ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Research has only begun to examine the complexity of transition to adulthood under illness conditions. A Delphi method may be utilized to identify pertinent research priorities for academics and clinicians in adolescent healthcare transitions and prioritize a framework for an ongoing programme of research. METHODS: Through a comprehensive recruitment strategy throughout Canada, 114 clinicians and academics were invited to participate in this national study. Three phases were conducted until consensus could be achieved for the five most pressing research priorities. RESULTS: Thirty-eight respondents completed at least one of the three phases of the process. All responses were analysed, and five questions in phase 3 achieving a level of consensus ranging 64-80% were identified as the top five research priorities. These questions included: skills and knowledge adolescents require for the transition process, how to measure success, the factors that influence a successful transition and whether good transitions improve health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can inform and prioritize a framework for an ongoing programme of research in Canada. The inclusion of clinicians and academics ensures that the research agenda incorporates perspectives from the front-line work of individuals providing care to this population as well as individuals from the academic community with important knowledge and skills related to research approaches and methods.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Development , Biomedical Research/methods , Chronic Disease , Delphi Technique , Patient-Centered Care/methods , Transition to Adult Care , Adolescent , Canada , Data Collection , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Although the perception of mattering to others has been described as important for psychosocial well-being (Coopersmith, 1967; Rosenberg, 1985), very little attention has been given to the empirical study, measurement, and evaluation of this construct. The present project employed Loevinger's (1957) three-component model for construct validation to examine the construct validity of perceived mattering to mothers, fathers, and friends. Findings provide support for theoretical inferences about the characteristics of perceived mattering. For example, purpose for life and a sense of relatedness are positively associated with perceived mattering and perceived mattering appears to be a distinct construct from global self-esteem
Subject(s)
Interpersonal Relations , Parent-Child Relations , Peer Group , Psychological Tests , Psychology, Adolescent , Self Concept , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Analysis of Variance , British Columbia , Canada , Female , Humans , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Sex Factors , Social PerceptionABSTRACT
In this study an attempt was made to examine social support and coping in relation to resiliency among a sample of rural, low-income Appalachian adolescents of African-American and White races. Fifty-three African-American and 60 White 10th grade students completed the Perceived Social Support Scale for Family and Friends, the Ways of Coping Checklist, and Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths. Utilizing regression analyses, it was shown that social support from family and problem-focused, avoidance, and wishful-thinking forms of coping significantly predicted resiliency. Race and gender distinctions were minimal in respect to the measured variables in the study. Research in the future should include continued examination of rural and diverse samples, the use of various sampling procedures, and longitudinal assessments of resiliency.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Black or African American/psychology , Black or African American/statistics & numerical data , Poverty , Rural Population , Social Adjustment , Social Support , White People/psychology , White People/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Appalachian Region/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Five hundred girls with recurrent urinary tract infections and documented reflux were seen in our private practice during the last twenty years. All patients received medical treatment for three to forty-eight months (an average of fifteen months) after which the 250 who were not cured were submitted to corrective surgery. The primary reason for antireflux surgery is to protect the kidney from the damaging effect of a combination of high pressure and infection. Thus our criteria for operation included persistent infection, renal changes typical of past pyelonephritis, major reflux, and abdominal or flank pain. Our surgical cure rate after careful long-term follow-up is 96%. Our medical-surgical cure rate at the end of two years reached 88%. This experience has enabled us to evolve a rigorous point system providing common denominators regardind indications for operation. It emphasizes the desirability of attempting a medical cure for at least one year after urethral dilatation, except where major orifice defects and major reflux exist. This system should help to increase communication and coordination of efforts between pediatrician, radiologist, and urologist.
