Measure Of Social Inclusion Research Articles

A Web-Based Tool to Assess Social Inclusion and Support Care Planning in Mental Health Supported Accommodation: Development and Preliminary Test Study.

Individuals with severe mental illness living in supported accommodation are often socially excluded. Social inclusion is an important aspect of recovery-based practice and quality of life. The Social Inclusion Questionnaire User Experience (SInQUE) is a measure of social inclusion that has been validated for use with people with mental health problems. Previous research has suggested that the SInQUE could also help support care planning focused on enabling social inclusion in routine mental health practice. This study aims to develop a web-based version of the SInQUE for use in mental health supported accommodation services, examine its acceptability and perceived usefulness as a tool to support care planning with service users, determine the extent of uptake of the tool in supported accommodation settings, and develop a program theory and logic model for the online SInQUE. This study involved a laboratory-testing stage to assess the acceptability of the SInQUE tool through "think-aloud" testing with 6 supported accommodation staff members and a field-testing stage to assess the acceptability, utility, and use of the SInQUE tool over a 5-month period. An implementation strategy was used in 1 London borough to encourage the use of the SInQUE. Qualitative interviews with 12 service users and 12 staff members who used the tool were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. The use of the SInQUE was compared with that in 2 other local authority areas, 1 urban and 1 rural, where the tool was made available for use but no implementation strategy was used. Overall, 17 staff members used the SInQUE with 28 different service users during the implementation period (approximately 10% of all service users living in supported accommodation in the study area). The staff and service users interviewed felt that the SInQUE was collaborative, comprehensive, user-friendly, and relevant. Although some staff were concerned that particular questions might be too personal, service users did not echo this view. Participants generally felt that the SInQUE could help identify individuals' priorities regarding different aspects of social inclusion by prompting in-depth conversations and tailoring specific support to address service users' inclusion goals. Some interviewees also suggested that the tool could highlight areas of unmet or unmeetable needs across the borough that could feed into service planning. The SInQUE was not used in the comparison areas that had no implementation strategy. The online SInQUE is an acceptable and potentially useful tool that can be recommended to assess and support care planning to enable social inclusion of people living in mental health supported accommodation services. Despite this, uptake rates were modest during the study period. A concerted implementation strategy is key to embedding its use in usual care, including proactive endorsement by senior leaders and service managers.

SZOCIÁLIS KOMPETENCIÁK FELMÉRÉSE HÁTRÁNYOS HELYZETŰ ÓVODÁSOK KÖRÉBEN BORSOD-ABAÚJ-ZEMPLÉN, HAJDÚ-BIHAR ÉS SZABOLCS-SZATMÁR-BEREG MEGYÉBEN

Between 2017 and 2020, we participated in a national project led by the Education Office, called „Support for social inclusion and integration measures in public education” (EFOP-3.1.3-16-2016-00001), which we simply called "Kindergarten for Opportunities". The aim of the project was mainly to help kindergartens educate and develop disadvantaged and multiply disadvantaged Roma and Gypsy children. An important phase of the work was the survey, in which a specific assessment of skills was carried out with the active participation of the institutions, adapted to life in the kindergarten and based on the observations of the kindergarten teachers. In the present study, we focus on an important aspect of the survey, the study of social competencies. Results were obtained in three categories (self-images, social relations, and emotional-willing qualities), in five dimensions per category, from the kindergartens participating in the project in the three selected counties. In the total survey, the kindergartens provided information on a total of 1112 children, of which the number of responses received in the three counties analyzed by us was as follows: 259 in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, 178 in Hajdú-Bihar county and 271 in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. So kindergarten teachers' statements regarding n=708 children were analyzed in this study. No significant difference can be observed in the results: only in a few cases did we experience a negative deviation in social competences in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county.

