Personal assistance, independent living, and people with disabilities: An international systematic review (2013-2023).

BACKGROUND: The article discusses the contribution of personal assistance for the independent living of people with disabilities. This right is evolving at different speeds internationally, presents controversial aspects, and is under continuous debate. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the evidence relating to the promotion of self-determination and independent living through personal assistance. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search for relevant literature published was conducted during March 2023 across nine databases. The findings of the included studies were coded and analyzed via inductive content analysis. RESULTS: 26 articles were included, mostly qualitative, from four different continents. The analysis revealed six different key themes. The social framework highlighted the influence of international agreements and disability activism on cultural shifts in understanding disability. Secondly, healthy relationships and life or service expectations were emphasized. Key agents included users, personal assistants, family members, service providers, and other professionals. Personal assistants' work context explored ethical dilemmas, training, and working rights. Decision-making about personal assistance involved factors like lack of information, access requirements, and funding. Lastly, the implications underscored the positive impact of personal assistance on independent living, while identifying threats, and best practices for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review was the first to explore the promotion of independent living of people with disabilities through personal assistance schemes and highlights the need for governments to prioritize and coordinate efforts to ensure access for all, emphasizing the ethical imperative to progress toward social justice.

Self-esteem and socialisation in social networks as determinants in adolescents' eating disorders.

Eating disorders are mental health illnesses that are influenced by various individual, family and social factors. The present study aimed to examine the influence of self-esteem and socialisation through social networks on eating disorder behaviours in adolescence. The sample was made up of 721 secondary school students (49.1% girls). The sample age ranged between 12 and 18 years (M = 13.89, SD = 1.37). Participants completed the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) to measure disordered eating attitudes and behaviours, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the ESOC-39 scale, which measures socialisation through social networks, in addition to a brief initial sociodemographic survey. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were carried out with MANOVA. Low self-esteem was shown to increase behaviours linked to eating disorders globally. Likewise, high socialisation through social networks was also associated with a general increase in eating disorders during adolescence. The findings of the study provide empirical support for the need to develop prevention strategies that address the improvement in self-esteem and adequate socialisation through social networks during adolescence. The development of effective interventions along these lines could be helpful to treat the behaviours and attitudes that are observed in eating disorders.

[Influence of personal and family variables on eating disorders.] / Influencia de variables personales y familiares en los trastornos de conducta alimentaria.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders (EDs) usually begin during puberty and adolescence, a time when attention should be paid to the factors that influence the development of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes towards eating and the risk of developing EDs, taking into account personal and family variables in a population of secondary school students. METHODS: A total of 790 Compulsory Secondary School students enrolled in the 2019/2020 academic year in secondary schools in the Autonomous Community of Galicia participated, of whom 410 were male and 380 female (M=13.84; SD=1.37). In this descriptive-cross-sectional study, eating disorders were assessed using Garner's Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), adapted to Spanish subjects. The statistical treatment of the data was carried out by means of a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), which took the form of frequency analysis and contingency tables. RESULTS: With regard to the personal variables analysed, no significant differences in eating disorders were found across adolescents' gender (p>0.05), but there were significant differences in age (p<0.001), school year (p<0.001) and use of social networks (p<0.05). Similarly, the data do showed significant differences in eating disorders according to the level of studies of the families (p<0.01) and their family relationship (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this research confirm an influence of personal and family variables in attitudes associated with EDs. Further investigation of these variables may facilitate better intervention, as well as improve the design of preventive strategies.

OBJETIVO: Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) se inician normalmente durante la pubertad y la adolescencia, momento en el que se debe prestar atención a los factores que influyen en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las actitudes hacia la alimentación y el riesgo de padecer TCA, teniendo en cuenta las variables personales y familiares en una población de estudiantes de educación secundaria. METODOS: Participaron un total de 790 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) matriculados en el curso 2019/2020 en institutos de la comunidad autónoma de Galicia, de los cuales 410 eran varones y 380 mujeres (M=13,84; DT=1,37). En este estudio descriptivo-transversal los TCA fueron valorados mediante el Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) de Garner, en la versión adaptada a sujetos españoles. El tratamiento estadístico de los datos se desarrolló mediante un análisis multivariado de varianza (MANOVA), que se plasmó a través de análisis de frecuencias y tablas de contingencia. RESULTADOS: Atendiendo a las variables personales analizadas, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas de los trastornos de conducta alimentaria en el género de los adolescentes (p>0,05), pero sí en la edad (p<0,001), curso escolar (p<0,001) y uso de redes sociales (p<0,05). Del mismo modo, los datos sí presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los trastornos de conducta alimentaria según el nivel de estudios de las familias (p<0,01) y su relación familiar (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados obtenidos en la investigación verifican una influencia de las variables personales y familiares sobre las actitudes asociadas a los TCA. Continuar ahondando en estas variables puede facilitar una mejor intervención, así como mejorar el diseño de estrategias preventivas.

Prevalencia del burnout en el Sistema de Servicios Sociales: estudio transversal en servicios sociales comunitarios / Prevalence of burnout in the Social Services System: cross-sectional study in community social services

Objetivo principal: evaluar la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout en las trabajadoras sociales que ejercen su actividad laboral en los servicios sociales comunitarios. Metodología: diseño de enfoque descriptivo y transversal, utilizando el cuestionario Maslach Burnout Inventory. Dicho cuestionario mide tres dimensiones relacionadas con el burnout: Agotamiento emocional, Despersonalización y Realización personal. La recogida de datos se realizó a través de una aplicación de encuestas, entre trabajadoras sociales colegiadas. Resultados: participaron 209 trabajadoras sociales, de las cuales el 92,8% son mujeres y un 7,2% hombres; sus edades están comprendidas entre los 23 y los 64 años. Los datos de prevalencia arrojan unos resultados elevados en los factores que componen el constructo de burnout, especialmente en la dimensión de Agotamiento Emocional. Conclusiones: el síndrome de burnout se encuentra presente en un porcentaje elevado de trabajadoras sociales del Sistema de Servicios Sociales. (AU)

Objective: to assess the prevalence of burnout syndrome in the professional group of social workers who perform their work in the community social services. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional design was proposed, using as the main instrument the Maslach Burnout Inventory. This inventory measures three dimensions related to burnout: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment. Data collection was carried out through a survey among the social workers registered. Results: 209 social workers participated in the study, of which 92.8% of the population under study are women and 7.2% are men; their ages ranging between 23 and 64 years. The study prevalence data yields high results in the factors that make up the burnout construct, especially in the Emotional Exhaustion dimension. Conclusions: burnout syndrome is present in a high percentage of social workers in the social services system. (AU)