Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Psychometric Evaluation Of The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale In Adults With Functional Limitations, Carolyn J. Murrock, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Enjoyment is an important construct for understanding physical activity participation, and it has not been examined in adults with functional limitations. This secondary analysis reported the reliability and validity of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) in a convenience sample of 40 adults with functional limitations. The participants completed the PACES, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) prior to beginning a 12-week feasibility dance intervention study. Results indicated reliability as Cronbach's alpha was .95 and mean inter-item correlation was .52. To further support reliability, homogeneity of the instrument was evaluated …

Spring: A Time For New Opportunities!, Kristina Dreifuerst

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

The Mediating Effects Of Positive Cognitions On Autism Caregivers' Depression And Their Children's Challenging Behaviors, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Caregivers of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are prone to depression and psychological problems, which have an impact on their children's challenging behaviors. Positive cognitions include specific positive thinking patterns that enhance one's ability to effectively manage daily activities and promote mental health. The purpose of this research is to test the mediating effects of positive cognitions on the relationship between caregivers' depression and their children's challenging behaviors among 117 caregivers of persons with ASD. Positive cognitions were found to have mediating effects on the relationship between caregiver's depression and their children's challenging behaviors in this sample of caregivers …

Perceived Cognitive Changes With Chemotherapy For Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study, Linda B. Piacentine, Judith Fitzgerald, Sara Haberlein, Alan S. Bloom

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine perceived cognitive functioning, fatigue, depression and general well-being among women before and after the initiation of chemotherapy for breast cancer compared to a sample of healthy women.

Method

This descriptive, repeated measures study compared women receiving chemotherapy and healthy women. Women completed measures of quality of life, fatigue, cognitive changes and depression.

Results

Before chemotherapy, women with cancer reported more fatigue and depression than healthy women. After chemotherapy, women with cancer reported decreased cognitive functioning accompanied by more fatigue and depressive symptoms than healthy women.

Conclusion

This study is one of …

Normalizing Rejection, Vicki S. Conn, Julie Zerwic, Urmeka Jefferson, Cindy M. Anderson, Cheryl M. Killion, Carol E. Smith, Marlene Z. Cohen, Nancy Fahrenwald, Linda Herrick, Robert V. Topp, Lazelle E. Benefield, Julio Loya

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Getting turned down for grant funding or having a manuscript rejected is an uncomfortable but not unusual occurrence during the course of a nurse researcher’s professional life. Rejection can evoke an emotional response akin to the grieving process that can slow or even undermine productivity. Only by “normalizing” rejection, that is, by accepting it as an integral part of the scientific process, can researchers more quickly overcome negative emotions and instead use rejection to refine and advance their scientific programs. This article provides practical advice for coming to emotional terms with rejection and delineates methods for working constructively to address …

Couple Beads: An Integrated Method Of Natural Family Planning, George Mulcaire-Jones, Richard J. Fehring, Megan Bradshaw, Karen Brower, Gonzaga Lubega, Paskazia Lubega

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Various fertility indicators are used by natural family planning methods to identify the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle: mucus observations, cycle-day probabilities, basal body temperature readings, and hormonal measures of LH and estrogen. Simplified NFP methods generally make use of a single fertility indicator such as cycle-day probabilities (Standard Days Method) or mucus observations (Billings Ovulation Method). The Couple Bead Method integrates the two simplest fertility indicators, cycle-day probabilities and mucus observations, expanding its applicability to all women, regardless of cycle regularity and length. In determining cycle-day probabilities, the Couple Bead Method relies on a new …

Pediatric Kennedy Terminal Ulcer, Megan Reitz, Christine A. Schindler

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Translating Research To Practice For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Part I: Definition, Associated Behaviors, Prevalence, Diagnostic Process, And Interventions, Norah L. Johnson, Karen Burkett, Judy Reinhold, Margaret W. Bultas

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising, along with the potential for challenging behaviors during health care encounters.

Method

We present an overview of the emerging science related to ASD diagnosis and interventions for children with ASD.

Results

Emerging science on ASD reveals common associated challenging behaviors, increasing prevalence, emphasis on early diagnosis at 18 to 24 months of age, changes in the diagnostic process with criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, and interventions with medication, education, and behavior management.

Discussion

Family and health care provider preparation strategies facilitate …

Nurses' Perceptions Of Diagnosis And Prognosis-Related Communication: An Integrative Review, Amy Rose Newman

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Disclosure of diagnostic and prognostic information has become the standard in the United States and increasingly around the world. Disclosure is generally identified as the responsibility of the physician. However, nurses are active participants in the process both intentionally and inadvertently. If not included in initial discussions regarding diagnosis and prognosis, the nurse may find it challenging to openly support the patient and family.

Objective: The aim of this study is to synthesize published literature regarding nurses’ perceptions and experiences with diagnosis and prognosis-related communication.

Methods: The Whittemore and Knafl method guided the integrative review process. …

Reactions Of Low-Income African American Women To Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, Karen Marie Robinson, Leona Vandevusse, Jamarrah Foster

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To examine the influence of breastfeeding peer counseling on the breastfeeding experiences of African American mothers who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Design

Qualitative study using focus groups.