The Roma and the double-movement of Social Europe

ABSTRACT This article uses a Polanyian frame to place the plight of Roma in Europe in the context of an age of crisis, as evidenced by faltering neoliberal economies and a corresponding rise in xenophobia and extreme manifestations of nationalism. The situation of the Roma remains precarious, a situation exacerbated by the 2008 economic crises and the COVID-pandemic. Despite a number of social inclusion measures in recent decades, at the national and European level which target the Roma, Roma exclusion remains a serious challenge. The paper assesses why previous policy regimes failed but also reflects on what is the way forward in terms of inclusive policy frameworks. The article seeks to provide some answers to these questions with a vision of a Polanyian countermovement in the form of a New Social Europe predicated on redistribution, recognition and community action but also a re-envisioning of integration and transformative change in structural and cultural terms.

The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived and social citizenship: Case study research in Belgium, Lithuania and Portugal

Persisting high poverty and social exclusion rates remain a key challenge of European welfare states. The socio-economic consequences following the COVID-19 crisis are challenging the protection of social citizenship and social rights of the most vulnerable. We examine the role of the European Union (EU) in supporting the most vulnerable citizens by focusing on the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). Our key question is, if and in which ways the EU strengthens social citizenship and social rights through FEAD. We base our analysis on a document analysis of the Regulation, Member States’ operational programmes and results of a survey with food aid organizations in Belgium, Lithuania and Portugal. Our findings suggest that FEAD represents a contradictory case of European action in the field of social citizenship and social rights. On the one hand, FEAD is a highly targeted social policy instrument. On the other hand, food aid, as the main provided instrument, is based on charity and not on social rights. Accompanying social inclusion measures could support beneficiaries in the take-up of social rights, but these measures lack clear rules for implementation and monitoring. We conclude that FEAD seems to contribute to the institutionalization of charitable food aid within national welfare systems.

Social inclusion: a fundamental PROM for evaluating recovery-oriented global mental health programmes

AbstractSocial inclusion is a multidimensional concept, referring to ample participation in key social, cultural, economic and political activities. Since the turn of the century, social inclusion has become a guiding principle in policy recommendations of many international (United Nations, WHO, EU) and national bodies, aiming to improve the lives of people with mental ill-health. More recently, social inclusion has been increasingly used as an outcome measure, to test the effectiveness of complex interventions, especially in the field of global mental health.This presentation will focus on: (1) current definitions and controversies in research on social inclusion for and with people with mental ill-health; (2) measuring social inclusion; and (3) the evidence-base of interventions to improve social inclusion. Special attention will be given to recovery-oriented interventions in global mental health such as peer support.In summary, over the last years, impressive conceptual and methodological advances have been made to transform policy rhetoric into meaningful and effective interventions. However, challenges remain, including consensus on culturally appropriate measurement of social inclusion, and balancing the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders (service users, mental health service providers, wider society) across the entire exclusion-inclusion continuum to promoting social inclusion and mental health.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Psychometric properties of a brief, self-report measure of social inclusion: the F-SIM16.

A disproportionate number of people with mental ill-health experience social exclusion. Appropriate measurement tools are required to progress opportunities to improve social inclusion. We have developed a novel measure, the Filia Social Inclusion Measure (F-SIM). Here we aimed to present a more concise, easy-to-use form, while retaining its measurement integrity by (i) refining the F-SIM using traditional and contemporary item-reduction techniques; and (ii) testing the psychometric properties of the reduced measure. Five hundred and six participants completed the F-SIM, younger and older groups of people with serious mental illness (including psychosis, mood, anxiety disorders) and same-aged community counterparts. The F-SIM was completed at baseline and 2-week follow-up, alongside other measures (including social inclusion, loneliness). The F-SIM was refined using multidimensional scaling network analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory. The psychometric evaluation included assessment of dimensionality, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, discriminant ability and construct validity. The F-SIM was reduced from 135-items to 16; with 4-items in each domain of housing and neighbourhood, finances, employment and education and social participation and relationships. Psychometric properties were sound, including strong internal consistency within domains (all α > 0.85) and excellent overall (α = 0.92). Test-retest reliability was also high (γ = 0.90). Differences between groups were observed; clinical subgroups consistently reported lower levels of social inclusion compared to community counterparts. The F-SIM16 is a sound, reliable, brief self-report measure of social inclusion suitable for use in clinical and research settings. It has the potential to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and aid in fostering targeted and personalised needs-based care.

