Anne Neufeld

Publications of Anne Neufeld

• Employed mothers' worker ideology and social support network composition.

  Authors: Tanya Mudry, Kaysi Eastlick Kushner, Anne Neufeld

  Qualitative health research. 03/2010; 20(7):905-21.

  The purpose of this ethnographic study was to examine employed mothers' social support network composition in relation to their orientation to worker ideology. A reanalysis of data from twoThe purpose of this ethnographic study was to examine employed mothers' social support network composition in relation to their orientation to worker ideology. A reanalysis of data from two longitudinal, interview studies was conducted. Ecomaps were developed to depict women's social support network composition, revealing five types of support sources: household family, nonhousehold family, friends and neighbors, workplace, and formal services. A typology of diverse, restricted, and mixed networks, reflecting patterns in availability, consistency, and types of support sources, was identified and analyzed in relation to women's orientation to worker ideology. Women with innovator or conformist orientations to worker ideology tended to have mixed or diverse networks. Women with a conformist orientation did not utilize formal services but tended to have a supportive workplace. Most of the women who transitioned into an innovator orientation had available, consistent support, most notably from household family.

• The significance of social engagement in relocated older adults.

  Authors: Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, Anne Neufeld, Vicki R Strang

  Qualitative health research. 10/2009; 19(9):1186-95.

  Social networks and social support are recognized as important determinants of health. Relocation is a common transition in older adults' lives that can disrupt existing social networks and challengeSocial networks and social support are recognized as important determinants of health. Relocation is a common transition in older adults' lives that can disrupt existing social networks and challenge seniors to reconstitute these networks. Social engagement is a required component of the process of reconstituting social relationships and of feeling connected. The purpose of this focused ethnographic study was to develop an understanding of the experience of social engagement in relocated residents of a senior-designated apartment building. Data generation included interviews with 19 older adults. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Seniors developed four types of relationships for provision of feelings of security, casual interactions, opportunity to be supportive, and friendship. The findings of this research provide a better understanding of the relationships seniors developed in a new community as a result of the process of social engagement.

• Men Family Caregivers' Experience of Nonsupportive Interactions: Context and Expectations.

  Authors: Anne Neufeld, Kaysi Eastlick Kushner

  Journal of family nursing. 04/2009;

  Men's involvement as family caregivers has grown as the prevalence of dementia has increased. Men rely on support from others for caregiving but also experience nonsupportive interactions. TheMen's involvement as family caregivers has grown as the prevalence of dementia has increased. Men rely on support from others for caregiving but also experience nonsupportive interactions. The purpose of this ethnographic study of 34 men (24 spouses and 10 sons) caring for a relative with dementia, 5 assisting caregivers, and 15 professionals was to identify primary caregivers' perceptions of nonsupportive and supportive interactions in relationships with kin and friends as well as professionals. Thematic analysis of transcribed data generated from interviews, diaries, and focus group discussions revealed the nature of men's caregiving journeys, the characteristics of their social networks, and their expectations of supportive interactions. The non-supportive interactions men caregivers experienced included a lack of orientation to the caregiving situation, an unsatisfactory linkage to support sources, insufficient support, and hurtful interactions. Information about nonsupportive interactions can sensitize kin and friends as well as professionals to the complexity of men's experience and potentially avoid unintended negative consequences of support efforts.

• Looming dementia care crisis: Canada needs an integrated model of continuing care now!

  Authors: Dorothy A Forbes, Anne Neufeld

  The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmières. 04/2008; 40(1):9-16.

• Advocacy of women family caregivers: response to nonsupportive interactions with professionals.

  Authors: Anne Neufeld, Margaret J Harrison, Miriam Stewart, Karen Hughes

  Qualitative health research. 04/2008; 18(3):301-10.

  Support from health and social service professionals assists women in caring for a relative with a chronic condition. However, nonsupportive interactions coexist with supportive interactions andSupport from health and social service professionals assists women in caring for a relative with a chronic condition. However, nonsupportive interactions coexist with supportive interactions and might have unanticipated consequences. The purpose of this ethnographic study was to examine advocacy as a proactive response to nonsupportive interactions with professionals among women family caregivers in four caregiving situations. Data generation included in-depth interviews with 34 women. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic and constant comparative analysis techniques. As a consequence of nonsupportive interactions women experienced negative feelings, a lack of trust, powerlessness, and challenges in their caregiving situations that were catalysts for advocacy involving assertively taking charge in a relationship with a health professional. As advocates women employed strategies of monitoring their relative's condition, educating themselves or others, negotiating or fighting for resources, or campaigning for change. There were stress and fatigue involved in becoming an advocate, but the women also described the experience as one of personal growth. This research provided insight into the role of nonsupportive interactions with professionals as a catalyst for the development of individual-level advocacy initiatives.

• Researching reducing health disparities: mixed-methods approaches.

  Authors: Miriam Stewart, Edward Makwarimba, Alison Barnfather, Nicole Letourneau, Anne Neufeld

  Social science & medicine (1982). 04/2008; 66(6):1406-17.

