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SPIRITUAL CARE INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER RECEIVING PALLIATIVE CARE
Title
SPIRITUAL CARE INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER RECEIVING PALLIATIVE CARE.
Creator
Ballen-Sanchez, Maria, Conner, Norma, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Title: Spiritual Care Interventions and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care Background: Despite the evidence supporting spiritual care in nursing and an increased quality of life among patients, patients feel that their spiritual needs are not being supported by medical professionals. Nurses agree that the role they play is significant in addressing the needs of cancer patients; however, they feel that they lack the knowledge for addressing spirituality concerns at...
Show moreTitle: Spiritual Care Interventions and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care Background: Despite the evidence supporting spiritual care in nursing and an increased quality of life among patients, patients feel that their spiritual needs are not being supported by medical professionals. Nurses agree that the role they play is significant in addressing the needs of cancer patients; however, they feel that they lack the knowledge for addressing spirituality concerns at the end of life. The purpose of this study is to identify spiritual care interventions that nurses can implement to improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. Method: This literature review consisted of articles retrieved from several databases, including CINAHL, PubMED, and PsychINFO , PsychARTICLES, ATLA Religion databases using the key words "cancer*" and "quality of life" "therapeutic communication", "spirit* therapy", "relaxation therapy", and "self-care". Inclusion criteria consisted of research conducted after the year 2000, peer reviewed work and research studies written in the English language. Results: Results from this literature review include recommended nursing interventions that provide spiritual care to patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care for the purpose of improved quality of life. Spiritual care interventions identified in this study include Meaning Centered Group Psychotherapy (MCGP), Supportive Group Psychotherapy (SGP), mental relaxation, mental images, TM, art therapy, socializing, communicative acts, aromatherapy, massage, exercise, hatha yoga, meditation, and activities such as gardening, watching TV, resting/sleeping and socializing.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFH0004245, ucf:44925
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004245
PRE-LICENSURE NURSING STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE
Title
PRE-LICENSURE NURSING STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE.
Creator
Cox, Stephanie K, Conner, Norma E., Loerzel, Victoria, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Physician assisted suicide (PAS) has been a legalized presence in the United States since Oregon first passed the Death with Dignity Act in 1994. Now PAS is legalized in six states and it is realistic that nurses may encounter PAS during their career. This project explores pre-licensure nursing student attitudes toward PAS. A mixed method design incorporating descriptive correlation and thematic analysis of an open-ended question was used. Surveys were sent to 550 nursing students enrolled in...
Show morePhysician assisted suicide (PAS) has been a legalized presence in the United States since Oregon first passed the Death with Dignity Act in 1994. Now PAS is legalized in six states and it is realistic that nurses may encounter PAS during their career. This project explores pre-licensure nursing student attitudes toward PAS. A mixed method design incorporating descriptive correlation and thematic analysis of an open-ended question was used. Surveys were sent to 550 nursing students enrolled in the UCF nursing program asking participants to complete the 34-question survey. This survey included a 12 item "Domino scale" on student nursing opinions toward physician-assisted suicide, and a 23-item demographic scale. Complete, usable results were obtained from 231 participants. Demographic data revealed that the typical participant was between 18 and 25 years of age (80%), female (82%), single (87%), white (69%), in their first two semesters of the nursing program (60%), and unemployed (56%). The total scores for the Domino scale indicated a mean of 40. Regression analyses found that participant experience of someone having asked for help with PAS, and participant religiosity were significant predictors (F = 9.82, p = .0019; and F= 160.36, p < .0001) respectively of nursing student opinions on PAS as measured by the Domino scale. Qualitative analysis produced the following themes related to participant opinion on the nurse's role in PAS: ways nurses can help with PAS, nurses should not be involved with PAS, clarification and delineation of the PAS process, the preservation of autonomy, the need for more education and inaccurate assumptions of PAS. This study showed that nursing students are moderately in support of PAS and willing to provide care to patients who are terminally ill regardless of a his or her personal decisions regarding PAS. Participants also comment that they desire additional education. Suggestions for further education, practice enhancements, research and policy development are discussed.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFH2000387, ucf:45921
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000387
Stress, Coping, and Quality of Life Among Parental Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Title
Stress, Coping, and Quality of Life Among Parental Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Creator
Turnage, Dawn, Conner, Norma, Edwards, Joellen, Weiss, Josie, Hinojosa, Melanie, Uddin, Nizam, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Purpose: Parental caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are exposed to stressors associated with the daily care of raising a child with a developmental disability, which may negatively impact parental quality of life (QOL). The specific aim of this study was to examine the relationships between demographic factors, stress, and coping among parental caregivers of children with ASD to determine whether predictors of QOL exist. Methodology: This study was descriptive, and an...
