Showing papers in "Advances in Nursing Science in 1984"
TL;DR: Research was conducted to develop valid and reliable scales to test the Health Belief Model, and the dependent variable chosen for scale development was frequency of breast self-examination.
Abstract: Research was conducted to develop valid and reliable scales to test the Health Belief Model (HBM). The dependent variable chosen for scale development was frequency of breast self-examination. Independent variables were constructs related to the HBM: susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, and health motivation. Analyses for construct validity and theory testing included factor analysis and multiple regression. Chronbach Alpha and Pearson r were used to compute reliabilities. Scales that were judged valid and reliable were susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, and health motivation.
656 citations
TL;DR: The concept of information seeking is analyzed within the framework of a six-step process model and inter-related dimensions of the information search process are identified and the impact on cognitive and behavioral outcomes is postulated.
Abstract: The information-seeking patterns of clients have received little attention in nursing theory and research, but they are important antecedents of health-related decisions and behavior. The concept of information seeking is analyzed within the framework of a six-step process model. Inter-related dimensions of the information search process are identified and the impact on cognitive and behavioral outcomes is postulated. Sociodemographic, experiential, personality, and contextual variables suggested by prior research to predict variation in search behavior are identified, and implications for nursing theory and research are discussed.
144 citations
TL;DR: The theorem that the effects of therapeutic touch do not depend on actual physical contact is derived, tested, and supported via an experimental pretest-posttest design.
Abstract: Previous investigators have suggested that the effects of therapeutic touch are the result of an energy exchange between the client and the nurse. In this investigation, the theory of energy exchange is viewed as part of the broader conceptual system proposed by Rogers. The theorem that the effects of therapeutic touch do not depend on actual physical contact is derived, tested, and supported via an experimental pretest-posttest design. Subjects treated with noncontract therapeutic touch demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in state anxiety than subjects treated with a mimic control intervention. Implications for further theory development are presented.
129 citations
TL;DR: This article develops an operational definition of hope by synthesizing definitions from other disciplines, contrasts hope with hopelessness, and presents a model of hope that represents a reconceptualization of the concepts as applied to health and the crises of stress and transition.
Abstract: Hope is a concept often relegated to the realm of the "soft" sciences; yet, the survival value of hope has been documented in both animals and humans. This article develops an operational definition of hope by synthesizing definitions from other disciplines, contrasts hope with hopelessness, and presents a model of hope that represents a reconceptualization of the concepts as applied to health and the crises of stress and transition. The model is presented for critical review, and methods of empirical testing are proposed.
126 citations
TL;DR: An attempt was made to trace the Delphi Technique's characteristics and to design such a model in order to clarify the process and to assist users of this technique.
Abstract: The Delphi Technique is gaining popularity in the health care field, although no model has been presented to capture its sequential process. An attempt was made to trace its characteristics and to design such a model in order to clarify the process and to assist users of this technique.
114 citations
TL;DR: The analysis shows a beginning philosophic shift within nursing theory from logical empiricism to historicism and addresses implications and recommendations for future nursing theory development and testing.
Abstract: The effects of changing trends in philosophies of science on nursing theory development and testing are analyzed. Two philosophies of science--logical empiricism and historicism--are compared for four variables: (1) components of science, (2) conception of science, (3) assessment of scientific progress, and (4) goal of philosophy of science. These factors serve as the basis for assessing trends in the development and testing of nursing theory from 1964 to the present. The analysis shows a beginning philosophic shift within nursing theory from logical empiricism to historicism and addresses implications and recommendations for future nursing theory development and testing.
87 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that research can be profitably aimed at understanding how the social cognitive and communicative abilities of nurses interrelate with the sociocultural context in health care to influence interpersonal competence.
Abstract: Despite the importance generally attributed to communication in nursing, little systematic attention has been directed toward exploring the interface between communication and the delivery of nursing care. The primary factors that have tended to impede research have been the inability of emerging models of nursing to conceptualize communication from an adequate perspective and level and the lack of theoretic exemplars for guiding specific lines of investigation. This article suggests that one potential exemplar for guiding nursing communication research lies in the area of interpersonal competence. It is suggested that research can be profitably aimed at understanding how the social cognitive and communicative abilities of nurses interrelate with the sociocultural context in health care to influence interpersonal competence.
44 citations
TL;DR: Results of the study supported the self-regulation model by demonstrating that patients use symptoms to monitor blood glucose levels and to guide diabetes-related actions.
