Polly Yeung

An exploratory study examining the relationships between the personal, environmental and activity participation variables and quality of life among young adults with disabilities.

Abstract Purpose: Despite the apparent importance of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework in influencing the relationships between participation and quality of life (QoL), limited research has been given to comprehensive modelling of their influence. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between ICF components, participation factors and QoL among young adults with disabilities. Methods: This study tested a theoretically and empirically based explanatory model on 119 young adults with disabilities to examine how the variables of functional impact, financial behaviour, self-efficacy, neighbourhood environment, social support, social and community participation, satisfaction with participation influenced QoL. Analyses were performed with AMOS maximum likelihood parameter estimation. Results: The final model accepted in this study showed a well-fitted model, which explained 65% of the variance in QoL. Results from the statistical modelling indicated that all the ICF components and satisfaction with participation influenced the level of QoL in young adults with disabilities in either a direct or indirect manner. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that young adults with disabilities have a very complex interaction of their activity participation, social membership, community connectedness, life satisfaction, suggesting that their context of QoL is shaped by how they make sense not only with their functional status, but also the social and community environment. Current findings further demonstrate that the ICF model of functioning and disability should be thought of as multidimensional and more than instrumental in character when being used by health and rehabilitation professionals. Implications for Rehabilitation This study supports the ICF model to include the concept of QoL as the outcome. Rehabilitation practitioners are encouraged to view the ICF model as multidimensional when designing interventions. Social context and support should be included when developing strategies to enhance QoL in youth transition to adulthood.

Active citizens or passive recipients: How Australian young adults with cerebral palsy define citizenship

Abstract Background Citizenship participation by young adults has reciprocal benefits both for the individual and for society. This paper provides an insight into the ways young people with cerebral palsy (CP) perceive their citizenship experiences, and also examines factors which may influence citizenship participation for this group. Method Qualitative methodology was used to explore perceptions of citizenship experiences in young people with CP. Nine participants (aged 18–30 years), were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview format. Results Four themes emerged: (i) contribution, (ii) inclusion, (iii) equal opportunity, and (iv) a barrier‐free context. Conclusion The nine participants indicated that they aspired to make a contribution to society, play an active role, be accepted by others, and live with dignity and respect, as well as pursue their dreams and passions.

The Impact of Mobility on Quality of Life Among Older Persons

Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the extent and manner in which mobility is related to quality of life (QOL) in a representative sample of older adults. Method: Two models were assessed using structured equation modeling. The first hypothesized that mobility would have a direct effect on QOL along with other variables, including; number of health conditions and satisfaction with functional capacity, life essentials (e.g., transport, access to health services, and conditions of living space) and personal relationships. The second hypothesized that mobility would have its greatest influence on QOL through satisfaction with functional capacity. Results: While both models found that mobility and all three measures of life satisfaction were significantly associated with QOL, goodness of fit indices were higher for the second model. Discussion: The findings from this study suggest that mobility interventions designed to enhance QOL should address satisfaction with functional capacity as well.

Mobility, satisfaction with functional capacity and perceived quality of life (PQOL) in older persons with self-reported visual impairment: The pathway between ability to get around and PQOL

Abstract Background: Research shows that ability to get around (AGA) is significantly associated with perceived quality of life (PQOL) among older persons with self-reported visual impairment. Much of this impact, however, is through satisfaction with one’s functional capacity. Satisfaction with functional capacity is a construct composed of five items: satisfaction with (1) activities of daily living, (2) capacity to work, (3) self, (4) health and (5) sleep. At present, it is not known how AGA interacts individually with these items to influence PQOL. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which AGA interacts with each of these five items to affect PQOL. Methods: Structural equation modelling was employed in a secondary-analysis of data from 356 persons (aged 56–72) with self-reported visual impairment to identify the pathways by which AGA affects PQOL. Results: Satisfaction with self and health were the only items found to be both directly related to QOL and to provide a significant pathway between AGA and PQOL. Conclusion: AGA significantly affects PQOL both directly and indirectly through its impact on people’s satisfaction with self and health. Lessons may be learnt from this to better focus mobility interventions to enhance PQOL in this population. Implications for Rehabilitation The findings of this study indicate that ability to get around (AGA) has a significant impact on perceived quality of life (PQOL): the stated goal of many rehabilitation programs for older persons who are visually impaired. The study also found that the primary pathway by which AGA influenced PQOL was indirect through its association with both satisfaction with one’s self and health rather than direct. Attempts to enhance PQOL by increasing AGA may be most effective if the focus of intervention was on restoring one’s sense of self and health as opposed to focusing on meeting practical needs.

Using the capability approach to understand the determinants of subjective well-being among community-dwelling older people in New Zealand

BACKGROUND as the longevity of the population increases, attention has turned to quality of life of older people as a component of healthy ageing. The objective of this study was to use Welch Saleebys model of the capability approach to explore the determinants of subjective well-being among older people. METHODS this analysis used data from a sample of older people, aged 50-87, from 2012 wave of the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NZLSA) (n = 2,793). Structural equation modelling was used to examine the relationships between the commodities (number of chronic conditions reported, physical and mental health), and personal and environmental factors (economic living standard and discrimination), on the capabilities of older people to achieve well-being. RESULTS the findings supported Welch Saleebys model. Capabilities mediated the relationship between commodities and well-being, indicating that increasing the range of real opportunities available to older people is a key step in increasing well-being. Age and gender were also found to be significant moderators of these relationships. The relationship between economic living standards and well-being was weakest for the oldest participants, but experiences of discrimination had a stronger effect on well-being in this age group. CONCLUSION Welch Saleebys model of the capability approach provides a useful framework for advancing the ethics of care as it highlights the multidimensional nature of well-being in later life. Focusing on expanding capabilities for older people enables policymakers and practitioners to understand the resources and supports required to enable well-being in the context of health challenges.