The child perspective within family intervention projects: a cluster-randomised study with a mixed methods design

ABSTRACT Family interventions have been introduced in several European countries as social inclusion measures for disadvantaged families. Compared with adult social work, in social work for families, social workers aim to utilise a whole-family approach; they follow up all family members, acknowledge multiple target areas and coordinate the services for the families. This cluster-randomised study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03102775) with a mixed methods approach analyses children’s involvement in family interventions and compares child-related effects of governmental (the HOLF model) and local family intervention practices in Norway. The data are based on a cluster-randomised study involving 29 Labour and Welfare offices and baseline and follow-up questionnaires for parents (N = 862). We conducted in-depth interviews with family coordinators to help us understand how children are involved and how their involvement may contribute to any improvements. While there were no effects of using the HOLF model compared with local family intervention practices, results indicate that the family intervention seems to contribute to increasing children’s involvement with welfare services and improving their access to welfare support. The interviews demonstrate the potential of a genuine whole-family approach, where children are directly involved in the family intervention practices. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03102775

COVID-19 and the Trajectory of Participation, Inclusion, and Psychological Well-Being Among Adults With and Without Mental Disorders - A Follow-up Study from Germany

To assess the impact of the Corona pandemic on participation, feelings of inclusion, and mental well-being among adults with and without current or chronic mental health problems. Follow-up study with pretest prior to the onset of the Corona pandemic and two follow-up assessments during a first lockdown in April 2020 and a second lockdown in November 2020. We used the Measure of Participation and Social Inclusion for Use in People with a Chronic Mental Disorder (F-INK) and the Brief Symptom Inventory BSI-18, a short instrument for the assessment of psychological distress (n = 112). Across all groups, compared to the preceding surveys we found no detrimental effect on the mental health status four weeks after the beginning of the lockdown in November 2020. Against the background of heterogeneous findings on the impact of the pandemic, this study confirms studies that found, on average, a general resilience in well-being.

‘Modelling social exclusion in a diagnostically-mixed sample of people with severe mental illness’

Background:Social inclusion is an important indicator of recovery in individuals with severe mental illness. The Social Inclusion Questionnaire User Experience (SInQUE) is a new measure of social inclusion for mental health service users which assesses five domains (consumption, production, access to services, social integration and civil engagement). It has good psychometric properties and is acceptable to service users and mental health professionals. It is not clear whether individuals with different diagnostic conditions experience a similar reduction in social inclusion.Aims:(1) Investigate whether current social inclusion differs between diagnostic groups (people with schizophrenia/other psychotic disorders, common mental disorder or personality disorder); (2) Identify factors associated with lower social inclusion; (3) Examine associations between social inclusion and stigma, quality of life and loneliness.Method:Mental health service users with psychotic disorder, personality disorder or common mental disorder, living in the community, completed the SInQUE, alongside other validated outcome measures. Multiple regression investigated associations.Results:About 192 service users (55% with psychotic disorder; 26% with common mental disorder; 19% with personality disorder). Current social inclusion did not vary according to diagnosis, except for the sub-domain of productivity, where individuals with personality disorder were more socially included than the other two groups. Lower social inclusion was associated with older age (p = .008), lack of higher education (p < .001), more previous admissions (p = .005), severity of current symptoms and greater experienced stigma (p = .006) and anticipated stigma (p = .035). Greater social inclusion was associated with better quality of life (p < .001) and less loneliness (p < .001).Conclusions:Barriers to social inclusion in individuals with severe mental health problems include factors related to the illness, such as symptom severity and external factors, such as stigma and discrimination. Social inclusion is a recovery goal and should be routinely assessed. Increasing people’s social inclusion benefits service users in terms of improved mental health, better quality of life and reduced loneliness.

