Digital Commons Network^™

Patient Perceptions Of Functional Abilities After Total Knee Arthroplasty, Stephanie A. Jones

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

Purpose: To identify if patients’ perceptions of their functional abilities prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) were similar to their actual post-operative functional abilities at 4 to 6 weeks post-TKA if they attended an educational joint replacement class prior to surgery.

Design: One group, pre-test/post-test.

Methods: Data were obtained from 17 participants attending an educational joint replacement class in Georgia. Patients’ perceptions of functional abilities before and after TKA were identified using the Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS), Short Form 12 version 2 (SF-12 v2), and a demographics questionnaire.

Results: KOS-ADLS findings …

Heterosexism And Homophobia Among Students Participating In A Bachelor Of Science Nursing Program, Johnathan Daniel Steppe

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

Purpose: To identify whether or not homophobia and heterosexism were present among students participating in a Bachelor’s of Science nursing program.

Design: A quantitative, descriptive, and non-experimental design was used.

Methods: The study employed a convenience sample of 245 nursing students recruited from a university’s nursing program located in the southeastern United States. Data collection and analysis took place from September 2013 to October 2013 and was accomplished using SPSS version 21 software package.

Results: Homophobia and heterosexism were both present in the sample. Levels of heterosexism were significantly higher than levels of homophobia. There was …

Contemporary Women’S Adaptation To Motherhood: The First 3 To 6 Weeks Postpartum, Cynthia Aber, Marianne E. Weiss, Jacqueline Fawcett

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

A better understanding of the process of adaptation to motherhood should enhance nurses’ ability to prepare women for the transition to motherhood and to provide care following childbirth. Knowledge about women’s adaptation to motherhood was developed primarily from the 1960s to the 1990s. Cesarean birthing was a special focus of research throughout the late 1970s and the 1980s, followed by functional status, and more recently, depression and stress associated with birth and postpartum. Adaptation to motherhood in the context of the early 21st century has received limited attention in nursing research, creating an assumption that the process of adaptation is …

An Investigation Of The Perceptions Of Women Three To Nine Months After A Childbirth Experience, Ethel Tovar, Dr. Lynn C. Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A woman’s childbirth experience is unique and can have a lasting impact, initially affecting neonatal care and impacting perspectives on the childbirth experience . This experience can be perceived as an overwhelming event for primiparous mothers, which can lead to a sense of vulnerability. For this reason, at the time of delivery, birth plan decisions may be malleable.

Effectiveness Of Hospital Procedures For Insuring The Uninsured In The Salt Lake Area, Holly Barnett, Dr, Erin Maughan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Utah currently offers several government-funded insurance programs to help insure its residents who would otherwise go without. Despite the implementation of these programs, 18.9% of adults and 10% of children live in Utah without medical insurance (MSNBC Interactive, Utah Department of Health). This group of uninsured adults and children are at greater risk for delayed care, resulting in an increased likelihood for advanced illness and, therefore, decreased health (Ayanian et al, 2000). For this reason, it is important to identify those Utah residents not covered under a medical insurance policy and connect them with the proper programs. The hospital is …

Predictors Of Cooperative And Externalizing Behaviors In Siblings Of Children With Disabilities, Christine Rae Platt

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To examine whether caregiver burden, parenting style, and sibling relationships in families raising a child with a disability (CWD) predict cooperative and externalizing behaviors in typically-developing sibling (TDS). Methods: This correlational study included 189 families raising both a CWD and a TDS. Mothers and fathers completed self-report questionnaires on caregiver burden, sibling relationships, parenting style, and TDS cooperative and externalizing behaviors. Results: Authoritative parenting was positively associated with cooperative behaviors, whereas authoritarian parenting was positively associated with externalizing behaviors. Hierarchical regression revealed caregiver burden was a significant predictor of cooperative and externalizing behaviors; however, when parenting style was added …

Analysis Of Relationships Between Siblings And Children With Disabilities, Cassandra Perry, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In recent decades, the impact of sibling relationships on an individual have been found to be significant1 and for siblings of children with disabilities (CWDs), that impact has carried a negative tint; with struggles related to maladjustment, behavioral problems, and a stressful change in responsibilities2.

