Parent-Teacher Relationships of Students Diagnosed With Autism, Job Burnout, and Stress as Predictors of Teacher Self-Efficacy

Excessive workload, personal stress, and a lack of resources are some of the factors that contribute to teacher stress and burnout. One third of new teachers quit the teaching profession within their first 3 years, half leaving within 5 years, and 10% quitting every year after that. Research has identified a relationship between work stress and burnout among teachers. However, this relationship has not been explored among teachers who have students diagnosed with autism in their classrooms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher job-related stress, burnout, quality of parent-teacher relationships, and teacher self-efficacy among teachers who have students diagnosed with autism in their classrooms. Bandura’s social learning theory was used to guide this research. A convenience sample of 221 secondary education teachers identified through Facebook groups completed an online survey. Multiple regression analyses showed that higher levels of personal accomplishment predicted higher levels of teacher self-efficacy. Higher levels of emotional exhaustion predicted lower levels of teacher self-efficacy. Higher levels of perceived negative interactions with students predicted lower levels of teacher self-efficacy. The results may be used for positive social change by developing strategies to increase positive interactions between teachers and students and acknowledging personal accomplishments of teachers. Administrators and stakeholders may find these strategies reduce levels of burnout and increase self-efficacy of teachers

Relationship between self-compassion, sense of coherence, coping strategies and perceived stress in clinical psychology trainees.

Individuals employed in the helping professions are vulnerable to occupational stress and burnout due to the physical and emotional challenges inherent in the work. A large body of research has focused on organisational, occupational, and demographic factors associated with these negative costs of caring. This thesis explored the influence of psychological factors on stress and burnout in formal caregivers. Paper 1 (the literature review) examined the existing evidence base in order to determine whether burnout and compassion fatigue are associated with sense of coherence in health and social care workers. Sense of coherence relates to the extent to which a person perceives stressful life events as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed that stronger sense of coherence was consistently associated with lower levels of burnout and compassion fatigue and influenced these negative outcomes both directly and indirectly. However, methodological limitations across studies indicated that these findings should be interpreted with caution. Paper 2 describes an empirical study that examined associations between sense of coherence, self-compassion, coping strategies, and perceived stress in clinical psychology trainees. Findings indicated that higher levels of self-compassion and sense of coherence were both associated with lower stress. Results also indicated that self-compassion was positively associated with adaptive coping strategies, and both self-compassion and sense of coherence were negatively associated with avoidance-oriented strategies. Sense of coherence and maladaptive coping emerged as significant predictors of perceived stress in subsequent regression analyses. Findings suggest that interventions or support mechanisms that enhance sense of coherence and reduce reliance on maladaptive 11 coping may decrease vulnerability to stress in clinical psychology trainees. Paper three provides a first person reflective account of the process of completing this thesis, and its impact on the personal and professional development of the author

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Caregivers

This thesis examines the application and effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for both individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their primary caregivers. Emerging research shows that conventional MBIs can be effective in providing relief from mental health symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. However, questions remain regarding the effectiveness of MBIs across the lifespan of autistic individuals, the perception of MBIs among these individuals and their families, and the most effective way to disseminate MBIs to this population. MBIs are attracting increasing attention in ASD research, partly because they cultivate an awareness and non-judgemental attitude towards difficult thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations: aspects that are challenging for those with ASD, given their difficulties in sensory processing and emotional regulation. Issues with both access and affordability of mental health care have also been noted by this cohort. In this context, eHealth—the use of technology in mental health care—offers promise as a flexible service delivery option. To date, however, little research has explored eHealth as a mental health tool for ASD. This thesis presents three studies, the first being a high-quality meta-analysis of 10 controlled and quasi-experimental studies (Nparticipants = 574) which evaluated mental health and wellbeing outcomes for autistic children and adults and their caregivers following MBI participation. Positive small to large effects (g range = 0.39 to 0.87) were reported by autistic adults and caregivers. The mental health benefits of MBI reported by autistic children were smaller in magnitude (g range = 0.22 to 0.43). These findings were, however, limited by the methodological quality of included studies. The small group of studies, which primarily involved caregivers, also precludes the ability to generalise the findings to the broader ASD population. A second study, a qualitative meta-synthesis of the mindfulness intervention literature for ASD, provides further context to these meta-analytic findings. Based on 10 studies (Nparticipants = 224), key themes focusing on the facilitators and barriers to mindfulness training were identified. Overall, individuals reported improved self-awareness and self-regulation with MBI. The group-based therapy format also provided a supportive environment and motivated participants to practise. However, home practice was seen as a key barrier. Equally problematic was the time commitment required for therapy combined with the demands of managing a child’s ASD behaviours. An intervention study, based on the findings of Studies 1 and 2, was then trialled to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of, a commercially available smartphone application based on mindfulness principles, Smiling Mind, for individuals affected by ASD. Distraction and boredom were key obstacles to app use reported by these children, while caregivers noted competing time commitments as a barrier to ongoing use. Participant interviews did, however, highlight positive attitudes to the use of Smiling Mind. That said, app use tended to be directed towards meeting specific goals, such as helping to promote better sleep for their child rather than the development of mindfulness skills per se. In combination, the findings of these three studies suggest that MBI, particularly when offered via eHealth, has potential as a flexible method for improving the general wellbeing of autistic individuals and their caregivers. Despite an increased interest in mindfulness approaches, however, research on its application with ASD remains preliminary. Ultimately, significant methodological refinements are still needed to develop a robust picture of the application and effectiveness of MBI and its flexible delivery in this population.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 202

