Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Nursing Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Women

Discipline
Institution
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 211 - 238 of 238

Full-Text Articles in Nursing

Acts Of Resistance: Nurses' Personal Narratives, Maryanne Garon Dnsc Nov 1998

Acts Of Resistance: Nurses' Personal Narratives, Maryanne Garon Dnsc

Dissertations

Acts of resistance can be expressions of creativity, protest or non-cooperation by oppressed groups. Resistance is seen as always present in the face of domination. Acts of resistance can help us to understand how the powerless mediate power relations, and they can actually give hope to the powerless. This study looked at the issues of power and resistance through critical and feminist perspective. A central concept of feminist theory is that women, and thus nurses as a women's profession, are oppressed. This study looked at female nurses' acts of resistance, which were defined as speaking up or taking action about …

Go to article

Grief Experiences Of Widowed Women Based On Length Of Bereavement, Brenda Shelton Aug 1998

Grief Experiences Of Widowed Women Based On Length Of Bereavement, Brenda Shelton

MSN Research Projects

Death of a spouse is a stressful life event that carries the increased threat of illness developing as a consequence. Spousal loss is a situation that primarily affects women because women usually live longer than men and most wives are younger than their husbands. As widowhood affects more women then men, there is a need for understanding patterns of grief reactions in women. The focus of this descriptive study was to compare the differences in grief experiences of widowed women based on length of bereavement. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in grief experiences by women …

Go to article

Relationships Between Posttraumatic Stress, Acculturation, And Maternal Sensitivity In Vietnamese And Hmong Mothers, Gwendolyn F. Foss Dnsc Jun 1998

Relationships Between Posttraumatic Stress, Acculturation, And Maternal Sensitivity In Vietnamese And Hmong Mothers, Gwendolyn F. Foss Dnsc

Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to determine if posttraumatic stress (PTS), depression, and anxiety occurred in a community sample of Vietnamese and Hmong mothers and to describe relationships between PTS, depression, anxiety, acculturation and maternal sensitivity. Transition theory (Bridges, 1980), and a conceptual model of parenting in immigrant populations building on Belsky's (1984) work, provided the theoretical framework (Foss, 1996). The sample was divided evenly between Vietnamese and Hmong participants. Ages ranged from 17–43 years, time lived in the United States ranged from 3–21 years, and education ranged from no formal education to completion of college. Maternal sensitivity was …

Go to article

Being Alone: The Experience Of Elderly Homebound Females, Sharon Davis Burt Dnsc, Msn, Rn May 1998

Being Alone: The Experience Of Elderly Homebound Females, Sharon Davis Burt Dnsc, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

Elderly women comprise one of the fastest growing segments of the population in the United States. This growth is due in large part to increasing longevity, and a woman's life expectancy has now reached 79 years. However, along with those added years comes an increase in morbidity and a greater likelihood of living alone. This study describes the life experience of a specific group of elderly women, those who are homebound and living alone. When elderly women are included in research, the same combination of descriptors used for the participants in this study has not been incorporated. Consequently, while much …

Go to article

Ethnographic Inquiry Of Social Support Throughout Women's Labor And Childbirth Experiences, Nancy Jane Pinder Saks Dnsc, Msn, Rn Feb 1998

Ethnographic Inquiry Of Social Support Throughout Women's Labor And Childbirth Experiences, Nancy Jane Pinder Saks Dnsc, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of social support throughout labor and childbirth in order to develop descriptive theory based on the behaviors of the labor and childbirth convoy. Utilizing ethnographic methodology, five women and their support convoys were observed throughout the women's labor and childbirth experience. Word processing and the ETHNOGRAPH software were used for data management, and constant comparative coding methodology was employed for data analysis. Affirmative, affective and aid-giving behaviors were enacted by all convoy members. Consistently, social support was found to be communicated to the laboring woman by her lay supporters by …

Go to article

The Relationship Between Health Locus Of Control And Health Behaviors Of Women Who Have Undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Heather Ferrillo Dec 1997

The Relationship Between Health Locus Of Control And Health Behaviors Of Women Who Have Undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Heather Ferrillo

Nursing Master’s Theses and Projects

Due to the increasing number of women who are diagnosed with heart disease and who are undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, it is important to explore the psychosocial aspects involved in the recovery process of these women. This study examined the relationship between locus of control and health behaviors of women who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.

