Merrick, A. D., Grieve, A. and Cogan, N. (2017) Psychological impacts of challenging behaviour and motivational orientation in staff supporting individuals with autistic spectrum conditions. Autism, 21(7), pp. 872-880. (doi: 10.1177/1362361316654857) (PMID:27354430)
|
Text
119930.pdf - Accepted Version 553kB |
Abstract
Despite increased risk of experiencing challenging behaviour, psychological impacts on community and residential staff supporting adults with autistic spectrum conditions are under-explored. Studies examining related roles indicate protective psychological factors may help maintain staff well-being. This study investigated relationships between motivational orientation (eudaimonic or hedonic), challenging behaviour frequency and type (physical, verbal or self-injurious), and psychological impacts (anxiety, depression and life satisfaction). Participants (N=99) were recruited from six organisations providing autism-specific adult services within Scotland. A series of binary logistic regressions demonstrated weekly challenging behaviour exposure (compared to monthly or daily) significantly increased the likelihood of anxiety caseness. Increased eudaimonic motivation significantly reduced the likelihood of anxiety caseness while also predicting higher life satisfaction. Further, having high levels of eudaimonic motivation appeared to moderate the impact of weekly challenging behaviour exposure on anxiety. No motivational orientation or challenging behaviour factor significantly predicted depression. This sample also demonstrated higher anxiety, lower depression, and equivalent life satisfaction levels compared to general population norms. The results highlight the need for considering staff’s motivational orientations, their frequency of exposure to challenging behaviour, and both positive and negative psychological outcomes, if seeking to accurately quantify or improve well-being in this staff population.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Cogan, Dr Nicola |
| Authors: | Merrick, A. D., Grieve, A., and Cogan, N. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing |
| Journal Name: | Autism |
| Publisher: | SAGE |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1461-7005 |
| Published Online: | 26 June 2016 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2016 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Autism 21(7):872-880 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Altmetric
Altmetric