  There is a pressing need for assessment and intervention research focused on reducing health disparities. In our research program, the use of mixed methods has enhanced assessment of the mediatingThere is a pressing need for assessment and intervention research focused on reducing health disparities. In our research program, the use of mixed methods has enhanced assessment of the mediating impacts of social support on the health of vulnerable populations and enabled the design and testing of support interventions. This paper highlights the benefits and challenges of mixed methods for investigating inequities; and, illustrates the application of mixed methods in two exemplar studies focused on vulnerable populations in Canada. Qualitative methods fostered in-depth understanding of vulnerable populations' support needs, support resources, intervention preferences, and satisfaction with intervention strategies and impacts. Quantitative methods documented the effectiveness and outcomes of intervention strategies, and enhanced the reliability and validity of assessments and interventions. The researchers demonstrate that participatory strategies are needed to make studies more relevant to reducing health disparities, contextually appropriate, and empowering.

• Interactive use of genograms and ecomaps in family caregiving research.

  Authors: Gwen R Rempel, Anne Neufeld, Kaysi Eastlick Kushner

  Journal of family nursing. 12/2007; 13(4):403-19.

  This article argues for the concurrent and comparative use of genograms and ecomaps in family caregiving research. A genogram is a graphic portrayal of the composition and structure of one's familyThis article argues for the concurrent and comparative use of genograms and ecomaps in family caregiving research. A genogram is a graphic portrayal of the composition and structure of one's family and an ecomap is a graphic portrayal of personal and family social relationships. Although development and utilization of genograms and ecomaps is rooted in clinical practice with families, as research tools they provide data that can enhance the researcher's understanding of family member experiences. In qualitative research of the supportive and nonsupportive interactions experienced by male family caregivers, the interactive use of genograms and ecomaps (a) facilitated increased understanding of social networks as a context for caregiving, (b) promoted a relational process between researcher and participant, and (c) uncovered findings such as unrealized potential in the participant's social network that may not be revealed with the use of the genogram or ecomap alone, or the noncomparative use of both.

• Non-supportive interactions in the experience of women family caregivers.

  Authors: Anne Neufeld, Margaret J Harrison, Karen Hughes, Miriam Stewart

  Health & social care in the community. 12/2007; 15(6):530-41.

  The purpose of this ethnographic study was to identify and describe types of non-supportive interactions perceived by 59 women family caregivers in four diverse situations. Participants included 15The purpose of this ethnographic study was to identify and describe types of non-supportive interactions perceived by 59 women family caregivers in four diverse situations. Participants included 15 mothers of infants born prematurely, 14 mothers of a child with a chronic disease (asthma or diabetes), and women caring for an adult family member with either cancer (15) or dementia (15). Data collection methods included an initial in-depth interview with all women, followed by a second interview with a smaller group of caregivers including a card sort exercise that was based on thematic content analysis of the first interview data. A typology of non-supportive interactions was developed from analysis of the first two interviews and confirmed in a final interview with a subset of study participants. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Women in all caregiving situations described experience with three types of non-supportive interactions. These interactions were negative, ineffective, or lacking expected support. The women's appraisal of interactions as supportive or non-supportive was rooted in their personal expectations and the context of their situation. Information about types of non-supportive interactions can sensitise professionals, family and friends to mismatches between their assistance and caregivers' requirements, potentially avoiding negative consequences.

• Accessible support for family caregivers of seniors with chronic conditions: from isolation to inclusion.

  Authors: Miriam Stewart, Alison Barnfather, Anne Neufeld, Sharon Warren, Nicole Letourneau, Lili Liu

  Canadian journal on aging = La revue canadienne du vieillissement. 02/2006; 25(2):179-92.

  Accessible support programs can improve health outcomes for family caregivers of older relatives with a chronic condition. Over the course of 6 months, 27 experienced family caregivers providedAccessible support programs can improve health outcomes for family caregivers of older relatives with a chronic condition. Over the course of 6 months, 27 experienced family caregivers provided weekly support via the telephone to 66 individuals, either new family caregivers of seniors recently diagnosed with stroke or newly vulnerable family caregivers (i.e., facing increasing demands from the deterioration of their senior relative's condition) of seniors with Alzheimer's disease. Qualitative data documented the perceived impact of the intervention, including increased satisfaction with support, coping skills, caregiving competence and confidence, and decreased caregiver burden and loneliness. Caregivers identified varied support processes that overcame support deficits in their social networks. These processes can facilitate replication in future research and inform practice, programs, and policies.

• Practical issues in using a card sort in a study of non-support and family caregiving.

  Authors: Anne Neufeld, Margaret J Harrison, Gwen R Rempel, Sylvie Larocque, Sharon Dublin, Miriam Stewart, Karen Hughes

  Qualitative health research. 12/2004; 14(10):1418-28.

