Author(s): Lin, JD (Lin, Jin-Ding); Lee, TN (Lee, Tzong-Nan); Loh, CH (Loh, Ching-Hui); Yen, CF (Yen, Chia-Feng); Hsu, SW (Hsu, Shang-Wei); Wu, JL (Wu, Jia-Ling); Tang, CC (Tang, Chi-Chieh); Lin, LP (Lin, Lan-Ping); Chu, CM (Chu, Cordia M.); Wu, SR (Wu, Sheng-Ru) Title: Physical and mental health status of staff working for people with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan: Measurement with the 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) health survey
Source: RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, 30 (3): 538-546 MAY-JUN 2009 Language: English
Document Type: Article
Author Keywords: Health status; Intellectual disability; SF-36; Staff
KeyWords Plus: QUALITY-OF-LIFE; CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS; FAMILY CAREGIVERS;
RESIDENTIAL STAFF; CARE UTILIZATION; STRESS; MOTHERS; ADULTS;
DETERMINANTS; SATISFACTION
Abstract: Little explicit attention has been given to the generic health profile of staff working for people with intellectual disability in institutions. This study aimed to provide a profile of physical and mental health of staff working in disability welfare institutions, and to examine the possible demographic and organizational factors that explain an association with their health.
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze 1243 staff (76% response rate) working in 24 institutions in Taiwan. The 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) Taiwan version was used to measure their generic health status. The mean of Physical component scores (PCS) was slightly higher than Mental component scores (MCS) (50.83 vs. 45.12). With regard to each dimension among PCS, the mean score of Physical functioning (PF) was 57.14 (S.D. = 5.93), Role limitations-physical (RP) was 49.88 (S.D. = 9.69), Bodily pain (BP) was 52.14 (S.D.
= 8.09) and General medical health (GH) was 51.50 (S.D. = 8.28). Among the MCS, Vitality (VT) was 46.19 (S.D. = 6.71); Social functioning (SF) was 46.44 (S.D. = 7.58); Role
limitations-emotional (RE) was 47.30 (S.D. = 11.89) and Mental health (MH) was 43.58 (S.D. = 8.81). We found the generic health of staff working for people with intellectual disabilities were significantly lower in PCS and MCS than the Taiwan general population. Influences of staffs demographic and organizational characteristics on their health were also analyzed in the content.
This study highlights the authorities and service providers need to continue to develop their awareness and understanding of the experiences that their staff encounters in the
organizations, so that they can receive resources to support their positive health in working for people with intellectual disabilities. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Addresses: [Lin, Jin-Ding; Lee, Tzong-Nan] Natl Def Med Ctr, Sch Publ Hlth, Taipei 114, Taiwan; [Loh, Ching-Hui] Triserv Gen Hosp, Dept Community & Family Med, Taipei, Taiwan;
[Yen, Chia-Feng; Lin, Lan-Ping] Natl Def Med Ctr, Grad Inst Life Sci, Taipei 114, Taiwan;
[Hsu, Shang-Wei] Asia Univ, Grad Inst Healthcare Adm, Taichung, Taiwan; [Tang, Chi-Chieh]
Pingtung Educ Univ, Dept Early Childhood Care & Educ, Pingtung, Taiwan; [Chu, Cordia M.]
Griffith Univ, Ctr Environm & Populat Hlth, Brisbane, Qld 4111, Australia; [Wu, Sheng-Ru] Natl Taichung Special Sch, Taichung, Taiwan
Reprint Address: Lin, JD, Natl Def Med Ctr, Sch Publ Hlth, 161 Min Chun E Rd,Sect 6, Taipei 114, Taiwan.
E-mail Address: Jack.Lin1964@gmail.com
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Cited Reference Count: 42 Times Cited: 6
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Publisher Address: THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND
ISSN: 0891-4222
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2008.08.002
29-char Source Abbrev.: RES DEVELOP DISABIL ISO Source Abbrev.: Res. Dev. Disabil.
Source Item Page Count: 9
Subject Category: Education, Special; Rehabilitation ISI Document Delivery No.: 415MU
