Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Changing Diet Behaviors: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Robert V. Topp

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Children With Developmental Disabilities At A Pediatric Hospital: Staff Education To Prevent And Manage Challenging Behaviors, Norah L. Johnson, Joel Lashley, Alice V. Stoneck, Annette Bonjour

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Children with developmental disabilities may get frustrated in unpredictable hospital environments. Frustration may escalate to challenging behaviors, which are a safety concern and may contribute to staff and patient injuries, use of restraints, and procedure delay or cancelations. The purpose of this article was to describe a pilot staff education program on preventing and managing challenging behaviors of children with developmental disabilities at a pediatric hospital. The 2-hour-long education (1 hour on-line and 1 hour instructor led) content focused on family-centered care and communication skills, including verbal judo™ modified for use in the health care setting. Participants in the instructor-led …

Effects On Resilience Of Caregivers Of Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role Of Positive Cognitions, Abir K. Bekhet, Norah L. Johnson, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

BACKGROUND: Approximately 2.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Family caregivers manage many aspects of their care, which is demanding, overwhelming, and can affect their mental health. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of caregiver burden (risk factor) and positive cognitions (protective factors) on resourcefulness(resilience indicator) in 95 caregivers of persons with ASD. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional. RESULTS: Positive cognitions explained 32% of the variance in resourcefulness, F(1, 93) = 44.49, p < .001, and as positive cognitions increased, caregivers’ resourcefulness increased. A substantial drop in the beta weight of caregiver burden from B = −.36 to −.04 when positive cognitions was entered the equation suggested that positive cognitions mediated the effect …

A Retrospective Study Of The Relationship Between Back Pain And Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis In Candidates For Total Knee Arthroplasty, David R. Burnett, Naira H. Campbell-Kyureghyan, Robert V. Topp, Peter M. Quesada, Patricia B. Cerrito

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence and temporal relationship between back pain and knee osteoarthritis (OA). All subjects were candidates for unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to relieve knee pain related to OA, and information regarding the prevalence of back pain was collected via questionnaires. A total of 42 subjects with unilateral knee OA responded to the questionnaires, and 74% of subjects reported chronic back pain, which first occurred approximately 10 years before their becoming candidates for TKA. All but 1 subject reported the onset of back pain prior to TKA candidacy, and less than 15% …

Methodological Triangulation: An Approach To Understanding Data, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Aim: To (describe the use of methodological triangulation in a study of how people who had moved to retirement communities were adjusting.

Background: Methodological triangulation involves using more than one kind of method to study a phenomenon. It has been found to be beneficial in providing confirmation of findings, more comprehensive data, increased validity and enhanced understanding of studied phenomena. While many researchers have used this well-established technique, there are few published examples of its use.

Data sources: The authors used methodological triangulation in their study of people who had moved to retirement communities in Ohio, US.

Review methods A …

The Influence Of Bmi Levels On Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle And Presumed Ovulation, Mary Grace Lasquety, Dana Rodriguez, Richard Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Obesity and high body mass index (BMI) are known to be risks for anovulation and infertility. Little is known about how BMI levels affect parameters of the menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of BMI on parameters of the menstrual cycle and the likelihood for ovulation. The participants in this study were 244 women between the ages of twenty and fifty-four (mean thirty years) who charted from one to thirty-six menstrual cycles (mean seven cycles) for a total of 2,035 cycles. Urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) threshold tests were used to estimate the day of …

Statistical Evaluation Of The Standard Days Method Of Family Planning, Richard Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The Standard Days Method (SDM) is a method of family planning that assumes ovulation to be close to the midpoint of the menstrual cycle; fertility falls between days 8 and 19; and is most effective for cycle lengths between twenty-six and thirty-two days. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the assumptions of the SDM with a new data set of 714 menstrual cycles produced by 131 women (mean age twenty-nine) who tracked their fertility with an electronic fertility monitor that measured urinary estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH). The LH peak was used to estimate the day of ovulation …

Integrative Review: Parent Perspectives On Care Of Their Child At The End Of Life, Ann P. Aschenbrenner, Jill M. Winters, Ruth Ann Belknap

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This integrative review aims to describe parents' perspectives on end-of-life care for their children. Fifteen publications from a literature search of the Cochrane databases, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PSYCHinfo were included in the review. Recurring themes included poor communication/lack of information, strained relationships/inadequate emotional support, parental need to maintain parent/child relationships in life and death, quality of care continues after the death of the child, influence of services/planning on parent/child impacts quality of life, and the difficult decision to terminate life support. No studies were identified that focused on parents' perspectives on the care their child received at the end of …

