Search results for ‘Author:"rhodes jennifer a."’ Sort:
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Can active support improve job satisfaction?
- Authors:
- Rhodes Jennifer A., TOOGOOD Sandy
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 21(2), 2016, pp.54-60.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Active support (AS) influences the way staff support people with intellectual disabilities to take part in everyday activities. Changes in work practices may affect job satisfaction. The impact of AS on job satisfaction has not, however, been widely studied. Job satisfaction is linked with levels of staff turnover and the overall quality of services provided to people with intellectual disabilities (Coomber & Barriball, 2007; Hatton et al., 2001). The purpose of this paper is to describe an evaluation of job satisfaction amongst 38 direct care staff working in intellectual disability services before and after AS was implemented. Design/methodology/approach: A single group, repeated-measures design was used. In total, 38 members of direct care staff received AS training. Data on job satisfaction were collected before, and after, AS was implemented. In total, 19 members of staff took part in a follow-up 12 weeks later. Findings: There was a significant increase in reported job satisfaction following the implementation of AS. Subscale analysis revealed that the most significant increases in job satisfaction were related to areas directly targeted by AS, including satisfaction with skill level and satisfaction with amount of time spent with service users. Originality/value: Implementing AS may provide an added benefit for direct care staff, who feel more satisfied at work. While a significant number of papers have been published focusing on the benefits of AS, no papers have specifically looked at the impact that the intervention can have on job satisfaction. (Publisher abstract)
Positive Behavioural Support as an alternative to medication
- Authors:
- LEE Ruth M., Rhodes Jennifer A.
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 24(1), 2019, pp.1-8.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) can be used as an alternative to psychotropic medication to improve the quality of life of an individual with a learning disability and behaviour described as challenging. Design/methodology/approach: A single case design was utilised. A unique PBS stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both (STOMP) clinic model was developed and PBS was used in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. This included functional behavioural assessment, to support understanding of the reasons behind behaviour described as challenging, and a gradual medication reduction. Findings: This case study found that antipsychotic medication used to manage behaviour that challenges could be safely reduced and individual quality of life increased when PBS was used as an alternative. Originality/value: STOMP is a project supported by NHS England aimed at reducing the inappropriate prescribing of psychotropic medication to manage behaviour that challenges. NICE guidance recommends that behaviour should be more appropriately understood through PBS. More research is needed to demonstrate how the two work together for safe medication reduction and improved quality of life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Perceptions of coparenting in foster care
- Authors:
- LINARES Lourdes Oriana, RHODES Jennifer, MONTALTO Daniela
- Journal article citation:
- Family Process, 49(4), December 2010, pp.530-542.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
To date, little is known about co-parenting influences among family groups in the foster care system. This study investigated the similarities and differences on foster parent-derived perceptions of support, communication, conflict, and total co-parenting between foster and biological parents and their independent contribution to child internalising and externalising problems. Self-reports were gathered from 80 foster parents in 2 groups – kin and non-kin. Kin foster parents reported higher perceived support, communication, and total co-parenting. Higher conflict among kin foster parents was also found. After considering foster parent group, psychological distress, and discipline, analyses showed that perceived total co-parenting and conflict contributed to child internalising and externalising problems. Findings support the linkage between perceptions of co-parenting and child problems among caregivers in kin and non-kin arrangements and highlight conflict management as an important intervention to reduce the high level of child problems in this population.