Construction and Validation of the Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Communication Scale in Nursing.

Background and Purpose: An absence of specific and precise instruments that measure the construct of intrapersonal and interpersonal communication in nursing was verified. This study aimed to construct and validate the intrapersonal and interpersonal communication scale in nursing. Methods: A psychometric study was conducted on a sample of 360 nurses from a hospital and university center in the central region of Portugal. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and construct validity through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results: Four factors were decided upon: "self-efficacy," "empathy," "assertiveness," and "self-knowledge." Good internal consistency was obtained with Cronbach's alpha and adequate quality of adjustment indexes for the model. Conclusions: The key global indicators of the model's adjustment and reliability analysis express their quality for the Portuguese population.

Psychometric Testing of the Experience of Integrating Chronic Illness into Family Life Questionnaire.

Family members' experience of integrating chronic illnesses or chronic conditions into family life is valuable information for health care professionals, such as nurses, to understand, improve, and adjust the care provided to families of chronically ill patients. Furthermore, the assessment of the experience of integrating chronic illness into family life can support family nursing interventions and reduce suffering. This study aimed to adapt and psychometrically test a new Likert-type questionnaire on the experience of integrating pediatric chronic illness into family life (EICI-FLQ) in two European samples. A sample of 164 primary caregivers of children/adolescents with chronic illnesses/conditions in Iceland and another sample of 237 primary caregivers with children/adolescents with chronic illnesses/conditions in Portugal completed the online questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis of the Icelandic sample yielded support for a one-factor solution with acceptable internal reliability (Cronbach's α = .866). Confirmatory factor analysis of the one-factor structure in the Portuguese sample indicated good model fit and similar internal reliability (Cronbach's α = .838). This instrument has good psychometric characteristics and is a promising tool for measuring the experience of integrating pediatric chronic illness into family life in clinical and research settings.

Construction and Validation of a Simulation Scenario for Teaching Family-Focused Care in Pediatric Oncology.

Clinical simulation can be a promising teaching strategy to help nurses develop behaviors that improve family care actions, promoting safe and high-quality care. The objective of this study was to build, validate, and test a simulation scenario in pediatric oncology family-focused care (FFC) following an initial diagnosis of cancer. It is a six-step methodological study based on the philosophy of Family-Centered Care (FCC), with a user-centered design. The evaluators established a Content Validity Index (CVI) > 0.8 for validation. Pilot testing included the Simulation Design Scale. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. A total of 35 experts participated in this study. All 19 items in the scenario were validated and considered relevant, in a single round, with the item-level CVI ranging between 0.8 and 1 and a scale-level CVI of 0.92. The high-fidelity developed and validated clinical simulation scenario is a consistent tool for the education of advanced practice nurses.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Testing of the Portuguese Version of the Iceland-Family Illness Beliefs Questionnaire.

Illness beliefs have a role in the adaptation, coping, well-being, healing, and recovery in families of children/adolescents with chronic illness. The assessment of family illness beliefs can support family nursing interventions that address the suffering of family members when illness arises. The purpose of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and psychometrically test the Portuguese version of the Iceland-Family Illness Beliefs Questionnaire. A sample of 237 parents of children/adolescents who experienced chronic health conditions completed the online questionnaire. The original factor model was tested through confirmatory factorial analysis. The results showed satisfactory model fit indices (χ2/gl = 3.004; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.90; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.092) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.74). The instrument showed good psychometric characteristics of validity and reliability, suggesting it may be useful in the assessment of illness beliefs in families experiencing a pediatric chronic illness.

Quality of life and family management of paediatric chronic condition amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the perception of parents of children/adolescents with chronic conditions of their quality of life and family functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore how the COVID-19 pandemic affected family management of children/adolescents' chronic conditions. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 237 parents of children/adolescents with chronic conditions participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected through an online questionnaire using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module and an open-ended question about the impact of the pandemic on the family management of the paediatric chronic condition. RESULTS: The Total Score of PedsQL™ FIM was slightly higher than the midpoint of the scale (M = 60.27; SD = 19.04), and the impact of the pandemic on the family's management of the chronic condition was perceived by 30% of parents as high or moderate. Statistically significant differences were found between parents who reported a high or moderate impact of the pandemic and those reporting little or no impact of the pandemic regarding parental quality of life and family functioning (t (233) = 8.13, p = .00, Cohen's d = 1.14). Two themes emerged from the analysis of the open-ended question: Impact on the child/adolescent and Impact on the family. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of children/adolescents with chronic conditions reported an average quality of life, and the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the family management of chronic conditions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These results highlight the importance of developing interventions to support families in complex situations and contexts, targeting family functioning, family quality of life, and emotional management.

