As time keeps on passing, diagnosing a child with Autism keeps on expanding. The research study focuses on gathering data on the impact of mothers that have a child diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The members chose were from an online all mothers support group. The study was gathered utilizing the post positive approach. After fulfillment of the research the members will be able to view the results of this study by going to the California State University San Bernardino scholar works website. This research was conducted to share information to clinicians and any reader on the day by day battles and difficulties mothers face by caring for a child diagnosed with Autism.

African American breast cancer survivors are at a greater risk of experiencing disparities in mortality, treatment, and quality of life. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the impact that breast cancer had on the quality of life of African American breast cancer survivors from a psychosocial, physical, spiritual, and economic perspective. Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with 9 volunteers who met the eligibility criteria of being breast cancer survivors of African American decent. The sample of survivors ranged in ages 45 to 80 and was between 6 to 30 years postdiagnosis. Giorgi's phenomenological method was used to extract themes or meaning units. Thematic analyses led to 4 established quality of life categories and 2 empowerment emerging themes. The quality of life categories were psychosocial (body image, acceptance), physical (complications of treatment), spiritual (reliance of God), and economic (insured and uninsured). The empowerment categories and emerging themes were formal social networks (whether a sense of empowerment was encouraged), keep moving, and support from other survivors. The final empowerment category was informal social networks-whether a sense of empowerment was encouraged (friends and family was supportive, husband not involved in care). Positive social change implications include providing African American breast cancer survivors information on social networks to achieve a sense of support.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate in a (RCT) the effect of support group intervention in women with primary breast cancer in the short term, and with a long-term follow-up. Women with primary breast cancer were randomized between April 2002 and November 2007 and stratified according to adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy. Of 382 eligible patients, 191+191 patients were randomized to intervention and control groups respectively. Control patients were subjected to standard follow-up procedures. Patients in the intervention group received support intervention at the Foundation of Lustgården Mälardalen during one week followed by four days of follow-up two months later. Patients in intervention and control groups filled in questionnaires at baseline, after 2, 6 and 12 months and in the long-term follow-up after a mean of 6.5 years. In paper I, we studied the effect of the intervention on anxiety and depression measured by the HAD scale and we could show that a significantly lower proportion of women in the intervention group had high anxiety scores compared with women in the control group after 12 months; however, the proportion of women with high depression scores were unaffected. In paper II, we studied the effect of the intervention on fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured by the Norwegian version of the fatigue questionnaire (FQ) and EORTC-QLQ 30 and BR 23.We could not demonstrate any significant effect of the intervention. In paper III, we studied the effect of the intervention on sick-leave, healthcare utilization and the effect of the intervention in economic terms. We used a specially formulated questionnaire. There was a trend towards longer sick leave and more health-care utilization in the intervention group. The difference in total costs was statistically significantly higher in the intervention group after 12 months (p= 0.0036). In paper IV, we studied the long-term effects of the support intervention on anxiety, depression, fatigue and HRQoL. We could show a significant effect of the intervention on cognitive function, body image, future perspective and fatigue, the largest effect was seen among women who received chemotherapy; however, no effects on anxiety and depression were demonstrated.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Santa Cruz, 1987. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 266-300).

