Western Journal of Nursing Research current issue

Editorial: Testing Nursing Interventions

Conn, V. S. — 2008-11-17

Qigong Improving Physical Status in Middle-Aged Women

Tsai, Y.-K., Chen, H.-H., Lin, I-H., Yeh, M.-L. — 2008-11-17

Regular exercise has been shown to benefit its practitioners and prevent and control diseases. Muscle/Tendon Change Classic (MTCC) qigong, characterized by simple, slow, and full-body exercise, is appropriate for the middle-age population. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the MTCC qigong program in improving physical status for middle-aged women. A quasi-experimental design was used. The experimental group (n = 37) received an 8-week MTCC qigong program, whereas the control group (n = 34) received none. Physiological parameters of muscular performance, body composition, and bone strength were measured before and after the program. The average age was 49 ± 4.13 years for the experimental group and 50 ± 4.74 years for the control group. The demographic characteristics were homogeneous between the two groups. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in muscular endurance, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index at the completion of 8-week MTCC qigong program. The MTCC qigong could improve muscle endurance and body composition but not bone strength for middle-aged women, thereby demonstrating the qigong practice has certain health-preserving effects on women in this stage of life.

Outcomes of an Intervention to Reduce Uncertainty Among African American Women with Diabetes

Amoako, E., Skelly, A. H., Rossen, E. K. — 2008-11-17

Poor adjustment to diabetes in older African American women may result from uncertainty, stemming from a lack of information about self-care activities, a complexity of self-care activities, comorbid conditions, and a lack of resources. This study evaluated a telephone intervention to reduce uncertainty (through problem-solving strategies, information, cognitive reframing, and improved patient—provider communication)—namely, to measure its effects on diabetes self-care and psychosocial adjustment. Sixty-eight older African American women were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received the intervention for 4 weeks, and the control group received usual care. Psychosocial adjustment and self-care were measured in all participants at baseline and 6 weeks postbaseline. The experimental group reported increased participation in exercise (self-care component; p < .001) and improvement in psychosocial adjustment (p < .001). Thus, reducing the uncertainty related to diabetes self-care improves self-care exercise, as well as psychosocial adjustment.

Factors Associated with Caregiver Burden in Heart Failure Family Caregivers

Saunders, M. M. — 2008-11-17

Fifty caregivers and 41 heart failure patients participated in a study examining the association of caregiver characteristics and the caregiving environment on caregiver burden. Using a cross-sectional design, caregivers were interviewed face-to-face using a caregiver characteristic/demographic tool designed for this study, the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Short Depression Scale, the Caregiver Reaction Assessment questionnaire, and the New York Heart Association Functional Classification Guide to obtain the caregiver's perception of patient disease severity. Patient medical records were assessed following caregiver interviews for patient demographics, comorbidities, and ejection fraction percentages. Significantly higher levels of burden were found among Caucasian caregivers, those caring for other relatives besides the patient, unemployed caregivers, and single- versus two-family caregivers (respite caregiving). Fifty-one percent of the variance in caregiver burden was accounted for by the variables caregiver advanced age, higher caregiver hours, more caregiver physical health problems, higher levels of caregiver depressive symptoms, and more patient comorbidities. This article concludes with implications for nursing practice and future research.

Knowledge and Beliefs Related to Cervical Cancer and Screening Among Korean American Women

Lee, E. E., Fogg, L., Menon, U. — 2008-11-17

The purpose of this article is to examine knowledge and health beliefs associated with cervical cancer screening among Korean American women. A telephone survey was conducted with 189 Korean American women in the Chicago area. Age, marital status, income, knowledge of early detection method for cervical cancer, and perceived beliefs about benefits of and barriers to receiving Pap tests were all related to outcomes of ever having a Pap test and having had one in the preceding 3 years. Variables uniquely related to ever having a Pap test were education, employment status, fluency in English, and proportion of life spent in the United States. Variables uniquely related to having had the test during the preceding 3 years were having a usual source of care and regular checkups. Different intervention components are suggested for the groups of Korean American women who have never had a Pap smear and for those who have not had one in the preceding 3 years, in addition to common intervention strategies that aim to increase knowledge and perceived benefit and to decrease perceived barriers to receiving Pap tests.

