RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a adaptação semântica da Family Adaptability and Cohe... more RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a adaptação semântica da Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV) para o Brasil. Foram incluídos 45 participantes, além dos tradutores e avaliadores. Requisitaram-se três traduções da versão original do instrumento, que foram comparadas com duas versões portuguesas até se chegar a uma versão de consenso, levando-se em conta o sentido dos itens no original, em inglês. Esta foi avaliada por três terapeutas familiares e dez juízes leigos, em termos de compreensibilidade e, em seguida, submetida a uma retrotradução de forma a ser equiparada diretamente com a versão original. Assim, obteve-se a versão para teste, que foi aplicada a 35 participantes adultos, com idade média de 42,1 anos. Obtiveram-se escores médios mais elevados nas subescalas equilibradas (coesão=25,0; flexibilidade=25,5) quando comparadas às desequilibradas (desengajada=17,6; emaranhada=21,4; rígida=22,1; caótica=16,9). A tradução atendeu ao recomendado por diferentes autores, com atenção à coerência entre a semântica dos itens e a definição do construto subjacente à subescala correspondente. A versão obtida mostrou-se adequada semanticamente. Estudos psicométricos visando verificar indicadores de fidedignidade e validade devem ser realizados. Palavras-chave: família; testes psicológicos; avaliação psicológica. ABSTRACT-Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV)-Brazilian adaptation The aim of this study was the semantic adaptation of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV) for Brazil. We included 45 participants in addition to translators and reviewers. Three translations of the original version of the instrument were requested, which were compared with two Portuguese versions until reaching a consensus version, taking into account the meaning of the items in the original in English. This version was evaluated by three family therapists and ten lay judges, in terms of comprehensibility, and then submitted to a back translation, which was compared with the original version. Thus, the test version was applied to 35 adult participants, with a mean age of 42.1 years. Higher average scores were obtained in balanced subscales (cohesion=25.0 and flexibility=25.5) compared to unbalanced (disengaged=17.6; enmeshed=21.4; rigid=22.1 and chaotic=16.9) ones. The translation met the recommendations of different authors, with attention to the coherence between the semantics of the items and the definition of the construct underlying the corresponding subscale. The version obtained proved to be semantically adequate. Psychometric studies should be performed to verify reliability and validity indicators.
Survivors of the intensive care unit (ICU) report an aggregate of burdensome memories. ICU diarie... more Survivors of the intensive care unit (ICU) report an aggregate of burdensome memories. ICU diaries have been proposed to address the psychological impact of ICU treatment. Twenty-six participants wrote about their ICU experiences in three successive sessions, while in the second session, they were presented with a dairy derived from their medical records. Using inductive thematic analysis in the first and third narratives, we explore how participants initially describe their ICU experience and how they process it after the intervention. Participants described a martyrdom experience, including being emotionally distressed, disorientated, and physically trapped that provoked a quest for any available interpersonal support. A vacuum-like state permeated their existence, impacted their sense-making ability, and the proximity to death uniquely characterized this experience. After intervention, participants made small but significant changes in their written narratives. They appeared to reorganize their recollections, reestablish self-continuity by integrating their ICU experiences, and authored restitution narratives.
PURPOSE Research on breaking bad news (BBN) in healthcare has mostly focused on the doctor-patien... more PURPOSE Research on breaking bad news (BBN) in healthcare has mostly focused on the doctor-patient interaction during a single consultation. However, it has been increasingly recognised that BBN is a wider process that also involves other healthcare professionals. This qualitative study explored non-medical1 healthcare professionals' involvement in BBN to newly diagnosed patients with motor neurodegenerative conditions in the UK. MATERIALS AND METHODS 19 healthcare professionals working with people with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease took part in individual, semi-structured interviews which were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes were constructed: dealing with the diagnostic aftermath, unpacking the diagnosis, breaking bad news as a balancing act and empowering patients to regain control over their health and lives. Participants reported being broadly involved in BBN by supporting patients with negative diagnostic experiences, re-iterating diagnostic information and helping patients understand the impact of their condition. The challenges of effectively breaking bad news and how these difficult conversations could help empower patients were also emphasised. CONCLUSIONS BBN was a critical and challenging aspect of healthcare professionals' clinical work with newly diagnosed patients with motor neurodegenerative conditions. Besides providing information, BBN was perceived as a way to educate patients, encourage them to make decisions and prepare for the future.Implications for rehabilitationBreaking bad news is a potentially under-recognised but significant aspect in the neurorehabilitation of neurodegenerative conditions.Listening to patients' stories about a long and occasionally unsatisfactory diagnostic journey and allowing them to express their frustration can be critical in regaining patients' trust and building a relationship with them.Newly diagnosed patients have not always received adequate information about their condition at diagnosis or they might have not understood or retained that information. It is, therefore, essential that patients' understanding of their condition is assessed, misconceptions are cleared and appropriate information about the nature and impact of the diagnosis is provided.Irrespective of the length of experience, breaking bad news was perceived as a multi-faceted, challenging, stressful and emotionally demanding task.Formal support and specialised training on breaking the bad news that addresses the incurable, unpredictable and progressive nature of motor neurodegenerative conditions could help professionals with this challenging task.
