·
דר' עופר אדלשטיין
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Edelstein, O.E., Band-Winterstein, T., & Bachner, Y.G.(
2017). Profile and burden of care among caregivers of Ultra-Orthodox Frail
Elders. Aging & Mental Health.
Objective: A paucity of research exists on burden of care
(BoC) and factors associated with it among minority groups, such as
Ultra-Orthodox Jews. The aims of this study were (1) to portray the profile of
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish (UOJ) caregivers and their BoC; (2) to explore relations
between care recipients' characteristics, care situations, characteristics of
caregivers, and BoC.
Methods: A total of 107 UOJ (66 women, 41 men) family
caregivers were interviewed face to face in their homes, using valid and
reliable measures.
Results: Participants reported moderate BoC and high level of
social support. Caregiver's self-rated health, caregiver's anxiety, and social
support emerged as significant predictors of caregiver burden.
Conclusions: Our findings might help social workers and other
health professionals to better understand the unique characteristics of the UOJ
community and to target caregivers with higher anxiety, lesser social support,
and poorer self-rated health in order to reduce their caregiving burden.
·
דר' אפרים דוידי
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Efraim
Davidi (2015), "Israel: de sefaradi a mizraji. Breve historia de una
definicion", Sefardica 22 - Cartografias, Estudios Sefardies, August 2015,
Universidad Maimonides, Buenos Aires. (Spanish)
המאמר
עוסק בשינוי שחל בהגדרת הציבור של יהודים יוצאי מדינות ערב בישראל - מספרדי
למזרחי. המאמר דן בשינויים החברתיים במדינות ישראל מאז הקמתה ועד לשנות 2000
והתמורות שהתחוללו בסוציולוגיה המקומית בהסתכלות על החברה הישראלית.
פרקים
בספרים
Efraim
Davidi (2016), "De la orfandad a la adopción: La actitud del
establishment laborista en Israel hacia los voluntarios en la Brigadas
Internacionales (1936 - 1977)" in Raanan Rein and Joan Maria Thomàs (ed) Guerra Civil y franquismo. Una
perspectiva internacional, Editorial de la Universidad de Zaragoza,
Zaragoza, 47-61 (Spanish)
זהו
פרק מתוך אסופה שפרסמה אוניברסיטת סרגוסה בספרד תחת הכותרת "מלחמת אזרחים
ופרנקיזם – מפרספקטיבה בינלאומית". הפרק עוסק ביחסה של תנועת העבודה הישראלית
כלפי מאות המתנדבים מאז שיצאו את הארץ בשנות ה-30 של המאה הקודמת כדי להילחם נגד
הפשיזם בספרד, ועד לשנת 1977, "שנת המהפך".
·
דר' מיה לביא אג'אי
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Lavie-Ajayi, M.
& Nakash, O. (2017). ""If she had helped me to solve the problem
at my workplace, she would have cured me": A Critical Discourse Analysis
of a Mental Health Intake", Qualitative Social Work 16(1), 60-77
Critical approaches in psychology and
social work criticizing the current mainstream psychotherapy discourse have
been gaining more ground in recent decades. Yet, little empirical research has,
to date, explored therapy in regular practice to identify the discursive
resources employed during the clinical encounter and the way such discourses
create and maintain power differences and the boundaries of the therapeutic
interaction. This paper is rooted within a post-structural perspective based on
Foucauldian analysis which sees power as dispersed throughout the social field
and emphasizes the multiple ways in which power differences are created and
maintained through accepted forms of discourse and knowledge. Data were drawn
from a large study of mental health intakes in clinics in Israel working with
culturally diverse populations. We conducted critical discourse analysis on a
single dyad including transcription of a recorded intake session and
post-intake interviews with the client and the therapist. Based on existing
critique of psychotherapeutic discourse for its individualistic and apolitical
view, we explored how the hegemonic psychotherapy discourse is negotiated in
real practice, the ideology it carries, and the power differences it
perpetuates. We shed light on the way this discourse conceals social injustice
and contributes to the disempowerment of the client and ultimately to a poorer
quality of services.
Saar-Heiman,
Y., Lavie-Ajayi,
M. & Krumer-Nevo M. (2017).
"Poverty-Aware Social Work Practice: Service Users' Perspectives". Child
& Family Social Work 22(2), 1054-1063.
In recent years,
there has been an increase in scholarly writing on the theory and practice of
critical social work with people living in poverty. Yet there is a lack of
research on the experiences and perspectives of service users regarding this
kind of practice. This paper presents a qualitative study that explored the
practice of a special poverty-aware social work program in Israel, through the
experiences of women who took part in it. Using an interpretative
interactionist approach, in-depth interviews with nine women where held three
times over a 2-year period. Findings reveal a high degree of satisfaction with
the program on the part of the women. The satisfaction was derived from four
main experiences: the experience of visibility, the experience of the active
partnership in the fight against poverty, the experience of close,
hierarchy-challenging relationships, and the experience of responsiveness to
material and emotional needs. The findings are discussed in terms of three
principles of practice: intervention in a real-life context, relationship-based
intervention and the focus on both the material and emotional needs and their
fulfilment.
Lavie-Ajayi,
M. (accepted), "It will continue to embarrass me on some level,
and I think that's OK": Conceptualizing embarrassment in discussions about
sex between social workers and service users". British Journal of
Social Work
Research has
consistently identified embarrassment as a barrier hindering communication
about sex across a range of professions. This paper presents an in-depth
exploration of embarrassment as an experience in discussion about everyday
sexuality between social workers and service users. It is based on the
interpretative phenomenological analysis of eleven semi-structured interviews
with social workers, working across a range of services in Israel. The analysis
revealed that the experiences of embarrassment related to four aspects of one’s
identity. The term social self relates to embarrassment due to
the breach of social codes, especially taboos about sex. Embodied selfincorporates
the embarrassment of social workers in facing their own physical feelings
arising from interactions with services users. The term gendered selfdescribes
the uncomfortable feelings generated by a challenges to one’s own sense of
gendered identity. Finally, sexual self relates to the sexual
autobiography of the practitioners and service users. The findings of this
paper highlight a new perspective on embarrassment as a potential site for
challenging dominant discourse and practice about sex and gender. The paper
also highlight the relational interdependency between their embodied gendered
sexual self and their social work practice that can serve to transform both
self and practice.
Slonim-Nevo, V.
& Lavie-Ajayi, M. (2017) Refugees and asylum seekers from Darfur: The
escape and life in Israel. International Social Work 60(3),
568-587.
