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Predictors of worker mental health in intellectual disability services during COVID-19
- Authors:
- LUNSKY Yona, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34(6), 2021, pp.1655-1660.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Workers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities experience significant stress in their essential role during COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of these workers and determine predictors of emotional distress. Methods: Eight hundred and thirty-eight workers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities completed an online survey about their work during COVID-19 and their mental health in July 2020. Results: One in four workers reported moderate to severe emotional distress. Being older and more experienced, having counselling services available through one's agency, and engaging in regular exercise or hobbies outside work were associated with less distress. Workers who reported increased stress in the workplace, stigma towards their families because of their job, personal fears about spreading COVID-19, and receipt of medications for mental health conditions or therapy reported greater distress. Conclusions: More attention is needed to address the mental health of workers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities as they continue their essential work during the pandemic. (Edited publisher abstract)
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)
Staff morale in day care centres for adults with intellectual disabilities
- Author:
- MASCHA Katerina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20(3), May 2007, pp.191-199.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Levels of burnout, job satisfaction and intended turnover of staff working in day care centres for adults with intellectual disabilities are investigated in relation to role clarity, staff support and supervision, and coping strategies used by staff. Thirty six direct-care staff of four day care centres in the West Midlands UK were administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory, The Staff Support Questionnaire (SSQ), and The Shortened Ways of Coping (Revised) Questionnaire (SWC-R). Although staff reported high levels of job satisfaction, they experienced moderate degrees of emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment and reported a high propensity to leave the service. Factors identified as relating to staff morale were staff support and supervision, role clarity, wishful thinking, staff cooperation, and other practical issues regarding the day-to-day running of the service. Staff in day care services for people with intellectual disabilities experience similar stressors to those experienced by staff in residential facilities with the informal culture of the service being of most importance to staff morale. Suggestions for the enhancement of staff morale are provided.
Attitudes of direct care staff towards external professionals, team climate and psychological wellbeing: a pilot study
- Authors:
- ROSE John, AHUJA Apinder Kaur, JONES Christopher
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 10(2), June 2006, pp.105-120.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Relationships with external professionals may be an important factor in the psychological wellbeing of care staff. A questionnaire to measure team climate and staff wellbeing was developed, tested and revised. Seventy-two direct care staff completed the revised questionnaire, which had acceptable levels of internal consistency. Significant correlations were found between care staff attitudes towards professionals and levels of team climate and psychological wellbeing. The pattern of relationships was explored by path analysis. Further work is needed on the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. There is a clear association between attitudes to professionals and team climate and between some aspects of climate and psychological wellbeing. Professionals should adopt collaborative ways of working based on problem-solving approaches with staff teams, with the aim of delivering improved quality of care to residents.
Staff stress and morale in community-based settings for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour: a brief report
- Authors:
- ROBERTSON Janet, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 18(3), September 2005, pp.271-277.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study looked at stress, morale and intended job turnover in staff in two types of community-based residential supports: non-congregate settings where the minority of residents have challenging behaviour; and congregate settings where the majority of residents have challenging behaviour. A self-completion survey questionnaire was used to collect information on the basic characteristics of staff, levels of staff stress, job satisfaction and propensity to leave their employment. One hundred and fifty-seven questionnaires were returned from staff, the majority of whom were on fixed-term contracts. Congregate settings were not associated with higher levels of stress as might be assumed. Overall, over a quarter of staff reached criterion on the General Health Questionnaire-12 for experiencing emotional distress, and over a third were likely to actively seek new employment in the next year. The greatest perceived sources of stress were lack of resources and lack of staff support. The lowest level of satisfaction was with the rate of pay. Those in non-congregate settings reported greater perceived stress because of lack of procedures to deal with challenging behaviour. The authors concluded that high levels of intended staff turnover may be more due to job insecurity and lack of support than service user challenging behaviour. Employers seeking to reduce turnover should pay attention to basic pay and conditions, as well as staff training in appropriate methods for dealing with challenging behaviour.