Outcomes in Adulthood After Long-Term Foster Care: A Sibling Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-392
Author(s):  
Lars Brännström ◽  
Bo Vinnerljung ◽  
Anders Hjern

When a child is removed from their home and placed in foster care, society takes over the responsibility for that child’s well-being and development. Failure to provide a child with a nurturing upbringing may have negative consequences for the child as well as for society. Using Swedish longitudinal registry data for a national cohort sample of siblings, in which some were placed in foster care and others remained in their birth parents’ care, this study asks whether long-term foster care ensures improved life chances. Results from multilevel regression analyses of a wide range of educational, social, and health-related outcomes in mature adult age (16 outcome constructs) support a row of previous studies indicating that traditional long-term foster care does not seem to improve maltreated children’s life chances.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candace L Kemp

Abstract The public health response to the current Coronavirus pandemic in long-term care communities, including assisted living, encompasses prohibiting visitors. This ban, which includes family members, has been criticized for being unfair, unhealthy, and unsafe. Against this backdrop, I examine the roles family play in residents’ daily lives and care routines. I argue that classifying family as “visitors” rather than essential care partners overlooks their critical contributions and stems from taken-for-granted assumption about gender, families, and care work, and I demonstrate why families are more than visitors. Policies that ban family visits also reflect a narrow understanding of health that focuses on mitigating infection risk, but neglects overall health and well-being. This policy further stems from a limited comprehension of care relations. Research shows that banning family visits has negative consequences for residents, but also families themselves, and direct care workers. I argue that identifying ways to better understand and support family involvement is essential and demonstrate the utility of the Convoys of Care model for guiding the reconceptualization of family in long-term care research, policy, and practice during and beyond the pandemic.


Author(s):  
Deane H. Shapiro

Spiritual, religious, and secular traditions emphasize the importance of control over one’s thoughts, feelings and behavior, and the relevance of meditation in achieving this control. Meditation practices, in particular, can be understood as one strategy amongst others for achieving self-regulation. While the main focus in Western psychology has been on active instrumental control, other traditions have emphasized the importance of a more accepting/yielding mode of control. This chapter distinguishes between different forms of control and how some of these may be enhanced by meditation practices. While over-control and passive resignation can have negative consequences for a person’s well-being, there is evidence for the beneficial role of the active/assertive and positive accepting/yielding modes of control. Selecting the most appropriate meditation strategy for a particular person is dependent upon a wide range of factors, including the person’s control profile, their sensory orientation, and their belief systems. The chapter concludes with the description of the author’s personal journey in exploring meditation and theories and practices of control—and a note of gratitude.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4511
Author(s):  
Melani R. Mahanani ◽  
Eman Abderbwih ◽  
Amanda S. Wendt ◽  
Andreas Deckert ◽  
Khatia Antia ◽  
...  

Health outcomes of in utero Ramadan exposure have been reported in a systematic literature review; however, the available literature on long-term effects were not fully covered. Our study aims to specifically review the long-term outcomes of in utero Ramadan exposure. We searched for original research articles analyzing any long-term outcome of in utero Ramadan exposure, excluding maternal and perinatal outcomes. Sixteen studies from 8304 non-duplicate search results were included. Most studies suggest negative consequences from in utero Ramadan exposure on health, as well as on economic outcomes later in adulthood. Higher under-five mortality rate, higher mortality under three months, and under one year, shorter stature, lower body mass index, increased incidence of vision, hearing and learning disabilities, lower mathematics, writing and reading scores, as well as a lower probability to own a home were associated with Ramadan exposure during conception or the first trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, age and sex seem to play a pivotal role on the association. Existing studies suggest that in utero Ramadan exposure may adversely impact long-term health and economic well-being. However, evidence is limited. Meanwhile, increasing awareness of the potential risks of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy should be raised among pregnant women and clinicians and other antenatal care workers should promote better maternal healthcare.