Go to article

The Lived Experience Of Women Prior To Hospitalization For Acute Myocardial Infarction, Llamae R. Hughes Dnsc Aug 1997

The Lived Experience Of Women Prior To Hospitalization For Acute Myocardial Infarction, Llamae R. Hughes Dnsc

Dissertations

Recent research indicates that the majority of women underestimate their risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD claims the lives of more women than all forms of cancer; however, women have not received the symptom recognition or treatment that has been accorded to men with CAD. Review of literature indicated a lack of research regarding the experiences of women with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This phenomenological study explored the lived experience of women with AMI immediately prior to hospitalization. The lines of inquiry focused on descriptive language regarding pre-event feelings, the symptoms experienced at AMI onset, their response to …

Go to article

The Perspectives Of The Woman/Nurse/Executive Working In The Managed Care Environment Of Southern California, Cheryl Lynn Brandi Dnsc, Ms, Msn, Rn May 1997

The Perspectives Of The Woman/Nurse/Executive Working In The Managed Care Environment Of Southern California, Cheryl Lynn Brandi Dnsc, Ms, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of the woman/nurse/executive working in the managed care environment of Southern California. This research was extremely timely because (a) Southern California leads the nation in managed care market penetration, (b) changes in health care financing have resulted in a prolific expansion of nurse executive responsibilities, and (c) nurse executive experiences regarding increased responsibilities have not been researched. Role expansion impacts both male and female nurse executives, but female nurse executives must confront the dilemma of functioning in administrative domains which have been largely dominated by men. Knowledge about their experiences …

Go to article

The Experiences Of Taiwanese Women Caregiving For Parents-In-Law, Shu-Yuan Chao Dnsc May 1997

The Experiences Of Taiwanese Women Caregiving For Parents-In-Law, Shu-Yuan Chao Dnsc

Dissertations

Using grounded theory, a semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted to explore the experiences of Taiwanese women who were caregivers for their parents-in-law. Thirty-one Taiwanese women aged 23 to 58 participated in this study. Just Doing was identified as the core category to indicate the caregivers' striving process once they committed to their in-laws' care. Recognizing Duty, Experiencing Trials, and Responding to Caregiving were subcategories and reflected how a caregiver perceived her role, how she was affected by caregiving tasks, and what responses she had to the caregiving situation. The findings also suggested that caregiving behaviors were influenced by cultural expectations …

Go to article

Living With Changing Health: Perimenopause Among Chinese Women In Taiwan, Lee-Ing Tsao Dnsc, Mnsc, Rn May 1997

Living With Changing Health: Perimenopause Among Chinese Women In Taiwan, Lee-Ing Tsao Dnsc, Mnsc, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to generate theory about women's perimenopausal life experiences. Thirty-five Taiwanese women aged 40 to 59 who perceived themselves as perimenopausal and who were not using hormone therapy were interviewed. Data were generated from interviews which were conducted in Mandarin. Living with Changing Health was the core category for describing and guiding the process of perimenopause. During this process, Awareness was identified as the antecedent condition. Once the woman became aware, she would begin the process of living with her changing health. This process would be marked by action and interaction among the categories …

Go to article

Young Adult Women's Responses To Undergoing Treatment For Early Breast Cancer, Donna Abrashoff Schutte Dnsc Dec 1996

Young Adult Women's Responses To Undergoing Treatment For Early Breast Cancer, Donna Abrashoff Schutte Dnsc

Dissertations

In the nearly two decades of cancer research in the United States, there has been little emphasis on the experiences of young adult women with breast cancer. I therefore adopted a qualitative multicase study method to explore the experiences of five young adult women from the time of discovery of a breast mass through the first three months of recovery from mastectomy. Utilizing data collected via semi-structured interviews, this study sought to describe their concerns, the way in which their concerns changed over time, and the influence of contextual factors. Three themes were identified. These included: "I'm going to die!" …

Go to article

Helper Woman: A Biography Of Elinor Delight Gregg, Jacqueline S. Pflaum Dnsc, Mph, Ms Nov 1996

