Digital Commons Network^™

Relationships Between Pressure Ulcer Risk Potential, Nursing Interventions, And Pressure Ulcer Presence, Suzanne S. Prevost

Dissertations

The development of pressure ulcers is a common and expensive problem within acute care hospitals. Nurses are expected to identify patients at risk for pressure ulcers and provide preventative interventions accordingly. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to identify what preventative nursing interventions were being used, and to examine relationships between pressure ulcer risk, nursing interventions, and pressure ulcer presence in two acute care facilities. Bloch's (1975) Framework for the Evaluation of Nursing Care and Braden's (1987) Conceptual Schema for the Development of Pressure Sores provided the conceptual framework for the study.

Patterns Of Fatigue And Factors Influencing Fatigue During Adjuvant Breast Cancer Chemotherapy, Ann M. Berger

Dissertations

Women beginning adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer seek information from health professionals regarding fatigue, but knowledge regarding this distressing symptom is currently limited. The purposes of this study were to describe the patterns of fatigue and of factors influencing fatigue across the first three cycles of chemotherapy and to determine the extent to which health and functional status, chemotherapy protocol, physical activity behaviors, activity/rest cycles, nutrition behaviors and status, stress management behaviors, interpersonal relations behaviors, symptom distress and reaction to the diagnosis of cancer explain fatigue at each treatment and predict fatigue at the mid-point of the first three chemotherapy …

Food, Body Weight, And Health Among Adolescents In The Digital Age: An Explorative Study From A Health Promotion Perspectives, Christopher Bjorn Holmberg

Dissertations

The overall aim of this thesis was to explore adolescents' relationship with food, body weight, and health communication in online digital media, as well as how adolescents experience participating in a health promotion intervention regarding food and physical activity habits. Health promotion as a research area served three purposes: to inform the research questions, to direct the data collection, and to identify implications from the research findings. The four included studies explored how adolescents portray food in a widely used image-sharing application, why and how adolescents in treatment for obesity engaged with online health-related information, and how these adolescents experienced …

Increasing Patient Engagement In The Pre-Operative Patient Population, Toni Morris

Dissertations

The United States (U.S.) spends more revenue than any other industrialized nation on healthcare yet research indicates this does not equate to delivering the safest or most efficient quality patient care (Riehle & Hyrkas, 2012). Patients within the U.S. healthcare system have been the beneficiaries of cumbersome processes riddled with redundancy, waste, and discordant care (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2001). Because of this data, healthcare reform to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care delivery has been the topic of debate over the past several decades, on both a national and global scale. Several organizations, coalitions, and groups have …

The Lived Experience Of Breastfeeding For Women With Perinatal Depression, Beth A. Pratt

Dissertations

Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months provides numerous infant and maternal benefits. Yet mothers with risk factors, such as lower education, lower socioeconomic status, younger maternal age, planned cesarean birth, and anxiety and depression, are more likely to stop breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Few studies have focused on perinatal depression as a risk factor for breastfeeding cessation. To tailor effective interventions, nurses must first understand the lived experience of breastfeeding for mothers at risk for perinatal depression. A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted to elucidate the experience of breastfeeding for mothers with perinatal depression. The study was …

Influences Of Nutritional Food Label Understanding On African American Women With Obesity, Cynthia Jean Hickman

Dissertations

Nutritional food label understanding (NFLU) in African American Women (AAW) is a philosophy that addresses obesity. Public health efforts have implemented nutritional and caloric information to packaged and restaurant foods to improve nutrient and calorie literacy. Research suggest NFLU might have a minimal effect on reducing obesity. However, it is not known how obese AAW born during the baby-boom era (51 to 64 years of age) perceive NFLU in relation to their dietary behaviors. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience of obese AAW regarding NFLU from a cognitive and behavioral perspective.

Outcome Evaluation Of An Interdisciplinary Care Model For Children With Cystic Fibrosis, Roberta P. Pawlak

Dissertations

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting, autosomal recessive inherited disease that affects approximately 30,000 individuals in the United States. Health problems of children with CF tend to be complex, requiring specialty health services. Often children with CF are cared for in CF Care Centers, where an interdisciplinary care team addresses these needs. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) recommends specific Clinical Practice Guidelines be applied to all patients with CF. A major gap in the CF literature is evidence of guideline application results on health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of an interdisciplinary care model …

An Investigation Of The Ability Of The Minnesota Early Childhood Screening Program To Predict Educational Achievement In Third Grade Children, Martha Dewey Bergren

