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Antonio G, Kwakye IN, Essel C. Experiences of relatives caring for psychiatric patients in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Br J Health Psychol 2024; 29:317-332. [PMID: 37844916 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aimed at examining the lived experiences of relatives caring for family members with mental illness in Ghana. METHODS Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted to explore caregivers' in-depth experiences. Fifteen caregivers were purposefully selected from four hospitals within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, and they were engaged in face-to-face interview sessions through the semi-structured guided interviews. Interviews were transcribed into text formats and analysed using the IPA approach. RESULTS Three superordinate themes and their respective sub-themes were identified. Theme 1: Being with the mentally ill (time consuming; financial burden; healer shopping); Theme 2: Psychosocial effect (stigmatization; stress and depression; changes in social/work life); Theme3: Coping resources (prayers/spirituality; psychological capital - ignoring, self-encouragement, acceptance, routinization; social/family support; reading). CONCLUSION It was recommended that healthcare professionals ought to prepare family members for the emotional challenges by providing them with constant therapeutic service to help reduce their emotional strain associated with the burden of care. Public education should be intensified for people to understand the need for accepting people with mental illness in order to reduce the issue of stigmatization. Again, government should institute policies through its agencies (Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service) to assist the caregivers in the discharge of responsibilities. This could take the form of reducing cost of drugs, and establishing community mental health care to provide immediate support.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isaac Nyarko Kwakye
- Department of Built Environment, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Cynthia Essel
- Salvation Army Hospital/West End University College, Accra, Ghana
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Holdren S, Crook L, Lyerly A. Birth setting decisions during COVID-19: A comparative qualitative study. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 20:17455057241227363. [PMID: 38282515 PMCID: PMC10826375 DOI: 10.1177/17455057241227363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increased number of out-of-hospital births in the United States and other nations. While many studies have sought to understand the experiences of pregnant and birthing people during this time, few have compared experiences across birth locations. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to compare the narratives and decision-making processes of those who gave birth in and out of hospitals during the pandemic. DESIGN We conducted semi-structured narrative interviews with 24 women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Interviews were transcribed and coded, and a thematic narrative analysis was employed. Final themes and exemplary quotes were determined in discussion among the research team. RESULTS Results from narrative analysis revealed three themes that played into participants' birth location decisions: (1) birth efficacy and values, (2) diverse definitions of safety, and (3) childcare and other logistics. In each of these themes, participants who gave birth in birthing centers, at the hospital, and at home describe their individualized approach to achieving a supportive birth environment while mitigating the risk of labor complications and COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that for some childbearing people, the pandemic did not change birthing values or decisions but rather brought enhanced clarity to their individual needs during birth and perceived risks, benefits, and limitations of each birthing space. This study further highlights the need for improved structural support for birthing people to access a range of safe and supportive birthing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Holdren
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura Crook
- Department of English and Comparative Literature, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anne Lyerly
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Mage S, Benton D, Gonzalez A, Zaragoza G, Wilber K, Tucker-Seeley R, Meyer K. "I Lay Awake at Night": Latino Family Caregivers' Experiences Covering Out-of-Pocket Costs When Caring for Someone Living With Dementia. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2024; 64:gnad011. [PMID: 36786288 PMCID: PMC10733120 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnad011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The financial burden of caregiving has received less research attention than physical and emotional costs. This is especially true for underserved ethnic minorities. Financial strain affects mental and physical health and is unequally distributed across caregivers of different races and ethnicities. Although caregivers overall spend, on average, one quarter of their income on caregiving, Latino caregivers, the focus of this study, spend nearly half. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS To better understand this disparity, we conducted 11 qualitative interviews with 14 Latino caregivers of persons living with dementia located in either California or Texas. Interview transcripts were thematically coded, guided by a material-psychosocial-behavioral conceptual model of financial strain. RESULTS We identified 3 themes: daily needs and costs, psychological distress caused by financial issues, and stressful barriers to accessing family and societal support. Furthermore, interviews revealed how Latino culture may influence spending patterns and management of costs. Findings suggest that preference by Latino families to care for a family member in the home may be met with a financial disadvantage due to the high out-of-pocket costs of care. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS A better understanding of the factors contributing to high costs for Latino caregivers and how these costs affect caregivers will inform approaches at both the individual and policy levels and develop culturally relevant interventions to help Latino families to lower caregiving costs. This is especially important as the number of Latinos living with dementia is expected to increase over the next 4 decades and effective interventions are lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Mage
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Donna Benton
