Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Sleep Loss And Its Health Impact Among Family Caregivers Of Persons With A Primary Malignant Brain Tumor, Jean Pawl

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Sleep impairments for caregivers are multifactorial. Assumptions are that caregivers of those with primary malignant brain tumors (PMBT) are similar to caregivers of persons with dementia as cognitive impairments are present at diagnosis. The shorter trajectory of PMBTs and rapid deterioration of recipients’ health may influence sleep in caregivers of persons with a PMBT. The purposes of this study were to use a sleep impairment model to characterize caregiver sleep using objective and subjective measures, and to examine sleep loss effects on psychosocial and physiologic health outcomes.

A secondary data analysis using baseline data from a larger study of mind-body …

Social Ecology Of Adherence To Hypertension Treatment In Latino Migrant And Seasonal Farmworkers, Eleanor M. Hall

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) is high in Latinos (Latino/Latina) Americans due to social and ecological factors. Increased migration of Latino migrant/seasonal farmworkers (MSFW) to the U.S. augments the social, economic, environmental, and psychosocial factors associated with health and illness. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory was used to guide this study. The purposes of this cross-sectional, correlational study were to explore Latino MSFWs’ adherence to HTN treatment (medication adherence, blood pressure [BP] self-care, and BP control) and to examine the influence of BP knowledge, perceived stress, acculturation, health literacy, and health care access (HCA) on adherence to HTN treatment.

A total …

The Experiences Of Obese African American Women And Their Utilization Of Preventive Healthcare Services, Winsome Beverly Stephenson

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Obesity is associated with higher death rates from breast and gynecological cancers. African American women(AAW) are more likely to be diagnosed with these cancers at later stages and have lower survival rates than Caucasian women. African American women are also disproportionately affected by obesity. Studies suggest that the healthcare experiences of obese women (primarily stigmatization), may contribute to their decisions to utilize healthcare services. However, these studies have largely comprised Caucasian women; there remains a paucity of studies addressing this issue in AAW. The purpose of this study was to explore the healthcare experiences of obese AAW and their utilization …

Perceived Susceptibility Of Cardiovascular Disease As A Moderator Of Relationships Between Perceived Severity And Cardiovascular Health Promoting Behaviors Among Female Registered Nurses, Deborah Mcclendon

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Significance: Morbidity and mortality related to CVD among women in the U.S. and most developed countries surpasses that of all cancers combined (AHA, 2008). Yet, CVD in women remains understudied, yielding low awareness among women and healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the relationship between health beliefs related to perceived cardiovascular disease (CVD) severity and health promoting behaviors were different in women with high self perception of CVD susceptibility versus women with low self perception of CVD susceptibility.

Methods: This study used a descriptive, correlational design. A convenience sample (N = 220) included female registered …

Perceived Health Status, Source Of Care And Health Outcomes Of Individuals With Self-Reported Mental Disorders, Rita Marie W. Lumansoc Dr.

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

In Healthy People 2010, mental health is listed as a major public health concern as evidenced by an alarming increase in the number of individuals who suffer from mental disorders. Mental disorders are a treatable public health condition. However, health disparities in the treatment of mental disorders are evident. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that affected health outcomes of persons with mental disorders. Two specific aims were addressed: Aim 1: to examine the relationships of population characteristics (predisposing factors and enabling resources), health behaviors (health services use and health practice); and health outcomes (physical health status …

Factors Influencing Female Caregivers' Appraisals Of Their Preschoolers' Behaviors, Sallie P. Coke

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Children with psychologically vulnerable caregivers may be at risk for being labeled as having behavior problems when typical behaviors are viewed by their caregivers as problematic. Research examining the accuracy of the caregivers’ perceptions of children’s behaviors is limited. The purpose of this study was to use the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation to explore family and female caregiver factors associated with appraisals of children’s behaviors, the extent to which these appraisals may be distorted and children’s level of risk of having behavioral problems.

A cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Data were collected from female caregivers of …

The Experiences Of Medically Fragile Adolescents Who Require Respiratory Assistance, Regena Spratling

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

The population of medically fragile adolescents has grown in recent decades because of the sequelae of prematurity, injuries, and chronic or terminal illnesses. Medically fragile adolescents who require respiratory assistance are part of this unique population with challenges in their daily lives, yet as nurses, we know little about their experiences and the best approaches to use in caring for them. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of medically fragile adolescents who require respiratory assistance.

Interpretive phenomenology was used to describe and interpret the experience of 11 medically fragile adolescents who required respiratory assistance. The adolescents …

Factors That Influence Smoking Cessation In Women Following An Invasive Cardiovascular Procedure, Leslie C. Moore

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Women smokers with heart disease (HD) are at increased risk for negative health effects. At the time of invasive cardiovascular (CV) interventions is a critical opportunity to make lifestyle changes to reduce future CV interventions. The purposes of this study guided by the Health Belief Model were to determine which factors predict smoking cessation (SC) in women following an invasive CV procedure and to explore assistance received with SC.

A correlational, prospective design was used. Data were collected from women smokers at the time of an invasive CV intervention and three months later. Instruments measured commitment to stop smoking, perceived …