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- Title
Mental Health and Well-Being Among Home Health Aides.
- Authors
Yanez Hernandez, Melissa; Kuo, Elizabeth Fong-Chy; Henriquez Taveras, Yefrenia; Lee, Ann; Ramos, Aida; Ringel, Joanna; Andreae, Susan; Tsui, Emma; Safford, Monika M.; Avgar, Ariel C.; Shen, Megan J.; Dell, Nicola; Shalev, Daniel; Riffin, Catherine; Wiggins, Faith; Kozlov, Elissa; Moise, Nathalie; Sterling, Madeline R.
- Abstract
Key Points: Question: What are home health aides' and attendants' (HHAs') perspectives toward mental health and well-being, and how does their job influence them? Findings: In this qualitative study of 28 HHAs employed by 14 different home care agencies, participants reported various personal and occupational factors that affected their mental health and well-being, particularly their relationships with patients. While the participants used multiple strategies to cope, they were eager for support to help manage mood and stress on the job. Meaning: These findings suggest that interventions and policies geared toward mental health are needed to better support HHAs as they provide essential patient care. This qualitative study investigated home health aides' perspectives toward mental health and well-being and how their job influences these areas of life. Importance: Home health aides and attendants (HHAs) provide essential care to older adults and those with chronic conditions in the home. However, some HHAs struggle with poor mood and stress, which may have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To elicit HHAs' perspectives toward mental health and well-being, including how their job influences both and how to better support the workforce in the future. Design, Setting, and Participants: For this qualitative study, focus groups and interviews with HHAs were facilitated in English and Spanish from August 17, 2022, to February 9, 2023, in partnership with the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Fund, a benefit fund of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the largest health care union in the US. Included were HHAs at risk for poor mental health and well-being, which were defined as having at least mild or more symptoms on either the 8-item Personal Health Questionnaire depression scale, the 4-item Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, or the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. Exposure: Mental health and well-being of HHAs. Main Outcomes and Measures: Focus groups and interviews were audio recorded, professionally transcribed, and translated. A thematic analysis was performed that was informed by Pender's Health Promotion Model and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Total Worker Health model. Results: A total of 28 HHAs from 14 different agencies participated (mean [SD] age, 54.3 [10.8] years; 26 female [93%]). Seventeen participants (61%) spoke Spanish at home. Five key themes emerged: (1) HHAs' attitudes toward mental health and well-being were influenced by a variety of personal and cultural factors; (2) HHAs' relationships with their patients impacted their mood in both positive and negative ways; (3) structural and organizational aspects of the job, alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, impacted HHAs' mood and stress levels; (4) HHAs used a variety of strategies to cope with their emotions; and (5) HHAs were eager for interventions that can improve their mood, particularly those that bring them closer to their colleagues. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that HHAs' mental health and well-being may be influenced by both personal and occupational factors. Interventions and policies to better support their emotional well-being on the job are warranted.
- Subjects
NEW York (State); MENTAL health; HOME health aides; QUALITATIVE research; FOCUS groups; RESEARCH funding; INTERVIEWING; PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation; EMOTIONS; JOB satisfaction; THEMATIC analysis; ATTITUDES of medical personnel; RESEARCH methodology; SOCIAL support; DATA analysis software; WELL-being; PSYCHOSOCIAL factors; LABOR supply; INDUSTRIAL safety
- Publication
JAMA Network Open, 2024, Vol 7, Issue 6, pe2415234
- ISSN
2574-3805
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.15234