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexander Gonzalez
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Kate Wilber
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Reginald Tucker-Seeley
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- ZERO—The End of Prostate Cancer, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Kylie Meyer
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Giusti L, Mammarella S, Del Vecchio S, Salza A, Casacchia M, Roncone R. Deepening Depression in Women Balancing Work-Life Responsibilities and Caregiving during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from Gender-Specific Face-to-Face Street Interviews Conducted in Italy. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:892. [PMID: 37998639 PMCID: PMC10668961 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110892] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, quality of life, and family functioning in a sample of the general female population, exploring difficulties encountered in managing family and work responsibilities and burden of care when taking care of a loved one. This study was, moreover, aimed at investigating factors capable of influencing severe depressive symptomatology in the context of socio-demographics, traumatic events, individual vulnerability, and family functioning. METHOD The sampling method used in this research was non-probability sampling. The survey took place during a Hospital Open Weekend (8-10 October 2021) organized by the National Gender Observatory on Women's Health "Fondazione Onda" on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day. RESULTS A total of 211 women were interviewed (mean age = 35.6, 53% living alone, more than 15% with financial difficulties, 47% exposed to the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake). More than 50% of the sample reported a higher complexity in managing their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to their previous routine, with no statistically significant differences between working women and non-workers, although the latter obtained higher scores for depressive symptomatology and poorer quality of life. Compared to non-caregivers, female caregivers (22.3%) in charge of the care of loved ones affected by physical (10.9%) or psychiatric disabilities (11.4%) complained of a poorer quality of life, especially in general health perception (p = 0.002), physical function (p = 0.011), role limitations related to physical problems (p = 0.017), bodily pain (p = 0.015), mental health (p = 0.004), and social functioning (p = 0.007). Women caring for people affected by mental disorders seemed to experience a more significant worsening in vitality (p = 0.003) and social functioning (p = 0.005). Approximately 20% of the total sample reported severe depressive symptomatology. Previous access to mental health services (O.R. 10.923; p = 0.000), a low level of education (O.R. 5.410; p = 0.021), and difficulties in management of everyday lives during the COVID-19 pandemic (O.R. 3.598; p = 0.045) were found to be the main variables predictive of severe depressive psychopathology. Old age, good problem-solving skills, and ability to pursue personal goals were identified as protective factors. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic underlined the need for support amongst emotionally vulnerable women with pre-existing mental health conditions, partly reflecting the cumulative effects of traumas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Giusti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.G.); (S.M.); (S.D.V.); (A.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Silvia Mammarella
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.G.); (S.M.); (S.D.V.); (A.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Sasha Del Vecchio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.G.); (S.M.); (S.D.V.); (A.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Anna Salza
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.G.); (S.M.); (S.D.V.); (A.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Massimo Casacchia
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.G.); (S.M.); (S.D.V.); (A.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Rita Roncone
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.G.); (S.M.); (S.D.V.); (A.S.); (M.C.)
- University Unit for Rehabilitation Treatment, Early Interventions in Mental Health, S. Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
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Abramsohn EM, De Ornelas M, Borson S, Frazier CRM, Fuller CM, Grana M, Huang ES, Jagai JS, Makelarski JA, Miller D, Schulman-Green D, Shiu E, Thompson K, Winslow V, Wroblewski K, Lindau ST. CommunityRx, a social care assistance intervention for family and friend caregivers delivered at the point of care: two concurrent blinded randomized controlled trials. Trials 2023; 24:681. [PMID: 37864258 PMCID: PMC10624358 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07697-z] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CommunityRx is an evidence-based social care intervention delivered to family and friend caregivers ("caregivers") at the point of healthcare to address health-related social risks (HRSRs). Two CommunityRx randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are being fielded concurrently on Chicago's South Side, a predominantly African American/Black community. CommunityRx-Hunger is a double-blind RCT enrolling caregivers of hospitalized children. CommunityRx-Dementia is a single-blind RCT enrolling caregivers of community-residing people with dementia. RCTs with caregivers face recruitment barriers, including caregiver burden and lack of systematic strategies to identify caregivers in clinical settings. COVID-19 pandemic-related visitor restrictions exacerbated these barriers and prompted the need for iteration of the protocols from in-person to remote operations. This study describes these protocols and methods used for successful iteration to overcome barriers. METHODS AND FINDINGS CommunityRx uses individual-level data to generate personalized, local community resource referrals for basic, health and caregiving needs. In early 2020, two in-person RCT protocols were pre-tested. In March 2020, when pandemic conditions prohibited face-to-face clinical enrollment, both protocols were iterated to efficient, caregiver-centered remote operations. Iterations were enabled in part by the Automated Randomized Controlled Trial Information-Communication System (ARCTICS), a trial management system innovation engineered to integrate the data collection database (REDCap) with community resource referral (NowPow) and SMS texting (Mosio) platforms. Enabled by engaged Community Advisory Boards and ARCTICS, both RCTs quickly adapted to remote operations. To accommodate these adaptations, launch was delayed until November (CommunityRx-Hunger) and December (CommunityRx-Dementia) 2020. Despite the delay, 65% of all planned participants (CommunityRx-Hunger n = 417/640; CommunityRx-Dementia n = 222/344) were enrolled by December 2021, halfway through our projected enrollment timeline. Both trials enrolled 13% more participants in the first 12 months than originally projected for in-person enrollment. DISCUSSION Our asset-based, community-engaged approach combined with widely accessible institutional and commercial information technologies facilitated rapid migration of in-person trials to remote operations. Remote or hybrid RCT designs for social care interventions may be a viable, scalable alternative to in-person recruitment and intervention delivery protocols, particularly for caregivers and other groups that are under-represented in traditional health services research. