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Melin Emilsson, UllaORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-6615-0357
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Publications (10 of 51) Show all publications
Bergman, A.-S., Melin Emilsson, U. & Järkestig Berggren, U. (2022). Persons with certain functional impairments apply for parenting support: a study of personal assistance assessments in Sweden. Nordic Social Work Research, 12(1), 46-58
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Persons with certain functional impairments apply for parenting support: a study of personal assistance assessments in Sweden
2022 (English)In: Nordic Social Work Research, ISSN 2156-857X, E-ISSN 2156-8588, Vol. 12, no 1, p. 46-58Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In Sweden, personal assistance is one form of support for persons with certain functional impairment. The aim of personal assistance is to give compensatory support to individuals so that they can enjoy the right to live a life like anyone else. This article explores what kind of support parents who have functional impairments and apply for personal assistance may need when they have underage children. The article is focused on the following: What support needs in parenting are expressed in personal assistance applications and by whom? How are the expressed needs in parenting met by the intervention personal assistance, i.e. how do the decisions correspond with the expressed needs? The article is based on qualitative and quantitative document-analyses of 100 randomly selected applications for the right to personal assistance submitted to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency by applicants who were parents with children 0–17 years of age, during the years 2014–2017. The central concepts resulting from the analyses of the empirical material were support and care. The results show that in many cases the children were invisible in the material studied. In several investigations, there was no information at all about the applicant’s children. Many applications for assistance were refused. Few parents received assistance in their parenting role. In the documents, we found the following themes in statements about needs for support related to the role as a parent: practical support, care and supervision, support with communication, emotional support and safety, and support to be involved in the children’s lives.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2022
Keywords
personal assistance, disability, parents, children, support, care
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-93423 (URN)10.1080/2156857X.2020.1756387 (DOI)001026167300005 ()2-s2.0-85108012286 (Scopus ID)2020 (Local ID)2020 (Archive number)2020 (OAI)
Funder
Swedish Social Insurance Agency
Available from: 2020-04-14 Created: 2020-04-14 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Järkestig Berggren, U., Melin Emilsson, U. & Bergman, A.-S. (2021). Strategies of austerity used in needs assessments for personal assistance - changing Swedish social policy for persons with disabilities. European Journal of Social Work, 24(3), 380-392
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Strategies of austerity used in needs assessments for personal assistance - changing Swedish social policy for persons with disabilities
2021 (English)In: European Journal of Social Work, ISSN 1369-1457, E-ISSN 1468-2664, Vol. 24, no 3, p. 380-392Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The austerity measures in social welfare implemented by street-level bureaucrats in their practice are changing the direction of social policy. This article examines the strategies used by public officials in implementing austerity measures in needs assessment for personal assistance in Sweden. The article is based on a document study with N = 100 records of needs assessment for personal assistance for persons with serious functional disabilities. Findings show that the public officials at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency either limit or extend their discretion as a strategy, as well as use weak warrants as strong warrants in recommending decisions. Other strategies involve the organisational logic, fragmentation of the content in the needs assessment and division of work among the public officials. Implementing the cost-cutting goals causes severe consequences for persons with disabilities who bear the brunt by being excluded from participation in society. The social policy values of fifty years, emphasising the right to equal participation in society, are traded for economic austerity goals.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis Group, 2021
Keywords
Austerity, personal assistance, social policy, street-level bureaucracy
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-88839 (URN)10.1080/13691457.2019.1639627 (DOI)000479876900001 ()2-s2.0-85082829143 (Scopus ID)2019 (Local ID)2019 (Archive number)2019 (OAI)
Available from: 2019-08-29 Created: 2019-08-29 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Söderberg, M., Ståhl, A. & Melin Emilsson, U. (2020). Dignity as a guiding principle for family care partners in the care of an old relative with dementia. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 34(1), 87-95
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Dignity as a guiding principle for family care partners in the care of an old relative with dementia
2020 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, ISSN 0283-9318, E-ISSN 1471-6712, Vol. 34, no 1, p. 87-95Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Aim: There is a growing number of older people (65+) with dementia and many family care partners are involved in making help-seeking choices. The aim of this study was to reveal how family care partners with an old relative with dementia proceed in the name of dignity in their desire to secure the best care possible while still maintaining their own dignity. 

