IN BRIEF


Nurturing relationships fight flab


POOR RELATIONSHIPS with one’s nearest and dearest can increase the risk of weight gain, according to new research. The study explored the relationship of social environment factors with body mass index and waist circumference in midlife and older adults. The findings indicate that stable, nurturing relationships with low levels of conflict and stress may help prevent individuals gaining weight to some extent.


FAST TRACK GROWTH A new initiative (run in conjunction with the Institute of Directors) aims to link academia with businesses in the South West identified as having growth capability. The goal of the scheme is to encourage greater engagement between the University sector and business. A series of activities will promote, encourage and facilitate greater involvement between business and academics. ESRC Grant Number RES-186-27-0019


MODELS OF CARE Working with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), researchers aim to provide insight into issues related to the use of micro-simulation to model future health and social care provision for older people in Scotland and the third sector’s role in providing that care. Findings will provide a better understanding of the contribution of the third sector to health and social care provision. ESRC Grant Number RES-062-23-3052


INDIAN VILLAGE LIFE What roles do villages play in contemporary Indian life? Researchers aim to reveal the new sociological realities of rural India to address questions such as: Who lives in villages? How do villagers relate to one another? How does the present situation compare with the past? What has happened to the ‘caste system’, segregated gender roles and popular religion? ESRC Grant Number RES-062-23-3052


6 SOCIETY NOW SUMMER 2011 SUMMER 2011


The research findings have implications for health promotion programmes that should take individual’s social relationships into account, researchers conclude. n


i Contact Dr Anne Kouvonen,


University of Nottingham Email anne.kouvonen@gmail.com Telephone +48 798189461 ESRC Grant Number RES-000-23-3489


Self-care steps to drug recovery


Paying greater attention to basic body care issues could help heroin users in their recovery from addiction, say researchers from Oxford Brookes and York Universities. To date, harm reduction interventions have tended to focus on preventing the most dangerous and dramatic consequences of drug-taking, particularly overdosing and injection-related wounds and infections, rather than address problems relating to basic body care. But new research based on in-depth interviews with 40 recovering heroin users suggests this is a missed opportunity that could be rectified without great cost. “Our data provide good evidence that drug users often neglect their bodies during periods of active drug use but become more conscious of, and concerned about, routine body care in early recovery,” states researcher Professor Joanne Neale. For example, in active drug use,


teeth were often not cleaned and dental treatment only sought at points of crisis.


In detoxification and early recovery, dental pain often surfaced alongside embarrassment about missing and stained teeth. At that point, individuals often wanted professional dental care. Researchers suggest that drug


workers might more routinely discuss general health and self-care with their clients; provide greater information and advice on diet, dental care, sleep and constipation; offer free toiletries, toothbrushes and access to a shower; and organise visits by dieticians, dentists, and even hairdressers.


Assistance in these self-care areas could play an important role in sustaining recovery, Professor Neale concludes. “Support for heroin users should include their basic physical needs; caring for one’s body and good progress in recovery appear to be mutually reinforcing.” n


i Contact Professor Joanne Neale,


Oxford Brookes University Email jneale@brookes.ac.uk Telephone 01865 482696 ESRC Grant Number RES-062-23-1016


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32