A longitudinal study on the COVID-19 pandemic and its divergent effects on social participation and mental health across different study groups with and without mental disorders

PurposeWith the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the restrictions imposed in many parts of the world, there is growing concern about its impact on mental health. This longitudinal study investigated the social participation, social inclusion and psychological well-being in adults with and without mental disorders before the beginning of the pandemic, as well as during and after strict lockdown restrictions in Germany.MethodsThe sample (n = 106) consisted of three groups: participants with a chronic mental disorder, with an acute mental disorder, and without a mental disorder at the time of the initial survey. Parameters of interest were assessed using the Measure of Participation and Social Inclusion for Use in People with a Chronic Mental Disorder (F-INK), the Index for the Assessment of Health Impairments (IMET) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18).ResultsThe perceived impairments in social participation and the associated changes in behaviour varied depending on the presence of a mental disorder at the time of the initial survey and were largely temporary, i.e. limited to the period of strict lockdown restrictions. We found no further detrimental effects on mental health 4 weeks after lockdown or later, when a policy of physical distancing was in place.ConclusionOverall, our findings suggest a general resilience to the official restrictions and measures as well as the pandemic itself. However, further efforts are needed to improve the situation of people with chronic mental disorders and their limited opportunities for social participation.

Representaciones sociales de duplas psicosociales sobre las acciones profesionales realizadas en establecimientos municipalizados, Chillán, Chile

The article analyzes the social representations of psychosocial pairs of municipal schools and discusses the definition and objective of this intervention device, which enters Chilean schools as one of the measures of social inclusion. We affirm that the school, as a space for human development, must assume responsibility for the inequities that prevent the most vulnerable children from becoming fully integrated into school life. However, the mere installation of the psychosocial duo in schools does not seem sufficient. Through group interviews, we approach the representation of psychosocial pairs to understand their work and how they are integrated into the school space. The results indicate that the process of insertion into schools has been difficult and excessively depends on the peculiarities and specific demands of each school. Teachers demonstrate resistance to the pairs’ actions, and ask them to carry out low-skill activities. The findings indicate a wide variability in functions and an excessive burden of administrative functions. Thus, the work of educational inclusion is co-opted by a variety of administrative obligations that divert the pair’s attention from the main purpose of working on educational inequality and inequity.

Social Participation, Inclusion and Mental Well-Being Following SARS-CoV-2 Related Restrictions on Going Out - A Follow-up Study from Germany

To assess the impact of the Corona pandemic and related restrictions on going out on social participation, social inclusion and well-being in adults with and without current or chronic mental health problems METHODS: Follow-up survey (n = 132) using the Measure of Participation and Social Inclusion for Use in People with a Chronic Mental Disorder (F-INK), the Index for the Assessment of Health Impairments (IMET), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). The impact on social participation capabilities and social participation differed depending on the participants' mental health status at the first assessment. Independent of this, we found no detrimental effect on the mental health status four weeks after the enactment of restrictions on going-out. Findings imply a general resilience in well-being in the preliminary stages of the Corona pandemic.

Independent Housing and Support for non-homeless individuals with severe mental illness: randomised controlled trial vs. observational study \u2013 study protocol

BackgroundSocial inclusion is essential for an adequate rehabilitation process for people with serious mental illness (SMI). Various supported housing settings aim to promote housing competencies and social inclusion in service users. Nevertheless, there is a strong preference in service users for independent living. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of Independent Housing and Support (IHS) compared to institutionalised residential care settings and other treatment as usual conditions (RCS/TAU) in two cities in Switzerland.MethodsThis is a prospective multi-centre, four-arm, non-inferiority cohort study investigating the effectiveness and efficiency of IHS and RCS/TAU for people with SMI. Effectiveness will be measured by a standardised measure of social inclusion as primary outcome as well as by measures of functioning and well-being. Efficiency will be analysed on the basis of service usage and costs associated with the different housing settings. Participants will be consecutively recruited and subsequently enrolled between April 2019 and December 2020 and assessed at baseline and after six, twelve and after 24 months. At one study site, 56 participants will be randomly assigned to one of the conditions; the other study site will be conducted as an observational study investigating 112 admitted participants.DiscussionWhile the UN Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities aims to promote the opportunity to choose one’s place of residence, the limited supply of alternative forms of housing does not guarantee genuine freedom of choice. Increased diversification and flexibility of housing support is essential. If IHS shows non-inferiority in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency, users should be allowed to choose their kind of housing support.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03815604, December 04, 2019.

