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Wendlandt B, Edwards T, Hughes S, Gaynes BN, Carson SS, Hanson LC, Toles M. Novel Definitions of Wellness and Distress among Family Caregivers of Patients with Acute Cardiorespiratory Failure: A Qualitative Study. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2024; 21:782-793. [PMID: 38285875 PMCID: PMC11109912 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202310-904oc] [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] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Family caregivers of patients with acute cardiorespiratory failure are at high risk for distress, which is typically defined as the presence of psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress. Interventions to reduce caregiver distress and increase wellness have been largely ineffective to date. An incomplete understanding of caregiver wellness and distress may hinder efforts at developing effective support interventions. Objectives: To allow family caregivers to define their experiences of wellness and distress 6 months after patient intensive care unit (ICU) admission and to identify moderators that influence wellness and distress. Methods: Primary family caregivers of adult patients admitted to the medical ICU with acute cardiorespiratory failure were invited to participate in a semistructured interview 6 months after ICU admission as part of a larger prospective cohort study. Interview guides were used to assess caregiver perceptions of their own well-being, record caregiver descriptions of their experiences of family caregiving, and identify key stress events and moderators that influenced well-being during and after the ICU admission. This study was guided by the Chronic Traumatic Stress Framework conceptual model, and data were analyzed using the five-step framework approach. Results: Among 21 interviewees, the mean age was 58 years, 67% were female, and 76% were White. Nearly half of patients (47%) had died before the caregiver interview. At the time of the interview, 9 caregivers endorsed an overall sense of distress, 10 endorsed a sense of wellness, and 2 endorsed a mix of both. Caregivers defined their experiences of wellness and distress as multidimensional and composed of four main elements: 1) positive versus negative physical and psychological outcomes, 2) high versus low capacity for self-care, 3) thriving versus struggling in the caregiving role, and 4) a sense of normalcy versus ongoing life disruption. Postdischarge support from family, friends, and the community at large played a key role in moderating caregiver outcomes. Conclusions: Caregiver wellness and distress are multidimensional and extend beyond the absence or presence of psychological outcomes. Future intervention research should incorporate novel outcome measures that include elements of self-efficacy, preparedness, and adaptation and optimize postdischarge support for family caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blair Wendlandt
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | | | | | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC School of Medicine
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and
| | - Shannon S. Carson
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Laura C. Hanson
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care Program, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Meng TC, Szaflarski JP, Chen L, Brunnert M, Campos R, Van Ess P, Pullman WE, Fakhoury T. Psychosocial outcomes of repeated treatment of seizure clusters with midazolam nasal spray: Results of a phase 3, open-label extension trial. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 138:108989. [PMID: 36410152 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate treatment satisfaction, level of anxiety, confidence about traveling with midazolam nasal spray (MDZ-NS), and health-related quality of life in patients with seizure clusters and their caregivers after repeated, intermittent use of MDZ-NS in the outpatient setting. METHODS We analyzed the psychosocial outcome data from a phase 3, open-label extension trial (ARTEMIS-2; P261-402; NCT01529034) in patients 12 years of age and older with seizure clusters on a stable regimen of antiseizure medications. Caregivers administered MDZ-NS 5 mg when patients experienced a seizure cluster. A second dose could be given if seizures did not terminate within 10 min or recurred from 10 min to 6 h. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), the Intranasal Therapy Impact Questionnaire (ITIQ), and the Short Form-12 Health Survey version 2 (SF-12v2) were self-administered by patients and/or caregivers at prespecified visits. RESULTS Of the one hundred and seventy-five patients enrolled in ARTEMIS-2, 161 (92.0%) received ≥ 1 dose of MDZ-NS and had a post-treatment seizure-related assessment and were included in the Efficacy Evaluable Set in this analysis, with a total of 1,998 treated seizure clusters over a median duration of 16.8 months. All TSQM scales showed improvement from the baseline of the double-blind ARTEMIS-1 trial (NCT01390220) to the last visit in ARTEMIS-2, indicating greater satisfaction with MDZ-NS across all domains, with a mean change from baseline of 8.8, 6.1, 4.3, and 6.2 for effectiveness (n = 135), side effects (n = 139), convenience (n = 139), and global satisfaction (n = 138), respectively. Change from baseline in TSQM scores generally increased with repeated MDZ-NS use. In both patients and caregivers, anxiety generally lessened with repeated MDZ-NS use, with a mean improvement in ITIQ scores in patients' anxiety since receiving MDZ-NS from 2.5 (n = 138) to 3.5 (n = 145) from visit 1 to the last visit (and from 2.6 [n = 156] to 3.6 [n = 160] for caregivers), respectively. From visit 1 (screening and enrollment in ARTEMIS-2) to visit 10 (after 16 seizure cluster episodes treated with MDZ-NS), the proportions of patients and caregivers who answered "strongly agree" or "agree" for confidence about traveling with an intranasal spray remained ≥ 79% and generally increased over repeated MDZ-NS use. Small positive mean changes in SF-12v2 scores from baseline to the last visit were observed in both patients and caregivers, respectively, for the domains of physical functioning (0.9, 1.1), role-physical (2.4, 0.3), bodily pain (1.7, 0.3), general health (0.6, 1.2), and role-emotional (2.1, 0.3), and in the physical health component (1.6, 1.0). CONCLUSION Patients and caregivers perceived MDZ-NS favorably, with improvement from baseline on perceived effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction in the TSQM. This is supported by progressively lower anxiety and higher confidence levels about traveling with MDZ-NS over repeated intermittent use in the ITIQ. The positive mean changes observed in SF-12v2 scores from baseline to the last visit were small in magnitude. Limitations of this exploratory analysis include the open-label trial design and that these questionnaires have not been directly validated in epilepsy to identify clinically important changes; however, this does not mean these findings are not clinically meaningful. Overall, MDZ-NS is a socially acceptable drug device for outpatient treatment of seizure clusters that has the potential to improve quality of life and overall independence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tze-Chiang Meng
- Proximagen LLC, 605 Highway 169 N, Suite 240, Plymouth, MN 55441, USA.
| | - Jerzy P Szaflarski
- Departments of Neurology, Neurobiology, and Neurosurgery, Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, 1719 6th Ave South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Linda Chen
- UCB Pharma, 1950 Lake Park Dr SE, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA.
| | - Marcus Brunnert
- UCB Pharma, Alfred-Nobel-Straße 10, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
| | - Rita Campos
- UCB Pharma, 1950 Lake Park Dr SE, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA.
| | - Peter Van Ess
- Proximagen LLC, 605 Highway 169 N, Suite 240, Plymouth, MN 55441, USA.
| | - William E Pullman
- Proximagen LLC, 605 Highway 169 N, Suite 240, Plymouth, MN 55441, USA.
| | - Toufic Fakhoury
- St. Joseph Health System, 1401 Harrodsburg Road, Suite B-280, Lexington, KY 40504, USA.