Wild Capital ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 12-37
Author(s):  
Barbara K. Jones

By failing to assign nature value in our current Anthropocene, the opportunity costs of diminishing biodiversity are not recognized in the marketplace, leading to significant negative consequences for both nature and humanity. Polluting water, destroying habitats, or exterminating species should each lessen nature’s value, but if nature has never been assigned a value, that loss is not recognized and development becomes the default. The words “wild capital” remind us that nature should be viewed as an asset like any other, and that in doing so we are better equipped to appreciate its long-term worth. Since the ecosystem services model (ES) ties together the ecological, social, and economic needs of human well-being, it is well situated to assign nature value and from that make a case for nature as natural capital. To assist in policy decisions, ES has offered a path based on the language of economics, making it appealing to economists, while to conservationists, it has turned an argument about the negative effects of development on wildlife into a more fruitful dialogue about how beneficial conservation is for human well-being. ES is also compatible with efforts at sustainability and the goals of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
ILYA EMELIN ◽  

The paper examines the events of the Gaidar Forum – 2021 dedicated to the features of digital transformation. By analyzing the speakers’ presentations, the author notes the need to minimize the negative consequences of the coronavirus pandemic for the world economy, to unleash the creative potential and sustainable development of countries. At the same time, the question of creating an image of the future, a semantic paradigm, a strategy for the development of an integral system remains relevant. This requires strengthening business partnerships, well-coordinated interaction of government agencies (departmental and interdepartmental), and improvement of the digital economy during its transformation. The digitalization of economy enhances economic growth, creates opportunities for structural transformations, and necessary conditions for the “post-covid” development of the healthcare system. Digitalization should bring about a proactive, standardized online public service delivery. Digital transformation brings many significant structural changes affecting many areas of our lives. Since digitalization is a long-term and complicated process, particular attention should be paid to maintaining the stability of the labor market, the efficiency of the education system, and the security of big data. Digital transformation should improve the quality of public services, the overall number of digital service users, and the growth of citizens’ well-being


2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Dwyer ◽  
Peter Somerville

Many of New Labour's welfare initiatives were underpinned by a stated desire to combat social exclusion among disadvantaged sections of the population. Allied to this, a commitment to end street homelessness/rough sleeping was an enduring feature of their term in office (for example SEU, 1998; DCLG, 2008). Of course, concerns about social exclusion predate New Labour, and a lack of meaningful involvement in many key areas of wider social life (for example, democratic and legal systems, the labour market, the welfare state, familial and (local) community networks) have long been identified as symptomatic of social exclusion (Commins, 1993). Previous research has also noted that homelessness rarely occurs in isolation and that many homeless people often carry with them a variety of other problems and experiences. It is clear that many homeless people experience ‘exclusion across more than one domain or dimension of disadvantage, resulting in severe negative consequences for [their] quality of life, well-being and future life chances’ (Levitas et al., 2007: 9), and, as such, can be viewed as experiencing multiple and/or deep social exclusion. This situation has been recognised by Carter (2007) who, noting a lack of resources, rights and opportunities, adopts the phrase ‘multiple exclusion homelessness’ (MEH) as a shorthand term to characterise the reality of many homeless peoples’ lives.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Neal

Athletic health care professionals, team physicians, and athletic trainers have an ethical obligation to safeguard the short- and long-term well-being of the athlete they care for. The potential long-term negative consequences to the student-athlete’s physical, cognitive, and mental health as a result of concussions and their mismanagement is a reality. How the athletic health care professional attends to this top priority of providing optimal health care to the concussed athlete while navigating the mitigating circumstances and influences of nonmedical entities found in competitive athletics is one of the great ethical challenges of present day sports medicine. Effectively navigating the complex challenges faced by athletic health care professionals is as important as the care delivered. Understanding the ethical challenges faced by athletic health care decision makers should be a central focus in providing the optimal care the patient deserves.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3S) ◽  
pp. 431-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eldré W. Beukes ◽  
Peter M. Allen ◽  
David M. Baguley ◽  
Vinaya Manchaiah ◽  
Gerhard Andersson