Facilitators and barriers to employment for people with mental illness: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Employment often has a defining role that shapes a person’s identity. The aim of this study was to generate a rich description of the meaning of employment for people with mental illness and identify the facilitators and barriers they experience in gaining and sustaining employment. Low workforce participation rates exist for people with mental illness despite their ability to both benefit from, and contribute through, employment. OBJECTIVE: Individual in-depth interviews were used to gather information about participants’ lived experiences of mental illness, what employment meant to them, their vocational aspirations, and the facilitators and barriers encountered while engaging in employment activities. METHODS: Focus groups (N = 3) and individual in-depth interviews (N = 9) were used to gather information about participants’ lived experiences of mental illness, what vocation meant to them, their vocational aspirations, and the facilitators and barriers encountered while engaging in or pursuing employment. An inclusive research approach was employed in conducting interpretive phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Four themes and nine subthemes described the meaning of employment, aspirations, and personal choices. Personal barriers to vocation included loss of valued roles, challenges of the vocational environment, and restrictions in opportunities. Examples of facilitators of employment were mental health services providers, family, and friends. Participants pursued paid employment because they wanted outcomes that would lead to work satisfaction such as making money, having financial security, socialising, and having a sense of achievement. CONCLUSION: Engaging in meaningful vocation allowed people with mental illness to establish and re-establish their identities and valued life roles.

Stressors and Protective Factors among Veterinary Students in New Zealand

A study was undertaken to investigate the stressors faced by veterinary students and the protective factors against those stressors. The study was conducted as a workshop during which students collaborated with their peers through an iterative process to identify personal and external factors that contributed to or protected against stress as a veterinary student, and then to suggest strategies that would protect their mental health and well-being. Workload and assessment were the most commonly reported stressors. Students reported a variety of effective coping strategies and avoidance behaviors, although most of the suggested solutions revolved around organizational change within the university. Students also recognized that their own perspectives, traits, and behavior could enhance their student experience or increase their perceived levels of stress. While it is important that educators monitor student feedback about the program and make changes when required, students must recognize that stress is an expected component of life and develop effective coping strategies. They should develop a balanced view of the positive and negative aspects of the student experience and, ultimately, of working as a veterinary professional.

Psychometric testing of a person-centred care scale the Eden Warmth Survey in a long-term care home in New Zealand

Background: Traditional nursing homes have been viewed as dominated by the medical model. Since the 1990s, the Eden AlternativeTM has become a significant model in systemic transformations in nursing homes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric performance of the 20 items of the Eden Warmth Survey – Residents (EWS-R) in an aged-care home. Design: A residents satisfaction survey was used to collect a sample of 85 long-term care home residents. Methods: Psychometric evaluation included item analyses, reliability including internal consistency and stability, criterion-related validity and construct validity. Results: The reduced 13 items demonstrated adequate reliability (α = 0.82) with two factors, Trust and Connectedness with Others and Care Practices, extracted and contributed to 57.9% of the total variance. Conclusions: The 13-item of EWS-R can be considered as a reliable and predictive scale for assessing quality of life and overall satisfaction on people living in long-term care facilities.

Cutting the Distance in Distance Education: Reflections on the Use of E-Technologies in a New Zealand Social Work Program

ABSTRACTThe development of new e-technologies and an increased focus on developing distance social work education programs has created the impetus for social work educators to consider the tools they can employ in delivering distance courses. This article reflects on an action learning research project involving the development of an online toolbox of e-technologies to support social work educators in the delivery of distance courses. It highlights the opportunities and challenges when considering the integration of e-technologies as part of social work education.

Risk and protective factors for wellbeing in older veterans in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Objectives: To compare indicators relating to aging and health among veterans and non-veterans, and identify factors associated with subjective wellbeing (SWB) of older New Zealand veterans. Methods: Self-reported data were obtained from participants in a longitudinal cohort study of New Zealand older adults. Responses from 352 veterans and 1500 non-veterans (age range of 55–86 and gender matched) were selected as a comparison group on indicators related to health and aging. The association of these indicators with veterans’ SWB were assessed using hierarchical regression. Results: Apart from being older, smoking more, and having more chronic conditions, veterans did not differ from non-veterans on indicators of health and wellbeing. Mental health, physical health, purpose in life, housing satisfaction, and capabilities (choice and freedom) accounted for a significant amount of variance in veterans’ SWB. Conclusion: Our results suggest that older veterans do not differ greatly on indices of health and aging from their non-veteran peers. Results support previous findings that lower mental and physical health is associated with lower SWB for veterans. Building upon prior findings, the current results demonstrate that interventions focusing on enhancing a sense of purpose in life, supporting ones capability to achieve, and strengthening social and physical environment through social connectedness, may serve as protective factors for SWB in veterans.