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An audit of the well-being of staff working in intellectual disability settings in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors:
- McMAHON Martin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 25(4), 2020, pp.237-246.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions of people worldwide. Individuals with intellectual disability are at a disproportionate risk of mortality, given the health inequalities they experience. This puts a significant burden of responsibility on staff who support these individuals. Consequently, this study aims to establish a baseline of the well-being of staff working in intellectual disability services in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey was carried out using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, a brief measure of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and a brief measure of anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7). Findings: In total, 285 staff in the Republic of Ireland completed the survey. These staff reported moderate levels of personal and work-related burnout and mild levels of anxiety and depression. Higher mean scores were recorded across scales from staff who worked in independent living settings and from staff who supported individuals with challenging behaviour. Originality/value: This study, an audit, provides initial data on the well-being of staff working with individuals with intellectual disability in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights that employers need to consider staff well-being, given the levels of personal and work-related burnout, and anxiety and depression that were found. This is particularly true for staff who work in independent living settings and with adults with challenging behaviour. Future research should focus on proactive strategies for improving staff well-being in the short term, given the current resurgence of COVID-19 in Ireland. (Edited publisher abstract)
An exploration of care‐burden experienced by older caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland
- Authors:
- EGAN Caroline, DALTON Caroline Teresa
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 47(3), 2019, pp.188-194.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: People with intellectual disabilities are experiencing increased longevity, and in parallel, their family caregivers are also ageing. The literature identifies that these caregivers are at risk of burden. The aim of this study was to measure the level of caregiver burden among older carers of adults with intellectual disabilities in an Irish sample and to analyse the effect of socio‐demographic factors upon experiences of caregiver burden. Materials and Methods: Thirty caregivers completed a survey questionnaire. Data were collected based upon participants’ self‐reports of burden using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and a socio‐demographic questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24. Results: Over 57% of carers indicated a mild‐to‐moderate level of burden. Analysis indicated that younger caregivers experience significantly higher levels of burden, when compared to older caregivers. Conclusions: This study contributes to our understanding of burden among an Irish population of older caregivers supporting an adult with an intellectual disability. It identified that carers do experience burden. The importance of proactive assessments and supports for these caregivers was revealed. This study highlights a lack of Irish research in this area and may pave the way for future research which could build upon its findings. (Edited publisher abstract)
End-of-life care for people with intellectual disabilities: paid carer perspectives
- Authors:
- RYAN Karen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(3), May 2011, pp.199-207.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
An increasing number of intellectual disability staff are now expected to care for service users towards the end-of-life. This study aimed to examine staff experiences of caring for a person with intellectual disabilities with palliative care needs and to explore the effects of this on staff. A total of 64 individuals from intellectual disability services working in different disciplines and a range of work settings took part in 12 focus groups. Interviews were analysed using framework analysis. The findings indicated that the participants were strongly motivated to provide high quality palliative care and felt the experience enriched practice. However, they considered themselves to be inadequately prepared to meet need and this often led to staff stress. A number of issues appeared to heighten stress: situations when end-of-life care decision making was challenging; when staff felt ‘pushed out’ by relatives; and when staff did not have sufficient support or time to provide care or mourn the loss of service users. The study draws attention to areas where strategies should be developed to support staff in order to improve the quality of palliative care provided to people with intellectual disabilities.
Caring for children with learning disabilities: an exploratory study of parental strain and coping
- Authors:
- KENNY Kate, McGILLOWAY Sinead
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 35(4), December 2007, pp.221-228.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Despite recurring concerns about the role and appropriate support of informal carers, little is known about the parental experience of caring for children with learning disabilities in Ireland. This study describes and analyses the nature and consequences of care and coping among parents of children (<16) with learning disabilities living in the Greater Dublin area. Participants (n = 32) completed the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire and an adapted version of the Carers Questionnaire which assessed: care tasks/behavioural difficulties; caregiver attitudes; service provision; and coping strategies. Qualitative analysis examined factors affecting carers’ ability to cope. Participants showed high levels of objective and subjective caregiver strain and most were receiving inadequate support. However, parents employed a range of strategies to help them cope more effectively. The qualitative data highlighted the difficulties and rewards of caregiving and the inadequacies of current service provision.
Exploring fathers’ perceptions of parenting a child with Asperger syndrome
- Authors:
- O'HALLORAN Maeve, SWEENEY John, DOODY Owen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 17(3), 2013, pp.198-213.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
This study explores Irish fathers’ perceptions of parenting a child with Asperger syndrome (AS). Ethical approval was granted by the service provider, and Husserlian phenomenological approach facilitated the exploration. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of nine fathers in the West region of Ireland. Data were transcribed and analysed using Colaizzi’s (1978) method. The study highlighted that parenting a child with AS is an arduous task, but while there are difficulties, many positive aspects to their parenting experience were reported. Overall, the study highlights the importance of listening to parents and their initial concerns regarding their child’s development. (Publisher abstract)
Assessing psychosocial work-related stress across five European countries: implications for workforce development
- Authors:
- DENNY Margaret, WELLS John, CUNNINGHAM Jennifer
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 6(2), 2011, pp.93-103.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The European Union's social and employment policy emphasises that member states should develop workforce development policies that combat work-related stress. However there is little comparative information on the nature of psychosocial job strain and the experiences of staff working in the vocational rehabilitative sector in mental health and intellectual disabilities. This paper reports the findings of a small-scale study, using a cross-sectional job content questionnaire (JCQ) and focus groups, to explore psychosocial job stress among managers and support workers in five European countries. Findings from the JCQ showed that just under 20 percent of the sample exhibited symptoms of job stress. The focus groups identified the key stressors as: balancing work demands with time available to carry out tasks; poor communication within organisations; and feeling unsupported in one's work. As a result of this work, which is part of the Reducing Occupational Stress Employment Project (ROSE), it was found that there are no national or European data collected upon which to base effective interventions to combat occupational stress and no effective mechanisms in the workplace to deal with occupational stress for professionals working in this sector. Based on the findings, a web site was developed that provides information to managers, trainers, and support workers to manage personal and organisational stressors and raise awareness of the issue.