Dissertations

The ecological model assumes school, community, family, and friends shape child outcomes. Minnesota mandates comprehensive Early Childhood Screening (ECS) for preschool children including vision and hearing, and cognitive, language, motor, growth and speech, with optional screening for health, behavior, and life stresses. Children meeting federal criteria for special education programs are recommended for interventions. Children with less serious health and/or behavior problems or who lack sufficient resources may also be at risk for academic difficulties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of family, health, development, behavior, and stress data collected at Minnesota ECS to predict grade …

A Grounded Theory Approach To Explore The Experience Of Involuntary Childlessness In Couples With Infertility, Taylor L. Grube

Dissertations

Couples who experience involuntary childlessness as a result of infertility are challenged to manage the biological, sociological, and psychological implications of the situation. Furthermore, they are confronted with a variety of options regarding infertility management and resolution of involuntary childlessness. Nurses play a key role in supporting couples as they manage infertility and involuntary childlessness. Since infertility and subsequent involuntary childlessness is a couple's experience, nursing care should aim to meet the needs of both partners. However, there is a lack of evidence to suggest how couples experience and manage this phenomenon. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to …

Utilization Of Care Coordination Among Children With Special Needs In The 1994 National Health Interview Survey On Disability Phase Ii, Barbara J. Kruger

Dissertations

Care coordination helps families of children with special needs obtain a variety of services and manage communication among providers. Some families coordinate care themselves, while others receive assistance from professionals. Health care system changes are making these children less visible, and therefore at-risk for not receiving care coordination. A key question is how to identify families who need care coordination. Research about use of care coordination is sparse, and no generalizable method exists to identify which families require coordination. One aim of our study was to explore the differences among child and family factors and the use and need for …

A Qualitative Study Of Hope And The Environment Of Persons Living With Cancer, Lucia M. Tipton

Dissertations

The purpose of this naturalistic study was to explore and describe the impact of factors from the internal and external, human and non-human environments on the hoping process utilized by persons living with cancer. Given the nature of difficulties encountered by persons living with cancer, a sense of hopefulness is deemed to be especially important in managing life with this diagnosis. Using semi-structured interviewing and a purposive sample of fifteen persons living with cancer, positive and negative factors from the total environment were explored.

The Development Of Newspaper Restaurant Criticism In Ireland, 1988–2008, Claire O'Mahony

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the development of newspaper restaurant criticism in Ireland from 1988 to 2008. This era was a time of considerable economic change in Ireland. It was also a period that saw changing attitudes to food and dining out, as well as a more varied restaurant landscape. This study aimed to determine how the format and focus of newspaper restaurant reviews changed over this time frame. It also explored the role of the restaurant critic, and how reviews reflected developments in Irish food culture and the economy. Using a mixed methods research design, a sample of reviews from the …

Promoting Workplace Health Using Wearable Technology: A Mixed Methods Study In A Nonprofit Organization, Mitchell Tarver

Dissertations

Despite efforts to improve the designs and benefits of workplace wellness programs (WWPs), there are two major problems preventing employers from optimizing the human capital of their employees: (a) many WWPs are limited and do not include an exercise component, which increases the potential for chronic health conditions; and (b) more than 50% of employees are reluctant to participate in WWPs due to the common barriers of time, convenience, and location. A lack of physical activity is a problem because studies have shown that chronic conditions increase rates of absenteeism and presenteeism, both of which increase productivity loss. Additionally, low …

Mississippi Registered Nurse Perceptions When Communicating With Limited-English-Speaking And Non-English-Speaking Patients, Mary Pipper Widdig

Dissertations

Communication serves as the foundation for safe and effective healthcare practice. Effective nurse-patient communication is the cornerstone of the nurse-patient relationship and is vital for the delivery of safe and effective healthcare. Research has shown patients who are communication impaired are at a greater risk of medical error and poorer health outcomes. A review of the literature revealed various nurse perceptions of barriers when providing care for limited-English-speaking patients and non-English-speaking patients. LEP and NEP patients also identified similar perceived barriers when receiving care. Both nurses and patients revealed a distrust for interpreters and interpreter services. The literature review revealed …

Life Without Choice: How Do Mothers With Children Living In Direct Provision In Ireland Feel About Their Limited Role As Family Food Providers?, Michele Moran

Dissertations

Direct Provision was introduced in Ireland during the year 2000. Latest figures show 5,848 asylum seekers are in Direct Provision (RIA, 2018). Physical and mental health research studies have highlighted the challenges within this system (Manandhar et al., 2008). Food provision is one of these challenges. Food, culture, religion, income, and isolation are highlighted in this research study. The key objectives of this research were (1) to review the literature on aspects of food and identity, culture, tribalism, and ethnicity concerning asylum seekers living in Direct Provision in Ireland. (2) To conduct qualitative semi-structured interviews with mothers living in different …

Integration Of Mindfulness-Based Approaches In The Treatment Of Eating Disorders: A Review Of The Literature, Kimberly Hubinger

Dissertations

In this literature review, mindfulness-based approaches and the effects mindfulness-based approaches have on the treatment of eating disorders was discussed. Professionals are continually seeking ways to enhance the treatment and improve outcomes when working with individuals suffering from eating disorders, and this literature review could help enhance the understanding of incorporating mindfulness techniques. The findings of this paper are meant to benefit clinicians working with patients diagnosed or struggling with an eating disorder.