Family adaptation in families of individuals with Down syndrome from 12 countries.

Our current understanding of adaptation in families of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) is based primarily on findings from studies focused on participants from a single country. Guided by the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation, the purpose of this cross-country investigation, which is part of a larger, mixed methods study, was twofold: (1) to compare family adaptation in 12 countries, and (2) to examine the relationships between family variables and family adaptation. The focus of this study is data collected in the 12 countries where at least 30 parents completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were generated, and mean family adaptation was modeled in terms of each predictor independently, controlling for an effect on covariates. A parsimonious composite model for mean family adaptation was adaptively generated. While there were cross-country differences, standardized family adaptation mean scores fell within the average range for all 12 countries. Key components of the guiding framework (i.e., family demands, family appraisal, family resources, and family problem-solving communication) were important predictors of family adaptation. More cross-country studies, as well as longitudinal studies, are needed to fully understand how culture and social determinants of health influence family adaptation in families of individuals with DS.

Psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ family impact module.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module in parents of children/adolescents with chronic health conditions. DESIGN AND METHODS: The European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module was administered to 237 parents of children/adolescents with chronic disease and/or chronic disorder. Participants were recruited from the day hospital and/or outpatient services of four hospitals in Northern Portugal, the majority being mothers (87.3%) aged between 31 and 50 years (86.9%). The questionnaire was administered online through the REDCap platform. The hierarchical factor model of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module proposed by Varni and colleagues was tested. RESULTS: Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated good model fit, with the following indices (χ2 /gL = 2.19; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.90;  root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.07 immune cell [IC] 90% = 0.06-0.07). Internal consistency values were high (parent quality of life subtotal, α = .96; family functioning subtotal, α = .92; total score, α = .96). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The European Portuguese version of the PedsQL™ FIM is a reliable and valid measurement tool for nurses to assess the impact of the child/adolescent chronic conditions on family's quality of life and to develop interventions to improve their well-being.

Use of "The Knowledge-to-Action Framework" for the implementation of evidence-based nursing in child and family care: Study protocol.

Nurses are increasingly focused on a practice based on scientific knowledge. However, it is important to distinguish high-quality evidence that can be applied in practice from studies of low or dubious scientific quality. Therefore, nurses must base their practice on structural support that allows for the definition of personalized and context-specific interventions. The objectives of this study are to identify the main barriers and facilitators to the evidence-based nursing approach and to implement an Evidence-Based Practice model (EBP) in clinical practice settings. We seek to contribute to evidence-based nursing by promoting professional skills in nurses, using "The Knowledge-to-Action Framework" (KTA). The research focuses on a participatory action research methodology based on the cyclical process of the KTA framework, contemplating the creation of knowledge and the implementation of existing solutions or new solutions through an action cycle. The participants will be nurses and parents/caregivers) from a pediatric service in Northern Portugal. The study will be conducted in 3 phases: phase 1 will identify the priority issues by exploring the barriers and facilitators of EBP from the nurses' perspective and assessing the parents'/caregivers' satisfaction with nursing care. Phase 2 will be divided into (a) the planning and (b) the implementation of the KTA model, where we aim to build and validate (a) a training plan and (b) the implementation of the KTA model. Phase 3 is for the evaluation of the model implementation and sustaining knowledge. It is recognized that there is a large gap between knowledge production and the subsequent implementation of interventions based on the best available evidence. However, this reality is complex and involves several levels of decision and intervention that oscillate from the individual responsibility of each nurse to the organizational dimension.

Diabetes Mellitus Family Assessment Instruments: A Systematic Review of Measurement Properties.

