Digital Commons Network^™

The Relationship Between Rural Low-Income Women's Knowledge And Short-Term Duration Of Breastfeeding, Jefferey J.A. Enstad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although patterns of breastfeeding initiation and duration among American women have made dramatic changes over the past 100 years, these patterns have not been studied in rural, low-income women. Furthermore, even less is known about the characteristics of rural low-income women who practice short-term breastfeeding. Therefore, the problem under investigation was to explore the relationship between rural low-income women's knowledge and short-term duration of breastfeeding. The objectives of the study were to: 1) describe what are the characteristics of rural low-income women who breastfeed for four or more weeks postpartum, 2) describe what sources did they receive breastfeeding instruction and …

Differences In Body Image And Depression Scores In Postmenopausal Women Who Do And Do Not Take Hormone Replacement Therapy, Doreen M. Boomsma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine differences in depressive symptomology and perceived body image in postmenopausal women who currently used HRT with women who never used HRT and women who had previously used HRT but were currently not. Few medical treatments presently available for postmenopausal and menopausal women have such substantial benefits, and risks, as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The study is based on findings that document the use of HRT in preventing chronic illnesses that afflict elderly women. Chronic illness and disability has been shown to increase the incidence of depression in the general population. Chronic …

Physiological Compromise In Neonates Following Examination For Retinopathy Of Prematurity, Barbara Ann Britton

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this master's thesis is to identify the percentage of neonates having ROP examinations who experience physiological compromise following the ROP examination; identify characteristics of those neonates who may be at risk for such compromise, and determine if there is a correlation between physiological compromise and ROP examinations in neonate

Spirituality Of Caregiver Wives Of Dementia Patients, Martha Preston-Devries

Masters Theses

The spiritual perspectives o f 30 caregiver wives of dementia patients and 30 non-caregiver wives were compared using a convenience sample in the Midwest. Spiritual perspective includes behaviors such as praying privately, mentioning spiritual matters to others, and seeking spiritual guidance as well as beliefs such as forgiveness, the belief that spiritual views influence their life, and feeling close to God or a higher power during prayer or worship. The Spiritual Perspective Scale was used to measure spiritual perspective in participants. Scores on the Spiritual Perspective Scale were analyzed for the two groups using the t test for individual variables. …

Graduate Bulletin, 1998-2000 (1998), Moorhead State University

Graduate Bulletins (Catalogs)

No abstract provided.

A Description Of General Self-Efficacy And Specific Self-Efficacy For Health Promoting Practices In A Disabled Population, Elizabeth M. Carrington

Masters Theses

This study examined disabled persons' self-efficacy in relationship to performance of health promoting practices. A descriptive research design in which questionnaires were administered by interview was utilized. The sample consisted of forty-four disabled adult individuals attending a vocational rehabilitation school. The General Self-Efficacy Sub-Scale (Sherer, et al, 1982) and the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale (Becker, Stuifbergen, Oh & Hall, 1993) were administered.

Major findings related to the three research questions were: (a) this sample's Self-Rated Abilities Scores was higher than previously recorded for a comparable disabled population, (b) multiple disabilities had little impact on self-efficacy scores, (c) a …

A Secondary Analysis Of Self Assessed Assets Of Ninth And Twelfth Grade Students, Carolyn H. Young

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify the assets possessed by ninth and twelfth graders. This is a secondary analysis of data collected from a survey taken in rural northeastern lower Michigan. This study compared and discussed the similarities and differences in the community, family, and personal characteristics that can be interpreted as assets possessed by these students. Thirty - nine such assets were identified as being possessed by at least one of the student populations. These data can be used to help develop programs which can prevent adolescents from engaging in high - risk behaviors such as early …

Behavioral And Emotional Indicators Of Sexual Abuse: A Comparison With Physically Abused And Non-Abused Children, Janine L. Post-Anderle

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was to identify behavioral and emotional symptoms among hospitalized children who were 1)sexually abused 2)physically abused 3)non-abused, and non-hospitalized non-abused children.

Information about children between the ages of 6 and 12 was obtained through a retrospective analysis of 120 closed records from two different child psychiatric hospitals. A convenience sample of 40 parents with non-hospitalized children was used to obtain data about non-hospitalized non-abused children.

The “Child Behavior/Emotion Checklist”, developed by the author, was used to collect data regarding symptoms exhibited by children. Results indicated no difference in symptoms among the hospitalized groups of children. …

Hiv/Aids Patients' Perceptions Of Nurse Caring Behaviors, Jennifer Lynn Jordahl

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine which nurse caring behaviors HIV/AIDS patient's perceived as most important. Subjects were recruited from an HIV/AIDS clinic in a large Midwestern city. Twenty-three subjects completed Cronin and Harrison (1988) Caring Behaviors Assessment (CBA) along with a patient demographic questionnaire and an open ended question asking, "Is there anything else a nurse could do to make you feel care for or about? If so what?".

