http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/206 2026-04-07T21:09:16Z 2026-04-07T21:09:16Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/28448 2024-03-02T03:01:18Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Building bridges: The experiences and perceptions of service providers and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy in supporting African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence in England Abstract: Background Research is scarce on the experiences of service providers such as social workers, psychotherapists, managers of women's aid agencies, and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy (clergy) who support African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence in England. This thesis aims to bring to light the experiences of service providers and clergy in supporting these women in order to provide insights for practice, policy development, and research. Methodology The researcher used interpretative phenomenological analysis through feminist intersectional theory. Remote, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from nine service providers and nine clergy in England. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed. Results Clergy understood intimate partner violence as an intersection of intimate partner violence, individual personality, and Christian and cultural beliefs around marriage and acculturation. They supported these women through listening and prayer, Christian counselling, raising awareness of intimate partner violence, referring them to service providers, and working with their spouses and other women in the church to support these women. Service providers acknowledged that Christianity is part of a woman's identity and used an intersectional approach to address her spiritual needs. Clergy reported a lack of adequate knowledge of intimate partner violence and collaboration with service providers, and service providers reported that the intersection of Christian, cultural, and structural factors hindered them from effectively addressing intimate partner violence. A guide for collaboration was created to facilitate their collaborative work. Conclusions Service providers and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy play a vital role in supporting African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence. These findings indicate the need for clergy to have training on intimate partner violence, as well as a need for service providers and clergy to collaborate to provide holistic support to these women and the African Christian community. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Geueke, B Groh, KJ Maffini, MV Martin, OV Boucher, JM Chiang, Y-T Gwosdz, F Jieh, P Kassotis, CD Łańska, P Myers, JP Odermatt, A Parkinson, LV Schreier, VN Srebny, V Zimmermann, L Scheringer, M Muncke, J http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25123 2022-08-26T02:00:41Z 2022-05-18T00:00:00Z

Title: Systematic evidence on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals: Most chemicals detected in food contact materials are not listed for use Authors: Geueke, B; Groh, KJ; Maffini, MV; Martin, OV; Boucher, JM; Chiang, Y-T; Gwosdz, F; Jieh, P; Kassotis, CD; Łańska, P; Myers, JP; Odermatt, A; Parkinson, LV; Schreier, VN; Srebny, V; Zimmermann, L; Scheringer, M; Muncke, J Abstract: Food packaging is important for today’s globalized food system, but food contact materials (FCMs) can also be a source of hazardous chemicals migrating into foodstuffs. Assessing the impacts of FCMs on human health requires a comprehensive identification of the chemicals they contain, the food contact chemicals (FCCs). We systematically compiled the “database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals” (FCCmigex) using information from 1210 studies. We found that to date 2881 FCCs have been detected, in a total of six FCM groups (Plastics, Paper & Board, Metal, Multi-materials, Glass & Ceramic, and Other FCMs). 65% of these detected FCCs were previously not known to be used in FCMs. Conversely, of the more than 12’000 FCCs known to be used, only 1013 are included in the FCCmigex database. Plastic is the most studied FCM with 1975 FCCs detected. Our findings expand the universe of known FCCs to 14,153 chemicals. This knowledge contributes to developing non-hazardous FCMs that lead to safer food and support a circular economy.

2022-05-18T00:00:00Z Collett, George http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/24280 2022-03-18T03:01:15Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Exposure worry: an in-depth study of British nuclear test veterans Authors: Collett, George Abstract: There had been little research into the psychological impact of perceived ionising radiation exposure in British nuclear test veterans. The aim of this thesis was to examine the extent of exposure worry in British nuclear test veterans and the factors associated with exposure worry, and to explore the broader psychological impact of the British nuclear testing programme. Following scale piloting, the thesis comprised a multiple-methods design: a quantitative analysis of self-report and cognitive test data (n = 91) and a thematic analysis of interview data (n = 20). The quantitative findings indicated that, generally, British nuclear test veterans are more worried about possible health effects in their descendants compared to their own health: an observation which corroborated with the qualitative findings. While the quantitative findings showed that roughly half of the sample reported feeling stressed due to exposure worry, the qualitative findings suggested that worry was only relevant to a few participants and generally focused on their grandchildren’s health. Furthermore, more pertinent psychological issues were present relating to a sense of guilt regarding genetic responsibility and anger towards authorities. The presence of clinically relevant anxiety (the prevalence appeared excessively high in the sample) and the extent one attributes their health condition(s) to ionising radiation exposure were significantly associated with exposure worry. The role of clinically relevant anxiety occurs in the absence of any mediating role of attributing a condition to ionising radiation (n = 55). Interestingly, factors such as the veterans’ location, role, and national service status during the testing programme, socioeconomic factors, and cognitive functioning, were not associated with levels of exposure worry. The findings generated a comprehensive conceptual model illustrating the potential psychological impact of the British nuclear weapons testing programme. The thesis concludes with recommendations for transparency, narrative-based medicine, and a future line of inquiry exploring possible psychological issues in their descendants. Description: This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University London

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Walters, Penny http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/15196 2017-09-28T02:00:17Z 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An investigation into NHS health promotion specialists' ethical dilemmas about their work Authors: Walters, Penny Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2001-01-01T00:00:00Z