The Effects Of Exercise Training On Cachexia In Mice Bearing The Colon-26 Carcinoma, Nicole Wood

Dissertations

Colon cancer is third the most prevalent cancer in the United States in both men and women. However, it is also a largely preventable disease, as colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is increased by environmental factors such as poor diet and physical inactivity. Furthermore, CRC patients are highly susceptible to significant muscle wasting. Cachexia is classified as a multifactorial metabolic syndrome associated with impairments in immune function, fatigue, and overall weakness, that lead to increased morbidity and mortality. To date, multiple studies have shown that both aerobic and resistance training, individually, are highly effective in their ability to attenuate the deleterious …

Developing Support Mechanisms For Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program Leaders, Peter Teake Stoepker

Dissertations

In this dissertation, support mechanisms for comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) leaders were investigated. In the first study, a systematic review was completed that explored the effectiveness of CSPAP professional development/training. In total, 8,982 records were screened and two articles matched the eligibility criteria and were included within the review. One study examined effectiveness using qualitative methods (Centeio, Erwin, & Castelli, 2014) and the other using quantitative methods (Carson, Castelli, Pulling Kugh, et al., 2014). Due to the limited number of articles that met the search criteria, it can be concluded that there is limited evidence to fully understand …

Child Maltreatment And Physical Health In Emerging Adulthood: Relationships With Physical Activity And Health Risk Behaviors, Susannah Marie Moore

Dissertations

Child maltreatment is highly associated with physical health problems throughout the lifespan (Schafer, Morton, & Ferraro, 2014; Springer, Sheridan, Kuo, & Carnes, 2007). Yet much is still unknown regarding the trajectory of health problems including the onset of health risk indicators in emerging adulthood. Emerging adulthood also represents a unique timeframe with little demand for healthy behaviors. There is evidence that child maltreatment increases the involvement in health-risk behaviors such as substance use, risky sex, and binge eating (Downey, Gudmunson, Pang, & Lee, 2017; Röhr et al., 2015). The primary purpose of the current study was to examine if emerging …

Together We Move: Exploring Belonging, Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction And Motivational Factors In A Socially Structured University Physical Activity Program, Jessica B. Kirby

Dissertations

Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental life stage for individuals to establish healthy behaviors that enhance wellbeing, including quality relationships and physical activity (PA) engagement. Institutions of higher education are positioned to influence and support the development of these developmental tasks in emerging adults enrolled on their respective campuses. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore experiences of belonging, basic psychological need satisfaction (BNS) in PAbased social relationships, and motives to participate in a socially structured PA program among emerging adults on a university campus. Participants: University students who participated in the Fitness Buddies (FB) program (n=10), …

Exploring The Homeless Persons Perception Of Living In A Long-Term Care Facility, Janice Woods

Dissertations

Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of homeless persons admitted to a nursing home facility. Originally, the study was to explore their understanding of and their experience with advance health care planning; coincidently, the participants were more open to their experience of living in a long-term care facility.

Method:A convenience sample of 13 participants (12 male, 1 female) at four long-term care facilities in Southern California were interviewed about their perception of advanced health care planning, including the physician’s orders for life sustaining treatment (POLST); a consent form required in all nursing homes. …

The Development Of Socio-Sexual Behavior In Beluga Whales (Delphinapterus Leucas), Malin K. Lilley

Dissertations

The reproductive success of the beluga whale is critical for a species facing extinction in its endangered Cook Inlet, Alaska population. To date, little is known about the mating behavior of these whales in wild populations. On the other hand, observations of beluga whales in human care allow researchers to better understand many aspects of their daily lives and life histories that are difficult to assess in wild populations. Thus far, a catalog of socio-sexual behavior has been established based on observations of belugas; however, the developmental trajectory of socio-sexual behavior is not well-understood. The present study explored how socio-sexual …

The Perception Of Physical Activity And Social Support For Physical Activity Among Native Hawaiians 55 Years And Older, Verna Hanashiro

Dissertations

The benefits of physical activity on healthy aging and longevity have repeatedly been identified. Despite these known benefits, sedentary living is a serious and pervasive health problem among older adults throughout the United States, including the Native Hawaiian older adult population in Hawaii. Previous research has identified social support as a major facilitator for participation in physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of physical activity and social support for physical activity among Native Hawaiians 55 years of age and older.

