scholarly journals Risk Perception and Coping Strategies among Direct Support Professionals in the Age of COVID-19.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna LoPorto ◽  
Kelly E Spina
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Ways Of Coping ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals ◽  
Problem Solving Strategies ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
And Coping

The spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across the globe and its associated morbidity and mortality has impacted and challenged society in many ways, which resulted in adapting to a new way of life. One underrecognized and unaddressed area is the mental health of essential employees providing services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Direct support professionals (DSPs) serve an important function in the daily supervision and care of clients with IDD. It is not clear, however, how these essential workers perceived their own risk of contracting COVID-19 while working during this pandemic. Our research presents results of a national survey of 478 DSPs that focused on perceptions of risk and ways of coping with COVID-19. Using an online survey, we examined DSPs’ perception of risk and on the emotional and problem-solving strategies they used to cope with the global crisis. We found that DSPs engaged in higher problem-focused strategies rather than emotion-focused strategies in coping with the virus. As such, we show that it is critical for IDD provider organizations to assess DSPs’ needs to provide coping supports during the age of COVID.

Workforce: Goals for Research and Innovation

Inclusion ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen McLaughlin ◽  
Lori Sedlezky ◽  
Harolyn Belcher ◽  
Abby Marquand ◽  
Amy Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals

Abstract Across the United States, there is growing demand for a competent and stable workforce able to effectively support the health and community lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout the lifespan. This article describes national goals for research and innovation to advance the IDD workforce. The research goals outlined address important workforce topics that include increasing capacity and sustainability, competency development and quality support, the use of technology, family support, and the vital role of direct support professionals in helping people with IDD to become fully included and valued members of their communities.

Age of Persons Supported and Factors Predicting Intended Staff Turnover: A Comparative Study

Inclusion ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Britton Laws ◽  
Stacey R. Kolomer ◽  
Megan J. Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Job Stress ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Staff Turnover ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Intent To Turnover ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Aging Adults

Abstract Community-based direct support professionals (DSPs) face a myriad of challenges on the job that are intensified by the complexities of supporting people with disabilities who are aging. The purpose of this study was to compare the variables of job stress/demand, empowerment/control, perceived organizational support, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and intent to turnover (identified as attitudinal antecedents to attrition), between DSPs who primarily support aging adults with an intellectual disability and those who support younger people. Ninety-seven DSPs completed an online survey. Results indicate that DSPs who support aging adults showed statistically lower empowerment/control than their peers. Data suggest that they are also at comparatively higher risk of attrition. Implications and recommendations for strengthening this workforce are shared.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Direct Support Professionals

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Keesler
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals

Abstract Direct support professionals (DSPs) provide integral support to many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Yet, individuals' access to qualified DSPs is often compromised as organizations struggle to hire and retain DSPs. Despite a vast body of research exploring factors associated with turnover, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among DSPs remain absent from the literature. ACEs encompass abuse and familial dysfunction prior to the age of 18 and, in the general population, have been linked to compromised well-being and work-related challenges in adult life. An online survey was conducted to explore the prevalence of ACE categories and ACE scores (i.e., the sum of each ACE category experienced by a person) among DSPs (n = 386) working in licensed settings. Seventy-five percent of DSPs experienced at least one ACE and 30% had an ACE score of four or more. DSPs who identified as female and those who had been in their position less than one year had significantly higher ACE scores than males and others who had been in their position longer, respectively. In comparison with other studies, the four most common ACE categories among DSPs (i.e., divorce, emotional abuse, mental illness, and substance abuse) were the same, however, DSPs in the present study had a higher average ACE score and nearly twice the percentage of persons having an ACE score of four or more. The potential implications of ACEs among DSPs, at the intersection of their work with individuals with IDD, are discussed.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Risk perception and Coping strategies.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Gerhold
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Older People ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
German Population ◽  
Representative Survey ◽  
Ways Of Coping ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
Public Traffic ◽  
And Coping