Resilience In Family Members Of Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review Of The Literature, Abir K. Bekhet, Norah L. Johnson, Jaclene Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Worldwide, caregivers find caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) challenging. Family members must manage many aspects of care giving, which is demanding, overwhelming, and can affect the family members’ mental health. However learning how to be resilient may help family members overcome the stress and burden associated with caring for a person with ASD. A search was completed in Medline, PsycINFO, Proquest, Web of Science, and CINAHL using the key words “autism,” “caregivers,” “mothers,” and “fathers,” alone and in combination. Inclusion criteria were English language articles reporting studies with samples of children with ASD, as distinct from children …

The Effect Of The Tri-Core® Cervical Pillow On Sleep Outcomes Among Whiplash Associated Disorder (Wad) Patients, Jay S. Greenstein, Barton Bishop, Jean Edward, Allen Huffman, Danielle Davis, Robert V. Topp

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a semi-customized orthopedic cervical pillow on sleep outcomes in Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) patients.

Methods: A convenience sample of forty-three WAD patients who participated in this study was randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention group was given a Tri-Core® (Core Products International, Inc., Osceola) semi-customized orthopedic cervical pillow for sleep. Both the intervention and control groups received the Funhab® rehabilitation protocol (Sports and Spine Rehab Holdings Inc., Fort Washington). Outcome measures collected at the initial visit (baseline) and at discharge in both groups included …

Randomized Comparison Of Two Internet-Supported Natural Family Planning Methods (Final Efficacy Results), Richard J. Fehring

Randomized Comparison of Two Internet-Supported Methods of Natural Family Planning

Both Internet provided NFP methods were effective with correct use but the electronic hormonal monitoring method was statistically better with a typical use of only 7 unintended pregnancies per 100 women over 12 months of use compared with 19 with the traditional cervical mucus monitoring method.

Satisfaction of using the hormonal method increased over time but motivation decreased, i.e., they had a desire to achieve a pregnancy.

A high discontinuation rate contributed to the limitation of the study.

However, this Internet based method of providing NFP with professional support is efficient and effective for select motivated couples.

The Impact Of Certification On Certified Perioperative Nurses: A Qualitative Descriptive Survey, Kathryn Schroeter, Michelle Byrne, Katharine Klink, Matthew Beier, Natalie S. Mcandrew

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

As the practice of healthcare becomes more technologically advanced, specialized and complex, there is an increasing demand for accountability. Certification demonstrates that an individual practitioner has maintained an acceptable, or perhaps more advanced level of qualifications, knowledge, and skills in a specialty practice area. The nurses' perceptions, as shared in this study, revealed positive aspects related to their achievement of certification in perioperative practice. Although certification for nurses has been available for decades a detailed evaluation of its meaning and implications for practice seems to be unavailable. The purpose of this qualitative study, conducted in Chicago, Illinois and also online, …

A Framework Of Academic Persistence And Success For Ethnically Diverse Graduate Nursing Students, Margaret J. Bull, Judith Fitzgerald, Josie L. Veal

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The goal of this qualitative study was to examine how ethnically diverse graduate nursing students persisted with academic studies. Ethnically diverse nurses are vastly underrepresented in the workforce. This problem is accentuated by high attrition rates in academic programs. A grounded theory approach was used. Five focus groups were conducted with 16 ethnically diverse graduate students in nursing and interviews were conducted with two diversity advisers. Analysis of the data indicated that the process of learning to balance stressors with moderators was key to academic persistence and retention. A conceptual framework emerged from the data that provides a guide for …

Faculty Mentoring: Priceless (Letter To The Editor), Donald D. Miller

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Mexican American Female Adolescents’ Perceptions Of Relationships And Dating Violence, Kristin Haglund, Ruth Ann Belknap, Juanita Terrie Garcia

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: This study fills a gap regarding the perspectives of Mexican American female adolescents on dating relationships and dating violence (DV).

Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Focus groups included 20 Mexican American young women, primarily first and second generation, mean age 14.5 years (SD= 2.5). Data were analyzed with categorical analysis.

Findings: Participants described key components of DV and identified cultural aspects that may serve to promote healthy dating relationships.

