• En scenariobaserad analys av ett IT-avbrott i socialtjänsten : anpass...
  Björngren Cuadra, Carin   Journal article in Socialvetenskaplig tidskrift;3-4 : Förbundet för forskning i socialt arbete (2018)	Journal article

  

  

  English abstract:

  This article takes as its starting point the fact that documentation as well as communication within the social services are to a great extent dependent on IT. Against that backdrop, an investigation is presented whose aim is to contribute to knowledge about what IT failures can mean within the social services. The focus is on the immediate consequences for the documentation and communication of the social services. The aim is also to contribute to the understanding of how the course of events relates to the maintenance of social work despite interruptions. Systems theory provides an overarching theoretical framework. Based on that approach, social work is seen as a societal functional system aiming at the administration of exclusion. The study is based on empirical material consisting of assessments of the consequences of failures, as formulated by social services staff in risk and vulnerability analyses conducted within the framework of the investigation. The results include descriptions of consequences that arise as a result of inaccessible operative systems but also as a result of, for example, the disruption of VoIP telephony. Further, the results describe concrete adaptations and suggestions for possible changes that potentially reduce the vulnerability entailed by IT dependency. The conclusion is that the IT failure does not lead to a corresponding failure of social work as a functional system, despite technical dependencies. The system is maintained through adaptations, which are possible thanks to functional equivalence (that is, a goal may be reached in several ways) and available redundancy. It is the staff that, besides a number of technical adaptations, make concrete organizational and social adaptations, to some degree at the expense of their working environment. This is called social redundancy in order to highlight how lost technology is replaced by social processes.

  SVT nr 3-4 2018_Cuadra.pdf   (210.1Kb)

• Non-prescribed use of methadone and buprenorphine prior to opioid sub...
  Johnson, Björn; Richert, Torkel Malmö University. People, Places and Prevention: Addressing Criminality from an Integrated Perspective   Journal article in Harm Reduction Journal;31 : BioMed Central (2019)	Journal article

  

  

  English abstract:

  Background: Opioid substitution treatment (OST) with methadone or buprenorphine is the most effective means of treating opioid dependence. If these substances are used by people who are not undergoing OST, they can however carry serious risks. This article examines the lifetime prevalence, motives, and drug sources for such use, as well as geographical differences in these variables. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with 411 patients from 11 OST clinics in five Swedish cities. The researchers carried out 280 interviews on-site, while 131 interviews were conducted by specially trained patients through privileged access interviewing. Data were analyzed by frequency and average calculations, cross-tabulations, and χ2 tests. Results: The lifetime prevalence of non-prescribed use was 87.8% for methadone, 80.5% for buprenorphine, and 50.6% for buprenorphine/naloxone. Pseudo-therapeutic motives—avoiding withdrawal symptoms, staying clean from heroin, detoxification, or taking care of one’s own OST—were commonly cited as driving the use, while using the drugs for euphoric purposes was a less common motive. Most respondents had bought or received the substances from patients in OST, but dealers were also a significant source of non-prescribed methadone and buprenorphine. Geographical differences of use, motives, and sources suggest that prescription practices in OST have a great impact on which substances are used outside of the treatment. Conclusions: Experiences of non-prescribed use of methadone and buprenorphine are extremely common among those in OST in southern Sweden. As the use is typically driven by pseudo-therapeutic motives, increased access to OST might decrease the illicit demand for these substances. Buprenorphine/naloxone has a lower abuse potential than buprenorphine and should therefore be prioritized as the prescribed drug. Supervised dosage and other control measures are important provisions in the prevention of drug diversion and non-prescribed use among people not undergoing OST.

  s12954-019-0301-y   (493.0Kb)

  https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-019-0301-y

• The queer spaces of BDSM and non-monogamy
  Carlström, Charlotta; Andersson, Catrine Malmö University. Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies   Journal article in Journal of Positive Sexuality.;1 : Center for Positive Sexuality (2019)	Journal article

  

  

  English abstract:

  Based on interviews and ethnographic fieldwork within BDSM communities in Sweden, this article focuses on links between non-monogamy and BDSM. Drawing on Halberstam´s concept of queer space, the following questions are investigated: What are the connections between BDSM and non-monogamous communities? How does interaction between BDSM and non-monogamous practices create non-normative logic? The transgression of one norm makes it easier to transgress other norms as well, providing opportunities to find new ways of organizing relationships beyond the norms of monogamy. In order for an individual to be able to fully explore kinks in BDSM practices and at the same time respect the boundaries of a partner, nonmonogamy emerges as one logical answer.

