Suchergebnisse

This study sought to explore the mediating effect of informal social support on the relationship between caregiver burden and quality of life among compound and noncompound caregivers. Parents ( N = 320) completed a web-based survey aimed to examine effects of caring for an adult child with autism spectrum disorder. Results of the mediation analysis suggested that informal social support partially mediated the relationship between caregiver burden and quality of life for both groups. Informal social support appears to be more impactful for noncompound caregivers compared with compound caregivers based on a greater reduction in explained variance. These results highlight the importance of informal social support as caregivers juggle ongoing challenges to provide care to one or more care recipients.

This study compared aging male and female parents of autistic adults to determine if self-reported caregiver health, quality of life, caregiver burden, informal social support, and formal social support differ between the two groups. Fifty-seven female caregivers and 57 male caregivers were selected using data from a larger study. T-tests for independent samples compared dependent variables between female and male parents. Statistically significant differences were found on four dependent variables, self-reported health, quality of life, overall caregiver burden, and emotional burden. Male parents had better self-reported health, greater quality of life, and less emotional burden, while female parents experienced greater overall caregiver burden. Social workers and other professionals should be cognizant of differences experienced by aging caregivers when providing tailored support and services.

Adolescents experience higher risk for opioid misuse and suicide, and those with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to suicide risk. Using secondary data, this study presents findings on nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and suicidality among adolescents with and without disabilities ( N = 10,676). Results indicated NMPOU was associated with higher odds for serious thoughts of suicide. Having a disability was associated with higher odds for having a plan for suicide and having a suicide attempt. Adolescents with disabilities who engaged in NMPOU had over 3 times the likelihood for serious thoughts of suicide. Social work services can be tailored for adolescents with disabilities within the context of the family unit to address the impact of the opioid epidemic using a disability-oriented framework.

Caregiving can be a lifelong responsibility for parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined coping strategies and barriers experienced by parents of adult children with ASD. The 51 parents who participated in this study were at least 50 years old and had an adult child (18+) with ASD. Semistructured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with parents to understand their experiences of having an adult child with ASD. Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, thematic analysis revealed seven themes related to parents' coping strategies or lack thereof. Themes discussed include faith/spirituality, physical activity/fitness, self-focused coping, work, acceptance, reliance on social support, and barriers to coping. Most parents discussed having at least one coping strategy, with some sharing multiple strategies.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate parents' perceptions of service access for their adult children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Access includes accommodation, acceptability, availability, and affordability (4 As) of services. This study examined which of the 4 As presented the biggest challenges across multiple types of services needed. Fifty-one parents of adult children with ASD participated in semistructured interviews sharing perceptions of support services available for their adult children. Parents discussed eight types of services (case management, educational programs, employment and employment supports, physical/mental health care, housing, day program or respite care, social life and recreation, and transportation). Based on parent perceptions, services were inconsistently accessible, difficult to obtain, and inadequate. Trained social workers and health care professionals are needed to provide and coordinate services for adults with ASD.

AbstractObjectiveThis researchers examined how emerging‐adult siblings of people with schizophrenia navigate problem‐solving and decision‐making.BackgroundNavigating more complex problems is a critical part of emerging adult development, although it can be complicated by stress, conflict, lack of self‐efficacy, and lack of family support. Understanding the development of problem‐solving and decision‐making of emerging‐adult siblings of people with schizophrenia development of these key competencies can aid in understanding how they navigate adulthood while contending with a stressful family environment.MethodIn‐depth interviews with 23 individuals between 18 and 30 years of age were conducted to explore problem‐solving, decision‐making, and family relationships.ResultsFindings suggest that participants who had supportive family or romantic relationships felt as if they were able to resolve their problems. They were likely to use cognitive strategies or advice from other people to resolve their issues. Participants who experienced a lack of support appeared to have more difficulty problem‐solving and decision‐making.ConclusionEmerging‐adult siblings of individuals with schizophrenia who had adequate family or spousal/partner support reported being more successful in formulating a problem‐solving strategy than participants as opposed to those who felt more isolated.ImplicationsThe study has implications for future researchers, such as the examination of other developmental stages and the need to examine why some emerging‐adult siblings were able to develop supportive romantic relationships more easily than participants who had similarly conflictual or ambivalent familial relationships.

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the living arrangements of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) contribute to caregiver burden. The sample included 320 aging parents of adult children with ASD who were living in their parents' homes, independently, independently with assistance, or residential group homes. Aging parents completed a survey measuring four types of caregiver burden (time dependence, developmental, emotional, and financial). Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance was used to determine whether differences in caregiver burden by the living arrangements of adult children with autism were significant. Aging parents whose adult children lived in group homes tended to have the greatest caregiver burden, while those whose adult children lived independently had the least caregiver burden. Social workers can provide support for parents, adults with ASD, and the family unit as they explore the benefits and challenges of different living arrangements.

ObjectiveThis research examines perceptions of rewards associated with caregiving experienced by older parents of adult children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).BackgroundMore individuals with ASD are reaching adulthood, often requiring some form of lifelong support from parental caregivers. Past research has examined caregiving challenges for adult children with ASD, with little focus on rewards.MethodOne‐on‐one, semistructured interviews were conducted among 51 parents (aged 50 years and older) of adult children (18 years and older) diagnosed with ASD. Interviews focused on exploring experiences of older parental caregivers. Using a phenomenological approach, data were coded through a line‐by‐line analysis using Atlas.ti 7 software.ResultsFour themes emerged from interview responses: (a) pride in adult child's progress and growth, (b) feelings of personal competence, (c) changed perspective on life, and (d) deeper connections to others.ConclusionOur findings provide insight into how older parents of adult children with ASD experience rewards from caregiving.ImplicationsPractitioners who work with individuals with ASD can help parental caregivers and their families find and promote strengths by highlighting the rewards in the caregiving process.

Emerging adults who are siblings to individuals with schizophrenia are an understudied though important population. This study examined perceptions of emerging adults to better understand developmental experiences and needs for supportive intervention. Using grounded theory, 23 emerging adults participated in open-ended, in-depth interviews. Results indicated themes related to emerging adults and their developing awareness of siblings' experiences with schizophrenia. These included (a) the first break: changing roles and patterns, (b) influence of family and adjustment to a new reality, and (c) the effect on the emerging adult and their sense of self. Understanding experiences of this population can inform practice at key points such as during crises and transitions, which can help support a healthy developmental trajectory for siblings of individuals with schizophrenia.