Bien-être psychosocial de femmes âgées ayant vécu un épisode de maltraitance

L’objectif de la présente étude était de comparer le bien-être psychosocial actuel de 16 femmes âgées de 65 ans ou plus, vivant dans la communauté, à celui de 19 femmes rapportant n’avoir jamais vécu d’épisode de maltraitance dans leur vie. Bien que la littérature scientifique suggère que la détresse psychologique soit l’une des principales conséquences de la maltraitance, les résultats font surtout état de différences en lien avec les dimensions sociales. Les femmes ayant été maltraitées considèrent avoir peu de soutien de leur famille, un faible lien d’attachement avec d’autres personnes et n’ont personne à qui s’adresser pour obtenir conseils.The purpose of the study was to compare the current psychosocial well-being of 16 community-dwelling women aged 65 and over who had experience abuse to 19 women who report never having been abused during their lifetime. Although scientific research show that psychological distress is one of the main consequences of elder abuse, the present study instead revealed differences on the social variables. For instance, women that have experienced mistreatment report having little support from their family, consider that they have a weak attachment to other people, and that they have no one to turn to when they need advice

Regard sensible sur la transformation de cinq familles ayant participé au Programme de renforcement des familles

Cet article met en lumière comment la méthode photovoix (photovoice) a été adaptée et utilisée dans une recherche visant à faire l’évaluation des retombées d’un programme destiné à cinq familles ayant participé, entre 2011 et 2015, au Programme de renforcement des familles (PRF). Celles-ci ont été invitées à prendre des photographies les représentant, à partir desquelles fut ensuite réalisé un entretien en profondeur et finalement, une exposition devant les membres de leur communauté. Douze professionnelles et professionnels, dont cinq ayant accompagné les familles pour prendre leurs photographies, ont assisté à cette exposition et participé à leur tour à des entretiens de groupe pour partager leurs réactions face aux photographies. Les résultats indiquent que ce processus s’est avéré un puissant moyen pour ces familles d’élaborer et d’exprimer le sens de leur transformation. Ils portent également à réfléchir sur les méthodes sensibles et alternatives que peut utiliser la recherche évaluative.This article highlights how the photovoice method was adapted and used in a research project to evaluate the results of a program for five families who participated, between 2011 and 2015, in the Strengthening Families Program (SFP). The families were invited to take photos that represented themselves. These photos formed the basis for in-depth interviews, and then for an exhibition for members of their community. Twelve professionals, five of whom accompanied the families when they took their photos, attended the exhibition and took part in their turn in the group sessions to share their reactions to the photos. The results indicate that this process was a powerful means for these families to formulate and express the meaning of their transformation. They also inspire reflection on sensitive alternative methods that can be used in evaluative research

A systematic review of older adults' request for or attitude toward euthanasia or assisted-suicide

Objectives: Prevalence rates of death by euthanasia (EUT) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) have increased among older adults, and public debates on these practices are still taking place. In this context, it seemed important to conduct a systematic review of the predictors (demographic, physical health, psychological, social, quality of life, religious, or existential) associated with attitudes toward, wishes and requests for, as well as death by EUT/PAS among individuals aged 60 years and over. Method: The search for quantitative studies in PsycINFO and MEDLINE databases was conducted three times from February 2016 until April 2018. Articles of probable relevance (n ¼ 327) were assessed for eligibility. Studies that only presented descriptive data (n ¼ 306) were excluded. Results: This review identified 21 studies with predictive analyses, but in only 4 did older adults face actual end-of-life decisions. Most studies (17) investigated attitudes toward EUT/PAS (9 through hypothetical scenarios). Younger age, lower religiosity, higher education, and higher socioeconomic status were the most consistent predictors of endorsement of EUT/PAS. Findings were heterogeneous with regard to physical health, psychological, and social factors. Findings were difficult to compare across studies because of the variety of sample characteristics and outcomes measures. Conclusion: Future studies should adopt common and explicit definitions of EUT/PAS, as well as research designs (e.g. mixed longitudinal) that allow for better consideration of personal, social, and cultural factors, and their interplay, on EUT/PAS decisions