ABSTRACT
This article extends the work conducted by Fagan-Pryor, Femea, and Haber (1994), in which factor analyses were used to examine the congruence between aggressive behavior and type of intervention warranted (verbal, chemical, or physical), as rated by nursing personnel. The purpose of this study was to determine if 88 registered nurses (RNs) and 84 nursing assistants (NAs) would choose similar interventions for 84 aggressive behaviors. The three scales used (labeled Precursor, Defensive, and Acting Out) obtained Cronbach alpha internal consistency reliabilities ranging from .79 to .96. Analyses of variance indicated that RNs and NAs agreed on a set of precursor behaviors for which they would use therapeutic verbal intervention. RN and NA responses differed significantly only in prescribing the use of physical intervention for behaviors on the Defensive and Acting Out scales. In both situations, RNs selected fewer behaviors that required physical intervention than did NAs. Implications for clinical practice are presented.
Subject(s)
Aggression/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Nurse-Patient Relations , Nursing Assistants/psychology , Nursing Care/methods , Nursing Staff, Hospital/psychology , Analysis of Variance , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Male , Nursing Evaluation Research , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
In this pilot study, nursing staff matched three levels of intervention (verbal, chemical, and physical) with 84 aggressive behaviors. It was a preliminary step in the development of a theoretical framework regarding how nurses select interventions for aggressive patients. Specifically, it was an attempt to address the following: Do nurses intervene with aggressive behaviors based on learned stereotypes or do nurses perceive behavior as aggressive because there is consistency in the behavior and level of aggression? All 442 members of the nursing staff were invited to participate in the study; and 211 (48%) responded. Factor analyses were conducted on responses to the behaviors of subjects matched with each intervention. The same three factors were identified for verbal and chemical intervention: behaviors that are precursors to an actual aggressive episode, aggressive behaviors directed inwardly, and aggressive behaviors directed outwardly. The last two behaviors were also identified for physical intervention. The results suggest that the nursing staff did differentiate among behaviors reflecting differing levels of aggression and that they were not responding in a stereotypical manner.
Subject(s)
Aggression , Nursing Assessment , Psychiatric Nursing/methods , Stereotyping , Adult , Aged , Decision Making , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nursing Evaluation Research , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
Codependency is a term used to describe personality characteristics of people involved in unhealthy relationships. The authors purport that characteristics of codependency can be organized and interpreted using concepts from Bowen's family systems theory. Having such a framework addresses the criticisms that the concept of codependency lacks a solid theoretical foundation. In addition, nurses need to understand the concept if they are to evaluate their own actions regarding codependent behaviors.
Subject(s)
Dependency, Psychological , Family/psychology , Psychiatric Nursing/methods , Self Concept , Humans , Psychological Theory , Systems TheoryABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among gender-role preference, self-esteem and employment category (full-time, part-time, homemaker) while controlling for the effects of income and religion. Data were collected from 79 White married women using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a gender-role preference scale developed by the author. Findings indicated that: (a) there are significant differences in gender-role preference among categories of employment, with full-time workers having more modern views; (b) category of employment did not influence self-esteem; and (c) women with mixed gender-role preference had lower self-esteem than those with modern gender-role preference. The strength of the relationship between self-esteem and gender-role preference varied by category of employment. Gender-role preference made a significant contribution as a predictor of self-esteem (above and beyond the effects of income and religion) for full-time workers only.
Subject(s)
Employment , Gender Identity , Self Concept , Women/psychology , Adult , Humans , Marriage , Mental Health , Middle Aged , Nursing Research , ReligionABSTRACT
The need for nurse therapists to be aware of their own feelings, beliefs, and attitudes is all-important if treatment is to be effective. In this paper, the author uses the concept of the therapist's Critical Parent (from Berne's 1961 Transactional Analysis model) to explore countertransference reactions. Clinical examples from the author's professional experience are employed to demonstrate the interplay of ego states between therapist and client and how understanding of the effect of the therapist's Critical parent can enhance his or her ability to intervene effectively.