Abstract: A model of self-regulation that explains the health behavior of type II diabetic patients was tested by examining the use of symptoms as indicators of perceived blood glucose levels in 38 outpatients. Results of the study supported the self-regulation model by demonstrating that patients use symptoms to monitor blood glucose levels and to guide diabetes-related actions. Implications of the model for planning interventions with type II diabetes are discussed.
38 citations
TL;DR: The Child's Health Self-Concept Scale (CHSCS) is an instrument designed to measure the collection of perceptions a child has concerning health and health-related behaviors that had moderate stability and high internal consistency reliability, but no evidence of construct validity.
Abstract: The Child's Health Self-Concept Scale (CHSCS) is an instrument designed to measure the collection of perceptions a child has concerning health and health-related behaviors. Its development was based on perceptions of children regarding "healthy" and "unhealthy" children. The original instrument was critiqued, revised, and tested. The estimation of reliability and validity was accomplished through a sample of 940 children. Critical analyses of the findings led to the conclusions that the CHSCS had moderate stability and high internal consistency reliability, evidence of content validity, but no evidence of construct validity. Additional research is needed to evaluate its potential usefulness for nursing research and practice.
38 citations
TL;DR: Data supported the conclusion that the experimental program initially improved knowledge of medication, perceived control over health, and self-care behaviors and follow-up analysis revealed a diminutive effect on these variables.
Abstract: Research was conducted to apply Orem's theoretical constructs of self-care to the problem of self-medication behaviors among black, elderly, hypertensive patients. Orem's propositions laid the foundation for this study evaluating the effectiveness of a self-care medication program on knowledge of medication, health locus of control, and self-care medication behaviors. Data supported the conclusion that the experimental program initially improved knowledge of medication, perceived control over health, and self-care behaviors. Follow-up analysis revealed a diminutive effect on these variables. Explanations for these conclusions were then applied to Orem's theoretical constructs of self-care.
33 citations
TL;DR: Evaluated self‐management training offers guidance to alter physiological processes, cognitions, behavioral habits, and emotions by self‐regulation and demonstrates highly significant changes on multiple measures.
Abstract: The use of self-management training as a mode of nursing action capitalizes on the current participative response of consumers of health. Self-management training offers guidance to alter physiological processes, cognitions, behavioral habits, and emotions by self-regulation. Especially responsive are patients with symptoms of stress disorders. Evaluation of this mode of nursing action focuses on the amount of reduction of stress responses and retention of training. The outcome for 322 patients demonstrates highly significant changes on multiple measures (P = .0001). Furthermore, at 6-month follow-up, the status of 182 patients was maintained or improved (P = .001). A comparison group, tested prior to and after a waiting period, showed no improvement.
TL;DR: Assessment of nursing research accomplishments revealed three hallmarks of success: identification of the boundaries of nursingResearch, explication of the types of research needed by the professional discipline of nursing, and delineation of research activities appropriate for nurses according to educational preparation.
Abstract: Assessment of nursing research accomplishments revealed three hallmarks of success: (1) identification of the boundaries of nursing research, (2) explication of the types of research needed by the professional discipline of nursing, and (3) delineation of research activities appropriate for nurses according to educational preparation. Assessment of the current state of nursing research resulted in identification of three major issues: (1) elimination of obstacles to nursing research, (2) acceptance of multiple modes of inquiry, and (3) utilization of nursing research findings in clinical practice. the successful resolution of these issues should represent three future hallmarks of success in nursing research.
TL;DR: Recommendations for further study are made that will increase the validity and reliability of life history as a measure of patterning and increase the ability to generalize study findings.
Abstract: The life history is presented as a tool for the identification of human patterning and as a process of nursing intervention for the promotion of health through expansion of consciousness. The life history process is presented in a pilot study involving a selected sample of eight persons aged 65. Qualitative study findings were interpreted through integration of two theoretical perspectives on patterning. Recommendations for further study are made that will increase the validity and reliability of life history as a measure of patterning and increase the ability to generalize study findings.
TL;DR: A review of studies that have used relaxation techniques is pertinent and points are provided for nurses to consider when selecting progressive relaxation as an intervention or carrying out research studies.
Abstract: Progressive relaxation is an intervention nurses have used during the past decade. Because nursing practice is seeking a more scientific basis for use of specific interventions, a review of studies that have used relaxation techniques is pertinent. In the 13 studies reviewed, the patient populations, purposes, procedures, measurements, and results are analyzed and compared. Points are provided for nurses to consider when selecting progressive relaxation as an intervention or carrying out research studies.