Results of this study suggest that HIV/AIDS patients perceive expressive nurse caring behaviors, such as, listening to the patient, treating the patient with respect, and knowing when …

Is There A Link Between Hardiness And Burnout In Critical Care Nurses?, Cindy Bilisko

Masters Theses

Hardiness is a set of personality characteristics that function as a resource in coping with stress. Hardiness has been linked with less burnout among various groups. This study was done to determine if there was a relationship between hardiness and the incidence of burnout in critical care nurses. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine this relationship. Critical care nurses at three hospitals in the Grand Rapids area were surveyed using the Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals, the Cognitive Hardiness Scale, and a demographics questionnaire. Data were tested using Pearson’s correlation and simple regression. The hypothesis “hardiness in …

Adolescents' Perceived Reasons For Choosing Abstinence Or The Use Or Non-Use Of A Condom During Sexual Intercourse, Susan L. Vrobel

Masters Theses

Adolescents’ perceptions of reasons for abstinence, safer sex, and unsafe sex were investigated. The study used a descriptive design, with a questionnaire administered to 82 Midwestern ninth grade students enrolled in a school health class. From a written scenario describing a couple who are sexually attracted to each other, students were asked to identify reasons the couple might choose to abstain from, or use or not use a condom if they chose to have, sexual intercourse. This study supported earlier research by Keller et al. (1996) which identified four factors perceived by adolescents as contributing to sexual behavior; social norms, …

Evaluation Of The Community Living Adaptation Scale, Jane M. Morris

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the CLAS. Seventy-three subjects participated from mental health case management agencies. The reliability coefficient for internal consistency o f the CLAS was .82. CLAS was compared to the Global Assessment of Functioning scale using the Pearson’s correlation. Convergent validity was significant to the .36 level indicating a significant relationship at the .01 level. The Self Profile Scale (SPS) was developed by this researcher as a parallel scale to compare the client’s perceptions to the case manager perceptions regarding functional status level. Item to item comparison of the CLAS and SPS indicated similar …

The Relationship Of Selected Health Beliefs And Exercise Adherence 6-12 Weeks Post Cardiac Event, Kristi L. Bianconi

Masters Theses

The hypothesis tested in this study was: Perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy of individuals who are adherent to a cardiac exercise program will differ from individuals who are non-adherent. The study was a descriptive, correlational design using the Health Belief Model. Data were collected from 25 subjects, recruited from a private cardiology practice who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program 6 to 12 weeks post hospitalization for a coronary event, defined as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty or stenting, or coronary artery bypass grafting.

Measurement of subject’s responses to perceived benefits, barriers and self-efficacy were collected through mailed questionnaires. …

Correlates Of Symptom Distress In Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, And Fluorouracil, Denise J. Bakker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between symptom distress and health locus of control, perception of illness, perception of treatment efficacy, and social support in breast cancer patients receiving cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and flourouracil as adjuvant chemotherapy in the outpatient setting. A prospective descriptive correlational design was used. A convenience sample of women (N = 33) with breast cancer was assessed using five measurement tools: the Symptom Distress Scale (McCorkle & Young, 1978), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale (Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978), the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (Norbeck, Lindsey, & Carrieri, 1981), and two …

The Effect Of Fear On Myocardial Infarction Patients In Intensive Care Units., Geraldine Williams Allen

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Nurse Practitioner Professional Autonomy: Relationship Between Structural Autonomy And Attitudinal Autonomy, Dolores C. Jones

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the possible components of structural autonomy that influence Nurse Practitioners' (NPs) perceptions of independence in practice. The components identified were NP state regulatory practices, educational background, and managed care environment. The study explored the relationship between NP structural autonomy as it relates to the above components and attitudinal autonomy as it relates to perceptions of independence in practice. A conceptual framework derived from a review of the literature demonstrated the possible relationships.

The investigator employed a mail survey to collect data from certified NPs in six eastern and mid-eastern states. …

Does The Congestive Heart Failure Program Improve Patient's Functional Health Status?, Lily Lu

Master's Projects

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a significant health problem in the U.S. There are over 2 million Americans diagnosed with CHF, with 200,000 CHF related deaths every year. A CHF Comprehensive Care Program in a Northern California medical center began in August, 1997 to case manage and educate CHF patients and their family members. The program educated CHF patients to self-manage the chronic condition by daily weight, low sodium diet, medication adherence, activity and rest balance, and daily exercise. This study used a one group. Pre and post test study design to evaluate the effectiveness of the CHF program. The …

Differences Between Critical Care Cardiovascular Nurse Experts And Novices In Diagnostic Cue Utilization., Rosalyn Ruth Reischman

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Self-Care Agency, Learned Helplessness, And Health Status In Elderly Adults., Carol Dennis

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Condom Use Among Gay And Bisexual Men: The Transtheoretical Model Of Behavioral Change Explored Via The World Wide Web., Donna Lynn Gullette

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Intentional Classroom Humor In Nursing : A Multiple Case Study, Joan Kay Ulloth

Dissertations

Problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived connections between the intentional use of humor in the nursing classroom and student learning in the cognitive and affective domains while seeking to understand student and teacher perceptions and responses to humor.