The Relationships Between Nurse Attributes, Site Characteristics, And Labor Support Attitudes And Behaviors Among Intrapartum Nurses, Ann Prenger Aschenbrenner

Dissertations (1934 -)

Most American women deliver their babies in the hospital; an opportunity for nurses to make a positive impact. However, nursing labor support has been associated with fewer positive outcomes than support performed by lay providers, doulas, or midwives. Positive outcomes associated with continuous labor support include decreased cesarean deliveries, and use of medication or epidurals for pain. It was unclear why the outcomes were not as great when nurses provided labor support.

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships between nurse attributes, organizational characteristics, and labor support attitudes, behaviors, and perception of barriers among intrapartum nurses. Conceptual …

Measuring Use Of Positive Thinking Skills: Psychometric Testing Of A New Scale, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Positive thinking interventions improve adaptive functioning and quality of life in many populations. However, no direct measure of positive thinking skills taught during intervention exists. This psychometric study of a convenience sample of 109 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) caregivers examined a new eight-item Positive Thinking Skills Scale (PTSS), which measures the frequency of use of positive thinking skills. The PTSS was found to be internally consistent (α = .90). Construct validity was supported by significant correlations (p < .01) with positive cognitions (r = .53), resourcefulness (r = .63), depression (r = −.45), and general well-being (r = .40). The findings …

Immune Dysregulation And Glucocorticoid Resistance In Minority And Low Income Pregnant Women, Elizabeth J. Corwin, Ying Guo, Kathleen Pajer, Nancy Lowe, Donna O. Mccarthy, Sarah Schmiege, Mary Weber, Thaddeus Pace, Brian Stafford

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Chronic prenatal stress contributes to poor birth outcomes for women and infants. Importantly, poor birth outcomes are most common among minority and low income women. To investigate underlying mechanisms, we tested the hypothesis that chronic stress related to minority or low income status is associated with glucocorticoid resistance as indicated by disruption in the cytokine-glucocorticoid feedback circuit. Home visits were conducted during which 3rd trimester pregnant women completed stress and depression surveys and provided blood for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Saliva was collected 5 times the preceding day for diurnal cortisol levels. For statistical analyses, women were grouped 3 ways, …

Resourcefulness, Positive Cognitions, Relocation Controllability, And Relocation Adjustment Among Older People: A Cross Sectional Study Of Cultural Differences, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background.  The population of older people in both the United States and Egypt is expected to double by the year 2030. With ageing, chronic illnesses increase and many older people need to relocate to retirement communities. Research has shown that positive cognitions and resourcefulness are positively correlated with adaptive functioning and better adjustment.

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study was to examine and compare relocation controllability, positive cognitions, resourcefulness and relocation adjustment between American and Egyptian older people living in retirement communities. The purpose of this cultural comparison is to gain insight into influencing factors in each culture …

Psychometric Assessment Of The Depressive Cognition Scale In Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Caregivers of persons with dementia are prone to depression. Early identification of cognitive depressive symptoms is important to prevent the development of clinical depression. The Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) can be used for early detection, but the scale's psychometrics have not been tested in caregivers of persons with dementia. In this study, 80 caregivers of persons with dementia completed the eight-item DCS and measures of caregiver burden and resourcefulness. A Cronbach's alpha of .88 indicated internal consistency. Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with caregiver burden (r = .40; p < .001) and resourcefulness (r = –.54; p < .001). Principal components factor analysis resulted in two factors in which five items loaded cleanly on one factor and two items have cross-loadings. Because prior factor analysis in previous studies resulted in one factor, we did confirmatory factor analysis in which we forced the items on one factor. All the items loaded on the single factor and the amount of variance explained was 55.99%. The findings suggest the DCS is useful for early detection of depression in caregivers of persons with dementia.

Favorable Ratings Of Providers' Communication Behaviors Among U.S. Women With Depression: A Population-Based Study Applying The Behavioral Model Of Health Services Use, Abiola O. Keller, Ronald Gangnon, Whitney P. Witt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Little is known about the relationships between sociodemographic characteristics and ratings of provider communication behavior among women with depression in the United States. This study uses the Andersen Behavioral Model to examine the relationships among predisposing, enabling, and need factors and ratings of perceived patient–provider communication in women with depression.

