Self-Care Among Social Workers Employed in Rural Settings: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

Despite growing recognition about the importance of self-care for social work professionals, research related to the topic has not kept pace with the changing landscape of the profession. Particularly, self-care practices among rural social work professionals have been overlooked in the research. Rural social work practice is, in many ways, decidedly different from practice in more urban areas. Thus, the primary aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the personal and professional self-care practices of rural social workers. Specifically, the study sough to better understand how often social workers engage in self-care and whether or not there are associations between personal and professional demographic variables and self-care practice. Discussion and next-steps for research and implications for practice are included

Self-Care Among Social Workers Employed in Rural Settings: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

Despite growing recognition about the importance of self-care for social work professionals, research related to the topic has not kept pace with the changing landscape of the profession. Particularly, self-care practices among rural social work professionals have been overlooked in the research. Rural social work practice is, in many ways, decidedly different from practice in more urban areas. Thus, the primary aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the personal and professional self-care practices of rural social workers. Specifically, the study sough to better understand how often social workers engage in self-care and whether or not there are associations between personal and professional demographic variables and self-care practice. Discussion and next-steps for research and implications for practice are included

Self-Care among Social Workers Employed in Rural Settings: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

Despite growing recognition about the importance of self-care for social work professionals, research related to the topic has not kept pace with the changing landscape of the profession. Particularly, self-care practices among rural social work professionals have been overlooked in the research. Rural social work practice is, in many ways, decidedly different from practice in more urban areas. Thus, the primary aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the personal and professional self-care practices of rural social workers. Specifically, the study sough to better understand how often social workers engage in self-care and whether or not there are associations between personal and professional demographic variables and self-care practice. Discussion and next-steps for research and implications for practice are included

Risk and Protective Factors of Dementia Among Adults With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review Protocol

INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Individual epidemiological studies have controlled for several confounders of the relationship between PTSD and increased dementia risk, yet particular risk factors underlying this relationship have not been determined. This systematic review protocol aims to identify risk and protective factors of dementia among adults with PTSD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct an electronic search of the databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, The Cochrane Library, Scopus and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Global. After screening the studies, quantitative synthesis will be performed, if possible. Otherwise, a narrative synthesis will be performed. We will include randomised controlled trials and other types of research evidence including longitudinal cohort studies. Strength of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations method. Examples of variables that will be extracted are: year of PTSD diagnosis, comorbid conditions, health behaviours, pharmacological treatments and year of mild cognitive impairment or dementia diagnosis. We developed this systematic review protocol according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 statement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The proposed study will not collect individual-level data and, therefore, does not require ethical approval. Results of this study will provide current evidence on risk and protective factors of dementia in adults with PTSD. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019128553

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS ON LABOR MARKET INTEGRATION IN A GENDER STRATIFIED SAMPLE OF REFUGEES IN GERMANY

Refugees are disproportionally more likely to be unemployed. Additionally, women have a higher unemployment rate than men. Prospective gender-stratified research on refugee labor market integration is both rare and needed. The goal of this dissertation was to determine the effects of psychological, social, and demographic factors on employment outcomes within a gender-specific framework. This secondary data study used data from a representative longitudinal panel study of refugees in Germany. Data spanned two years with collection at two time-points (T1 and T2) including baseline (T1) and one year later (T2). Using a complex samples framework in SPSS, logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships between employment outcomes and psychological, social, and demographic factors. Primary predictors measured at T1 included mental distress, refugee related anxiety severity, resilience, German language skills, integration course attendance, amount of time spent with people from country of origin, amount of time spent with Germans, amount of time spent with people from other countries, feeling welcomed and discrimination. Two outcome variables were measured at T2, employment status (employed vs. unemployed) and gaining employment (from T1 to T2). Findings indicated that psychological factors did not impact employment status or gaining employment for either men or women. For men, German language skills, amount of time spent with people from other countries, and integration course attendance predicted both T2 employment status and gaining employment from T1 to T2 whereas amount of time spent with people from Germany was an additional predictor of T2 employment status. For women, German language skills, amount of time spent with Germans and amount of time spent with people from other countries predicted both T2 employment status and gaining employment from T1 to T2, whereas integration course attendance was an additional predictor of T2 employment status. Thus, men and women had both overlapping and unique predictors of employment outcomes. These findings provide insight into gender-specific factors important to employment outcomes and therefore, labor market integration, in men and women refugees in Germany with implications for programs and services aimed at supporting successful refugee integration