Meta-Analyses of Predictors of Health Practices in Pregnant Women.

The aims of this study were to identify predictors of health practices of pregnant women in the literature reviewed, to use meta-analysis to ascertain the mean effect size (ES) across studies between each predictor and health practices, and to examine four moderators on each predictor-health practices relationship. Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines for the literature assessed, 32 published studies or doctoral dissertations completed between 1992 and 2015 met the inclusion criteria. Twelve predictors were identified, and each predictor in relation to health practices was subjected to meta-analysis. One predictor (maternal-fetal attachment) of health practices had a large ES, two predictors (depression and stress) had medium ESs, six predictors (income, education, parity, social support, employment, and age) had small ESs, and three predictors (gestational age, marital status, and race) had trivial ESs. Findings are interpreted relative to health practices in pregnant women.

Parent and Friend Social Support and Adolescent Hope.

The purpose of this study was to conduct two meta-analyses. The first examined social support from parents in relation to adolescent hope, and the second examined social support from friends in relation to adolescent hope. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for the literature reviewed, nine published studies or doctoral dissertations completed between 1990 and 2014 met the inclusion criteria. Using meta-analytic techniques and the mean weighted r statistic, the results indicated that social support from friends had a stronger mean effect size (ES = .31) than social support from parents (ES = .21); there was a statistically significant difference between the two ESs. Two of the four moderators for the parent social support-adolescent hope relationship were statistically significant. They were quality score and health status. Implications for school nurses and nurses in all settings are addressed, and conclusions are drawn based on the findings.

Meta-Analyses of Predictors of Hope in Adolescents.

The purposes of this study were to identify predictors of hope in the literature reviewed, to use meta-analysis to determine the mean effect size (ES) across studies between each predictor and hope, and to examine four moderators on each predictor-hope relationship. Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for the literature reviewed, 77 published studies or doctoral dissertations completed between 1990 and 2012 met the inclusion criteria. Eleven predictors of hope were identified and each predictor in relation to hope was subjected to meta-analysis. Five predictors (positive affect, life satisfaction, optimism, self-esteem, and social support) of hope had large mean ESs, 1 predictor (depression) had a medium ES, 4 predictors (negative affect, stress, academic achievement, and violence) had small ESs, and 1 predictor (gender) had a trivial ES. Findings are interpreted for the 11 predictors in relation to hope. Limitations and conclusions are addressed; future studies are recommended.

Characteristics of quantitative nursing research from 1990 to 2010.

PURPOSE: To assess author credentials of quantitative research in nursing, the composition of the research teams, and the disciplinary focus of the theories tested. DESIGN: Nursing Research, Western Journal of Nursing Research, and Journal of Advanced Nursing were selected for this descriptive study; 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 were included. The final sample consisted of 484 quantitative research articles. FINDINGS: From 1990 to 2010, there was an increase in first authors holding doctoral degrees, research from other countries, and funding. Solo authorship decreased; multi-authorship and multidisciplinary teams increased. Theories tested were mostly from psychology; the testing of nursing theory was modest. Multidisciplinary research far outdistanced interdisciplinary research. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative nursing research can be characterized as multidisciplinary (distinct theories from different disciplines) rather than discipline-specific to nursing. Interdisciplinary (theories synthesized from different disciplines) research has been conducted minimally. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides information about the growth of the scientific knowledge base of nursing, which has implications for practice.

An integrative review of adolescent hope.

The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize the published research on adolescent hope using Cooper's (Cooper, H. M. (1989). Integrating research: A guide for literature reviews (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage) five stages. Computerized databases were used to search for relevant studies published between the years 1990 to 2010. Thirty-six studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Variables studied in relation to hope were categorized as antecedent, coincident, and consequent concepts. Two antecedent, ten coincident, and ten consequent concepts of hope were included in the review. The number of statistically significant and non-significant correlations of these variables to hope is presented. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations for future studies are offered.

