Showing papers by "Pamela Briggs published in 2021"

'Getting back to normality seems as big of a step as going into lockdown': the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with early to middle stage dementia.

Abstract: People with dementia can experience a shrinkage of their social worlds, leading to a loss of independence, control, and reduced wellbeing. We used "the shrinking world" theory to examine how the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted the lives of people with early-middle stage dementia and what longer-term impacts may result. Interviews were conducted with 19 people with dementia and a thematic analysis generated five themes: The forgotten person with dementia; Confusion over government guidance; Deterioration of cognitive function; Loss of meaning and social isolation; Safety of the lockdown bubble. The findings suggest that the pandemic has accelerated the "shrinking world" effect and created a tension in how people with dementia perceive the outside world. Participants felt safe and secure in lockdown but also missed the social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and meaningful activities that took place outdoors. As time in lockdown continued, these individuals experienced a loss of confidence and were anxious about their ability to re-engage in the everyday practices that allow them to participate in society. We recommend ways in which the government, communities, and organisations might counteract some of the harms posed by this shrinking world.

Developing and Validating a Behavioural Model of Cyberinsurance Adoption

Abstract: Business disruption from cyberattacks is a growing concern, yet cyberinsurance uptake remains low. Using an online behavioural economics experiment with 4800 participants across four EU countries, this study tests a predictive model of cyberinsurance adoption, incorporating elements of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as well as factors in relation to risk propensity and price. During the experiment, participants were given the opportunity to purchase different cybersecurity measures and cyberinsurance products before performing an online task. Participants likelihood of suffering a cyberattack was dependent upon their adoption of cybersecurity measures and their behaviour during the online task. The consequences of any attack were dependent upon the participants insurance decisions. Structural equation modelling was applied and the model was further developed to include elements of the wider security ecosystem. The final model shows that all TPB factors, and response efficacy from the PMT, positively predicted adoption of premium cyberinsurance. Interestingly, adoption of cybersecurity measures was associated with safer behaviour online, contrary to concerns of “moral hazard”. The findings highlight the need to consider the larger cybersecurity ecosystem when designing interventions to increase adoption of cyberinsurance and/or promote more secure online behaviour.

The Digital Lives of Student Mothers: A Consideration of Technologies that Support or Erode the Student/Parent Boundary

Abstract: Highlights • Minimal work has addressed stressors experienced by student mothers, who have to juggle the demands of study and childcare. • Literature on work/life balance suggests a key issue for s...

Heroes and Hooligans: The Heterogeneity of Video Game Modders:

Abstract: Video games are hugely popular, generating more than twice the revenue of global movie and music industries combined. Whilst technically illegal and often carrying negative connotations, modding co...

Student engagement and barriers to implementation: the view of professional and academic staff

Abstract: The importance placed on student engagement strategies within higher education (HE) and the emphasis on sophisticated and expensive polices by universities has been well documented. In an increasin...

Exploring digital support for the student transition to university through questionable concepts

Abstract: New students face challenges when they make the transition from school to university. Existing digital technologies used during this transition can sometimes increase the stressors associated with change. In order to explore ways forward for technology design in this space, we developed a brochure of questionable concepts. The concepts were grounded in findings of our prior research, yet were also intended to act as provocations to promote discussion in workshops involving 32 first year university students. Our analysis of workshop discussions documents the diverse issues students face around social bonding, their home environment, and their academic performance. Our findings challenge assumptions made in prior work about the ease of transition to university. We demonstrate how questionable concepts can play an important role in prompting ‘safe’ conversations around stressful life events for adolescents.