‘It takes two to tango …’ revisited: a qualitative study on integration and participation of people living with spinal cord injury in Switzerland

We aimed to examine how integration and participation are understood by persons with spinal cord injury. A qualitative study was carried out where we analysed 14 interviews with persons with spinal cord injury living in Switzerland. Integration was more often understood in terms of social acceptance and inclusion, while individual activities were more often highlighted in definitions of participation. Environmental factors were seen as the most important determinants. Applied strategies comprised pre-arrangements, open communication, asking for help and optimism. Common ground appears to be autonomous functioning and freedom of choice while major determinants are seen in the environment.     

Grass-roots reflections on substance abuse. A community dialogue approach

The Greater Cleveland Dialogue brings together people from all walks of life to express their sufferings and opinions. Professional ethicists have a role to play in this process, but chiefly as listeners and interpreters rather than as theoreticians. The ethics that arises from this process is at least as useful as the conclusions that descend deductively from the many rival "first principles" of a more theory-driven approach. If community dialogues provide a partial answer to questions of ethics and health care, they do so because they include the public. Policies related to health care affect the public and must be in tune with public sentiment if they are to be effective. Moreover, a different style of health care ethics emerges from the dialogue process. My view is that a truly public bioethics is ultimately necessary, since the policies our society develops in the area of health care can be meaningful only if they are grounded in the general will. We need to work harder at widening the umbrella of bioethics to include the public, for the sake of the community and for our own education as professionals. Certainly major questions for the future surround the nature of consensus and the process of achieving it.     

Historical land use and soil analysis guiding corridor landscape design

Changing land use from forested environments to agricultural and/or urban spaces dramatically alters soil chemical, physical, and biological properties and thereby influences the survivability of landscape plants installed in these areas. This site analysis was conducted along New Hope Road, in Pickens County, SC, to develop a sustainable landscape design for the greenway corridor to buffer future cuttings of pines and offer a variety of recreational and educational opportunities for the community. Using a “design with nature” framework, an interdisciplinary team collaborated on a thorough observation and analysis of the inherent qualities of the site, historical documents and aerial photographs to describe the land use history of the site. The dominant soil series found on the site were Cecil clay loam, Cecil sandy loam, and Pacolet clay loam. Surface soil chemistry tests were conducted to examine soil and buffer pH; organic carbon and nitrogen contents; nitrate–nitrogen; extractable phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, and sodium; lime requirements and recommendations; cation exchange capacity; acidity; and percent base saturation. Analysis of site history, aerial photographs, and soil testing revealed that a history of intensive agricultural land use and managed forestry on the site has noticeably altered the soil quality. Severe soil erosion and compaction brought about by a combination of anthropogenic and natural causes have left much of the site with infertile soils lacking a true topsoil layer and characterized by low pH. These qualities present numerous challenges when attempting to modify and install vegetation. Based on historical land use, soil analysis, and plant species characteristics, a final landscape design was created that addressed the environmental opportunities, constraints of the site and provided site- and plant-specific fertilizer recommendations for successful establishment and maintenance of this greenway corridor.     

Physical abuse of older adults in nursing homes: a random sample survey of adults with an elderly family member in a nursing home

Few empirical studies have focused on elder abuse in nursing home settings. The present study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of staff physical abuse among elderly individuals receiving nursing home care in Michigan. A random sample of 452 adults with elderly relatives, older than 65 years, and in nursing home care completed a telephone survey regarding elder abuse and neglect experienced by this elder family member in the care setting. Some 24.3% of respondents reported at least one incident of physical abuse by nursing home staff. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the importance of various risk factors in nursing home abuse. Limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs), older adult behavioral difficulties, and previous victimization by nonstaff perpetrators were associated with a greater likelihood of physical abuse. Interventions that address these risk factors may be effective in reducing older adult physical abuse in nursing homes. Attention to the contextual or ecological character of nursing home abuse is essential, particularly in light of the findings of this study.     

Elder abuse and neglect in African American families: informing practice based on ecological and cultural frameworks

Despite the rapid growth of the elderly African American population in the U.S., elder abuse and neglect in African American families continue to be underdeveloped areas of study. This article presents an ecological and culturally informed framework for the study of elder abuse in African American populations. The model was developed based on Bronfenbrenner's Human Ecological Theory. The model identifies risk factors associated with different systems that have an influence on the lives of African American families. Cultural protective factors also are identified in the model. The model is intended to provide an understanding of elder abuse and neglect in African American families by considering the influence of contextual factors such as the legacy of slavery, social exclusion, and structural segregation and racism. Specific suggestions for practice are proposed according to cultural strengths of African American communities as well as the ecological premises of the model.     

Family Members' Reports of Non-Staff Abuse in Michigan Nursing Homes

Recent research showed that mistreatment of nursing home residents by other residents may be highly prevalent. The present study examined the issue from family members' perspectives. The data came from the 2005 and 2007 random-digit dial telephone surveys of Michigan households with a family member in long-term care. Based on family members' reports, about 10% of nursing home residents aged 60 and over were abused by non-staff in nursing homes (e.g., other residents and visitors) during the past 12 months. Family members were more likely to report non-staff abuse when the nursing home residents were younger, were female, had behavior problems, and had greater level of physical functioning. Family members who reported staff abuse were four times more likely to also report non-staff abuse.     

Adoption in Clinical Psychology: A Review of the Absence,Ramifications, and Recommendations for Change

Practicing clinical psychologists reported that 5 to 10% oftheir patients are adoption triad members (Sass & Henderson, 1999) andyet recent studies concluded that the majority of psychologists are not being taught about adoption-related issues in their preservice training (Post, 1999; Sass & Henderson, 1999). This article discusses the needfor training on adoption in the context ofthe APA Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation of Programs in Professional Psychology; Domain D, which states that programs must “provide students with relative knowledge and experiences about the role ofcultural andindividual diversity in psychologicalphenomenon as they relate to the science and practice of professional psychology“ (1996, p. 15), the omission ofadoption from curricula, and potential ramifications of this absence.