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Factorial validity and consistency of the Maslach Burnout Inventory among staff working with persons with intellectual disability and dementia
- Authors:
- CHAO S.F., MCCALLION P., NICKLE T.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(5), May 2011, pp.529-536.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Despite the fact that direct care staff working in the intellectual disabilities (ID) field are thought to be particularly vulnerable to burnout, there has been comparatively little research on their specific situation. This study examined the psychometric properties and applicability to staff in ID services of one of the most widely used burnout measurements - the Human Services Survey version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS). A mailed survey was used to gather data from 435 staff delivering direct care and working in out-of-home community placements for persons with ID in New York State. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the MBI-HSS as an acceptable measure for evaluating burnout in ID services staff. However, the reliability statistics obtained for the Depersonalization (DP) sub-scale was much lower than that reported in studies with other staff populations. An exploratory factor analysis suggested that a four-factor solution, dividing the DP sub-scale into two factors, provided a better fit for the sample. The authors conclude that the use of the MBI-HHS as an instrument for measuring burnout among ID workers has attraction but also some limitations. In particular, the DP sub-scale should be used with caution because there appear to be wording issues for staff in ID settings that may lead to inconsistent responses.
The relationship between challenging behaviour, burnout and cognitive variables in staff working with people who have intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- MILLS S., ROSE J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(9), September 2011, pp.844-857.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Previous research leads to the hypothesis that negative emotions and the way in which staff perceive challenging behaviour may mediate the relationship between burnout in those working with people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and clients’ challenging behaviour. The aim of this study was to confirm the nature of this relationship. Seventy-eight staff working in variety of service settings in England completed measures of burnout, challenging behaviour and perceptions about challenging behaviour. The perceptions explored included beliefs about the timeline of behaviour, staff's perception of whether they have control over the behaviour, beliefs about clients' ability to control the behaviour and staff's negative emotional responses. Significant positive correlations were found between challenging behaviour and burnout, challenging behaviour and cognitive variables, and cognitive variables and burnout. Regression analyses demonstrated that negative emotions did indeed mediate the relationship between challenging behaviour and burnout. The results also show that higher levels of challenging behaviour were correlated with higher levels of fear of assault.
Support staff working in intellectual disability services: the importance of relationships and positive experiences
- Author:
- HASTINGS Richard P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 35(3), September 2010, pp.207-210.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The author discusses the lack of research on the role of paid support staff working in intellectual disability services, focusing in particular on the lack of attention to theory and to building a theoretical/conceptual understanding of the role they fulfil. A brief overview is given of research in this field to date. The author suggests that there are two priorities for future research on support staff. These are to understand the relationships formed between support staff and individuals with intellectual disability and understanding the positive contributions that staff perceive that they benefit from directly as a result of their work. He indicates that there are some synergies between research agendas relating to support staff and family carers. It is suggested that finding out why support staff stay in their roles when aspects of their work are stressful, poorly paid, and often poorly supported, might lead down very different roots for practice than the more negatively focused questions such as why staff become stressed at work and why they leave their roles.
Is there a relationship between role identity, work demands, and burnout in direct care staff working with individuals with intellectual disability?
- Authors:
- OUTAR Cara, ROSE John
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 42(2), 2017, pp.123-130.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background The relationship between work demands and burnout is complex and it is likely that a number of different variables mediate this relationship. The study had 2 aims: first, to investigate whether there is a relationship between work demands and staff burnout, and, second, to explore whether role identity or self-determination mediates this relationship. Method Seventy staff completed measures examining burnout, role identity, self-determination, and work demands. Results A relationship was found between work demands and burnout. Relationships between personal accomplishment, and role identity and self-determination were found. A negative correlation was found between work demands and self-determination. Regression analyses demonstrated that role identity and self-determination did not mediate the relationship between work demands and burnout. Conclusion Role identity and self-determination were associated with personal accomplishment, which suggest that an individual’s view of their work-based role and role-relevant behaviours are important in relation to what they get out of their work. This has implications for training and the design of care roles. (Publisher abstract)
Exploring coping strategies of carers looking after people with intellectual disabilities and dementia
- Authors:
- PERERA Bhathika D., STANDEN Penny J.
