The Social Networks and Social Support of Siblings of Children with Cancer

Siblings of children with cancer need support to ameliorate the challenges they encounter; however, little is known about what types and sources of support exist for siblings. This study addresses this gap in our understanding of the social networks and sources of support for adolescents with a brother or sister who has cancer. Additionally, we describe how the support siblings receive addresses what they feel are the hardest aspects of being a sibling of a child with cancer. During semi-structured interviews, siblings (ages 12–17) constructed ecomaps describing their support networks. Data were coded for support type (emotional, instrumental, informational, validation, companionship) and support provider (e.g., mother, teacher, friend). Network characteristics and patterns of support were explored. Support network size ranged from 3 to 10 individuals (M = 6 ± 1.9); siblings most frequently reported mothers as sources of support (n = 22, 91.7%), followed by fathers (n = 19, 79.2%), close friends (n = 19, 79.2%) and siblings (with or without cancer) (n = 17, 70.8%). Friends and brothers or sisters most often provided validation and companionship while instrumental and informational supports came from parents. This study provides foundational knowledge about siblings’ support networks, which can be utilized to design interventions that improve support for siblings of children with cancer.

Family Context and ADHD Symptoms in Middle Childhood: an Explanatory Model

Recent research suggests that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be influenced by interactions between the individual and their social context. This study examined the predictive value of family context variables and attentional control levels on child ADHD symptoms. A new explanatory model of the relationship amongst these variables was also tested. A sample of 754 families with children aged 7 to 11 was assessed through the Conners Parent Rating Scale, the Haezi-Etxadi Family Assessment Scale, and the Attention Network Test. Path analysis models showed a predictive association between children ADHD symptoms and Social Support Network, Parental Stress, Parental Self-efficacy, Attentional Control and being male. Furthermore, a stronger Social Support Network was associated with greater Parental Self-efficacy, a variable that predicted Parental Stress levels and children ADHD symptoms. In conclusion, a new multi-influence model of variables linked to ADHD symptomatology during mid-childhood is provided, which may be useful to support the design of family interventions.

How Older Adults Learn ICT—Guided and Self-Regulated Learning in Individuals With and Without Disabilities

Learning to use information and communication technologies (ICT) may be more difficult for older people due to decreases in fluid intelligence, generational effects, and other age-related effects. Especially older people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at a high risk of digital exclusion. To enable all older adults to use ICT, individualized technology training may be provided. However, little is known about the ICT learning preferences among older people with ID. Based on semi-structured interviews with older adults (n = 7, mean age = 76.6 years) and older adults with ID (n = 14, mean age = 62.4 years), this paper analyzes learning strategies, preferences, and learning settings. The results from content analysis show that guided learning with personal explanations in a one-to-one setting is the most preferred learning format in both groups of older adults. While many older adults without ID additionally favor self-regulated learning (i.e., learning with manuals or videos), older adults with ID mostly rely on guided learning with personal assistance. The differences can be explained by different abilities (e.g., reading skills) and social networks (e.g., living situation, having children). Not all older adults have a family or an institutional support network to help them learn ICT and community organizations may provide additional support. Researchers and practitioners should be aware of the diverse knowledge backgrounds and competencies in the group of older adults. ICT training in old age should be ideally composed in a modular way embedding self-regulated learning formats into guided learning modules.

