Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Spiritual Well-Being And Quality Of Life Among Persons With Paraplegia, Darlene Nelson Finocchiaro Phd, Msn, Rn, Crrn

Dissertations

With the advent of better emergency response and medical advances, the life expectancy of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is about 85% to 90% compared to that of non-disabled persons. Since SCI survivors are living well into their 70s, quality of life (QOL) is a major concern. The purpose of this study, informed by Ferrell and Grant's Quality of Life Model, was to examine relationships between spiritual well-being (SWB), existential well-being (EWB), religious spiritual well-being (RWB), depression, length of injury, age, gender, ethnicity, and QOL while living with paraplegia one year and longer. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design, with …

Gestational Diabetes, Depression, And The Impact On Maternal Child Health Outcomes, Mary Alice Byrn

Dissertations

Antenatal depression occurs in about 20% of all pregnancies and gestational diabetes occurs in up to 14% of all pregnancies. Although there is sufficient information on (1) depression during pregnancy and (2) depression and diabetes, there is little information about depression and gestational diabetes. This comparative, longitudinal research study was done to better understand the relationship between gestational diabetes and depression. The study aims were the following: (1) to determine whether women with gestational diabetes had more depression than women without gestational diabetes, (2) to determine whether factors predictive of depression in pregnant women with gestational diabetes were different from …

The Predictability Of C-Reactive Protein, Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2, And Depression On Later Health Outcomes In Patients Experiencing A First-Time Stroke, Mary King Brethour

All ETDs from UAB

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the most common cause of neurologic disability for adults in developed nations. Strokes trigger an acute inflammatory response prompted by brain tissue injury at the infarct site and the surrounding ischemic penumbra raising plasma levels of inflammatory markers. C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute-phase inflammatory marker, has been significantly correlated with infarct size and post-stroke complications. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) may also predict long-term cardiovascular risk in the stroke population. In addition to physiologic changes, up to 60% of all stroke survivors are known to experience depression, which may contribute to decreased …

Psychometric Properties Of The Arabic Version Of The Depressive Cognition Scale In First-Year Adolescent Egyptian Nursing Students, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Identifying depressive cognitions in adolescent nursing students can be an important step to prevent the development of clinical depression, which is positively associated with suicide. Purpose: This study focused on the psychometric testing of the Arabic version of the Depressive Cognition Scale (A-DCS) among 170 first-year adolescent Egyptian nursing students. Methods: The questionnaire was assessed for internal consistency, homogeneity, and construct validity using factor analysis and convergent validity. Results: Cronbach's alpha for (A-DCS) was .86. The homogeneity of the instrument was supported by item-to-total correlations between .30 and .70. Factor extraction generated only one factor with eigenvalues greater than …

The Association Of Spirituality, Religiosity, Depression, Anxiety, And Drug Use Among Persons Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Therapy, Linda B. Piacentine

Dissertations (1934 -)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimated 22.2 million (9.1 %) of Americans ages 12 and older abused or were dependent on an illicit substance or alcohol in 2005. Substance abuse often leads to addiction, and is damaging to the health of persons, families, and society.

Using Neuman's System Model as the conceptual framework, it was proposed that addiction weakens person's defenses with resultant loss of health. The person with addiction often also suffers from anxiety, depression, or both, increasing the risk for continued substance abuse and its concomitant negative consequences, such as loss of employment, poor finances, …

The Prevalence Of Postpartum Depression In Hispanic Immigrant Women, Nissa Breann Lucero

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of postpartum depression among Hispanic immigrant women seeking healthcare services at a community health clinic.

Data Sources: Hispanic immigrant women were recruited. Out of 116 study participants, 96 women were in the final sample. Using the Beck PDSS-Spanish version, women were screened for symptoms of postpartum depression.

Conclusions: The prevalence rate of significant symptoms of PPD was 54.2% for the entire sample of 96 women. Nearly 66% of women who screened positive for symptoms of PPD scored above the listed cutoff score for suicidal thoughts. Women were divided into …

“An Existential Place Of Pain:” The Essence Of Despair In Women, Nancy Scroggs, Mona Shattell, W. Richard Cowling

Mona Shattell

While there is a substantive body of knowledge on depression, little is known about the experience of despair. This phenomenological study explored women’s experience of despair through qualitative interviews with 14 women ages 28 to 55 (M= 45) who self-identified as experiencing despair. Three themes emerged: “crippling and debilitating,” “there’s nothing you can do”, and “it’ll never end.” The findings suggest that women desire to have their experiences recognized and validated while simultaneously receiving acknowledgement of their ability to overcome the past and to shape their own destinies.