The study explores
the perspectives of asylum seekers from Darfur with regard to four stages of
their journey: before leaving Sudan, their journey to Israel, living in Israel,
and future plans. Group interviews were conducted with male participants. During
the first stage, themes included the urgent need to run for their life and the
transition from family life to being alone. During the second stage, themes
included experiencing extreme conditions and intense emotions. The third stage
included experiencing positive and negative experiences. The fourth stage
included keeping hope alive under uncertainty. Implications for social work
practice are suggested.
רוזנפלד, מ. ולביא-אג'אי, מ.
(2017). ""דת זה לא רק צניעות": התמודדות עם שיחים שמרניים על גוף
ומיניות בקרב צעירות דתיות". עיונים בשפה וחברה, 10(2),
107-122.
צעירות
דתיות-לאומיות
בגיל הבגרות המתהווה (18‑24) מצויות בתווך הן מבחינה התפתחותית – בין הילדות
לבגרות,
והן
מבחינה תרבותית – בין החברה הדתית לחברה החילונית. מאמר זה
מבקש לבחון את השיחים הבולטים בעולמן של צעירות אלו ואת האמצעים השיחניים
והרטוריים שבאמצעותם מתמודדות הצעירות עם שיחים אלו. המאמר
מבוסס על ניתוח שיח ביקורתי של ראיונות קבוצתיים עם 16 צעירות
דתיות בשירות לאומי ומתמקד בדיונים הקבוצתיים סביב שני נושאים: צניעות
ומיניות.
ממצאי
המחקר מראים כי מרבית הצעירות מביעות התנגדות לשיח הצניעות הדתי ומבטאות שיחים
ליברליים וביקורתיים בנושא זה. ההתנגדות לשיח מתקבלת היטב בקבוצת
השוות ומאפשרת ערעור ובחינה של השיחים הדומיננטיים. עם זאת
בעניין המיניות נראה כי אין כמעט אפשרות להתנגד לשיח הדומיננטי, וגם
ניסיונות קלים לכיוון זה אינם מתקבלים בהבנה. בחלק הדיון
אנחנו מציעות כי האפשרות להתנגד לשיח הדתי נוצרת בנקודות החיכוך בין השיח הדתי
לשיח החילוני,
למשל
בין שיח אידאל היופי החילוני לשיח הצניעות. אך בעניין
המיניות השיחים החילוניים והדתיים מחזקים זה את זה.
·
דר' גליה מורן
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Moran,
G. S., Westman, K., Weissberg, E., Melamed, S. (2017). Perceived Assistance In Pursuing Personal Goals And
Personal Recovery Among
Mental Health Residents Across Housing Services. Psychiatry Research,
249, 94-101.
Personal
goals/plans play a central role in personal recovery and psychiatric
rehabilitation of persons with mental illnesses. Yet, few studies have explored
whether perceiving practitioners' assistance towards the pursuit of goals are
associated with personal recovery and other favorable rehabilitation outcomes.
A total of 2121 mental health consumers, of which 1222 use supported-housing
services and 899 use group-home services, completed self-report questionnaires
as part of a larger quality-assurance study conducted during the years
2013–2014. Eighty percent of participants living in supported-housing and 72%
living in group-homes reported having personal goals/plans for the forthcoming
year. Furthermore, their type of goals was different.
Irrespective of the type of goal or housing service, participants who reported
having goals/plans (compared with those who did not) showed higher levels of
personal recovery and more favorable psychosocial outcomes. Regression analyses
showed that perceiving professional staff members (but not
para-professionals) as assisting in pursuing goals/plans was positively
associated with personal recovery. This study empirically validates the value
of having personal goals and professionals' assistance in pursuing goals/plans
in regards to personal recovery. We propose that recovery-oriented services
should seek to enhance goal setting and goal-pursuit, and to train
practitioners in these areas.
Rommanelli,
A., Tishbi, O., Moran, G. S. (2017). "Coming home to myself": A
qualitative analysis of therapists' experiences and interventions following a
training in theater improvisation skills. Arts in psychotherapy, 53,
12-22.
This
paper presents the results of a study of 17 therapists who participated in
theater improvisation training regarding the training and its effects on their
clinical work. Qualitative analysis shows that following the course
participants experienced higher levels of therapeutic presence in terms of use
of intuition, awareness in the here-and-now and mindfulness. In addition,
reports of increased levels of animation, boldness and self-disclosure are
discussed in relation to therapeutic charisma and therapeutic impact. Results
suggest that training in theater improvisation skills constitutes an important
addition to traditional training in relationship skills in psychotherapy.
Implications for therapist training are also discussed.
Russo-Netzer, P., Moran, G. S. (2016).
Positive growth from adversity and beyond: Insights gained from
cross-examination of clinical and non-clinical samples, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Online First Publication, November
7, 2016.
Growth
following adversity is a well-known phenomenon. Yet studies often focus on
specific populations and/or specific types of adversities, thus limiting
opportunities to identify underlying common processes of growth. The present
study sought to identify shared positive change processes in different samples
of individuals each of whom faced life adversities (clinical/ nonclinical) and
experienced growth as a result. We conducted a secondary analysis comparing
in-depth interviews from 2 independent study samples including 27 Israeli
adults that experienced spiritual growth and 31 American mental health
peer-providers in recovery. Using the grounded theory approach (Strauss &
Corbin, 1998), the findings point to existing shared transformative positive
change pertaining to one’s way of being and adhering to a generative orientation
(Erikson, 1963) in the world. These changes were conceptualized under 3 growth
dimensions: (a) strengthened sense of self, manifested in self-integration,
self-acceptance, and enhanced ability to face further adversity; (b)
development of compassion, acceptance of others, and a deep sense of connection
to others; and (c) a prosocial commitment characterized by generativity and
active contribution. These findings point to shared growth processes among
individuals with a different backgrounds and different kinds of adversities.
This change goes beyond mere coping, to an inner transformation in one’s self,
connection to others, and development of a proactive-prosocial approach in the
world. The implications for health care practitioners and the importance of
acknowledging the potential for growth following adversity and supporting such
growth are discussed.
Bril-Barniv, S. Moran, G .
S., Naaman, A., Roe, D. & Karnieli-Miller, O. (2016). A Qualitative Study Examining Experiences and
Dilemmas in Concealment and Disclosure of
People Living with Serious Mental Illness. Qualitative Health Research, October 24
People with mental illnesses face the dilemma of whether to
disclose or conceal their diagnosis, but this dilemma was scarcely researched.