TL;DR: Results suggest that the alternate normative form developed by the authors is at least as reliable as the original ipsative inventory, with a factor structure that is congruent with the Canfield learning styles model.
Abstract: Learning style assessment measures the preferences for specific ways of learning in selected teaching-learning situations. The Learning Styles Inventory, which was constructed based on the Canfield model of learning style, assesses learning preferences that focus on selected motivational and environmental factors present in formal instructional situations. The study presented here was designed to determine the reliability and construct validity of Canfield's ipsative inventory, and an alternate normative form developed by the authors. Results suggest that the alternate form is at least as reliable as the original ipsative inventory, with a factor structure that is congruent with the Canfield learning styles model.
TL;DR: The use of free response data collection procedures and theoretically grounded and hierarchically ordered message coding systems represents a viable method to analyze strategic communication.
Abstract: Linking the process of nursing with theory and research in interpersonal competence is important in building a comprehensive theory of nursing. One dimension of interpersonal competence is the ability to use communication as a strategic mode of nursing intervention. The study of strategic communication can proceed by identifying communication-relevant nursing objectives, obstacles that inhibit the accomplishment of these objectives, and interpersonal strategies that can be employed to address these obstacles and facilitate goal attainment. The use of free response data collection procedures and theoretically grounded and hierarchically ordered message coding systems represents a viable method to analyze strategic communication.
TL;DR: This model points to the possibility that the full scope of clinical practice may require assisting patients in regaining a sense of viability; nursing may be particularly relevant to this need because of the opportunity for intense interpersonal contact with patients.
Abstract: A model of health and viability, as influenced by a wide variety of psychosocial variables, is presented. This model is based on the principle that illness and death sometimes serve an evolutionary function by maximizing natural selection prospects of other group members. Thus, evolutionary viability within the social context (personal contribution to one's social network) is a crucial health factor; life events, life style determiners, control perceptions, and viability emotions are other important concepts within the model. This model points to the possibility that the full scope of clinical practice may require assisting patients in regaining a sense of viability; nursing may be particularly relevant to this need because of the opportunity for intense interpersonal contact with patients.
TL;DR: Factor analysis revealed validity to this approach when Perceived Health Status was operationally defined as the sum of scores on the Health Perceptions Questionnaire, the Affect Balance Scale, and the Life Satisfaction Index.
Abstract: Little consensus exists for a definition of health. Economic and other forces are pushing health professionals to develop not only a definition of health consistent with the prevalent construct, holism, but also a means of quantifying health. One approach, which was used as part of a study to explore perceived health status among middle-aged women, was to select measures of specific dimensions of health and to sum scores on each. Factor analysis revealed validity to this approach when Perceived Health Status was operationally defined as the sum of scores on the Health Perceptions Questionnaire, the Affect Balance Scale, and the Life Satisfaction Index.
TL;DR: Results supported the postulated relationship between movement and time, and health as a basic pattern unique to the individual, and the need for an alternate criterion, such as functional health, and modifications of Newman's conceptualization and measurement of health.
Abstract: A study was undertaken to test propositions derived from Newman's conceptualization of health in a sample of older women and to develop instruments to measure older adults' health by establishing criterion-related validity of movement and time with self-assessment of health. Results supported the postulated relationship between movement and time, and health as a basic pattern unique to the individual. The lack of criterion-related validity with self-assessment of health demonstrates the need for an alternate criterion, such as functional health, and modifications of Newman's conceptualization and measurement of health.
TL;DR: In the Rogerian science of unitary human beings, the requirements for meaning and evidence are problematic, and integral (phenomenologic) evidence is taken as the criterion of meaning in theRogerian conceptual system.
Abstract: In the Rogerian science of unitary human beings, the requirements for meaning and evidence are problematic. Four-dimensionality, a major building block, is postulated to be nonspatiotemporal, nonlinear, and not predictable through knowledge of the parts. A problem arises primarily because the Rogerian system also presents "verification of concepts" as the means of testing "fit" with the real world. Evidence usually understood in the criterion of verifiability in the logical empiricist tradition is specifiable through physicalistic terms under particular three-dimensional conditions. What are the consequences if integral (phenomenologic) evidence is taken as the criterion of meaning in the Rogerian conceptual system?
TL;DR: The conceptual model for crisis of mate loss in the elderly describes the dynamics of nursing intervention and facilitation of resources such as interpersonal support, religious‐spiritual belief, and intrapersonal coping.
