scholarly journals A Long and Winding Road: Dementia Caregiving With Grit and Grace

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A Roberto ◽  
Brandy Renee Mccann ◽  
Rosemary Blieszner ◽  
Jyoti Savla
Keyword(s):  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
The Face ◽  
Relational Outcomes ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background and Objectives Many dementia caregivers provide care for numerous years. Exhibiting grit, or commitment and persistence in the face of adversity, may bolster their ability to manage caregiving challenges. We explored grit in relationship to memory and behavior problems and response to stressors among women engaged in long-term dementia care. Research Design and Methods Informed by a life course perspective, and guided by stress-process theory, we interviewed 10 women with a spouse or parent initially diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment 4 times over 10 years. Using Charmaz’s analysis methods and grit as a sensitizing concept, we employed an unfolding analytic strategy involving (a) thematic analysis to identify expressions of grit in response to caregiving stressors across interviews and (b) case-by-case comparisons to assess associations of grit with the use of care strategies across caregivers over time. Results Dementia caregivers experienced unrelenting and changing psychosocial and physical challenges. Over time, most women exhibited a sustained commitment to the relationship through the ways in which they protected the identity of the person with dementia, modified their expectations for emotional intimacy, and managed their financial affairs. They persevered as their roles and relationships fluctuated, often finding purpose and relief through employment and leisure pursuits. As care intensified, women who took charge and consciously made decisions in the best interest of the care recipient and themselves minimized stress. Discussion and Implications While some caregivers exhibited grit from the outset, all showed enhanced perseverance and commitment to the ways they managed memory-related changes over time. Developing confidence in their ability to manage and provide care helped the caregivers respond to stressors with purpose and sustain their roles and responsibilities. Enhancing grit in long-term dementia caregivers may result in better individual and relational outcomes.

scholarly journals The dyad is not enough

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Bildtgård ◽  
Marianne Winqvist ◽  
Peter Öberg
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Biological Children ◽  
Over Time

The increasing prevalence of ageing stepfamilies and the potential of stepchildren to act as a source of support for older parents have increased the interest in long-term intergenerational step relationships. Applying a life-course perspective combined with Simmel’s theorizing on social dynamics, this exploratory study aims to investigate the preconditions for cohesion in long-term intergenerational step relationships. The study is based on interviews with 13 older parents, aged 66–79, who have raised both biological children and stepchildren. Retrospective life-course interviews were used to capture the development of step relationships over time. Interviews were analysed following the principles of analytical induction. The results reveal four central third-party relationships that are important for cohesion in intergenerational step relationships over time, involving: (1) the intimate partner; (2) the non-residential parent; (3) the bridge child; and (4) the stepchild-in-law. The findings have led to the conclusion that if we are to understand the unique conditions for cohesion in long-term intergenerational step relationships, we cannot simply compare biological parent–child dyads with step dyads, because the step relationship is essentially a mediated relationship.

scholarly journals Identification of skill in an online game: The case of Fantasy Premier League

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0246698
Author(s):  
Joseph D. O’Brien ◽  
James P. Gleeson ◽  
David J. P. O’Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Large Dataset ◽  
Good Decision ◽  
Premier League ◽  
Decision Points ◽  
Prime Factors ◽  
The Face ◽  
Over Time

In all competitions where results are based upon an individual’s performance the question of whether the outcome is a consequence of skill or luck arises. We explore this question through an analysis of a large dataset of approximately one million contestants playing Fantasy Premier League, an online fantasy sport where managers choose players from the English football (soccer) league. We show that managers’ ranks over multiple seasons are correlated and we analyse the actions taken by managers to increase their likelihood of success. The prime factors in determining a manager’s success are found to be long-term planning and consistently good decision-making in the face of the noisy contests upon which this game is based. Similarities between managers’ decisions over time that result in the emergence of ‘template’ teams, suggesting a form of herding dynamics taking place within the game, are also observed. Taken together, these findings indicate common strategic considerations and consensus among successful managers on crucial decision points over an extended temporal period.

scholarly journals Belief, Faith, and Hope: On the Rationality of Long-Term Commitment

Mind ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Theory ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Rational Action ◽  
The Face ◽  
Over Time ◽  
As If

Abstract I examine three attitudes: belief, faith, and hope. I argue that all three attitudes play the same role in rationalizing action. First, I explain two models of rational action—the decision-theory model and the belief-desire model. Both models entail there are two components of rational action: an epistemic component and a conative component. Then, using this framework, I show how belief, faith, and hope that p can all make it rational to accept, or act as if, p. I conclude by showing how my picture can explain how action-oriented commitments can be rational over time, both in the face of counterevidence and in the face of waning affections.

