Family systems functioning, family health roles, and utilization of physical health services

Lifestyles ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su An Arnn Phipps
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard J. Osofsky ◽  
Carl F. Weems ◽  
Rebecca A. Graham ◽  
Joy D. Osofsky ◽  
Tonya C. Hansel ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTheorists and researchers have linked resilience with a host of positive psychological and physical health outcomes. This paper examines perceptions of resilience and physical health symptoms in a sample of individuals exposed to multiple community disasters following involvement in integrated mental health services.MethodsA multiwave naturalistic design was used to follow 762 adult clinic patients (72% female; 28% minority status), ages 18-92 years (mean age=40 years), who were evaluated for resilience and physical health symptoms prior to receiving services and at 1, 3, and 6 months’ follow-up.ResultsData indicated increases in perceptions of resilience and decreased physical health symptoms reported over time. Results also indicated that resilience predicted physical health symptoms, such that resilience and physical health symptoms were negatively associated (ie, improved resilience was associated with decreases in physical health symptoms). These effects were primarily observed for those individuals with previous exposure to natural disasters.ConclusionsFindings provide correlational evidence for behavioral health treatment provided as part of a stepped-care, collaborative model in reducing physical health symptoms and increasing resilience post-disaster. Controlled trials are warranted. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:223–229)


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 39-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Xavier de Santiago ◽  
Ivana Cristina de Holanda Cunha Barreto ◽  
Ana Cecília Silveira Lins Sucupira ◽  
José Wellington de Oliveira Lima ◽  
Luiz Odorico Monteiro de Andrade

INTRODUCTION: The Brazilian National Health System may reduce inequalities in access to health services through strategies that can reach those most in need with no access to care services. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with the use of health service by children aged 5 to 9 years in the city of Sobral, Ceará, northeastern Brazil. RESULTS: Only 558 (17.0%) children used health care services in the 30 days preceding this survey. Children with any health condition (OR = 3.90) who were frequent attenders of primary care strategy of organization (the Family Health Strategy, FHS) (OR = 1.81) and living in the city's urban area (OR = 1.51) were more likely to use health services. Almost 80% of children used FHS as their referral care service. Children from poorer families and with easier access to services were more likely to be FHS users. CONCLUSION: The study showed that access to health services has been relatively equitable through the FHS, a point of entry to the local health system.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judi Aubel

Abstract Across the globe, the well-being of newborns is greatly influenced by the knowledge and practices of family members, yet global policies and interventions primarily focus on strengthening health services to save newborn lives. Predominant approaches to promote newborn survival in non-western cultures across the Global South, based on a western, nuclear family model, ignore the role of family caregivers, whose attitudes and practices are influenced by culturally prescribed strategies embedded in family systems. This paper is an argumentative review of the literature which provides evidence of a neglected facet of newborn care, the role and influence of grandmothers. Based on a family systems frame, over the past ten years I identified research conducted in Africa, Asia and Latin America that examines family roles related to newborn care, specifically that of grandmothers. I identified numerous studies, from published and grey literatures, in English, French and Spanish, which provide evidence of grandmothers’ role as culturally-designated and influential newborn advisors and caregivers. Research from all three continents reveals that grandmothers play similar core roles in newborn care while their culturally-specific practices vary. Review findings support two conclusions. First, the conceptual basis for future newborn research should manifest a family systems framework, grounded in the structure and dynamics of non-western collectivist cultures. Second, newborn interventions should aim not only to strengthen health services but also influential family caregivers, namely grandmothers, and the indigenous social support networks of which they are a part, in order to improve family-level newborn practices and save newborn lives.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Butler ◽  
Simone de Cassan ◽  
Margaret Glogowska ◽  
Thomas R. Fanshawe ◽  
Phil Turner ◽  
...  

Background Physical health outcomes in severe mental illness are worse than in the general population. Routine physical health check completion in this group is poor. Aims To quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the impact of point of care (POC) blood testing on physical health check completion in community mental health services. Method In a prospective cohort design, we equipped an early intervention service (EIS) and a community mental health team (CMHT) with a POC blood testing device for 6 months. We compared rates of blood test and full physical health check completion in the intervention teams with a matched EIS and CMHT, historically and during the intervention. We explored attitudes to POC testing using thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with patients and clinicians. Results Although the CMHT scarcely used the POC device and saw no change in outcomes, direct comparison of testing rates in the intervention period showed increased physical health check completion in the EIS with the device (rate ratio RR = 5.18; 95% CI 2.54–12.44; P < 0.001) compared with usual care. The rate was consistent with the EIS's increasing rate of testing over time (RR = 0.45; 95% 0.09–2.08; P = 0.32). Similar trends were seen in blood test completion. POC testing was acceptable to patients but clinicians reported usability, provision and impact on the therapeutic relationship as barriers to uptake. Conclusions POC testing was beneficial and acceptable to patients and may increase physical health check uptake. Further research, accounting for clinician barriers, is needed to evaluate its clinical and cost-effectiveness.


2019 ◽  
pp. 0044118X1985976
Author(s):  
Jessica M. Grosholz ◽  
Deena A. Isom Scott ◽  
Daniel C. Semenza ◽  
Alexandra M. Fleck

Research finds that vicarious strain significantly predicts juvenile delinquency. However, no studies have examined the influence of vicarious health strain on youth behavior despite the fact that when individuals directly experience poor health, there is a greater likelihood of crime and delinquency. Using a sample of youth from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) data, we assess the associations between vicarious family health strain (both mental and physical) and juvenile delinquency. We find that vicarious physical health strain is not associated with juvenile delinquency. However, vicarious mental health strain is significantly associated with violent juvenile offending. Based on the results, we highlight various avenues for future research that continues to investigate the link between health and crime.


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