The Effect Of Two Tube-Feeding Protocols On Bacterial Contamination And Diarrhea In Icu Patients, Lynda J. Davidson

Dissertations

Diarrhea, a serious outcome for patients, commonly occurs following institution of enteral feeding. One suggested etiology for the problem is bacterial contamination of the enteral feeding solution. The purpose of this study was to extend previous pilot research on the occurrence of bacterial contamination and diarrhea in tube-fed ICU patients by comparing two enteral feeding protocols. The protocols compared were the routine hospital protocol vs an aseptic protocol for the preparation and maintenance of enteral nutrition. A convenience sample of 63 ICU patients, who met the inclusion criteria, were followed from the first day of enteral feeding to the fourth …

Identifying Potential Predictors Of Health Literacy And Steps Taken To Pursue Kidney Transplant Among African-Americans On Dialysis, Stacy Skelton

Dissertations

The dissertation attempts to address the disparity seen in all transplant centers today, the low number of African-American end-stage renal disease(ESRD) patients pursing kidney transplant as renal replacement therapy. Currently, there are two renal replacement options, dialysis or a kidney transplant. Research has shown that kidney transplant provides the best health care outcomes in terms of quality of life and decrease mortality. While African-Americans carry the burden of the disease by being four times more likely to have ESRD they only represent 1/3 of the kidney transplants done in the United States. There have been three attempts to increase access …

Perceptions Of Rural High School Professional School Counselors Regarding The Impact Of Strategies To Help At-Risk Learners Graduate, Beth Duvall Fleming

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study the perceptions of school counselors regarding the impact of the school counseling program, interventions, and other strategies to help at-risk learners persist to graduate. A qualitative research design employing an interpretive phenomenological analysis methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions allowed the respondents to share insights into the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of their individual experiences as school counselors. The results suggest students with various risk factors choose not to persist to graduate, transferring to homeschool or withdrawing from school as a dropout. Academic deficiency, severe misbehavior, poor attendance, and social …

Technology, Professional Development, And Student Achievement: Using The Tell Survey In A Study Of Low Socioeconomic Schools In Kentucky, Holly Mcleod Ross

Dissertations

In order to compare the accessibility, need, and extent of professional development, technology, and its relationship to low socioeconomic (SES) schools and achievement, data were accessed from the Kentucky Department of Education, Division of School and Community Nutrition Qualifying Data Report to identify schools with a greater than 50% free and reduced lunch rate. Data also came from the TELL Kentucky survey instrument results specific to questions related to professional development and technology. Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (KPREP) school rankings were also utilized to determine the highest and lowest ranked schools among those with greater than 50% free …

Social-Emotional Intelligence (Ei), Graduates And The Workplace – A Study Of A Tailored Approach To Ei Competency Development For Final Year Engineering Students, Ailish Jameson

Dissertations

Previous research has demonstrated that higher social and emotional competence (EI) results in increased life and career success. To date, EI coaching programmes have been delivered in higher education and in the workplace and have demonstrated success in terms of increased EI competence, post intervention. However, to date no attempt has been made in an Irish context to design and deliver a tailored EI coaching programme, based on the stated needs of employers. This study aimed to address this gap in EI research. It was exploratory in nature with a mixed method design being employed. In Phase One, a survey …

A Collaborative Case Management Model In An End Stage Renal Disease Patient Population, Linda Q. Everett

Dissertations

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a collaborative case management (CCM) model on an end stage renal disease (ESRD) patient population. The study attempted to confront some of the conceptual and methodological issues surrounding the study of case management. Those issues included: absence of a theoretical framework; the omission of operational definitions of case management; lack of clear specification and measurement of sample selection criteria; the frequent use of weak pre-post designs; and the use of unstandardized instruments. The following strategies to address these issues were presented: a theoretical framework was developed in which …

The Incidence Of Stoma And Peristomal Complications During The First Three Months After Stoma Creation, Ginger Dawn Salvadalena

Dissertations

Stoma and peristomal complications comprise a variety of conditions that vary in frequency, severity, and importance to individuals who have colostomies, ileostomies, or urinary stomas. Differences in study methodology and samples, plus the lack of precise measurement of complications, have all contributed to wide variability in reported prevalence and incidence rates.

This longitudinal, descriptive, repeated measure study was used to describe the incidence of physiologic and anatomic problems of the stoma and peristomal skin, and to examine factors that may be related to these complications. Forty-three adults with stomas from two university teaching hospitals in a major Midwestern city participated. …