The Lived Experience Of College Sudents Who Have Been Medicated With Antidepressants, Pamela Joan Aselton

Open Access Dissertations

Increasingly in the last two decades college students have been diagnosed with depression, with estimates of major depression higher than the general population (American Psychiatric Association {APA}, 2005). According to the literature, the stresses of college life along with increased rates of substance abuse, and binge drinking have contributed to the rise in depression in this population. In a large survey of American college students, over half reported some depression since entering college (National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse {NCASA}, 2003). Correspondingly, the percentage of young people treated with antidepressants has grown over the past decade, and there is …

Violence, Depression, Parental Stress, And Child Neglect Among High Risk Postpartum Women, Kristen D. Lambert Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to characterize a vulnerable population of postpartum women at risk for family violence and maladaptive outcomes and to determine the degree the identified attributes increase the risk of child neglect and psychological aggression. Lazarus' Appraisal Theory and Scaer's Traumatic Spectrum framework provided a conceptual basis to examine the interrelationships between intimate partner violence (IPV), depression, previous traumatic history, and child neglect. A descriptive correlation design using secondary analysis of longitudinal data collected for the Healthy Families San Diego Clinical Trial was used. Standardized measures including the CTS, CTS2, CTSPC, CES-D and PSI were administered …

Quality Of Life, Religious/Spiritual Coping, Demoralization And Depression In Heart Failure Patients, Terry Larsen Phd, Rn, Cns

Dissertations

Background: Research suggests that the heart failure (HF) population is particularly vulnerable to depression. Other factors may also affect quality of life such as religious/spiritual coping, and demoralization. Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine factors that predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with heart failure. Specific Aims: (1) to examine level of religious/spiritual coping, spiritual distress, demoralization, depression and HRQoL among adults with heart failure; (2) to examine the relationships of religious/spiritual coping, spiritual distress demoralization, depression and selected demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity and length of living with HF) with HRQoL. Methods: …

Cognitive Therapy For The Treatment Of Depressive Symptoms In Patients With Heart Failure, Rebecca L. Dekker

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Depressive symptoms are common in patients with heart failure (HF) and adversely affect mortality, morbidity, and health-related quality of life. Cognitive therapy (CT) has been proposed as a non-pharmacological treatment for depressive symptoms in patients with HF. However, there is currently little evidence to support use of CT in patients with HF.

The purpose of this dissertation was to develop and test a brief, nurse-delivered CT intervention for the treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with HF. Prior to testing the intervention, preliminary work was conducted resulting in four manuscripts: 1) a review of the evidence for CT in treating …

Depressive Symptoms In Women Being Screened For Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Suzanne Marie Savoy

Dissertations

Background: Depressive symptomology is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Over 15% of persons with cardiovascular disease have depressive symptoms, and women are twice as likely to experience these symptoms as men. Depressive symptoms in women “ at risk ” for cardiovascular disease has not been well studied.

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms, health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, heart disease risk awareness, cardiac risk, and quality of life in women at risk for cardiovascular disease. Whether the effect of depressive symptoms on quality of life was mediated by cardiac risk and/or health-promoting lifestyle behaviors was also examined. …

A Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy Intervention With Depressed Spanish-Speaking Mexican Women Living In An Emerging Immigrant Community In The United States, Mona Shattell, Ann Quinlan-Colwell, Jose Villalba, Nathaniel Ivers, Marina Mails

Mona Shattell

This paper reports feasibility issues with the implementation of an intervention study for depression in Latina women from Mexico living in an emerging immigrant community in the United States. Based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, the study explores implementation issues such as the intervention and retention; logistical issues such as transportation and childcare; and possible measurement issues such as reliability and validity of the CES-D, Spanish version. Future studies should evaluate the CES-D, Spanish version, and test the modified cognitive behavioral group therapy intervention in larger samples and through randomized controlled studies.

The Co-Existence Of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 And Depression Symptoms In Mexican American Adults: Its Relation To Glucose Control, Perceived Stress And Physical Health, Guillermina Rincon Solis

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Type 2 diabetes is a common chronic metabolic disease affecting 23.6 million people (7.8%) in the U.S. and is the 6th leading cause of death among adults (CDC, 2007). Mexican-Americans, the largest group within the Hispanic U.S population, have double the rate of type 2 diabetes. Long-term glucose control (HbA1C) is essential to lessen the risk of diabetes complications; self-care demands for diabetes management may be overwhelming and creates stress that predisposes individuals to depression and affects long-term glucose control (Anderson et al., 2000; Black, 1999; Black, Markides, & Ray, 2003). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the …

Physical Activity Effects On Depressive Symptoms In Black Adults, Jessica D. Richardson, Sarah Grace Dalton, Elisa R. Torres, Carolyn M. Sampselle, Kimberlee A. Gretebeck, David L. Ronis, Harold W. Neighbors

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives

Randomized trials found physical activity (PA) effective in decreasing depressive symptoms. Few studies included Black participants. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to determine the effects of PA on depressive symptoms in Black adults.

