Caring dynamics as perceived by staff supporting daily occupations for developmentally disabled adults
Author
Summary, in English
This study addresses caring staff experiences of hindrances and help in the support of daily occupations among people with developmental disabilities. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions about the staff perceptions of their work experiences. The respondents (n = 81), corresponding to 94.1% of all care staff employed in a geographically defined care area in southern Sweden, worked in various day activity units supporting the daily occupations of their clients. A constant comparative method of data analysis was used. Staff expressions were classified in two main categories of caring dynamics: an operational level and a managerial level. Four areas were identified at the operational level: encountering realities of practice, attitudes to the clients and work demand, using the potential of knowledge and strategies and applying helping actions to the client. The managerial level included two areas, generalized work strategy and individualized work strategy. It is suggested that to develop the quality of interventions for supporting daily activities among persons with developmental disabilities, efforts should be made to identify caring dynamics as experienced by the caring staff.
Publishing year
2001
Language
English
Pages
123-132
Publication/Series
Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
Volume
15
Issue
2
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Topic
- Nursing
Status
Published
Research group
- Sustainable occupations and health in a life course perspective
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1471-6712