Conclusions: Family-based interventions to promote exploration of gender roles and parent-child communication may foster biculturalism as well as promote healthy dating relationships and prevent violence within …

Parenting And Feeding Behaviors Associated With School-Aged African American And White Children, Michele Polfuss, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Pediatric obesity is multifactorial and difficult to treat. Parenting and feeding behaviors have been shown to influence a child’s weight status. Most prior studies have focused on preschool-aged White children. Additional complicating factors include parents’ inability to accurately identify their child’s abnormal weight status. Parenting and feeding behaviors used by 176 African American and White parents of school-age children were examined. Assessment included (a) identifying what behaviors were reported when parent expressed concern with child’s weight and (b) the relationship of these behaviors on child’s body mass index percentile (BMI%), considering ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and parent’s body mass index …

Parenting And Feeding Behaviors Associated With School-Aged African American And White Children, Michele L. Polfuss, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Pediatric obesity is multifactorial and difficult to treat. Parenting and feeding behaviors have been shown to influence a child’s weight status. Most prior studies have focused on preschool-aged White children. Additional complicating factors include parents’ inability to accurately identify their child’s abnormal weight status. Parenting and feeding behaviors used by 176 African American and White parents of school-age children were examined. Assessment included (a) identifying what behaviors were reported when parent expressed concern with child’s weight and (b) the relationship of these behaviors on child’s body mass index percentile (BMI%), considering ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and parent’s body mass index …

Evaluation Of A Coping Kit Of Items To Support Children With Developmental Disorders In The Hospital Setting, Jennifer Drake, Norah L. Johnson, Alice V. Stoneck, Deb M. Martinez, Megan Massey

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This study attempted to answer the question, "Do nurses perceive coping kits to be effective at meeting the needs of hospitalized children with developmental disabilities who are at increased risk for challenging behaviors?" A cross-sectional post-test survey study design was used, with a convenience sample of 24 registered nurses at a Midwestern free-standing children's hospital. A coping kit with simple communication cards, social script book, and distraction items (toys) was developed to enhance communication and distract children with developmental disabilities (including autism spectrum disorder) undergoing procedures in the hospital. A modified version of Hudson's (2006) intervention effectiveness survey was used …

Resourcefulness Training Intervention: Assessing Critical Parameters From Relocated Older Adults’ Perspectives, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene Zauszniewski, Denise M. Matel-Anderson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The population of American elders is increasing rapidly and relocation to retirement communities has been found to adversely affect their adjustment. This pilot study of 38 relocated elders evaluated, from elders’ perspectives, six critical parameters of a resourcefulness training (RT) intervention designed to help elders adjust to relocation. Within the context of Zauszniewski's theory of resourcefulness, a pre-/post-test design with random assignment to RT or to diversionary activities (DA) was used. Objective questionnaires measured demographic and relocation factors. An intervention evaluation questionnaire was designed and given to the relocated elders in order to assess the six critical parameters—necessity, acceptability, feasibility, …

Transformative Learning Through Study Abroad In Low-Income Countries, Cynthia Foronda, Ruth Belknap

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Study abroad in low-income countries is an emerging trend in nursing education, yet student outcomes vary from positive to negative. Study abroad in low-income countries can be transformative because it has the potential to increase student awareness of socioeconomic relations, structural oppression, and human connectedness. The authors discuss 10 strategies to facilitate transformative learning in students who study abroad.

A Comparison Of Topical Menthol To Ice On Pain, Evoked Tetanic And Voluntary Force During Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Pramod Johar, Varun Grover, Robert V. Topp, David G. Behm

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose/Background: Pain can adversely affect muscle functioning by inhibiting muscle contractions. Delayed onset muscle soreness was used as a tool to ascertain whether a topical menthol-based analgesic or ice was more effective at reducing pain and permitting greater muscular voluntary and evoked force. Methods: Sixteen subjects were randomized to receive either a topical gel containing 3.5% menthol or topical application of ice to the non-dominant elbow flexors two days following the performance of an exercise designed to induce muscle soreness. Two days later, DOMS discomfort was treated with a menthol based analgesic or ice. Maximum voluntary contractions and evoked tetanic …

Short Of Transformation: American Adn Students' Thoughts, Feelings, And Experiences Of Studying Abroad In A Low-Income Country, Cynthia Foronda, Ruth Belknap

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

ADN students are a large yet distinct subgroup of nursing students who require research and understanding. The purpose of this study was to describe the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of American associate degree nursing (ADN) students who participated in a short study abroad course in a low-income country. A qualitative, narrative method was used. Three categories emerged from the analysis. Participants revealed thoughts of “constant comparisons”, feelings of an “emotional journey”, and they experienced “learning”. Participants did not demonstrate perspective transformation as defined by Mezirow as participants signified no intent for social action. Several potential blocks to perspective transformation were …

Clinical Observation Reflections From Students In An Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Course, Marcia Phillips, Susan Breakwell, Kim Minju, Margaret Faut Callahan

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into how a brief clinical observation encounter contributed to students’ experiences in an interdisciplinary palliative care course. This course was required of all graduate nursing students and was available as an elective for medical and other healthcare professions students at a healthcare sciences university. The students were required to spend approximately 8 to 12 hours attending interdisciplinary team meetings or accompanying a team on rounds and patient visits.

