Addressing Compassion Fatigue and Stress of Special Education Teachers and Professional Staff Using Mindfulness and Prayer

Alternative therapies are promising nursing interventions for improvement of compassion fatigue in educators working in special education. A convenience sample of 27 teachers and professional staff working in special education participated in a quasi-experimental pilot study and completed a pre/posttest of demographic questions, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (10-item) and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL). All attended a presentation on stress, compassion satisfaction (CS), mindfulness, prayer, and social support. Nearly, one half received weekly electronic text message reminders encouraging use of mindfulness and prayer. All were offered support groups. Use of alternative therapies was self-selected and self-reported. Significant improvement occurred in posttest PSS scores ( p = .0485) of participants with the highest reported levels of use of mindfulness. ProQOL CS scores ( p = .0289) and PSS scores ( p = .0244) significantly improved when evaluating difference in means between groups with the highest levels and lowest levels of prayer and mindfulness. ProQOL burnout scores ( p = <.0001) increased from pretest to posttest. Findings were not significant in regard to reminders and social support.

Download Full-text

Compassion Fatigue and Burnout of Early Childhood Special Education Teacher: Do Compassion Satisfaction and Social Support have Buffering Effects

JOURNAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION & REHABILITATION SCIENCE ◽

10.23944/jsers.2021.09.60.3.6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 141-163

Author(s):

Ji-Won Hwang ◽

Ji-Hyang Sohn ◽

Min-Kyung Han

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Special Education ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Early Childhood Special Education ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Special Education Teacher ◽

Education Teacher ◽

Buffering Effects

Download Full-text

Self-rated health among undocumented and newly regularized migrants in Geneva: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11239-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Julien Fakhoury ◽

Claudine Burton-Jeangros ◽

Idris Guessous ◽

Liala Consoli ◽

Aline Duvoisin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Social Networks ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Future Research ◽

Undocumented Migrants ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Residence Permit ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Self Rated Health

Abstract Background In Europe, knowledge about the social determinants of health among undocumented migrants is scarce. The canton of Geneva, Switzerland, implemented in 2017–2018 a pilot public policy aiming at regularizing undocumented migrants. We sought to test for associations between self-rated health, proven eligibility for residence status regularization and social and economic integration. Methods This paper reports data from the first wave of the Parchemins Study, a prospective study whose aim is to investigate the effect of residence status regularization on undocumented migrants’ living conditions and health. The convenience sample included undocumented migrants living in Geneva for at least 3 years. We categorized them into those who were in the process of receiving or had just been granted a residence permit (eligible or newly regularized) and those who had not applied or were ineligible for regularization (undocumented). We conducted multivariate regression analyses to determine factors associated with better self-rated health, i.e., with excellent/very good vs. good/fair/poor self-rated health. Among these factors, measures of integration, social support and economic resources were included. Results Of the 437 participants, 202 (46%) belonged to the eligible or newly regularized group. This group reported better health more frequently than the undocumented group (44.6% versus 28.9%, p-value < .001), but the association was no longer significant after adjustment for social support and economic factors (odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–1.87). Overall, better health was associated with larger social networks (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.04–2.64). This association remained significant even after adjusting for health-related variables. Conclusion At the onset of the regularization program, access to regularization was not associated with better self-rated health. Policies aiming at favouring undocumented migrants’ inclusion and engagement in social networks may promote better health. Future research should investigate long-term effects of residence status regularization on self-rated health.

Download Full-text

SYMPERHEART: an intervention to support symptom perception in persons with heart failure and their informal caregiver: a feasibility quasi-experimental study protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052208 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e052208

Author(s):

Gabrielle Cécile Santos ◽

Maria Liljeroos ◽

Roger Hullin ◽

Kris Denhaerynck ◽

Justine Wicht ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Informal Caregiver ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Self Care ◽

Symptom Perception ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Failure Index ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Quasi Experimental

