Date Presented 04/04/19
Existing research suggests that better outcomes of children in temporary placements occur when proxy caregivers exhibit commitment toward children in their care and presence of a consistent relationship exists. The purpose of this poster is to present findings of a mixed-methodology study exploring the perceptions of RTF caregivers’ in their occupation.
Primary Author and Speaker: Amy Lynch
Additional Authors and Speakers: Bethany Hepp
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) caregivers’ in their occupation as proxy caregivers for the residents.
DESIGN: The study design was an exploratory, mixed methods. Participants were recruited from child and adolescent RTFs in a suburban area. Participants (n=16) volunteered for the study, and completed study assessments after IRB consent was signed.
METHODS: Assessment tools included two interviews: a) Qualitative Interview concerning perception of role and use of occupation based activities with residents and b) This is My Baby (TIMB; Bernard & Dozier, 2011) interview protocol. Survey data was also collected specific to caregiver demographics, satisfaction with their own family lives (Satisfaction with Family Life Scale; Zabriskie & Ward, 2012); adult attachment style (Relationships Questionnaire; Lyons-Ruth, 2006); and occupational effort and reward (Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire; Siegrist, Li, & Montano, 2014).
RESULTS: Qualitative interview results yielded themes including low understanding of developmental and occupational expectations for children who have experienced trauma, negative perception of resident behaviors, and decreased understanding and value for use of meaningful occupational activity to engage clients. TIMB results found low commitment and low positive-to-negative relationships with children. Remaining surveys identified personal dissatisfaction with the efforts required of their roles in conjunctions with low perceived benefits of their roles for selves and children in their care.
CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest a role for Occupational Therapists in providing training and coaching for staff at residential treatment facilities. Implications for OT role in promoting caregiver commitment to children in their care will also be discussed.
References
Bernard, K., & Dozier, M. (2011). This is my baby: Foster parents' feelings of commitment and displays of delight. Infant mental health journal, 32(2), 251-262.
Zabriskie, R. B., & Ward, P. J. (2013). Satisfaction with family life scale. Marriage & Family Review, 49(5), 446-463.
Grietens, H., Knorth, E., Barth, R., Cummings, M., Stein, M., Courtney, M., ... & McNamara, P. (2014). Therapeutic residential care for children and youth: Developing evidence-based international practice. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
