Jenny Mercer | Cardiff Metropolitan University (original) (raw)
Papers by Jenny Mercer
Psychology Teaching Review, 2009
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Jun 8, 2022
Within the Criminal Justice System, using animals for therapeutic or rehabilitative purposes has ... more Within the Criminal Justice System, using animals for therapeutic or rehabilitative purposes has garnered momentum and is extensively researched. By contrast, the evidence concerning the impact of farm animal work, either on prison farms or social farms for community sanctions, is less well understood. This review sought to explore the evidence that exists in relation to four areas: (1) farm animals and their contribution to rehabilitation from offending; (2) any indicated mechanisms of change; (3) the development of a human—food/production animal bond, and (4) the experiences of forensic service users working with dairy cattle. Fourteen articles were included in the review. Good quality research on the impact of working with farm animals and specifically dairy cattle, with adult offenders, was very limited. However, some studies suggested that the rehabilitative potential of farm animals with offenders should not be summarily dismissed but researched further to firmly establish impact.
Emerald Publishing Limited eBooks, Aug 10, 2018
Abstract Discourses on ageing and childlessness coalesce around the notion that childless women w... more Abstract Discourses on ageing and childlessness coalesce around the notion that childless women will experience regret and loneliness in old age. In the United Kingdom, the idea that children (mostly women) will provide care in old age tends to be normalised and underpins social care provision. In recent times, media coverage of childless women has also tended to sustain and promote this. This discourse occurs within a context where childlessness is on the rise and where there is little academic interest in the topic. Our chapter will report on a constructivist grounded theory study with women who choose not to have children. A key aim of the study was to explore the consequences of participants’ choices on their lives. Twenty-one women aged between 45 and 75, from across England, Scotland and Wales participated. The age criteria were chosen to reflect the category that is used by the Office of National Statistics to denote that women’s reproduction ends at 45. This also helps to construct a social norm that women aged 45 and over are seen as older women. Findings reveal that most participants experience no regrets following their choice not to have children. Some express ‘half regrets’ while all challenge the societal expectation that without children there will be no one to care for them when they are older. This supports the limited, mainly autobiographical literature, on loss and regret. It also refutes the unquestioned and widely believed assumption that women who choose not have children will live to regret it. For participants, the choice for motherhood was but one choice from a menu of many others. Their choice was for something more meaningful for them rather than a choice against motherhood. Consequently, participants had no reason to experience loss or regret. These findings also question the discourse, which implies that children will ensure care in older age. It presents a challenge to the myth that the family is a haven of happiness and support in an ever-changing world. Crucially, it supports calls for more inclusive policy making to address the care needs of all older people.
Mental Health Practice, Jul 6, 2018
Research in Post-compulsory Education, Mar 1, 2007
SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks, 2023
Research in Post-Compulsory Education, Jan 18, 2024
Psychology Teaching Review, 2011
Journal of Health Psychology, Jul 17, 2023
Whilst chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been widely researched amongst women, studies investiga... more Whilst chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been widely researched amongst women, studies investigating how men experience a CFS diagnosis is limited. This study utilised an interpretative phenomenological approach to interview five men who have a medical diagnosis of CFS. Six themes emerged to demonstrate the participants’ experiences prior to, during and after obtaining their CFS diagnosis. Findings revealed that participants were initially reluctant to accept their condition, confounded by their perception that symptoms compromised their sense of masculinity. They also felt that healthcare professionals had limited recognition of CFS leading them to seek social support and legitimisation from other sources. The struggle to come to terms with a different lifestyle and sense of masculinity prevailed. Such knowledge could be effectively utilised by researchers, practitioners and employers to facilitate an increased understanding of male accounts of the condition and more bespoke interventions where required.
Women who choose not to have children have been largely overlooked in both mainstream and feminis... more Women who choose not to have children have been largely overlooked in both mainstream and feminist literature, where the focus is more typically on childbirth and motherhood or reproduction and infertility. Using data obtained through semistructured interviews with four women aged 45 and over, this paper presents the initial findings of an on-going constructivist grounded theory study with women who have chosen not to have children. Findings from category one suggest that participants had no desire to replicate motherhood. The reasons included their negative experiences and memories of family life. Access to education and introduction to feminist ideas helped develop a strong sense of agency. Ongoing reflection on their lives illustrated how adult relationships were prioritised over motherhood. Findings from the other three categories (briefly discussed) challenge some of the dominant ideologies and assumptions about women who choose not to have children.