Setting

Two WIC clinics in Southeast Wisconsin were used for recruitment and data collection.

Participants

A convenience sample of nine African American mothers participated in one of two focus groups.

Methods

The women responded to a series of open-ended questions about their breastfeeding experiences and the effect of breastfeeding peer counselors (BPCs). Content and thematic analyses were used to analyze patterns related to …

Engaging In Culturally Informed Nursing Care With Hmong Children And Their Families, Shoua Xiong, Nora Degroote, Hayley Byington, Jamie Harder, Krystal Kaminski, Kristin Haglund

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The Hmong are an ethnic hill tribe group originally from Southern China with concentrated populations throughout Southeast Asia, especially the mountains of northern Laos. Following the Vietnam War, the Hmong started immigrating to the United States in waves to escape prosecution for fighting communism alongside the United States. Today, the Hmong population in the United States is growing rapidly, with a median age of 20.4 years. As the Hmong move and redistribute themselves across the country to be with family or pursue new opportunities, it is more and more likely that nurses everywhere will interact with Hmong children and their …

Translating Research To Practice For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Part 2: Behavior Management In Home And Health Care Settings, Margaret W. Bultas, Norah L. Johnson, Karen Burkett, Judy Reinhold

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Managing home and health care for children with autism spectrum disorder can be challenging because of the range of symptoms and behaviors exhibited.

Method

This article presents an overview of the emerging science related to the methods to foster family self-management of common concerns regarding activities of daily living and behaviors, as well as for the health care provider in primary and acute health care settings.

Results

Recommendations are provided to enhance the overall delivery of services, including understanding and managing a child's challenging behaviors, and supporting family management of common activities of daily living and behaviors.

Discussion

Health …

Current Medical Research Winter/Spring 2015, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Latina Adolescents' Perspectives On Relationships, Kristin Haglund, Ruth Belknap, Juanita Terrie Garcia, Aimee A. Woda, John O'Hara

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: To explore adolescent Latinas’ perspectives on relationships and generate knowledge to inform interventions. Setting: Seven Latina adolescents participated. Design: This qualitative study was guided by principles of community-based participatory research and utilized the photovoice method. Method: Participants took photos depicting elements of relationships and participated in guided discussions. They identified and named five elements of healthy relationships. Results: The five elements included commitment, communication, faith, amigos y amores (friends and lovers) and play. These elements occur across all forms of relationships. Conclusion: The results revealed important information that may be used to tailor health promotion interventions for Latina/o youth.

Concept Analysis: Music Therapy, Carolyn J. Murrock, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Down through the ages, music has been universally valued for its therapeutic properties based on the psychological and physiological responses in humans. However, the underlying mechanisms of the psychological and physiological responses to music have been poorly identified and defined. Without clarification, a concept can be misused, thereby diminishing its importance for application to nursing research and practice. The purpose of this article was for the clarification of the concept of music therapy based on Walker and Avant’s concept analysis strategy. A review of recent nursing and health-related literature covering the years 2007–2014 was performed on the concepts of music, …

Perinatal Nurses: Key To Increasing African American Breast-Feeding Rates, Karen Marie Robinson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Breast milk is the ideal source of nutrition for infants for at least the first 6 months of life. Despite women in the United States reaching national objectives for breast-feeding initiation (75%), racial disparities persist. According to the most recent data, 83% of white mothers initiated breast-feeding whereas only 66% African American mothers did so. Breast-feeding initiation may be amenable to perinatal nursing intervention. Breast-feeding may be a practice that helps bridge the racial divide in perinatal outcomes among African American families. Nurses have an essential role in embracing breast-feeding promotion and support to patients who are least likely to …

Concept Analysis: Music Therapy, Carolyn J. Murrock, Abir Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Down through the ages, music has been universally valued for its therapeutic properties based on the psychological and physiological responses in humans. However, the underlying mechanisms of the psychological and physiological responses to music have been poorly identified and defined. Without clarification, a concept can be misused, thereby diminishing its importance for application to nursing research and practice. The purpose of this article was for the clarification of the concept of music therapy based on Walker and Avant's concept analysis strategy. A review of recent nursing and health-related literature covering the years 2007–2014 was performed on the concepts of music, …

Exploring Student, Family, And School Predictors Of Self-Determination Using Nlts2 Data, Karrie A. Shogren, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Chantelle Dowsett, Todd D. Little

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This study conducted secondary analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) to examine the degree to which student, family, and school constructs predicted self-determination outcomes. Multi-group structural equation modeling was used to examine predictive relationships between 5 student, 4 family, and 7 school constructs developed from NLTS2 data and self-determination outcomes (autonomy, psychological empowerment, and self-realization) across disability groups. The pattern of predictive relationship between the constructs and self-determination outcomes across disability groups was complex. Only one construct—self-concept—showed a positive predictive relationship with all three self-determination constructs across most disability groups. Implications of the complex pattern of …