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Han E, Scior K, Grace K, Heath E, Dufresne S, Crane L. 'Who, When, How to Share': Pilot study of a new disclosure decision-making programme for autistic adults. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024:13623613231221685. [PMID: 38339979 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231221685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT 'Who, When, How to Share' is a new programme that aims to support autistic adults in making decisions around sharing their autistic identity with others. The programme involves working through a self-help guide independently over 3 weeks with optional peer support. We wanted to find out if autistic adults would join the programme and find it useful. Thirty-two autistic adults took part in the programme and 19 of them completed it. Most participants who completed the programme liked the programme and found it helpful, but some felt that they needed more time and support to complete it. They suggested that the programme would be more accessible if it was more interactive, such as including videos and other ways to gain feedback on their progress. Surveys filled in by participants before and after the programme suggested that they became more confident and less stressed about sharing their autistic identity with others, but some felt they still needed to build more confidence in order to handle negative attitudes from others. More work is needed to improve and test the programme further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline Han
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, UK
| | - Katrina Scior
- UCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UK
| | - Kana Grace
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, UK
| | | | - Simone Dufresne
- Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development, Tufts University, USA
| | - Laura Crane
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, UK
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Warreman EB, Ester WA, Geurts HM, Vermeiren RRJM, Nooteboom LA. How do primary care providers and autistic adults want to improve their primary care? A Delphi-study. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 28:449-460. [PMID: 37194206 PMCID: PMC10851648 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231172865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic adults often encounter different types of healthcare barriers. Because autistic adults also have an increased risk for health problems, the aim of this study was to evaluate barriers and to explore how primary care providers and autistic adults want to improve their primary healthcare. In this co-created study, semi-structured interviews with three autistic adults, two parents of autistic children and six care providers were performed to evaluate barriers in Dutch healthcare. Next, in the survey-study (using the Delphi-method including controlled feedback in three consecutive questionnaires), 21 autistic adults and 20 primary care providers rated the impact of barriers and the usefulness and feasibility of recommendations to improve primary healthcare. In the interviews, 20 barriers in Dutch healthcare for autistic people were found. In the survey-study, the primary care providers rated the negative impact of most barriers lower than the autistic adults. This survey-study resulted in 22 recommendations to improve primary healthcare focused on: primary care providers (including education in collaboration with autistic people), autistic adults (including improvement of preparation for general practitioner-appointments) and organization of general practice (including improvement of continuity in care). In conclusion, primary care providers seem to view healthcare barriers as less impactful than autistic adults. In this co-created study, recommendations to improve primary healthcare for autistic adults were identified, based on the needs of autistic adults and primary care providers. These recommendations provide a basis for primary care providers, autistic adults and their support network to start conversations about, for example, strategies to improve primary care providers' knowledge, autistic adults' preparation for a general practitioner-appointment and organization of primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva B Warreman
- Leiden University Medical Center Curium, the Netherlands
| | - Wietske A Ester
- Leiden University Medical Center Curium, the Netherlands
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, the Netherlands
- Sarr Autisme Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hilde M Geurts
- University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, Youz, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, the Netherlands
| | - Robert RJM Vermeiren
- Leiden University Medical Center Curium, the Netherlands
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, the Netherlands
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Geoffrion S, Leduc MP, Bourgouin E, Bellemare F, Arenzon V, Genest C. A feasibility study of psychological first aid as a supportive intervention among police officers exposed to traumatic events. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1149597. [PMID: 36993901 PMCID: PMC10040866 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1149597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionPolice officers are often exposed to traumatic events, which can induce psychological distress and increase the risk of developing post-traumatic stress injuries. To date, little is known about support and prevention of traumatic events in police organizations. Psychological first aid (PFA) has been promoted as a promising solution to prevent psychological distress following exposure to a traumatic event. However, PFA has not yet been adapted to policing reality, let alone to the frequent exposure to traumatic events faced by this population. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of PFA as an early intervention for the prevention of post-traumatic stress injuries among police officers in Quebec, Canada. Specifically, the objectives were to evaluate: (1) the demand. (2) the practicality, and (3) the acceptability of PFA in a police organization.MethodsA feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the implementation of PFA among Quebec’s provincial police force. To do so, 36 police officers participated in semi-structured interviews between October 26th, 2021, and July 23rd, 2022. Participants were comprised of responders (n = 26), beneficiaries (n = 4) and managers (n = 6). Interviews were transcribed, coded, and evaluated according to a thematic analysis.ResultsEleven themes emerged from participants’ responses. Results suggested that PFA met individual and organizational needs. References were also made regarding the impacts of this intervention. Moreover, participants provided feedback for improving the implementation and sustainability of a PFA program. All three groups of participants shared similar thematic content.DiscussionFindings revealed that implementation of a PFA program in a law enforcement agency was feasible and could be accomplished without major issues. Importantly, PFA had beneficial consequences within the organization. Specifically, PFA destigmatized mental health issues and renewed a sense of hope among police personnel. These findings are in line with previous research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Geoffrion
- Trauma Studies Center, Research Centre of the University Institute in Mental Health of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Steve Geoffrion,
| | - Marie-Pierre Leduc
- Trauma Studies Center, Research Centre of the University Institute in Mental Health of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elody Bourgouin
- Trauma Studies Center, Research Centre of the University Institute in Mental Health of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - François Bellemare
- Trauma Studies Center, Research Centre of the University Institute in Mental Health of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Valérie Arenzon
- Trauma Studies Center, Research Centre of the University Institute in Mental Health of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christine Genest
- Trauma Studies Center, Research Centre of the University Institute in Mental Health of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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