A quantitative, descriptive and exploratory study was undertaken. The purpose was to explore and describe the perceptions of hypertensive patients regarding hypertension support groups in Carletonville District in order to make recommendations based on the research findings that could lead to improvement of the quality of management of hypertensive patients. The study included 350 hypertensive patients who agreed to participate voluntarily in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analysed by computer. The findings revealed that the hypertension support group had strengths and weaknesses. The strengths included providing moral support, health education and a sense of belonging. The weaknesses identified were prolonged support group sessions, domination by other group members and unresolved conflicts. Some patients could not attend the support group sessions regularly because of transport problems and employment. Other respondents felt that the nurse who facilitated the support group did not respect their cultural beliefs. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The transition from primary to secondary school is regarded as one of the most difficult in children’s educational careers and the negative academic, social and emotional effects of an unsuccessful transition have been widely documented, with many practitioners identifying the transition to secondary school as a key intervention point (Galton, Morrison and Pell, 2000, Turnbull, 2006). Shy and socially withdrawn children are particularly vulnerable at this time. Pyramid Clubs, a short-term selective and preventative therapeutic group intervention offer a promising model of support, but a robust evidence-base is currently lacking (Munoz, Mrazek, and Haggerty, 1999; Shepherd and Roker, 2005). This study evaluated the use of a Pyramid Club to provide a ‘bridge’ of support before, during and following nine children’s transition to secondary school. The study was conducted from a critical realist stance and quantitative and qualitative methodology were adopted within an embedded single-case study design. The study had two aims; to evaluate the effectiveness of the club; and to explore the process, in order to understand the club’s mechanism of effect. Pre-and post-intervention teacher report data were collected in conjunction with club leader, club member and parents’ perspectives, obtained though focus groups and individual interviews. The researcher also observed each club meeting. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings indicate the club offers an effective method of support. The children enjoyed the club experience and a range of social-emotional gains were reported. The findings were used to propose a theoretical framework based on the concept of resilience, to explain how Pyramid Clubs can be successfully used to support vulnerable children’s transition to secondary school. Core elements, which were considered to be essential components of the intervention, were identified to aid future implementation and evaluation of Transition Pyramid Clubs.

Self-help groups are an interesting phenomenon and they could serve as a significant complement to the social services. Nevertheless they don't attract much attention in the Czech republic. In the theoretical part this thesis is trying to describe in detail how the self-help groups work, how they can complement social services and what are their risks and limitations. In the practical part a research was conducted in order to understand and map the situation of Czech self-help groups. This research was based on the internet search engine and registry of social services providers. The goal of the research was to map the self-help groups in the Czech republic in relation to geographical and typological allocation. The outcome of the research is a directory of active self-help groups that should serve both social workers and potencial clients of the self-help groups.

No description available.

The rate of thyroid cancer diagnosis has risen, and researchers' findings point to improved diagnostic testing and overdiagnosis as well as increases in actual incidences as the reasons behind this rise. With improved treatments and testing methods, the number of thyroid cancer survivors has also increased. Thyroid cancer presents challenges to coping and can cause significant stress in an individual's life. More specifically, anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) creates complicated challenges for patients and survivors. The problem is patients need support during diagnosis and treatment when adjusting to their 'new normal' and may be reaching to Internet based social support groups to gain health information. Lazarus's transactional theory of stress and coping formed a framework for this generic qualitative exploration of the types of support and information ATC patients and survivors receive through participating in an online Facebook support group. Thematic content analysis was conducted on archival data collected from the group over 4 months, namely 2,384 posts created by 166 group members. From this analysis, a picture relevant to all group participants was developed to include themes found among the data. Themes of emotional, informational and spiritual support emerged as well as the significance of using emojis as symbolic expressions of support. Implications for social change include expanding the theoretical knowledge of the ATC patient and survivor experience and the types of support available in online environments. This knowledge can lead to positive social change in terms of improving support resources, which may help in recovery from ATC; lessening the burden on patients, families, providers, insurance, the healthcare system, and our society as a whole.

This research examines the experience of a long-term creative arts project within a women’s cancer support group. Specifically, the research explores the effects of a creative arts project on quality of life. Literature describing cancer support groups has been reviewed, as well as literature published which specifically studied the effects of art therapy with those living with from medical illnesses including, but not limited to, cancer. Qualitative data was gathered through surveys, interviews, and by analysis of the creative art projects. Group participants were offered the directive to create an altered book in which to express their cancer journey. The art directive was a long-term project, with participants given the opportunity to work on their altered books over the course of six months. Both the processes by which the creative art projects were created as well as the content of the finished products were evaluated. Four prominent themes were discovered during analysis of data; time, a sense of life and growth, gratitude for social connections, and the creative process. These findings were then examined in the context of the general literature as well as art therapy literature on medical support groups. The research supports general literature which identifies that cancer diagnoses and treatment can create social isolation, creating a vital need for social relations and connection. The art therapy research studied chose to focus more on the art product, whereas this research also greatly considers the process of the art-making as significant data.