This paper presents preliminary results of a representative survey of the German population focusing on perceptions of risk and ways of coping with COVID-19. Results show that older people estimate the risk of COVID-19 as being less than younger people. Women are more concerned about COVID-19 than men. People especially worry about being infected in places with high public traffic such as public transport and shops or restaurants. Coping strategies are highly problem-focused and most respondents listen to experts’ advice and try to behave calmly and appropriately. People accept that measures to tackle COVID-19 will take time to be effective. Bulk buying and storing of food is mainly justified by a combination of convenience and a perceived need to be prepared for potential quarantine.

Direct Support Workforce Supporting Individuals With IDD: Current Wages, Benefits, and Stability

2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 317-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Bogenschutz ◽  
Amy Hewitt ◽  
Derek Nord ◽  
Renee Hepperlen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fringe Benefit ◽  
Fringe Benefits ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Skilled Worker ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals ◽  
Integral Role

Abstract Direct support professionals (DSPs) and frontline supervisors (FLSs) play an integral role in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and are often the individuals directly responsible for assisting people with IDD to live and fully participate in their communities. These two groups of workers have typically been employed at lower wages with limited access to fringe benefits, contributing to high rates of turnover compared to a similarly skilled worker in the United States. This article summarizes findings and is the first investigation in several years to systematically examine the wages, fringe benefits, and stability of the DSP and FLS workforces supporting individuals with IDD. Findings suggest that a typical DSP may expect to earn about $11.25 per hour, while FLSs may expect wages of about $15.45 hourly. Of concern, however, is that fringe benefit provision was quite limited in this sample. Implications, including relation to past reports of DSP workforce development, are discussed.

Direct Support Professionals and Quality of Life of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carli Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals ◽  
Services And Supports ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the “backbone” of long term services and supports (LTSS) in the United States (Bogenschutz, Hewitt, Nord, & Hepperlen, 2014, p. 317). This study examined the relationship between DSPs and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities' (IDD) quality of life. To do so, we utilized Personal Outcome Measures® interviews from over 1,300 people with IDD to examine the impact DSP change has at individual and organizational levels. We found DSP continuity is central to quality of life of people, including human security, community, relationships, choice, and goals. States cannot continue to provide near-poverty level reimbursement rates for DSPs and still ensure quality of life.

scholarly journals Towards a Reformulated Theory Underlying Schema Therapy: Position Paper of an International Workgroup

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnoud Arntz ◽  
Marleen Rijkeboer ◽  
Edward Chan ◽  
Eva Fassbinder ◽  
Alp Karaosmanoglu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Early Maladaptive Schemas ◽  
Schema Therapy ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Ways Of Coping ◽  
Schema Modes ◽  
The World ◽  
And Coping ◽  
And Inversion ◽  
Further Development

Abstract Background A central construct in Schema Therapy (ST) is that of a schema mode, describing the current emotional-cognitive-behavioral state. Initially, 10 modes were described. Over time, with the world-wide increasing and broader application of ST to various disorders, additional schema modes were identified, mainly based on clinical impressions. Thus, the need for a new, theoretically based, cross-cultural taxonomy of modes emerged. Methods An international workgroup started from scratch to identify an extensive taxonomy of modes, based on (a) extending the theory underlying ST with new insights on needs, and (b) recent research on ST theory supporting that modes represent combinations of activated schemas and coping. Results We propose to add two emotional needs to the original five core needs that theoretically underpin the development of early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), i.e., the need for Self-Coherence, and the need for Fairness, leading to three new EMSs, i.e. Lack of a Coherent Identity, Lack of a Meaningful World, and Unfairness. When rethinking the purpose behind the different ways of coping with EMS-activation, we came up with new labels for two of those: Resignation instead of Surrender, and Inversion instead of Overcompensation. By systematically combining EMSs and ways of coping we derived a set of schema modes that can be empirically tested. Conclusions With this project, we hope to contribute to the further development of ST and its application across the world.