Show morePurpose: Parental caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are exposed to stressors associated with the daily care of raising a child with a developmental disability, which may negatively impact parental quality of life (QOL). The specific aim of this study was to examine the relationships between demographic factors, stress, and coping among parental caregivers of children with ASD to determine whether predictors of QOL exist. Methodology: This study was descriptive, and an electronic survey was distributed to Florida parents of children, age 3-21 years old, diagnosed with ASD. The survey measured parentreported demographic factors, severity of the diagnosis of ASD in the child, parental stress, coping, and QOL. Data were analyzed using multiple regression. Findings: Study findings suggest that, in parental caregivers of children with ASD in Florida (N = 152) daily stressors, coping self-efficacy, and household income were predictors for physical QOL; daily stressors and coping self-efficacy were predictors of psychological QOL, and coping-self efficacy, household income, and severity of the diagnosis of the child were predictors for environmental QOL. Conclusion: Coping self-efficacy and improved income can positively improve QOL, while severity of the diagnosis of ASD and daily stressors can negatively impact QOL. Clinically, nurses with a better understanding of the parental stress and coping in parents of children with ASD can better recommend tailored resources to improve QOL. Policies to support financial help for families may also improve QOL. Future research should focus on interventions to improve coping-self efficacy.
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Date Issued
2019
Identifier
CFE0007737, ucf:52412
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007737
Nurse Managers, Work Environment Factors and Workplace Bullying
Title
Nurse Managers, Work Environment Factors and Workplace Bullying.
Creator
Parchment, Joy, Andrews, Diane, Neff, Donna, Conner, Norma, Yan, Xin, Saunders, Carol, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this dissertation is to explore relationships between authentic leadership style, global social power, job demand, job control, and workplace bullying of nurse managers in acute care settings across the United States.Over 30 years of workplace bullying research exists. Consequences are linked to intent to leave, turnover, and harmful emotional and physical effects. Published studies identifying nurse managers as targets of workplace bullying and work environment factors that...
Show moreThe purpose of this dissertation is to explore relationships between authentic leadership style, global social power, job demand, job control, and workplace bullying of nurse managers in acute care settings across the United States.Over 30 years of workplace bullying research exists. Consequences are linked to intent to leave, turnover, and harmful emotional and physical effects. Published studies identifying nurse managers as targets of workplace bullying and work environment factors that contribute to nurse managers being recipients of workplace bullying either, downward from their leaders, horizontally from their nurse manager peers, and upwards from their clinical nurses were not identified.A descriptive, cross-sectional design using an online survey was utilized. Descriptive, inferential, and multivariate analyses were used to identify relationships and the likelihood of workplace bullying occurring. Thirty-five percent (n = 80) of nurse managers reported being a target of workplace bullying. Managers sustained occasional (56%, n = 45) and severe (44%, n = 35) levels of workplace bullying, 65% (n = 43) identified their executive nurse leader as the predominate perpetrator. Authentic leadership, job demand, job control correlated significantly (p = (<).01) with workplace bullying and job demand demonstrated the strongest likelihood (OR = 3.9) for predicting workplace bullying. Nurse Managers are four times more likely to be a recipient of workplace bullying when their job responsibilities are classified as demanding. This study expanded the science and demonstrated that nurse managers, the backbone of organizations, are recipients of workplace bullying emanating predominately from executive nurse leaders, but also from clinical nurses and their nurse manager peers. Given the harmful consequences of workplace bullying, as 'guardians' of and 'advocates' for their teams, executive nursing leaders, have an ethical and operational responsibility to ensure nurse managers are able to practice in a safe environment.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005986, ucf:50771
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005986
Perceived social support and self-care in patients hospitalized with heart failure
Title
Perceived social support and self-care in patients hospitalized with heart failure.
