ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4630-0100
Current Organisation
University of Alberta
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Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
Date: 13-05-2017
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 30-07-2014
DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2014.946157
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate parent implementation of home-based therapy regimens, and the relationship between implementation and family-level outcomes. A stratified (by child age group) random s le of 538 families raising children with disabilities in Alberta, Canada took part. Participants completed the Family Life Survey, which incorporated child and family measures, and items measuring parent implementation of home-based therapy regimens. Parents are more likely to implement therapeutic regimens when these are "enfolded" into other daily activities and routines. If parents have to "find a slot" in the daily routine to implement therapy, they will sacrifice personal leisure, participation in paid work, and time spent with other family members. Greater parent sacrifices/trade-offs was negatively associated with family well-being. As a general rule, children do well when their families do well, and families do well when they have the resources they need to juggle work and family and care demands. Recruiting parents as interventionists can tax family resources. Rehabilitation professionals must weigh up the pros and cons of parent-mediated intervention, and look to enfolding therapy into the everyday family routine.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.PUHE.2016.10.014
Abstract: This study aims to (1) estimate the prevalence of acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms, diarrhoea and fever in the previous two weeks among 3-4 year old children who are/are not at-risk of intellectual disability in 24 low- and middle-income countries and (2) to investigate possible inequities in access to treatment among affected children. Cross-sectional survey. Secondary analysis of Rounds 4 and 5 UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) from 24 low- and middle-income countries (n = 99,934 children). Pooled estimates indicated that young children at-risk of intellectual disability in low-income countries were significantly more likely than their peers to have reported symptoms of ARI and diarrhoea in the previous 2 weeks, and significantly less likely to have received appropriate treatment. Pooled estimates indicated that in middle-income countries children at-risk of intellectual disability were significantly more likely than their peers to have reported symptoms of ARI, diarrhoea and fever during the previous 2 weeks. Symptomatic children at-risk of intellectual disability were significantly less likely than their peers to have received antibiotics/antimotility medication for diarrhoea or antibiotics for ARI symptoms, but significantly more likely to be prescribed anti-malarials for fever. These results indicate the existence of significant inequalities and possible inequities in the exposure to and the treatment of three major infectious diseases among children who are/are not considered at-risk of intellectual disabilities in low- and middle-income countries.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 16-12-2014
Publisher: Stockholm University Press
Date: 11-09-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-07-2015
DOI: 10.1007/S10597-015-9911-3
Abstract: This study investigated prevalence and risk factors for suicidal ideation among adults with self-reported disability in Western Canada. The method was secondary data analysis utilising the Canadian Community Health Survey. The odds of 12-month suicidal ideation are 3.5 times greater for adults with self-reported disability compared with non-disabled adults, controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, and psychiatric morbidity. The heightened risk of ideation among adults with self-reported disability is partially explained by social adversity, including food insecurity and low sense of community belonging. Reducing suicide risk among adults with disability requires a broad-spectrum approach, including mental health care, and strategies to ameliorate social and economic hardship.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 08-02-2012
Abstract: Parent support needs and family support service (FSS) outcomes were investigated. A total of 923 parent participants were recruited through 20 community-based FSS providers in Alberta, Canada. Participants completed a survey, incorporating well validated child, parent and family outcome measures, a minimum of 8–12 weeks after utilizing their FSS. Overall, parent need satisfaction was high. However, low socio-economic status, English as a second language, parental disability or chronic health condition, and child disability or chronic health condition were associated with lower levels of parent need satisfaction. Higher levels of need satisfaction were linked to lower levels of parenting stress and more positive parent–child interactions. These, in turn, were linked to more positive family functioning and fewer child difficulties. Mediation analysis and qualitative findings suggest that family support services are making a positive difference by creating points of ‘connection’, including opportunities for informal learning and peer-support. We argue that the informal, ‘social networking’ role of family support services should be valued alongside evidence-based parenting training programs.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 24-02-2014
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 05-03-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-02-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-12-2015
DOI: 10.1007/S10597-015-9979-9
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to pilot a flexible, group-based program designed to strengthen the social connections and enhance the psychological well-being of mothers with intellectual impairment. A multi-site, mixed-method, pretest-posttest design was employed. To obtain rich process and outcome data, the evaluation incorporated measures of psychosocial well-being, goal achievement scaling, and interviews with group facilitators and participants. A total of 18 mothers completed the program. Participation was associated with a meaningful reduction in psychological distress with effect sizes ranging from .57 for depression to .71 for anxiety. Participating in the group program gave the mothers something to look forward to each week, opportunities to learn from and support others, and the feeling of "being a part of society". Further research is needed to determine whether these promising results can be replicated, and to evaluate the long-term impact of the program on mothers and their children.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-07-2016
DOI: 10.1111/JIR.12309
