STUDY OF ATTITUDES OF CAREGIVERS TOWARD USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE (FROM CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT - ISSUES ON INNOVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION - V 1, 1978, BY MICHAEL L LAUDERDALE, ET AL - SEE NCJ-59268)

• NCJ Number: 59274
• Author(s): N RINDFLEISCH
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RESULTS ARE REPORTED FROM A STUDY DESIGNED TO EXPLORE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A NUMBER OF FACTORS AND ATTITUDES TOWARD USE OF FORCE BY CAREGIVERS IN SOME OHIO CHILDREN'S HOMES FOR DEPENDENT, NEGLECTED, AND DISTURBED CHILDREN.

Abstract

ONE HUNDRED CAREGIVERS IN 15 CHILDREN'S HOMES SERVED AS RESPONDENTS. A TOTAL OF 20 FACTORS WERE EXAMINED IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO SUBJECTS' USE OF FORCE IN A VARIETY OF PRESENTED SITUATIONS LIKELY TO OCCUR IN RESPONDENTS' INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN IN THE HOMES. THE LEVEL OF FORCE MEAN SCORE FOR ALL SUBJECTS WAS 5.49 ON A 12-POINT CONTINUUM. LEVELS OF FORCE SELECTED BY RESPONDENTS TO MANAGE CHALLENGING CHILD CARE SITUATIONS COULD BE EXPECTED TO INCREASE IF A DIRECT CARE STAFF MEMBER WAS OLDER, HAD A LOWER LEVEL OF EDUCATION, WAS OR HAD BEEN MARRIED, WAS REARED IN A SMALLER COMMUNITY, EXPERIENCED HIGHER DEGREES OF FELT INJUSTICE, PARTICIPATED SELDOM OR NEVER IN DECISIONMAKING, 'LIVED IN' 24 HOURS, AND WORKED IN A LIVING UNIT WHERE RESIDENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES WERE MORE ORGANIZATION CENTERED. IN EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FINDINGS FOR POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SINCE CAREGIVERS WITH LESS EDUCATION ARE MORE LIKELY TO USE HIGHER LEVELS OF FORCE, IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO ESTABLISH A MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION. THE REQUIREMENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION WOULD ALSO PROBABLY CHANGE THE AGE DISTRIBUTION IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUNGER STAFF MEMBERS. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1) DEPRIVATIZE THE LIVING UNIT SO CAREGIVERS ARE NOT INCLINED TO FEEL THEY NEED TO BE 'MASTERS IN THEIR OWN HOUSE;' (2) DEPLOYMENT OF CAREGIVERS SHOULD BE PLANNED SO THAT MORE CAREGIVERS ARE IN THE LIVING UNIT AT PEAK HOURS, WITH BACK-UP PROVIDED AT ALL TIMES; (3) PERIODS OF REST SHOULD BE GRANTED TO CARETAKERS TO REDUCE TIREDNESS AND TENSION THAT CAN LEAD TO IMPATIENCE; (4) EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN CAREGIVERS IN THE 25-35-AGE RANGE SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN; AND (5) A DISTRESS SCALE, SIMILAR TO THE ONE USED IN THIS STUDY, MIGHT BE USED AS AN AID IN STAFF SELECTION. APPENDIXES PROVIDE TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)