scholarly journals Quantitative Study of Individual Creative Caregiving Sessions on Well-Being of Caregivers and Care Recipients

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 74-75
Author(s):  
Felicia Wheaton ◽  
Safiyyah Cole ◽  
Sai Raj Kappari ◽  
Matilda Johnson

Abstract There were approximately 34.2 million unpaid caregivers of adults age 50+ in the United States in the last 12 months (NAC & AARP, 2015). These individuals provide important care for older adults with physical, psychological and cognitive problems. There is a growing awareness that caregivers are also at risk for physical and mental health problems and therefore also require support to reduce stress and maintain optimal health. Research suggests that engaging in creative and artistic activities may reduce stress and improve physical and mental health among caregivers. Researchers from Bethune-Cookman University partnered with the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, FL to evaluate their Creative Caregiving program. Approximately 10 informal caregivers and their care partners met for 2 hours each week over the course of 6 weeks from February 3-March 9, 2020. Participants learned how to connect mind, body and spirit by using the arts as a tool of self-care, social interaction, and learning. At each session, participants were asked to rate their overall wellbeing on a scale from 1-10. Pre- and post-session data was analyzed using paired samples t-tests. Results indicate that there was significant improvement in wellbeing and participants reported improvements in their stress, mood and relationship with their caregiver or care partner. These findings were observed for both caregivers and care partners, suggesting that arts programs can benefit both. Such programs are a fun and cost-effective way to improve wellbeing, at least in the short-term.

Author(s):  
Christina E. Miyawaki ◽  
Erin D. Bouldin ◽  
Christopher A. Taylor ◽  
Lisa C. McGuire

One in four Baby Boomers fills the informal caregiver role in the United States. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of Baby Boomers who are informal caregivers for people living with dementia and compare their physical and mental health status to caregivers for persons with conditions other than dementia using 2015–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (N = 10,602). We identified caregiving status (assisting a family member/friend with a long-term illness or disability in the past month, managing personal care, and not caring for a child/grandchild) and whether the care recipient’s major health condition was dementia. We calculated weighted estimates and used chi-square tests and log-binomial regression for comparisons of selected characteristics. Among Baby Boomer caregivers, 15.4% were caring for someone with dementia. Dementia caregivers were more likely to be female, caring for a parent/parent-in-law, and providing care longer than caregivers for persons without dementia. After adjusting for sociodemographic and caregiving characteristics, the prevalence of fair/poor health, frequent mental distress, and chronic conditions were similar across types of caregivers. Although no differences in caregiver’s physical and mental health by care recipient’s dementia status were found, we should underscore the importance of maintaining Baby Boomer caregivers’ health and well-being.


Author(s):  
Susheelabai R. Srinivasa ◽  
Sudershan Pasupuleti

This chapter discusses the mental health of Asian Americans, highlighting their growing needs as well as policy-making challenges. There is a stereotypical view of this segment of the U.S. population as being a ‘model minority’. However, they are under-represented in mental-health service utilization due to fear of stigmatization, and, when provided, these services are often culturally insensitive. This paper argues for a more comprehensive approach to Asian Americans’ health issues so that concerns and challenges can be addressed. It also presents sociocultural, institutional, and environmental factors that affect the under-reporting and under-utilization patterns of mental-health services among Asian Americans. The growing incidence of mental-health problems and underutilization are imminent risk factors for the psychological well-being of Asian Americans in the United States.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-305
Author(s):  
Nancie Luth-Hanssen ◽  
Marit Fougner ◽  
Jonas Debesay

Purpose Immigrant women show a higher risk of mental health problems and report higher levels of musculoskeletal disorders. Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy (NPMP) is a body awareness treatment that has been used to alleviate musculoskeletal disorders and mental distress. The purpose of this study is to explore immigrant women’s participation in a low threshold training group and identify what motivates and affects their attendance and well-being. Design/methodology/approach The study is informed by a phenomenological approach. The data collection methods consisted of participatory observation and interviews. Observations and interviews were carried out between December 2016 and March 2017. Findings The findings show that the content and context of the movement group, being able to participate in exercises wearing own clothes and relying on previous body experiences motivate the women to attend and continue in the training program. NPMP inspired group training takes into account women’s cultural preferences and values. The culture-sensitive approach to physical exercise seems to motivate attendance and contribute to social and mental well-being. Low threshold physical programs should, therefore, be considered to provide immigrant women with the opportunity to experience well-being and social participation. Originality/value This study contributes to the better understanding and promotion of the physical and mental health of immigrants.


