Examining factors affecting self-care-self-regulation among registered nurses using path analysis.

BACKGROUND: Practicing self-care is a requisite for nurses as they face the extreme physical, mental, and emotional challenges presented by the pandemic era. This study aimed to examine factors that contribute to self-care-self-regulation (SCSR) and investigate the mediation effect of psychological and physical health in the relationship between work stress and SCSR among registered nurses in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the data collected from 386 registered nurses who completed an online survey over a 3-week period during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 19 to May 6, 2020). The survey assessed demographic and work-related characteristics, work stress, depressive mood, self-rated health, and SCSR. The model was tested with depressive mood as the first mediator and self-rated health as the second mediator. The potential serial mediation effect was analyzed using PROCESS macros adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The sequential indirect effect of work stress on SCSR through depressive mood and self-rated health in series was significant, while its direct effect was not. CONCLUSION: The findings of the path analysis demonstrate that psychological and physical health status is important to promote self-care behaviors when nurses experience high work stress.

Website for Women Who Abuse Opioids: What Are the Essential Components?

Studies indicate opioid prevention programs should be designed differently for men and women. Since a website is an effective means of providing behavioral interventions, tailoring one to meet the specific needs of women is a logical step in assisting them to overcome opioid misuse. We identified essential components for inclusion in a website following a community engagement project.

The Benefits of Spiritual Diaries: A Mixed-Method Study in Korea.

This mixed study examined the benefits of spiritual diaries in Korea. Quantitatively, differences in spiritual growth and psychological well-being were examined in relation to the frequency of writing spiritual diaries among 385 participating adults. The group who wrote spiritual diaries '5-7 times a week' had significantly higher scores relating to spiritual growth and psychological wellbeing than other groups across the outcome variables. Qualitatively, the study also explored the benefits of writing spiritual diaries among 37 adults. Three major themes using four focus group interviews, were identified: (a) the acquisition of godly habits, (b) a closer walk with Jesus, and (c) the fullness of God's presence. These findings are particularly important for healthcare providers who want to facilitate patient self-care.

Development and Validation of the Family Relationship Assessment Scale in Korean College Students' Families.

The nature of family relationships is a critical measure for healthcare professionals who work with families. In particular, non-Western cultural groups display a higher level of collectivism that emphasizes relationships between family members. This paper reports the development and psychometric testing of a new scale, the Korean Family Relationship Assessment Scale (FRAS). Using DeVellis' Guidelines in Scale Development, a pool of 40 items was created after a review of the literature, followed by an assessment for content validity by six experts. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted with data from a sample of 217 Korean family triads (father, mother, and college-aged offspring) (N = 651). The final evaluation yielded three factors with 15 items: family support, family conflict, and family togetherness. Since the FRAS demonstrated good internal consistency and validity, it would be able to facilitate research on the relationships between family support, conflict, togetherness, and health. Applying this new instrument in theory-based research may contribute to knowledge about the role of the family in the health and well-being of family members within a Korean context. For clinical practice, this culturally sensitive and valid instrument has the potential to measure changes in family relationships after family therapy or interventions.

La índole de las relaciones familiares es una medida fundamental para los profesionales de la salud que trabajan con familias. En particular, los grupos culturales no occidentales muestran un nivel más alto de colectivismo que enfatiza las relaciones entre los miembros de la familia. Este artículo informa el desarrollo y la evaluación psicométrica de una nueva escala, la Escala de Evaluación de las Relaciones Familiares Coreanas (Korean Family Relationship Assessment Scale, FRAS). Utilizando las pautas de DeVellis en el desarrollo de escalas, se creó un grupo de 40 elementos después de una revisión de la bibliografía, seguido de una evaluación de la validez del contenido por parte de seis especialistas. Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios con datos de una muestra de 217 triadas de familias coreanas (padre, madre e hijos en edad universitaria) (N = 651). La evaluación final arrojó tres factores con 15 elementos: apoyo familiar, conflicto familiar y unión familiar. Como la FRAS demostró buena coherencia y validez interna, podría facilitar la investigación sobre las relaciones entre el apoyo, el conflicto, la unión y la salud de la familia. La aplicación de este nuevo instrumento en la investigación basada en la teoría puede incrementar el conocimiento acerca del papel de la familia en la salud y el bienestar de los miembros de la familia dentro de un contexto coreano. Para la práctica clínica, este instrumento culturalmente sensible y válido tiene el potencial de medir los cambios en las relaciones familiares después de la terapia o las intervenciones familiares.

Effectiveness of Best Possible Self and Gratitude Writing Intervention on Mental Health Among Parents of Troubled Children.