Methods: Data were collected in 2009-2010 in open semi-structured interviews and follow-up contacts with seven family care partners with an old relative with dementia on 14 occasions. From this collected data and for this study, a design based on patterns labelled archetypes was chosen to permit an in-depth data analysis.

Results: In the analysis, three archetypes emerged, emanating from three specific family care partners. A prominent feature in the findings was that the dignity of an old relative with dementia was hard to separate from the dignity as a family care partner, which gave rise to their need to express accounts in terms of excuses and justifications.

Conclusion: This study provides an important insight into the connection between the different elements of dignity and it contributes to explain the complexity behind family care partners’ decisions in the care of an old relative with dementia. This multifaceted meaning of dignity needs more attention for a better understanding and thereby implementation in practice and in the follow-up of policy for older people.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2020
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-84738 (URN)10.1111/scs.12708 (DOI)000516881800010 ()31111512 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85066138329 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2019-06-08 Created: 2019-06-08 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Vingare, E.-L., Giertz, L. & Melin Emilsson, U. (2020). Do national guidelines have any impact?: a comparison of nine Swedish municipalities and the Dementia care. Nordic Social Work Research, 10(1), 51-65
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Do national guidelines have any impact?: a comparison of nine Swedish municipalities and the Dementia care
2020 (English)In: Nordic Social Work Research, ISSN 2156-857X, E-ISSN 2156-8588, Vol. 10, no 1, p. 51-65Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Living with dementia, care and social care systems The aim of this article is to find out what impact national guidelines have on municipality dementia care. Furthermore, the aim is to compare organization of social care to the local adaptation of nationally invoked values. This article is connected to Living with dementia, care and social care systems , an interdisciplinary project between Health Sciences at Lund University and Social Sciences at Linnaeus University. The national guidelines for care and services to people with dementia recommend specialized units, and professional specialization in dementia care. Based on values of self-determination, integrity, accessibility, equity, rights and safety, they are meant to guide the dementia care in the community. In this article the organization of care is compared to how nationally invoked values are discussed in local policy documents in nine municipalities. These two aspects of dementia care are central to the national guidelines. The organization of care was explored by a mapping study of 19 municipality services. Type of organization was determined based on when, throughout the progression of the disease, services were made available, the existence of specialized dementia care units, and level of professional specialization. Information about values in local policies was examined by utilizing policy as discourse analysis of local policy documents. Four types of relationships between organization and value implementation were found. Eight out of nine municipalities failed to adapt to both aspects of the national guidelines.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2020
Keywords
Article, Community Care, Dementia, National Guidelines, Organization, Specialization, Values
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-78879 (URN)10.1080/2156857X.2018.1542335 (DOI)2-s2.0-85098627931 (Scopus ID)
Funder
The Kamprad Family Foundation, 2013121
Available from: 2018-11-19 Created: 2018-11-19 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Giertz, L., Melin Emilsson, U. & Vingare, E.-L. (2019). Family caregivers and decision-making for older people with dementia. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 41(3), 321-338
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Family caregivers and decision-making for older people with dementia
2019 (English)In: Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, ISSN 0964-9069, E-ISSN 1469-9621, Vol. 41, no 3, p. 321-338Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This article addresses the dilemmas concerning legislation, individual autonomy and the reality of everyday life for people coping with dementia. We describe and analyse decision-making in relation to older people with dementia in Sweden, within the area of social work regulated by the Social Services Act and the Parental Act. Swedish legislation is based on the individual's autonomy and capacity to consent to services without anyone having legal authority to decide on behalf of the individual. Based on data from interviews with family caregivers living at home, decision-making through family caregivers is discussed and formal guardianship is also considered. Swedish legislation leaves individuals with dementia and family caregivers in a vacuum between self-determination and full autonomy with the ideal of citizenship emphasised and recognised in the Social Services Act on the one hand, and on the other, a strong need for support in everyday life and with decision-making.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis Group, 2019
Keywords
Decision-making, dementia, family caregiver, social services, Sweden
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-88847 (URN)10.1080/09649069.2019.1627087 (DOI)000479303000005 ()2-s2.0-85067565711 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2019-08-29 Created: 2019-08-29 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Giertz, L., Melin Emilsson, U. & Albertsson, M. (2019). Ställföreträdarskap och livet med demens: En studie om självbestämmande, samtycke och företrädarskap. Linnéuniversitetet
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Ställföreträdarskap och livet med demens: En studie om självbestämmande, samtycke och företrädarskap
2019 (Swedish)Report (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Linnéuniversitetet, 2019. p. 123
Keywords
demens, självbestämmande, samtycke, ställföreträdare
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-82117 (URN)
Available from: 2019-04-24 Created: 2019-04-24 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Gynnerstedt, K., Thelin, A. & Melin Emilsson, U. (2017). Gammal i Småland på 2000-talet: En kunskapsöversikt av forskning kring äldres vardag. Linnaeus University, Fakulteten för samhällsvetenskap, Institutionen för socialt arbete
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Gammal i Småland på 2000-talet: En kunskapsöversikt av forskning kring äldres vardag
2017 (Swedish)Report (Refereed)
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Linnaeus University, Fakulteten för samhällsvetenskap, Institutionen för socialt arbete, 2017. p. 42
Series
Rapportserie i Socialt arbete ; 2017:2
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-77794 (URN)9789188761170 (ISBN)
Note