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes 1 year after undertaking an audiologist-guided Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) intervention for tinnitus. Secondary aims were to identify any predictors of outcome and whether there were any unwanted events related to undertaking iCBT for tinnitus. Method Participants who had previously undertaken a randomized iCBT efficacy trial for tinnitus were invited to participate. Of the 146 who were initially randomized for the efficacy trial, 104 participants completed the 1-year postintervention assessment measures. The primary outcome was a change in tinnitus distress as assessed by the Tinnitus Functional Index. Secondary assessment measures were included for insomnia, anxiety, depression, hearing handicap, hyperacusis, cognitive failures, and satisfaction with life. An intention-to-treat analysis using repeated-measures analysis of variance and hierarchical multiple regression was used for statistical analysis. Unwanted effects were categorized according to the unwanted events checklist. Results Undertaking iCBT for tinnitus led to significant improvements 1 year postintervention for tinnitus and related difficulties, for example, insomnia, anxiety, depression, hearing handicap, hyperacusis, and life satisfaction. The best predictors of improving tinnitus severity at 1-year postintervention were greater baseline tinnitus severity scores, reading more of the modules, and higher satisfaction with the intervention. Unwanted events were reported by 11% of the participants and were more likely to be reported by women than men. These events were related to worsening of symptoms, the emergence of new symptoms, negative well-being, and prolongation of treatment. Conclusions The clinical benefits of audiologist-guided iCBT for tinnitus and tinnitus-related difficulties were sustained 1 year postintervention. Predictors of outcome indicated that the intervention is applicable to a wide range of participants regardless of their demographic backgrounds. Attempts should be made to minimize unwanted events in subsequent trials.


Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 381
Author(s):  
Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor ◽  
Alison Halford ◽  
Mphatso Boti Phiri

All children need permanent and secure homes in which they can explore their identities and evolve as human beings, citizens, and family members, and within which can they have a sense of security, continuity, stability, and belonging. There are approximately 4500 children of Muslim heritage in the care system in England and Wales, and this number is increasing. Using case studies that emerged from qualitative fieldwork, this article examines the role and impact of religion on children’s journeys through the care system, particularly in foster care. This article concludes that irrespective of the level of engagement Muslim heritage children in the care system have with their religious heritage, Islam has an enduring impact on how they perceive their identities. As a result, there is a pressing need for social workers and foster carers who care for these children to gain greater insights into Islam and Muslim culture. Such insights and understandings will help children settle faster and form stronger bonds of attachment with their foster carers, and in the long term, this will enhance life outcomes for these children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 691-692
Author(s):  
Emily Ihara

Abstract Person-centered dementia care is a best practice recommendation by the Alzheimer’s Association, and non-pharmacologic interventions that emphasize well-being and quality of life as defined by the individual are important to preserve personhood. Non-pharmacologic, person-centered interventions have been shown to effectively address various neuropsychiatric symptoms, commonly known as behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD), which include a wide range of behaviors such as verbal or physical aggression, agitation, wandering, and pacing. Interventions that are focused on an individual’s holistic needs and preferences can stimulate positive emotions and behavior regardless of the stage of dementia. Person-centered care emphasizes a social model of care, rather than a medical model, by focusing on an individual’s emotional needs and care preferences that are consistent with their previous lifestyle. This symposium explores four different non-pharmacologic interventions for individuals living with dementia and discusses challenges and best practices for implementation in long-term care settings. For example, a best practice includes “buy-in” from facility staff who ultimately are responsible for implementing interventions that follow a social care model. A challenge found includes creating consistency and adherence to non-pharmacologic interventions so they are sustained over time, potentially replacing additional doses of medication. Symposium presenters will discuss the Mason Music & Memory Initiative (M3I), the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project, Birdsong, and TimeSlips, which are all interventions that are relatively low-cost and easy to implement by non-specialists. Strategies for intergenerational programming and adaptability of these programs to different contexts will also be discussed.


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