IntroductionSymptom perception in heart failure (HF) has been identified as crucial for effective self-care, and is related to patient and health system outcomes. There is uncertainty regarding the feasibility and acceptability of symptom perception support and doubts regarding how to include informal caregivers. This study aims to test the feasibility, acceptability and outcome responsiveness of an intervention supporting symptom perception in persons with HF and their informal caregiver.Methods and analysisA feasibility study with a quasi-experimental pretest and post-test single group design is conducted. The convenience sample consists of 30 persons with HF, their informal caregivers and six nurses. SYMPERHEART is an evidence-informed intervention that targets symptom perception by educational and support components. Feasibility is measured by time-to-recruit; time-to-deliver; eligibility rate; intervention delivery fidelity rate. Acceptability is measured by rate of consent, retention rate, treatment acceptability and the engagement in the intervention components. Outcome responsiveness includes: HF self-care (via the Self-care of Heart Failure Index V.7.2); perception of HF symptom burden (via the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale V.3); health status (via the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12); caregivers’ contribution to HF self-care (via the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Heart Failure Index 2); caregivers’ burden (via the Zarit Burden Interview). Clinical outcomes include HF events, hospitalisation reason and length of hospital stay. Descriptive statistics will be used to report feasibility, acceptability, patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and clinical outcomes. PRO and caregiver-reported outcome responsiveness will be reported with mean absolute change and effect sizes.Ethics and disseminationThe study is conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki. The Human Research Ethics Committee of the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, has approved the study. Written informed consent from persons with HF and informal caregivers are obtained. Results will be published via peer reviewed and professional journals, and further disseminated via congresses.Trial registration numberISRCTN18151041.

Download Full-text

A Structured Support Group for Midlife and Older Adults with Vision Loss

Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness ◽

10.1177/0145482x9408800211 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 152-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

K.J. McCulloh ◽

I. Crawford ◽

J.D. Resnick

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Support Groups ◽

Support Group ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Vision Loss

This article describes an eight-week structured social support group for midlife and older adults who are adventitiously visually impaired. The group objectives, topics covered, and issues encountered are presented, along with recommendations for developing future support groups for this population.

Download Full-text

Geology and Environment: A Problem-Based Learning Study in Higher Education

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences11040173 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 173

Author(s):

Tânia Pinto ◽

António Guerner Dias ◽

Clara Vasconcelos

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Problem Based Learning ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Post Test ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Within Subjects ◽

Two Phases ◽

Experimental Group

We aimed to contribute to a shift in higher education teaching and learning methods by considering problem-based learning (PBL) as an approach capable of positively affecting students from a geology and environment (GE) curricular unit. In a convenience sample from a Portuguese public university, two groups of students were defined: (1) an experimental group (n = 16), to which an intervention program (IP) based on PBL was applied, and (2) a comparison group (n = 17), subjected to the traditional teaching approach. For nine weeks, students subject to the IP faced four problem scenarios about different themes. A triangulation of methods was chosen. The study involved two phases: (1) qualitative (sustained on content analysis of driving questions raised by students, registered in a monitoring sheet) and (2) quantitative (quasi-experimental study, based on data from a prior and post-test knowledge assessment). The qualitative results point to the development of more complex cognitive-level questioning skills after increasing familiarity with PBL. The data obtained in the quantitative study, which included both a “within-subjects” and a “between-subjects” design, show higher benefits in the experimental group, documenting gains in terms of scientific knowledge when using the PBL methodology.

Download Full-text

What families in the UK use to manage attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a survey of resource use

BMJ Paediatrics Open ◽

10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000771 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. e000771

Author(s):

Philippa Fibert ◽

Clare Relton

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Support Groups ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Service Use ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

