School of Social Welfare The Un... more ... Address correspondence to Holly Nelson-Becker, PhD, LCSW, The School of Social Welfare The University of Kansas, 1545 Lilac Lane, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA. ... 265 structured, sometimes not, allow the researcher to obtain greater depth of information (Creswell, 2007). ...
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 2008
This article identifies the unique contributions social work has made to the study of spiritualit... more This article identifies the unique contributions social work has made to the study of spirituality and religion in relation to aging, based on respect for their diverse expressions. Definitions of religion and spirituality that particularly relate to late life are provided. The study of spirituality and aging is situated in four historical phases ranging from sectarian origins
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 2012
ABSTRACT Case studies provide interesting windows into issues confronting patients in today’s hea... more ABSTRACT Case studies provide interesting windows into issues confronting patients in today’s health care system. We present two cases from our clinical experiences involving spiritual and ethical issues arising in the care of patients facing life-threatening illnesses. We also present two methods that introduce ways of talking about spiritual and ethical issues, the HOPE mnemonic and a clinical ethics paradigm for organizing and analyzing ethical issues in the clinical context from a principled perspective. As growing numbers of older adults seek health care in the face of life-threatening illnesses, many will make decisions based upon values associated with their religious or spiritual beliefs.
Journal of Religious Gerontology, 2000
ABSTRACT
Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work, 2000
ABSTRACT
Journal Of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, 2007
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2005
This study reports the development and empirical test of a measure of spiritual supports used by ... more This study reports the development and empirical test of a measure of spiritual supports used by older adults in managing life challenge. The Spiritual Strategies Scale (SSS) consists of 18 items. Cronbach's coefficient alpha reliability for the measure was .86. The sample, gathered from interviews at four sites, consisted of 79 older adults who were predominantly Jewish European American and African American. Concurrent validity analyses suggest that this measure warrants further testing. This scale also has potential for clinical use in social work practice by counselors for older adults.
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2004
Mental health and social service providers need to understand the contextual experience of divers... more Mental health and social service providers need to understand the contextual experience of diverse aging populations and the types of life challenges they have encountered. This research examined the life challenges specified by a purposive sample of 75 urban community-dwelling low-income older adults from four high-rise housing facilities. Thirty-four study participants were Jewish American and 41 were African American. Results
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 2005
Religion is an important coping resource for many older adults. This paper briefly describes soci... more Religion is an important coping resource for many older adults. This paper briefly describes social work's religious roots, makes a distinction between religion and spirituality for older adults, and presents empirical data showing how older adults employ religious strategies to cope with life challenge. The study reports on religious coping in an available sample of 79 European American and African American older adults residing in urban community dwellings. Implications suggest how social workers and others may support religious coping.
Rooted in Strengths, 2020
Social work in the UK and US had similar origins with a historical focus on both community based ... more Social work in the UK and US had similar origins with a historical focus on both community based work, similar to Jane Addams' settlement house, and individual case-work/care management aligned with Mary Richmond's approach to care (Gollins et al., 2016). The visit by Jane Addams in the 1880s to Toynbee Hall, a settlement house founded in London in 1884 to assist the poor through providing opportunities that would lead to social reform, is often cited as a key inspiration for the inception of social work in the US (Addams, 1910). In Addam's description, there was an early recognition of a need to balance focus on youth and older people and to create intergenerational capacity in strengths. That interest remains present today and, with burgeoning numbers of people growing older globally (WHO, 2018), countries have responded in varying ways to this challenge to prepare for the future. Often this is driven by a need to reconcile competing agendas. The move to personalisa-tion and personal budgets under recent UK Governments was an attempt to shift control of care to individual choices, a strengths view, but at the same time, those budgets were being reduced in line with Government austerity measures. This policy and practice environment has shaped the conceptualisation of and approaches to strength-based practice for older people in the UK in ways that are different from the US. This chapter will provide background on the UK policy and practice context for strengths-based approaches and on the work of G-8-a group of gerontological social work academics who advocate for strengthening practice, education and