To gain in-depth understanding of this dilemma, we interviewed 29 individuals
with mental illnesses: 16 with major depression/bipolar disorders and 13 with
schizophrenia. Using a phenomenological design, we analyzed individuals’
experiences, decision-making processes, and views of gains and costs regarding
concealment and disclosure of mental illness. We found that participants
employed both positive and negative disclosure/concealment practices. Positive
practices included enhancing personal recovery, community integration, and/or
supporting others. Negative practices occurred in forced, uncontrolled
situations. We also identified various influencing factors, including familial
norms of sharing, accumulated experiences with disclosure, and ascribed meaning
to diagnosis. Based on these findings, we deepen the understanding about
decision-making processes and the consequences of disclosing or concealing
mental illness. We discuss how these finding can help consumers explore
potential benefits and disadvantages of mental illness disclosure/concealment
occurrences.
·
פרופ' דורית סגל אנגלצ'ין
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Pruginin,
I., & Segal-Engelchin, D., Isralowitz, R., & Reznik, A. (2016). Shared
war reality effects on the professional quality of life of mental health
professionals. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, 5:17.
Background:
To date, studies on the outcomes of a shared war reality among mental health
professionals (MHPs) in southern Israel have focused only on those residing and
working in Otef Gaza. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of
different exposure levels to shared trauma on the professional quality of life
of MHPs in southern Israel. This study compares the level of secondary
traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction of social workers from
Otef Gaza to social workers living and working in the Beer-Sheva area who experience
occasional missile attacks.
Methods: The Professional Quality of Life Scale was
used to examine the level of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and
compassion satisfaction of 125 social workers living and working in the Negev:
72 from Beer-Sheva and 53 from the regional councils of Otef Gaza.
Results: No statistically significant differences were
found in the three professional quality of life variables between the Otef-Gaza
and Beer-Sheva groups.
Conclusions: The lack of secondary traumatic stress
and burnout differences between the study groups, despite the chronic exposure
to terror attacks among the Otef Gaza social workers, may be explained by the
strong sense of belonging and support evidenced by many Otef Gaza residents as
well as by the comprehensive trauma training MHPs receive for work in the
region. The results of this study are important for health policy geared to
trauma prevention efforts, moderating the effects of
work under shared war reality, and promoting the professional quality of life
of MHPs in conflict areas.
Segal-Engelchin,
D., Kaufman, R., Huss, E., & Amos, O. (2017). Impacts of an intensive
macro-oriented social work program on first year students' values, practice
preferences, and sense of practice competence. The British Journal of Social
Work.
This study examined the outcomes of an innovative
first-year program that incorporated both macro-focused field training and
service learning into the curriculum.
The findings among fifty-six students show that, even
though they ascribed greater importance to social work values at the end of the
school year than they had at the beginning, their interest and perceived
competence in both micro and macro practice decreased. So did their estimation
of the congruence between social work and social action. The decline in their
estimation of the congruence and in their perceived competence to engage in
macro-level practice emerged as significant predictors of the students’
interest in engaging in macro-level practice. Implications for social work
education are discussed.
Cwikel,
J., Segal-Engelchin, D., & Niego, L. (2017). Addressing the needs of new
mothers in a multi-cultural setting: An evaluation of home visiting support for
new mothers – Mom to Mom (Negev), Psychology, Health & Medicine.
This
study evaluated the Mom to Mom (M2M) program operating in the Negev region of
Israel, an area with a high proportion of immigrants. M2M helps women cope with
the first year of parenting through home visits of volunteer mothers. Specific
objectives were to evaluate (1) Participants’ motivations for joining M2M; (2)
Gains from participation; and (3) The effect of participation on post-partum
depression (PPD). Three stages included (1) Analysis of demographics of all 440
mothers in M2M; (2) A telephone survey of 51 mothers to assess gains from
participation; and (3) 137 mothers filled out the Edinburgh Post-Natal
Depression Scale (EPDS) and were followed for one year. Most mothers in M2M
were first time mothers, with a high rate of perinatal complications (54.4%)
and positive EPDS scores (38.7%). Two major reasons for participation were
being an immigrant and having low income. The greatest gains from home visits
were increased self-confidence, improved parenting skills and communication
with the partner. Seventy-nine percent of mothers with PPD symptoms were functioning
at work and at home after a year from joining the program. Our findings suggest
that M2M has the capacity to address challenges in the post-natal period among
women from diverse cultures.
·
פרופ' ורד סלונים נבו
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Sarid O, Slonim-Nevo VPI, Friger MPI, Schwartz
Dc, Greenberg Dc, Sergienko Rc, Vardi Hc, & Odes SPI. (2017). oping
strategies, satisfaction with life, and quality of life in Crohn’s disease: A
gender perspective using structural equation modeling analysis, Plos One, 12 (2), e0172779.
To identify coping
strategies and socio-demographics impacting satisfaction with life and quality
of life in Crohn’s disease (CD).402 patients completed the Patient
Harvey-Bradshaw Index, Brief COPE Inventory, Satisfaction with Life Scale
(SWLS), Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). We performed
structural equation modeling (SEM) of mediators of quality of life and
satisfaction with lifeThe cohort comprised: men 39.3%, women 60.1%; P-HBI 4.75
and 5.74 (p = 0.01). In inactive CD (P-HBI≤4), both genders had SWLS
score 23.8; men had SIBDQ score 57.4, women 52.6 (p = 0.001); women reported
more use of emotion-focused, problem-focused and dysfunctional coping than men.
In active CD, SWLS and SIBDQ scores were reduced, without gender differences;
men and women used coping strategies equally. A SEM model (all patients) had a
very good fit (X2(6) = 6.68, p = 0.351, X2/df
= 1.114, SRMR = 0.045, RMSEA = 0.023, CFI = 0.965). In direct paths, economic
status impacted SWLS (β = 0.39) and SIBDQ (β = 0.12), number of
children impacted SWLS (β = 0.10), emotion-focused coping impacted SWLS
(β = 0.11), dysfunctional coping impacted SWLS (β = –0.25). In an
indirect path, economic status impacted dysfunctional coping (β = –0.26),
dysfunctional coping impacted SIBDQ (β = –0.36). A model split by gender
and disease activity showed that in active CD economic status impacted SIBDQ in
men (β = 0.43) more than women (β = 0.26); emotional coping impacted
SWLS in women (β = 0.36) more than men (β = 0.14).Gender differences
in coping and the impacts of economic status and emotion-focused coping vary
with activity of CD. Psychological treatment in the clinic setting might
improve satisfaction with life and quality of life in CD patients.
