The Future of Qualitative Research in Psychology: Accentuating the Positive.

In this paper we reflect on current trends and anticipate future prospects regarding qualitative research in Psychology. We highlight various institutional and disciplinary obstacles to qualitative research diversity, complexity and quality. At the same time, we note some causes for optimism, including publication breakthroughs and vitality within the field. The paper is structured into three main sections which consider: 1) the positioning of qualitative research within Psychology; 2) celebrating the different kinds of knowledge produced by qualitative research; and 3) implementing high quality qualitative research. In general we accentuate the positive, recognising and illustrating innovative qualitative research practices which generate new insights and propel the field forward. We conclude by emphasising the importance of research training: for qualitative research to flourish within Psychology (and beyond), students and early career researchers require more sophisticated, in-depth instruction than is currently offered

Day occupation is associated with psychopathology for adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome

Background: Young adults with Down syndrome experience increased rates of emotional and behavioural problems compared with the general population. Most adolescents with Down syndrome living in Western Australia participate in sheltered employment as their main day occupation. Relationship between day occupation and changes in behaviour has not been examined. Therefore, the aim of this research was to explore any relationship between post school day occupations and changes in the young person’s behaviour. Methods: The Down syndrome Needs Opinion Wishes database was used for case ascertainment of young adults aged 15 to 32 years with Down syndrome. Families of 118 young people in this population-based database completed questionnaires in 2004, 2009 and 2011. The questionnaires addressed both young person characteristics such as age, gender, presence of impairments, behaviour, functioning in activities of daily living, and family characteristics such as income and family functioning. Post-school day occupations in which the young people were participating included open and sheltered employment, training and day recreation programs. Change in behaviour of young adults who remained in the same post-school day occupation from 2009 to 2011 (n = 103) were examined in a linear regression model adjusting for confounding variables including age, gender, prior functioning and behaviour in 2004 and family income.Results: In comparison to those young adults attending open employment from 2009 to 2011, those attending day recreation programs were reported to experience worsening in behaviour both in the unadjusted (effect size -0.14, 95% CI -0.24, -0.05) and adjusted models (effect size -0.15, 95% CI -0.29, -0.01). Conclusions: We found that the behaviour of those participating in open employment improved compared to those attending other day occupations. Further examination of the direction of this association is required

Ajustamento Conjugal: Comparação entre Casais com e sem Filhos com Deficiência Intelectual

This study aims to compare the dyadic adjustment between couples with a child with intellectual disabilities and couples with children with typical development identifying the associations of this variable with characteristics of the functioning of the family system. The study included 101 families, 80 of them with children with typical development and 21 of them with one of the children with intellectual disabilities. The instruments used were Family Characteristics Questionnaire and Dyadic Adjustment Scale - DAS. The results show that the marital relationship, in both groups, is good and there are no significant differences regarding the dyadic adjustment between couples. The analysis of the dimensions of the DAS shows significant correlation, positive and moderate, but only in relation to the variable Affect Expression. The data indicate that the child's disability is not a hindrance to the couple dyadic adjustment, a fact that should be further investigated in Brazilian families.O presente estudo visa comparar o ajustamento diádico entre casais com um filho com deficiência intelectual e casais com filhos com desenvolvimento típico, identificando as associações dessa variável com características do funcionamento do sistema familiar. Participaram do estudo 101 famílias, sendo 80 com filhos com desenvolvimento típico e 21 com um dos filhos com deficiência intelectual. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Questionário de Caracterização do Sistema Familiar e a Escala de Ajustamento Diádico - EAD (DAS - Dyadic Adjustment Scale). Os resultados mostram que o relacionamento conjugal, em ambos os grupos, é bom e não há diferenças significativas quanto ao ajustamento diádico entre os casais. A análise das dimensões da EAD mostra correlação significativa, positiva e moderada, apenas para Expressão de Afeto. Os dados indicam que a deficiência do filho não constitui empecilho ao ajustamento diádico do casal, fato que deveria ser melhor investigado em famílias brasileiras