Buying-Shopping Disorder among Women: The Role of Vulnerability to Marketing, Buying Motives, Impulsivity, and Self-Esteem

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-303
Author(s):  
Emeline Chauchard ◽  
Julie Mariez ◽  
Marie Grall-Bronnec ◽  
Gaëlle Challet-Bouju
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Intention To Purchase ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Alcohol Users ◽  
The Relationship

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The influence of marketing on addictive behaviours has been studied among tobacco and alcohol users. Although the fashion industry is highly influenced by marketing, research has poorly studied vulnerability to fashion marketing as a factor related to buying-shopping disorder (BSD) while considering psychological characteristics (buying motives, impulsivity, and self-esteem). <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The objective of the present work is to investigate the relationship between vulnerability to marketing and BSD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Women (<i>n</i> = 242) were exclusively recruited through social networking. They completed an online survey exploring the severity of BSD using the <i>Compulsive Buying Scale</i> (CBS) and the psychological factors associated with BSD (impulsivity, self-esteem, and buying motives) and an experimental task designed to investigate the intention to purchase in several situations, where marketing modalities such as price, brand, and packaging fluctuate. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Among the 242 participants in the study, 34 were identified as compulsive buyers (14%). Income level was considered, and compulsive buyers displayed a higher level of vulnerability to marketing, except for the packaging modality. High levels of positive urgency, lack of premeditation, and coping motivation were found to be significant predictors of the CBS score, but vulnerability to marketing was not. <b><i>Discussion and Conclusions:</i></b> Compulsive buyers seem to be more sensitive to marketing strategies, although vulnerability to marketing was not identified as a predictor of the severity of BSD. Given the enormous literature on the role of marketing in other addictive behaviours, further studies are needed to better understand the role of marketing in BSD to develop appropriate public health policies.

scholarly journals Experiences of Australian podiatrists working through the 2020 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: an online survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cylie M. Williams ◽  
Anna Couch ◽  
Terry Haines ◽  
Hylton B. Menz
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Medical Officer ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Business Decisions ◽  
Working Through ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background On the 19th of January, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer of Australia issued a statement about a novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2. Since this date, there have been variable jurisdictional responses, including lockdowns, and restrictions on podiatry practice. This study aimed to describe impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the podiatry profession in Australia. Methods This was a cross sectional study of Australian podiatrists using demographic data collected between 2017 and 2020, and pandemic-related question responses collected between 30th March and 31st August, 2020. Data were collected online and participants described their work settings, patient funding types, business decisions and impacts, and information sources used to guide practice decisions during this time-period. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse open-ended questions about their practice impact of SARS-CoV-2. Results There were 732 survey responses, with 465 Australian podiatrists or podiatric surgeons providing responses describing pandemic impact. From these responses, 223 (49% of 453) podiatrists reported no supply issues, or having adequate supplies for the foreseeable future with personal protective equipment (PPE) or consumables to support effective infection prevention and control. The most frequent responses about employment, or hours of work, impact were reported in the various categories of “business as usual” (n = 312, 67%). Participants described most frequently using the local state and territory Department of Health websites (n = 347, 75%), and the Australian Podiatry Association (n = 334, 72%) to make decisions about their business. Overarching themes which resounded through open-ended comments was that working through the pandemic was likened to a marathon, and not a sprint. Themes were: (i) commitment to do this, (ii) it’s all in the plan, but not everything goes to plan, (iii) my support team must be part of getting through it, (iv) road blocks happen, and (v) nothing is easy, what’s next? Conclusion Podiatrists in Australia reported variable pandemic impact on their business decisions, PPE stores, and their valued sources of information. Podiatrists also described their “marathon” journey through the pandemic to date, with quotes describing their challenges and highlights. Describing these experiences should provide key learnings for future workforce challenges, should further restrictions come into place.

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