  The-Queer-Space ... my-Carlstrom-Andersson.pdf   (40.24Kb)

  http://journalofpositivesexuality.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Queer-Spaces-of-BDSM-and-Non-monogamy-Carlstrom-Andersson.pdf

• Meaning well while doing harm : compulsory genital examinations in Sw...
  Johnsdotter, Sara   Journal article in Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters;2 : Taylor & Francis (2019)	Journal article

  

  

  English abstract:

  In this article, I discuss compulsory genital examinations in Swedish African, mainly Somali, girls. The discussion is based on data from 122 police files, including criminal investigations regarding suspected “female genital mutilation” (FGM). A growing body of research in European countries indicates that processes of cultural change are occurring among immigrant communities from areas where traditionally girls are subjected to what is construed as “circumcision”. Many studies show growing opposition to these practices among people who have migrated to Europe, and there is little evidence to support the assertion that large-scale illegal activities are prevalent. Yet there is a dominant discourse stating that FGM is secretively practised on a large scale among some immigrant groups in Europe, and policies encourage the detection of cases to charge in criminal court. I describe the current situation in Sweden and highlight some of the drawbacks of a very harsh, although well-intended, policy to check for FGM in Europe. While the ultimate aim is to protect girls at risk for FGM, current policies have ramifications that are invasive and sometimes even traumatising for the girls involved. This paper offers an empirical example of how politics in western multicultural societies may negatively influence the sexual health and rights of a target group, in this case, girls and young women whose families originate from countries where circumcision of girls is practiced.

  Johnsdotter 2019 Meaning well.pdf   (429.3Kb)

  https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2019.1586817

• Psychopathological symptoms associated with synthetic cannabinoid use...
  Mensen, Vincent T.; Vreeker, Annabel; Nordgren, Johan; Atkinson, Amanda; de la Torre, Rafael; Faré, Magi; Ramaekers, Johannes G.; Brunt, Tibor M.   Journal article in Psychopharmacology; : Springer (2019)	Journal article

  

  

  English abstract:

  Background Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a class of new psychoactive substances that have been rapidly evolving around the world throughout recent years. Many different synthetic cannabinoid analogues are on the consumer market and sold under misleading names, like Bspice^ or Bincense.^ A limited number of studies have reported serious health effects associated with SC use. In this study, we compared clinical and subclinical psychopathological symptoms associated with SC use and natural cannabis (NC) use. Methods A convenience sample of 367 NC and SC users was recruited online, including four validated psychometric questionnaires: The Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Altman Mania Scale (Altman), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The two groups were compared with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA), chi2 tests, and logistic regression when appropriate. Results The SC user group did not differ in age from the NC user group (27.7 years), but contained less females (21% and 30%, respectively). SC users scored higher than NC users on all used psychometric measures, indicating a higher likelihood of drug abuse, sleep problems, (hypo)manic symptoms, and the nine dimensions comprising the BSI, somatization, obsessivecompulsive behavior, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. Odds ratios (95% CI) for the SC user group vs NC user group were, respectively, drug dependence 3.56 (1.77–7.16), (severe) insomnia 5.01 (2.10–11.92), (hypo-)mania 5.18 (2.04–13.14), and BSI psychopathology 5.21 (2.96–9.17). Discussion This study shows that SC use is associated with increased mental health symptomatology compared to NC use.

  Mensen2019_Arti ... thologicalSymptomsAsso.pdf   (301.9Kb)

  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00213-019-05238-8

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