Although many instruments are used to assess the families of people with diabetes, their measurement properties have not been systematically reviewed. We aimed to identify and evaluate the psychometric properties of the instruments used to assess family functioning in adults with diabetes. METHODS: A systematic literature review, according to the JBI systematic reviews of measurement properties, was conducted using different databases, including gray literature. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021239733. Two independent reviewers searched, screened, and assessed the risk of bias among the articles according to the COSMIN methodology. The quality of each included instrument was assessed using the updated criteria for good measurement properties. RESULTS: Eighty-one studies were included, and thirty-one eligible instruments were identified. The psychometric properties frequently assessed were structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: Although 31 instruments were included, none of their psychometric properties were scored as "very good". From the instruments scored as adequate on development and content validity, five stood out for their quality appraisal.. The development of new instruments is not recommended. More studies should be conducted on the existing instruments to assess the less commonly evaluated psychometric properties. Using valid instruments to develop and evaluate interventions is essential to promote health literacy and the effectiveness of diabetes management.

Nurses' attitudes towards family importance in nursing care across Europe.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To explore differences in nurses' attitudes regarding the importance of family in nursing care and factors associated with nurses' attitudes across 11 European countries. BACKGROUND: Family involvement in healthcare has received attention in many European healthcare systems. Nurses have a unique opportunity to promote family involvement in healthcare; however, their attitudes and beliefs may facilitate or impede this practice. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey across European countries. METHOD: A broad convenience sample of 8112 nurses across 11 European countries was recruited from October 2017 to December 2019. Data were collected using the Families' Importance in Nursing Care-Nurses' Attitudes (FINC-NA) questionnaire. We used the STROBE checklist to report the results. RESULTS: There were significant differences in nurses' attitudes about families' importance in nursing care across Europe. Country was the factor with the strongest association with the total scores of the FINC-NA. Older age, higher level of education, increased years since graduation, having a strategy for the care of families in the workplace, and having experience of illness within one's own family were associated with a higher total FINC-NA score. Being male and working in a hospital or other clinical settings were associated with a lower total FINC-NA score. CONCLUSION: Nurses' attitudes regarding the importance of family in nursing care vary across 11 European countries. This study highlights multiple factors associated with nurses' attitudes. Further research is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons for nurses' different attitudes and to develop a strong theoretical framework across Europe to support family involvement in patient care. The inclusion of family healthcare programs in the baccalaureate curriculum may improve nurses' attitudes. RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: In clinical practice, the focus should be on identifying influencing factors on nurses' attitudes to enhance families' importance in nursing care across Europe.

Professional empowerment and evidence-based nursing: A mixed-method systematic review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To review, synthesise and integrate primary research on the relationship between professional empowerment and evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing. BACKGROUND: Professional empowerment research exposes an association between empowerment and positive work behaviours and attitudes. Empowerment is associated with nurses' productivity, autonomy and resources. However, implementing evidence into practice is not easy due to barriers to EBP, namely organisational and cultural. Research demonstrating the relationship between professional empowerment and EBP will provide direction for future interventions aimed at the development of an effective healthcare sector. DESIGN: A mixed-methods systematic review, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute approach, with results reported according to PRISMA. The associated checklist for systematic reviews was also used. METHOD: The electronic databases searched for relevant studies included: Medline, Cumulative Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, and The Cochrane Library; thesis and dissertation databases; and Web pages of reference organisations and Scientific Events programs. Quality assessments, data extraction and analysis were completed on all included studies, according JBI. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise the data. RESULTS: We identified 477 studies. After removing duplicates and reviewing title and abstract following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 26 papers were evaluated for eligibility. The review included 9 articles. The literature was categorised into three themes: (a) organisational and leadership characteristics, (b) individual characteristics, and (c) outcomes/consequences. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the importance of empowering environments in EBP. A relationship was evident between leadership, organisation, empowerment, individual characteristics and the use and implementation of evidence, resulting in tangible and measurable gains. However, more robust studies are needed. This systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42018086414).

Factors associated with nurses' positive attitudes towards families' involvement in nursing care: A scoping review.

