Maribel Cruz

Utilization of the supports intensity scale with psychiatric populations: psychometric properties and utility for service delivery planning.

In agreement with the new paradigm of supports, this study examines the adequacy and psychometric properties of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) in a sample of 182 participants with severe mental illness (mean Global Assessment of Functioning [GAF] score = 60.2). The measure focuses on identifying the profile and intensities of support needs and on the planning and service delivery rather than on weaknesses and limitations. Internal consistency indexes ranged from .83 to .97; interrater reliability indexes ranged from .67 to .98. Intercorrelations among SIS subscales supported its construct validity. SIS scores correlated to GAF scores and length of disease. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 60.9% of participants. Therefore, the SIS demonstrated adequate reliability and validity, and it can be used by nursing professionals to plan for required supports in this population.

Cyberbullying among adults with intellectual disabilities: Some preliminary data

BACKGROUND Recent studies show that youth with disabilities are at risk of experiencing cyberbullying. Nevertheless, the nature of this phenomenon among adults with intellectual disabilities has not been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the frequency and characteristics of cyberbullying and its correlates in individuals with intellectual disabilities attending training centers for adults with intellectual disabilities. METHODS AND PROCEDURES A convenience sample of 269 participants (54.3% men and 35.7% women), aged 18-40 years was recruited from Chile (14.1%), Mexico (32%), and Spain (53.9%). RESULTS The findings showed that 15.2% have been cyberbullied 9.7% are currently being cyberbullied. Being different was the main reason (97.7%) for being cyberbullied. The behaviors happen in educational settings (46.67%), leisure/free time activities (31.11%), and associations for people with disabilities (15.56%). Verbal aggressions (74.53%) were the most common cyberbullying behaviors. Those who were cyberbullied reported more inadequate use of mobile phone and Internet, as well as more unhealthy behaviors and depressive mood. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These findings support the need for further studies on adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as the need for implementing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention programs.

Internet and cell phone usage patterns among young adults with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND The risks and opportunities associated with the use of technologies are of growing research interest. Patterns of technology usage illuminate these opportunities and risks. However, no studies have assessed the usage patterns (frequency, duration, and intensity) and related factors in young people with intellectual disabilities. METHODS Questionnaires on Internet and cell phone usage patterns, the Internet Over-Use Scale and the Cell-Phone Over-Use Scale, as well as the Beck Depression Inventory were filled out in one-on-one interviews of 216 youth with intellectual disabilities. RESULTS Young people with disabilities make more social and recreational rather than educational use of these tools, and show higher rates of excessive use of both technologies than a comparison group of 410 young people without disabilities. Also, their overuse is associated with other unhealthy behaviors. CONCLUSION The framework of support needs of people with disabilities should be considered to promote healthy Internet and cell phone use.

Identification of the support needs of individuals with severe mental illness using the Supports Intensity Scale

OBJECTIVE To characterize the intensity of the support needs of individuals with severe mental illness. METHODS Quantitative and descriptive study that applied the Supports Intensity Scale to a sample comprising 182 individuals. RESULTS The supports intensity profile identifies groups, individuals, and areas with different needs of support relative to the domains of home living, health, community living, learning, employment, and social living. As a whole, the intensity level of support needs found was low, and the domains with greater needs were employment and social. CONCLUSIONS Identification of the intensity of support needs is helpful in planning integral care and detecting professional training needs. The support provision-centered approach, associated with the person-related outcomes perspective, has been sparsely applied to individuals with mental illness, and this represents the main contribution of the present study. In addition, this study introduces novel approaches to assessment that are both concordant and an innovation in nursing because they might provide a tool for understanding other disabilities.OBJETIVO: caracterizar o perfil da intensidade das necessidades de apoio em individuos com doenca mental grave. METODOLOGIA: quantitativa, no contexto de um estudo descritivo que utilizou a escala de intensidade de apoios como instrumento, sendo aplicada a amostra constituida por 182 pessoas. RESULTADOS: o perfil de intensidade de apoio identifica grupos, pessoas e areas com diferentes niveis de necessidades de apoio na vida no lar, saude, comunidade, aprendizagem, emprego e vida social. De modo geral, o perfil identificado foi de baixa intensidade, sendo que as areas que apresentaram as maiores necessidades foram aquelas correspondentes a emprego e vida social. CONCLUSOES: essa identificacao contribui para o planejamento do cuidado de modo integral e, alem disso, permite a identificacao de necessidades na formacao profissional. Essa abordagem, centrada na proporcao de apoios combinada com a perspectiva de resultados referidos a pessoa, tem sido pouco utilizada no caso de individuos com doenca mental e nisso consiste a contribuicao singular do presente estudo. Alem disso, este estudo possibilita a inclusao de novas formas de avaliacao que sao consistentes e inovadoras na area de enfermagem, porque podem representar uma ferramenta para a compreensao de outras deficiencias.

