Staff behaviour and resident engagement before and after active support training

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Healthcare Research
• Social Work

Background:

• Resident engagement is crucial for the effectiveness of active support (AS).
• Identifying factors that increase resident engagement can enhance AS interventions.
• Understanding the dynamics of staff-resident interactions is vital for improving support services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the relationship between staff help, its effectiveness, praise, and resident engagement within active support.
• To evaluate how these factors influence engagement levels over time.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of observational data from a previous study on active support.
• Utilizing lag analyses to determine the temporal relationship between staff actions and resident engagement.
• Assessing the amount and effectiveness of staff help, as well as the use of praise.

Main Results:

• Staff help consistently preceded resident engagement at pre-test, with a sustained association at post-test.
• Resident engagement was more likely to follow staff help than vice versa.
• An increase in staff help and praise was observed from pre-test to post-test, with praise often linked to increased help.

Conclusions:

• The amount and effectiveness of staff help, along with staff praise, appear to be significant factors in boosting resident engagement.
• Continued research and application of these findings are recommended to ensure the consistent effectiveness of active support.
• Focusing on these interactional elements can optimize active support strategies for individuals requiring assistance.