AIM: To map the factors associated with nurses' positive attitudes towards families' involvement in nursing care and to identify any existing gaps in knowledge. BACKGROUND: Several tools have been proposed to assess the attitudes, beliefs and practices of nurses towards families in different care contexts. However, there is a knowledge gap on how the results of these tools can identify the factors that are associated with more positive attitudes of nurses. DESIGN: A scoping review based on the steps proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. METHODS: Three independent reviewers searched the databases: PUBMED/Medline; LILACS; Virtual Health Library; PsycInfo; Google Scholar; SCOPUS and CINAHL, from 2006 to August 2021, guided by the question: What are the factors associated with nurses' positive attitudes towards families´ involvement in nursing care, in studies that used one or both of the following two scales 'Families' Importance in Nursing Care- Nurses' Attitudes' and 'Family Nursing Practice Scale'? This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR. RESULTS: Twenty-six primary studies were identified, in which 9,620 nurses participated. Positive attitudes were associated with three types of variables: (a) personal-longer working career (42.3%) and older age (26.9%); (b) educational-higher level of academic education (30.8%) and family nursing education (23.0%); and (c) workplace-working in primary health care and/or outpatient clinics (34.6%) or in a unit with philosophy/approach to families (23.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Personal variables such as age and time of service are non-modifiable aspects, but educational and workplace variables are subject to intervention to improve nurses' attitudes towards families' involvement in nursing care. Continuing development programmes about family care can constitute important strategies to improve positive attitudes of nurses towards families in practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Recognising the characteristics associated with nurses´ positive attitudes towards families may enable the development of tailored interventions that promote family-focused care.

Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire in Parents of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Condition.

The support from nurses perceived by family members of children with chronic conditions has been shown to be a protective factor at different levels in a family's health. As such, nurses need to have instruments that assess this perception to increase the quality of the care provided to those families. This methodological study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese translation of the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire (ICE-FPSQ) in parents of children/adolescents with chronic conditions. The ICE-FPSQ was administered to 237 parents recruited from the day hospital and outpatient services of four hospitals in Northern Portugal. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for the Total Scale, Cognitive Support, and Emotional Support subscales were excellent (α = 0.96, α = 0.93, α = 0.96, respectively). Reasonable fit indexes were found by confirmatory factor analysis (χ2/df = 2.799; CFI = 0.960; PCFI = 0.791, and RMSEA = 0.087), indicating a good model fit to the original structure. The ICE-FPSQ is a valid and reliable instrument to measure perceived support.

Academic-professional mobility and internationalization of nursing: contributions of the bologna process / Movilidad académico-profesional e internacionalización de la enfermería: aportes del proceso de bolonia / Mobilidade acadêmico-profissional e internacionalização da enfermagem: contributos do processo de bolonha

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the contributions of the Bologna Process to academic-professional mobility of Nursing. Method: a descriptive exploratory qualitative research. Open interviews were conducted with six PhD nurses, nursing professors, with more than 20 years of experience and who experienced the changes that occurred in higher education in post-Bologna nursing. The interviews took place in the Health or Nursing Schools of the north, center and south regions of Portugal, between January and March 2019, until saturation occurred by repetition. Content analysis was performed. Results: three perspectives are presented: 1) Mobility and internationalization as presuppositions to the strengthening of the economic bloc; 2) Mobility and internationalization contribute to the consolidation of a European identity; and 3) Diploma Supplement: fundamental aspect of academic-professional mobility. Conclusion: education proved to be a valid instrument for the construction of a common professional identity, considered indispensable for the strengthening of the block, with regard to the production of knowledge. The guidelines for the harmonization of university systems and the Diploma Supplement promoted scientific and cultural exchange through academic-professional mobility and intensified the dialogue between nations, which reverberate in social practices.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las contribuciones del Proceso de Bolonia a la movilidad académico-profesional de Enfermería. Método: investigación cualitativa exploratoria descriptiva. Se realizaron entrevistas abiertas a seis enfermeros doctores, docentes de enfermería, con más de 20 años de experiencia y que vivieron los cambios que ocurrieron en la educación superior en la enfermería post Bolonia. Las entrevistas se realizaron en las Escuelas de Salud o Enfermería de las regiones norte, centro y sur de Portugal, entre enero y marzo de 2019, hasta que se produjo la saturación por repetición. Se realizó análisis de contenido. Resultados: se presentan tres perspectivas: 1) Movilidad e internacionalización como presupuestos para el fortalecimiento del bloque económico; 2) La movilidad y la internacionalización contribuyen a la consolidación de una identidad europea; y 3) Suplemento al Título: aspecto fundamental de la movilidad académico-profesional. Conclusión: la educación demostró ser un instrumento válido para la construcción de una identidad profesional común, considerada indispensable para el fortalecimiento del bloque, en lo que respecta a la producción de conocimiento. Los lineamientos para la armonización de los sistemas universitarios y el Suplemento al Título promovieron el intercambio científico y cultural a través de la movilidad académico-profesional e intensificaron el diálogo entre las naciones, que repercute en las prácticas sociales.