The current study was conducted to determine if journaling focused on best possible self and gratitude could improve physiological and mental health outcomes in a sample of affected parents who have teenagers or adult children with emotional and/or behavioral problems. A quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design was used with blood pressure measure and saliva collection at baseline, after a first journal entry, and after a 6-week journaling intervention. Among 42 parents who completed the pretest, 37 (88.1%) completed the 6-week guided journal and posttest. Findings of paired t tests indicated a statistically significant decrease in stress level (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), somatic symptoms (p = 0.001), and depression (p = 0.01), as well as increased gratitude (p = 0.012) among participants. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated the journaling intervention showed a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.016), but not diastolic blood pressure, or cortisol level at the three testing times. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(9), 31-39.].

Suicidal ideation, plan, and attempts and nonmedical prescription opioid use among U.S. adults.

OBJECTIVE: The increase of nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) in the United States has become a public health concern. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nonmedical prescription opioid misuse and past-year suicidality (suicide ideation-SI, suicide plan-SP, and suicide attempts-SA) among U.S. adults. METHOD: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health with 42,625 respondents. NMPOU was grouped in 4 categories: (1) never used, (2) current user, (3) recent user, and (4) past user. The outcome variables were SI, SP and SA and they were predicted in multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared to the never-use of NMPO groups, the current, recent, and past users of NMPO showed significantly higher likelihoods of SI, SP, and SA models adjusting for sociodemographic and mental health-related factors. Presence of a major depressive episode had the significantly highest Odds Ratio of SI, SP, and SA. Suicidality among NMPO users is high, and there are multiple, sociodemographic and mental health related factors associated with this finding. CONCLUSION: Policy and prevention efforts to improve screening and treatment should focus on the at-risk populations identified in this study.

Eating disorders and spirituality in college students.

Associations were examined between eating disorder symptoms and spiritual well-being in a convenience sample of college students. Undergraduate nursing students at a university in a Mid-Atlantic coastal beach community were recruited for the study. A total of 115 students completed the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS); the Sick, Control, One Stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) screening questionnaire; and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Approximately one quarter of students had positive screens for an eating disorder, and 40% admitted to binging/purging. SWBS scores reflected low life satisfaction and a lack of clarity and purpose among students. A significant association was found between EAT-26 scores and SWBS Existential Well-Being (EWB) sub-scale scores (p = 0.014). SCOFF scores were significantly associated with SWBS EWB scores (p = 0.001). Symptoms of eating disorders were pervasive. Future research that assesses the impact of spiritual factors on eating disorders may help health care providers better understand the unique contributions to the development of eating disorders. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 53(1), 30-37.].

Prayer in Clinical Practice: what does evidence support?

A Korean-born U.S. nurse educator shares a perspective on prayer in clinical settings in South Korea and asks what appropriate, ethical prayer practice should be in the United States. A review of research on prayer for health and in nursing practice is offered, concluding with evidence-based suggestions for prayer with and for patients in clinical settings.

Perspectives of nurse practitioners on health care needs among Latino children and families in the rural Southeastern United States: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to explore perspectives of nurse practitioners on health care needs among Latino children and families in the rural Southeastern United States. METHOD: This qualitative research used semi-structured interviews with seven nurse practitioners (NPs) practicing in the rural southeastern part of North Carolina. Flanagan's critical incident technique was used to describe the experiences of NPs providing health care for Latino children and parents. RESULTS: Data analysis indicates that the most commonly reported illnesses by Latino children are upper respiratory infections and asthma, followed by otitis media, obesity, anemia, pneumonia, leukemia, and tumors. Barriers to health care for children included language and cultural differences, lack of access to care (e.g., lack of insurance, cost, and transportation), and health illiteracy/low education level of parents. The findings also suggest that Latinos are preserving their traditional health practices when treating their children's illnesses, such as through use of foods, hot/cold items, herbs, coin on "belly button," traditional juices, healing bracelets, and evil eye. DISCUSSION: The findings of the study imply the need to incorporate culturally sensitive care when providing care for Latino children and parents.

Stress and depression among Latina women in rural southeastern North Carolina.

The purposes of this study were to assess the level of depression and types of major stressors, and to identify stressors contributing to depression, among 135 Latina women in rural southeastern North Carolina. Nearly half of the participants (47.6%) had scores of greater than, or equal to, 16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, used to identify possible depression, suggesting the need for early intervention. "Difficult to be away from family members," "immigration status," and "religion" were the most reliable predictors of stress, accounting for 34.5% of the total variance in depression.

Postpartum depression among White, African American, and Hispanic low-income mothers in rural southeastern North Carolina.

The purpose of this study was to assess factors impacting postpartum depression (PPD) among the 61 White, African American, and Hispanic low-income Medicaid recipients who enrolled in a prenatal program at a local health department in rural Southeastern North Carolina. The findings indicate that mothers who experienced mood changes, such as depression and anxiety, before or during pregnancy reported an increased level of PPD (p = 0.035). Nearly a third of the mothers displayed either minor (17.3%) or major (15.4%) depressive symptoms. Community health nurses working with this population need to be increasingly aware of the underlying causes and prevalence of PPD among low income mothers for early screening and intervention.