International Doctoral Practice Research Seminar

Thursday 31 October 2024, 9am-11am UK time / 11am-13pm Finnish time / 8-10pm Australian time
Online seminar hosted by the Helsinki Practice Research Centre, University of Helsinki, The Centre of Social Work Innovation and Research, University of Sussex, UK, and The University of Melbourne, Australia.

The International Doctoral Research Seminar continues on research being conducted in professional practice, exploring in particular aspects of the substantive research topic and research design of three doctoral research projects.

ABSTRACTS:

Young Children’s Experiences of Online Psychotherapy Following Sexual Abuse: A methodological case study in Chile

Dr Loreto F. Rodríguez (PhD in Childhood and Youth, University of Sussex)
Faculty of Psychology and Humanities, Universidad San Sebastián, Chile

There is a lack of research exploring children’s perspectives on the therapeutic process or looking directly at practice as it happens, particularly in the case of young children who have experienced sexual abuse. There are diverse reasons for this neglect of children’s views, including ethical and methodological concerns about the feasibility of researching such a sensitive topic. This presentation will discuss the methodological development and key learning from research conducted in Chile where online therapy conducted with one young child aged five was observed, and the therapist, the mother, and the child were interviewed online, using play-based methods. The focus will be on data gathered with the young child to examine the methodological and ethical considerations entailed in using these online methods for listening to young children’s experiences of both in-person and online psychotherapy.

Lived experience of Muslim migrant women with cancer

Sara Taha, PhD student in the Department of Social Work at the University of Melbourne. 

She has a strong interest in oncology social work and mental health. Her current research focuses on the lived experience of Muslim migrant women with cancer. Sara has a Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in social work from the University of Jordan. Previously, Sara worked as a social worker at the King Hussein Cancer Centre Jordan, and as a medical social worker at ATFALUNA for Medical Coverage.

Navigating precarity: Young adults' agency and future perspectives in the margins of the labour market and education system

Frida Westerback, university teacher and PhD candidate in social work, University of Helsinki

The transition into work can be a complex process for young adults, particularly in times of uncertainty, economic turmoil and rapid social change. This study explores how young adults, navigating the often precarious work-life transitions, strive to become workers and envision their futures within the unpredictable contemporary labour market. It focuses on how dominant cultural narratives and expectations shape their experiences and aspirations. The research also highlights how these societal pressures, combined with social inequalities, can cause some young adults to become stuck in prolonged transitions, influencing their aspirations and limiting their access to stable employment opportunities.

The study analyzes two datasets: interviews with 34 young adults (aged 18–29) from 2016–2017 and a longitudinal study with 40 participants (aged 18–29) conducted between 2018 and 2020, as part of the “Ohjaamoista työelämään” research project.

This study contributes conceptually by reframing young adulthood as both a phase of ‘being’ in the present and ‘becoming’ in relation to the future (France 2008). It seeks to unpack the intricate complexities inherent in this duality, focusing on how young adults navigate and experience the transition between these stages of life. By exploring their perceptions and lived experiences, the study highlights the nuanced interplay between their current identities – shaped by social, economic, and cultural factors – and their aspirations for the future.

 

Click here to join the meeting: 

https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/65964504856?pwd=VTZGsDXgmEa1pdbEqybzc1AorIWbjH.1 

 

Meeting ID

659 6450 4856