Compassion Fatigue and Resiliency Factors in Animal Shelter Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 633-650
Author(s):  
Alexis L. Levitt ◽  
Lindsay B. Gezinski
Keyword(s):  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Animal Shelter ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Shelter Workers ◽  
Intrinsic Motivations ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Resiliency Factors ◽  
Right Reason

Abstract This phenomenological study explored compassion fatigue and resiliency factors in animal shelter workers. Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon in which individuals become traumatized through the process of helping others. The sample included seven current and former animal shelter workers. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews to examine general experiences with animal shelter work as well as compassion fatigue. The researchers read the transcripts multiple times and coded the data into themes and sub-themes. Four major themes and five sub-themes emerged from the data. These themes were 1) Intrinsic Motivations including (a) Right reason, (b) Affinity with animals and (c) Attachment to animals; 2) Purpose, including (a) Making a difference and (b) Focusing on the positive; 3) Social supports; and 4) Coping Strategies. The study has important practical implications, including the potential benefits of screening job applicants for intrinsic motivations and fostering positive relationships between coworkers and the animals they work with.

scholarly journals A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Meaning of Global Engagement Among Former Participants of a Backpack Journalism Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Peggy M. Rupprecht
Keyword(s):  
Public Interest ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Educational Experiences ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Global Engagement ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
Eye Opening

This phenomenological qualitative study explores the meaning of global engagement among former students who participated in a Backpack Journalism course from 2010 through 2016. Through semi-structured interviews, the researcher explored the meaning of global engagement as it relates to global education, experiential/project-based learning, and public interest communications. The resulting participant themes (community, unexpected/eye opening, discomfort, making a difference, and reflection/discernment) will further inform classroom instruction for upcoming Backpack Journalism courses and may serve as a guide for global educational experiences and public interest communications in other settings. Future research also is explored.

scholarly journals Social Workers in Animal Shelters: A Strategy Toward Reducing Occupational Stress Among Animal Shelter Workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Hoy-Gerlach ◽  
Mamta Ojha ◽  
Phil Arkow
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Secondary Trauma ◽  
Occupational Stressors ◽  
Animal Shelter ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Animal Shelters ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Shelter Workers ◽  
Burn Out

Animal shelter workers (ASWs) are at disproportionate risk of moral injury, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and burn-out. While there is an emerging body of literature developing on understanding the nuances of these experiences for ASWs, little work has been done on developing strategies to ameliorate occupational stressors and the negative effects of such for ASWs. Within this paper, occupational risks and protective factors for ASWs are summarized, and the emergence of social work within animal shelter settings as one strategy for helping to ameliorate the occupational stress experienced by ASWs is delineated.

Ethical Issues in Private Practice: A Phenomenological Investigation of Music Therapy Business Owners

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Wilhelm ◽  
Lindsey Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Private Practice ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Music Therapists

Abstract As a music therapy private practice is both a business and a healthcare service, it should adhere to ethical standards from both disciplines. However, this topic has rarely been examined in the music therapy literature. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore ethical dilemmas experienced by music therapy business owners (MTBOs) in their private practice and how MTBOs avoid or address ethical dilemmas. Utilizing convenience and snowball sampling techniques, 21 MTBOs in the United States were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. To answer the two areas of inquiry, we identified three themes and 12 subthemes: (1) Ethical issues related to client welfare, (2) Ethical issues related to business relationships and operation, and (3) Strategies to address or avoid ethical dilemmas. MTBOs also shared how they ensure ethical behavior in themselves, with their employees or independent contractors, and when interacting with professionals outside the private practice. These findings provide a better understanding of MTBOs’ lived experiences of ethics in their private practice and may benefit other music therapists who are in private practice or are wanting to go into private practice. Limitations and recommendations for further research are provided.