Postoperative Pain Management Outcome in Chinese Inpatients

Qu Shen, , Sherwood, G. D., McNeill, J. A., Zheng Li, — 2008-11-17

In the absence of pain management outcome reports representing mainland China, the purposes of this study were to describe the outcome of postoperative pain management and the relationship between patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes in an indigenous Chinese population. From a sample of 388 second-day-postoperative inpatients, 304 (78%) reported pain in the past 24 hours and were enrolled in the study. Mean ratings for pain were moderate to severe. Patients reported mild to moderate pain-related interference with mood and physical activities. There were significant differences on worst pain intensity and pain interference with daily activity in the past 24 hours for different types of surgery. Top-ranked nonpharmacologic methods for managing pain were tolerating pain, changing positions, and family support. As measured by the Pain Management Index, 60.2% of patients were inadequately treated for pain, yet patients reported high satisfaction with pain management. Patient satisfaction, however, was inversely and significantly correlated with pain intensity. Study results indicate a need for standardized policies and guidelines about pain management and education among providers and for patients and families to overcome the suboptimal pain outcomes among this Chinese population.

Application of the Transtheoretical Model to Identify Aspects Influencing Condom Use Among Korean College Students

2008-11-17

Increasing condom use requires an understanding of the influencing factors. Previous research has used psychosocial theories such as the social cognitive theory and health belief to explain AIDS risk factors and condom use. However, it is still difficult to effectively predict the multidimensional factors associated with condom use. The present study utilizes the transtheoretical model to investigate condom use among college students by examining stages of change for condom use and measuring decisional balance and self-efficacy for each stage. The aim was to identify the variables affecting condom use so as to provide scientific data that would aid the development of effective strategies for increasing condom use.

Health Behavior in Mexican Pregnant Women with a History of Violence

Quelopana, A. M., Champion, J. D., Salazar, B. C. — 2008-11-17

This study examines the association between history of violence, attitudes toward pregnancy, and initiation of prenatal care (PNC). Pregnant women receiving their first PNC visit at a public prenatal clinic in Monterrey, Mexico, were enrolled in the study. Structured interviews collected information concerning demographics, reproductive history, current pregnancy, attitudes toward pregnancy, history of violence, and perceived barriers and benefits of PNC. Results showed that 35% of participants reported violence. A current or previous partner was the most common perpetrator. Of women experiencing abuse, 47% reported that abuse was ongoing during the current pregnancy. More women reporting violence were unmarried, did not live with a partner, and reported a lower monthly income. An experience of violence was associated with initiation of PNC, number of pregnancies, perception of barriers, and negative attitudes toward pregnancy. This issue should be emphasized in recognition of the important role that nurses and midwives have regarding violence.

The Role of Parents in Making Life Support Decisions for Extremely Premature Infants

2008-11-17

Psychometric Evaluation of the Family Effectiveness Measure Among Low-Income African American Single-Parent Families

2008-11-17

The Impact of a Pediatric RN Internship on New Graduate Nurse Job Satisfaction and Retention

Halfer, D. — 2008-11-17

Dispositional Cognitive Appraisal, Informational Coping Style, and Depressive Symptoms in Family Decision Makers of the Chronically Critically Ill

Hickman, R. L., Daly, B. J. — 2008-11-17

The Relationship Between Executive Function, AD/HD, and Obesity

Dempsey, A., Dyehouse, J. — 2008-11-17

Self-Efficacy, Outcome Expectation, Self-Care Behavior, and Glycosylated Hemoglobin Level in Persons With Type 2 Diabetes

Kott, K. B. — 2008-11-17

Sleep Quality and Trauma Symptoms in Battered Women

Huber, L. A., Woods, S. J., Hall, R. J., Angott, D. M. — 2008-11-17

Midwest Nursing Research Society News

Rawl, S. — 2008-11-17