Preliminary psychometric properties of a measure of social inclusion for young adults aged 18 to 25 with serious mental illness.

Young adults with serious mental illness (SMI) are reported to be socially excluded, but social inclusion measures are untested in this population. The aim of this study was to test the Filia Social Inclusion Measure (F-SIM) in this population. Categorical principal components analysis of F-SIM data from N = 159 young adults with SMI aged 18-25 was conducted. Cronbach's alpha (α) examined internal consistency. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC3,2) examined 2-week test-retest reliability. Spearman's rho correlation coefficients (rs) examined construct validity. Cronbach's alpha was .94 for Dimension 1 (Interpersonal Connections), .87 for Dimension 2 (Vocational and Financial Security), and .82 for Dimension 3 (Healthy Independent Lifestyle). ICC3,2 coefficients ranged from .20-.99. Dimension 1 scores correlated with measures of social inclusion (rs = .69, p < .01), Quality of Life (QoL [rs = .63, p < .01]), hours of social/leisure activities last week (rs = .32, p < .01), loneliness (rs = -.76, p < .01), and psychological distress (rs = -.42, p < .01). Dimension 2 scores correlated with measures of social inclusion (rs = .27, p < .01) and hours working (rs = .67, p < .01) and studying last week (rs = .47, p < .01). Dimension 3 scores correlated with measures of social inclusion (rs = .25, p < .01), QoL (rs = .40, p < .01), psychological distress (rs = -.33, p < .01), and loneliness (rs = -.26, p < .01). The F-SIM demonstrated excellent reliability and validity among young adults aged 18-25 with SMI. This represents a preliminary step toward evidence-based assessment and intervention to help increase social inclusion for this vulnerable population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The Social Inclusion of Young Adults aged 18 to 25 with Serious Mental Illness

Social inclusion is an important yet under-researched contributor to health and wellbeing. Young adults with serious mental illness (SMI) are thought to be socially excluded. This has not been rigorously assessed due to a lack of psychometric tools to measure social inclusion in this population. This research program demonstrated the reliability and validity of a new tool (the Filia Social Inclusion Measure) in samples of young adults both with and without SMI. In comparing these groups, it also produced novel insights into the social exclusion of young adults with SMI in domains of independent living and reciprocity in social relationships.

To what extent does severity of loneliness vary among different mental health diagnostic groups: A cross-sectional study.

Loneliness is a common and debilitating problem in individuals with mental health disorders. However, our knowledge on severity of loneliness in different mental health diagnostic groups and factors associated with loneliness is poor, thus limiting the ability to target and improve loneliness interventions. The current study investigated the association between diagnoses and loneliness and explored whether psychological and social factors were related to loneliness. This study employed a cross-sectional design using data from a completed study which developed a measure of social inclusion. It included 192 participants from secondary, specialist mental health services with a primary diagnosis of psychotic disorders (n=106), common mental disorders (n=49), or personality disorders (n=37). The study explored differences in loneliness between these broad diagnostic groups, and the relationship to loneliness of: affective symptoms, social isolation, perceived discrimination, and internalized stigma. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist for observational research. People with common mental disorders (MD=3.94, CI=2.15 to 5.72, P<0.001) and people with personality disorders (MD=4.96, CI=2.88 to 7.05, P<0.001) reported higher levels of loneliness compared to people with psychosis. These differences remained significant after adjustment for all psychological and social variables. Perceived discrimination and internalized stigma were also independently associated with loneliness and substantially contributed to a final explanatory model. The severity of loneliness varies between different mental health diagnostic groups. Both people with common mental disorders and personality disorders reported higher levels of loneliness than people with psychosis. Addressing perceived mental health discrimination and stigma may help to reduce loneliness.

