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Perspectives on psychotropic medication treatment among young adults formerly served in public systems of care: a thematic and narrative analysis
- Authors:
- NARENDORF Sarah Carter, MUNSON Michelle R., FLOERSCH Jerry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 6(1), 2015, pp.121-143.
- Publisher:
- Society for Social Work and Research
This study examines the perspectives of psychotropic medications held by young adults with mood disorder diagnoses. The article presents an analysis of qualitative interviews with 52 young adults who had been involved with public systems of care during adolescence and had used psychotropic medications. The research involved a thematic analysis across cases, then a narrative analysis within selected cases. Two main themes emerged from the thematic analysis. First, young adults described the effects of the medications and how they thought the medications were working. They described the impact on their moods, thinking, bodies, and functioning, and the ways in which these effects related to their lives. Second, the process of taking medications emerged as an important aspect of the medication treatment experience, including the trial-and-error nature of treatment and interactions with psychiatrists. The narrative analysis within cases identified that some youth created a medication narrative composed of three elements: why medications were needed, what medications do, and participants' outlook on future medication use. These narratives are helpful in understanding prior patterns of service use and are instructive in framing young people's future intentions to use medications. Findings support the importance of eliciting the perspectives of young adults about their treatment and ensuring that services are designed and delivered in developmentally appropriate ways tailored to this group. (Edited publisher abstract)
Knowledge of and attitudes towards behavioral health services among older youth in the foster care system
- Authors:
- MUNSON Michelle R., NARENDORF Sarah Carter, McMILLEN J. Curtis
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 28(2), April 2011, pp.97-112.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This study examined knowledge of and attitudes toward services among 268 17-year olds with psychiatric diagnoses preparing to exit foster care. A structured interview assessed knowledge of services with vignette scenarios and attitudes with a standardized scale. Descriptive statistics described the extent of knowledge and attitudes among this population and regression analyses examined predictors of these dimensions of literacy. Most youth suggested a help source, but responses often lacked specificity. Gender and depression were the strongest predictors of knowledge and attitudes, respectively. Knowing which aspects of literacy are low, and for whom, can inform education efforts to improve access to care in adulthood.
Intersection of homelessness and mental health: a mixed methods study of young adults who accessed psychiatric emergency services
- Author:
- NARENDORF Sarah Carter
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 81, 2017, pp.54-62.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Young adults who experience homelessness have high rates of mental disorders, yet low rates of outpatient mental health service use. This mixed methods study examined the intersection of homelessness and mental health in a sample of 54 young adults (ages 18–25) who were hospitalised on a short-term, inpatient psychiatric unit. Nearly half (n = 26) reported being homeless in the prior year and more than a quarter were homeless at the time of admission (n = 15). Qualitative analyses identified key factors that contributed to both mental health problems and homelessness including disrupted support networks, fragile family relationships, foster care involvement, substance use and traumatic events. Homelessness was both a facilitator and a barrier to successfully accessing mental health services to manage mental health symptoms. Findings highlight the interconnection of homelessness and mental health and their common relationship with additional underlying risk factors. Providers across service settings need to recognise the overlap of client populations and provide integrated, trauma informed care to address housing instability, mental health, and substance use together. (Publisher abstract)
Managing moods and parenting: perspectives of former system youth who struggle with emotional challenges
- Authors:
- NARENDORF Sarah Carter, MUNSON Michelle R., LEVINGSTON Fredreka
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 35(12), 2013, p.1979–1987.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Young adults who were served in public systems of care as children are much more likely than their peers to be parenting in adolescence and young adulthood. They are also more likely than their counterparts to have a history of mental health problems. This study examined the perspectives of young adult parents with mood problems who had been involved in public systems of care before age 18. Qualitative interviews with twenty-eight participants were analyzed to examine the experience of managing moods and parenting. Young parents described how their symptoms impact their parenting and how parenting impacts their coping. They also described the strengths and challenges of using mental health services while parenting. Findings highlight the need to provide interventions that include supports for both parenting and symptom management and for providers to include both tangible and emotional support in their interventions. (Publisher abstract)