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Turon H, Hill D, Watson R, Hobden B, Millar J, Sanson-Fisher R. A patient-centred approach to determine optimal supportive care across the cancer trajectory: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2021; 30:e13455. [PMID: 33881182 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Supportive care is recognised as an integral component of cancer care. To comprehensively improve supportive care and to inform policy, it is essential to examine consumer's views of health services. This study aimed to develop and test a patient-centred approach by measuring consumer perspectives on the importance of aspects of supportive care to determine what patients consider highest quality or 'optimal' care. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted in oncology outpatient clinics. Eligible patients were invited to complete the optimal care survey on an iPad. The survey consisted of 69 items assessing 14 care domains across five phases of the care trajectory. RESULTS A total of 359 participants completed the survey. Items in the 'preparation for treatment' and 'follow-up and end-of-life care' phases were endorsed as very important/essential to optimal care by most participants (79-97% and 80-100%, respectively). Items in the 'preparation for first appointment' (48-84%), 'first appointment' (51-97%) and 'receiving treatment' (32-93%) phases showed greater variation in endorsement. CONCLUSION This study provides a patient-centred tool for quantifying optimal supportive care for people with cancer across the treatment trajectory. This tool could be used by healthcare providers to evaluate existing care quality, develop policies and guide clinical service improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Turon
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - David Hill
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Population & Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Rochelle Watson
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Breanne Hobden
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeremy Millar
- Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Alfred Health Radiation Oncology Services, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rob Sanson-Fisher
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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Boyd LAP, Waller AE, Hill D, Sanson-Fisher RW. Psychosocial well-being of brain cancer patients and support persons: A mapping review of study types over time. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2021; 30:e13446. [PMID: 33772936 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This review examined the: (1) number of publications exploring psychosocial outcomes of adults with brain cancer and/or support persons between 1999 and 2019 and whether there has been a change in the type of research over time; and (2) proportion of intervention studies meeting Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) research design criteria. METHODS Embase, The Cochrane Library, Medline and PsycINFO databases were electronically searched January 1999 to December 2019. Articles were examined against inclusion/exclusion criteria and coded into measurement, descriptive or intervention categories. Intervention studies were assessed against the EPOC design criteria. RESULTS 220 eligible publications were identified. The number of total publications significantly increased by an average of 1 each year (95%CI = 0.7-1.3; p < 0.001). There was no significant change in the proportion of publications by study type across three time periods. Descriptive research represented the majority within each time period. Of the 17 intervention studies, only 7(41%) met EPOC design criteria. CONCLUSIONS Published literature on brain cancer psychosocial outcomes has increased significantly. However, descriptive research dominates research output. To increase high-level knowledge that can guide psychosocial care of people with brain cancer, there is a need to undertake methodologically rigorous intervention trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy A P Boyd
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia.,Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy E Waller
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - David Hill
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health and School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Rob W Sanson-Fisher
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
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Ugalde A, Blaschke SM, Schofield P, Lambert SD, Aranda S, Boltong A, Chambers SK, Krishnasamy M, Livingston P. Priorities for cancer caregiver intervention research: A three-round modified Delphi study to inform priorities for participants, interventions, outcomes, and study design characteristics. Psychooncology 2020; 29:2091-2096. [PMID: 32364654 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ugalde
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah-May Blaschke
- Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Penelope Schofield
- Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Psychology, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sylvie D Lambert
- Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sanchia Aranda
- Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Nursing, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Boltong
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suzanne K Chambers
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Meinir Krishnasamy
- Department of Nursing, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patricia Livingston
