Relationships between Resilience and Well-Being in Family Caregivers to Holocaust Survivors

The caregiver role can be challenging as family members address the oft en complex needs of aging relatives. Resilience, the process or trait related to addressing and rebounding from adversity, may play a role in determining how well family caregivers fare. In this study, the authors explored the relationships between resilience and well-being in a uniquely resilient group – family caregivers to Holocaust survivors. Surveys were completed by a convenience sample of family caregivers (N = 89) living in the United States. One-way between subjects ANOVA with Scheff é post-hoc tests were run to compare low-, moderate-, and high-resilience caregivers. Depression was significantly lower for each progressively higher resilience group. Physical well-being was signifi cantly lower in the low-resilience group. Caregiver burden was not signifi cantly diff erent between groups. Resilience may have a prophylactic role in preserving physical and emotional well-being in family caregivers; however, resilience and burden may have a more nuanced relationship. Burden may have been underreported due to (a) comparisons with the stress experienced by the Holocaust survivors and/or (b) a heightened sense of filial piety. Health care practitioners should be aware of the complex role that resilience can potentially play both in protecting well-being and in masking burden in family caregivers

Using Social Network Analysis to Assess Professional Network Development among AGE\u3ci\u3eSW\u3c/i\u3e Pre-Dissertation Fellowship Program Participants

Professional networks are important for the success of doctoral students and early career faculty members, yet there is little research about what types of experiences help emerging scholars develop these networks. Social network analysis may be an ideal method for studying the effectiveness of training programs in nurturing network development among emerging scholars. We describe one application of this method, which was used to examine the professional networks formed through participation in the Association of Gerontological Education in Social Work (AGESW)’s Pre-Dissertation Fellowship Program (PDFP). Alumni (n = 12) from the first three cohorts of the program (2010–2012) reported meeting an average of 20 scholars (SD = 13.2) through AGESW, which led to potential professional interactions and collaborations on conference presentations and manuscripts. Although challenges with missing data limited the conclusions that can be drawn, we find that this method holds promise for helping to identify key factors that facilitate professional network development in pre-dissertation training programs such as the PDFP

The Complete Genome Sequence of Proteus mirabilis Strain BB2000 Reveals Differences from the P. mirabilis Reference Strain

We announce the complete genome sequence for Proteus mirabilis strain BB2000, a model system for self recognition. This opportunistic pathogen contains a single, circular chromosome (3,846,754 bp). Comparisons between this genome and that of strain HI4320 reveal genetic variations corresponding to previously unknown physiological and self-recognition differences.Molecular and Cellular Biolog

16-09 Transportation Mobility Among Low-Income, Transportation Disadvantaged Older Adults Living in a Low Density Urban Environment Using Innovative Data Collection Methods

This study investigates the transportation disadvantage that low-income, older adults face on an individual basis. To accomplish this, research team members custom designed an innovative “travel diary” app, MyAmble, which tracks planned, completed, failed/uncompleted trips, and unserved trips in its Trip Planner module. In addition to the typical transportation planning data (e.g. origin, destination, mode), MyAmble collects data related to the completed or failed/uncompleted trip’s impact on the participant’s mood and quality of life. MyAmble utilizes 3 additional modules (Challenge Logger, Travel Buddy, and Travel History) to collect qualitative data related to the role that transportation plays in the participant’s life and history. The field test shows significant promise in terms of capturing data on quantity and impact of missed trips, particularly as they relate to psycho-social-emotional well-being and autonomy; however, the selected population of low-income, community-dwelling older adults face health challenges that may have limited some participants’ ability to utilize the app. The study generates critical feedback for continued improvements to MyAmble. Participants expressed positive feedback and strong support for the app, specifically the Travel Buddy feature. The data generated by MyAmble provide new insights into the challenges facing environmental justice communities

Integrated Communications Plan for the SMU Spanish Club

SMU Spanish Club debuted in January 2013 with temporary charter status. This paper explains my role as a public relations advisor to the club