Slonim-Nevo V, Sarid O, Friger M, Schwartz D,
Greenberg D, Sergienko R, Vardi H, & Odes S (2017). Effect of threatening
life experiences and adverse family relations in ulcerative colitis: Analysis
using structural equation modeling, and comparison with Crohn's disease. European
Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 29(5),
577-586.
We published that threatening life experiences and
adverse family relations impact Crohn’s disease (CD) adversely. In this study,
we examine the influence of these stressors in ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients
and methods: Patients completed demography, economic status (ES), the
Patient-Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (P-SCCAI), the Short
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), the Short-Form Health Survey
(SF-36), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Family Assessment Device (FAD),
and the List of Threatening Life Experiences (LTE). Analysis included multiple
linear and quantile regressions and structural equation modeling, comparing CD.
UC patients (N=148, age 47.55±16.04 years, 50.6% women) had scores [median
(interquartile range)] as follows: SCAAI, 2 (0.3–4.8); FAD, 1.8 (1.3–2.2); LTE,
1.0 (0–2.0); SF-36 Physical Health, 49.4 (36.8–55.1); SF-36 Mental Health, 45
(33.6–54.5); Brief Symptom Inventory-Global Severity Index (GSI), 0.5 (0.2–1.0).
SIBDQ was 49.76±14.91. There were significant positive associations for LTE and
SCAAI (25, 50, 75% quantiles), FAD and SF-36 Mental Health, FAD and LTE with
GSI (50, 75, 90% quantiles), and ES with SF-36 and SIBDQ. The negative
associations were as follows: LTE with SF-36 Physical/Mental Health, SIBDQ with
FAD and LTE, ES with GSI (all quantiles), and P-SCCAI (75, 90% quantiles). In
structural equation modeling analysis, LTE impacted ES negatively and ES
impacted GSI negatively; LTE impacted GSI positively and GSI impacted P-SCCAI
positively. In a split model, ES had a greater effect on GSI in UC than CD,
whereas other path magnitudes were similar. Threatening life experiences,
adverse family relations, and poor ES make UC patients less healthy both physically
and mentally. The impact of ES is worse in UC than CD.
Odes S.,Friger M., Sergienko R.,
Schwartz D., Sarid O., Slonim-Nevo V, & Greenberg D. (2017). Simple pain
measures reveal psycho-social pathology in patients with Crohn’s disease. The World Journal of
Gastroenterology, 23(6),
1076.
To determine whether pain has psycho-social
associations in adult Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. Patients completed
demographics, disease status, Patient Harvey-Bradshaw Index (P-HBI), Short Form
Health Survey (SF-36), Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ),
and five socio-psychological questionnaires: Brief Symptom Inventory, Brief
COPE Inventory, Family Assessment Device, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and
Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. Pain sub-scales in
P-HBI, SF-36 and SIBDQ measures were recoded into 4 identical scores for
univariate and multinomial logistic regression analysis of associations with
psycho-social variables. The cohort comprised 594 patients, mean age 38.6 ±
14.8 years, women 52.5%, P-HBI 5.76 ± 5.15. P-HBI, SF-36 and SIBDQ broadly
agreed in their assessment of pain intensity. More severe pain was
significantly associated with female gender, low socio-economic status,
unemployment, Israeli birth and smoking. Higher pain scores correlated
positively with psychological stress, dysfunctional coping strategies, poor
family relationships, absenteeism, presenteeism, productivity loss and activity
impairment and all WPAI sub-scores. Patients exhibiting greater satisfaction
with life had less pain. The regression showed increasing odds ratios for psychological
stress (lowest 2.26, highest 12.17) and female gender (highest 3.19) with
increasing pain. Internet-recruited patients were sicker and differed from
hardcopy questionnaire patients in their associations with pain. Pain measures
in P-HBI, SF-36 and SIBDQ correlate with psycho-social pathology in CD.
Physicians should be aware also of these relationships in approaching CD
patients with pain.
Kapulnik,
E., Anson, Y., & Slonim-nevo, V. (2017).
Separation and divorce: Emotional adjustment and parental adjustment. Social
Security, 101, 41-84. (in Hebrew.)
המחקר
הנוכחי בחן את תהליך ההסתגלות לפרידה ולגירושים של 151 גברים ונשים, אשר היו הורים
לילד אחד לפחות. זהו מחקר אורך כמותי בן שני שלבים, בו נתבקשו הנחקרים להשיב על
שאלון לדיווח עצמי פעמיים, בהפרש של שנה בין שני הראיונות.
נמצאו
שני מסלולי הסתגלות מקבילים, אשר יחד מהווים את מסלול ההסתגלות: מסלול הסתגלות
רגשית ומסלול הסתגלות הורית. מממצאי המחקר עולה כי אלו שני מסלולים נפרדים שאינם
מנבאים או משפיעים זה על זה, אלא מתקיימים זה לצד זה. נמצא כי למגדר, ליוזם
הפרידה, לעבודה סדירה, להסדרי משמורת, לקשיים להגיע להסכמות ולסגנון ההתקשרות
הייתה השפעה על ההסתגלות.
ממצאים
אלו שופכים אור חדש על הבנת תהליך ההסתגלות לגירושים, ובעיקר על יכולתם של הורים
גרושים להפריד בין התפקוד ההורי לבין ההסתגלות הרגשית.
מילות
מפתח:
הסתגלות, פרידה וגירושים, הסתגלות רגשית, הסתגלות הורית
·
פרופ' ג'ולי צוויקל
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Czamanski-Cohen,
J. Sarid, O. Cwikel, J. Levitas, E. Lunenfeld, E., & Har-Vardi, I. (2016).
Practice makes perfect: The effect of cognitive behavioral interventions
during IVF treatments on women’s perceived stress, plasma cortisol and
pregnancy rates. Journal of Reproductive Health and Medicine.
Objective
and Methods: Fifty nulliparous infertile women participated in a randomized
prospective pilot study with repeated measures to examine the efficacy of
cognitive behavioral interventions (CBI) in reducing perceived stress and
improving pregnancy rates. Stress measures were taken at T1 (before CBI), T2
(ova transfer) and T3 (time of pregnancy test). Results: We found that women
who reported low perceived stress at the beginning of treatment (T1) had a
twofold increased chance of becoming pregnant compared to those who reported high-perceived
stress, regardless of CBI. Women who received CBI reported reduced perceived
stress at the time of the pregnancy test (T3). Women who engaged in daily
practice of CBI had significantly higher pregnancy rates compared to those who
did not practice. Conclusion: It may be beneficial for women who have high
perceived stress levels to learn and practice stress reduction techniques
before beginning IVF treatment, and continue to practice daily during IVF
treatment.