Methods

Articles were abstracted by conducting a computer and hand search of eligible studies.

Results

Eight of 13 studies found a significant inverse relationship between PA and depressive symptoms in Black adults. Sources for the heterogeneity were explored.

Conclusion

Future studies should include representative samples of Black adults, incorporate a theory which considers multiple levels of influence, account for genetic factors in the …

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D And Depressive Symptoms In Japanese: Analysis By Survey Season, A. Nanri, T. Mizoue, Y. Matsushita, Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, M. Sato, M. Ohta, N. Mishima

Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar

Gender Differences In Depression And Immune Response In Colorectal Cancer, Barbara Anne Rose Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The focus of this descriptive comparative study was to examine the relationship between gender and depression and immune system function in patients with colorectal cancer. The research questions were answered through secondary analysis, using data obtained from the answers of 117 men and women (71 men and 46 women) enrolled in a colorectal cancer study conducted between 1990 and 1991 in Pennsylvania. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample, and general estimating equations were used to analyze depression and immune system function between men and women. Depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, and immune system function was …

Depression In Latinas Residing In Emerging Latino Immigrant Communities In The United States, Mona Shattell, Jose Villalba, Natalie Stokes, Desmina Hamilton, Jaimie Foster, Harald Petrini, Kristina Johnson, Norma Hinderliter, Claretta Witherspoon, R. Kathy Hinshaw, Chris Faulkner

Mona Shattell

This study examined the ways in which depression affects immigrant Latina women residing in an emerging Latino immigrant community in the US. Three Spanish-language focus groups were conducted within a community-based participatory research framework. Latina women expressed concerns about their immigration status, separation from family in their native countries, and about finances and inabilities to meet family obligations. They expressed fears for their children in the US. Their sociopolitical, economic, and familial explanations for depression differ from the individual, biological explanations of depression common today. Implications for policy makers, community organizers, health care providers, public health educators, and school counselors …

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D And Depressive Symptoms In Japanese: Analysis By Survey Season, A. Nanri, T. Mizoue, Y. Matsushita, Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, M. Sato, M. Ohta, N. Mishima

Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Faculty Publication Series

Both depressive symptoms and vitamin D insufficiency are common during winter. This study examined the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and depressive symptoms by survey season. Subjects were 527 municipal employees aged 21–67 years of two municipal offices in Japan. Overall, there was no measurable association. However, in the workplace surveyed in November, multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of having depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression score of X16) for the lowest through highest quartiles of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were 1.00 (reference), 0.84 (0.45–1.58), 0.83 (0.44–1.58) and 0.59 (0.30–1.15), respectively (trend P ¼ 0.14). The association with the …

Depressive Symptoms In Elderly Women With Chronic Conditions: Measurement Issues, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: Depression is highly prevalent in elderly women with chronic conditions and measuring depressive symptoms is complicated by co-occurring chronic illnesses. The 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale is commonly used with elders, but its length may result in missing data. Twelve short four to 16 item CES-D forms exist, but their psychometric properties have not been systematically evaluated.

Method: This study of 250 elderly women compared reliability and validity estimates for the 20-item CES-D and its 12 short forms; all scales used four response alternatives. The study also investigated whether women with varying numbers of chronic conditions …

Predictors Of Depressive And Anxiety Symptoms Among African American Hiv-Positive Women, Nina Katherine Sublette

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

This descriptive correlation study had four purposes: describe depressive and anxiety symptom levels in pregnant and non-pregnant African American (AA) HIV-positive women, examine the association between underlying vulnerabilities and depressive symptoms in HIV-positive AA women, determine the association between underlying vulnerabilities and anxiety symptoms in AA HIV-positive women, and determine the predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms among African American HIV-positive women. A convenience sample of 80 African American HIV-positive women was recruited from university-based obstetrics/-gynecology and infectious disease practices in a large metropolitan city in the Mid-South. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale …

Screening For Postpartum Depression At Well-Baby Visits, Suzanne Mello

Master's Projects

Objective: To assess the prevalence of postpartum depression among mothers who attend first-year well-baby visits. Methods: A convenience sample of 33 women was screened during first year well-baby visits using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at three pediatric offices in Northern California. Measures included demographic data, history of depression, tobacco use, strength of support system, breast/bottle feeding, and child's health. EPDS scores were collected to calculate the prevalence of postpartum depression. Results: The EPDS was administered to 33 women at first year well-baby visits. Thirty-two were completed. Sixty-six percent of women had scores < 10 indicating no depression. Thirty-four percent reported scores of>=l 0 during the postpartum year …