scholarly journals Influence of Ambiguity on Success of Public Infrastructural Megaprojects in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin Baraza Omonyo ◽  
Prof. Roselyn Gakure ◽  
Prof. Romanus Odhiambo
Keyword(s):  
Negative Influence ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Order And Disorder ◽  
Multiple Method ◽  
The Face ◽  
Schedule Risk ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
And Behavior

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of ambiguity on success of public infrastructural megaprojects in Kenya. The need for this study arose from the thesis that ambiguity is a key cause of complexity that results in infrastructural megaprojects being delivered over budget, behind schedule, with benefit shortfalls, over and over again. The study was designed as multiple-method research based on virtual constructionist ontology recognizing that complexity is the mid-point between order and disorder. A cross-sectional census survey of completed public infrastructural megaprojects was conducted using two interlinked questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using expert judgment, scenario mapping and retrospective sense-making. The projects surveyed majorly utilized fixed price contracts with the outcome of increased delivery within budget than within schedule. The results showed that ambiguity had significant negative influence on process and overall success of public infrastructural megaprojects but had no significant relationship with product and organizational success. Projects in which the client assumed responsibility for cost and schedule risk had higher chances of meeting both cost and schedule objectives. In order to manage the negative effects of ambiguity, we recommend a new perspective to contract design of public infrastructural megaprojects based on complexity science, blending both outcome and behavior-based contracts. Such contracts should ensure that, in the face of ambiguity, the contractors are able to act in the best interest of their clients and that the clients have access to quality Project Management Information Systems.

scholarly journals Financial Strain, Employment, and Role Captivity and Overload Over Time Among Dementia Family Caregivers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Liu ◽  
Malinda Dokos ◽  
Elizabeth B Fauth ◽  
Yoon G Lee ◽  
Steven H Zarit
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Role Overload ◽  
Status Change ◽  
Role Changes ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
Over Time

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study examined how financial strain and changes in employment status affect subjective stressors over 12 months in 184 family caregivers of individuals with dementia.Research Design and MethodsSubjective stressors of role overload and role captivity, and employment status were measured at baseline, 6-, and 12-months. Self-reports on financial strain were measured at baseline only. Caregivers were categorized into 3 groups based on changes in their employment status during the study over 12 months: (a) who were never employed, (b) who experienced some sort of employment status change, either going from employment to unemployment or vice versa, and (c) who were always employed. Growth curve analyses were conducted to examine within-person changes in role overload and role captivity, and associations with employment and financial strain.ResultsCaregivers with greater financial strain at baseline had higher levels of role overload and increasing role captivity over time. Caregivers who experienced a caregiving transition and had low financial strain at baseline showed greater decrease in role captivity over 12 months. Although caregivers who were consistently unemployed reported lower levels of role overload, they also showed steeper increase over time than those who were consistently employed.Discussion and ImplicationsCaregivers’ perceptions of financial strain add to the long-term stress of the caregiving role. Changes in caregivers’ employment status may have complex associations with their feelings of stress over time.

A New Stage of the Caregiving Career: Informal Caregiving After Long-term Institutionalization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie T Robison ◽  
Noreen A Shugrue ◽  
Richard H Fortinsky ◽  
Chanee D Fabius ◽  
Kristin Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Transition Programs ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Ancillary Benefits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Institutional Placement ◽  
White Caregivers ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
Community Supports

Abstract Background and Objectives The “unexpected career” of caregiving has previously been conceptualized in stages: community care through institutional placement/residence, ending with death of the care recipient. Transition programs such as Money Follows the Person (MFP) created a new stage of the caregiving career, caring for someone post–long-term institutionalization, about which little is known. Using Pearlin’s Caregiver Stress Process Model, this study explores effects on caregivers from the return of their loved ones to the community after a long-term institutional stay. Research Design and Methods Cross-sectional surveys of 656 caregivers of persons transitioned through Connecticut’s MFP program 2014–2018, completed 6 months posttransition. Results Regardless of the age/disability of the care recipient, and despite experiencing high caregiving intensity, caregivers experienced less burden, anxiety, and depression, and higher benefits of caregiving than demonstrated in literature for the general caregiving population. Most felt less stressed than before and during the participant’s institutional stay. Factors associated with worse outcomes included worry about safety, strained finances, missing work, and desiring additional services. Black and Hispanic caregivers experienced lower burden and anxiety and higher benefits of caregiving than White caregivers. Discussion and Implications By providing community supports to participants, transition programs can have broad ancillary benefits for caregivers and improve outcomes in the Pearlin model, lessening potentially deleterious effects of an unexpected return to intensive caregiving duties after institutional placement. Positive results for Black and Hispanic caregivers may reflect cultural expectations in caring for family that buffer the adverse effects of caregiving.

