Search results for ‘Subject term:"physical disabilities"’ Sort:
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The importance of hope in coping with severe acquired disability
- Author:
- DORSETT Pat
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 63(1), March 2010, pp.83-102.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Traditionally, adjustment to a serious injury such as spinal cord injury has been conceptualised as staged grieving process. Hope, in this tradition, is commonly defined as denial and considered counterproductive to positive adjustment. However, these concepts are challenged by the observation that hope is a common expression even in the face of extremely confronting physical, social and environmental challenges following spinal cord injury. This paper presents qualitative data about the role of hope from the perspective of the person with spinal cord injury and considers the theoretical and clinical aspects of hope in the coping process. The data presented are a subset of data from a 10 year longitudinal study of a sample of 46 people with spinal cord injury. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted at discharge from hospital, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months post-discharge and again at 10 years post discharge. Results showed that 73% of the participants identified hope as an essential factor that helped them cope following their injury. Three main foci of hope emerged from the data set: hope for a complete recovery; hope for a cure; and hope for a satisfying quality of life. Hope emerged as a strong theme in the overall adjustment and coping process. Clinical implications for working with people who sustain spinal cord injury are discussed. It is recommended that interventions that support and facilitate hope need to be developed and tested.
Is parental coping associated with the level of function in children with physical disabilities?
- Authors:
- CAVALLO S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 35(1), January 2009, pp.33-40.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The objectives of this study are: (1) to describe parental coping in a cohort of children with physical disabilities (PDs); (2) to determine whether the child's level of function is associated with parental coping; and (3) to explore whether socio-demographic factors such as child's age, maternal education and family structure are associated with parental coping. Parents of 150 children with PDs were interviewed after being referred to community rehabilitation services in a Canadian hospital. They answered the following: the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, the Functional Independence Measure for children (WeeFIM) and a study questionnaire that addressed socio-demographic characteristics. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the association between level of function and other factors and parental coping. Parental coping scores, measured by the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, indicated that the parents in the study found seeking out social support from community resources useful. Parents of children with moderate to severe dysfunction in mobility (WeeFIM) found coping behaviours related to communicating with the healthcare professionals regarding their child's condition useful. Greater perceived usefulness of maintaining social support through community resources was associated with lower maternal education, working parents and two-parent families. These findings underscore the importance of helping parents of children with PDs maintain social support. It is important to help parents understand their child's medical situation, especially those whose children have more severe mobility dysfunction.
Coping strategies as predictors of psychosocial adaptation in a sample of elderly veterans with acquired lower limb amputations
- Authors:
- DESMOND Deidre, MacLACHLAN Malcolm
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 62(1), January 2006, pp.208-216.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study examines the contribution of demographic/amputation-related variables and coping strategies to the prediction of psychosocial adaptation in veterans with acquired lower limb amputations. Multiple indicators of the psychosocial adjustment of 796 individuals in the UK aged between 26–92 years with lower limb amputations were assessed. Hierarchical linear regressions were performed to investigate relationships between demographic/amputation-related variables (i.e. age, time since amputation, amputation level and amputation aetiology), the dimensions of coping (namely problem solving, seeking social support and avoidance) and self-reported adaptation to amputation, as well as symptoms of intrusion, anxiety and depression. Results indicated that coping styles were important predictors of psychosocial adaptation. Avoidance was strongly associated with psychological distress and poor adjustment. In contrast, problem solving was negatively associated with depressive and anxious symptomatology whereas seeking social support was negatively associated with symptoms of depression and positively associated with social adaptation. These findings suggest the potential for interventions designed to promote particular coping strategies to improve psychosocial outcomes.
