Resilience and Transitioning to Adulthood among Emerging Adults with Disabilities

Survey of US pediatric nurses' role in health care transition planning: Focus on assessment of self-management abilities of youth and young adults with long-term conditions

The survival rates of youth and young adults (YYAs) diagnosed with long-term conditions have improved considerably as 90% now enter adulthood; health care transition planning (HCTP) has emerged as a nursing practice priority. The aim of this national online survey was to investigate the extent to which nurses, recruited from two major United States pediatric nursing organizations are involved with HCTP including assessing YYA self-management abilities (SMA). Findings of a 9-item assessment of self-management abilities subscale of the nurses' role in HTCP tool are reported. The nurse respondents (n = 1269), identified the most frequently assessed SMA was the YYAs' ability to understand and speak about their condition and its treatment (M = 2.3, SD = .89). The least frequently assessed was the YYAs' ability to identify community advocates to help them become more independent (M =1.5, SD = .90). Regression analysis identified significant predictors of the frequency nurses assess YYA for SMA included nurses' level of knowledge, perceived level of importance, HCTP and skills identified in job description, and caring for YYA. Findings indicate HCTP care advancements will necessitate HCTP training and development of nurse-led service efforts to facilitate optimal outcomes for YYA.

Understanding the Phenomenon of Health Care Transition: Theoretical Underpinnings, Exemplars of Nursing Contributions, and Research Implications

This manuscript features exemplars of nursing science that contribute to the development of health care transition practice models and evidence-based care. These research exemplars demonstrate the need for diverse investigative approaches coupled with clinical acumen and expertise in health care transition. The focus of describing nurse-led and nurse-contributory research and quality improvement efforts in this emerging field is offered to foster nursing involvement.Also, research efforts are not limited to the pediatric populations; research is needed for the provision of evidence-based careand monitoring of health and psychosocial outcomes of adults with childhood acquired chronic conditions.

Resilience in the face of adversity in adults with an intellectual disability: A literature review

Background

Persons with an intellectual disability are at a higher risk of experiencing adversities. The concept of resilience offers promising insights into facilitating personal growth after adversity. The current study aims at providing an overview of the current research on resilience and the way this can contribute to quality of life in people with intellectual disability.

Method

A literature review was conducted in the databases PsycINFO and Web of Science. To evaluate the quality of the studies, the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used.

Results

The themes, autonomy, self‐acceptance and physical health, were identified as internal sources of resilience. External sources of resilience can be found within the social network and daily activities.

Conclusion

The current overview shows promising results to address resilience in adults with intellectual disability. More research is needed to identify the full range of resiliency factors.

Pediatric Nurses' Role in Health Care Transition Planning: National Survey Findings and Practice Implications

PURPOSE

Youth and young adults (YYA) with chronic illness and/or disability (CID) face numerous challenges in transition from pediatric to adult health care. Established evidence supports interdisciplinary team approaches to preparing youth and families for transition and transfer. The purpose of this national survey was to address a gap in current knowledge specific to pediatric nursing professionals' roles and responsibilities in health care transition planning (HCTP).

METHODOLOGY

A quantitative descriptive study using a survey questionnaire validated by experts in the field investigated respondents' role in HCTP, inclusion of HCTP in job description, levels of HCTP knowledge, and ratings of importance of HCTP elements. A volunteer sample of 1814 respondents was drawn from two professional organizations.

RESULTS

Over 64% of respondents performed HCTP activities related to complex chronic illness management. Only 18% reported specialized training in HCTP. The highest-ranking items in regard to perceived importance were educating and supporting disease self-management and speaking with families about complex needs. Predictors of perceived importance were role, inclusion of transition planning in a job description, percentage of time in direct care, caring for those aged 14 years and older, and level of knowledge about HCTP.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight key aspects of the pediatric nurse role in HCTP and identify specific elements that can be addressed to support future HCTP role development.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Pediatric nurses perform a vital role in HCTP for YYA with CID that may be enhanced with the inclusion of HCTP activities in job descriptions and specialized interdisciplinary HCTP training related to this emerging and growing population.

Employability of Disabled Graduates: Resources for a Sustainable Employment

In the frame of the psychology of sustainability, this research aims at exploring how the related concepts of risk factors, protective factors, and resilience might inform our understanding of the postgraduate outcomes of disabled youth. The number of disabled students is growing steadily, nevertheless, relatively little is known about the employment experiences and skill development of disabled youth. Following the positive primary preventive approach, this explorative research investigates the role of resilience and employability resources both in preventing perceived negative impact of disability on the employment opportunities and promoting the perception of employability. Fifty disabled students responded to an online questionnaire and their responses were compared to those of a nondisabled sample (N = 190). Motivations and meanings associated with entry into the workplace are equivalent in the two groups, but perceived impact of disability is a risk factor that hinders perceived employability. Resilience resources and soft skills show their effectiveness in reducing perceived disability impact and improving perceived employability, but between group comparison shows differences in the set of available resources. Overall, results provide insights for implementing actions to promote sustainable employment in order to foster a positive, sustainable organizational development.

The Development and Content Validation of a Self-reported Instrument to Explore the Nurse's Role in Healthcare Transition Planning for Youth and Young Adults With Chronic Illness and/or Disability (NR-HCTP)

PURPOSE

To develop an instrument to assess the nurse's role and responsibilities in healthcare transition planning (HCTP) for youth and young adults (YYA) with chronic illness and/or disability (CI/D) that will determine to what extent nurses are involved with providing HCTP services; and identify the specific activities that nurses engage in when providing HCTP services.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A panel of seven experts in the field were used to determine content validity.

RESULTS

The final NR-HCTP instrument contains a total of 68 items (17 main items, 5 containing sub items) representing activities that nurses engage in when providing HCTP services, their level and extent of involvement, and their level of knowledge in the areas of HCTP.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

An exploration of nurse's roles in HCTP for YYA with CI/D allows for discussion of current nursing practices in the transition process. The information obtained may be used to identify gaps in knowledge and practice guidelines, develop nursing core elements and educational materials to support nurses in their role, and inform nursing administrators in the development of appropriate HCTP position descriptions.

Rehabilitation of children and adolescents with myelomeningocele: the daily life of mothers-caregiversRehabilitation of children and adolescents with myelomeningocele: the daily life of mothers-caregivers

Objective

To analyze the daily routine of mothers-caregivers of children and adolescents with myelomeningocele at home.

Method

Descriptive, exploratory, qualitative research. Data were collected with 16 mothers of children and adolescents with myelomeningocele by means of interviews and observation from May to August 2015, in municipalities of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The data were submitted to qualitative analysis.

Results

The daily care routine of the mothers at home revealed two empirical categories: a) the impact of the birth on naturalization of care, and (b) changes in the routine of the mothers and women. The daily lives of these mothers is marked by caring that restricts their possibilities and activities to within the walls of their homes, although the mothers desire the independence of their children.

Conclusion

The emotional, economic, and social transformations, and the difficulties of these mothers to ensure the continuity of care highlight the importance of inclusive public policies, and the importance of health workers in the rehabilitation of children and adolescents with myelomeningocele and their families.