Journal of forensic practice, Feb 10, 2022
Purpose Amid concerns regarding prisoner well-being, growing evidence indicates that prison anima... more Purpose Amid concerns regarding prisoner well-being, growing evidence indicates that prison animal programmes (PAPs), most commonly involving dogs, have significant therapeutic potential. Published research on this topic from the UK remains sparse, and more is needed to determine the type of programmes which work best and for whom. This study aims to explore the perceived benefits of a short-term PAP on the well-being of a sample of individuals assessed as at risk of self-harm. Design/methodology/approach Participants with complex mental health needs in a category B prison took part in a four-week programme where two dogs were brought in for interactions once a week. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants at the end of the programme. Findings Three themes were identified through thematic analysis: “A Safe Space for Emotional Experience”, “An Opportunity to Connect” and “Being Human”. The narratives offered a range of perceived benefits which illustrated the potential of dog based PAPs for enhancing well-being and consistency with desistance goals. Practical implications The findings illustrate that even short-term interactions with dogs can be impactful and provide evidence for other practitioners about how this approach may be used with individuals with complex mental health needs. Originality/value The study highlights the therapeutic potential of the presence of animals in prisons. The research contributes to the limited literature about PAPS in the UK.
Journal of Health Psychology, Dec 2, 2021
Mortality, Jul 22, 2009
... Retrieved November 12, 2007, from the Aisling magazine website: http://www.aislingmagazine. c... more ... Retrieved November 12, 2007, from the Aisling magazine website: http://www.aislingmagazine. com/aislingmagazine/articles/TAM19/Death.html View ... and Australia represent the most sizable populations from source countries in recent years (Buchan, Jobanputra, Gough, & Hutt ...
Journal of forensic practice, Feb 9, 2015
QMiP Bulletin, 2012
Focus groups are a popular method of data collection within qualitative psychology, but have not ... more Focus groups are a popular method of data collection within qualitative psychology, but have not been widely employed for phenomenological approaches such as Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). It could be suggested that the presence of others will constrain individual accounts, leaving focus groups unsuitable for this type of research. However, this paper presents some arguments in favour of using this method. Drawing from examples of published research, I shall discuss the reasons why focus groups can be useful, how a researcher might engage with post hoc data checks, and raise points to consider in relation to analysis and presentation of findings. It is acknowledged that this complex research setting presents many challenges and perhaps it is time to develop a specific set of guidelines to account for experiential accounts captured in a group context.
Psychology Teaching Review, 2011
Psychology Teaching Review, 2009
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Jun 8, 2022
Within the Criminal Justice System, using animals for therapeutic or rehabilitative purposes has ... more Within the Criminal Justice System, using animals for therapeutic or rehabilitative purposes has garnered momentum and is extensively researched. By contrast, the evidence concerning the impact of farm animal work, either on prison farms or social farms for community sanctions, is less well understood. This review sought to explore the evidence that exists in relation to four areas: (1) farm animals and their contribution to rehabilitation from offending; (2) any indicated mechanisms of change; (3) the development of a human—food/production animal bond, and (4) the experiences of forensic service users working with dairy cattle. Fourteen articles were included in the review. Good quality research on the impact of working with farm animals and specifically dairy cattle, with adult offenders, was very limited. However, some studies suggested that the rehabilitative potential of farm animals with offenders should not be summarily dismissed but researched further to firmly establish impact.
Emerald Publishing Limited eBooks, Aug 10, 2018
Abstract Discourses on ageing and childlessness coalesce around the notion that childless women w... more Abstract Discourses on ageing and childlessness coalesce around the notion that childless women will experience regret and loneliness in old age. In the United Kingdom, the idea that children (mostly women) will provide care in old age tends to be normalised and underpins social care provision. In recent times, media coverage of childless women has also tended to sustain and promote this. This discourse occurs within a context where childlessness is on the rise and where there is little academic interest in the topic. Our chapter will report on a constructivist grounded theory study with women who choose not to have children. A key aim of the study was to explore the consequences of participants’ choices on their lives. Twenty-one women aged between 45 and 75, from across England, Scotland and Wales participated. The age criteria were chosen to reflect the category that is used by the Office of National Statistics to denote that women’s reproduction ends at 45. This also helps to construct a social norm that women aged 45 and over are seen as older women. Findings reveal that most participants experience no regrets following their choice not to have children. Some express ‘half regrets’ while all challenge the societal expectation that without children there will be no one to care for them when they are older. This supports the limited, mainly autobiographical literature, on loss and regret. It also refutes the unquestioned and widely believed assumption that women who choose not have children will live to regret it. For participants, the choice for motherhood was but one choice from a menu of many others. Their choice was for something more meaningful for them rather than a choice against motherhood. Consequently, participants had no reason to experience loss or regret. These findings also question the discourse, which implies that children will ensure care in older age. It presents a challenge to the myth that the family is a haven of happiness and support in an ever-changing world. Crucially, it supports calls for more inclusive policy making to address the care needs of all older people.