Harel-Shalev A.,
Huss, E., Daphna-Tekoah, S., and Cwikel, J. (2017). Drawing on women's military
experiences and narratives – Women soldiers’ challenges in the military
environment. Gender, Place and Culture, 24(4): 499-514.
This
paper utilizes arts-based methods as a feminist methodology for understanding
women's experiences in military service, according to theories of feminist
security studies. It explores how non-combatant women in the army
retrospectively narrate stressful situations that happened during their
military service. Using arts-based methods, we examine how
they form meaning from their experiences in a masculine, military environment,
defined by ongoing conflict. This paper analyzes twenty images drawn by Israeli
women who served in the army in the previous 2-4 years. The women drew a stressful
event from their military service, explained the image, and elaborated on how
they coped with the situation. A content analysis of the pictures and the
narratives produced three themes: the responsibility for others in life or
death situations, the military as a first professional work experience and the
interaction between military and gender hierarchies. Overall, on the one hand,
women soldiers experienced the army as complex as they encountered their first
adult work space in which they learned responsibility and skills of the
"adults' world". On the other hand, they were exposed to the rigid
hierarchy and to life and death situations typical of army contexts. While
noncombat women soldiers were allegedly protected from the violence of the
army, they are also indirectly exposed to the violence and danger inherent to
an army context. This analysis goes beyond the hero narrative, and moves into
taboo territories of young women's narratives and experiences in the military.
Sarid
O, Cwikel J, Czamanski-Cohen J & Huss E. (2016). Treating women with
perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) with a hybrid cognitive behavioral
and art therapy treatment (CB-ART). Archives of Women's Mental Health,
1-3
This paper presents an overview of a combined,
evaluated protocol, CB-ART, for the treatment of women presenting with symptoms
of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD). The protocol integrates several
well-known modes of treatment: cognitive behavioural intervention, guided
imagery and art therapy. We claim that these approaches have advantages for
working with distressing images/symptoms/memories (ISM) that interfere with
functioning in the perinatal period. The use of mentalized imagery is made
tangible through art making and enables working through the women's distressing
ISM. The method described here directs clients to identify compositional
elements that characterize their stressful ISM and to alter these elements in
their imagination, in bodily sensations and on the page. By altering the
compositional elements of the negative ISM, we provide a field where positive
resources can be induced and incorporated, in their mind, on the paper and in
coping with stresses in their daily lives. Examples are provided to illustrate
the therapeutic process.
Slusky,
D. A., Cwikel, J. Quastel, M.R. (2017). Chronic diseases and mortality among
immigrants to Israel from areas contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster: a
follow-up study. International Journal of Public Health.
Objectives
To examine six chronic diseases and all-cause
mortality among immigrants to Israel from areas contaminated by the Chernobyl
accident.
Methods
The medical data were obtained from the two largest
HMOs in Israel. In the assessment of chronic diseases, individuals were divided
into three groups: less exposed (n = 480),
more exposed (n = 359),
and liquidators (n = 45)
and in the mortality analysis, into two groups: less exposed (n = 792) and more exposed (n = 590).
Results
Compared to the less exposed, adults from the more
exposed group had increased odds of respiratory disorders
(OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.21, 4.54) and elevated odds, with borderline
significance, of ischemic heart disease (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 0.97,
4.20). In addition, the liquidators had increased odds of hypertension compared
to the less exposed (OR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.24, 5.64). The Cox
proportional-hazards model indicated no difference in the ratio of all-cause
mortality between the exposed groups during the follow up period.
Conclusions
Our study, conducted approximately two decades after
the accident, suggests that exposure to radionuclides may be associated with
increased odds of respiratory disorders and hypertension.
Cwikel,
J. Segal-Engelchin, D. & Niego, L. (2017). Addressing the needs of new
mothers in a multi-cultural setting: An evaluation of home visiting for new
mothers - Mom to Mom (Negev). Psychology, health and medicine.. Pages
1-8 | Published online: 04 Aug 2017
This study evaluated the Mom to Mom (M2M) program operating in
the Negev region of Israel, an area with a high proportion of immigrants. M2M
helps women cope with the first year of parenting through home visits of
volunteer mothers. Specific objectives were to evaluate (1) Participants’
motivations for joining M2M; (2) Gains from participation; and (3) The effect of
participation on post-partum depression (PPD). Three stages included (1)
Analysis of demographics of all 440 mothers in M2M; (2) A telephone survey of
51 mothers to assess gains from participation; and (3) 137 mothers filled out
the Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) and were followed for one
year. Most mothers in M2M were first time mothers, with a high rate of
perinatal complications (54.4%) and positive EPDS scores (38.7%). Two major
reasons for participation were being an immigrant and having low income. The
greatest gains from home visits were increased self-confidence, improved
parenting skills and communication with the partner. Seventy-nine percent of
mothers with PPD symptoms were functioning at work and at home after a year
from joining the program. Our findings suggest that M2M has the capacity to
address challenges in the post-natal period among women from diverse cultures.
·
פרופ' מיכל קרומר נבו
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Timor-Slavin,
S. & Krumer-Nevo, M. (2016).
Partnership-based-practice with young people: Relational dimensions of
partnership in a therapeutic setting. Health and Social Care in the
Community, 24 (5), 576-586.
The recent literature concerning partnership between
professionals and young people reveals important developments regarding the
nature of partnership: from short-term partnerships with young people’s parents
intended to improve decision-making in the context of critical life
decisions, to a growing interest in direct partnership between professionals
and young people as a core principle of long-term relationships. Although it is
widely acknowledged among health and social service professionals that
partnerships can have positive outcomes for young people, the concept and
implementation of partnership remain vague. This article examines the meanings
of partnership for people involved in a community youth center for marginalized
youth. Data were collected during the year 2011 using multiple-methods
including focus groups (with eight youth workers), participant observations (in
assembly meetings and ‘partnership meetings’) and semi-structured interviews
(with 10 principal stakeholders, including youth, youth workers and the
Center’s founders). Data were analyzed using principles of grounded theory to
articulate partnership as an ongoing experience,
combining both structural–technical and content-experiential components. Our
findings present partnership as existing simultaneously in the practice of
decision-making and in the realm of self-experience and interpersonal
relationships, and explore the relationship between
both spheres. The findings also shed light on the importance of the specific
characteristics of shared decision-making (atmosphere, content and duration) in
the creation of partnership. We discuss our findings in the light of
possibilities for partnership-based practice with marginalized
youth.