International Journal of Mental Health Systems, Mar 6, 2020
Background: The mental healthcare treatment gap (mhcGAP) in adult populations has been substantia... more Background: The mental healthcare treatment gap (mhcGAP) in adult populations has been substantiated across Europe. This study formed part of MentALLY, a research project funded by the European Commission, which aimed to gather qualitative empirical evidence to support the provision of European mental healthcare that provides effective treatment to all adults who need it. Methods: Seven focus groups were conducted with 49 health professionals (HPs), including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, general practitioners, and psychiatric nurses who worked in health services in Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The focus group discussions centered on the barriers and facilitators to providing quality care to people with mild, medium, and severe mental health problems. Analyses included deductively and inductively driven coding procedures. Crosscountry consensus was obtained by summarizing findings in the form of a fact sheet which was shared for triangulation by all the MentALLY partners. Results: The results converged into two overarching themes: (1) Minding the treatment gap: the availability and accessibility of Mental Health Services (MHS). The mhcGAP gap identified is composed of different elements that constitute the barriers to care, including bridging divides in care provision, obstacles in facilitating access via referrals and creating a collaborative 'chain of care'. (2) Making therapeutic practice relevant by providing a broad-spectrum of integrated and comprehensive services that value person-centered care comprised of authenticity, flexibility and congruence. Conclusions: The mhcGAP is comprised of the following barriers: a lack of funding, insufficient capacity of human resources, inaccessibility to comprehensive services and a lack of availability of relevant treatments. The facilitators to the provision of MHC include using collaborative models of primary, secondary and prevention-oriented mental healthcare. Teamwork in providing care was considered to be a more effective and efficient use of resources. HPs believe that the use of e-mental health and emerging digital technologies can enhance care provision. Facilitating access to a relevant continuum of community-based care that is responsive coordinated and in line with people's needs throughout their lives is an essential aspect of optimal care provision.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete and/... more Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete and/or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, resulting in intermittent hypoxemia and hypercapnia, frequent arousals, and sleep fragmentation [1]. OSA in children is being recognized increasingly and receiving more attention, while its prevalence in pediatric population is 2-4% [2]. It differs from its adult counterpart in its physiology, clinical presentation, polysomnographic characteristics, and outcomes, while it has unique characteristics not seen in adults, such as hyperactivity, poor school performance, and growth retardation [1,2]. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing and quantifying the severity of pediatric OSA. It
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, Jan 19, 2023
Psychological therapies are effective for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms such as depre... more Psychological therapies are effective for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms such as depression, pain and fatigue. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness and other theory‐led approaches have been applied and were found to have moderate effects. The present study adopts a patient‐led approach to investigate people with MS' (PwMS) experiences of psychological therapies and the change processes they identify. In this naturalistic, mixed‐methods design, semistructured interviews were conducted and three questionnaires were administered to 20 PwMS at two different times. Qualitative data collection and analysis followed the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) guidelines, and quantitative data were analysed using paired t tests. Four superordinate themes described the participants' experiences of change as related to their psychological therapy: from despair to relief; from feeling their body as alien to becoming acquainted with an unpredictable new body; from helplessness to empowerment; and from punishment to forgiveness. Quantitative results showed that physical function and general health perception improved, and anxiety was significantly reduced. Despite seeking help from diverse psychological therapy modalities, the analysis revealed common themes that the participants found significant in their therapy stories. Following a patient‐centred approach, the development of psychological therapies for PwMS should focus on their relationships, everyday lives, body perception, losses, shame and guilt. PwMS also need to be understood and acknowledged beyond their condition.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Sep 14, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
International journal of psychology and psychoanalysis, Jul 15, 2020