Author(s):  
Laura Muñoz-Bermejo ◽  
José Carmelo Adsuar ◽  
Salvador Postigo-Mota ◽  
Inés Casado-Verdejo ◽  
Claudia Mara de Melo-Tavares ◽  
...  

Background: Elderly caregivers present increased physical and mental health problems. These factors can lead to a lack of autonomy and a need for social support. This study aims to analyse the relationships between perceived social support and mental health status in elderly caregivers aged 65 and older. Methods: a cross-sectional study based on data from the Spanish National Health Survey (ENSE-17) carried out on 7023 people. The study population was restricted to 431 caregivers aged ≥65 years. A study of the correlation between the mental health state and the perceived social support was carried out. Both variables were related to the sex of the caregiver. Results: Perceived social support by older caregivers is significantly related to mental health (p = 0.001), and stress (p < 0.001). Also, there is a significant relationship between perceived social support and mental well-being (p = 0.001), self-esteem (p = 0.005) and stress (p = 0.001) in older women caregivers. Conclusions: Older caregivers have adequate mental well-being and perceive high social support. Perceived social support can contribute to improving the mental well-being of older caregivers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esme Fuller-Thomson

Objective 1) To examine the relationship between migraine status and complete mental health (CMH) among a nationally representative sample of Canadians; 2) To identify significant correlates of CMH among those with migraine. Methods Secondary analysis of the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health (CCHS-MH) (N=21,108). Bivariate analyses and a series of logistic regression models were performed to identify the association between migraine status and CMH. Significant correlates of CMH were identified in the sample of those with migraine (N=2,186). Results Individuals without a history of migraine had 72% higher odds of being in CMH (OR=1.72; 95% CI=1.57, 1.89) when compared with those with a history of migraine. After accounting for physical health and mental health problems, the relationship between migraine status and CMH was reduced to non-significance, with both groups having an approximately equal likelihood of achieving CMH (OR=1.03; 05% CI=(0.92, 1.15). Among those with migraine, factors that were strongly associated with CMH were a lack of a history of depression, having a confidant, and having an income of $80,000 or more. Conclusion Clinicians and health care providers should also address co-occurring physical and mental health issues to support the overall well-being of migraineurs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Sari Monik Agustin ◽  
Agatha Josephine

Previous research also shows that social media has positive and negative roles related to interpersonal relationships and mental health. The social media used significantly increases social capital and mental well-being, which benefits people with low self-esteem and life satisfaction. Some psychotherapists even use an Instagram platform as their therapeutic medium. This preliminary study frameworks are Stuart Hall’s reception theory, the concept elaborations of social support and online social support, as well as a discussion of the character of social media, Instagram. This paper is based on a qualitative research with data from interviews with 3 female informants on 20-29 years old and gethappy.id account followers. This research succeeded in identifying 2 receptions that emerged from the female group of Instagram account followers gethappy.id. The dominant reader comes from informants who have severe physical health problems and mental health problems related to these physical health problems. Meanwhile, negotiating reader arise from informants who do not have personal physical and mental health problems, but who have a social environment with physical and mental health problems. Another important finding is that the main social support remains family and friends. Social media support is needed when the two main social supports are not present.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Martinez-Donate ◽  
J Tellez Lieberman ◽  
L Bakely ◽  
C Correa ◽  
C Valdez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In the United States (U.S.), over 4 million citizen children live with an unauthorized immigrant parent who is at risk of deportation. Children of Mexican immigrants are disproportionately represented among this population, as 1 out of 3 deported immigrants are from Mexico. Parental deportation can have profound and long-lasting consequences for children, yet research on this topic is sparse. We present preliminary findings from an ongoing, longitudinal study examining changes in health, well-being, behavior, and environmental factors among U.S. citizen children of recently deported Mexican immigrants. Methods Forty-eight deported Mexican parents were recruited from deportation processing stations on the Mexican border region. We completed phone interviews with one of their U.S.-based, citizen children and an adult caregiver, collecting retrospective information on health, health behavior, household, academics, and socio-ecological health determinants from a year earlier, as well as shortly after deportation of their parent. Pre-post analyses of caregivers' survey data were conducted to assess changes in outcomes associated with parental deportation. Results Following deportation of their parents, children were reported to have more frequent health problems (p=.008), including mental health problems (p=.002), externalizing (p=.040) and internalizing (p=.011) behaviors, school absences (p=.092), and experiences of food insecurity (p=.007) than a year before. Academic expectations were also significantly worse (p=.006) than those prior to parental deportation. Conclusions Children are the unintended victims of indiscriminate immigration enforcement. Deportation of parents is associated with significant deterioration of physical and mental health, behavior, academics, and home environment for their U.S. citizen children. Our results call for immigration policy reform and interventions to support families affected by the deportation of a parent. Key messages Immigration policies that separate families can have significant detrimental impacts on the health and well-being of U.S. citizen children. Policies must be revised to keep families together and protect children in mixed-legal status families.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 205510292110121
Author(s):  
Dung Ezekiel Jidong ◽  
Nusrat Husain ◽  
Tarela J Ike ◽  
Maisha Murshed ◽  
Juliet Y Pwajok ◽  
...  