Health promotion policies for elderly—Some comparisons across Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to compare health promotion policies (HPP) for older adults in four European countries: Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. We focus on the design, regulations and implementation of policies in these countries. MethodAs policy relevant information is mostly available in national languages we have approached experts in each country. They filled in a specially designed questionnaire on the design, regulation and implementation of health promotion policies. To analyze the data collected via questionnaires, we use framework analyses. For each subject we define several themes. ResultsRegarding regulations, Poland and Italy have a top-down regulation system for health promotion policy. Germany and Netherlands have a mixed system of regulation. Regarding the scope of the policy, in all four countries both health promotion and prevention are included. Activities include promotion of a healthy life style and social inclusion measures. In Poland and Italy the implementation plans for policy measures are not clearly defined. Clear implementation plans and budgeting are available in Germany and the Netherlands ConclusionsIn all four countries there is no document that exclusively addresses health promotion policies for older adults. We also found that HPP for older adults appears to be gradually disappearing from the national agenda in all four countries.

Disorders of Autistic Spectrum‖ In the Institutional and Discourse Space of the Russian Society: The Problem of Social Exclusion

Disorder of autistic spectrum has a high rate of spread in Russia and the world. Russian statistics is subject to deformities in relation to the disease. People diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and their families are socially excluded. It manifests itself in the institutional plane and in the discursive media space. In the institutional environment, positive changes occur to solve the problem: the work of public organizations and special - virtual and real - social media platforms are intensifying, the information space of messages and news about autism is increasing, the conservative state system is gradually transforming measures of social and educational policies in an inclusive manner. However, at the institutional level of the mass media and public opinion, a wary and often prejudiced attitude towards people and children with mental disorders continues to persist. Among all types of disabilities, mental disorders are the most discriminated. This prevents the implementation of measures of social inclusion by civil society institutions and the state. Intensive informational and educational work with the Russian population is required to overcome myths and stereotypes regarding children and adults with ASD.

Playing a cooperative game promotes preschoolers' sharing with third-parties, but not social inclusion.

This study examined the effect of gaming context on young children’s prosocial behaviors. Dyads of 4- to 5-year-old children (N = 96) played the same game cooperatively, competitively, or solitarily. After playing the game for a total of ten minutes, sharing with and social inclusion of uninvolved third-parties as well as free play with previous co-players was observed. Children shared less with third-parties after playing the game competitively than after playing it cooperatively. Playing a solitary game resulted in intermediate levels of sharing. The structure of the game did not differentially impact measures of social inclusion or free play.

Group differences in social inclusion between young adults aged 18 to 25 with serious mental illness and same-aged peers from the general community.

Young adults with serious mental illness (SMI) are thought to be socially excluded. However, psychometric measures of social inclusion have not been employed to examine group differences relative to peers from the general community. The aim of this study was to employ such a measure to determine differences in social inclusion between young adults with SMI and peers from the general community. A cross-sectional hierarchical logistic regression was conducted to identify which dimensions and individual indicators from the Filia Social Inclusion Measure (F-SIM) discriminated between n = 152 young adults aged 18-25 from the general community (M = 21.36, SD = 2.16) and n = 159 young adults aged 18-25 with SMI (M = 21.13, SD = 2.21). Group membership was accounted for by Interpersonal Connections (Nagelkerke R2 = .32), Vocational & Financial Security (Nagelkerke R2 = .32) and Healthy Independent Lifestyle (Nagelkerke R2 = .08) dimensions of the F-SIM. Relative to young adults from the general community, those with SMI were five times less likely to feel they had friends who would call on them in a crisis, odds ratio (OR) = .19 (95%CI = .04, .53), p = .04, almost five times more likely to live with their parents, OR = 4.79 (95%CI = 1.98,11.15), p = .004, almost four times less likely to have worked/studied any time over the past 12 months, OR = .27 (95%CI = .11,.64), p < .001, and three-and-a-half times more likely to report unstable accommodation, OR = 3.58 (95%CI = 1.14, 11.15), p = .03. Young adults with SMI are socially excluded relative to peers from the general community in terms of interpersonal connections, vocational engagement, autonomy/independence and housing stability. In addition to the well-established focus on vocational engagement, interventions to improve social inclusion in this population must promote reciprocity within social relationships and healthy autonomy/independence (including stable housing).