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: CommunityRx-Hunger (NCT04171999, 11/21/2019); CommunityRx for Caregivers (NCT04146545, 10/31/2019).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Abramsohn
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | | | - Soo Borson
- University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | | | - Charles M Fuller
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Mellissa Grana
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Elbert S Huang
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Jyotsna S Jagai
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | | | - Doriane Miller
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | | | - Eva Shiu
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Katherine Thompson
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Victoria Winslow
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Kristen Wroblewski
- University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2050, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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Abramsohn EM, De Ornelas M, Borson S, Frazier CR, Fuller CM, Grana M, Huang ES, Jagai JS, Makelarski JA, Miller D, Schulman-Green D, Shiu E, Thompson K, Winslow V, Wroblewski K, Lindau ST. Two concurrent randomized controlled trials of CommunityRx, a social care intervention for family and friend caregivers delivered at the point of care. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2464681. [PMID: 36909590 PMCID: PMC10002827 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2464681/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Background CommunityRx is an evidence-based social care intervention delivered to family and friend caregivers ("caregivers") at the point of healthcare to address health-related social risks (HRSRs). CommunityRx-Hunger is a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) that enrolls caregivers of hospitalized children. CommunityRx-Dementia is a single-blind RCT that enrolls caregivers of community-residing people with dementia. Clinical trials that enroll caregivers face recruitment barriers, including caregiver burden and lack of systematic strategies to identify and track caregivers. COVID-19 pandemic-related visitor restrictions exacerbated these barriers and prompted the need for iteration of the CommunityRx protocols from in-person to remote operations. This study describes the novel methods used to iterate existing RCT protocols and factors contributing to their successful iteration. Methods CommunityRx uses individual-level data to generate personalized community resource referrals for basic, health and caregiving needs. Our research program uses an asset-based, community-engaged approach including study-specific community advisory boards (CABs). In early 2020, both RCT protocols were pre-tested in-person. In March 2020, when pandemic conditions prohibited enrollment during clinical encounters, both protocols were iterated to efficient, caregiver-centered remote operations. Iterations were enabled in part by the Automated Randomized Controlled Trial Information-Communication System (ARCTICS), a trial management system innovation engineered to integrate the data collection database (REDCap) with community resource referral (NowPow) and SMS texting (Mosio) platforms. Results Enabled by engaged CABs and ARCTICS, both RCTs quickly adapted to remote operations. Designed before the pandemic, we had planned to launch both trials by March 2020 and complete enrollment by December 2021. The pandemic postponed launch until November (CommunityRx-Hunger) and December (CommunityRx-Dementia) 2020. Despite the delay, 65% of all planned participants (CommunityRx-Hunger n = 417/640; CommunityRx-Dementia n = 222/344) were enrolled by December 2021, halfway through our projected enrollment timeline. Both trials enrolled 13% more participants in 12 months than originally projected in-person. Conclusions Our asset-based, community-engaged approach combined with widely accessible institutional and commercial information technologies facilitated rapid migration to remote trial operations. Remote or hybrid RCT designs for social care interventions may be a viable, scalable alternative to in-person recruitment and intervention delivery protocols, particularly for caregivers and other groups that are under-represented in traditional health services research. Trial Status Both studies are registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: CommunityRx-Hunger (NCT04171999); CommunityRx for Caregivers (NCT04146545); My Diabetes My Community (NCT04970810).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Marie Abramsohn
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - MariaDelSol De Ornelas
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | | | - Cristianne Rm Frazier
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Charles M Fuller
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Mellissa Grana
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Elbert S Huang
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Jyotsna S Jagai
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Jennifer A Makelarski
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Doriane Miller
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | | | - Eva Shiu
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Katherine Thompson
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Victoria Winslow
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Kristen Wroblewski
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
| | - Stacy Tessler Lindau
- University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division: University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences
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