RESUMO
The main purpose of the present study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the coaching families (CF) program, which aids families and caregivers raising children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Mentors in the program work with families to educate them about FASD, access resources, and advocate on their behalf. Retrospective data from 186 families were analyzed from pre- to post-program. As expected, among caregivers there was a significant decrease in needs and increase in goal attainment from pre- to post-program. Further, there was a significant decrease in caregiver stress from pre- to post-program. Families reported high overall satisfaction with the CF program. The limitations, directions for future research, and implications for service providers were also discussed.
Assuntos
Cuidadores/educação , Família/psicologia , Transtornos do Espectro Alcoólico Fetal , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Cuidadores/psicologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Saúde da Família , Feminino , Transtornos do Espectro Alcoólico Fetal/enfermagem , Humanos , Lactente , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Defesa do Paciente , Gravidez , Complicações na Gravidez , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Estudos Retrospectivos , Apoio Social , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Estresse Psicológico , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The goal of this study was to determine whether the First Steps program (modeled after the Parent-Child Assistance Program) resulted in improved outcomes among women at-risk for giving birth to a child with FASD. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data on 70 participants in the First Steps program. Clients were high risk and faced many life challenges, including: being on welfare, substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse as children, mental health issues, criminal activity, and unplanned pregnancies. We found a significant increase in birth control use and decrease in welfare rates from pre- to post-program. At program exit, many participants were abstinent from alcohol and/or drugs and the majority did not experience a subsequent pregnancy. Clients also showed significant increases in goals and decreases in needs from pre-to post-program. The First Steps program demonstrated promising outcomes for women at-risk for giving birth to a child with FASD.
Assuntos
Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/efeitos adversos , Transtornos do Espectro Alcoólico Fetal/prevenção & controle , Mentores , Complicações na Gravidez/prevenção & controle , Apoio Social , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Adulto , Alberta , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/prevenção & controle , Serviços Comunitários de Saúde Mental , Pesquisa Participativa Baseada na Comunidade , Anticoncepção , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Step by Step program in which mentors work with parents affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on a one-to-one basis. Mentors help clients identify and work towards meeting their needs and achieving their goals. Data from 24 closed client files was collected and analyzed and as predicted, the program was effective in helping clients reduce their needs and achieve their goals. The clients' reason for leaving the program as well as whether or not they had a formal FASD diagnosis had an impact on their success in the program. Data collected on additional mental health issues, experience of abuse and addictions helped to characterize the sample of clients and correlations were found between clients' experience of abuse and their past and/or present addictions issues. Limitations of this study as well as future implications were also discussed.