The students’ summary narratives of their observation experience were analyzed in this qualitative study that focused on six categories of feedback: (1) patients’ …

Parenting Behaviors Of African American And Caucasian Families: Parent And Child Perceptions, Associations With Child Weight And Ability To Identify Abnormal Weight Status, Michele Polfuss, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This study examined the agreement between parent and child perceptions of parenting behaviors, the relationship of the behaviors with the child's weight status, and the ability of the parent to correctly identify weight status in 176 parent–child dyads (89 Caucasian and 87 African American). Correlational and regression analyses were used. Findings included moderate to weak correlations in child and parent assessments of parenting behaviors. Caucasian dyads had higher correlations than African American dyads. Most parents correctly identified their own and their child's weight status. Parents of overweight children used increased controlling behaviors, but the number of controlling behaviors decreased when …

Mental Health Of Elders In Retirement Communities: Is Loneliness A Key Factor?, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Family Planning, Natural Family Planning, And Abortion Use Among U. S. Hispanic Women, Dana Rodriguez, Richard Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Hispanics are the largest minority group in the U. S. and they contribute to over 50 percent of Catholics under the age of 25. The purpose of this study was to determine the patterns of contraceptive use (current and ever), natural family planning (NFP), and abortion among U. S. Hispanic women between the ages of 15 and 44 years and to compare their patterns of use to non-Hispanic women of the same age range. A particular interest was to determine the influence of faith on the choice of family-planning methods among the sexually active U. S. Catholic Hispanic women. Data …

Predictors Of New Graduate Nurses’ Organizational Commitment During A Nurse Residency Program, Marilyn Meyer Bratt, Holly M. Felzer

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Retaining newly graduated nurses is critical for organizations because of the significant cost of turnover. Since commitment to an organization is associated with decreased turnover intent, understanding factors that influence new graduates’ organizational commitment is important. In a sample of nurse residency program participants, predictors of organizational commitment over time were explored. Perceptions of the work environment, particularly job satisfaction and job stress, were found to be most influential.

Nurse residency programs provide extended opportunities to model professional role behaviors for new nurses, enhance knowledge development and clinical application, and promote successful integration to the work environment (Bratt, 2009). Despite …

Shared Care Dyadic Intervention: Outcome Patterns For Heart Failure Care Partners, Margaret Sebern, Aimee Woda

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Up to half of heart failure (HF) patients are readmitted to hospitals within 6 months of discharge. Many readmissions are linked to inadequate self-care or family support. To improve care, practitioners may need to intervene with both the HF patient and family caregiver. Despite the recognition that family interventions improve patient outcomes, there is a lack of evidence to support dyadic interventions in HF. Thus, the purpose of this study was to test the Shared Care Dyadic Intervention (SCDI) designed to improve self-care in HF. The theoretical base of the SCDI was a construct called Shared Care. Shared Care represents …

Developing A Screening Measure For Early Detection Of Depressive Symptoms: The Depressive Cognition Scale, Jaclene Zauszniewski, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Nearly 10% of American adults experience depressive symptoms each year. Negative thought patterns associated with risk for depression can be identified using a psychometrically sound measure, such as the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS). However, no meaningful cutoff score has been established for the DCS. This study used a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to establish a DCS cutoff score for risk for depression, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) as the gold standard measure. In a national nondepressed sample of 629 adults, the ROC showed that the DCS accurately discriminated between participants with and without serious depressive thinking …

Secrets Of Successful Short Grant Applications, Patricia S. Groves, Susan M. Rawl, Mary E. Wurzbach, Nancy Fahrenwald, Marlene Z. Cohen, Donna O. Mccarthy, Julie Zerwic, Barbara Given, Donna L. Algase, Gregory L. Alexander, Vicki Conn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Nursing doctoral programs prepare students for research-focused careers within academic settings. The purpose of this Editorial Board Special Article is to provide PhD students and advisors with suggestions for making the most of their doctoral experience. Editorial Board members provide their individual insights on the skills and attributes students must acquire during the course of their doctoral education in order to succeed. The authors provide practical tips and advice on how to excel in a PhD program, including how to select an advisor and a dissertation committee, the importance of attending conferences to increase visibility and develop a network of …