Krumer-Nevo,
M., Elfassy, Y. Sagy, S. & Lavie-Ajayi, M. (2016). Neither seeing nor seen:
Double exclusion in the lives of young men. Young, 24 (1), 36-52.
Social exclusion has been identified as a prominent factor
informing our understanding of young people involvement in gang life, violence
and crime. While the literature on social exclusion focuses on the education
and employment systems,
there is a limited literature regarding the role played by correctional
institutions in exacerbating social exclusion. This article explores the
reciprocal relationships between young people involved in the drug trade in
Israel and various educational and correctional services in their community. It
focuses on a term commonly articulated by the youth, ‘not seeing with the
eyes’, which they use to describe themselves as consciously, purposefully and
openly ignoring and flouting societal norms.
However, the educational and correctional services present a similar attitude,
manifesting institutional blindness in connection with the youth and hence
contributing to the double exclusion of young men. The article exposes the
practices and processes through which this double exclusion takes place.
Elfassi,
Y., Braun-Lewensohn, O., Krumer-Nevo, M. & Sagy, S. (2016). Community sense
of coherence among adolescents as related to their involvement in risk
behaviors. Journal of Community Psychology, 44 (2), 22-37.
The current study employs a new concept–community sense of
coherence (CSOC)–that measures youth’s perceptions of their own community and
its potential as a source for protective factors and assets. The theoretical foundation
for this measure is the salutogenic approach and its concept of “sense of
coherence.” A total of 1023 students from the 8th to 11th grades, living in 3
Israeli communities, filled out self-reported questionnaires that
included measures of CSOC and involvement in risk behaviors. Results indicated
significant negative correlations between CSOC and the levels of risk
behaviors. The overall variance of risk behaviors explained by CSOC was found
to be different in each of the three communities. The findings suggest that
CSOC is a significant protective factor that could be related to
reduced involvement in risk behaviors. The results are discussed within the framework
of community protective factors and the salutogenic approach.
Krumer-Nevo,
M., Gorodzeisky,
A. & Saar-Heiman, Y. (2016). Debts, poverty and financial exclusion. Journal
of Social Work, 17(5), 511-530.
Also
published in Hebrew in Bitachon Sociali (Social
Security).
Over-indebtedness of impoverished households and its relevance
to the
social work profession have not received sufficient attention in the
professional
discourse. It is the intention of this article to put over-indebtedness on the
professional
agenda, to review the literature about it, and to present initial data from a
study on
over-indebtedness in Israel carried out with special attention to debtors’
coping with
their debts. The research was conducted as a door-to-door survey in a
neighborhood
with low socio-economic characteristics and included questions about the nature
of the
debts, the strategies people use to cope with debts and the obstacles they face
while
doing so.
Findings: The research findings indicate a severe debt problem among the
participants.
Out of 142 interviewees, 61% had debt that was overdue and 27% of them did not
have
an active bank account – a significant parameter of financial exclusion.
Moreover, the
proliferation of debts per household, and the high level of debt-to-income
ratio also
indicate high risk for financial exclusion. Notwithstanding, the findings
indicate that most
debtors made active efforts in order to close their debts, using two distinct
strategies,
namely: trying to reach a payment arrangement with the creditor or paying off
the debt
by increasing their financial resources. Most debtors used the first strategy,
although it
was found as the less successful one.
Applications: The article discusses these findings in the
framework of the concept of
financial exclusion and proposes policy and direct interventions as well as
further
research on the topic.
Shimei,
N., Krumer-Nevo, M., & Saar-Heiman, Y, Russo-Carmel1, S., Mirmovitch,I.,
Zaitoun-Aricha1, L.
&
Social Work for Change Group Members. (2016). Social work for change: Performance ethnography
on critical social work. Qualitative Inquiry, 22 (8), 615-623.
Awarded
a prize for excellence, the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, BGU
Also
published in Hebrew in Chevra Vervacha (Society and Welfare).
This performance ethnography presents a multi-vocal dialog of a
group of social workers and social work students dealing with personal and
professional issues of critical social work. Performance ethnography is an
innovative qualitative research method that uses a dramatic medium to bridge
between theory and personal experiences and between research, teaching, and
learning. Through personal writing and a discussion of an intervention story,
we present our experience with critical social work. The play-like structure
presents the group dialog as an important medium for encouraging critical
reflexivity and for reviving theoretical critical social work concepts with
personal and practical meanings.
Eyal-Lubling,
R. & Krumer-Nevo, M.
(2016).
Practice and theory of practice in feminist social work. Social Work, 61(3), 245-254.
Although feminist social work has been practiced in Israel since
the 1970s, little has been written about it. This qualitative study aims to
fill this gap by documenting and conceptualizing feminist theory of practice
and actual practice based on interviews with 12 feminist social workers.
Findings reveal that the interviewees perceive feminist practice as
significantly different from traditional social work practice based on four
analytical principles: (1) gender analysis, (2) awareness of power relations,
(3) analysis of welfare services as structures of oppression, and (4)
utilization of feminist language, as well as 10 principles of action. The
principles are discussed in the context of feminist social work in Israel and
in light of feminist principles described in international literature.
Saar-Heiman,
Y., Lavie-Ajayi, M. & Krumer-Nevo, M. (2016). Poverty-Aware
Social Work practice: Service users' perspectives. Child and Family Social
Work, 22 (2), 1054-1063.
Also published in Hebrew in Bitachon Sociali (Social Security),
101, 1-31.
In recent years, there has been an increase in scholarly writing
on the theory and practice of critical social work with people living in
poverty. Yet there is a lack of research on the experiences and perspectives of
service users regarding this kind of practice. This paper presents a
qualitative study that explored the practice of a special poverty-aware social
work programme in Israel, through the experiences of women who took part in it.
Using an interpretative interactionist approach, in-depth interviews with nine
women were held three times over a 2-year period. Findings reveal a high degree
of satisfaction with the programme on the part of the women. The satisfaction
was derived from four main experiences: the experience of visibility, the
experience of the active partnership in the fight against poverty, the
experience of close, hierarchy-challenging relationships, and the experience of
responsiveness to material and emotional needs. The findings are discussed in
terms of three principles of practice: intervention in a real-life context,
relationship-based intervention and the focus on both the material and
emotional needs and their fulfilment.
