Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Managing Stigma In Planned Lesbian-Parent Families, Natalie Cheffer Phd, Mn, Cpnp

Dissertations

The gay-and lesbian-parent family is a family form becoming more prevalent in today's diverse society. Now, with advances in reproductive technology and a growing acceptance of homosexuality, gay men and lesbians are having, adopting, and raising children in record numbers. The purpose of this study was to identify how parents and children in planned lesbian-parent families live in a homophobic society where they face social prejudice on a daily basis. Data were obtained from interviews with 12 planned lesbian-parent families. Data analysis included interviews with the parents as well as analysis of 48 of the children's drawings and the stories …

Exercise Level And Age As Related To Self-Perceived Physical Health, Mental Health, And Social Health In Older Adults, Barbara Jean Leach Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the level of exercise and age and self-perception of physical, mental and social health in older adults. Voluntary quota sampling was used to recruit 224 older adults aged 55 and up. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for the Elderly (Voorrips, Ravelli, Dongelmans, Deurenberg, & Van Staveren, 1990) was used to determine the current level of exercise of the older adult. Age was measured using the Demographic Questionnaire by Leach (1999) and self-perception of physical health and mental health was measured using the SF-36 Health Survey by Ware (1993). The Texas …

The Lived Experience Of Latina Women Giving Birth In The United States, Ana-Maria Gallo Phd

Dissertations

As the Latino community continues to grow in the United States, it is essential that cultural considerations be addressed, particularly in health care. Cultural assessment is of the utmost importance when trying to understand the phenomena of childbirth. Childbirth is one of the most significant events in a woman's life. It is complicated when giving birth in a country other than one's own. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend and appreciate how culture influences the birth experience. Nurses play an essential role in assisting women of diverse cultures to fulfill their expectations regarding traditions, beliefs, and practices regarding childbirth. The …

Development And Psychometric Evaluation Of The Wikoff Spiritual Focus Questionnaire, Karen Luther Wikoff Phd

Dissertations

Spirituality is a concept that has been a part of nursing since nursing began. In every culture spirituality is a component of healing. However, in the United States, nurses seldom assess the concept of spirituality and the patient's spiritual needs are often not addressed. Wikoff Spiritual Focus Questionnaire was designed to help nurses assess and meet the patient's spiritual needs. A review of literature revealed that spirituality was comprised of a relationship between a Higher Power, Self, Others, and Nature which resulted in a sense of being, knowing and life purpose. A fifth dimension of Religion was identified through a …

An Interpretive Exploration Of The Meaning Of Being With Women During Birth For Midwives, Lauren P. Hunter Phd

Dissertations

This study explored the meaning of the phenomenon of the midwife's experience of being present with a woman during childbirth. The value and importance of being with a woman during childbirth, specific and unique to midwifery care, is reflected in midwifery philosophies and models of care. This study looked through the lens of midwives who have written poetry about births they have attended to learn more about the experience of being with a woman. Hermeneutical phenomenology was selected for the philosophical methodology and method because it looked at both the phenomenon and the use of language to describe the phenomenon. …

Justifying Coercion: Nurses' Experiences Medicating Involuntary Psychiatric Patients, Paula K. Vuckovich Phd, Rn

Dissertations

This grounded theory study delineates the process inpatient psychiatric nurses use to respond to the challenging nursing problem of medicating resistant involuntary patients. Since approximately one third of all admissions to psychiatric units in the United States are involuntary (Durham, 1996), caring for involuntary patients is a significant part of psychiatric nursing. Medication administration is a major treatment modality that is expected in caring effectively for psychiatric patients (American Psychiatric Association (APA), 1994; APA, 1997; Patel & Hardy, 2001). The process of getting the involuntary patient to accept medication is a major nursing function in a psychiatric unit that treats …

The Effect Of Professionally-Facilitated Group Support On Psychological Well-Being Among Clients With Cancer, Joann C. Harper Phd, Ms, Rn

Dissertations

Many persons suffer from cancer, some of whom seek psychological relief through group support. Despite the widely held belief that group support helps, its efficacy has not been consistently evident in the scientific literature. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of professionally-facilitated group support on the psychological well-being of clients with cancer between persons who participated in professionally-facilitated group support with those who did not. A comparison design measured effect by the Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) index. Each study enrollee was diagnosed with a new or recurrent cancer within 18 months of study entry. ANCOVA was …

Perceptions Of Nursing Academic Administrators And Faculty Related To The Pursuit Of Upper-Level Administrative Careers, Lavonne M. Adams

Dissertations

Problem. To address the shortage of qualified candidates interested in academic administration, this study explored factors related to recruitment of nursing academic administrators, including leadership practices of current administrators, career aspirations of potential administrators, and perceptions of both groups toward a career in academic administration.

Method. Nursing academic administrators and full-time faculty from randomly selected National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC)-accredited nursing programs in private colleges or universities in the United States participated in the study. Administrators completed the Leadership Practices Inventory-Self (LPI-Self) and an investigator-designed Recruitment Questionnaire. Faculty completed the Leadership Practices Inventory-Observer (LPI-Observer) and an investigator-designed Career …