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 8(5), 2014, pp.292-301.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Carers play a vital role in looking after people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Caring role can be stressful and challenging in nature. Carers use various coping strategies to deal with stressors. The purpose of this paper is to explore coping strategies of carers looking after people with ID and dementia. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative methodology was used to explore coping strategies. Focus groups and face-to-face interviews were carried out. These interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Nine interviews with carers (six paid carers and three family carers) and two focus groups with nursing staff looking after people with ID were carried out. Three key themes of “Narrative”, “Strategy toolbox” and “Compartmentalisation” emerged from analysis. Narrative and strategy took box were further subthemed. Carers had narratives about them and the person they look after. These “narratives” helped them to deal with day to day stressors. They also carried a “strategy toolbox”, which they used when they were in stressful situations. Compartmentalisation helped them to separate their personal life from work life as a carer. Originality/value: Understanding carers’ coping strategies is important when planning services to help carers who play an important role in our society. Professionals can support carers to understand and improve their existing coping skills and help them to thrive in their role as carers. (Publisher abstract)
Does organizational climate impact upon burnout in staff who work with people with intellectual disabilities? A systematic review of the literature
- Authors:
- THOMPSON Lauren, ROSE John
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 15(3), September 2011, pp.177-193.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
This article reviews the literature regarding factors relating to organisational climate and burnout in staff working with people with intellectual disabilities. A systematic literature search was conducted for relevant articles from 1990 to 2010. The 21 selected articles broadly fell into 2 categories influenced by changes in the socio-political context and service provision for people with intellectual disabilities. The earlier studies appeared to capture changes that were happening as a result of the deinstitutionalisation process, both in the UK and abroad. As this process came to an end, the later studies appeared to reflect the impact of changes to service provision in terms of a greater emphasis on the interaction between the staff and their environment though the application of work-stress theory, including ‘person–environment fit’ and demand control. Overall, it was found that an organisational climate that has a better ‘person–environment’ fit promotes greater job satisfaction and reduced burnout.
Self-efficacy and stress of staff managing challenging behaviours of people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- CUDRÉ-MAUROUX Annick
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(3), September 2011, pp.181-189.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Professional caregivers have been shown to experience high levels of stress when they have to face challenging behaviours in children with learning disabilities. The role of self-efficacy has been found to affect the stress levels of professional caregivers in such situations. This short study explored the relationship between self-efficacy and stressful situations through a qualitative research design. Semi-structured interviews were help with a small number of professional caregivers. Theoretical indicators of self-efficacy regarding particular stress stages were identified in a categorical analysis. A case study method was used to promote ecological data and enhance understanding of various influencing factors. Findings suggest the importance of adequate measures of self-efficacy regarding its usage in varying contexts. Different forms of self-efficacy related to the coping process for professional caregivers are suggested. Implications for practice are discussed.
Building psychological resilience in support staff caring for people with intellectual disabilities: pilot evaluation of an acceptance-based intervention
- Authors:
- NOONE Stephen J., HASTINGS Richard P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 13(1), March 2009, pp.43-53.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Support staff in intellectual disability services may experience significant work-related stress. The aim of the present study was to pilot an intervention called the Promotion of Acceptance in Carers and Teachers (PACT). Fourteen staff provided data on work stress and general wellbeing before and after attending PACT workshops over 1.5 days. A waiting list control subgroup of six staff also completed measures over a 6 week period. Support staff distress reduced significantly from pre-intervention to follow-up, whereas their reports of work-related stressors increased slightly. Psychological wellbeing and work stress did not change over time in the waiting list sample. Although the study is not tightly controlled, these pilot data suggest that the PACT may have a beneficial effect on staff wellbeing whilst not necessarily directly reducing experience of work stress. Thus, the PACT shows promise as a means of developing psychological resilience in support staff.
Impact of dementia upon residential care for individuals with Down Syndrome
- Authors:
- LLOYD Vicki, KALSY Sunny, GATHERER Amanda
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 5(1), 2008, pp.33-38.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In this exploratory study, the authors examined the objective and subjective impact of dementia upon paraprofessional paid carers of individuals with Down syndrome working in residential settings. The study used the Caregiver Activities Scale -Intellectual Disabilities (CAS-ID), the Caregiver Difficulties Scale - Intellectual Disabilities (CDS-ID), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Responses given for these measures by paraprofessional carers of individuals with Down syndrome and dementia (n = 9) were compared with responses from those caring for recipients with Down syndrome and no additional cognitive decline (n = 11). No significant differences were found in the responses from these sets of carers on measures of objective (CAS-ID) or subjective burden (CDS-ID). However, the MBI revealed that carers of individuals with Down syndrome and dementia reported significantly increased levels of emotional exhaustion. Findings suggested that, while even when there is little difference in the level of caregiving tasks or the subjective difficulties of caregiving, the onset of dementia in individuals with Down syndrome resulted in increased emotional exhaustion for carers. Additional factors not considered within this study, such as challenging behaviour, may also be pertinent to carer burden.
Staff support, staff stress and job satisfaction in working with people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours
- Authors:
- LEYIN Alan, WAKERLY Eleanor
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 12(4), December 2007, pp.31-41.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In the context of a staff development programme, the relationships between work-related stress, staff support and job satisfaction were explored among staff groups in two residential assessment and treatment facilities for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. Although overall support was relatively high for both formal and informal supports, only the informal supports from colleagues were negatively correlated with ratings of work-related stress. Work-related stress and job satisfaction were shown to be independent factors and thus levels of stress could not be inferred from overall ratings of job satisfaction, or vice versa. The study identified a potentially vulnerable group of staff who reported relatively high job satisfaction but also some degree of stress.