Creator
Chamberlain, Lyne, Sole, Mary Lou, Conner, Norma, Neff, Donna, Hofler, Richard, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Problem: Heart failure is the most frequent cause for hospital readmissions in Medicare recipients, with an estimated annual cost of $12 billion. Heart failure hospitalizations are also an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Self-care, thought to be enhanced by perceived social support, is key to managing this syndrome, and up to 50% of readmissions are considered the result of inadequate self-care.Purpose: To evaluate perceived social support and self-care characteristics of...
Show moreProblem: Heart failure is the most frequent cause for hospital readmissions in Medicare recipients, with an estimated annual cost of $12 billion. Heart failure hospitalizations are also an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Self-care, thought to be enhanced by perceived social support, is key to managing this syndrome, and up to 50% of readmissions are considered the result of inadequate self-care.Purpose: To evaluate perceived social support and self-care characteristics of patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of heart failure, and to compare these characteristics with a study of ambulatory patients with heart failure. In addition, to assess the relationship between perceived social support and self-care.Methods: This was a multi-site descriptive comparative study. Following informed consent, participants were screened for sufficient cognition to consent. Patients were then administered the Medical Outcome Study-Social Support emotional/informational subscale, and the three Self-Care of Heart Failure Index subscales. Two-sample t tests and multiple regression were utilized to analyze the data. Results were compared with a sample of community-dwelling heart failure patients in another study.Results: Of 161 consented patients 121 passed the cognition screening and were included in the study. Average age was 71 years; gender and type of heart failure was evenly split. Mean Charlson Comorbidity Score was 7.43, and the mean six month number of hospitalizations was 2.43. Approximately 31% of participants were African American. Both perceived social support (t=-4.007, df=211, p(<).001) and self-care maintenance (t=-3.343, df=220, p(<).002) scores were lower in the hospitalized participants than the comparison group of community dwellers. Perceived social support was associated with self-care confidence (?=.210, t=-2.210, p(<).029), but not self-care maintenance or self-care management. Forty-six percent of participants scored higher than the 70% cut point for adequate self-care confidence, which was 1.4 times higher than in the community participants. Self-care confidence was also related to self-care maintenance (?=.388, t=4.676, p(<).001) and self-care management (?=.327, t=3.793, p(<).001).Conclusions: Results have implications for facilitating self-care knowledge and skills in heart failure patients. Patient education during hospitalization may not be the ideal timing to promote understanding and retention. Interventions to enhance self-care confidence may assist patients to develop self-care skills more than current teaching techniques. Because cognitive deficiencies were found in 25% of pre-screened participants for this study, further research is recommended to determine if hospitalized patients have transient cognitive issues or if cognitive impairments are more prevalent in all heart failure patients.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005933, ucf:50844
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005933
Nutrition Literacy and Demographic Variables as Predictors of Adolescent Weight Status in a Florida County
Title
Nutrition Literacy and Demographic Variables as Predictors of Adolescent Weight Status in a Florida County.
Creator
Damato-Kubiet, Leslee, Sole, Mary, Bushy, Angeline, Conner, Norma, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Problem: In recent years, childhood obesity has increased to epidemic proportions across the United States (U.S.) in parallel with adult obesity, which often reflects poor dietary choices and bad nutritional habits. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parent and adolescent nutrition literacy expressed as nutrition knowledge and skills, with total household income and parent level of education, as predictors of weight status in adolescents that live in a...