Approaches to Skills in the Asian Developmental States

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Sung ◽  
Arwen Raddon
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Developmental State ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Developmental States ◽  
Asian Tiger ◽  
The Face ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
And Training ◽  
Over Time

The developmental state model was proposed in the early 1990s as a better means of understanding the mechanisms underlying the rapid growth of the Asian Tiger economies, when compared to classic economic models. The national skills systems of South Korea and Singapore are examined in order to consider how the Asian developmental state approach has worked in practice. It is shown that, whilst the state identifies and firmly guides the direction of economic development, the market plays a fundamental role in the concrete delivery of long-term economic objectives. Within this approach, education and training act as a vehicle to achieve broader economic and social development goals. Examples are used to consider how these systems changed throughout the industrialisation process. We reflect on some of the challenges faced over time, which have put the long-term viability of the developmental state approach in question. Most notable is the gradual erosion of the state’s ability to lead capital and labour in order to achieve long- rather than short-term goals, particularly in the face of globalisation.

The Prester John Test: a Rejoinder

1982 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 520-521
Author(s):  
John M. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Time Horizon ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
The Face ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Revolution

The purpose of my December 1980 Africana note was to identify two major problems in the rapidly growing literature on the Ethiopian revolution: (1) the failure to honour the academic obligation to be exhaustive in the research enterprise; and (2) the tendency of students of the revolution to draw doubtful long-term conclustions on the basis of a brief time-horizon. To illustrate these points I used Peter Koehn's citations on food production and the conclusions he drew from them. Briefly, I noted that he had overlooked at least one important set of data and reached a conclusion that did not hold up over time. The references to new sources in both my note and the reply by Koehn and Brian D'Silva support my argument, for we have now located important, additional studies on production and rainfall, and Koehn has now altered and expanded his conclusions in the face of evidence from a longer time-perspective.

scholarly journals Social care for adults with learning disabilities in England: trends over time

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-100
Author(s):  
Chris Hatton
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cent Increase ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities ◽  
The Face ◽  
Trends Over Time ◽  
Over Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine trends over time in social care usage and expenditure for adults with learning disabilities in England. Design/methodology/approach Returns from councils with social services responsibilities in England concerning social care usage and expenditure were analysed to examine the national picture and trends over time for adults with learning disabilities. Findings In 2017/2018, 147,915 adults with learning disabilities were receiving long-term social care, an increase of 5.7 per cent from 2014/2015. Social care expenditure increased by 10.2 per cent from 2014/2015 to £5.54bn in 2017/2018; adjusted for inflation this was a 2.7 per cent increase. For adults with learning disabilities who receive social care, increasing numbers of people are living with families or in supported accommodation/living, with gradual declines in the number of people living in residential or nursing care. The number of adults with learning disabilities in temporary accommodation is small but increasing. Social implications While councils appear to be attempting to protect social care for adults with learning disabilities in the face of cuts to council expenditure, social care expenditure and coverage are not keeping pace with likely increases in the number of adults with learning disabilities requiring social care. Originality/value This paper presents in one place statistics concerning long-term social care for adults with learning disabilities in England.

Role of CPEB-Family Proteins in Memory

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kausik Si
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation ◽  
Element Binding Protein ◽  
The Face ◽  
Specific Mrnas ◽  
Over Time

A synapse-based mechanism of formation and persistence of long-term memory (LTM) entails some unique mechanistic challenges. It requires experience-dependent changes in synapse composition, function, and number. These changes must be specific to the synapse of interest, although all synapses in a neuron rely on the same genome. Finally, these changes must persist over time in the face of constant synaptic protein turnover. It has long been known that translation at the synapse is one of the fundamental requirements for LTM, and multiple mechanisms of synaptic translation have been characterized. Among these translation regulatory mechanisms, cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein (CPEB) family members fulfill some of the unique needs of LTM and can even be considered as contributing to the biochemical substrates of memory. These proteins orchestrate a “synaptic mark” and regulate translation of specific mRNAs required for changes in synaptic composition, function, and number. Some CPEB family members also self-assemble and alter their function to maintain the altered synaptic state over time, contributing to persistence of memory. This chapter summarizes the known function of different CPEB family members in memory, their underlying molecular mechanisms, and important issues that remain to be resolved.

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