Helper Woman: A Biography Of Elinor Delight Gregg, Jacqueline S. Pflaum Dnsc, Mph, Ms

Dissertations

The intent of this investigation was to conduct an extensive study of the life and character of Elinor Gregg (1886-1970) in order to identify the contributions she made to professional nursing and to humanity. Nurse, educator, administrator, beloved relative, and friend, Elinor Gregg was an outstanding person whom nurses today might well emulate. Historical method provided the context for the study. Data were collected from the National Archives; National Library of Medicine Historical Section; Nursing Archives at Mugar Library, Boston University; Nursing Archives at Simmons College; National Headquarters of the American Red Cross; Archives of Colorado College; and Archives of …

Go to article

A Comparison Study; Sexuality In Women With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus And In Women Without Chronic Illness, Beth Eubank Aug 1996

A Comparison Study; Sexuality In Women With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus And In Women Without Chronic Illness, Beth Eubank

MSN Research Projects

The relationship between chronic illness and sexuality has long been recognized, and diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness affecting 16 million individuals in the United States. The purpose of this descriptive comparative study was to explore sexuality in the insulin-dependent diabetic female. The research hypothesis that guided the study was there is no difference in perceived sexuality for women with insulin-dependent diabetes and women without chronic illness. The sample consisted of 30 females between the ages of 21 and 40 years who had not experienced surgical menopause and were clients in primary care clinics in the Mississippi Delta. Fifteen of …

Go to article

Facilitators And Barriers To The Practice Of Breast Cancer In Black Women, Yvonne W. Tanner Aug 1995

Facilitators And Barriers To The Practice Of Breast Cancer In Black Women, Yvonne W. Tanner

MSN Research Projects

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in black women, yet black women are among the least likely to participate in breast screening. Little is known about factors that promote or inhibit the practice of breast cancer screening in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine what facilitators and barriers exist to the practice of breast cancer screening in black women. The theoretical frameworks for this study were Leininger's Transcultural Nursing Theory and Champion's Modified Health Belief Model. Utilizing a descriptive research design, a sample of 67 black women with no history of breast cancer …

Go to article

Health Promotion Lifestyle Behaviors Of African American Women In A Rural Setting, Phyllis Polk Johnson Jul 1995

Health Promotion Lifestyle Behaviors Of African American Women In A Rural Setting, Phyllis Polk Johnson

MSN Research Projects

A complete understanding of health promoting behavior patterns has not been achieved by health care professionals. The lack of understanding of health promoting behavior patterns is particularly true in relation to African American women. The lack of understanding is in part due to the limited research conducted regarding health care practices among minority populations. The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe the health promoting lifestyle behaviors of African American women in a rural setting in Mississippi. The Madeleine Leninger Cultural Care Theory was used as the theoretical framework for this study. Data were collected utilizing the Health Promotion …

Go to article

Care Of Aging Parents: The Experiences Of Middle-Aged Filipino Women, Carmen B. Toledo Galang Dnsc, Msn, Rn May 1995

Care Of Aging Parents: The Experiences Of Middle-Aged Filipino Women, Carmen B. Toledo Galang Dnsc, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine and analyze parent care as experienced by middle-aged Filipino women, particularly those who have resided in the United States for over 20 years. There is little information known about this topic; therefore, a grounded theory study design was utilized. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews of 29 Filipino women were conducted in English and/or Tagalog, and at times a combination of both languages. Data were transcribed verbatim from the audio-recorded interviews and analyzed using a constant comparative method of analytic induction. Field notes were kept and patterns of observation were analyzed according to their significance. …

Go to article

"Well-Growness" Of The Newborn And Factors Contributing To Low Birth Weight, Diane Buck Kruse Dnsc Dec 1994

"Well-Growness" Of The Newborn And Factors Contributing To Low Birth Weight, Diane Buck Kruse Dnsc

Dissertations

The problem of determining risk factors and antecedents of birth weight is multifactorial. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pre-pregnancy health status, prenatal care, stress, negative life style practices, nutritional status during pregnancy, and placental perfusion on the well-growness of the newborn (birth weight) in five time orderings and to examine the interaction of these variables on each other. The theoretical framework was a physiologic one centering on the effects of the proposed variables on the well-growness outcome. This prospective study used a correlational design with path analytic techniques. A sample of 160 pregnant women …

