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Biomedical subjects

D E Biegel

Publications and source records attributed to D E Biegel.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Barriers to social network interventions with persons with severe and persistent mental illness: a survey of mental health case managers.

In order to empirically assess the existence, strength, and relative influence of barriers to social network interventions for persons with severe mental disability which have been cited in the literature, a survey of the knowledge and attitudes of social networks and social network interventions of eighty mental health case managers and case management supervisors was conducted. Findings indicate gaps in case managers' level of knowledge of social networks, with items based on empirical knowledge about social networks and severe mental disability least likely to be answered correctly. Case managers both perceive, and have experienced, a significant number of obstacles that affect their ability to develop social network interventions-system barriers (paperwork, caseload size, lack of case manager time, etc.), community barriers (stigma and lack of resources), and client/family barriers (lack of interest in social networks, clients having a "burnt out" network, clients not wanting to identify social network needs, etc.). Case managers cited few major barriers pertaining to their own level of knowledge, skills, or interest in, social network interventions. Strategies to address identified barriers are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A comparative analysis of family caregivers' perceived relationships with mental health professionals.

OBJECTIVE: Family caregivers' relationships with mental health professionals who provided care for their mentally ill relative were examined to identify changes in types of contacts and levels of satisfaction over time and differences among caregiver groups. METHODS: White upper-middle-class members of a family support group surveyed by mail in 1991 to obtain information about their contacts with mental health professionals and their opinions about needed supports and services. Data from the 1991 survey were compared with data from a similar group of caregivers surveyed in 1983 and from a 1990-1991 study of white and black caregivers in lower socioeconomic groups. RESULTS: The analysis showed that a significant minority of caregivers continue to be dissatisfied with their contacts with mental health professionals. The 1991 survey found that professionals did not actively involve caregivers in the treatment of their mentally ill family member, and caregivers ranked more communication with professionals as their greatest need. Few differences were found between caregiver groups in types of professional contact or levels of satisfaction. However, caregivers in the lower socioeconomic groups in the 1990-1991 study received more advice from professionals than did support group members in the 1991 survey, and black caregivers were significantly more satisfied with their professional contacts than support group members in the 1991 survey. CONCLUSIONS: Partnerships between family caregivers and mental health professionals must be developed and nurtured to address caregivers' unmet needs.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Facilitators and barriers to caregiver support group participation.

This study examined the facilitators and barriers to support group participation among lower socioeconomic status African-American and Caucasian caregivers of persons with chronic mental illness. Data were collected through in-person interviews with family caregivers of 198 adults with chronic mental illness. The results indicated that a substantial numbers of caregivers had little knowledge about support groups. Mental health professionals were cited as important facilitators of support group participation. Barriers to support group participation pertained to accessibility and personal factors including lack of time, lack of need, difficulties sharing feelings, concern for confidentiality, and not knowing anyone who was a group member. There were few differences by caregiver race. Implications for mental health case managers and agencies and for future research are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Predictors of burden among lower socioeconomic status caregivers of persons with chronic mental illness.

This study uses a stress-coping-support framework to examine the predictors of caregiver burden with a sample of 103 lower social class family caregivers of persons with chronic mental illness. Results of multiple regression analyses show that the greater the frequency of client behavioral symptoms and the lower the amount of perceived support from family members, the higher the level of overall caregiver burden. Examination of the predictors of specific types of burden-family disruption, stigma, strain, and dependency-reveal that different constellations of variables predict different types of burden. The need for mental health agencies to address caregiver and client concerns is addressed. Implications are presented for practice and future research.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Strengthening social networks: intervention strategies for mental health case managers.

The enhancement of social support networks for people with chronic mental illness is an important thrust of case management services. However, despite the worthy intentions of the National Institute of Mental Health Community Support Program, the development of comprehensive, community-based social support systems for people with chronic mental illness remains an elusive goal. Case managers face many obstacles in their efforts to enhance the natural support systems of their clients, and they need specific training in social network interventions with individuals with mental illness to overcome these obstacles. This article presents conceptual framework of social network interventions and discusses obstacles to enhancing natural support systems. The need for community resource development, especially in the building of community ties, is highlighted.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1991

Social support networks of white and black elderly people at risk for institutionalization.

The literature examining the role of social network size and support in moderating the relationship between stress and illness in the aged population has not taken racial differences into account. This study compares the potential moderating influence of social network size and support on the relationship between life stress and depressive symptoms for black and white community-dwelling elderly people at increased risk for institutionalization. Study data come from in-person interviews with a sample of 191 old-old (75 years and older) and poor residents of a three-census-tract area in Pittsburgh. Approximately 50 percent were white and 50 percent were black. Results indicate that the moderating effects of social network size and support were different for the black people than for the white people in this sample. For white aged people, having greater social support and a larger social network reduces the association between stress and depressive symptoms, as expected. For black elderly people, however, having more network members and receiving support from them is associated with a stronger relationship between stress and depressive symptomatology.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1989

Unmet needs and barriers to service delivery for the blind and visually impaired elderly.

Reported is a state-wide survey of aging and blindness agencies. Shown by the findings was that a large percentage of aging agencies are not addressing the needs of the aging blind population. In addition, the lack of interaction between the two systems is a major service delivery barrier. Suggested by the data was the need for improvement in understanding the needs, resources, and areas of expertise of each system, with additional training and better communications between the systems being especially important.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Help-giving in self-help groups.

A longitudinal survey of members of self-help groups for families of the mentally ill in Pittsburgh examined members' perceptions about the types of help-giving activities that took place in the groups and the relationship between those activities and members' degree of satisfaction with the group. The activities that occurred most frequently, such as catharsis, explanation, and normalization, were related to nondirective, nonthreatening aspects of social support. The least frequent activities, such as confrontation or reference to group norms, were those that were more threatening and focused on behavioral change. The nondirective, nonthreatening activities were moderately correlated with members' satisfaction with the group.

Adult↗