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An initial evaluation of direct care staff resilience workshops in intellectual disabilities services
- Authors:
- INGHAM Barry, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 17(3), 2013, pp.3 214-222.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
The emotional responses to challenging behaviour of direct care staff who support people with intellectual disabilities is thought to be an important mediating factor within the stress experienced by staff and a potential maintaining factor in challenging behaviour. A brief workshop to improve direct care staff resilience was developed and initially evaluated using a measure of emotional reaction to challenging behaviour and a measure of burnout. It was found that negative emotional reactions to challenging behaviour significantly reduced following the workshop, but a measure of burnout did not. This may indicate the usefulness of this intervention with direct care staff in managing their emotional reactions to challenging behaviour. However, further development and evaluation of such interventions with direct care staff is required to explore ways of impacting upon burnout and managing the display of challenging behaviour. (Publisher abstract)
Stress in caregivers of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities: a systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions
- Author:
- O’DONNCHADHA Sean
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(2), 2018, pp.181-192.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for stress and psychological distress in professional caregivers supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) is reviewed. Methods: Eight studies met inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed, including RCTs and single-group designs. Results: As per Reichow, Volkmar, and Cicchetti (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 2008), three studies were classified as “adequate quality” and five were classified as “weak.” There were inconsistent findings in relation to stress, with significant reductions or increases reported by caregivers following MBIs. MBIs consistently improved caregivers’ ratings of distress. Process outcomes suggested increased mindful awareness, increased cognitive defusion and reduced thought suppression. Treatment effects were maintained or continued to grow at follow-up. Conclusions: Caregivers of individuals with IDDs face multiple challenges on a daily basis. This review supports, at least, short-term benefits for MBIs in the management of stress and distress in caregivers of individuals with IDDs. (Publisher abstract)
Psychological and other non-pharmacological interventions in services for people with learning disabilities and dementia
- Author:
- DODD Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, 4(1), March 2010, pp.28-36.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes the current research regarding people with learning disabilities who develop dementia. The author notes that current interest has largely focused on epidemiology, prevalence, assessment and diagnosis, and that there has been less focus on care issues and interventions. Currently, there is a lack of research material, but a growing number of books and resource packs are addressing these issues. The author suggests that psychological and non-pharmacological approaches are useful in services for people with learning disabilities and dementia, but must be delivered in line with a clear conceptual framework of dementia that aids staff in understanding what is happening to the person with dementia and the effect of their care and responses. This paper outlines the most commonly used approaches, including developing an understanding of dementia, anxiety and stress reduction, life story work, reminiscence, reality orientation and validation techniques, helping peers to understand dementia, other therapeutic approaches, and understanding behaviour and dementia care mapping and their impact on the well-being of people with learning disabilities and dementia and the people who support them.
Training staff to manage challenging behaviour
- Authors:
- OORSOUW Wietske M. W. J. van, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23(2), March 2010, pp.192-196.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Prevalence of severe challenging behaviour in individuals with intellectual disabilities is high, with staff consistently indicating this behaviour as being one of the most stressful aspects of their job. This paper describes the development of a training package for staff working with clients presenting challenging behaviour designed to: increase their knowledge regarding challenging behaviour; and to improve the quality of physical intervention techniques. The latter was intended to reduce staff anxiety about dealing with incidents and limit physical risk of injury to both clients and themselves. Sessions concerning theories of challenging behaviour were combined with physical intervention training. Effectiveness was scored using self-assessment questionnaires and observation of staff skills. Training effectiveness was tested in a pre and post test control group design. Findings showed the training programme proved to be effective, where staff knowledge of challenging behaviour and the quality of physical intervention techniques increased significantly. Test scores remained above pre-test levels at follow-up, and staff members evaluated the training positively.
The effect of a family support scheme on maternal mental health of mothers caring for children with mental handicaps
- Author:
- BOSE Ruchira
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 9(1), 1991, pp.2-8.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
Reports on a evaluation of the Canterbury and Thanet Link Family Scheme which provides respite care by volunteer families.
Promoting satisfaction and reducing fatigue: understanding the impact of trauma‐informed organizational culture on psychological wellness among Direct Service Providers
- Author:
- KEESLER John M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(5), 2020, pp.939-949.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are challenged with maintaining a viable workforce of direct support professionals (DSPs). Amid multiple factors, organizational culture based on trauma‐informed care may promote DSP retention through increased satisfaction and decreased fatigue. Method: An online survey was used to gather data from DSPs (n = 380) across seven agencies and two online social media groups. Data were analysed using stepwise regression to identify the relationship between trauma‐informed organizational culture and professional quality of life (i.e., satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress). Results: Trauma‐informed organizational culture was associated with increased DSP psychological wellness. Regression models explained 7.3%–40.5% of the variance in professional quality of life. Conclusions: Although trauma‐informed initiatives have lagged in IDD services, this study provides preliminary evidence to bolster its justification, highlighting it as a possible partial response to the current workforce challenges. (Edited publisher abstract)
Does respite care reduce parental stress in families with developmentally disabled children
- Authors:
- CHAN Jeffrey B., SIGAFOOS Jeff
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Youth Care Forum, 30(5), October 2001, pp.253-263.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Reviews studies that have evaluated the effects of respite care services used by families who have children with developmental disabilities, with an emphasis on parental stress. The results of this review suggest that, at least in the short-term, respite care is associated with significant reductions in parental stress for the majority of parents who use it. However, the number of stories on this issue was relatively small and many studies have significant limitations.