“God, why?”: The Experience of Mothers from the Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Sector after their Child’s Disclosure of Sexual Abuse

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110219
Author(s):  
Aiala Szyfer Lipinsky ◽  
Limor Goldner
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Drawing Task ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological Study

Studies dealing with the experiences of non-offending mothers from the general population and minority groups after their child’s disclosure of sexual abuse are scarce, and studies on mothers from the Jewish ultra-Orthodox community are non-existent. This study takes an initial step in filling this gap by exploring how the normalization of sexual abuse shapes these mothers’ experiences. A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted on a sample of 21 mothers from the ultra-Orthodox sector whose children had been sexually abused. It consisted of in-depth, semi-structured interviews of the mothers followed by a drawing task on their experience. The analysis of the interviews yielded four central themes: the role of social stigmatization and religion on the mother’s ability to share her child’s abuse; the effect of the disclosure on the mothers’ mental state and maternal competency; the mothers’ ongoing experience in the shadow of this unprocessed/unresolved trauma; and the mothers’ coping strategies, including acceptance, faith, and meaning making. The findings highlight the influence of the tension between the need to adhere to religious norms and preserve the social fabric and the need to enhance mothers’ and children’s well-being.

scholarly journals Aging out of foster care: The experiences of former foster youth who successfully navigated this transition

2021 ◽  
pp. 251610322110194
Author(s):  
Margot Hedenstrom
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Foster Youth ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Aging Out ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Former Foster Youth ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
Human Costs ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Foster youth face high risks and poor outcomes after aging out of care resulting in great economic and human costs to society. The purpose of the study was to describe life experiences of children aging out of the foster care system from the perspectives of adults who have successfully navigated this transition. Their life experiences during this period provided meaningful information for this study which helped to identify themes. Their perceptions of the periods during and after their transitions were explored to investigate supportive relationships, education, and workplace stability. Phenomenology was used to describe the experiences of nine young adults who had aged out of foster care. Participant ages ranged from 20 to 25 years old. Audiotaped semi-structured interviews were conducted for the study. Data analysis was ongoing throughout data collection. Four themes were identified: (1) “Facing a transition”; (2) “Depending on adults for help”; (3) “Making a difference for others”; and (4) “Moving forward with my life.” These four themes highlighted the participants’ experiences as they aged out of foster care. This study contributes to our understanding of the life experiences of former foster youth who are successful after the transition out of foster care. Recommendations for practice and research are identified.

Music enables the holistic development and discovery of self: A phenomenological study of two Christian musicians

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annabella S. K. Fung
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Holistic Development ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Self Discovery

Music draws on body, space, time and relationships to offer a sacred experience. Musicking makes personal, social, emotional and spiritual connections with people. Cultural identity is formed through the arts, and the spirituality in music is a medium through which people explore their identities. This study examines how music facilitates the holistic development of two Melbourne-born Chinese-Australian Christian musicians. The Confucian Evolving Self Model, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs, and music education aims offer conceptualising scaffolds to illuminate their self-discovery. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to report on multiple semi-structured interviews undertaken over three years. This study considered the interaction of various value systems – the fusion of Confucianism, Christian and psychological cultures in the process of musical development and identity formation. It fills a research gap and complements existing approaches to understanding the social contexts influencing the acquisition of musical skills and musicians’ occupational choices. The permissive parenting that both participants experienced might account for them being able to follow a career in music without familial resistance. The current findings can advocate for music education because the spiritual aspects of musical experiences were perceived as a mirror in fostering the holistic development of both participants.

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTING HOME SAFETY TOOLKIT TO CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS WITH DEMENTIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S243-S243
Author(s):  
Scott A Trudeau
Keyword(s):  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Home Safety ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Key Staff ◽  
Type 3 ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract The purpose of this project was to study the processes necessary to make a Home Safety Toolkit (HST) for Veterans with dementia accessible to veterans and their caregivers. This Type 3 Implementation–Effectiveness Hybrid Research Design, included diagnostic analyses of the current processes by which Veterans receive home safety items, and identification of modifications necessary in order to provide the HST to Veterans with dementia. Two Veterans Health Administration Networks, one in the Northeast and one in the Mid-Atlantic region, participated. A formative evaluation used semi-structured interviews with key staff informants and caregivers identified facilitators and barriers to successful acquisition and use of home safety items. Qualitative data analysis reveals key barriers of time and cost, selection of best items, and caregiver reluctance to change. There was resounding support from caregivers regarding the potential benefits of self-paced toolkit including education and home safety items to implement for their veteran.

scholarly journals FAMILY DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS’ EPIPHANIES AND CHANGES IN THEIR APPROACH TO CARING FOLLOWING THE VIRTUAL DEMENTIA TOUR

