Search results for ‘Author:"priest helena m."’ Sort:
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Support workers’ mental health knowledge and confidence in relation to exposure, experience, work setting and training
- Authors:
- KILANSKA Ann, PRIEST Helena M.
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 8(4), 2014, pp.260-267.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: In the context of improved UK training programmes, this paper explores the factors that can predict support workers’ knowledge and confidence in recognising mental health problems in service users with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 80 support workers (40 residential and 40 community-based) completed a questionnaire about their length of work experience, exposure to service users with additional mental health needs, training, general and specific mental health knowledge, and confidence in working with mental health issues. It was hypothesised that length of work experience, extent of training, and level of exposure would predict knowledge about mental health problems, and also predict confidence in working with people with mental health problems. It was further predicted that residential support workers would be more knowledgeable and confident than community workers. Findings: Results showed that level of exposure could predict knowledge about schizophrenia, but not about depression, anxiety, or dementia, while length of experience could predict overall mental health knowledge and confidence. Extent of training could only predict knowledge about anxiety, and work setting (residential or community) had no effect to on knowledge or confidence. Implications for practice and training are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Using Photovoice as a method to engage bereaved adults with intellectual disabilities in research: listening, learning and developing good practice principles
- Authors:
- TAJURIA Gulshan, READ Sue, PRIEST Helena M.
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 11(5/6), 2017, pp.196-206.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: People with intellectual disabilities experiencing loss or bereavement are at risk of developing additional mental health problems, and may struggle to access suitable support. The purpose of this paper is to present the adaptations done while using Photovoice as a creative method for bereaved people with intellectual disabilities participating in a research exploring loss and support. This paper will further briefly add information on how the use of Photovoice supported the development of whole research project. Design/methodology/approach: This paper explores the use of Photovoice as a method of research engagement for bereaved adults with intellectual disabilities. Photovoice enables participants to take and discuss photographs illustrating their loss and support experiences. The paper focusses on a preparatory Photovoice workshop with the research participants, outlining the processes and activities used to maximise involvement, promote learning and achieve shared understanding. Findings: Preparation was the key to the effectiveness of this workshop and it recommends that appropriate adaptions are useful in Photovoice with adults with intellectual disabilities effectively. The paper outlines principles of good practice for using Photovoice in this research context, which may transfer to other similar research settings. Using Photovoice facilitated later one-to-one interviews with the participants, where their photographs were discussed together. Originality/value: This paper illustrates the innovative use of Photovoice methodology in research involving bereaved people with intellectual disabilities. Photovoice has not previously been used with this specific population within the bereavement and loss context, so this paper adds to the developing evidence base. (Publisher abstract)
Working alongside older people with a learning disability: informing and shaping research design
- Authors:
- HERRON Daniel, PRIEST Helena M., READ Sue
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(4), 2015, pp.261-269.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: There has been an increase in inclusive research in the learning disability field; however, this has not been reflected within learning disability and dementia research, where little is known from the perspective of people with learning disabilities. This paper will define inclusive research, explore reasons for the dearth of inclusive dementia research, and identify the challenges of conducting dementia research involving people with learning disabilities. Materials and Methods: Examples of working with people with learning disabilities to develop elements of a PhD research study will be detailed and critically discussed. Results: These experiences aided the creation of accessible material about dementia for a PhD research study. Subsequently, this helped to overcome challenges of communication within the research study and helped to promote the participation of people with learning disabilities and dementia. Conclusion: Sharing these ideas about how we worked together will help others who are seeking to engage and achieve more inclusive research practices with marginalised populations.
Support workers' knowledge about dementia: a vignette study
- Authors:
- HERRON Daniel L., PRIEST Helena M.
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(1), 2013, pp.27-39.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Because of the relationships they build, support workers can play a vital role in recognising and attending to the mental health needs of service users with intellectual disabilities. However, many lack the knowledge, skills and confidence to identify and respond appropriately. This paper focuses on the mental health of older people with intellectual disabilities. Fourteen support workers, working in one UK county, completed a questionnaire in which three vignettes presented progressively worsening indicators of dementia in an older person with intellectual disabilities. Participants explained what they thought was happening and what action they would take. Few of the participants had any mental health training, and only one in relation to older people. They were generally poor at judging early and intermediate indicators of dementia, sometimes attributing these to changes in routine or difficulty in communicating needs. The support workers were able to identify more overt later signs but believed these advanced indicators to be the onset of dementia. Proposed action was however appropriate, for example observation and referral. Abuse was often considered as a causal factor. The authors believe that their findings demonstrate the need for training in the mental health needs of older people, in particular, the general and specific indicators and expected trajectory of dementia in this population.
Supporting people with an intellectual disability and dementia: a constructivist grounded theory study exploring care providers’ views and experiences in the UK
- Authors:
- HERRON Daniel L., PRIEST Helena M., READ Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(6), 2020, pp.1405-1417.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: There is a need to better understand the experiences and support needs of paid and family carers of people with an intellectual disability and dementia, and the role of Intellectual Disability Dementia Care Pathways (IDDCPs). This study explored the experiences of carers, and IDDCPs and other support structures within those experiences. Methods: A constructivist grounded theory methodology was implemented. Data were obtained through 23 semi‐structured interviews with two family carers, eight paid carers and eight healthcare professionals. Findings: The study's theory produced five interrelated categories: Impact of Dementia, Challenging the Diagnosis Process, Continuum of Support, Continuity and Continuum of Understanding. Conclusions: Findings have demonstrated the importance of planning and supporting carers’ holistic needs; the role of an IDDCP in the post‐diagnostic support (or lack of it) for carers; and the importance of a timely diagnosis of dementia. Recommendations for practice are offered. (Edited publisher abstract)