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Carey M, Bryant J, Zucca A, Hall A, Grady A, Dilworth S, Peek K. How well do cancer survivor self-classifications of anxiety, depression and stress agree with a standardised tool? Results of a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222107. [PMID: 31539386 PMCID: PMC6754128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is poor uptake of psychosocial interventions offered to people with cancer who record high scores on distress screening scales. Intervention uptake may be influenced by a mismatch between consumer (bottom-up) and professional (top-down) paradigms of wellbeing. The current research aims to compare cancer survivors' 'self-judgements' about their levels of anxiety, depression and stress, to classifications derived via a professional-driven measure, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). METHODS A cross-sectional study was undertaken with haematological cancer survivors recruited from three population-based cancer registries in Australia. Consenting participants were mailed a questionnaire package; and non-responders received a second questionnaire package after 3-weeks and a reminder call after 6-weeks. The consumer-driven perspective was assessed via three separate single items asking survivors to self-classify their levels of anxiety, depression and stress over the past week on a scale from 'normal' to 'extremely severe'. The professional-driven classification was assessed via the DASS-21. Kappa statistics were used to assess agreement between consumer- and professional-driven measures. RESULTS Of 2,971 eligible haematological cancer survivors, 1,239 (42%) provided written consent and were mailed a questionnaire package. Of these, 984 (79%) returned a completed questionnaire. The simple kappa for agreement between the DASS-21 and self-classified measures for anxiety was 0.47 (95% CI: 0.39 to 0.54, p<0.0001). The weighted kappa for agreement between the DASS-21 and self-classified measures of depression was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.53 to 0.67, p<0.0001) and for measures of stress was 0.51 (95% CI: 0.44 to 0.59, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Moderate agreement between self-classification and professional-driven assessments was found. The value of screening is predicated on the assumption that those with identified needs will be offered and take up services that will benefit them. Our results suggest that to improve the utility of distress screening it may be important to include assessment of survivor views about their symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Carey
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Jamie Bryant
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison Zucca
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Alix Hall
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Alice Grady
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Population Health, Wallsend, NSW, Australia
| | - Sophie Dilworth
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Kerry Peek
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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The use of a patient-reported outcome questionnaire to assess cancer survivorship concerns and psychosocial outcomes among recent survivors. Support Care Cancer 2017; 25:2405-2412. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-3646-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Donohue B, Plant CP, Barchard KA, Gillis DJ. Examination of the Extent to which Employment Factors are Associated with Reduced Child Maltreatment Potential and Drug Use. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2017; 26:168-175. [PMID: 28983184 PMCID: PMC5624733 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-016-0540-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Job assistance programs are commonly recommended for parents of children who have been victimized by child maltreatment, particularly when illicit drugs are indicated. However, the relationship between employment factors, substance abuse and risk of child maltreatment has received limited empirical attention. Therefore, the current study examines employment factors in a sample of 72 mothers who were referred by Child Protective Services (CPS) for treatment of substance abuse and child neglect. Child maltreatment potential was found to be negatively associated with number of hours employed and self-reported happiness with employment. The association between child abuse potential and personal income of participants approached significance (p = .057), and the results were not influenced by social desirability. Employment satisfaction significantly contributed to the prediction of child maltreatment potential over and above other employment factors and control variables. These findings suggest that when mothers are involved in CPS their risk of perpetrating child maltreatment may be reduced when they are assisted in gainful employment that is personally satisfying. Happiness with employment was the only employment factor correlated (inversely) with substance use (biological testing, self-report of participants). Future directions are discussed in light of the results, including the importance of considering employment satisfaction when conducting vocational assistance programs in this population.
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Plant CP, Donohue B, Holland JM. Examination of Life Satisfaction, Child Maltreatment Potential and Substance Use in Mothers Referred for Treatment by Child Protective Services for Child Neglect and Substance Abuse: Implications for Intervention Planning. APPLIED RESEARCH IN QUALITY OF LIFE 2016; 11:805-816. [PMID: 27617042 PMCID: PMC5014439 DOI: 10.1007/s11482-015-9398-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence to suggest mothers who are served by child protective service agencies are relatively dissatisfied in their lives, leading some investigators to conclude life dissatisfaction may be associated with child maltreatment. To assist in better understanding this relationship the Life Satisfaction Scale for Caregivers (LSSC) was psychometrically developed in a sample of 72 mothers who were referred for behavioral treatment for child neglect and substance abuse by caseworkers from a local child protective service agency. The LSSC was developed to assess mothers' happiness in nine domains (family, friendships, employment/work, spirituality/religion, safety, sex life/dating, ability to avoid drugs, ability to avoid alcohol, control over one's own life). Results indicated two factors that appeared to be relevant to Social Satisfaction and Safety and Control Satisfaction. Higher satisfaction scores on both of these scales were negatively associated with child maltreatment potential and substance use at baseline (i.e., positive urinalysis test). Mothers who exposed their children to substances in utero or in infancy (a distinct type of child neglect) were found to report higher satisfaction scores on the LSSC than other types of child neglect. Hispanic-American, African-American, and Caucasian women reported similar levels of life satisfaction. Application of the LSSC as a non-stigmatizing, wellness-focused instrument is discussed within the context of intervention planning.
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