Qualidade da atenção à saúde do idoso atenção primária: uma revisão integrativa

Objective: To investigate, through an integrative literature review, the quality of health care for the elderly in primary care. Material and Methods: Integrative literature review conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, LILACS and BDENF databases between April and May 2020, which generated 780 references. After removal of the duplicates and use of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample consisted of 15 articles. Results: The quality of health care for the elderly in primary care was associated with potential and weaknesses that involved the availability and training of human resources, adoption of evaluation protocols, monitoring and follow-up, supply of inputs and structural variables linked to infrastructure and intersectoral support network. The effectiveness of actions to the elderly in primary care was related to the implementation of the Family Health Strategy, combined with the active action of the community health agent in the territory and the participation of the elderly in the decisions. Conclusion: Strengthening the health care of the elderly in primary care involves short, medium and long-term efforts related to education, human and material resources management, networking, and the formation of ties with the territory and the elderly person. Objetivo: Investigar, a través de una revisión integradora de la literatura, la calidad de la atención en salud del adulto mayor en atención primaria.Materiales y Métodos: Revisión bibliográfica integradora realizada en las bases de datos MEDLINE / PubMed, SciELO, LILACS y BDENF entre abril y mayo de 2020, que generó 780 referencias. Después de eliminar los duplicados y utilizar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, la muestra final fue de 15 artículos.Resultados: La calidad de la atención en salud del adulto mayor en atención primaria se asoció con fortalezas y debilidades que involucraron la disponibilidad y formación de recursos humanos, adopción de protocolos de evaluación, seguimiento y seguimiento, suministro de insumos y variables estructurales vinculadas a la infraestructura y red de apoyo intersectorial. La efectividad de las acciones para el adulto mayor en atención primaria estuvo relacionada con la implementación de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia, combinada con el desempeño activo del agente comunitario de salud en el territorio y la participación del adulto mayor en las decisiones.Conclusión: El fortalecimiento de la atención a la salud del anciano en la atención primaria implica esfuerzos a corto, mediano y largo plazo relacionados con la educación, la gestión de los recursos humanos y materiales, el trabajo en red y la formación de vínculos con el territorio y el anciano. Objetivo: Investigar, por meio de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, a qualidade da atenção à saúde do idoso na atenção primária. Materiais e Métodos: Revisão integrativa da literatura realizada nas bases de dados MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, LILACS e BDENF entre os meses de abril e maio de 2020, as quais geraram 780 referências. Após remoção das duplicatas e emprego dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão a amostra final foi composta por 15 artigos. Resultados: A qualidade da atenção à saúde do idoso na atenção primária esteve associada a potencialidades e fragilidades que envolveram a disponibilidade e treinamento dos recursos humanos, adoção de protocolos de avaliação, acompanhamento e monitoramento, oferta de insumos e variáveis estruturais ligadas à infraestrutura e à rede de apoio intersetorial. A efetividade das ações à pessoa idosa na atenção primária esteve relacionada à implantação da Estratégia Saúde da Família, conjugada com a atuação ativa do agente comunitário de saúde no território e a participação do idoso nas decisões. Conclusão: Fortalecer a atenção à saúde do idoso na atenção primária envolve esforços a curto, médio e longo prazo relacionados à educação, gestão de recursos humanos e materiais, atuação em rede e a formação de vínculo com o território e a pessoa idosa.

Relationships of adolescents with suicidal behavior with social support networks

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the relationships of adolescents with suicidal behavior established with social support networks. Method: Qualitative study addressing ten adolescents with suicidal behavior cared for by a psychosocial care center attending children and adolescents located in southern Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were held in July 2020 via WhatsApp during the COVID-19 pandemic, and data were analyzed according to Minayo’s thematic analysis. Results: Two categories emerged: Dynamics of the relationships established in the family support network and Relationships established with the remaining social support network members, which revealed a weak social support network established with friends and at the school context. Final considerations: This study enabled identifying how relationships are established in the social support networks and how these reflected on the adolescents’ development.

Factors associated with risk, perception and knowledge of falls in elderly people

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the factors associated with risk, perception, and knowledge of falls; and pain among older adults. Method: A cross-sectional study carried out in the Emergency Service of a teaching hospital in the city of São Paulo between September 2019 and March 2020. We selected 197 older adults aged 65 and over, who were not disoriented or confused, of both genders. The instruments Awareness Questionnaire on the Risk of Falls, Morse Fall Scale and Numerical Pain Scales were applied. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Results: Interviewees with a high risk of falls in older adults (p = 0.0041); those with a support network had a lower perception and knowledge about the risk of falls (p = 0.0025) and lower percentage of severe pain (p = 0.0033). Conclusion: Factors associated with risk, perception and knowledge of falls and pain among older adults were age, family income, number of dependents, caregiver, support network, hypertension, impaired walking, antihypertensive medication, lipid-lowering medication, level of education, comorbidities and religion.