Go to article

A Comparison Of Multidimensional Health Locus Of Control In Young Women With And Without A Sexually Transmitted Disease, Susan Elizabeth Turnage Jul 1994

A Comparison Of Multidimensional Health Locus Of Control In Young Women With And Without A Sexually Transmitted Disease, Susan Elizabeth Turnage

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to measure and compare differences in young women with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and young women without a sexually transmitted disease on the internal, chance and powerful others scales of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC). Three directional hypotheses guided this study: (1.) Young women with an STD have a higher Powerful Other Health Locus of Control (PHLC) than women without an STD. (2.) Young women with an STD have a higher Chance Health Locus of Control (CHLC) than women without an STD. (3.) Young women without an STD have a …

Go to article

Effects Of Family Stress, Family Social Support, And Family Balance On Maternal Adaptation In Post Birth Families, Constance H. Blake Hansen Dnsc, Mn, Rn May 1994

Effects Of Family Stress, Family Social Support, And Family Balance On Maternal Adaptation In Post Birth Families, Constance H. Blake Hansen Dnsc, Mn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of perinatal family stress, family social support, and family balance on post birth maternal adaptation. The birth of a new infant is a transitional event that causes stress to the individuals within the family and the family as a unit. The childbearing woman has been identified as the core of the expanding family. Her adaptive level is critical to the integration of the new infant into the family unit. Stress and support are important variables in maternal adaptation, yet the specific relationship of these variables as they relate to the …

Go to article

Factors Associated With Women's Decisions To Obtain Routine Cervical Cancer Screening In A Prepaid Health Care System, Vicki Debaca Dnsc Jan 1994

Factors Associated With Women's Decisions To Obtain Routine Cervical Cancer Screening In A Prepaid Health Care System, Vicki Debaca Dnsc

Dissertations

The focus of this research study was to explore the factors affecting women's decisions to participate in preventive cervical cancer screening using a conceptual model proposed by Cummings, Becker, and Maile (1980). This descriptive-comparative study investigated the effect between the components of this model (age, education level, race, general barriers, psychological barriers, evaluation of health care, threat of illness, knowledge, social network) and the outcome variable of intent to participate in cervical cancer screening examinations. This study also examined whether there were differences in the predictor variables between two groups of women: those that have had a recent Pap examination …

Go to article

Being Pregnant And Using Drugs: A Retrospective Phenomenological Inquiry, Merry A. Armstrong Dnsc, Msn Apr 1992

Being Pregnant And Using Drugs: A Retrospective Phenomenological Inquiry, Merry A. Armstrong Dnsc, Msn

Dissertations

Qualitative methodology was employed to conduct a phenomenological inquiry describing the structure of the experience of being pregnant and using drugs. The purpose of the study was to explore the nature of women's experience and perception of the interaction, relationship, and intersection of contextual phenomena of lifestyle, pregnancy, and substance abuse. Data gathering and analysis was accomplished using guidelines provided by Spiegelberg and Van Manen. Eleven mothers voluntarily participating in a recovery program described their prior experience of being addicted and pregnant during 2 conversations with the researcher. Through transcript analysis of the first audio-taped interview, major and minor themes …

Go to article

How Latinas Come To Know About Aids And Aids Prevention, Patricia Walker Caudle Dnsc, Mnsc, Fnp, Rnc Feb 1992

How Latinas Come To Know About Aids And Aids Prevention, Patricia Walker Caudle Dnsc, Mnsc, Fnp, Rnc

Dissertations

By the year 2000, Latinos will become the largest minority group in the United States. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is occurring at a disproportionately high rate among Latinos. As care-giver and health decision-maker in the family, the Latina needs to know about AIDS and AIDS prevention. This research identified and offers an explanation of how the Latina comes to know about AIDS and AIDS prevention within the context of the family and the Latino culture. Grounded theory methodology was used to explore the complex socialization patterns within the Latino community that affect how the Latina perceives HIV/AIDS. Data were collected …

Go to article

Factors Influencing A Battered Woman's Perception Of Controllability In Violent Intimate Relationships, Patricia Ann Chin Dnsc, Msn, Rn Jan 1992

