Astrid Helene Skatvedt

• Norvoll, Reidun; Øye, Christine & Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2022). Like a Social Breath: Homecare’s Contributions to Social Inclusion and Connectedness of Older Adults. Journal of Social Inclusion (JoSI). 13(2), p. 1–14. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The detrimental effects of social isolation on health and well-being bring forward the need for increasing social inclusion and connectedness for older, homebound adults. Homecare services may be a source of social inclusion, but the inclusive dimensions and mechanisms of care have been less explored. This study aimed to develop more knowledge on how homecare can contribute to social inclusion by exploring older adults’ experiences with care visits as social encounters. The study utilised interviews with older adults from four municipalities in Norway and Denmark from 2018 to 2019 and drew on a combination of social inclusion theories and Goffmanian microinteractionism. Positive accounts of care encounters comprised three overlapping thematic dimensions: 1) bringing social life into the house, 2) creating connections to the outside world and 3) providing opportunities to participate in a broader array of social roles and identities. Despite variations, care visits could encompass social inclusive and connective aspects that enhanced thriving and wellbeing. Care visits increased opportunities for social participation and support of a valued self and comprised bonding, bridging and linking social capital. Care workers could be important interpersonal network resources at home, providing support and social stimulation, engagement and fun. Moreover, they could bridge to the outside society through conversations or by linking to services (e.g. day centres) that increased social participation and bonding with peers outside the house. The inclusive resources embedded in homecare need to be supported and utilised in policy and practice to increase older people’s inclusion.

• Buvik, Kristin; Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Baklien, Bergljot (2020). Field conversations as a data source in qualitative social research. Tidsskrift for samfunnsforskning. ISSN 0040-716X. 61(3), p. 222–240. doi: 10.18261/ISSN.1504-291X-2020-03-02. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article highlights field conversations as a research tool. Our intention is to place field conversations in the literature of methodology. In spite of being commonly used by qualitative social scientists, field conversations are often invisible and under-communicated in scientific literature. The unsystematic and informal characteristics of the conversations make them hard to quantify and describe. The similarities with ordinary, everyday talk can be confusing. The field conversation is placed in a continuum between the qualitative interview on the one hand and common talk between researcher and participant/informant on the other. Using examples from our own empirical research, we show how field conversations differ from the interview when it comes to context, format, conditions and control. We also discuss the contributions of field conversations as a data collection tool, and what might be the strengths and weaknesses of the tool. The purpose is to illustrate how we can utilize the arena in which researchers and participants meet to increase our knowledge and insight. We argue that field conversations are a necessary and useful tool in the social scientist's toolkit and that the status of the conversation should be upgraded.

• Sælør, Knut Tore & Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2019). Thresholds of hope: stories of lacking generosity. Social Work in Mental Health. ISSN 1533-2985. 17(5), p. 533–550. doi: 10.1080/15332985.2019.1593915.
• Briseid, Kristin; Skatvedt, Astrid & McCormack, Brendan (2017). How Knowledge Developed Through Ethnography May Inform Person-Centered Healthcare Practices. In McCormack, Brendan; van Dulmen, Sandra; Eide, Hilde; Skovdahl, Kirsti-Iren & Eide, Tom (Ed.), Person-Centred Healthcare Research. Wiley-Blackwell. ISSN 978-1-119-09960-4. p. 149–156. doi: 10.1002/9781119099635.ch12.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2017). The Importance of “Empty Gestures” in Recovery: Being Human Together. Symbolic interaction. ISSN 0195-6086. 40(3), p. 396–413. doi: 10.1002/symb.291.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Baklien, Bergljot (2017). Pårørende til eldre hjemmeboende med psykiske helseproblemer - av de stilleste stille. In Tønnessen, Siri & Kassah, Bente Lind (Ed.), Pårørende i kommunale helse- og omsorgstjenester: forpliktelser og ansvar i et utydelig landskap. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205485310. p. 151–168. doi: 10.7557/14.3479.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & McCormack, Brendan (2016). Older people and their care partners’ experiences of living with mental health needs: a focus on collaboration and cooperation. Journal of Clinical Nursing (JCN). ISSN 0962-1067. 26(1-2), p. 103–114. doi: 10.1111/jocn.13381. Show summary

  Aims and objectives. To explore how older people living at home with mentalhealth needs and their care partners experienced the practices of collaborationwithin and between services.Background. Many healthcare strategies for community mental health services forolder people espouse a person-centred approach or principles that are similar infocus.Design. This study reports on the first stage of a three-year action research projectthat focused on improving mental health services for older people and their carepartners living at home. Data were collected through individual interviews.Twenty people were interviewed. Data were analysed continuously and in parallelwith data collection for the identification of themes.Results. We focus on two particular themes, ‘acknowledgement, recognition andrespect’ and ‘the prestige hierarchy of mental illness in older people’. We highlighthow older people and their care partners experience discontinuities in their every-day interactions with nurses and care workers and that this impacts on theirexperience of person-centred care.Conclusions. Older people with mental health needs and their care partners needhigh levels of energy to express their needs and have them met in a way thatreflects principles of partnership working.Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses and care workers need to consider how‘tasks’ can be used as a vehicle for creating emotional connections with serviceusers. Service managers and leaders need to consider the implications of disconti-nuities in care on service user, care partner, nurses and care workers experiences.

• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Norvoll, Reidun (2016). Hverdagsresponsivitet - Et situasjonelt perspektiv på omsorgsarbeid og eldre med psykiske helseproblemer. In Neumann, Cecilie Elisabeth Basberg; Olsvold, Nina & Thagaard, Tove (Ed.), Omsorgsarbeidets sosiologi. Fagbokforlaget. ISSN 9788245016307. p. 107–129.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene; Andvig, Ellen Sofie & Baklien, Bergljot (2015). Bakkebyråkratiets yttergrense : hjemmetjenestens møte med eldre med psykiske helseproblemer. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 11(1), p. 20–34. doi: 10.7557/14.3479.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Andvig, Ellen (2014). Betydningen av tid til samvær og vennligsinnet pågåenhet i kommunehelsetjenesten. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. 9(1), p. 64–70. doi: 10.4220/sykepleienf.2014.0034.
• Baklien , Bergljot & Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2013). Forventning og forvirring - følgeforskningens rotete roller. In Halvorsen, Anne; Madsen, Einar Lier & Jentoft, Nina (Ed.), Evaluering. Tradisjoner, praksis, mangfold. Fagbokforlaget. ISSN 978-82-450-1331-3. p. 148–163. Show summary

  Evalueringsforskere generelt og følgeforskere spesielt møter ofte motstridende forventninger. Rolleutformingen byr på utfordringer og dilemmaer som tekstbøkene ikke hjelper oss med. Ofte må løsninger velges og beslutninger fattes der og da. Spørsmålet er om det vi erfarer når vi tråkker utenfor den tradisjonelle forskerrollens grenser må ryddes unna som ulyd, eller om det kanskje også er en viktig datakilde. Utfordringene knyttes til forskningens intensjon, som kan være å gi premisser for beslutninger om et tiltak skal nedlegges eller bygges ut. Rollen som følge¬forsker blir også vanskelig i tiltak med høyt konfliktnivå, og når samværet med de utforskede blir nært, går over lang tid og inkluderer uformelle situasjoner. Da bygges det relasjoner, og for¬ventninger mellom forsker og utforsket blir synliggjort. Men hvor langt skal vi strekke for¬pliktelsene eller mandatet til følgeforskeren? Følgeforskeren har en forpliktelse til å fremskaffe gode og pålitelige data, til å formidle underveis, og til å være medspiller heller enn motspiller til informanter og utforskede som kanskje har helt ulike ståsteder. Vi kan ikke holde diskusjonen av slike utfordringer "backstage". Det trengs en større bevissthet om både om følgeforskerens uklare rolleavgrensninger og om handlingsrommet. Kanskje må vi også diskutere noen etiske spille¬regler.

• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2013). Småprat som terapeutisk verktøy. In Norvoll, Reidun (Eds.), Samfunn og psykisk helse. Samfunnsvitenskapelige perspektiver. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 978-82-05-40913-2. p. 98–115.
• Edland-Gryt, Marit & Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2013). Thresholds in a low-threshold setting: An empirical study of barriers in a centre for people with drug problems and mental health disorders. International journal of drug policy. ISSN 0955-3959. 24(3), p. 257–264. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2012.08.002. Show summary

  Some services for drug users with mental health disorders can be characterised as low-threshold services. These aim at making help easily accessible for people who are not able to request help from services at higher levels. In this study we examine what kind of thresholds are experienced by clients at a low-threshold centre. Ethnographic field work, including participant observation, individual interviews and focus group interviews with clients and staff in a low-threshold centre for the most vulnerable drug users in Oslo were employed. Our analyses agree with other studies in showing that the following three thresholds are significant, also in services for drug users with mental health disorders: the registration threshold, the competence threshold and the threshold of effectiveness. In addition to these, we suggest that a fourth threshold is of importance for this group: the threshold of trust. In the low-threshold centre we studied, we observed that for the clients, crossing the threshold of trust seemed to be an essential precondition for subsequently being able to cross the other thresholds in order to receive the help they need. We suggest that focus on the four thresholds can improve our understanding of clients' access to services. We also suggest that processes of recovery may be improved if increased attention is given to the barriers that clients experience. The threshold of trust seems to be particularly important for people suffering from drug problems and mental health disorders. The results have implications both for practice and policy because if taken seriously into consideration, more clients could access the services they need. Services for this group may be improved by focusing on the fourth threshold: trust.

• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Scheffels, Janne (2012). Virksom uvirksomhet? Pauser som arenaer for følelsesmessig berøring og biografisk bevegelse. Sosiologi i dag. ISSN 0332-6330. 42(1), p. 37–56. Show summary

  Noe av det som karakteriserer pauser er at de er situasjoner der vi i utgangspuntet ikke gjør noe. "Pausing" handler om uvirksomhet: Det vi ofte kaller tom tid. I denne artikkelen belyser forfatterne situasjoner der klienter og personale på en behandlingsinstuitusjon for rusmiddelmisbrukere tar pause fra den terapeutiske virksomheten. De beskriver hvordan pausene de tar sammen kan vise seg å være rike, mektige og terapeutisk betydningsfulle situasjoner. Med utgangspunkt i Goffmans og Collins mikrointeraksjonisme og en omvendt versjon av Beckers stemplingsteori, analyseres hvordan "pausing" innenfor rammene av en behandlingsinstitusjon for rusmiddelmisbrukere kan arte seg som stemplingsprosesser med en positiv karriereretning som kan bevege folk inn i nye og alternative identiteter.

• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Schou, Kirsten Costain (2010). The potential of the commonplace: A sociological study of emotions, identity and therapeutic change. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1403-4948. 38, p. 81–87. doi: 10.1177/1403494810382814. Show summary

  The aims of this study was to explore aspects of treatment clients identify as having had a positive effect on their process of change. The first author conducted data collection for one year through both participant observation and interviews. Certain, apparently commonplace, informal interaction situations appear to constitute emotionally moving and identity-constructing contexts that have a significant impact on clients. These are situations in which new, “straight” identities can be proffered, tried out and explored. The situations in question seem to move clients, emotionally, mentally and biographically in a positive direction. The process of change is presented as an upside-down version of the traditional labelling theory: if normal people can be labeled as deviants, deviants can be re-labeled as normal. This study concludes that commonplace interactions are powerful labeling situations. These situations seem at first glance to be trivial, superficial and very common. Still, and perhaps because of their “smallness”, they are identified as authentic and thereby trustworthy contributors to new narratives of worthy selves.

• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Costain Schou, Kirsten (2008). The beautiful in the commonplace. European Journal of Cultural Studies. ISSN 1367-5494. 11(1), p. 83–100. doi: 10.1177/1367549407084965. Show summary

  During fieldwork in a rehabilitation institution for drug abusers, I became aware that certain apparently commonplace, informal interaction situations between residents and staff appeared to constitute emotionally moving and identity constructing situations which apparently had a great impact on the residents. These situations seem, on the surface of things, trivial, minor, superficial and very common. Still, and perhaps because of their “smallness”, they show qualities that suggest authentic interaction, immediate and unfeigned, by participants. This article draws upon an analysis of what I have called “love-bearing interaction situations” (A. Skatvedt, 2001) and connects this with theoretical insights drawn from the work of Erving Goffman and Johan Asplund, and with Howard Becker’s labelling theory. A particular interest is a notion touched upon by Goffman, namely the expression of love in commonplace interaction.

• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2006). Det vakre i det alminnelige. Sosiologi i dag. ISSN 0332-6330. 36(1), p. 37–58.

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• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2020). Bedringens sosiologi : om potensialet i hverdagslig samhandling. Fagbokforlaget. ISBN 9788245032611. 155 p.

