[Psychometric evaluation of the short forms of barthel index in the elderly residing in nursing home]

The continuous assessment of functional independence level in daily activities of elderly, residing in nursing homes is necessary. It seems that one of the important characteristics of the proper tools is their shortness. This study was designed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the 3-item, 4-item and 5- item versions of Barthel index in the elderly, residing in a nursing home. After translating the tools, sampling was performed by using census method in Kashan Golabchi nursing home in 2006 [n=100]. The questionnaires were completed through interview and observation. Inter-rater agreement was assessed. The tools reliability was determined via internal consistency method. Their validity was determined via Concurrent validity and Known-groups approach. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Intra-class Correlation Coefficient [ICC], Kappa, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Kruskal-wallis test. In all of the assessed tools, the inter-rater reliability for every item was good [Kappa>0.61]. In relation to the total score, all of the tools Intra-class correlation coefficients were more than 0.9. The questionnaires reliability coefficients [internal consistency] were calculated 0.83-0.93. Item-total correlation confirmed their reliability too. Their concurrent validity with Persian Original Barthel index were confirmed [r=0.98, p<0.0001]. The known-groups approach also revealed that these tools are valid [p<0.0001]. The Persian versions of short 3, 4 and 5- item Barthel index for evaluation of disability in elderly, residing in Golabchi nursing home are valid and reliable

[Relationship between mothers' and daughters' self-esteem]

Background: Adolescence is one of the most critical stages of human development. Low self-esteem is one of the problems that most adolescents often face with. Moreover, low selfesteem can cause other psychological disorders [e.g. anxiety, depression and drug abuse]. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between mothers' and daughters' self-esteem

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 474 students were randomly selected among the Kashan's high schools during 2009-10. They were divided into three equal groups [low, average and high self-esteem] who met the inclusion criteria [ages 13-19, living with biological parents and without experiencing severe stress over the last year]. Izink standard test and a researcher-made questionnaire were also used to assess both the mothers' and daughters' self-esteem; scores less than 14 were considered as low selfesteem

Results: There was a significant relationship between mothers' and daughters' self-esteem [OR= 3.24, CI= 2.1-4.85, r=0.416]. Seventy-six percent of mothers with low self-esteem had also daughters with low self-esteem. Moreover, while no significant relation was seen between the student's self-esteem and age, education level, birth order and number of brothers and sisters, but there was a significant relationship between the student's self-esteem and intimacy with mother, number of close friends, the average school scores in last year, extracurricular activities, feeling of success, popularity among friends and satisfaction with height and weight

Conclusion: Our study showed a positive correlation between mothers' and daughters' selfesteem

[Psychometric evaluation of the satisfaction with life scale [SWLS] in the students of Kashan nursing and midwifery faculty, Kashan, Iran]

Life satisfaction is one of the most important indicators for evaluation of mental health status in general population including university students. In this field, the appropriate tool is necessary. So, this study was carried out in order to assess the reliability and validity of the SWLS in the students of Kashan Nursing and Midwifery Faculty [KNMF], Kashan, Iran, in 2008. In this descriptive study, the SWLS English version was translated into Persian; then, the subjects were selected using random stratified method in KNMF [n=161]. Reliability was determined via stability and internal consistency. Validity was determined via construct and concurrent validity. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Intra-class correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha, Spearman-Brown, Guttman, independent t-test and exploratory factorial analysis. In 5-35 scale, the life satisfaction score was 22.15 +/- 6.18 [95%CLM=21.19-23.11]. The questionnaire reliability coefficient was calculated to be 0.85-0.9. Item-total correlation and test re-test confirmed its reliability too. Its correlation with Q-LES-QSF and one item life satisfaction scale was reported to be 0.7 and 0.78, respectively [p<0.0001]. The known-groups approach also revealed this tool was valid [p<0.0001]. The factorial analysis extracted one main factor whose Eigen value was 3/24; the mentioned factor can explain greater than 64% of the total variance. SWLS Persian version for evaluation of life satisfaction in the university students is valid and reliable

[Psychometric evaluation of Shah version of modified Barthel index in elderly people residing in Kashan Golabchi nursing home]

The rehabilitation interventions have an important role in the promotion of elderly health level especially who are residing in nursing homes. This study was designed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Shah version of modified Barthel index [MBI] in older people residing in Kashan Golabchi nursing home. The Shah version of MBI was translated from English to Persian through forward-backward translation method. Sampling was performed using census method in Kashan Golabchi nursing home during 2006-7 [n=100]. The questionnaires were completed through interview, observation and inter-rater agreement coefficient was assessed. Reliability was determined via internal consistency and validity was determined via concurrent validity, exploratory factor analysis and known-groups approach. Inter-rater reliability coefficient [Kappa] for every item was more than 0.6; Interrater reliability in the total MBI was 0.998. The questionnaire reliability coefficient [internal consistency] was 0.96-0.99 and item-total correlation confirmed its reliability too. Its concurrent validity with Persian original Barthel index was confirmed [r=0.993, P<0.0001] and the known-groups approach revealed its validity [P<0.0001]. The results of factor analysis signified its monofactoriality with Eigen value of 8.268 and the mentioned factor could explain the 82.68% of the total variance. The Persian Shah version of MBI for evaluation of disability in elderly people residing in Golabchi nursing home is a valid and reliable tool

Factors influencing probation in graduated students of kashan faculty of nursing and midwifery

One of the major problems in educational systems is students' probation during their course of study. With regard to the importance of identifying factors affecting the incidence of probation, this study was performed to determine the status of incidence of probation and its related factors in all graduated students of Kashan Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. All graduated students of Kashan Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery [n=1174] during the years 1981 till 2003 were selected through census in this cross-sectional study. The data was gathered by a questionnaire including demographic information and probation status [probation records, probation semester, and the number of probation semesters]. Incidence of probation was calculated and odds ratio and difference percentage were used for analyzing the status of probable related factors. Probation record was argued in 46 students [3.9%] that 26 of them [2.2%] were probated just for one semester, 11 of them [0.9%] for two semesters, 8 of them [0.7%] for three semesters, and, 1 of them [0.1%] for four semesters. The utmost frequency was related to the second academic semester and then, the first semester. The average score of high school diploma and age were different in probated and not probated graduated students. The most expectancy of probation risk was related to master program and nursing discipline. Demographic features, educational background, and admission criteria are among factors affecting probation. Therefore, with regard to their role, it is necessary to identify at risk students and support them