A descriptive study of research published in scientific nursing journals from 1985 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: Numerous analyses of research published in scientific nursing journals have been examined over the past decades. However, a comprehensive analysis of trends in research has not been reported since 1980. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to review randomly selected research articles published in four scientific nursing journals for the years 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 to identify changes in selected aspects of research and to compare the findings with those from an earlier similar study. DESIGN: This descriptive study used percentages to present trends in published studies in four scientific nursing journals for twenty-five years. METHODS: A total of 976 studies were identified; 50% were randomly selected for each year analyzed. The foci of the research problem, care orientation, conceptual bases, research designs, data analysis procedures, discussion of findings, and recommendations and implications were analyzed. RESULTS: Most studies from 1985 (66%) through 2010 (73%) focused on nursing practice issues; in 2010 they focused on primary health (46%) and chronicity (41%). A decrease in theory-testing research from 1985 (32%) to 2010 (21%), and in theory-based studies from 1985 (31%) to 2010 (22%) was noted. Qualitative studies increased from 1985 (3%) to 2010 (21%). Psychological variables and adult populations continue to be studied mainly over 25 years. For quantitative studies, there were increases in correlational designs from 1985 (35%) to 2010 (38%), experimental designs from 1985 (16%) to 2010 (18%), and methodological studies from 1985 (5%) to 2010 (24%). There were decreases in descriptive studies from 1985 (20%) to 2010 (5%), and comparative studies from 1985 (19%) to 2010 (10%). The use of multivariate statistics increased over time. In 1985, 61% of researchers did not link their findings to theory guiding the study; 52% did not in 2010. For qualitative research, approximately 50% fell in the "other category" over the 25 years; in 2010, grounded theory (15%), phenomenological (15%) and ethnographic (20%) designs were used. CONCLUSIONS: Trends indicated that the building of science has been slow, incremental, and subtle, as found in the earlier study. Trends suggest a growing maturity in the research designs.

Stress, hope, and loneliness in young adolescents.

A sample of 134 young adolescents attending a middle school responded to the Perceived Stress Scale, the Hopefulness Scale for Adolescents, and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Correlational analyses indicated that higher scores on stress were significantly associated with lower scores on hope (r = -.55) and higher scores on loneliness (r = .52). Unlike an earlier study with predominately ethnic minority adolescents, the present findings with predominately Euro-American adolescents supported the relationship proposed between stress and hope; the relationship proposed between stress and loneliness was supported.

A meta-analytic study of predictors of anger in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: There is a vast body of empirical work on adolescent anger, but no efforts have been made to summarize findings across nonintervention studies. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to identify predictors for anger in adolescents through a comprehensive review of the literature, to use quantitative meta-analysis to determine the magnitude of the relationship between each predictor and anger, and to examine the influence of selected moderators on the relationship between each predictor and anger. METHOD: The literature review included 288 published studies and 87 unpublished doctoral dissertation completed between 1980 and 2007, of which 88 met the inclusion criteria. Twelve prominent predictors for anger were identified in the 88 studies. Each predictor related to anger was subjected to a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Five predictors (trait anger, anxiety, depression, stress, and exposure to violence) had moderate to substantial average effect sizes, four predictors (victim of violence, hostility, self-esteem, and social support) had low to moderate effect sizes, and three predictors (age, race/ethnicity, and gender) had trivial effect sizes. DISCUSSION: The findings are interpreted for nine predictors in relation to anger. The contributions and limitations of these meta-analyses are addressed, and future studies are recommended.

Perceived stress and wellness in early adolescents using the Neuman Systems Model.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived stress and wellness in early adolescents and to test primary appraisal as a mediator of this relationship using the Neuman Systems Model as the primary framework. The sample consisted of 144 adolescents, ages 12-14, who responded to instruments measuring perceived stress, primary appraisal, and wellness in classroom settings. Correlational analysis supported the three hypothesized relationships. A series of regression analyses indicated that primary appraisal was a weak mediator of the relationship between perceived stress and wellness. Implications for nursing and recommendations for future studies were addressed.

Vigor and fatigue and positive health practices in young adolescents.

A sample of 127 young adolescents attending a middle school responded to the Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire, measuring positive health practices, and two subscales of the Profile of Mood States, Vigor-Activity and Fatigue-Inertia. Correlational analysis indicated that higher scores on positive health practices were significantly associated with higher scores on Vigor-Activity (r = .49), and lower scores on Fatigue-Inertia (r = -.45).