Felaktigt ISBN i publikationen 9789188357793

Available from: 2018-09-14 Created: 2018-09-14 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Melin Emilsson, U. & Ståhl, A. (2016). Good personal finances or a strong social capital : on different life conditions of importance for an active life when becoming alone in old age: Gott om pengar eller ett starkt socialt kapital? Om skillnader i livsvillkor för män och kvinnor som blir ensamma på äldre dar. European Journal of Social Work, 19(5), 749-763
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Good personal finances or a strong social capital : on different life conditions of importance for an active life when becoming alone in old age: Gott om pengar eller ett starkt socialt kapital? Om skillnader i livsvillkor för män och kvinnor som blir ensamma på äldre dar
2016 (English)In: European Journal of Social Work, ISSN 1369-1457, E-ISSN 1468-2664, Vol. 19, no 5, p. 749-763Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Becoming alone in old age can be a decisive life event that brings major changes depending on various causes as health status, financial resources, family situation, and available welfare services. This article discusses the situation of older people in Sweden who have transitioned from a two-person to single-person household in recent years and what impact this might have on their everyday lives. Through in-depth interviews with 18 older people, age 67–90, their experiences about life conditions and opportunities were examined. Findings showed large differences between the men and women. They all tried to live as they always had done and they used the same personal life strategies that they always had. But the men could live as before on their own financial merits, while the women needed assistance from children, grandchildren and the welfare system. Transportation options were central and clearly related to both private economy and social services available. Shortcomings in the welfare state's way of caring for the elderly were clearly uncovered. The gap between social policy promises of opportunities for autonomy and independence to live an active life in old age and the everyday reality for older people still seems to be wide.

Abstract [sv]