Cognitive Impairment and Forced Displacement Scoping Review

The objective of this scoping review is to examine the extent, range, and nature of research on cognitive impairment among forcibly displaced populations, specifically focusing on refugees and asylum seekers.  We aim to summarize and disseminate these research findings and identify research gaps in the existing literature

Improving Transportation Access Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

This study explored how engineers, planners, and social workers interact around issues of transportation and transportation equity, and identified opportunities for enhanced collaboration and training in anticipation of emerging transportation needs for environmental justice (EJ) populations. This study provided the foundation for future educational research, identify strategies for using two Android apps (Safe Activity and My Amble) developed at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and identified opportunities for collaborative solutions within the state of the practice. The study assessed the current level of knowledge amongst professionals (engineers, planners, and social workers) about the training needs of the other professions under investigation and their own preparation for collaborating across disciplines in order to improve transportation equity for EJ populations. The study also identified the benefits and strategies for engineers, planners, and social workers in collaboration on transportation infrastructure and policy decisions. This study used a mixed-methods, sequential exploratory design to gather information from engineers, planners, and social workers through qualitative and subsequent quantitative data collection methods. Results suggested that improving services for EJ populations was important to both social workers and transportation planners. However, fewer social workers reported that transportation systems meet the needs of EJ population members. The results suggested that across all three disciplines, participants agreed that there is a need to address the unmet and/or underserved transportation needs of EJ populations. Advocacy and resource identification were among some of the most important transportation-related skills needed for social workers while data analysis and planning were reported as key skill for transportation experts. The majority of study participants indicated that all three disciplines can greatly inform transportation planning and that interdisciplinary collaboration is important for improving and enhancing transportation planning. Although respondents from different disciplines valued interprofessional collaboration, they rarely did so. Participants in the focus groups reported utility in collecting longitudinal, crowd-sourced/real-time data with the MyAmble and Safe Activity apps. Finally, the research team provided specific recommendations for enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration around transportation equity for EJ populations, and offered background for developing an interdisciplinary course between the UTA College of Engineering and the School of Social Work to address transportation equity and activity scheduling of EJ populations

Relationships between Resilience and Well-Being in Family Caregivers to Holocaust Survivors

The caregiver role can be challenging as family members address the oft en complex needs of aging relatives. Resilience, the process or trait related to addressing and rebounding from adversity, may play a role in determining how well family caregivers fare. In this study, the authors explored the relationships between resilience and well-being in a uniquely resilient group – family caregivers to Holocaust survivors. Surveys were completed by a convenience sample of family caregivers (N = 89) living in the United States. One-way between subjects ANOVA with Scheff é post-hoc tests were run to compare low-, moderate-, and high-resilience caregivers. Depression was significantly lower for each progressively higher resilience group. Physical well-being was signifi cantly lower in the low-resilience group. Caregiver burden was not signifi cantly diff erent between groups. Resilience may have a prophylactic role in preserving physical and emotional well-being in family caregivers; however, resilience and burden may have a more nuanced relationship. Burden may have been underreported due to (a) comparisons with the stress experienced by the Holocaust survivors and/or (b) a heightened sense of filial piety. Health care practitioners should be aware of the complex role that resilience can potentially play both in protecting well-being and in masking burden in family caregivers

Utilizing an inter-professional online advisory board: A case study to inform innovation in community-engaged, transportation equity research and planning

This case study describes implementation of an innovative, online, inter-professional advisory board in the context of transportation equity research. The board was comprised of 14 professionals from social work, transportation planning, and engineering. The board advised the research team on research methods such as sample recruitment strategies and data collection, as well as interpreting the results at the conclusion of the study and forming policy implications. The case study underscores the importance of: 1) ensuring broad, inter-professional membership; 2) utility of online meeting formats for reducing participation barriers and promoting more diverse participation; 3) designing active strategies to promote board members’ interaction and networking during meetings; and 4) continually orientating members to the board’s contribution to the research. Efforts to utilize participatory research methods in transportation equity research may lead to more effective transportation planning and more equitable transportation services