Cohen,
Y., Krumer-Nevo, M. & Avieli, N. (2017). Bread of shame: The practice of
Othering in soup kitchens. Social
Problems, 64 (3): 398-413. DOI: 10.1093/socpro/spx011
Also
published in Hebrew in Sociologia Israelit (Israeli Sociology),
18(1), 105-125.
This article examines processes of othering in seven soup
kitchens in Israel through participant observations as a staff-volunteer and as
a diner. The empirical study of othering and otherness in relation to poverty
is focused mainly on discourse analysis of texts that appeared in the media.
This article contributes to this body of knowledge by analyzing the everyday
routines, habits, norms, rules, and arrangements of space and time that turn
the diners from “ordinary” people to “others.” This process contains four
simultaneous mechanisms: drawing boundaries, distancing and rejection,
stripping of personal identity, and the attribution of stigma. The article
discusses these mechanisms in the context of othering of people in poverty. In
addition, the article discusses methodological issues that derive from the
unique use of body senses as a research tool.
Krumer-Nevo,
M. (2017). Poverty
and the political: Wresting the political out of and into social work theory,
research and practice. European Journal of Social Work, 1-12.
This article explores the relations between social work theory,
research and practice in regard to poverty, arguing for the need to bring the
political back into these three dimensions of the discipline/profession.
Throughout the last decades, social work has been treating practice as a discrete
technology, and left outside questions stemming from different theoretical
approaches regarding the desired relationship between social workers and
service users. This trend has divorced practice from its
political dimensions. In this article I suggest to bring the political into social
work, and specifically to exemplify the implications of using the context of
power imbalance as an analytical framework for theory, research and practice
with people in poverty. This move is illustrated through the example of a
developing paradigm – ‘Poverty Aware Social Work Paradigm’.
·
דר' תהילה רפאלי
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Refaeli,
T. (2017). Narratives of Care Leavers: What Promotes Resilience in Transitions
to Independent Lives? Children and Youth Services Review, 79, 1-9.
Studies
have revealed that young people who age out of residential or foster care (care
leavers) must cope with a variety of challenges as they transition to
adulthood. In addition, there are wide gaps in achievements in different life
domains between care leavers and other people in their age group. Using a
narrative approach, the study presented in this article analyzed the life
stories of 16 care leavers in Israel. To shed light on their subjective
experiences in life after care, data were collected four years after the
participants left residential care. The analysis focused on care leavers'
resilience in the wake of their transition from military service to independent
life. The data analysis revealed that after this transition, two distinct
groups could be discerned: the “struggling to survive” group, and the
“surviving through struggle” group. The narratives of the first group consist
mainly of descriptions of the difficulties they encountered and their ongoing
efforts to improve their adaption and functioning in their daily lives. These
participants were identified as young adults at risk. The narratives of the
participants of the second group, in contrast, highlight their positive
attitudes about their situations in various life domains in the present and in
the near future. Likewise, members of the second group consistently invested
effort in overcoming the obstacles they face. The main characteristics of the
two groups are illustrated by recounting the life story of a member of each
group. The analysis highlights the resources and deficits shared by these
groups and the circumstances that are unique to each group. Implications for
practice and research are discussed.
Refaeli,
T., Mangold, M., Köngeter, S., & Zeira, A. (2017). Continuity and
discontinuity in the transition from care to adulthood. British Journal of
Social Work, 2(1), 325-342.
This
paper focuses on care leavers’ experiences of their transition from care to
adulthood. Using a social pedagogical perspective, we explore continuity and
discontinuity in their life course as central aspects of support in the
transition process. Using biographical narratives of three young people with
different paths of transition from public care, we argue that a successful
transition to independent living involves a complex interplay of continuity and
discontinuity. Our analysis suggests a typology of (dis)continuity patterns in
the transition to adulthood: (i) creating continuity, (ii) transforming
continuity, (iii) discontinuity by breaking up continuity and (iv) enabling
continuity by discontinuity. Current discourse in social work research values
stability in care and continuity in the transition from care as a main strategy
for successful transition. This perspective on the efforts of professionals and
institutions, emphasising placement stability, disregards the young people’s
own efforts to create (dis)continuity in other aspects of their life. These, we
found, can lead to positive changes. Our results suggest that, to enhance care
leavers’ agency to cope with transition processes, social work practice should
strive to understand the client’s biographically driven strategies of creating
(dis)continuity.
·
פרופ' אורלי שריד
מאמרים בכתבי עת
Sarid
O, Cwikel J, Czamanski-Cohen J & Huss E. (2017). Treating women with
perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) with a hybrid cognitive behavioral
and art therapy treatment (CB-ART). Archives of Women's Mental Health, 20
(1), 229–231.
This paper presents an overview of a
combined, evaluated protocol, cognitive behavioral and art therapy treatment
(CB-ART), for the treatment of women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
(PMADs). The protocol integrates cognitive behavioral interventions and art
therapy. CB-ART focuses on changing distressing image, symptom or memory (ISM)
that interferes with functioning. The method directs clients to identify
compositional elements that characterize their stressful ISM and to alter the
element in their imagination, in bodily sensations and on the page. Examples are
provided to illustrate the therapeutic process.
Sarid O, Slonim-Nevo VPI, Friger MPI, Schwartz
Dc, Greenberg Dc, Sergienko Rc, Vardi Hc, & Odes SPI. (2017). oping
strategies, satisfaction with life, and quality of life in Crohn’s disease: A
gender perspective using structural equation modeling analysis, Plos One, 12 (2), e0172779.
To identify coping
strategies and socio-demographics impacting satisfaction with life and quality
of life in Crohn’s disease (CD).402 patients completed the
Patient Harvey-Bradshaw Index, Brief COPE Inventory, Satisfaction with Life
Scale (SWLS), Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). We
performed structural equation modeling (SEM) of mediators of quality of life
and satisfaction with lifeThe cohort comprised: men 39.3%,
women 60.1%; P-HBI 4.75 and 5.74 (p = 0.01). In inactive CD (P-HBI≤4),
both genders had SWLS score 23.8; men had SIBDQ score 57.4, women 52.6 (p =
0.001); women reported more use of emotion-focused, problem-focused and
dysfunctional coping than men. In active CD, SWLS and SIBDQ scores were
reduced, without gender differences; men and women used coping strategies
equally. A SEM model (all patients) had a very good fit (X2(6) =
6.68, p = 0.351, X2/df = 1.114, SRMR = 0.045, RMSEA = 0.023, CFI =
0.965). In direct paths, economic status impacted SWLS (β = 0.39) and
SIBDQ (β = 0.12), number of children impacted SWLS (β = 0.10),
emotion-focused coping impacted SWLS (β = 0.11), dysfunctional coping
impacted SWLS (β = –0.25). In an indirect path, economic status impacted
dysfunctional coping (β = –0.26), dysfunctional coping impacted SIBDQ
(β = –0.36). A model split by gender and disease activity showed that in
active CD economic status impacted SIBDQ in men (β = 0.43) more than women
(β = 0.26); emotional coping impacted SWLS in women (β = 0.36) more
than men (β = 0.14).Gender differences in coping and
the impacts of economic status and emotion-focused coping vary with activity of
CD. Psychological treatment in the clinic setting might improve satisfaction
with life and quality of life in CD patients.