Elderly victims of violence: family assessment through the Calgary model

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand the structure, development, and functionality of the family of the elderly victim of violence. Method: Descriptive research with a qualitative approach, based on the Calgary Family Assessment Model. Four elderly people who suffered violence and their family members were assessed at home, from October to November 2019. Data analysis was based on the genogram and ecomap, as proposed in the model. Results: It was found that the members of the four families had low schooling and financial difficulties. As for the social support network, the neighbors, the health unit and the Church stood out. The members of each family nucleus expressed feelings of fear, insecurity, anger, nervousness, sadness and impotence, resulting from the conflict between the couple. Final considerations: In the assessed families, weaknesses and potentialities in the structure, development and functioning are highlighted, which must be considered in the elaboration of the care plan.

To Raise a Bilingual or a Monolingual Child: Concerns of an Immigrant Mother

The number of immigrant families in Canada and other Western countries has increased in the last several decades. Immigrant families face challenges in bringing up their children in a new country, such as different expectations from two different cultures, being away from their family and immediate support network, financial problems, and language limitations. One of the main concerns of most immigrant parents is their child's language acquisition. Language development is the most significant predictor of children’s success in school and later life. Regarding the vital role of language development in each aspect of life, it is essential to explore this growing population's experiences and challenges related to their children’s language acquisition. This qualitative study benefited from a narrative inquiry for representing and interpreting an immigrant mother's experiences and challenges in bringing up a bilingual child in Canada. This paper addresses the multiple conflicts affecting immigrant parents' decision to bring up a bilingual or monolingual child. Some of immigrant parents' main concerns, including passing on their accents, code-switching, language delays, limited social interactions and using screen time for teaching language are discussed in this paper.

Suffering and defense mechanisms: an analysis of the work of Primary Health Care nurses

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the suffering and coping strategies of nurses working in Primary Health Care considering the psychodynamics of their work. Methods: Descriptive study with a qualitative approach, carried out with 11 nurses working in Primary Health Care. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, systematized, and interpreted using Bardin’s content analysis method applied to recurrent themes. Results: The suffering factors related to work in Primary Health Care are difficulties with management, the fragile structure of the health support network, and conflicts with the users. Defensive strategies to minimize these difficulties are the support of hierarchical superiors, the empowerment of the community and users, and communication between team members. Final considerations: It is important that there be changes in the organization of this line of work to improve the workers’ health.

Frailty and sociodemographic and health factors, and social support network in the brazilian elderly: A longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify and analyze the sociodemographic and health factors and the social support network of the elderly associated with frailty in the assessments carried out between 2007/2008 and 2018. Methods: This is a longitudinal study with elderly people aged ≥65 years living in the community. The instruments used were those for Demographic Profile, the Mini Mental State Examination, the Functional Independence Measure, Lawton and Brody Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Minimum Relationship Map for the Elderly, and Edmonton Frail Scale. Descriptive analysis and linear regression were used, all tests with p < 0.05. Results: Of the 189 elderly in the study period (2007/2008–2018), most were 80 years old and over, with an average of 82.31 years old; they were women, with no partner, who lived with other family members and were retired. In the final analysis, regardless of age and sex, a decrease in functional independence, an increase in depressive symptoms, an increase in the number of self-reported illnesses, and an increase in the frailty score were observed. Conclusion: The factors that were associated with the increase in frailty of the elderly during the study period were age, female sex, and no partner. The health team, which includes nurses, shall be aware of changes and develop care plans to prevent or avoid their progression.