Coping strategies used by people with a major hand injury: a review of the literature
- Authors:
- BATES Elena, MASON Rosmarie
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(6), 2014, pp.289-295.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction: The hand is a highly specialized part of the body used to perform many functions. Injury causing permanent change affects a person biologically, psychologically, and socially. This literature review aims to study coping strategies that people adopt in order to deal with a major hand injury. Method: A qualitative literature search was carried out using relevant databases. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied, which resulted in eight appropriate papers. Each one was critically appraised and analysed in a narrative way for patterns, consistencies, and variance. Findings: Coping strategies were found to alter over time. In the short term, strategies employed included avoidance, processing the trauma experience, seeking assistance, and maintaining control. In the long term, strategies included acceptance/resignation, resuming occupations, and adjusting occupational roles. Recommendations for intervention included addressing psychosocial impacts, involving significant others in therapy, and incorporating occupational adaptation. Conclusion: The effectiveness of coping strategies depends on the individual and their unique circumstances; hand therapists must work in a holistic and client-centred way to find effective strategies that meet the individual's needs. This involves addressing psychosocial and functional adaptation, as well as physical rehabilitation. (Publisher abstract)
Exploring occupational adaptation through the lives of women with multiple sclerosis
- Authors:
- CAHILL Mairead, CONNOLLY Deirdre, STAPLETON Tadhg
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(3), March 2010, pp.106-115.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects people's physical capabilities and the lives of people with MS are constantly changing (Finlayson et al 2005), yet how people adapt to the disease from an occupational perspective has received little attention. This study explored the occupational adaptation of women with MS. Seven women with MS were recruited from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland. Each participant completed the Modified Interest Checklist (Kielhofner and Neville 1983), the Role Checklist (Oakley et al 1985) and the Occupational Questionnaire (Smith et al 1986). Qualitative data were also collected, using the Occupational Performance History Interview - II (Kielhofner et al 2004). Three main themes emerged: the impact of MS on (i) performance capacity, (ii) roles and (iii) interests. The participants adapted by performing interests and roles differently and developing new meaningful interests and roles that were congruent with their performance capacity. The findings highlight the importance of having an understanding of the impact of different types of MS on the occupational adaptation process. A greater understanding will facilitate occupational therapists in enabling people with MS to adapt to their condition by engaging in meaningful occupations throughout the lifespan.
Why do we need a diagnosis?: a qualitative study of parents’ experiences, coping and needs, when the newborn child is severely disabled
- Authors:
- GRAUNGAARD A. H., SKOV L.
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 33(3), May 2007, pp.296-307.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Communication with parents who are realizing their child is severely disabled is a difficult task for professionals. Parents are experiencing great emotional stress during the diagnostic process and dissatisfaction with disclosure is widespread. The aim of this study was to investigate parents’ reactions when realizing their child’s disability, the impact of the diagnosis and parents’ ways of coping. This was a qualitative, longitudinal study, using in-depth interviews with 16 parents of a physically and mentally disabled child who had recently been diagnosed as such. Children’s age at inclusion ranged from 1 to 27 months. Half of the children had an unknown diagnosis. Data were analysed using the Grounded Theory method. Results were validated and approved by the interviewed parents. The certainty of the diagnosis was central for parents’ experiences. First, the emotional reaction of the parents is highly influenced by the diagnostic process. Second, parents needed possibilities for taking action, and third they found difficulty in coping with an uncertain future. These three themes all related to the meaning that parents ascribed to the stating of a diagnosis. Parents’ needs in relation to communication were identified as equality in co-operation with doctors, an empathic professional approach, and the child being seen with possibilities despite his or her disabilities. Parents’ process of realization was related to the diagnostic process, and information and communication should be individualized accordingly. Parents wanted to co-operate and they needed possibilities for active coping with their situation.