Att bli ensam på äldre dar kan vara en avgörande händelse som ger stora förändringar i livet beroende på orsaker som hälsotillstånd, ekonomiska resurser, familjesituation och tillgängliga välfärdstjänster. I denna artikel diskuteras situationen för äldre personer i Sverige som har flyttat från ett två-personers till ensamhushåll under de senaste åren och vilken betydelse det kan få för deras vardag. Genom djupintervjuer med 18 äldre personer i åldern 67–90 år, belyses deras erfarenheter, livsvillkor och möjligheter till ett liv som tidigare. Resultaten visade stora skillnader mellan män och kvinnor. Alla försökte leva som de alltid hade gjort och de använde samma personliga livsstrategier som de alltid hade haft. Men männen kunde leva som förut på egna finansiella meriter, medan kvinnorna behövde hjälp från barn, barnbarn och välfärdssystemet. Tillgången till allmänna kommunikationer var en central fråga tydligt relaterad till både den privata ekonomin och tillgänglig social service. Bristerna i välfärdsstatens sätt att ta hand om de äldre blev tydliga. Gapet mellan socialpolitiska mål och löften om möjligheter till självständighet och oberoende för att leva ett aktivt liv i ålderdomen, och den vardagliga verkligheten för äldre människor verkar fortfarande vara stort.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Routledge, 2016
Keywords
widow, widower, financial conditions, pension, active life, Äldre, gamla människor, mänskliga rättigheter, social rättvisa, familjerelationer
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-35251 (URN)10.1080/13691457.2015.1074550 (DOI)
Funder
VINNOVA
Available from: 2014-06-17 Created: 2014-06-17 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Ritenius Manjer, Å., Zackrisson, S. & Melin Emilsson, U. (2016). On Women’s Ambivalence about Mammography Screening: Support in the Decision-Making Process a Potential Role for Health Care Social Workers?. British Journal of Social Work, 46(2), 480-497
Open this publication in new window or tab >>On Women’s Ambivalence about Mammography Screening: Support in the Decision-Making Process a Potential Role for Health Care Social Workers?
2016 (English)In: British Journal of Social Work, ISSN 0045-3102, E-ISSN 1468-263X, Vol. 46, no 2, p. 480-497Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The aim of this article is to reach a deeper understanding of women's decision-making process regarding non-attendance at mammography screenings. The article also discusses the health care social workers' role in providing support to women during this decision. Eighteen qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who had abstained from mammography screening in Malmö, Sweden. Thematic analyses were used as a method and The Rational Choice Theory, The Health Belief Model and the notion of Cross-Pressure were used as a theoretical framework. A prominent feature was that the relationship between the women's decision to abstain and the normative perception that mammography is an important examination led to ambivalent thoughts. It can be seen as an adjustment to the structure to be invited and a cross-pressure between performed and expected actions. Moreover, the decision to abstain from mammography screening was preceded by thoughts about the right choice, specifically in relation to what would happen to these women if they got breast cancer. Women who abstain need to think about their decision to a larger extent than women who attend the screening and we argue that they should be offered support by health care social workers in the invitation letter to mammography screening.

Keywords
mammography screening, breast cancer, ambivalence, hospital social worker
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-26702 (URN)10.1093/bjsw/bcu078 (DOI)
Projects
Non-take-up in Swedish welfare - Women´s decision-making on mammography screening
Funder
Swedish Cancer Society, CAN 2008/867
Available from: 2013-06-17 Created: 2013-06-17 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Ritenius Manjer, Å., Melin Emilsson, U. & Zackrission, S. (2015). Non-attendance in mammography screening and women’s social network: A cohort study on the influence of family composition, social support, attitudes and cancer in close relations.. World Journal of Surgical Oncology, 13, 211-217, Article ID 211.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Non-attendance in mammography screening and women’s social network: A cohort study on the influence of family composition, social support, attitudes and cancer in close relations.
2015 (English)In: World Journal of Surgical Oncology, E-ISSN 1477-7819, Vol. 13, p. 211-217, article id 211Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background

Mammography screening can reduce breast cancer mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate non-attendance in mammography screening in relation to different aspects of a women’s social network, attitudes and cancer in close relations.

Methods

Data from the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study baseline examination in 1991–1996 was used. A re-examination began in 2007, and 1452 women participated. Family composition, social support, sense of belonging, attitudes on screening and breast cancer risk and on previous cancer in close relations were investigated in relation to self-reported participation in mammography screening using logistic regression analysis, yielding odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals.

Results

Both attendees (98.0 %) and non-attendees (95.2 %) considered mammography screening important. Non-attendance in mammography screening was associated with being unmarried vs. married (2.40:1.30–4.45) and with not having vs. having children (1.77:1.08–2.92). Non-attendees planned to abstain from mammography screening in the future more often than attendees (4.78:2.56–8.90), and they had often abstained from cervical cancer screening (1.69:1.04–2.75). No other statistically significant association was found.

Conclusions

This study indicates that family composition, but not necessarily the presence or absence of social support, perceived cancer risk or cancer in close relations, may affect non-attendance in mammography screening. A positive attitude towards mammography screening was found among both attendees and non-attendees, although the latter group planned to a lesser degree to attend mammography screening in the future.

Keywords
Attendance, Breast cancer, Family composition, Health attitudes, Mammography screening, Non-attendance, Social network
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-52865 (URN)10.1186/s12957-015-0623-5 (DOI)
Available from: 2016-06-01 Created: 2016-06-01 Last updated: 2025-05-07Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-6615-0357

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