Background: Recent empirical literature on autoimmune diseases has focused extensively on the imp... more Background: Recent empirical literature on autoimmune diseases has focused extensively on the implementation and evaluation of psychosocial interventions. Psychotherapy and counselling processes for multiple sclerosis (MS) have gained special attention given the cognitive and behavioral dimensions of the symptoms as well as their unpredictable course. The current study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning making processes for persons with MS (PwMS) who are in psychotherapy treatment. Method: The sample of this study consisted of ten PwMS who described their experience of the illness and of psychotherapy of choice through semi-structured interviews. Data collection and analysis adhered to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis guidelines. Results: The results revealed that PwMS struggled with understanding the initial symptoms, contemplated taking medication, and related symptom development to psychological factors such as depression. Participants were preoccupied with disability representations and questioned the trustworthiness of their bodies. They worked towards integrating the illness into their identity and described how psychotherapy encouraged psychological agency whilst feeling supported and "accepted". Conclusions: Psychotherapy contributes to the processes of shaping participants' life worlds, offering a space to self-organize and reflect within genuine therapeutic relationships.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete and/... more Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete and/or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, resulting in intermittent hypoxemia and hypercapnia, frequent arousals, and sleep fragmentation [1]. OSA in children is being recognized increasingly and receiving more attention, while its prevalence in pediatric population is 2-4% [2]. It differs from its adult counterpart in its physiology, clinical presentation, polysomnographic characteristics, and outcomes, while it has unique characteristics not seen in adults, such as hyperactivity, poor school performance, and growth retardation [1,2]. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing and quantifying the severity of pediatric OSA. It
Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 2019
The efficiency of interventions in addiction is associated with processes of practitioners' profe... more The efficiency of interventions in addiction is associated with processes of practitioners' professional development. Identity formation is studied extensively for clinical professions but little research focuses on social workers working in addiction settings. This study examined the experience of social workers working in a community treatment network in Greece. Fifteen interviews were conducted with 11 women and 4 men, ranging between 29-47 years οf age, who worked in different centers within the network. Data were analyzed following the guidelines of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, offering in-depth examinations of people's lived experience. The results delineate a series of transformations in professional identity comprising a process of biographization. The participants highlighted intrapersonal and relational factors that influence this process which leads to selfunderstanding and engagement with the therapeutic community. The results contribute to deciphering the factors that influence social workers' experience in their professional identity formation in substance abuse treatment contexts.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on how mental health professionals involved in the ... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on how mental health professionals involved in the therapeutic treatment of children in public mental health facilities in Greece experience and talk about the impact of the socioeconomic crises on the psychotherapeutic process. Design/methodology/approach In all, 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted and phenomenologically informed thematic analysis was used in analysing the data. Findings The results coalesced into two all-encompassing thematic structures articulating the following: first, the socioeconomic crises have permeated society and therapeutic praxis like a torrential and chronic rain storm. This has resulted in a deluge in demand for therapeutic services within the public mental health sector; second, mental health professionals describe their positioning and work as “a constant tug-of-war” where they are inundated and often overwhelmed with work, find themselves identifying with service users and taking on several roles simultaneously, and being challenged to find solutions often in dire and complex situations. They describe how creativity and flexibility are in demand in their day-to-day interactions and if they are to intervene in place of a health and welfare system that is faltering. Doing therapeutic work under such circumstances appears to be both emotionally onerous and stimulating with regard to conceptualising new ways of intervening in such complex psychosocial situations. Research limitations/implications The study is limited in that only mental health professionals presented their experiences and service users were not included. The findings do highlight how severe austerity policies impact mental health services and peoples’ lives. Practical implications The study has implications for policy regarding the provision and organisation of mental health services in contexts where crises and economic turmoil prevail. Social implications The results associate severe austerity with major changes in family and community life. Originality/value The paper provides insights and implications on how mental health services are impacted by socioeconomic conditions.
RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a adaptação semântica da Family Adaptability and Cohe... more RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a adaptação semântica da Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV) para o Brasil. Foram incluídos 45 participantes, além dos tradutores e avaliadores. Requisitaram-se três traduções da versão original do instrumento, que foram comparadas com duas versões portuguesas até se chegar a uma versão de consenso, levando-se em conta o sentido dos itens no original, em inglês. Esta foi avaliada por três terapeutas familiares e dez juízes leigos, em termos de compreensibilidade e, em seguida, submetida a uma retrotradução de forma a ser equiparada diretamente com a versão original. Assim, obteve-se a versão para teste, que foi aplicada a 35 participantes adultos, com idade média de 42,1 anos. Obtiveram-se escores médios mais elevados nas subescalas equilibradas (coesão=25,0; flexibilidade=25,5) quando comparadas às desequilibradas (desengajada=17,6; emaranhada=21,4; rígida=22,1; caótica=16,9). A tradução atendeu ao recomendado por diferentes autores, com atenção à coerência entre a semântica dos itens e a definição do construto subjacente à subescala correspondente. A versão obtida mostrou-se adequada semanticamente. Estudos psicométricos visando verificar indicadores de fidedignidade e validade devem ser realizados. Palavras-chave: família; testes psicológicos; avaliação psicológica. ABSTRACT-Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV)-Brazilian adaptation The aim of this study was the semantic adaptation of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV) for Brazil. We included 45 participants in addition to translators and reviewers. Three translations of the original version of the instrument were requested, which were compared with two Portuguese versions until reaching a consensus version, taking into account the meaning of the items in the original in English. This version was evaluated by three family therapists and ten lay judges, in terms of comprehensibility, and then submitted to a back translation, which was compared with the original version. Thus, the test version was applied to 35 adult participants, with a mean age of 42.1 years. Higher average scores were obtained in balanced subscales (cohesion=25.0 and flexibility=25.5) compared to unbalanced (disengaged=17.6; enmeshed=21.4; rigid=22.1 and chaotic=16.9) ones. The translation met the recommendations of different authors, with attention to the coherence between the semantics of the items and the definition of the construct underlying the corresponding subscale. The version obtained proved to be semantically adequate. Psychometric studies should be performed to verify reliability and validity indicators.
Survivors of the intensive care unit (ICU) report an aggregate of burdensome memories. ICU diarie... more Survivors of the intensive care unit (ICU) report an aggregate of burdensome memories. ICU diaries have been proposed to address the psychological impact of ICU treatment. Twenty-six participants wrote about their ICU experiences in three successive sessions, while in the second session, they were presented with a dairy derived from their medical records. Using inductive thematic analysis in the first and third narratives, we explore how participants initially describe their ICU experience and how they process it after the intervention. Participants described a martyrdom experience, including being emotionally distressed, disorientated, and physically trapped that provoked a quest for any available interpersonal support. A vacuum-like state permeated their existence, impacted their sense-making ability, and the proximity to death uniquely characterized this experience. After intervention, participants made small but significant changes in their written narratives. They appeared to reorganize their recollections, reestablish self-continuity by integrating their ICU experiences, and authored restitution narratives.
PURPOSE Research on breaking bad news (BBN) in healthcare has mostly focused on the doctor-patien... more PURPOSE Research on breaking bad news (BBN) in healthcare has mostly focused on the doctor-patient interaction during a single consultation. However, it has been increasingly recognised that BBN is a wider process that also involves other healthcare professionals. This qualitative study explored non-medical1 healthcare professionals' involvement in BBN to newly diagnosed patients with motor neurodegenerative conditions in the UK. MATERIALS AND METHODS 19 healthcare professionals working with people with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease took part in individual, semi-structured interviews which were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes were constructed: dealing with the diagnostic aftermath, unpacking the diagnosis, breaking bad news as a balancing act and empowering patients to regain control over their health and lives. Participants reported being broadly involved in BBN by supporting patients with negative diagnostic experiences, re-iterating diagnostic information and helping patients understand the impact of their condition. The challenges of effectively breaking bad news and how these difficult conversations could help empower patients were also emphasised. CONCLUSIONS BBN was a critical and challenging aspect of healthcare professionals' clinical work with newly diagnosed patients with motor neurodegenerative conditions. Besides providing information, BBN was perceived as a way to educate patients, encourage them to make decisions and prepare for the future.Implications for rehabilitationBreaking bad news is a potentially under-recognised but significant aspect in the neurorehabilitation of neurodegenerative conditions.Listening to patients' stories about a long and occasionally unsatisfactory diagnostic journey and allowing them to express their frustration can be critical in regaining patients' trust and building a relationship with them.Newly diagnosed patients have not always received adequate information about their condition at diagnosis or they might have not understood or retained that information. It is, therefore, essential that patients' understanding of their condition is assessed, misconceptions are cleared and appropriate information about the nature and impact of the diagnosis is provided.Irrespective of the length of experience, breaking bad news was perceived as a multi-faceted, challenging, stressful and emotionally demanding task.Formal support and specialised training on breaking the bad news that addresses the incurable, unpredictable and progressive nature of motor neurodegenerative conditions could help professionals with this challenging task.