Screening, Diagnosis, And Treatment Of Depression In Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease, Scott D. Cohen, Lorenzo Norris, Kimberly D. Acquaviva, Rolf A. Peterson, Paul L. Kimmel

Kimberly D. Acquaviva, PhD, MSW

Depression is common in patients with end-stage renal disease and has been linked to increased mortality. Screening for depression in the general medical population remains controversial; however, given the high prevalence of depression and its significant impact on morbidity and mortality, a strong case for depression screening in patients with end-stage renal disease can be made. Several studies have been performed to validate the more common depression screening measures in patients with chronic kidney disease. The Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Nine-Question Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale are some …

Risks And Protective Factors Associated With Symptoms Of Depression In Low-Income African American And Caucasian Women During Pregnancy, Darlene Elizabeth Jesse

D. Elizabeth Jesse

No abstract provided.

Maternal Confidence Of First-Time Mothers During Their Child's Infancy, Kendra Russell

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Motherhood is a rewarding, but challenging experience. Mothers are expected to balance parenting with multiple roles including employment. How mothers adjust is influenced by their confidence in their role, their mental health, the social support from their partner, family, and friends, and their perceptions of their infants (Mercer, 1995). Maternal confidence has been identified in the literature as an essential variable in the adaptation to motherhood and to the maternal role (Mercer, 1986; Walker, Crain, & Thompson, 1986). Low maternal confidence delays the transitioning into the maternal role/identity as well as limits the satisfaction in the mothering role (Mercer, 1986). …

A Study Of Adolescent Depression Among Middle School Students, Cristina Lee

Master's Projects

Adolescent depression and teenage suicide should not be neglected and underestimated. While mental health is one of the ten health indicators that Healthy People 20 I 0 is focused on, and there are goals for the health community to work on, statistics are showing that teenagers in a county in Northern California were at high risk for mental health problem. This study was an introductory screening of the depression level of 7th graders attending middle school, and explored sources of adolescent perceived stress and routes of assistance. Results of the study show that almost one in every five 7th graders …

Patterns Of Risk Of Depressive Symptoms Among Hiv-Positive Women In The Southeastern United States, Linda Moneyham, Carolyn Murdaugh, Kenneth D. Phillips, Kirby Jackson, Abbas Tavakoli, Mary Boyd, Medha Vyavaharkar

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Nursing

Depressive symptoms are a common response to HIV disease, and women appear to be at particularly high risk. The authors report results from a crosssectional analysis of data collected from 280 rural women with HIV/AIDS in the Southeastern United States aimed at identifying risk factors of depressive symptoms. Stress theory provided a framework for identification of potential risk factors. Descriptive statistics, measures of association, and regression analyses were used to systematically identify patterns of risk. The final regression model included 22 factors that accounted for 69% of the variance in depressive symptoms. The majority of variance in depressive symptoms was …

Patterns Of Risk Of Depressive Symptoms Among Hiv-Positive Women In The Southeastern United States, Linda Moneyham, Carolyn Murdaugh, Kenneth D. Phillips, Kirby Jackson, Abbas Tavakoli, Mary Boyd, Medha Vyavaharkar

Kenneth D. Phillips

Depressive symptoms are a common response to HIV disease, and women appear to be at particularly high risk. The authors report results from a crosssectional analysis of data collected from 280 rural women with HIV/AIDS in the Southeastern United States aimed at identifying risk factors of depressive symptoms. Stress theory provided a framework for identification of potential risk factors. Descriptive statistics, measures of association, and regression analyses were used to systematically identify patterns of risk. The final regression model included 22 factors that accounted for 69% of the variance in depressive symptoms. The majority of variance in depressive symptoms was …

Help-Seeking For Depression In Rural Women: A Community Portrait, Vicky Mitchell Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted with fourteen participants who lived in a rural Virginia community. The focus of the study was exploration of the nature of the experience of depression and of help-seeking for depression in one rural woman and in her community social network. The need for exploration of the community social network was influenced by the DeFacto Services Model of Rural Mental Health, which emphasized the influence of community factors in making decisions to seek mental health care. Findings of the study included the following themes, which related to the nature of depression: 1) linkage of experiential depression to …

Introduction Of Healing Touch Into An Established Torture Treatment Center: A Graduate Field Project, Kathleen Mccullough-Zander

Theses and Graduate Projects

Healing Touch, an energetic treatment modality developed by nurses, was introduced into an established torture treatment center with the goal of decreasing torture-related symptoms and increasing survivors' overall sense of well-being and health. Three methods of evaluation were used to determine if the project goal had been met. The first project objective of showing a decrease in participants' reported feelings of anxiety and depression was not achieved. The second project objective of demonstrating a reduction in participant's reported levels of pain was achieved with statistically significant results. The third project objective of obtaining statements of recognition of the therapy as …