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S554-S554
Author(s):  
Candace C Harrington ◽  
Candace C Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Health Indices ◽  
Person Perspective ◽  
Eye Opening

Abstract Previous interventional studies have failed to show long-term improvements in caregiver stress, health indices, burden, or delay in long-term care placement. The Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT) provides a vicarious first-person perspective of symptoms related to dementia. This interpretative phenomenological study revealed family dementia caregivers’ perceptions of the VDT® and its impact on their perception of a person living with dementia. In-depth open semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten VDT® participants following a community event. Participants’ statements described a life-changing process with eye-opening epiphanies about the lived experience of dementia and served as a “call to action” to change their approach to caring. Innovative advances in family caregiving research are critical to support this valuable geriatric workforce. This original study provided new knowledge about the value of the VDT® to inform interventions that harness the unrecognized power of vicarious experiences like the VDT® for family dementia caregivers to improve long-term outcomes.

scholarly journals Exploring the experiences of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19: a qualitative study in Iran

BMC Nursing ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudabeh Ahmadidarrehsima ◽  
Nasibeh Salari ◽  
Neda Dastyar ◽  
Foozieh Rafati
Keyword(s):  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Patient Care Team ◽  
Social Experiences ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Master's Degrees ◽  
Social Burden ◽  
Professional Needs

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is now a major public health emergency in the world. Nurses as key members of the COVID-19 patient care team are exposed to most challenges caused by the disease. As exploring the experiences of nurses as patient supporters and caregivers can play an important role in improving the quality of care for patients with COVID-19 disease, the present study explored the experiences of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Methods The study employed a qualitative design. This study employed purposive sampling to select 10 nurses with bachelors and master’s degrees in nursing who were taking care of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs or inpatient wards in southern Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis procedure proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Results The analysis of the data revealed four main themes and ten sub-themes: A) physical, psychological, and social burden of care (excessive workload; fear, anxiety, worry; unpleasant social experiences; compassion fatigue) B) unmet needs (personal needs and professional needs) C) positive experiences (pleasant social experiences and inner satisfaction), and D) strategies (problem-solving strategies and stress symptom mitigation strategies). Conclusions An analysis of the themes and subthemes extracted in this study suggested that the nurses who participated in this study faced many personal and professional challenges. Therefore, health officials and specialists need to pay special attention to nurses’ challenges and needs.

scholarly journals Social Nurses’ Descriptions of Nursing: A Qualitative Study of What Social Nursing is and Does?

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 228-236
Author(s):  
Tine Louise Dideriksen ◽  
Marianne Lisby ◽  
Nina Brünés ◽  
Pia Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Common Goal ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Holistic Nursing ◽  
Encounter Complex ◽  
The Social ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Female Nurses ◽  
Insight Into

Background: In the meeting between socially marginalised patients and somatic hospitals, healthcare systems often encounter complex challenges related to health inequalities that are difficult to resolve. To help reduce these challenges, a nursing approach employing a nurse (RN) with in-depth knowledge of socially marginalised patients and competences in rehabilitation (“social nurse”) has contributed to diminish health inequalities. However, further insight into the potential benefits of social nursing is required. Aim: To examine how social nurses describe and experience the social nursing approach situated at somatic hospitals. Methods: A qualitative study of social nurses’ descriptions and experiences with a social nurse approach included eight Danish hospitals. One male and 12 female nurses (n=13) employed as social nurses at somatic hospitals participated. Thirteen semi structured interviews were conducted using the methodological frameworks of phenomenology and hermeneutics. The interviews were analysed employing a method inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation. Results: Four themes emerged from the analysis: 1) A unique expertise encompassing experience and evidence-based knowledge 2) coordination towards a common goal to reduce patients’ vulnerability, 3) to see and understand patients as whole persons, thereby assuring successful treatment and 4) working with the system to avoid losing the patients. The themes describe a unique expertise emerging from focusing healthcare efforts on the socially marginalised patients and the system in charge. Conclusion: The study indicated that the social nurse approach is a holistic nursing approach. Applying this approach allows for optimised treatment that fosters a more equal outcome across the spectrum of socially marginalised patients. The social nurse approach may contribute to diminishing health inequalities.

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