Factors Influencing A Battered Woman's Perception Of Controllability In Violent Intimate Relationships, Patricia Ann Chin Dnsc, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

Despite the fact that domestic violence has been the focus of empirical investigation for more than twenty years, little is known about the phenomenon. While the available body of knowledge provides a sketchy picture of the abused woman and her abuser, and helps to dispel many of the myths surrounding spousal abuse, it provides very little insight into the dynamics of wife abuse. This study, based upon a foundation of the Reformulated Learned Helplessness Theory, was designed to explore the nature of the relationships among concepts that have been identified within the context of battering, and that were thought to …

Go to article

A Model Of Organizational Commitment In Staff Nurses, Donna Burgener Adams Dnsc Jan 1991

A Model Of Organizational Commitment In Staff Nurses, Donna Burgener Adams Dnsc

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and explain the impact of work stress, sex role organization, and organizational tenure on self-esteem and work satisfaction, and ultimately, on the organizational commitment of registered nurses. An eclectic framework was utilized which incorporated organizational and personal variables. The correlational design resulted in a temporally ordered causal recursive model with linkages supported by a literature review. Past research has demonstrated less organizationally committed nurses more prone to leave their positions, and high turnover is detrimental to patient care as well as costly to the health care system. The sample consisted of 143 …

Go to article

The Experience Of Female Nurses Being Cared For: A Phenomenological Analysis, Sharon Lu Skinner Shetlar Dnsc, Ms, Bsn, Rn Nov 1990

The Experience Of Female Nurses Being Cared For: A Phenomenological Analysis, Sharon Lu Skinner Shetlar Dnsc, Ms, Bsn, Rn

Dissertations

The focus of this phenomenological inquiry was the question: What is the meaning (essential structure) of the experience of being cared for as lived by female nurses? The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experience of being cared for. Phenomenologic methodology was used for this study. Data analysis was patterned after the guidelines set out by Colaizzi, and Miles and Huberman. Fifteen female nurses described their experiences of being cared for during two interviews with the researcher. Through analysis of the first audio-taped interview metathemes describing the phenomena and a unity of meaning emerged. During the …

Go to article

A Woman For All Seasons: A Biography Of Julia Catherine Stimson (1881-1948), Mary T. Weber Sarnecky Dnsc, Mn, Bsn Aug 1990

A Woman For All Seasons: A Biography Of Julia Catherine Stimson (1881-1948), Mary T. Weber Sarnecky Dnsc, Mn, Bsn

Dissertations

Little is known or written about one of nursing's most enduring and productive leaders, Julia Catherine Stimson. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the life and character of Miss Stimson and to identify the many, diverse contributions which she made to the profession of nursing and to humanity. Additionally through an analysis of her leadership qualities, a profile of an effective nursing leader evolved. The historical method was used in this investigation. Data was collected for the study from the National Archives, the Center of Military History, the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center Archives, the New York Historical …

Go to article

Pregnancy Outcome In Military And Civilian Women, Karen Messersmith Heroman Dnsc Jan 1989

Pregnancy Outcome In Military And Civilian Women, Karen Messersmith Heroman Dnsc

Dissertations

Low birth weight and prematurity account for much of the morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period as well as for much of the cost in newborn care. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if two groups of pregnant women, military enlisted and civilian dependents, differed in selected risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, weight gain, prenatal care, work patterns, life stress, and social support) or in pregnancy outcome (infant birth weight and gestational age). The House (1981) theory of stress, social support, and health served as the framework for this study. Since little has been published on pregnancy …

Go to article

The Effects Of Exercise On Women's Self-Esteem, Wendy Laurie Biddle May 1982

The Effects Of Exercise On Women's Self-Esteem, Wendy Laurie Biddle

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The effects of a 12-week session of aerobic dancing were examined on two groups of women, assigned into fit and unfit groups. The subjects had voluntarily enrolled in aerobic dancing prior to the study. Self-Esteem scores were obtained using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale during the first and tenth or eleventh weeks of the session. Pretest and posttest scores were analyzed along with the variables of age, marital status, weight loss, and smoking habits. A significantly higher gain score (posttest score subtracted from pretest score) was found on those women who attended three weekly classes compared to those who attended two …

Go to article

First Prev