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as contribuições do Processo de Bolonha para a mobilidade acadêmico-profissional de Enfermagem. Método: pesquisa descritiva, exploratória e de natureza qualitativa. Realizou-se entrevistas abertas com seis enfermeiros doutores, docentes de Enfermagem, com mais de 20 anos de atuação e que vivenciaram as mudanças ocorridas na formação superior em Enfermagem pós-Bolonha. As entrevistas ocorreram nas Escolas de Saúde ou de Enfermagem das regiões norte, centro e sul de Portugal, entre janeiro e março de 2019, até a saturação por repetição. Realizou-se análise de conteúdo. Resultados: apresentam-se três perspectivas: 1) A mobilidade e a internacionalização como pressupostos ao fortalecimento do bloco econômico; 2) A mobilidade e a internacionalização colaboram para a consolidação de uma identidade europeia; e 3) Suplemento ao Diploma: aspecto fundamental à mobilidade acadêmico-profissional. Conclusão: a educação provou ser um instrumento válido para a construção de uma identidade profissional comum, considerada indispensável para o fortalecimento do bloco, no que tange a produção de conhecimentos. As diretrizes para a harmonização dos sistemas universitários e o Suplemento ao Diploma promoveram o intercâmbio científico-cultural por meio da mobilidade acadêmico-profissional e intensificaram o diálogo entre as nações, que reverberam em práticas sociais.

Professional empowerment among Portuguese nursing staff: A correlational study.

AIM: To identify the level of professional empowerment in hospital nurses and describe the relationship between sociodemographic variables and professional empowerment. BACKGROUND: Professional empowerment is positively related to work effectiveness, job satisfaction and organisational and professional commitment. METHOD: Data on professional empowerment were collected by surveying 365 nurses in a Portuguese hospital, with the Portuguese versions of 'Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II' and the 'Psychological Empowerment Instrument'. RESULTS: Overall, psychological empowerment scored 66.2 (standard deviation = 8.9, with 'meaning' scoring highest and 'impact' scoring lowest), whereas structural empowerment scored 18.6 (standard deviation = 3.3, with 'opportunity' and 'informal power' scoring highest and 'resources' scoring lowest). The factor 'age' correlated positively with 'self-determination', 'impact' and 'psychological empowerment', as well as with 'informal power', 'resources' and 'structural empowerment'. Lastly, 'competence' correlated negatively with 'formal power', 'information' and 'structural empowerment'. CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between demographic variables and empowerment, and between structural and psychological empowerment. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Professional empowerment is related to organisational results, so it is important to reinforce and optimize organisational structures. Empowerment can be achieved with access to structures that promote empowerment, particularly resources.

Measurement of Family Management in Families of Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Cross-Cultural Investigation.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability worldwide. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the internal consistency reliability of eight language versions of the Family Management Measure (FaMM) and compare family management of DS across cultures. A total of 2,740 parents of individuals with DS from 11 countries completed the FaMM. The analysis provided evidence of internal consistency reliability exceeding .70 for four of six FaMM scales for the entire sample. Across countries, there was a pattern of positive family management. Cross-cultural comparisons revealed parents from Brazil, Spain, and the United States had the most positive family management and respondents from Ireland, Italy, Japan, and Korea had the least positive. The rankings were mixed for the four remaining countries. These findings provide evidence of overall strong internal consistency reliability of the FaMM. More cross-cultural research is needed to understand how social determinants of health influence family management in families of individuals with DS.