Methods

The sample consisted of women with depression who visited any provider in the previous 12 months in the 2002–2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (n = 3,179; weighted n = 4,707,255). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the independent contribution of predisposing, enabling, and need factors on …

Parental Perceptions: Religiosity And Sibling Relationships In Families Raising A Child With Diabetes, Caitlin Peterson (Herrman), Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Raising a child with diabetes (CWD) impacts the whole family, since it is a disease requiring parental vigilance to ensure dietary/ medication compliance, and sibling understanding. Clearly, religion serves as an important resource to couples and families; however, it may also act as a resource for families who are raising a CWD. In fact, qualitative and empirical studies alike show religious practices and spiritual beliefs predict relational outcomes (Richards & Bergin, 1997).

A Pilot Study: Relaxation Response To Vocal Training Intervention In Nursing Students, Leah Dymock, Dr. Glenda Christiaens

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As a profession, nursing requires a constant balance between professional standards, individual values, and patient needs (Luquette, 2007.) These responsibilities lead to stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout (ibid.) Thus it follows that an implicit part of nursing school is learning to care for another person without sacrificing your own physical or psychological wellbeing. This question is then raised: What is the best way to cope with stressful situations that are encountered by nurses? Although the best thing for one person will differ from what’s best for another person, there are inherent characteristics of activities that induce a relaxation state; namely, …

Is There A Relationship Between Parenting Styles And Sibling Relationships In A Family Containing A Child With A Disability?, Corinne Jackman (Johnson), Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of my research was to see if 1) there is a difference in parental perceptions of parenting styles and sibling relationships according to parent gender, sibling gender and type of disability as well as to 2) examine whether or not there is a linkage between parenting styles and sibling relationships in families raising a child with a disability (CWD). We studied autism, mental retardation, an orthopedic condition, other (deafness, blindness), and multiple disabilities.

Cultural Competence Of Taiwanese Nurses, Chin-Nu Lin

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Research on the cultural competence in nursing care in Taiwan is scarce. Little information has been documented regarding the level of cultural competence among its health care professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of cultural competence among Taiwanese nurses. This study employed a quantitative design using a self-report online survey. Research findings indicated that Taiwanese nurses had low to moderate level of cultural competence. They perceived themselves as being not culturally competent when caring for clients from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds. While Taiwanese nurses scored high on cultural sensitivity and awareness, they scored low …

Parental Perceptions: Religiosity And Depression In Families Raising A Child With Diabetes, Caitlin Herrmann Peterson, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Parents raising children with disabilities (CWD) experience a number of situations and stresses parents not raising a CWD experience. How families adapt to the situation of raising a CWD may be related to a number of variables including the parent’s religiosity and the depression level of the parents. Clearly, religion serves as an important resource to families; however, it may also act as a resource for families who are raising a CWD. In fact, qualitative and empirical studies alike show religious practices and spiritual beliefs predict relational outcomes (Richards & Bergin, 1997). There is minimal literature examining differences in religiosity …

Relationship Between Grief And Sleep Among Grief Group Members, Diana Snyder, Beth Cole

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Grief and bereavement can be defined as experiences created by responses to the loss of a family member or close friend. Such distressing experiences can be amplified by sleep dysfunction because of the devastating effects poor sleep quality has in healthy functioning. In a study done by Richardson, Lund, Caserta, Dudley, and Obray (2003), it was noted that 50 % of a group of 192 bereaved widows and widowers reported sleep disturbance within the first few months after the death of a spouse. Sleep disturbances have been highly correlated with problems such as depression, emotional lability, anger, loss of control, …

Compassion Fatigue: Prevalence Among Nurses At A Midwest Pediatric Hospital, Branch Carole

Dissertations

Compassion fatigue is a term used to describe the unique stressors affecting people in care-giving professions (Joinson in 1992). For nurses, the impact of compassion fatigue may result in stress-related symptoms, job dissatisfaction, decreased productivity, patient satisfaction, safety issues, and job turnover. The purposes of this non-experimental descriptive survey using electronic distribution to collect data were to identify the prevalence of compassion fatigue composed of burnout and secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction among nurses and nursing staff who deliver direct patient care at the hospital and the relationship between demographic variables (age, work category, level of education, work experience) …

The Effect Of Heart Failure Education On Reducing Readmissions, Mayola Lara Villarruel

