Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1986.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1993.

Thesis (M.Occ.Thy.) - University of Queensland, 2003. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1993.

Thesis (B.A. (Hons.)) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.

No description available.

This study was designed to assess the process of meaning loss for family members who cared for their terminally ill loved ones during the grief process as well as determine factors that might be related to loss of meaning. The Purpose in Life Test (PIL) was used as the dependent measure. The independent variables consisted of age, education level, relationship to patient, gender, ethnicity, whether counseling was received, types of counseling received, and time between diagnosis, death and the present. The data were gathered on 87 caregivers who were participating in the St. Mary's Hospice program in Tucson, Arizona. All caregivers were over age 18 and between three and thirteen months past the death of their loved one. The data analyzed in four stages beginning with the development of descriptive statistics. During the second stage a correlation matrix was constructed and explored. A multiple regression was performed during the third stage to assess which of the independent variables could explain any variance obtained with the dependent measure. In the last stage a factor analysis was done and compared with a factor structure from previous research with the PIL Test. Nine hypotheses were tested producing the following results: Meaning in life tended to be higher for those less close in relationship to the patient such as nieces, nephews, and in-laws. There was no significant difference between a caregiver being a spouse, child, sibling or parent of the deceased loved one and meaning in life. There was no significant difference in age, education level, gender, ethnicity, whether counseling was received, types of counseling received and time between diagnosis, death and the present and meaning in life. The factor analysis revealed a five factor solution. It was concluded that the PIL Test taps two factors that can be labeled Purpose in Life and Contentedness With Life. The overall conclusion of the study was that caregivers in the sample possess a unique and similar sense of meaning in life that may be due to a sharing a common experience. There may also be some unifying factor about those choosing to enter a Hospice program that may attract a homogeneous group of people.

This descriptive study was designed to initially test a measurement instrument designed to index caregivers' perceptions of their learning needs related to caring for an elderly family member in the home. A self-report demographic tool and the Clark Caregiving Skills Index (CCSI) were completed by 30 caregivers of home care patients.

A dissertation presented to The Department of Social Work School of Human and Community Development Faculty of Humanities University of Witwatersrand In fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Arts in Social Work March 2016 / Child disability has not been addressed holistically in Namibia. The absence of policies and programmes has exacerbated the challenges faced by primary caregivers and children with physical disabilities. There is paucity of literature on the experiences faced by the caregivers of children with physical disabilities. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of primary caregivers of children with physical disabilities in Hardap region, Namibia. The study population consisted of primary caregivers of children with physical disabilities from Hardap region and purposive sampling was used to select 20 participants. A qualitative research approach was used to collect data using a semi-structured interview schedule. The study was descriptive and exploratory in nature. The study was based on a case study of Hardap region, Namibia where it sought to bring an understanding of complex issues to add strength to what is already known through previous researches. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that participants played important roles in providing care as they were involved in feeding, carrying, turning and lifting of the children as well as taking the children for medical check-ups. The study also revealed that participants experienced challenges in the care continuum which included carrying the children around due to lack of special equipment, financial challenges and lack of psychosocial support from the family. The study also noted that the participants used religion as a means of coping for their wellbeing. The Government of Namibia needs to set policies on disability issues to ensure the wellbeing of the primary caregivers. The caregivers need training that will help them to improve the quality of care offered to children with physical disabilities as well as improve the psychosocial functioning of the primary caregivers. It is thus anticipated that the results of the study will help in designing interventions that will help the primary caregivers and reduce their burdens. The study will also contribute to knowledge on disability and caregiving

M.MED- Family Medicine / Background Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) has been used for many decades, and its usefulness in the management of dehydration caused by diarrhoea is well established. On the other hand, childhood mortality from diarrhoea, is reportedly high in most developing countries. Improved case management of children with diarrhoea, adequate maternal and caregiver’s knowledge on correct preparation, administration and use of oral rehydration solution, are seen as important interventions that could assist in addressing the problem. Aim and Objectives The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and skills of mothers and caregivers in the preparation and use of Salt Sugar Solution (SSS) at Mofolo Community Health Centre (CHC), Soweto. The study objectives were as follows: 1. To determine the proportion of caregivers that had ever-been-taught how to prepare SSS. 2. To assess knowledge of mothers and caregivers’ on the correct use of SSS, including signs of dehydration and danger signs in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI). 3. To determine the proportion of caregivers who demonstrate correct preparation of SSS. Method The study was conducted in the well-baby and general clinic of Mofolo Community Health Centre in Soweto where 407 mothers and caregivers were conveniently sampled, interviewed and asked to practically demonstrate how they prepare SSS. The proportion of mothers and caregivers who were: a) ever-taught; b) knew how to correctly prepare SSS; had the new road to health card and knew signs of dehydration were determined. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between demographic characteristics and the main outcome measure, (correct preparation of SSS). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the strengths of associations of different variables in relation to the outcome variable (correct preparation of SSS). Results Only 21% of mothers and caregivers could correctly prepare SSS. Less than half (45.7%) had the new road to health card containing correct preparation instructions. Only 7.6% of the 45.7% with the new road to health card, demonstrated how to correctly prepare SSS. A small proportion (2%) of participants said they were never taught how to prepare SSS, while, 55.6% had been taught by healthcare workers. In the category of household income, the largest group, 25.3% of participants had an income between South African Rands (R) 1000 and 2999. Male participants were only 4.9%. About 79% of participants knew at least one sign of dehydration. The chisquare test was used to determine the main outcome measure, which was correct preparation of SSS and demographic factors. Factors associated with correct preparation of SSS were; a) number of teaching sessions received, p-value = 0.0001; b) teaching done by healthcare worker, p-value = 0.0001; c) perceived knowledge of mothers or caregiver on how to correctly prepare SSS, p-value = 0.015; and d) number of children in the household, p-value = 0.011. Conclusion Overall, 79% of mothers and caregivers did not correctly prepare SSS, despite 97% of participants agreeing to having been taught how to prepare SSS. Over half (55.6%) of mothers and caregivers were taught by healthcare worker, however, incorrect SSS use in over half (57.8%) of mothers and caregivers as well as inability to recognize at least one sign of dehydration gave credence to general poor knowledge and use of SSS which is a threat to management of diarrhoeal diseases and overall child mortality and morbidity. / MT2017