Graceland University

About: Graceland University is a education organization based out in Lamoni, Iowa, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Nurse education. The organization has 57 authors who have published 77 publications receiving 2765 citations.

Translation, adaptation and validation of instruments or scales for use in cross‐cultural health care research: a clear and user‐friendly guideline

Abstract: Rationale, aims and objectives The diversity of the population worldwide suggests a great need for cross-culturally validated research instruments or scales. Researchers and clinicians must have access to reliable and valid measures of concepts of interest in their own cultures and languages to conduct cross-cultural research and/or provide quality patient care. Although there are well-established methodological approaches for translating, adapting and validating instruments or scales for use in cross-cultural health care research, a great variation in the use of these approaches continues to prevail in the health care literature. Therefore, the objectives of this scholarly paper were to review published recommendations of cross-cultural validation of instruments and scales, and to propose and present a clear and user-friendly guideline for the translation, adaptation and validation of instruments or scales for cross-cultural health care research. Methods A review of highly recommended methodological approaches to translation, adaptation and cross-cultural validation of research instruments or scales was performed. Recommendations were summarized and incorporated into a seven-step guideline. Each one of the steps was described and key points were highlighted. Example of a project using the proposed steps of the guideline was fully described. Conclusions Translation, adaptation and validation of instruments or scales for crosscultural research is very time-consuming and requires careful planning and the adoption of rigorous methodological approaches to derive a reliable and valid measure of the concept of interest in the target population.

Reward deficiency syndrome: a biogenetic model for the diagnosis and treatment of impulsive, addictive, and compulsive behaviors.

Abstract: The dopaminergic system, and in particular the dopamine D2 receptor, has been implicated in reward mechanisms. The net effect of neurotransmitter interaction at the mesolimbic brain region induces “reward” when dopamine (DA) is released from the neuron at the nucleus accumbens and interacts with a dopamine D2 receptor. “The reward cascade” involves the release of serotonin, which in turn at the hypothalmus stimulates enkephalin, which in turn inhibits GABA at the substania nigra, which in turn fine tunes the amount of DA released at the nucleus accumbens or “reward site.” It is well known that under normal conditions in the reward site DA works to maintain our normal drives. In fact, DA has become to be known as the “pleasure molecule” and/or the “antistress molecule.” When DA is released into the synapse, it stimulates a number a DA receptors (D1-D5) which results in increased feelings of well-being and stress reduction. A consensus of the literature suggests that when there is a dysfunction in ...

Correlates of falls and fear of falling among adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Objective To identify correlates of falling and fear of falling, and to examine how fear of falling affects activities among adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Adults (mean age 54.2 years; SD 9.1) with RA (n = 128) responded to questions related to falls, fear of falling, and activities modified. Other measures included the Profile of Mood States Short Form, the McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form, walk time, grip strength, predicted maximum oxygen uptake, and joint count. Results Thirty-five percent of participants fell during the previous year. Subjects who fell had more comorbid conditions than subjects who did not fall. Almost 60% were fearful of falling. Compared with subjects who denied fear of falling, fearful subjects had longer walk times, more comorbid conditions, and more intense pain. Activities affected most by fear of falling involved heavy work and climbing. Conclusions The number of comorbid conditions plays an important role in falling and fear of falling in adults with RA. Knowledge of this and other factors, such as pain intensity and functional status, can facilitate appropriate interventions.

Enhancing the effectiveness of nurse preceptors.

Abstract: More than half of new graduate nurses start their careers in the hospital setting. Once there, they need an orientation that will help them make the transition from student to novice professional. It is just as important for experienced nurses transferring into another unit or hospital to be inculturated into the new work environment. In this study, academic and staff development educators collaborated to create the Nurse Preceptor Academy, a workshop that prepared over 700 nurse preceptors to be more effective in the preceptor role.