Clinical Social Work Journal, 46(3), 2018, pp.228-235.
Publisher:
Springer
Place of publication:
New York
While it is widely acknowledged that providing services to traumatized populations may negatively impact the mental health of clinicians, little is known about the impact of exposure to traumatized clients and secondary traumatic stress on the physical health status of clinicians. As such, the twofold purpose of this study was to: (1) document the prevalence of STS in a national (US) sample...
(Edited publisher abstract)
While it is widely acknowledged that providing services to traumatized populations may negatively impact the mental health of clinicians, little is known about the impact of exposure to traumatized clients and secondary traumatic stress on the physical health status of clinicians. As such, the twofold purpose of this study was to: (1) document the prevalence of STS in a national (US) sample of clinical social workers, and (2) to examine the relationships between exposure to client trauma, STS, and perceived health of clinical social workers. Specifically, we sought to determine if STS mediates the relationship between exposure to client traumas and perceived health. Results indicate clinicians experience intrusion symptoms most frequently, and a significant portion report arousal and avoidance symptoms. Mediation analyses revealed that exposure to traumatized client populations indirectly influenced clinical social workers’ physical health perceptions by way of secondary traumatic stress. Findings call for increased attention toward prevention and amelioration of secondary traumatic stress symptomology among direct service providers, given both its prevalence and potential impact on physical health. Directions for future research are discussed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social workers, traumas, social work, stress, health;
Social Work in Health Care, 57(3), 2018, pp.190-205.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Objective: Despite the significance of ethical issues faced by social workers, research on moral distress among social workers has been extremely limited. The aim of the current study is to describe the development and content validation of a unique questionnaire to measure moral distress among social workers in long-term care facilities for older adults in Israel. Methods: The construction of the questionnaire was based on a secondary analysis of a qualitative study that addressed the moral dilemma of social workers in nursing homes in Israel. A content validation included review and evaluation by two experts, a cognitive interview with a nursing home social worker, and three focus groups of experts and the target population. Results: The initial questionnaire consisted of 25 items. After the content validation process the questionnaire in its final version, consisted of 17 items and included two scales, measuring the frequency of morally loaded events and the intensity of distress that followed them. Conclusions: We believe that the questionnaire can contribute by broadening and deepening ethics discourse and research, with regard to social workers’ obligation dilemmas and conflicts.
(Publisher abstract)
Objective: Despite the significance of ethical issues faced by social workers, research on moral distress among social workers has been extremely limited. The aim of the current study is to describe the development and content validation of a unique questionnaire to measure moral distress among social workers in long-term care facilities for older adults in Israel. Methods: The construction of the questionnaire was based on a secondary analysis of a qualitative study that addressed the moral dilemma of social workers in nursing homes in Israel. A content validation included review and evaluation by two experts, a cognitive interview with a nursing home social worker, and three focus groups of experts and the target population. Results: The initial questionnaire consisted of 25 items. After the content validation process the questionnaire in its final version, consisted of 17 items and included two scales, measuring the frequency of morally loaded events and the intensity of distress that followed them. Conclusions: We believe that the questionnaire can contribute by broadening and deepening ethics discourse and research, with regard to social workers’ obligation dilemmas and conflicts.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social workers, questionnaire design, stress, ethics, long term care;
Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 43(2), 2018, pp.137-151.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
...2 questionnaires, the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Scales and the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress – Friedrich’s Short Form, and participated in in-depth, semistructured interviews, which were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Parents expressed that improved knowledge and awareness of FASD from healthcare professionals, teachers, and society as a whole would
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background: This paper aims to build upon the experience of family adaptation and to describe one unique stressor experienced by adoptive parents of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) that may hinder successful family adaptation. Method: Fifty-one adoptive parents of children with FASD from 36 families in Ontario, Canada, participated in a mixed methods study. Parents completed 2 questionnaires, the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Scales and the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress – Friedrich’s Short Form, and participated in in-depth, semistructured interviews, which were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Parents expressed that improved knowledge and awareness of FASD from healthcare professionals, teachers, and society as a whole would help in their adaptation to raising their children with FASD. Specifically, parents discussed the lack of recognition of the symptoms of FASD, the lack of understanding about what a diagnosis of FASD means, and the need to promote better messages of prevention. Conclusions: The findings display a clear need for more supports for families, particularly in the area of increasing public and professional knowledge about the realities of raising a child with FASD.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
foetal alcohol syndrome, families, stress, information needs, parents;
Aging and Mental Health, 22(11), 2018, pp.1424-1431.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
...a demographic questionnaire, Caregiver Burden Interview, Brief COPE inventory and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL). Results: The majority of participants (71%) reported high levels of caregiver burden, moderate to low levels of the compassion fatigue concepts of burnout (59.5%) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) (50%), and moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (82.7%). Regression analyses showed
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objectives: Caregiving results in both positive and negative outcomes for caregivers. The purpose of this study was to examine compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction in family caregivers. Methods: Using a cross sectional descriptive survey design with a convenience sample, 168 family caregivers of individuals with chronic illness completed a web-based survey. Measures included a demographic questionnaire, Caregiver Burden Interview, Brief COPE inventory and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL). Results: The majority of participants (71%) reported high levels of caregiver burden, moderate to low levels of the compassion fatigue concepts of burnout (59.5%) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) (50%), and moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (82.7%). Regression analyses showed that caregiver burden, time caregiving, coping, social support, and caregiving demands explained a total variance of 57.1%, F(11,119) = 14.398, p < .00 in burnout and a total variance of 56%, F(11, 119) = 13.64, p < .00 in STS. Specifically, behavioural disengagement is a predicator that may indicate early compassion fatigue. Conclusion: Findings suggest that despite high caregiver burden and moderate compassion fatigue, family caregivers are able to provide care and find satisfaction in the role. This study supports the use of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction as alternative or additional outcomes to consider in future research.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
carers, informal care, qualitative research, compassion, stress, outcomes;
ADAMS Emma, HASSETT Alexander R., LUMSDEN Virginia
Journal article citation:
Adoption and Fostering, 42(4), 2018, pp.338-353.