The Uk

ObjectiveTo identify interventions being used to manage attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the UK.DesignA survey within the Sheffield Treatments for ADHD Research project. A convenience sample of participants in the UK who consented to join an observational cohort were asked closed questions about medication, behavioural change programmes and service use, and an open-ended question about what else they used.SettingA broad variety of non-National Health Service, non-treatment seeking settings throughout the UK, including local authority organisations, schools, ADHD and autism spectrum condition support groups and social media.ParticipantsFamilies of children aged 5–18 with carer reported ADHD and Conners Global Index (CGI) T scores of 55+.ResultsResponses from 175 families were analysed. The mean age of the children was 10.21 (2.44), and two-thirds (n=114) had additional diagnoses. The majority used medications to manage ADHD (n=120) and had participated in a parenting class (n=130). Just over a quarter (28%, n=49) did not use ADHD medications, and used sleep medications. Just under half had consulted psychologists (n=83), and 32 had participated in other talking therapies such as psychotherapy, counselling and cognitive–behavioural therapy. A few used aids such as reward charts or fiddle toys (n=17) and participated in activities (mostly physical) (n=14). A substantial minority (78/175) had used non-mainstream treatments, the most popular being homoeopathy (n=32), nutritional interventions (n=21) and bodywork such as massage or cranial osteopathy (n=9).ConclusionsFamilies reported use of a wide variety of treatments to help with management of their children with ADHD in addition to their use of mainstream treatments.

Download Full-text

Reasons for attending support groups and organizational preferences: A replication study using the North American Scleroderma Support Group Survey

Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders ◽

10.1177/2397198319849806 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 173-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mia Pépin ◽

Linda Kwakkenbos ◽

Marie-Eve Carrier ◽

Sandra Peláez ◽

Ghassan El-Baalbaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

North America ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Support Groups ◽

Support Group ◽

Factor Model ◽

The United States ◽

Confirmatory Factor

Peer-facilitated support groups are an important source for receiving disease-related information and support for people with systemic sclerosis (or scleroderma). A recent survey explored reasons for attending systemic sclerosis support groups in Europe and Australia and used exploratory factor analysis to group reasons for attendance into three main themes: (1) interpersonal and social support, (2) disease treatment and symptom management strategies, and (3) other aspects of living with systemic sclerosis. The objective of the present study was to replicate this study in a sample of patients from North America using confirmatory factor analysis. A 30-item survey was used to assess reasons for attendance and organizational preferences among systemic sclerosis patients in Canada and the United States. In total, 171 members completed the survey. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the three-factor model showed good fit to the data (χ2(399) = 646.0, p < 0.001, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.97, comparative fit index = 0.97, root mean square error approximation = 0.06). On average, respondents rated 22 (73%) of 30 items as “important” or “very important” reasons for attending support groups. Among organizational preferences, respondents emphasized the importance of the ability to share feelings and concerns, as well as educational aspects. Findings of our study suggest that reasons for attending support groups are similar for patients from Europe, Australia, and North America and that support groups should facilitate social support as well as disease education. These results inform the development of training programs for current and future systemic sclerosis support group leaders across the globe.

Download Full-text

Factors Influencing Turnover Intention in Clinical Nurses: Compassion Fatigue, Coping, Social Support, and Job Satisfaction

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration ◽

10.11111/jkana.2016.22.5.562 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 562 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Young Hee Yang ◽

Jong Kyung Kim

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Job Satisfaction ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Turnover Intention ◽

Clinical Nurses ◽

Factors Influencing

Download Full-text

An evaluation of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions for people with dementia and a concomitant support group for their carers

Dementia ◽

10.1177/1471301215626851 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 985-1003 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jan Bailey ◽

Paul Kingston ◽

Simon Alford ◽

Louise Taylor ◽

Edward Tolhurst

Keyword(s):

Support Groups ◽

Support Group ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Cognitive Stimulation ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Impact

This research aimed to ascertain the impact of a pragmatic Cognitive Stimulation Therapy course of 10 sessions on the cognitive function of people living with dementia and whether attending a concomitant carers support group was beneficial to carers. A mixed method quasi-experimental approach was adopted; data were collected pre- and post-intervention. The quantitative arm utilised three validated questionnaires rated by the carers. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews with carers regarding their perceptions of the impact of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and the carers support group. Quantitative data analysis found no statistically significant differences within or between groups. The qualitative data demonstrated that carers perceived Cognitive Stimulation Therapy had some benefits for the people living with dementia, especially social benefits. Carers also perceived that attending the carers support group was beneficial for them in terms of gaining a better understanding of dementia, developing coping skills and having peer support. The study was limited in scale and further research with a larger sample, using direct measures of the impact of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy with people living with dementia and supplementary research exploring which characteristic of carers support groups are effective would be worthwhile.

Download Full-text