Mental Health Practice, Jul 6, 2018
Research in Post-compulsory Education, Mar 1, 2007
SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks, 2023
Research in Post-Compulsory Education, Jan 18, 2024
Psychology Teaching Review, 2011
Journal of Health Psychology, Jul 17, 2023
Whilst chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been widely researched amongst women, studies investiga... more Whilst chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been widely researched amongst women, studies investigating how men experience a CFS diagnosis is limited. This study utilised an interpretative phenomenological approach to interview five men who have a medical diagnosis of CFS. Six themes emerged to demonstrate the participants’ experiences prior to, during and after obtaining their CFS diagnosis. Findings revealed that participants were initially reluctant to accept their condition, confounded by their perception that symptoms compromised their sense of masculinity. They also felt that healthcare professionals had limited recognition of CFS leading them to seek social support and legitimisation from other sources. The struggle to come to terms with a different lifestyle and sense of masculinity prevailed. Such knowledge could be effectively utilised by researchers, practitioners and employers to facilitate an increased understanding of male accounts of the condition and more bespoke interventions where required.
Women who choose not to have children have been largely overlooked in both mainstream and feminis... more Women who choose not to have children have been largely overlooked in both mainstream and feminist literature, where the focus is more typically on childbirth and motherhood or reproduction and infertility. Using data obtained through semistructured interviews with four women aged 45 and over, this paper presents the initial findings of an on-going constructivist grounded theory study with women who have chosen not to have children. Findings from category one suggest that participants had no desire to replicate motherhood. The reasons included their negative experiences and memories of family life. Access to education and introduction to feminist ideas helped develop a strong sense of agency. Ongoing reflection on their lives illustrated how adult relationships were prioritised over motherhood. Findings from the other three categories (briefly discussed) challenge some of the dominant ideologies and assumptions about women who choose not to have children.
Journal of forensic practice, Feb 10, 2022
Purpose Amid concerns regarding prisoner well-being, growing evidence indicates that prison anima... more Purpose Amid concerns regarding prisoner well-being, growing evidence indicates that prison animal programmes (PAPs), most commonly involving dogs, have significant therapeutic potential. Published research on this topic from the UK remains sparse, and more is needed to determine the type of programmes which work best and for whom. This study aims to explore the perceived benefits of a short-term PAP on the well-being of a sample of individuals assessed as at risk of self-harm. Design/methodology/approach Participants with complex mental health needs in a category B prison took part in a four-week programme where two dogs were brought in for interactions once a week. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants at the end of the programme. Findings Three themes were identified through thematic analysis: “A Safe Space for Emotional Experience”, “An Opportunity to Connect” and “Being Human”. The narratives offered a range of perceived benefits which illustrated the potential of dog based PAPs for enhancing well-being and consistency with desistance goals. Practical implications The findings illustrate that even short-term interactions with dogs can be impactful and provide evidence for other practitioners about how this approach may be used with individuals with complex mental health needs. Originality/value The study highlights the therapeutic potential of the presence of animals in prisons. The research contributes to the limited literature about PAPS in the UK.
Journal of Health Psychology, Dec 2, 2021
Mortality, Jul 22, 2009
... Retrieved November 12, 2007, from the Aisling magazine website: http://www.aislingmagazine. c... more ... Retrieved November 12, 2007, from the Aisling magazine website: http://www.aislingmagazine. com/aislingmagazine/articles/TAM19/Death.html View ... and Australia represent the most sizable populations from source countries in recent years (Buchan, Jobanputra, Gough, & Hutt ...
Journal of forensic practice, Feb 9, 2015
QMiP Bulletin, 2012
Focus groups are a popular method of data collection within qualitative psychology, but have not ... more Focus groups are a popular method of data collection within qualitative psychology, but have not been widely employed for phenomenological approaches such as Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). It could be suggested that the presence of others will constrain individual accounts, leaving focus groups unsuitable for this type of research. However, this paper presents some arguments in favour of using this method. Drawing from examples of published research, I shall discuss the reasons why focus groups can be useful, how a researcher might engage with post hoc data checks, and raise points to consider in relation to analysis and presentation of findings. It is acknowledged that this complex research setting presents many challenges and perhaps it is time to develop a specific set of guidelines to account for experiential accounts captured in a group context.
Psychology Teaching Review, 2011