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• Norvoll, Reidun; Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Øye, Christine (2023). Like a Social Breath: Homecare’s Contributions to Social Inclusion and Connectedness of Older Adults – implications for policy and home services development.
• Nilsen, Ann Christin Eklund; Steen-Johnsen, Tale; Magnussen, May-Linda; Kvamme, Ingunn & Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2020). Må vi virkelig snakke om dette fremdeles? Fædrelandsvennen. ISSN 0805-3790.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2016). Rollebytte – muligheter for alternative identiteter. Rus & samfunn. ISSN 1500-8614.
• Edland-Gryt, Marit & Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2014). Om tilgjengelighet og hindringer i lavterskelsetting. Rus & samfunn. ISSN 1500-8614. 8(6), p. 14–16.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2013). Om hverdagslige situasjoner, frihet fra det kliniske blikket og muligheter for alternative identiteter.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2013). Trippel trøbbel? Om betydningen av kjønn for eldre med psykiske helseproblemer.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2004). The Therapeutic Potential of the Commonplace. Impuls : Tidsskrift for psykologi. ISSN 0801-2911. 58(2), p. 103–106.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2001). Med makt til å definere pasientgruppa. Rus & samfunn. ISSN 1500-8614. 5(6), p. 34–35.
• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene & Edland-Gryt, Marit (2012). Øyeblikksomsorg – et verktøy for bedring. Evaluering av 24SJU – et lavterskeltilbud til personer med dårlig psykisk helse og rusmiddelproblemer. Statens institutt for rusmiddelforskning. ISSN 978–82–7171–384–3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  For several decades there has been great concern about the drug addicts in the streets in the centre of Oslo. Several measures have been introduced to deal with the situation for this group, without this seeming to have brought about any substantial changes. Many drug addicts still live in squalor and have great needs for different kinds of help. In 2009, the Church City Mission in Oslo was allocated funds to establish a 24- hour health and welfare service for the most vulnerable drug addicts in Oslo. The target group was defined as drug addicts with poor mental health and extensive drug-related problems, and who were not adequately contacted by the existing care services. The service was given the name 24SJU (24 hours/7 days a week). The main aim of the service is to establish measures to improve the physical and mental health of people in this group, and to improve their social integration and coping skills. 24SJU shall provide emergency care when needed. It shall also increase the level of knowledge about this group and develop appropriate ways of working with these people. The service shall be provided in close cooperation with the municipality of Oslo, the Southern and Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority and voluntary organizations. Part of the funding was allocated to the Church City Mission in Bergen to establish the Outreach Project for Drug Addicts (Optra). The Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research (SIRUS) was commissioned by the Norwegian Directorate of Health to carry out an evaluation of 24SJU, using a trailing research design. We were asked to assess to what extent 24SJU had been successful in reaching the target group with measures that improve the physical and mental health of these people, their social integration and their coping skills. In the letter of assignment from the Directorate, it was also specified that they wished us to assess whether it is of importance that the service is run by a NGO, and to assess the balance between direct work with clients and administrative tasks. The Directorate also wished to have a description of Optra.

• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2009). Alminnelighetens potensial. En sosiologisk studie av følelser, identitet og terapeutisk endring. Unipub forlag. Show summary

  Small talk er viktig i rusbehandling. Det terapeutiske potensialet i uformell samhandling mellom klienter og ansatte på en behandlingsinstitusjon for rusmisbrukere er tema i avhandlingen til Astrid Skatvedt. Hun forsvarer sin avhandling for Ph.D. graden ved Universitetet i Oslo fredag 6. februar 2009. I avhandlingen ”Alminnelighetens potensial. En sosiologisk studie av følelser, identitet og terapeutisk endring” analyseres hverdagslig samvær mellom ansatte og beboere i en behandlingsinstitusjon for rusmisbrukere. Materialet er kvalitativt, og bygger på feltarbeid med deltakende observasjon og intervjuer som metode. Det er samhandlingssituasjoner utenfor terapisesjonene som studeres, situasjoner som ikke har noe formelt erklært terapeutisk formål. Studien er klientsentrert i den forstand at oppmerksomheten rettes mot klientenes virkelighetsoppfatninger og ikke de ansattes. Skatvedt retter søkelyset mot hvordan situasjoner som i utgangspunktet virker dagligdagse og ubetydelige kan berøre de involverte følelsesmessig, og på en slik måte at de kan endre syn på seg selv. I avhandlingen hevdes det at det ligger et potensial for terapi i enkelte typer hverdagslig samvær - ”small talk” - mellom klient og terapeut. Dette er situasjoner der klientene opplever å bli sett som alminnelige. Å bli møtt som en alminnelig person i motsetning til en rusmisbruker ser ut til å være et viktig element i en terapeutisk prosess der klientene beveger seg fra å kun se seg selv som avvikere til å få et selvbilde også som ”normale” og verdige personer. Avhandlingen tar for seg situasjoner som tilsynelatende er biprodukter av de mer formaliserte relasjonene, men som likevel kan bidra til det terapeutiske arbeidet ved institusjonen. Analysen bygger i hovedsak på teoretiske bidrag fra Howard Becker, Randall Collins, Johan Asplund og Erving Goffman. For eksempel reverseres Beckers stemplingsteori for å beskrive prosesser som kan ut av avvikskarrierer og inn i andre og mer positive identiteter.

• Skatvedt, Astrid Helene (2002). Fortellinger om kjærlighet. Om kommunikasjon i alminnelig samvær mellom behandler og klient. Borgestadklinikken. ISSN 82-90354-54-1.

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