Maternal mental health distress has a disease burden of severe adverse effects for both mother and child. This review identified maternal mental health concerns, their impact on child growth and the current practice of maternal healthcare for both mothers and their children in Nigeria. The Population, phenomenon of Interest and Context (PICo) model was adopted to formulate the review strategy, and five databases were searched for published articles between 1999 and 2019. Databases include Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts and Web of Science. Boolean operators (AND/OR/NOT) helped to ensure rigorous use of search terms which include ‘maternal’, ‘pre/peri/postnatal’, ‘mental health’, ‘mental illness’, ‘disorders’, ‘intervention,’ ‘Nigeria’, ‘child’, ‘infant growth’, and ‘wellbeing’. Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, and extracted data were qualitatively synthesised and analysed thematically. Five themes emerged. These include (i) marital difficulties, (ii) relationship status of the mother, (iii) child’s gender, (iv) mode of child delivery and (v) child growth and development. The review showed a significant paucity of literature on the impact of specific maternal mental health problems on child physical growth and cognitive development. We concluded that culturally appropriate and evidence-based psychological interventions for maternal mental health problems would benefit Nigerian indigenous mothers. Therefore, the study recommends randomised controlled trials that are culturally appropriate and cost-effective for distressed mothers with children.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 330
Author(s):  
Cori Bussolari ◽  
Jennifer Currin-McCulloch ◽  
Wendy Packman ◽  
Lori Kogan ◽  
Phyllis Erdman

The Covid-19 pandemic has been found to negatively impact the psychological well-being of significant numbers of people globally. Many individuals have been challenged by social distancing mandates and the resultant social isolation. Humans, in our modern world, have rarely been as isolated and socially restricted. Social connectedness and support are critical protective factors for human survival and well-being. Social isolation can lead to loneliness, boredom, and can become a risk factor for physical and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The attachments formed with dogs, however, can be as strong or even stronger than human connections, and has been shown to relate to fewer physical health and mental health problems, as well as decrease isolation and loneliness. The purpose of this qualitative research was to examine the thoughts, experiences and concerns of 4105 adults regarding their companion dog during the initial months of Covid-19. Data were collected between March 31st–April 19th, 2020 via online survey and themes were coded by the researchers using directed content analysis. Results highlighted a strong human–animal appreciation, and that dog ownership during this pandemic diminished participants’ sense of isolation and loneliness, as well as supported their mental/physical health.


Author(s):  
Bhavani Nivetha M. ◽  
Mansoor Ahmed ◽  
Prashantha B.

Background: Stress is defined as a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize. Medical school is recognized as a stressful environment that may have a negative effect on students’ academic performance, physical health, and psychosocial well-being. This stress when it exceeds the limit of tolerability causes various physical and mental health problems. Identifying this root cause will help us to put a barrier to many future mental health problems in a student’s life.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done in Mysore Medical College among undergraduate students. Perceived stress scale was used to assess the level of stress and Medical student’s Stressor questionnaire was used to assess the source of stress.Results: A total of 303 students were included in the final analysis. Among them 51.5% were male and 48.5% were females. The age group of the students ranged between 18 and 24 with a mean age of 20.48 and standard deviation (SD) of 0.4. The mean and SD of PSS score is 17.7 and 5.5. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe stress was 20%, 74% and 6% respectively. Majority of the students (40.9%) considered academic related stressors to be the source of high stress.Conclusions: In our study though majority of the students were stressed (80%), only 6% were severely stressed. The coping strategies adopted by the students like resorting to sleep and music/dance appeared to be appropriate methods of handling stress.


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