Whiting & Birch (E-Journals)
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Measuring quality of life of people with severe mental illness: Evaluation of the Dutch version of the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) in three different populations and a look into innovative opportunitiesMeasuring quality of life
Full text linkPurpose. The Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA; Priebe et al., 1999) is one of the most widely used QoL-measures in psychiatry. We aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the MANSA in a broad sample of people with severe mental illnesses (SMI). Method. QoL-data from three studies were available (total n = 806). Internal consistency and construct validity were assessed. Furthermore, it was investigated whether the 12 subjective MANSA-items were capable of discriminating between specific psychiatric disorders. Results. Cronbach’s alpha ranges from 0.78 to 0.85; overall convergent and divergent validity of the MANSA is good. For people with SMI, their financial situation, mental health and life as whole are the most important QoL-domains. Conclusions. The psychometric properties of the MANSA are good and the instrument can be used to discriminate between important QoL domains within people with SMI.
 
Families and Recovery: Beyond clinical and social inclusion perspectives
Full text linkThis paper explores the theoretical connections between principles of social inclusion and the recovery moment in mental health, identifying points of convergence and divergence. Social inclusion and recovery, while developing from different starting points, converge in recognizing the broader personal, family and community contexts, in which mental health problems emerge, and the impacts of those problems. A significant part of the context for recovery and measures to achieve social inclusion, remains the person’s family. Current models of recovery probably overlook the distress of families in the recovery journey. The paper considers the extent to which families have a role both in supporting the recovery of a family member, and in making their own recovery journey. The paper further suggests the need for ongoing research to explore the way the family recovery journey changes over tim
The Views of Parents Subject to Child Protection Investigation for their Child or Children with Disabilities: An Exploratory Qualitative Study
No full textThe views and experiences of parents subject to child protection processes are instrumental for developing rigorous, effective and compassionate child protection practice. Simultaneously, children with disabilities are well established to experience gravely heightened risk of abuse and neglect above their non-disabled peers. Here unique and additional impediments to effectual safeguarding practice for children with disabilities are also documented. Even so, there is virtually no research that focuses on the views and experiences of parents of children with disabilities, who were subject to child protection processes, regarding their parenting of those children. With the safety and welfare of children with disabilities at stake, it is suggested that these parental views are critical to gather and comprehend. This article presents qualitative research findings of a study that conducted semi-structured interviews with a sample of parents of children with disabilities in Britain and Ireland. Parental accounts reveal key dimensions of being subject to child protection processes, such as avoidable experiences of emotional adversity, and critical learning arising from interactions with child protection procedures and systems. The article concludes with evidence-based reflections on the utmost importance of emotionally sensitive, collaborative child protection work with parents
Review of: I’m Fine: A frank and honest account of a teenager’s struggle, and a mother’s devastating loss
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Entering into, departing from and working within the psychiatric domain
Full text linkThis article is a Festschrift contribution which maps out the similarities in the career trajectories of Professor Peter Huxley and myself. It begins by exploring the key considerations of our common profession; social work, and its relationship with mental health. It then explores how a social orientation has enable us to reframe understandings of dual diagnosis. The second half of the article then explores the key lesson learnt from these interactions. The findings of the contribution are centred around the need for better understanding of the social detriments of mental health and substance use. In reaching these conclusions, the article summarises the importance of seeing individuals for the problems they encounter and working with them in partnership to arrive at more empowered responses
Quality of life as a basis for system change
Full text linkhis paper celebrates Peter Huxley’s contribution to placing quality of life at the centre of service planning and responses. Drawing on our research findings with 81 patients from Community Mental Health Teams, this paper argues that patient outcomes are improved when their voices are used to inform service design. Using the Manchester Short Assessment Quality of Life (MANSA), patients prioritised three of the eight domains: employment, financial stability and leisure activities. These findings were used to inform system change by addressing patient needs to increase their financial and social inclusion. This paper seeks to demonstrate the continued relevance of Peter’s work with reference to two examples: mental health needs arising from COVID-19 and the needs of criminally exploited children and young people. It concludes that Peter’s legacy provides the tools needed to ensure that services work together efficiently and effectively to address unmet needs and enhance quality of lif
When child trafficking and informal fostering intersect: A mixed methods study
No full textInformal fostering is an important tradition for many communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the intersections of poverty and social circumstances may increase the risk of exploitation for informally fostered children. We used mixed methods to estimate the prevalence of child trafficking within informal child fostering placements in Sierra Leone, to document vulnerability factors and explore perceptions of key stakeholders. Data were collected through 1) a household survey (N= 3,070), 2) interviews (N= 41) with young adults who experienced child trafficking in informal fostering, parents of children who experienced trafficking in foster placements, and key informants, and 3) focus groups with community members (N= 23). We found that informal fostering increases the likelihood for children to experience trafficking. Although there are significant associations between child trafficking and informal fostering, social (gender and cultural traditions) and economic factors (poverty and school access) appear to be drivers for both. Our results suggest that strengthening poverty reduction measures, expanding opportunities for schooling and vocational training for children and young adults, and improving safety for children in informal fostering arrangements through reporting and monitoring are essential to mitigate the high rates of child trafficking in Sierra Leone, and to ensure children’s well-being in informal fostering placements
Una experiencia de Trabajo Social con Grupos para el acompañamiento en duelo y pérdida en el ámbito universitario: An experience of Social Work with Groups for bereavement and loss support in the university environment
No full textReflections based on an action-research process are presented after five years of conducting, in the Faculty of Social Work of the UCM, a workshop on Meaningful Learning in accompaniment in processes of grief and loss in Group Social Work. In the article we present the theoretical framework that illuminates our group practice from an interfocal perspective as well as the work methodology we apply. We analyze the different types of grief that we have worked with in groups, as well as the application of techniques used to achieve the objectives, with examples taken from the group sessions. Each of the five groups is formed by students who are going through a grief process in their lives. The workshops seek to achieve learning based on the group experience that promotes the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, as well as skills and abilities for the accompaniment in Social Work with Groups, while contributing to the personal growth of the participants. The objectives of the workshop are educational, psychosocial and socio-therapeutic and special emphasis is placed on the development of listening and the generation of a climate of non-judgment for the achievement of objectives and the creation of reciprocal support.
Se presentan reflexiones basadas en un proceso de investigación-acción tras cinco años de realización, en la Facultad de Trabajo Social de la UCM, de un taller sobre Aprendizaje significativo en acompañamiento en procesos de duelo y pérdida en Trabajo Social Grupal. En el artículo presentamos el marco teórico que ilumina nuestra práctica grupal desde una perspectiva interfocal así como la metodología de trabajo que aplicamos. Analizamos los diversos tipos de duelo que hemos trabajado grupalmente, así como la aplicación de técnicas utilizadas para conseguir los objetivos, con ejemplos extraídos de las sesiones grupales Cada uno de los cinco grupos lo forman estudiantes que están atravesando en su vida un proceso de duelo. Los talleres tratan de conseguir un aprendizaje basado en la experiencia grupal que promueva la adquisición de conocimientos teóricos, así como destrezas y habilidades para el acompañamiento en Trabajo Social con Grupos, a la vez que contribuye al crecimiento personal de los participantes Los objetivos del taller son educativos, psicosociales y socio terapéuticos y se pone especial énfasis en el desarrollo de la escucha y en la generación de un clima de no juicio para el cumplimiento de objetivos y la creación de apoyo recíproco