International Journal of Mental Health Systems, Mar 6, 2020
Background: The mental healthcare treatment gap (mhcGAP) in adult populations has been substantia... more Background: The mental healthcare treatment gap (mhcGAP) in adult populations has been substantiated across Europe. This study formed part of MentALLY, a research project funded by the European Commission, which aimed to gather qualitative empirical evidence to support the provision of European mental healthcare that provides effective treatment to all adults who need it. Methods: Seven focus groups were conducted with 49 health professionals (HPs), including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, general practitioners, and psychiatric nurses who worked in health services in Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The focus group discussions centered on the barriers and facilitators to providing quality care to people with mild, medium, and severe mental health problems. Analyses included deductively and inductively driven coding procedures. Crosscountry consensus was obtained by summarizing findings in the form of a fact sheet which was shared for triangulation by all the MentALLY partners. Results: The results converged into two overarching themes: (1) Minding the treatment gap: the availability and accessibility of Mental Health Services (MHS). The mhcGAP gap identified is composed of different elements that constitute the barriers to care, including bridging divides in care provision, obstacles in facilitating access via referrals and creating a collaborative 'chain of care'. (2) Making therapeutic practice relevant by providing a broad-spectrum of integrated and comprehensive services that value person-centered care comprised of authenticity, flexibility and congruence. Conclusions: The mhcGAP is comprised of the following barriers: a lack of funding, insufficient capacity of human resources, inaccessibility to comprehensive services and a lack of availability of relevant treatments. The facilitators to the provision of MHC include using collaborative models of primary, secondary and prevention-oriented mental healthcare. Teamwork in providing care was considered to be a more effective and efficient use of resources. HPs believe that the use of e-mental health and emerging digital technologies can enhance care provision. Facilitating access to a relevant continuum of community-based care that is responsive coordinated and in line with people's needs throughout their lives is an essential aspect of optimal care provision.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete and/... more Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete and/or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, resulting in intermittent hypoxemia and hypercapnia, frequent arousals, and sleep fragmentation [1]. OSA in children is being recognized increasingly and receiving more attention, while its prevalence in pediatric population is 2-4% [2]. It differs from its adult counterpart in its physiology, clinical presentation, polysomnographic characteristics, and outcomes, while it has unique characteristics not seen in adults, such as hyperactivity, poor school performance, and growth retardation [1,2]. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing and quantifying the severity of pediatric OSA. It
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, Jan 19, 2023
Psychological therapies are effective for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms such as depre... more Psychological therapies are effective for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms such as depression, pain and fatigue. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness and other theory‐led approaches have been applied and were found to have moderate effects. The present study adopts a patient‐led approach to investigate people with MS' (PwMS) experiences of psychological therapies and the change processes they identify. In this naturalistic, mixed‐methods design, semistructured interviews were conducted and three questionnaires were administered to 20 PwMS at two different times. Qualitative data collection and analysis followed the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) guidelines, and quantitative data were analysed using paired t tests. Four superordinate themes described the participants' experiences of change as related to their psychological therapy: from despair to relief; from feeling their body as alien to becoming acquainted with an unpredictable new body; from helplessness to empowerment; and from punishment to forgiveness. Quantitative results showed that physical function and general health perception improved, and anxiety was significantly reduced. Despite seeking help from diverse psychological therapy modalities, the analysis revealed common themes that the participants found significant in their therapy stories. Following a patient‐centred approach, the development of psychological therapies for PwMS should focus on their relationships, everyday lives, body perception, losses, shame and guilt. PwMS also need to be understood and acknowledged beyond their condition.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Sep 14, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
International journal of psychology and psychoanalysis, Jul 15, 2020
