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The development of culturally-sensitive measures for research on ageing
- Author:
- INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 31(3), April 2011, pp.355-370.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article examines the problem of importing existing measures developed in other countries when creating research instruments for use with older people. These measures often fail to address any cultural aspects present. The article discusses a mixed-methods approach to measurement that incorporates input from older adults in Thailand for whom the measure is intended. Using 44 people in 5 focus groups and 23 in-depth interviews, the process begins with an identification of the culturally-meaningful domains of the construct under study. Then, input is gathered from other studies, before a preliminary quantitative measure is developed. Finally, the measure is reviewed by a panel of experts. Based on further pre-testing and cognitive interviews with older people, the measure is again modified. Subsequently, the measure is incorporated into a large-scale survey and tested for its psychometric qualities. In addition to providing a template for culturally-sensitive measurement development in gerontology, this article also examines issues that researchers should consider when attempting the development of such measures.
Enhancing forgiveness: a group intervention for the elderly
- Authors:
- INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, CAMPBELL Ruth, HA Jung-Hwa
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52(1), January 2009, pp.2-16.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
When older people reminisce about the past, powerful feelings of anger, sadness and betrayal can emerge that have significant mental health implications. This paper describes a therapeutic model of forgiveness developed by Enright and discusses its applicability to a social work intervention in which 20 people (mostly women and all White) aged 57-82 participated in two different forgiveness groups which met weekly for eight sessions, with a four-month follow-up session. Measures of forgiveness and biopsychosocial functioning were taken before and after the intervention, The results showed that participants experienced long term improvement in forgiveness and depression, and short term improvement in physical health, but no improvement in anxiety or social support. The implications for social workers are discussed.
Social isolation loneliness among LGBT older adults: lessons learned from a pilot friendly caller program
- Authors:
- PERONE Angela K., INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, WATKINS-DUKHIE Keisha
- Journal article citation:
- Clinical Social Work Journal, 48(1), 2020, pp.126-139.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ +) older adults face heightened risks of social isolation, given decades of discrimination. Research on telephone buddy programs with non-LGBTQ + participants has proved predominantly unsuccessful at addressing social isolation. However, evidence suggests that LGBTQ + adults may actually benefit from telephone buddy programs and in ways uniquely different from other groups. This article shares lessons learned from 35 participants across a 12-month pilot program that matched LGBTQ + older adults to mostly LGBTQ + volunteer callers of various ages. Over one-third of participants identified as people of color and over 20% as transgender or gender nonbinary. This project employed community-based participatory action research to identify, implement, and evaluate the program. Data includes information from questionnaires and telephone interviews prior to and during the program. Nearly all participants identified the importance of LGBTQ + community in addressing social isolation and loneliness. Intergenerational matches also provided promising findings for making connections. While the project aimed to capture two groups (LGBTQ + older adults experiencing isolation and volunteer callers providing support), the project revealed a third group: LGBTQ + older adults at risk of social isolation. This third group usually emerged among the “Volunteer” callers who identified concerns about their own social isolation. The persistence of structural barriers also required the program to adapt to best meet participant needs. This article concludes with lessons learned and clinical implications for social workers who are addressing social isolation and loneliness among LGBTQ + older adults. (Publisher abstract)
Mindfulness-based forgiveness groups for older adults
- Authors:
- FOULK Mariko A., INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, FITZGERALD James
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 60(8), 2017, pp.661-675.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Interventions that enable individuals to be more forgiving toward themselves and others are important for older adults. This article describes a group intervention for adults aged 60 or older that integrates forgiveness-related skills with a mindfulness approach. The Mindfulness-based Forgiveness Group was designed to meet for eight sessions. The skills taught included: recognising one’s own expectations and unenforceable rules, broadening one’s perspectives about the context of the transgression, and discovering positive intentions through exercises as well as a variety of meditations to cultivate mindfulness, self-compassion and forgiveness. Data from five Mindfulness-Based Forgiveness Groups were collected. Based on pre- and post-test measures, analyses indicate that participants improved significantly in relation to forgiveness, mindfulness/self-compassion, and mental health. Using qualitative post-test data from participants, the authors identify elements of the intervention that appear to be helpful. Suggestions are provided for social workers seeking to replicate and build upon this promising intervention. (Edited publisher abstract)
Constructing couples’ stories: narrative practice insights from a dyadic dementia intervention
- Authors:
- SCHERRER Kristin S., INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, SPENCER Beth
- Journal article citation:
- Clinical Social Work Journal, 42(1), 2014, pp.90-100.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Memory loss and dementia can be devastating for both caregivers and care recipients. Narrative therapeutic approaches offer promise, as well as challenges, for social interventions with couples where one partner has dementia. The Couples Life Story Approach is a recently-developed method by which practitioners work with such couples to help them narrate the story of their life together. This narrative approach is augmented by mementoes (e.g., photos, cards) that are collected by the couple during the intervention. Significant memories are elicited from both partners and developed into a Life Story Book. Drawing on data from this clinical research intervention with 20 older couples, we ask: What are some of the challenges of conducting narrative-based therapeutic interventions with older couples with memory loss? Clinical themes were identified utilising a multiple case study approach during weekly team meetings. Six of the most prominent themes are presented here. Specifically, how to: (1) construct a narrative from disparate stories, (2) tell a mutual story, (3) tell the story of a couple that has been in a shorter relationship, (4) incorporate others in the story, (5) include difficult life moments, and, (6) end the story. Within each theme, the authors utilise case examples to illuminate relevant issues and describe strategies that were developed to resolve these clinical challenges. Implications for practitioners and clinical researchers who are engaged in dyadic interventions are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Moderators in the relationship between social contact and psychological distress among widowed adults
- Authors:
- HA Jung-Hwa, INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 15(3), April 2011, pp.354-363.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Widowhood is an extremely stressful life event that brings significant social changes to the surviving spouse. This study examined the effect of widowed persons' frequency of contact with friends and relatives on their depressive and grief symptoms 6 months following spousal loss. It also examined the extent to which the effects of social contact are contingent upon the degree of emotional support received from these relationships and the congruence between preferred and actual levels of social contact. Data was taken from the Changing Lives of Older Couples study, a prospective study of 1532 married men and women aged 65 or older. The participants were 209 widowed persons who were interviewed both at baseline and at 6 months after spousal death. Depressive and grief symptoms were regressed on social contact, support, and congruence between preferred and actual social contact. The results found that frequency of contact did not have a significant influence on psychological distress when contextual factors are controlled. Social support and the incongruence between preferred and actual social contact were significantly associated with decreased psychological distress. Those who had high social contact and high social support experienced less anger and fewer intrusive thoughts, and those who had low social contact but preferred high social contact experienced greater anger. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the quality of widowed persons' relationships as well as the congruence between their preferred and actual social contact.