Abstract: The crisis of mate loss in the elderly has severe implications for the physical and mental health of the surviving spouse. During the dying process of the mate, the spouse experiences an imbalance in needs and resources. The nurse is in a unique position to facilitate the resources of the spouse, particularly during the mate's dying process. The conceptual model for crisis of mate loss in the elderly describes the dynamics of nursing intervention and facilitation of resources such as interpersonal support, religious-spiritual belief, and intrapersonal coping.
TL;DR: The technique of concept analysis was used to develop four criteria for the diagnosis of a client as having attributes congruent with the concept of crisis and to differentiate crisis from related concepts, eg, stress and emergency.
Abstract: Crisis is one example of a concept widely used and misused in the vocabulary of the nursing professional. The technique of concept analysis was used to develop four criteria for the diagnosis of a client as having attributes congruent with the concept of crisis and to differentiate crisis from related concepts, eg, stress and emergency. Variations of a model case were developed to illustrate what crisis is and what it is not. Antecedents, consequents, and empirical referents for crisis are also identified.
TL;DR: A semantic differential using conceptual nursing models as concepts to be rated and scales chosen from the theory literature was used by 78 master's degree students to evaluate the King, Orem, Rogers, Roy, and Wiedenbach models, appearing capable of detecting reliable, plausible differences among models.
Abstract: A semantic differential using conceptual nursing models as concepts to be rated and scales chosen from the theory literature was used by 78 master's degree students to evaluate the King, Orem, Rogers, Roy, and Wiedenbach models. The tool appeared capable of detecting reliable, plausible differences among models as shown by inspection of models' mean ratings on individual scales and by factor analysis. Six factors (sophistication-dynamism, clarity-usefulness, focus, utility, scope, and scientific rigor) accounted for from 49% to 56% of the total variance of the models. All scales loaded on some factor for at least one model. Tool development is continuing.
TL;DR: The dialectical noncausal category of determination is explored as a method of explaining human development and its relationship to Rogers's principles of homeodynamics is examined.
Abstract: This paper explores the dialectical noncausal category of determination as a method of explaining human development and examines its relationship to Rogers's principles of homeodynamics. The relationships among determinism, causality, and lawfulness are discussed, and the categories of determination are reviewed.
TL;DR: A theory of psychological differentiation, research supporting this theory and identified indicators of differentiation, and studies that connect several of these indicators with the phenomenon of pain are dealt with.
Abstract: This article deals with a theory of psychological differentiation, research supporting this theory and identified indicators of differentiation, and studies that connect several of these indicators with the phenomenon of pain. Problems for investigation are posed concerning the relationships between differentiation indicators and pain threshold, pain tolerance, relief measures, attention to pain, control, and counterirritation An understanding of the kinds of variables affecting the pain experience can lead to a clearer perception and more astute evaluation of that experience and a more organized approach to the implementation of nursing care.
TL;DR: Competency measurement models from the disciplines of law, medicine, and philosophy are reviewed and conclusions are stated about the use of these models in nursing to evaluate the patient's autonomous state.
Abstract: Patients can be judged incompetent when they begin to refuse treatments and nursing interventions believed to be important for their health, but finding agreement among health care providers on the concept of competency is sometimes an arduous task. This article reviews competency measurement models from the disciplines of law, medicine, and philosophy and compares the usefulness of these tests and criteria. Conclusions are stated about the use of these models in nursing to evaluate the patient's autonomous state.
TL;DR: This review contrasts and compares information provided in the Woodham‐Smith biography and in current literature about Nightingale.
Abstract: This article examines the biography of Florence Nightingale written by Cecil Woodham-Smith, Originally published in 1951, this biography was reprinted in 1983 by Atheneum. Much has been written about the life and beliefs of Nightingale. Often these accounts are contradictory and confusing to the reader. This review contrasts and compares information provided in the Woodham-Smith biography and in current literature about Nightingale.
TL;DR: Traditional and more recent constitutive definitions are discussed using related theories of stress and threat and the utility of crisis for nursing is outlined with a focus on crisis as a continuous entity as opposed to the dichotomous variable it is often considered to be.
Abstract: The concept of crisis is important to nursing; yet, discrepancies exist in the way the term is viewed conceptually and applied clinically. This lack of clarity makes systematic research more difficult. In this article, crisis intervention theory is used to describe the concept of emotional crisis. Traditional and more recent constitutive definitions are discussed using related theories of stress and threat. The utility of crisis for nursing is outlined with a focus on crisis as a continuous entity as opposed to the dichotomous variable it is often considered to be. Implications for research and clinical practice are explored.