Show moreProblem: In recent years, childhood obesity has increased to epidemic proportions across the United States (U.S.) in parallel with adult obesity, which often reflects poor dietary choices and bad nutritional habits. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parent and adolescent nutrition literacy expressed as nutrition knowledge and skills, with total household income and parent level of education, as predictors of weight status in adolescents that live in a Florida community. The secondary purpose of this study was to examine the implications for nutrition literacy levels within parent/adolescent dyads to identify public health initiatives aimed at adult and adolescent populations.Methods: A descriptive, correlational design was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 110 parent-adolescent dyads recruited from a free physical exam event hosted by a local health care facility. Three instruments were completed by each dyad: 1) demographic survey, 2) Nutrition Literacy Survey (NLS; knowledge), and 3) Newest Vital Sign (NVS; skills). Physiologic measurements for the study included anthropometric measurement of the adolescent child's height (cm) and weight (kg) without shoes and BMI scores were calculated. In addition to actual value, BMI was categorized as low/normal and overweight/obese for analysis. Paired t-tests were used to compare means for the NLS and NVS survey in parent-adolescent dyads. Bivariate correlation scores were computed between the two variables of parent/adolescent NLS and NVS scores. Lastly, regression models for examining adolescent BMI were compared with the independent variables of the study.Results: The sample of adult participants (n =110) comprised males (n = 30, 27%) and females (n =80, 73%) ranging in age from 34 to 55 years (M= 41.9, SD= 4.77). Adolescent participants (n=110) comprised males (n = 61, 55%) and females (n = 49, 45%) ranging in age from 13 to 17 years (M = 15.1, SD = 1.43). Adolescent male participants had higher BMI (27 + 3.48) than females (24 + 2.90), t (108) = 4.83, (p = (<) .001). Adolescent males were categorized more overweight/obese than females (67.2% versus 24.5%). The parent NLS mean score (M=19) indicated low overall levels of general nutrition knowledge whereas the adolescent NLS mean score (M=21.7) demonstrated greater aptitude for nutrition knowledge than parent scores. The parent NVS mean score (M=4.1) suggested adequate levels of nutrition skills. Likewise, the adolescent NVS mean score (M= 4.1) suggested adequate nutrition skills, similar to scores in the adult population. Spearman rho correlations yielded positive correlations between parent/adolescent nutrition knowledge, (rs = .224, p = .019), and parents' nutrition knowledge and skills (rs = .596, p (<) .001). Positive correlations were also noted between adolescents' nutrition knowledge and parents' nutrition skills (rs = .257, p = .007) and adolescents' nutrition knowledge and nutrition skills (rs = .260. p = .006). Three regression models were calculated to examine adolescent BMI with the independent variables of the study. Analysis of regression coefficients for each model indicated that none of the variables demonstrated significance as a predictor of adolescent BMI.Discussion/Implications: The results of the study suggest that parents and adolescents may have similar amounts of nutrition literacy when examining the constructs of nutrition knowledge and skills; however, BMI is not solely dependent on these skill sets. Examination of the factors that influence parents and adolescent children's weight status are important elements in shaping families adoption of sound dietary habits and improving health outcomes.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0005154, ucf:50685
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005154
Evaluating Moral Distress, Moral Distress Residue and Moral Courage in Oncology Nurses
Title
Evaluating Moral Distress, Moral Distress Residue and Moral Courage in Oncology Nurses.
Creator
Melhado, Lolita, Chase, Susan, Conner, Norma, Loerzel, Victoria, Uddin, Nizam, Haley, William, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Purpose: To examine relationships between moral distress, moral distress residue, and moral courage and to determine which nurse characteristics are predictive of moral distress and moral courage.Methods: The study used a mixed methods cross-sectional correlation design and qualitative content analysis to investigate oncology nurses' characteristics and relationships between moral distress, moral distress residue, and moral courage. A convenience sample of 187 oncology nurses working in...