Intergenerational ambivalence: aging mothers whose adult daughters are mentally ill
- Authors:
- INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 92(1), January 2011, pp.114-119.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
Aging mothers with adult daughters who are mentally ill may be particularly susceptible to feelings of ambivalence. This paper uses intergenerational ambivalence theory as a framework for understanding the mixed expectations of mothers toward adult daughters who are mentally ill, as well as their efforts to reconcile these expectations. The study comprised interviews with a sample of 22 mothers aged 52–90 who had been dealing with their daughters’ mental illness for many years. The analyses focus on open-ended questions pertaining to the mother-daughter relationship. The aging mothers expressed considerable sociological ambivalence in relation to their grown daughters. A consistent issue was the conflict between supporting their daughters while simultaneously expecting them to be as independent as possible. Four strategies of managing ambivalence were identified: excusing behaviours; reducing expectations; adjusting help-giving; and confronting. The implications are that practitioners should assess for intergenerational ambivalence in their therapeutic work with aging parents, help them identify their ambivalence management strategies, and assess the extent to which these strategies are adaptive.
Measuring psychological well-being: insights from Thai elders
- Authors:
- INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 44(5), October 2004, pp.596-604.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Psychological well-being, an important indicator of successful aging, may be conceptualized quite differently across cultures. Using a mixed-methods approach, we developed a measure of psychological well-being based on the indigenous expertise of Thai elders. Data were collected from older people in Thailand in four stages with staggered qualitative and quantitative methods: individual and focus group interviews (n = 67); a preliminary survey (n = 477); cognitive interviews (n = 30); and a second survey (n = 460). We analyzed the resulting psychological well-being items to identify their underlying factor structure and psychometric properties. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that psychological well-being has two components: intrapersonal and interpersonal. The subscales for this measure have adequate reliability and validity. This research provides evidence for cultural variability in the nature of psychological well-being and highlights the importance of developing measures that are culturally relevant.
A systematic review of dyadic approaches to reminiscence and life review among older adults
- Authors:
- INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 23(9), 2019, pp.1074-1085.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: This paper describes a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies that examine the effectiveness of dyadic approaches to life review and reminiscence. Methods: The search process began with 1,056 potentially eligible articles and, after a multi-step screening process, led to 20 full-text articles for review. Results: The resulting studies (ten quantitative, nine qualitative, and one mixed-method) comprised six different kinds of dyadic approaches. There are a combination of benefits and problems associated with dyadic life review and reminiscence approaches. Conclusions: This review provides initial understanding of the impact of life review and reminiscence when care recipients and caregivers participate in the intervention together. Future clinical studies on dyadic approaches to life review and reminiscence should provide clearer descriptions of their protocols, include more consistent measures (incorporating in-the-moment measures), and involve populations of healthy older adults and their partners as well as those with cognitive impairment. The inclusion of qualitative studies helps interpret the diverse results reported in the quantitative studies and highlights key themes related to participating in dyadic interventions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Support for and from aging mothers whose adult daughters are seriously mentally ill
- Authors:
- DUNKLE Ruth E., INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, CHADIHA Letha A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(6), 2015, pp.90-612.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article discusses, from the grandmother’s perspective, the ways in which support is exchanged in families coping with serious mental illness. A strengths perspective was utilised to identify ways in which family members help each other. Employing a qualitative approach, this study focuses on interviews obtained from a sample of 22 ageing mothers, aged 52–90, who are in contact with their daughters who have a mental illness. Grandmothers provided several kinds of support to their mentally ill adult daughters and to their grandchildren, who also supported the ageing mother in numerous ways. As social workers seek to assist individuals with mental illness, it is important to assess the existing strengths of their intergenerational family context. (Edited publisher abstract)