Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques

The MOS social support survey.

Cross-cultural adaptation of health-related quality of life measures: literature review and proposed guidelines.

Research in aging has emphasized average age-related losses and neglected the substantial heterogeneity of older persons. The effects of the aging process itself have been exaggerated, and the modifying effects of diet, exercise, personal habits, and psychosocial factors underestimated. Within the category of normal aging, a distinction can be made between usual aging, in which extrinsic factors heighten the effects of aging alone, and successful aging, in which extrinsic factors play a neutral or positive role. Research on the risks associated with usual aging and strategies to modify them should help elucidate how a transition from usual to successful aging can be facilitated.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/237/4811/143.full.pdf

Human aging: usual and successful

Effect of psychosocial treatment on survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer

/pdf/cancer-awareness-and-secondary-prevention-practices-in-black-i7mdyccom6.pdf

Cancer Awareness and Secondary Prevention Practices in Black Americans: Implications for Intervention.

This study examines the relationship between contextual factors and job satisfaction and organizational commitment among a sample of 148 administrators and staff in 17 community mental health centers undergoing the transition from fee-for-service (FFS) reimbursement to capitation of Medicaid-funded mental health services in Colorado. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to assess both organizational level factors as well as factors at the individual level of analysis in relation to job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Results indicated significant associations between type of financing for Medicaid-funded services and organizational commitment. Direct, nonprofit capitation was positively linked to organizational commitment, relative to traditional FFS reimbursement. Aggregate perceptions about the organization, including its culture and climate, and the formalization of policies and procedures were strongly linked to job attitudes, over and above individual perceptions about the organization. Individual perceptions of the organization were also related to job attitudes as was respondent level within the hierarchy of the organization. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for research and intervention in mental health service settings.

Contextual factors affecting job satisfaction and organizational commitment in community mental health centers undergoing system changes in the financing of care.

This study compares the effects of the cancer experience on various aspects of marital and sexual functioning (e.g., communication, emotional support, body image, sexual satisfaction and frequency) for two groups of long-term cancer survivors (testicular cancer and Hodgkin's disease) and their spouses. Comparisons between the two patient groups showed significantly more survivors of Hodgkin's disease than testicular cancer reporting the emergence of special issues and changes in the marital relationship. No differences emerged between the spouse groups on sexual functioning variables; however, spouses of survivors of Hodgkin's disease were more likely than spouses of survivors of testicular cancer to report the development of special issues and communication difficulties. A substantial proportion of both survivor groups disclosed negative changes in body image and sexual frequency. Majorities of both survivors and spouses acknowledged that the illness had drawn them closer together. When representative marital/sexual functioning variables were used to predict Family Environment Scale (FES) scores for survivors and for spouses, changes in the spouse's importance, influence of the illness on the relationship, and changes in sexual frequency emerged as significant predictors. The clinical significance of long-term changes in marital and sexual functioning for the couple and the need for therapeutic interventions are discussed.

Changes in marital and sexual functioning in long‐term survivors and their spouses: Testicular cancer versus hodgkin's disease

Our objective was to determine the influence of health consciousness in the utilization of mammography in asymptomatic African American women. The sample consisted of 670 women who participated in a household interview in two cities. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent effects of health consciousness, holding constant other factors believed to be related to mammography utilization. Health insurance, income below the poverty line, and an annual physical were not significant predictors. The single most important predictor of having a mammogram was the regular practice of breast self-examination; the group of women who practiced self-examination was almost twice as likely to have a mammogram.

https://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/cebp/1/1/75.full.pdf

Factors affecting the use of screening mammography among African American women.

Background

This community-based participatory research was conducted to provide a preliminary understanding of how Afghan women in Northern California view their breast health.



Methods

Results were based on demographics and in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 53 non-English-speaking first-generation immigrant Muslim Afghan women 40 years and older.



Results

Findings showed low levels of knowledge and awareness about breast cancer and low utilization of early-detection examinations for breast cancer among participants.



Conclusions

The findings also suggest a significant need for a community-based breast health education program that recognizes the unique social, cultural, and religious dynamics of the Muslim Afghan community. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

/pdf/afghan-immigrant-women-s-knowledge-and-behaviors-around-4lm21ms14u.pdf

Joan R. Bloom

Papers

Cancer Awareness and Secondary Prevention Practices in Black Americans: Implications for Intervention.

Contextual factors affecting job satisfaction and organizational commitment in community mental health centers undergoing system changes in the financing of care.

Changes in marital and sexual functioning in long‐term survivors and their spouses: Testicular cancer versus hodgkin's disease

Factors affecting the use of screening mammography among African American women.

Afghan immigrant women's knowledge and behaviors around breast cancer screening