Publisher:
Sage
Research has highlighted the many challenges that foster carers face in caring for children who have experienced adversity and has charted a growing mismatch between the numbers of children needing placements and the availability of carers. This review synthesises and evaluates the current empirical evidence on the causes and consequences of stress experienced by foster carers and the factors...
(Publisher abstract)
Research has highlighted the many challenges that foster carers face in caring for children who have experienced adversity and has charted a growing mismatch between the numbers of children needing placements and the availability of carers. This review synthesises and evaluates the current empirical evidence on the causes and consequences of stress experienced by foster carers and the factors that lessen or increase it. PsychINFO, ASSIA, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies, 15 of which met the specific inclusion criteria. The factors identified included both system variables, such as working in a wider service framework, and individual ones, such as children’s behaviour. One consequence of this stress was reduced foster carer retention. Scrutiny of the papers also revealed methodological issues related to sampling, research design and cultural variability. Topics for future research were identified, especially an analysis of the perspectives of people involved in the system around foster carers, such as social workers and the carers’ birth children. Clinical implications were also highlighted, most notably the promotion and provision of effective training and support and the development of integrated ways of working with services and foster carers’ families.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
stress, foster carers, literature reviews, looked after children, prevention, service provision, service development;
Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, 17(3), 2018, Online only
Publisher:
Department of Social Work. University of Strathclyde.
Due to the challenging nature of the setting, residential childcare staff are at risk of developing compassion fatigue, including burnout and secondary traumatic stress. There is also opportunity to experience compassion satisfaction from supporting young people in need. These concepts are under-researched in residential childcare, as is work engagement; a sense of vigour, dedication...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Due to the challenging nature of the setting, residential childcare staff are at risk of developing compassion fatigue, including burnout and secondary traumatic stress. There is also opportunity to experience compassion satisfaction from supporting young people in need. These concepts are under-researched in residential childcare, as is work engagement; a sense of vigour, dedication and absorption at work which is beneficial for employees and organisations. This quantitative study investigated the relationship between compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and work engagement in staff working in independent residential childcare organisations in England, Scotland and Wales. The study used a within-participants design using correlational analyses, with a sample of 100 participants who completed a self-report questionnaire. Work engagement was positively correlated with compassion satisfaction and negatively correlated with the burnout aspect of compassion fatigue but not secondary traumatic stress. However, the absorption component of work engagement was positively associated with secondary traumatic stress, reflecting that burnout and secondary trauma are distinct aspects of compassion fatigue that relate differently with work engagement. It is recommended that residential childcare organisations be aware of, and implement support structures to prevent or minimise, both burnout and secondary traumatic stress in their employees.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
residential child care, compassion, participation, stress, care workers, qualitative research, user views;
British Journal of Psychiatry, 213(6), 2018, pp.716-722.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
...odds ratio 1.84, 95% CI 1.43–2.38, P < 0.001). Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression were significantly increased after disasters. Findings for anxiety and alcohol misuse/dependence were not significant. High rates of heterogeneity suggest that disaster-specific factors and, to a lesser degree, methodological factors contribute to the variance between studies. Conclusions: Increased
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background: Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity. They cause widespread hardship and are associated with detrimental effects on mental health. Aims: Our aim is to provide the best estimate of the effects of natural disasters on mental health through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the rates of psychological distress and psychiatric disorder after natural disasters. Method: This systematic review and meta-analysis is limited to studies that met predetermined quality criteria. We required included studies to make comparisons with pre-disaster or non-disaster exposed controls, and sample representative populations. Key studies were identified through a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO from 1980 to 3 March 2017. Random effects meta-analyses were performed for studies that reported key outcomes with appropriate statistics. Results: Forty-one studies were identified by the literature search, of which 27 contributed to the meta-analyses. Continuous measures of psychological distress were increased after natural disasters (combined standardised mean difference 0.63, 95% CI 0.27–0.98, P = 0.005). Psychiatric disorders were also increased (combined odds ratio 1.84, 95% CI 1.43–2.38, P < 0.001). Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression were significantly increased after disasters. Findings for anxiety and alcohol misuse/dependence were not significant. High rates of heterogeneity suggest that disaster-specific factors and, to a lesser degree, methodological factors contribute to the variance between studies. Conclusions: Increased rates of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders follow natural disasters. High levels of heterogeneity between studies suggest that disaster variables and post-disaster response have the potential to mitigate adverse effects.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
systematic reviews, stress, traumas, psychology, mental health problems, disasters, environment;
Clinical Social Work Journal, 46(4), 2018, pp.341-349.