Show morePurpose: To examine relationships between moral distress, moral distress residue, and moral courage and to determine which nurse characteristics are predictive of moral distress and moral courage.Methods: The study used a mixed methods cross-sectional correlation design and qualitative content analysis to investigate oncology nurses' characteristics and relationships between moral distress, moral distress residue, and moral courage. A convenience sample of 187 oncology nurses working in inpatient and outpatient settings was recruited through the national Oncology Nursing Society in the Southeastern United States. Hamric's 21-item Moral Distress Scale-Revised (MDS-R) and Sekerka et al. 15-item Professional Moral Courage Scale (PMCS) supplemented with written examples of moral courage were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t test, Pearson correlation, ANOVA, and multiple regressions analyses were used to evaluate data.Findings: MDS-R scores were not predictive of PMCS scores. No statistically significant differences were found between nurses' characteristics (age, education level, certification, ELNEC training) and MDS-R. Though nurses with BSN had higher Moral Distress scores compared with other levels of education, none were predictors of MDS-R. ANOVA results indicate a marginal but not significant difference of the MDS-R score among the nurses with different basic ethics education (p = .067). Nurses working in adult inpatient settings had significantly higher MDS-R than those in outpatient settings. Nurses who had moral distress residue by virtue of leaving a previous job (26%) and those who considered leaving (28%) reported statistically significantly higher mean Moral Distress levels than those who had not considered leaving. Nurses (17%) currently considering leaving their jobs due to the way patient care was handled at their institutions had the highest Moral Distress mean scores and the lowest Professional Moral Courage scores. Work setting and having left a previous job were weak predictors of MDS-R, accounting for 11.6% of the moral distress score variance (p = .013) compared with 4.4% when work setting was a single predictor (p = .014). Total years' oncology experience was a weak predictor of PMCS, accounting for 2.5% or an inconsequential amount of the variance (p = .043). Moral courage was displayed in major areas of supporting the patient, risk taking, advocacy, enlarging the circle for decision-making, putting aside personal beliefs, respecting patient autonomy, empowering the patient, fighting for the patient in face of consequences in a complex system, sharing information, getting to the meaning, handling tricky situations, protecting the patient and truth-telling.Discussion/Implication: Despite experiencing levels of moral distress, oncology nurses demonstrate support and respect for patients' decision-making and autonomy. Ethics education derived from clinical practice can provide an opportunity for open discussion for nurses to create and maintain morally acceptable work environments that enable them to be morally courageous. This research underscores the presence of moral distress and moral distress residue among oncology nurses and the importance of finding ways to lessen moral distress and strengthen moral courage in nurses.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFE0006142, ucf:51175
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006142
Mobile Phone Short Message Service (SMS) to Improve Malaria Pharmacoadherence in Zambia
Title
Mobile Phone Short Message Service (SMS) to Improve Malaria Pharmacoadherence in Zambia.
Creator
Steury, Elinda, Sole, Mary Lou, Bushy, Angeline, Conner, Norma, Haiduven, Donna, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
ABSTRACTMalaria significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality rates in Zambia. The currently accepted malaria treatment is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT); it is more than 97% effective when the regimen is strictly adhered to. However, the mean ACT adherence rate in sub-Saharan Africa is only approximately 38-48%. Poor pharmacoadherence remains a significant barrier to malaria control and elimination.The purpose of this study was to determine if adherence rates to a six...
Show moreABSTRACTMalaria significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality rates in Zambia. The currently accepted malaria treatment is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT); it is more than 97% effective when the regimen is strictly adhered to. However, the mean ACT adherence rate in sub-Saharan Africa is only approximately 38-48%. Poor pharmacoadherence remains a significant barrier to malaria control and elimination.The purpose of this study was to determine if adherence rates to a six-dose ACT antimalarial treatment differ between patients in Zambia who received short message service (SMS) reminders and those who did not. An experimental, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to collect data from a sample of 96 adult patients with malaria who presented to Fisenge Clinic in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. Participants were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. The intervention group received SMS messages to remind them to take their medication according to the regimen. An electronic pillbox was used to measure pharmacoadherence for both groups, and patients were classified as probably adherent or probably non-adherent.Data were analyzed using Chi-square for association between the SMS intervention and pharmacoadherence, and logistic regression used for predictors of adherence. No significant association was found between SMS reminders and pharmacoadherence among malaria patients being treated with ACT when evaluated with respect to those who received the SMS reminders and those who did not (?2=0.19, df=1, p=0.67). Binary logistic regression indicated that there were no variables associated with adherence (p(>)0.05).Findings from this study contribute to the research regarding the use of mobile phones to promote adherence. This is the first study of its kind using SMS directly to the patient for ACT adherence in sub-Saharan Africa known to the author. It is possible that the use of the electronic pillbox and/or the novelty of participating in a research study contributed to higher levels of adherence than previously found in this geographical area. While data suggested that there was no association between SMS and adherence, further research is needed to explore the value of this intervention.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
CFE0005421, ucf:50430
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005421