Abstract: Children with intellectual disability (ID) in high income countries are at significantly greater risk of obesity than their non-disabled peers. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 3 to 4-year-old children who are/are not at risk of ID in low and middle income countries. Secondary analysis of Round 4 and 5 UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) from 20 low and middle income countries that included a total of 83 597 3 to 4-year-old children. Few differences in risk of overweight or obesity were apparent between 3 and 4-year-old children identified as being at risk/not at risk of ID in 20 low and middle income countries. In the two countries where statistically significant differences were observed, prevalence of overweight/obesity was lower among children at risk of ID. These results stand in stark contrast to evidence from high income countries which suggest that children with ID are at significantly increased risk of obesity when compared to their non-intellectually disabled peers.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.RIDD.2014.01.015
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the resilience displayed by families raising children with disabilities and behavior problems. The question is why do some families do well when others, exposed to similar stressors, struggle to keep their family life running? A stratified (by child age group) random s le of 538 families raising children with disabilities in Alberta, Canada took part. Participants completed the Family Life Survey, which incorporated measures of child behavior problems, social-ecological resources and family-level 'outcomes'. Families raising children with disabilities and behavior problems 'do well' under conditions of high social support and low financial hardship. In contrast, families with low levels of social support and high levels of financial hardship typically struggle, even when the number or intensity of child behavior problems is low. The study findings are consistent with the view that 'resilience' has more to do with the availability and accessibility of culturally relevant resources than with intrinsic, in idual or family factors. With respect to family-level outcomes, strengthening social relationships and ameliorating financial hardship may be more important than behavior modification.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-12-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2214.2010.01185.X
Abstract: There is an unequivocal relationship between socio-economic status and child well-being. The Family Stress Model of economic hardship proposes that this relationship is mediated by financial hardship, parenting stress and parenting behaviours. In this study, the Family Stress Model is tested and analysis is extended to examine main and moderating effects of social support. A survey incorporating well-validated measures of financial hardship, parenting stress, parenting behaviours and child difficulties was sent to 1296 parents who had utilized universal family support services in Alberta, Canada. A total of 923 parents (71%) responded. Hierarchical linear regression was employed to investigate the mediating roles of financial hardship, parenting stress and parenting behaviours, and to investigate main and moderating influences of parental social support. The study findings generally support the Family Stress Model. The relationship between socio-economic status and child difficulties was mediated by financial hardship and parenting stress. Higher levels of parental social support were associated with lower levels of parenting stress, ineffective parenting and child difficulties. Parental social support was important irrespective of parenting stress levels. The study findings add to the now critical mass of data showing that parent-child health and well-being is inextricably linked with parental social support. While there is a burgeoning literature on parent training, far less research attention has been given to the development and evaluation of strategies to strengthen parents' social relationships. This is an important direction for future research.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.RIDD.2013.05.005
Abstract: This study investigated the experience and perceived outcomes of a behavioural family intervention, standard stepping stones triple P (SSTP), for parents of children with autism. An indepth, prospective, mixed-methods, multiple case-study design was employed. Parent participants and SSTP practitioners took part. Participation in SSTP was consistently associated with improved parental self-efficacy, and was also associated with improved parental psychological well-being and decreased perceived need for behavioural services for some families. Three key themes emerged from the qualitative interview data, reflecting changes attributed to participation in SSTP: (1) changes in the "attribution of cause" of misbehaviour, (2) "Who's the boss?" reflecting a change to parents feeling more in charge of their child's behaviour, daily routines and choices, and (3) "Rewarding is rewarding!" reflecting appreciation of a positive approach to behaviour management. Practitioners discussed their impressions of appropriate participants, timing, structure, and session preferences for SSTP, and implications related to the professional qualifications of practitioners delivering SSTP. Clinical implications for the use of SSTP with families of children with autism are discussed.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-04-2011
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-07-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S11121-011-0233-6
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of "evidence-based" program uptake and implementation. The process of integrating Triple P (levels 2 and 3) into existing family support centers in Alberta, Canada, was examined. We conducted ten in idual interviews with directors, and ten group interviews, involving a total of 62 practitioners across ten Triple P pilot sites. Key findings show that there was variability in the approach and extent to which Triple P was integrated into family support centers. Five key factors impacting the integration process emerged from the interviews. These were: (1) the level of development of pre-existing support services (2) the degree of "fit" between the Triple P program approach and existing agency practice, including the perceived suitability/unsuitability for some client groups (3) practitioner perceptions of the adaptability of the program (4) rules about who can and who cannot use Triple P resources and (5) training and sustainability issues. In addition to identifying specific factors, this study was able to provide some insight as to why and how these factors were significant, thereby adding to the literature on knowledge rogram dissemination processes.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-07-2015
No related grants have been discovered for Amber Savage.