Publisher:
Springer
Place of publication:
New York
This study examined the factors that contribute to the perceived effectiveness of supervision for child welfare workers. Specifically, the authors examined role characteristics such as: exposure to child abuse cases, years of work experience, and role stress, as well as the supervisory functions of administration, education, and emotional support to effectiveness of supervision. The findings...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This study examined the factors that contribute to the perceived effectiveness of supervision for child welfare workers. Specifically, the authors examined role characteristics such as: exposure to child abuse cases, years of work experience, and role stress, as well as the supervisory functions of administration, education, and emotional support to effectiveness of supervision. The findings revealed that the supervisory function of administration, as well as social workers’ high exposure to child abuse cases and role stress, correlated negatively with perceived supervision effectiveness. In contrast, the use of the supervisory functions of education and support correlated positively with perceived supervision effectiveness. The findings suggest that high exposure to child abuse cases and role stress can impair social workers’ ability to benefit from effective supervision. In addition, the study highlights the importance of the supervisory functions of support and education and their positive impact on this population of social workers in Israel.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
supervision, staff development, staff supervision, child protection, stress, social workers;
A systematic review to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in reducing the stress of family carers of people with dementia. The review carried out searches for evidence up to September 2017 and found five randomised controlled trials comparing MBSR to a variety of other interventions. The review reported the effects of MBSR programmes compared with active...
(Edited publisher abstract)
A systematic review to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in reducing the stress of family carers of people with dementia. The review carried out searches for evidence up to September 2017 and found five randomised controlled trials comparing MBSR to a variety of other interventions. The review reported the effects of MBSR programmes compared with active controls (interventions in which participants received a similar amount of attention to those in the MBSR group, such as social support or progressive muscle relaxation) or inactive controls (interventions in which participants received less attention than those in the MBSR group, such as self help education). The review analysed study data from five randomised controlled trials involving a total of 201 carers. Findings from three studies (135 carers) showed that carers receiving MBSR may have a lower level of depressive symptoms at the end of treatment than those receiving an active control treatment. However, the review found no clear evidence of any effect on depression when MBSR was compared with an inactive control treatment. Mindfulness-based stress reduction may also lead to a reduction in carers' anxiety symptoms at the end of treatment. Mindfulness-based stress reduction may slightly increase carers' feelings of burden. The results on anxiety and burden were very uncertain. The review was unable to draw conclusions about carers' coping strategies and the risk of dropping out of treatment due to the very low quality of the evidence. None of the studies measured quality of life of carers or people with dementia, or the rate of admission of people with dementia to care homes or hospitals. Only one included study reported on adverse events. The quality of the evidence identified was considered to be low or very low, mainly because the studies were small and the way they were designed or conducted put them at risk of giving biased results. It concludes, the review provides preliminary evidence on the effect of MBSR in treating some stress-related problems of family carers of people with dementia. More good-quality studies are needed before we can confirm whether or not MBSR is beneficial for family carers of people with dementia.
(Edited publisher abstract)
British Journal of Psychiatry, 213(5), 2018, pp.654-660.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Background: The aetiology of dementia is not yet fully understood. Stress can have a damaging effect on brain health. The prognostic effect of anxiety is still unclear regarding Alzheimer's disease as well as vascular dementia. Aims: To explore the association between anxiety and future dementia. Method: Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and ALOIS were searched for publications up to 12
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background: The aetiology of dementia is not yet fully understood. Stress can have a damaging effect on brain health. The prognostic effect of anxiety is still unclear regarding Alzheimer's disease as well as vascular dementia. Aims: To explore the association between anxiety and future dementia. Method: Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and ALOIS were searched for publications up to 12 January 2018. Longitudinal studies with a follow-up of at least 2 years were included, if the trait or state anxiety had been assessed at baseline. Studies with cognitive impairment at baseline were not included. The authors used a random effects model to calculate the pooled time to Alzheimer's disease and incidence of vascular dementia. Results: Anxiety predicts risk of Alzheimer's disease (n = 26 193 out of seven studies, hazard ratio1.53, 95% CI 1.16–2.01, P < 0.01) and vascular dementia (n = 4916 out of two studies, odds ratio1.88, 95% CI 1.05–3.36, P < 0.01). The pooled hazard ratio regarding risk of Alzheimer's disease was still significant when excluding studies with critical risk of bias (n = 14 110 out of six studies, hazard ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.08–1.70, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Anxiety is a risk factor for both types of dementia. The temporal and functional relation between anxiety and dementia needs investigation in future studies. The protective value of treating anxiety should be explored further.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dementia, Alzheimers disease, anxiety, risk, stress, literature reviews, longitudinal studies;