Method. This study used a case study approach and the end result is a multiple case study of three associate degree nursing instructors in the Midwest. The data collection methods included observations, interviews, and surveys. Data from the different sources were examined within and across cases for commonality or difference of experience. Connections were made between …

Characteristics And Perceptions Of Trauma Recidivists And Non-Recidivists, Vicki A. Keough

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Caregiver's Experience Of Deliberative Mutual Patterning With Pain-Ridden Substance Users, Gaile Hausaman Nellett

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Belief-Desire Reasoning In Zimbabwean Children: A Search For Evidence Of The Universality Of A Child's Theory Of Mind, Chipo Dyanda

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Quality Of Care Provided To Hiv-Infected Clients By Nurse Practitioners At A Specialized Nursing Center, Deborah A. Griggs

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

This study evaluates the quality of care provided by nurse practitioners HIVinfected clients in a specialized nursing center in Georgia. Quality of care is evaluated using Donabedians' Structure-Process-Outcome domains as presented in the Unifying Model of Quality Health Care. Structure is evaluated as the nurse practitioners in this clinic providing health care. The interpersonal aspect ofthe process of quality health care is measured by the researcher developed Outpatient Client Satisfaction Survey. The technical aspect ofthe process ofquality health care is measured by the researcher developed Provider Adherence Measurement Tool which measures adherence to current clinical practice guidelines. Reliability and validity …

Early Discharge Planning : Primiparous Women's Perceptions Of Their Readiness For Going Home, Graeme N. Boardley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Early discharge for women after childbirth was introduced in Australia approximately ten years ago. Early discharge involves going home from hospital within three days of giving birth. Since its introduction, early discharge has been the subject of much debate. Previous research has argued the cost effectiveness and safety of early discharge, but little has been done to examine this phenomenon from the human aspect. An exploratory study of first time mothers, in an early discharge programme was undertaken to address how these women felt in relation to their readiness for going home. A purposive sample of twenty Caucasian, English speaking …

Women's Perceptions Of Successful Breastfeeding During The Early Stages Of Being A Mother, Shelagh Lawrence

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this qualitative study, guided by Rubin's Model was to describe women's perceptions of successful breastfeeding during the early stages of being a mother. The transition to motherhood marks a time of great developmental change in a woman's life. Infant feeding is an important aspect of this adaptation to the maternal role. The physiological benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby are well documented, but there is limited research on the psychological advantages of breastfeeding for the mother. This Masters research was a discrete part of a larger research project entitled the Perth Metropolitan Breastfeeding Study. This project …

Emergency Nurse Self Perception Of The Benefit Of The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, Diana Lynn Ropele

Masters Theses

This study evaluated whether emergency nurses perceived an increase in knowledge and skill in caring for pediatric emergency patients after taking the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). Also it evaluated whether non-certified nurses reported a greater increase in knowledge and skill after the ENPC than the certified nurse.

A cross-sectional, retrospective, correlational design was used with a random sample of 333 registered nurses living in Michigan who completed the ENPC in 1995 or 1996. Ninety-three nurses practicing in emergency care returned the demographic sheet and the ENPC perception questionnaire (EPQ).

Analysis compared knowledge and skill scores before and after taking …

Effects Of Education On Disease Management And Prevention Of Complications In Diabetic Patients, Debbie K. Provoast

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of two specific methods of providing diabetic education employed by two different health clinics in Northern Michigan; Clinic A, which provided an intense program of diabetic education offered through a preventive services program or Clinic B, which provided brief office-based education where patients received all education at the time of the visit.

An ex-post facto retrospective chart review was done on a total of 40 charts, 20 from each clinic for the purpose of obtaining laboratory values for glycohemoglobin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen, at the beginning and end …

A Comparison Between Emergency Nursing Stress And Completion Of The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, Sheryl L. Veurink-Balicki

Masters Theses

A descriptive, retrospective, correlational study design was used to determine emergency nurses’ perceptions of stress before and after completion of the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). A sample of 93 randomly chosen emergency nurses completed the Modified Clinical Stress Questionnaire.

Using the paired t-test, differences were found between the before and after mean scores on stress, threat, and challenge (p < .01). Scores were lower after ENPC for stress and threat, but higher for challenge. The t-test was used to compare the mean scores of nurses with and without certification in emergency nursing. The only significant difference between the two groups was on the threat score after ENPC, with the certified group reporting lower perception of threat (t = -2.40, p = .02). Overall, lower perception of stress was reported in all groups following ENPC.