  The authors successfully used the card sort data collection technique with 17 female family caregivers in a large ethnographic study of non-support. In this article, they describe the practicalThe authors successfully used the card sort data collection technique with 17 female family caregivers in a large ethnographic study of non-support. In this article, they describe the practical issues they addressed. Initially, they developed strategies to construct meaningful statements that reflected key themes and were manageable in an interview. Later, to address challenges for participants, they developed approaches to assist women in moving beyond their own experience, dealing with test anxiety, and anticipating an emotional response. To facilitate effective data collection, they made detailed arrangements in advance, collected "talk aloud" data that captured women's decisions, and maintained accurate records. The women felt validated in their caregiving roles, as the card statements reflected their experience and rich data was elicited. The card sort exercise contributed information about variability in the meaning of similar interactions for different women and a beginning understanding of the criteria women used to make decisions.

• Seeking support: caregiver strategies for interacting with health personnel.

  Authors: Myrna Heinrich, Anne Neufeld, Margaret J Harrison

  The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmières. 01/2004; 35(4):38-56.

  Support from health professionals can assist family caregivers and have a positive impact on their health. The purpose of this study was to explore women's perceptions of support from communitySupport from health professionals can assist family caregivers and have a positive impact on their health. The purpose of this study was to explore women's perceptions of support from community resources while caring for a family member with dementia. The research questions were: What factors influence female caregivers' interactions with health personnel when seeking support? What strategies do women employ in interactions with health personnel to secure support? Symbolic interaction was the theoretical foundation for the study, which included secondary analysis of 62 interviews with 20 women concerning their caregiving experience. In addition, new data were collected from 2 focus groups with 8 volunteers recruited from among the original 20 participants. The data indicated that the women's expectations of their caregiving role and their appraisal of the care recipient influenced their interactions with health personnel when seeking support. They employed 4 broad strategies: collaborating, getting along, twigging, and fighting/struggling. A woman's use of strategies varied according to the degree of mutuality in decision-making with staff and was accompanied by both positive and negative experiences. These findings confirm the importance of mutuality in relationships with health personnel and support the use of partnership and empowerment models of professional practice.

• Immigrant women: making connections to community resources for support in family caregiving.

  Authors: Anne Neufeld, Margaret J Harrison, Miriam J Stewart, Karen D Hughes, Denise Spitzer

  Qualitative health research. 08/2002; 12(6):751-68.

  The purpose of this ethnographic study was to understand how immigrant women caregivers accessed support from community resources and identify the barriers to this support. The study included 29The purpose of this ethnographic study was to understand how immigrant women caregivers accessed support from community resources and identify the barriers to this support. The study included 29 Chinese and South Asian women caring for an ill or disabled child or adult relative. All experienced barriers to accessing community services. Some possessed personal resources and strategies to overcome them; others remained isolated and unconnected. Family and friends facilitated connections, and a connection with one community service was often linked to several resources. Caregivers who failed to establish essential ties could not initiate access to resources, and community services lacked outreach mechanisms to identify them. These findings contribute new understanding of how immigrant women caregivers connect with community resources and confirm the impact of immigration on social networks and access to support.

• Public support for poverty-related policies.

  Authors: Linda I Reutter, Margaret J Harrison, Anne Neufeld

  Canadian journal of public health. Revue canadienne de santé publique. 93(4):297-302.

  OBJECTIVE: This research examined how public perceptions of the relationship between poverty and health predict support for poverty-related policies. METHODS: A random sample of 1,203 Albertans wereOBJECTIVE: This research examined how public perceptions of the relationship between poverty and health predict support for poverty-related policies. METHODS: A random sample of 1,203 Albertans were interviewed by telephone to determine their perceptions of the relationship between poverty and health (myth, drift, behavioural, structural), and their support for government spending in six poverty-related policy areas: nutrition programs, housing, child care, increased welfare allowance, wage subsidies, and recreation programs. RESULTS: The greatest support was for child care programs, with the least support for increased welfare allowance. The degree of support for all policies except wage subsidies and recreation programs differed by the explanation chosen of the relationship between poverty and health. Those who chose a structural explanation were more likely to support government spending than those who chose a behavioural explanation. INTERPRETATION: Beliefs about the relationship between poverty and health influence support for policies. Public health professionals have a role in increasing public awareness of the structural factors that influence health.

• Narratives of "dissonance" and "repositioning" through the lens of critical humanism: exploring the influences on immigrants' and refugees' health and well-being.

  Authors: Joan M Anderson, Joanne Reimer, Koushambhi Basu Khan, Laura Simich, Anne Neufeld, Miriam Stewart, Edward Makwarimba

  ANS. Advances in nursing science. 33(2):101-12.

  The focus of this article is on narratives of "starting over," and the embedded processes, conceptualized as "dissonance"--between what people had expected to find in Canada and their actualThe focus of this article is on narratives of "starting over," and the embedded processes, conceptualized as "dissonance"--between what people had expected to find in Canada and their actual experiences, and "repositioning"--how they subsequently restructured their lives and redefined their identities. This narrative analysis is one way of illuminating the complex ways in which social support networks influence dissonance and repositioning, and subsequently influence health and well-being.