Slonim-Nevo V, Sarid O, Friger M, Schwartz D,
Greenberg D, Sergienko R, Vardi H, & Odes S (2017). Effect of threatening
life experiences and adverse family relations in ulcerative colitis: Analysis
using structural equation modeling, and comparison with Crohn's disease. European Journal of Gastroenterology &
Hepatology, 29(5), 577-586.
We published that threatening life experiences and
adverse family relations impact Crohn’s disease (CD) adversely. In this study,
we examine the influence of these stressors in ulcerative colitis (UC).
Patients and methods: Patients completed demography, economic status (ES), the
Patient-Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (P-SCCAI), the Short
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), the Short-Form Health Survey
(SF-36), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Family Assessment Device (FAD),
and the List of Threatening Life Experiences (LTE). Analysis included multiple
linear and quantile regressions and structural equation modeling, comparing CD.
UC patients (N=148, age 47.55±16.04 years, 50.6% women) had scores [median
(interquartile range)] as follows: SCAAI, 2 (0.3–4.8); FAD, 1.8 (1.3–2.2); LTE,
1.0 (0–2.0); SF-36 Physical Health, 49.4 (36.8–55.1); SF-36 Mental Health, 45
(33.6–54.5); Brief Symptom Inventory-Global Severity Index (GSI), 0.5
(0.2–1.0). SIBDQ was 49.76±14.91. There were significant positive associations
for LTE and SCAAI (25, 50, 75% quantiles), FAD and SF-36 Mental Health, FAD and
LTE with GSI (50, 75, 90% quantiles), and ES with SF-36 and SIBDQ. The negative
associations were as follows: LTE with SF-36 Physical/Mental Health, SIBDQ with
FAD and LTE, ES with GSI (all quantiles), and P-SCCAI (75, 90% quantiles). In
structural equation modeling analysis, LTE impacted ES negatively and ES
impacted GSI negatively; LTE impacted GSI positively and GSI impacted P-SCCAI
positively. In a split model, ES had a greater effect on GSI in UC than CD,
whereas other path magnitudes were similar. Threatening life experiences,
adverse family relations, and poor ES make UC patients less healthy both
physically and mentally. The impact of ES is worse in UC than CD.
Isralowitz R, Sarid O, Dagan A, Grinstein-Cohen O
& Reznik A. (2017). Alcohol consumption among female university students in
Israel: a cross sectional study of background characteristics and drinking
patterns. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 1-8
This cross sectional study examined alcohol use, binge
drinking and other problem behavior among Israeli university female students.
Scant information is known about Israeli university student alcohol use and
related problem behavior. Academic study discipline status (e.g., social work,
nursing and other non-helping disciplines) was hypothesized to be a predictor
of university student alcohol use and problem behavior rates. Study hypotheses
were supported, in part. Academic discipline (social work and nursing) differentiated
rates of alcohol use, binge drinking and other problem behavior. However, when
grouped into helping and non-helping academic disciples,
few differences were evidenced. Students drink more beer, wine and hard alcohol
than those 20 years ago at the same university; however, fewer students drive
after drinking. Present results, albeit restricted, reflect increased drinking
but less driving after drinking after an intensive campaign to curb such
problem behavior. Further research is needed of alcohol use and problem
behavior for policy, prevention and treatment purposes. Such research should
include regular monitoring throughout the country regardless of gender status
and academic discipline.
Odes S.,Friger M., Sergienko R.,
Schwartz D., Sarid O., Slonim-Nevo V, & Greenberg D. (2017). Simple pain
measures reveal psycho-social pathology in patients with Crohn’s disease. The World Journal of
Gastroenterology, 23(6),
1076.
To determine whether pain has psycho-social
associations in adult Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. Patients completed
demographics, disease status, Patient Harvey-Bradshaw Index (P-HBI), Short Form
Health Survey (SF-36), Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ),
and five socio-psychological questionnaires: Brief Symptom Inventory, Brief
COPE Inventory, Family Assessment Device, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and
Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. Pain sub-scales in
P-HBI, SF-36 and SIBDQ measures were recoded into 4 identical scores for
univariate and multinomial logistic regression analysis of associations with
psycho-social variables. The cohort comprised 594 patients, mean age 38.6 ±
14.8 years, women 52.5%, P-HBI 5.76 ± 5.15. P-HBI, SF-36 and SIBDQ broadly
agreed in their assessment of pain intensity. More severe pain was
significantly associated with female gender, low socio-economic status,
unemployment, Israeli birth and smoking. Higher pain scores correlated
positively with psychological stress, dysfunctional coping strategies, poor
family relationships, absenteeism, presenteeism, productivity loss and activity
impairment and all WPAI sub-scores. Patients exhibiting greater satisfaction
with life had less pain. The regression showed increasing odds ratios for
psychological stress (lowest 2.26, highest 12.17) and female gender (highest
3.19) with increasing pain. Internet-recruited patients were sicker and
differed from hardcopy questionnaire patients in their associations with pain.
Pain measures in P-HBI, SF-36 and SIBDQ correlate with psycho-social pathology
in CD. Physicians should be aware also of these relationships in approaching CD
patients with pain.
Grinstein-Cohen O, Katz A, Sarid O.
(2017). Religiosity: its impact on coping styles among women undergoing
fertility treatment. Journal of Religion & Health, 56
(3), 1032–1041
The
Israeli worldview places great significance on childbearing. This could create
emotional and ethical difficulties for women coping with fertility issues in
addition to their treatments. This study examined the relations between coping
strategies and level of religiosity in 159 women undergoing infertility
treatment. Statistically significant relations were found between the
problem-solving coping style and religious observance (p < 0.01)
and religious beliefs (p < 0.05). An inverse correlation
was found between the emotional coping style and religious beliefs (p < 0.001).
Health professionals should recognize the patient’s coping styles and
understand the patient’s religious belief system as part of an ongoing
fertility treatment.
