Suchergebnisse

There are several unique features of this book on the spiritual well-being of Chinese older adults. First, based on qualitative methodology, a conceptual model of spiritual well-being was proposed. Besides, through a Delphi study, different dimensions of spiritual well-being were identified. Conceptually, such effort is important because there is a general lack of well-articulated models of spiritual well-being for Chinese people. Although Western models can be "transplanted" to Chinese contexts, indigenous concepts are needed. As such, this is a pioneer conceptual contribution. Second, the author developed and validated the Spiritual Scale for Chinese Elders. In view of the lack of related measurement tools in the field, this is a pioneer attempt which is important for social work education, research and practice. Third, a Spiritual Enhancement Group for Chinese Elders was developed and its effectiveness was evaluated. In contrast to ordinary elderly programs, this program was based on solid theoretical grounds. In addition, process evaluation and outcome evaluation were conducted. The intervention program is a beautiful link between theory and practice whereas the evaluation is a good outgrowth of practice. The present project is especially valuable because evidence-based practice is at its infancy in different Chinese communities

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Participatory Empowerment Group (PEG) for Chinese type 2 diabetes patients in Shanghai. Method: A randomized waiting list control and pretest and posttest comparisons were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention by comparing blood sugar level and health-related quality of life. Results: Before the intervention, scores on both blood sugar and quality of life did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups. After the intervention, participants in the experimental group scored higher on quality of life and lower on blood sugar level compared to the control group. Conclusions: The PEG was effective in enhancing the quality of life of Chinese type 2 diabetes patients.

Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between coresidence and the well-being of adult child caregivers and examined the domain-specific caregiver burden as the cognitive appraisal pathway in such a relationship in the context of urban China. Data on adult child caregivers (N = 334) came from a regionally representative study using the Family Caregivers for the Frail and Very Elderly survey in 2010, in Shanghai, China. Multistage random sampling was used to collect data. The 24-item Chinese version of the Caregiver Burden Inventory was used to assess five domains of caregiver burden: time dependence, developmental, physical, social, and emotional. Well-being outcomes included depressive symptoms and self-rated health. Path analyses were used to estimate direct and indirect effects on caregiver well-being outcomes. Social burden was found to mediate the relationship between coresidence and caregiver well-being outcomes. Through the intermediary pathway of domain-specific cognitive appraisal, particularly caregiver social burden, coresidence with the care recipient exerts negative influences on caregiver well-being. Healthcare professionals, such as social workers providing support and services to caregivers, should understand the importance of assessing domain-specific burden and incorporate tailored intervention strategies to prevent or reduce social burden, especially among coresident adult child caregivers.

Objective: Despite the importance of volunteers in end-of-life care (EoLC), ways to empower their engagement therein remain unclear. The aim of our study was to examine the effectiveness of a holistic capacity-building program for volunteers in community-based EoLC. Methods: Applicants completed a capacity-building program in four steps: motivational screening, core competence training, internships, and in-service supervision. Screening involved completing a self-administered risk assessment and being interviewed by a social worker, and a questionnaire was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of training at pretraining, posttraining, and 6-month follow-up. Results: Of 171 applicants, 88 completed core competence training after screening, and 53 continued volunteering for the 6 months that followed. Their competence in EoLC, awareness of self-care, and death work competence significantly improved after training and remained intact at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: The four-phase capacity-building program effectively empowered volunteers to provide EoLC for elderly persons in their communities.

Objective: The service output and outcomes of psychiatric residential services in Hong Kong have been increasingly reported; however, there was still a gap concerning the factors and interaction effects between service recipients and facility factors on recipient outcomes. Method: 757 residents in 11 halfway houses and 2 long-stay care homes were assessed by social workers during routine service delivery. Results: The service recipients' functioning was positively associated with working under a supported employment service, having finished secondary school education, having an upward vocational mobility in the past 6 months, having insight of one's illness, and having less frequent psychiatric and medical follow-ups. Multilevel analysis revealed significant interaction effects between service recipient factors and facility factors on functioning and recipients' perception of quality of life. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the benefit of integrating research into practice for effective social work and of using multilevel analysis for data with hierarchical structure.

Purpose: This study examines an age simulation program in Hong Kong concerning the possible integrative impacts of an experiential education approach and contact experience within a natural social network among younger individuals. Method: A sample of 1121 younger individuals participated in this study. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the impact of the age simulation program. Results: The results of structural equation modeling indicated the effective impact of the age-simulation program on promoting positive attitudes toward older adults among the younger participants ( β = 0.28, p < .001). The significant results of contact experience highlighted the way in which familial contact experience could bring about more positive attitudes toward the older adults ( β = 0.08, p < .01) than peer group contact can ( β = −0.08, p < .05). Discussion: The protocol of the presented program could provide an actionable framework for social workers and allied professionals to launch related service plans in the communities.