Background: Recent empirical literature on autoimmune diseases has focused extensively on the imp... more Background: Recent empirical literature on autoimmune diseases has focused extensively on the implementation and evaluation of psychosocial interventions. Psychotherapy and counselling processes for multiple sclerosis (MS) have gained special attention given the cognitive and behavioral dimensions of the symptoms as well as their unpredictable course. The current study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning making processes for persons with MS (PwMS) who are in psychotherapy treatment. Method: The sample of this study consisted of ten PwMS who described their experience of the illness and of psychotherapy of choice through semi-structured interviews. Data collection and analysis adhered to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis guidelines. Results: The results revealed that PwMS struggled with understanding the initial symptoms, contemplated taking medication, and related symptom development to psychological factors such as depression. Participants were preoccupied with disability representations and questioned the trustworthiness of their bodies. They worked towards integrating the illness into their identity and described how psychotherapy encouraged psychological agency whilst feeling supported and "accepted". Conclusions: Psychotherapy contributes to the processes of shaping participants' life worlds, offering a space to self-organize and reflect within genuine therapeutic relationships.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete and/... more Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete and/or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, resulting in intermittent hypoxemia and hypercapnia, frequent arousals, and sleep fragmentation [1]. OSA in children is being recognized increasingly and receiving more attention, while its prevalence in pediatric population is 2-4% [2]. It differs from its adult counterpart in its physiology, clinical presentation, polysomnographic characteristics, and outcomes, while it has unique characteristics not seen in adults, such as hyperactivity, poor school performance, and growth retardation [1,2]. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing and quantifying the severity of pediatric OSA. It
Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 2019
The efficiency of interventions in addiction is associated with processes of practitioners' profe... more The efficiency of interventions in addiction is associated with processes of practitioners' professional development. Identity formation is studied extensively for clinical professions but little research focuses on social workers working in addiction settings. This study examined the experience of social workers working in a community treatment network in Greece. Fifteen interviews were conducted with 11 women and 4 men, ranging between 29-47 years οf age, who worked in different centers within the network. Data were analyzed following the guidelines of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, offering in-depth examinations of people's lived experience. The results delineate a series of transformations in professional identity comprising a process of biographization. The participants highlighted intrapersonal and relational factors that influence this process which leads to selfunderstanding and engagement with the therapeutic community. The results contribute to deciphering the factors that influence social workers' experience in their professional identity formation in substance abuse treatment contexts.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on how mental health professionals involved in the ... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on how mental health professionals involved in the therapeutic treatment of children in public mental health facilities in Greece experience and talk about the impact of the socioeconomic crises on the psychotherapeutic process. Design/methodology/approach In all, 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted and phenomenologically informed thematic analysis was used in analysing the data. Findings The results coalesced into two all-encompassing thematic structures articulating the following: first, the socioeconomic crises have permeated society and therapeutic praxis like a torrential and chronic rain storm. This has resulted in a deluge in demand for therapeutic services within the public mental health sector; second, mental health professionals describe their positioning and work as “a constant tug-of-war” where they are inundated and often overwhelmed with work, find themselves identifying with service users and taking on several roles simultaneously, and being challenged to find solutions often in dire and complex situations. They describe how creativity and flexibility are in demand in their day-to-day interactions and if they are to intervene in place of a health and welfare system that is faltering. Doing therapeutic work under such circumstances appears to be both emotionally onerous and stimulating with regard to conceptualising new ways of intervening in such complex psychosocial situations. Research limitations/implications The study is limited in that only mental health professionals presented their experiences and service users were not included. The findings do highlight how severe austerity policies impact mental health services and peoples’ lives. Practical implications The study has implications for policy regarding the provision and organisation of mental health services in contexts where crises and economic turmoil prevail. Social implications The results associate severe austerity with major changes in family and community life. Originality/value The paper provides insights and implications on how mental health services are impacted by socioeconomic conditions.
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