Workplace stress, burnout and coping: a qualitative study of the experiences of Australian disability support workers
- Authors:
- JUDD Megan J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 25(3), 2017, pp.1109-1117.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this study was to explore disability support workers' (DSWs) perceptions of enjoyable and challenging aspects of disability support work, sources of stress and burnout and the strategies they use to cope when these issues arise. Twelve DSWs workers providing support for adults living with intellectual and physical disabilities were interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed a superordinate theme of ‘Balance’ comprising three sub-themes: 'Balancing Negatives and Positives', 'Periods of Imbalance', and 'Strategies to Reclaim Balance'. Participants spoke of the rewarding and uplifting times in their job such as watching a client learn new skills and being shown appreciation. These moments were contrasted by emotionally and physically draining aspects of their work, including challenging client behaviour, earning a low income, and having limited power to make decisions. Participants described periods of imbalance, wherein the negatives of their job outweighed the positives, resulting in stress and sometimes burnout. Participants often had to actively seek support and tended to rely on their own strategies to manage stress. Findings suggest that organisational support together with workplace interventions that support DSWs to perceive the positive aspects of their work, such as acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches, may help to limit experiences of stress and burnout. The further development and evaluation of emotion-focused workplace therapies, and interventions that consider organisational (macro) factors is suggested. (Edited publisher abstract)
Spouses of persons with spinal cord injury: impact and coping
- Authors:
- BEAUREGARD Line, NOREAU Luc
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 40(6), September 2010, pp.1945-1959.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on spouses. Twenty-four spouses (18 women and 6 men) of persons with SCI were interviewed individually using broad, open-ended questions prompting the respondents to describe the impact of the partner’s disability on their life. Analysing the interviews revealed that the impact of SCI is focused primarily on three main areas: leisure, domestic tasks and family responsibilities, and sexuality. Spouses apply several strategies to overcome the difficulties they encounter, such as setting aside time for hobbies without the spouse, hiring staff to reduce the increased task load, reshuffling roles to coincide with the capabilities of the person with the spinal cord injury, and maintaining open, honest communication with one's spouse on the topic of sexuality. The article concludes that these techniques, implemented and proven by these spouses, can be used as courses of action for clinical practitioners who work with spouses of people with disabilities in order to help them achieve a healthy balance in their life.
A contextual analysis of caregivers of children with disabilities
- Author:
- WASHINGTON Leon
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19(5), July 2009, pp.554-571.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Caring for children with disabilities takes an excessive amount of time and energy and places the carers under extreme stress, and often results in the family’s financial resources, personal well-being, self identity, and social networks being negatively affected, which in many cases, places the child at risk for maltreatment. This study explored the issues a caregiver faces when caring for his or her child, specifically the contextual factors that might affect a caregiver’s adaptation process that could possibly lead to maltreatment. In this contextual analysis, seven caregivers of children with moderate-to-severe disabilities completed a questionnaire, were interviewed individually, and assisted the researcher in constructing an ‘ecomap’ of their current living environment. Discussing subjects such as support from family and friends, stress, and spirituality, content from the interviews was analysed and several themes developed from the data, notably relationships between the carers and others within the family and greater community, leading to social isolation. Implications for clinical practice and future research ideas are discussed.
The health of caregivers for children with disabilities: caregiver perspectives
- Authors:
- MURPHY N. A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 33(2), March 2007, pp.180-187.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
There are an estimated 5.9 million children with severe disabilities in the USA, and most of them are cared for at home by their parents and families. Indirect evidence suggests that poor caregiver health may contribute to recurrent hospitalizations and out-of-home placements for children with chronic conditions and disabilities. Greater knowledge of caregiver health-related needs would allow for the improvement of existing services and the development of new strategies to sustain caregivers in their vital roles. This study explores caregiver perspectives of the health implications of long-term informal caregiving for children with disabilities. Forty parents/caregivers of children with disabilities residing in urban, suburban and rural regions of Utah completed questionnaires and participated in focus groups that explored their feelings regarding their current physical and emotional health and the factors that they viewed as either impairing or promoting their health. The sessions were audiotaped and transcribed. Summary statistics were generated for the questionnaire responses. Focus group content was analysed according to emerging themes and patterns in clusters of information. The caregiving experience was captured by five themes: (i) stress of caregiving; (ii) negative impact on caregiver health; (iii) sharing the burden; (iv) worry about the future; and (v) caregiver coping strategies. Forty-one per cent of the caregivers reported that their health had worsened over the past year, and attributed these changes to a lack of time, a lack of control and decreased psychosocial energy. Caregivers of children with disabilities describe negative physical, emotional and functional health consequences of long-term, informal caregiving. They have important insights regarding those aspects of caregiving that have positive and negative influences on their health. Interventions that address these issues may have the potential to positively impact caregiver health.