Identificacao das necessidades de apoio em pessoas com doenca mental grave utilizando a Escala de Intensidade de Apoios

OBJECTIVE To characterize the intensity of the support needs of individuals with severe mental illness. METHODS Quantitative and descriptive study that applied the Supports Intensity Scale to a sample comprising 182 individuals. RESULTS The supports intensity profile identifies groups, individuals, and areas with different needs of support relative to the domains of home living, health, community living, learning, employment, and social living. As a whole, the intensity level of support needs found was low, and the domains with greater needs were employment and social. CONCLUSIONS Identification of the intensity of support needs is helpful in planning integral care and detecting professional training needs. The support provision-centered approach, associated with the person-related outcomes perspective, has been sparsely applied to individuals with mental illness, and this represents the main contribution of the present study. In addition, this study introduces novel approaches to assessment that are both concordant and an innovation in nursing because they might provide a tool for understanding other disabilities.OBJETIVO: caracterizar o perfil da intensidade das necessidades de apoio em individuos com doenca mental grave. METODOLOGIA: quantitativa, no contexto de um estudo descritivo que utilizou a escala de intensidade de apoios como instrumento, sendo aplicada a amostra constituida por 182 pessoas. RESULTADOS: o perfil de intensidade de apoio identifica grupos, pessoas e areas com diferentes niveis de necessidades de apoio na vida no lar, saude, comunidade, aprendizagem, emprego e vida social. De modo geral, o perfil identificado foi de baixa intensidade, sendo que as areas que apresentaram as maiores necessidades foram aquelas correspondentes a emprego e vida social. CONCLUSOES: essa identificacao contribui para o planejamento do cuidado de modo integral e, alem disso, permite a identificacao de necessidades na formacao profissional. Essa abordagem, centrada na proporcao de apoios combinada com a perspectiva de resultados referidos a pessoa, tem sido pouco utilizada no caso de individuos com doenca mental e nisso consiste a contribuicao singular do presente estudo. Alem disso, este estudo possibilita a inclusao de novas formas de avaliacao que sao consistentes e inovadoras na area de enfermagem, porque podem representar uma ferramenta para a compreensao de outras deficiencias.

Identificacion de necesidades de apoyo en personas con enfermedad mental severa utilizando la Escala de Intensidad de Apoyos

OBJECTIVE To characterize the intensity of the support needs of individuals with severe mental illness. METHODS Quantitative and descriptive study that applied the Supports Intensity Scale to a sample comprising 182 individuals. RESULTS The supports intensity profile identifies groups, individuals, and areas with different needs of support relative to the domains of home living, health, community living, learning, employment, and social living. As a whole, the intensity level of support needs found was low, and the domains with greater needs were employment and social. CONCLUSIONS Identification of the intensity of support needs is helpful in planning integral care and detecting professional training needs. The support provision-centered approach, associated with the person-related outcomes perspective, has been sparsely applied to individuals with mental illness, and this represents the main contribution of the present study. In addition, this study introduces novel approaches to assessment that are both concordant and an innovation in nursing because they might provide a tool for understanding other disabilities.OBJETIVO: caracterizar o perfil da intensidade das necessidades de apoio em individuos com doenca mental grave. METODOLOGIA: quantitativa, no contexto de um estudo descritivo que utilizou a escala de intensidade de apoios como instrumento, sendo aplicada a amostra constituida por 182 pessoas. RESULTADOS: o perfil de intensidade de apoio identifica grupos, pessoas e areas com diferentes niveis de necessidades de apoio na vida no lar, saude, comunidade, aprendizagem, emprego e vida social. De modo geral, o perfil identificado foi de baixa intensidade, sendo que as areas que apresentaram as maiores necessidades foram aquelas correspondentes a emprego e vida social. CONCLUSOES: essa identificacao contribui para o planejamento do cuidado de modo integral e, alem disso, permite a identificacao de necessidades na formacao profissional. Essa abordagem, centrada na proporcao de apoios combinada com a perspectiva de resultados referidos a pessoa, tem sido pouco utilizada no caso de individuos com doenca mental e nisso consiste a contribuicao singular do presente estudo. Alem disso, este estudo possibilita a inclusao de novas formas de avaliacao que sao consistentes e inovadoras na area de enfermagem, porque podem representar uma ferramenta para a compreensao de outras deficiencias.