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Management of heart failure is a significant financial challenge for the health care industry, costing approximately $33.2 billion annually. Common reasons for preventable heart failure readmissions include inadequate discharge education and lack of self-care and health management activities. Education at discharge is a vital component of improving heart failure outcomes. Following a review of the literature, high quality evidence supports that heart failure education should focus on medication adherence, sodium and fluid restriction, daily weights, activity tolerance, identification of deteriorating signs and symptoms of heart failure, and smoking cessation. The purpose of this EBP project was to reduce heart failure …

Using The Inverse Transform To Specify Contrasts In Regression And Latent Curve Structural Equation Models, Thomas N. Templin

Nursing Faculty Research Publications

A simple yet general method for specifying contrasts to test hypotheses in regression and latent curve structural equation models is presented. The traditional qualitative variable coding schemes used in multiple regression (e.g., dummy coding) have a more general formulation. Five matrices are involved: The coding scheme, A. The matrix which gives the distribution and ordering of cases, W; WA = X; X is the design matrix. The contrast coefficient matrix C; and C^-1 = A. In practice, only C, C^-1, and A are necessary because the statistical software generates the design matrix. This method has great generality …

Healthcare Providers Monitoring Of Serum Potassium Levels In The Treatment Of Heart Failure, Sara Burwell, Megan Chaney, Corey Shoemaker

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if patients older than 65 years of age received the influenza vaccine.

Suicide Screening In Primary Care With Patients Diagnosed With Depression, Lori Duke, Cindy Patrick

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate healthcare providers' compliance with the recommended 2009 ACCF/AHA guidelines for monitoring routine serum potassium levels in heart failure patients.

Influenza Vaccination Of The Older Adult Patient And Documentation By The Healthcare Provider, Sara Burwell, Megan Chaney, Corey Shoemaker

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if patients older than 65 years of age received the influenza vaccine.

Healthcare Providers Monitoring Of Serum Potassium Levels In The Treatment Of Heart Failure, Lori Duke, Cindy Patrick

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate healthcare providers' compliance with the recommended 2009 ACCF/AHA guidelines for monitoring routine serum potassium levels in heart failure patients.

Advance Directives: A Policy Required In The Asian Countries, Nasreen Panjwani

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Advancements in health care have resulted in elaborate treatments all over the world and contributed to problems at times for the terminally ill who need palliative care. Futile treatments have demonstrated to defuse the symptoms of the disease without curing. In such scenarios physicians only prolong life of patients, keeping them away from dying peacefully and depriving them from quality of life. In this context, families exhaust their financial and material resources for the treatment of their loved ones without any substantial results. Health care systems are passionate about prolonging life and are ignoring the component of caring by disregarding …

Partnering For Change: Motivational Interviewing Strategies For Inpatients, A Unique Approach, Mary Whitlock Edm, Rn-Bc, Cde, Margaret Elizabeth Gergar Msn, Cocn, Ccwcn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Military Nurses Caring For The Enemy, Sharon Thompson, Beth Mastel-Smith, Gloria Duke, Barbara K. Haas, Shellye Vardaman, Susan Yarbrough

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This phenomenological study described the lived experience and aftermath of U.S. military nurses assigned enemy detainees during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. Two themes emerged: Insurgent Assignments (subthemes included identification of and interactions with insurgents; training, precautions, and ethical issues, thoughts and feelings, coping, and meanings of insurgent care) and The Aftermath (subthemes were mental, emotional, personal, professional, and positive). Conclusions: Insurgent assignments caused ethical dilemmas and challenged theoretical constructs related to caring. Formal training is needed to prepare nurses for the practicalities of and responses to insurgent assignments.

This work is the dissertation manuscript of Sharon Thompson, completed …

Concept Analysis Of Empowerment From Survivor And Nurse Perspectives Within The Context Of Cancer Survivorship, Teresa Jerofke-Owen

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The liberal usage of the concept of empowerment has led to the development of a broad and ambiguous term. In health care, empowerment is a core principle of patient-centered care that promotes patient engagement in health management. This is an analysis of the concept of empowerment within the context of cancer survivorship using both Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis and Caron and Bower's dimensional analysis. The dimensional analysis followed the evolutionary concept analysis as the perspectives of patients and nurse providers emerged in the analysis. Data sources included a sample of 249 papers from multiple disciplines covering the period 2000–2013. Empowerment …