Occupational Health and Safety in the Healthcare Sector

Healthcare workers are exposed to several different occupational risk factors, and they pay an important tribute in terms of occupational diseases and work-related injuries. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has focused the attention on the problem of the infectious risk, which is certainly among the risks typically expected and specifically recognized for the health personnel, but also other occupational risks should not be overlooked, as, e.g., the risks associated with work-organization factors and with the exposure to chemical and physical agents. The health consequences associated with the exposure to all these factors have relevant impacts in terms of induced diseases, DALYs, sickness absence from work and costs for the health systems. According to these premises, this reprint has collected manuscripts addressing topics related to the prevention of the occupational risks in the healthcare sector, including original articles and reviews on the prevention of work-related illnesses and injuries of the health personnel, as well as on the evaluation of the risks in the healthcare workplaces, and on the topics of risk perception and of the knowledge and attitudes of the workers towards the preventive procedures and the use of protections. The themes of the prevention of occupational infectious risk, biomechanical overload of the musculoskeletal system and work-related psychosocial factors are specifically discussed in the papers collected

Occupational Health and Safety in the Healthcare Sector

Healthcare workers are exposed to several different occupational risk factors, and they pay an important tribute in terms of occupational diseases and work-related injuries. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has focused the attention on the problem of the infectious risk, which is certainly among the risks typically expected and specifically recognized for the health personnel, but also other occupational risks should not be overlooked, such as, e.g., the risks associated with work-organization factors and with the exposure to chemical and physical agents. The health consequences associated with the exposure to all these factors have relevant impacts in terms of induced diseases, DALYs, sickness absence from work and costs for the health systems. According to these premises, this reprint has collected manuscripts addressing topics related to the prevention of the occupational risks in the healthcare sector, including original articles and reviews on the prevention of work-related illnesses and injuries of the health personnel, as well as on the evaluation of the risks in the healthcare workplaces, and on the topics of risk perception and of the knowledge and attitudes of the workers towards the preventive procedures and the use of protections. The themes of the prevention of occupational infectious risk, biomechanical overload of the musculoskeletal system and work-related psychosocial factors are specifically discussed in the papers collected

An experimental model of induction of osteoarthritis in New Zealand white rabbit

Introduction: Historically, animal models for osteoarthritis have been established to facilitate the study of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and the potential medical treatment. The anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACTL) and partial meniscal resection model in rabbits have been widely used. The aim of the study was to establish a more effective surgical approach to induce knee osteoarthritis in New Zealand White Rabbits. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (I-ACUC) ethical committee. The surgical approach of induction of osteoarthritis was done in Advanced Orthopedics Research Laboratory, International Islamic University Malaysia. Eight rabbits underwent lateral and medial meniscectomies at bilateral foreleg knees to induce osteoarthritis. The models were examined through physical and radiographic analysis. Results: Physical exams showed that all model animal daily food and water intakes were normal. Animal model knee motion in passive range showed limitation and instability. Radiographic imaging analysis showed osteoarthritic changes in all models. Moreover, no mortality was recorded during the study. The approach requires less surgery time and easier access. The analgesia was more humane and showed faster recovery. Conclusion: These outcomes suggested an effective and feasible technique of inducing knee osteoarthritis in New Zealand White rabbit models

A disastrous complication of colonephrocutaneous fistula: brain abscess

A rare case of colonephrocutaneous fistula complicated with a brain abscess is a lifethreatening clinical condition. We report a case of a 35-year-old lady with a history of partial left nephrectomy complicated with left colonic injury who presented with persistent vomiting associated with headache and blurry vision for 5 days. Clinically, she was confused and restless with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 12/15, however her pupils were equal and reactive bilaterally. Other neurological examinations were unremarkable. Abdominal examination noted functioning ileostomy with a skin opening at left lumbar with pus discharge. Diagnosis of brain abscess was made after contrasted computed tomography (CT) scan of brain. Urgent open drainage surgery was done followed by long course of antibiotic. Contrasted CT abdomen and fistulogram revealed a left colo-psoas and left nephrocutaneous fistula, hence, she was subjected for surgery. Intraoperatively, there was a fistula tract connecting the descending colon, remaining of left kidney, and the skin. Thus, left hemicolectomy, completion of left nephrectomy, and fistulectomy was done. The long-standing infective foci can lead to septic emboli and causes formation of abscess at distant site. Its management is challenging involving both medical and surgical therapy