A meta-analytic study of predictors of maternal-fetal attachment.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) through a comprehensive review of the literature, and to use quantitative meta-analysis to determine the magnitude of the relationship between each predictor and MFA. DESIGN: The literature reviewed included 183 studies of MFA, published and unpublished, between 1981 and 2006. METHODS: Seventy-two studies met the inclusion criteria and yielded 14 predictors of MFA. A meta-analysis was performed on each of the 14 predictors in relation to MFA. RESULTS: The results indicated that gestational age had a moderate to substantial effect size. Two predictors (social support and prenatal testing) had moderate effect sizes; 10 predictors (anxiety, self-esteem, depression, planned pregnancy, age, parity, ethnicity, marital status, income, and education) had low effect sizes. High-risk pregnancy had a trivial effect size. CONCLUSIONS: The most powerful predictors of MFA using meta-analysis were identified to direct future research and evidence-based practice.

Psychometric evaluation of the interpersonal relationship inventory for early adolescents.

The purposes of this methodological study were to factor analyze the short form of the Tilden Interpersonal Relationship Inventory (IPRI) for early adolescents, and to assess construct validity of the social support and conflict subscales with early adolescents. The sample consisted of 147 early adolescents, aged 12-14, who completed instrument packets in classrooms in a suburban middle school. Data obtained on the IPRI were subjected to principal components factor analysis with Varimax rotation. The two factors that emerged are consistent with the theories underlying the instrument. Factor I was social support, and had a coefficient alpha reliability of .90. Factor II was conflict, and had a coefficient alpha reliability of .86. Construct validity was assessed by testing hypotheses derived from theoretical propositions linking support or conflict to general humor, self-esteem, and symptom patterns; the results of the hypotheses were statistically significant and in the predicted direction. The findings indicate that the social support and conflict subscales of the IPRI have evidence of reliability and validity for early adolescents.

Mediational models of health practices in early adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social support and positive health practices in early adolescents and to test two variables, depression and optimism, that mediate this relationship. The final sample included 128 adolescents, ages 12 to 14, who responded to instruments measuring social support, depression, optimism, and positive health practices in classroom settings. Correlational analysis supported the five hypothesized relationships. A series of regression analyses indicated that depression and optimism each were weak mediators of the relationship between social support and positive health practices. The application of findings to nursing is addressed, using the ACE Star Model for evidence-based practice.

Methodological challenges during 20 years of adolescent research.

The purpose of the present article was to highlight the methodological challenges we have experienced in conducting adolescent research for the past 20 years or more. In this article, we describe the methodological issues we have encountered with nonexperimental research designs, sampling, instrumentation, data collection procedures, statistical analyses, and ethical concerns of adolescent research, particularly the process of informed consent. Sharing our experiences with adolescent research can shed light on methodological issues (specifically in this age group) that are not addressed in research textbooks and can provide guidance for other researchers who are interested in developing knowledge relevant to adolescent populations.

Relations of low frustration tolerance beliefs with stress, depression, and anxiety in young adolescents.

Young adolescents (N=144; 66 boys, 78 girls), ages 12 to 14 years (M=12.2, SD=.8), who reported lower scores on the Low Frustration Tolerance Beliefs Instrument had higher scores on the Perceived Stress Scale and the Profile of Mood States Subscales of Depression and Anxiety.

Correlates of low frustration tolerance in young adolescents.

148 young adolescents who reported low frustration tolerance also reported more trait anger, state anger, and hostility.

A meta-analytic study of predictors for loneliness during adolescence.

BACKGROUND: Extensive research has been completed to investigate loneliness in adolescents over the past several decades; identification of key predictors for loneliness was needed using meta-analytic techniques. OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors for loneliness in adolescents through a comprehensive review of the literature and to use quantitative meta-analysis to determine the magnitude of the relationships between each predictor and loneliness. METHODS: The literature reviewed included 242 studies published or unpublished between 1980 and 2004, of which 95 met the inclusion criteria. Eleven key predictors for loneliness were identified in the 95 studies. A meta-analysis was conducted on each of the 11 predictors in relation to loneliness. RESULTS: Four predictors (gender, depression, shyness, and self-esteem) had large effect sizes, four predictors (social support, social anxiety, maternal expressiveness, and paternal expressiveness) had large medium to medium effect sizes, two predictors (stress and self-disclosure) had low effect sizes, and one predictor (age) had a very low effect size. DISCUSSION: Theories of loneliness served as a framework for interpreting the findings of the meta-analysis. The most powerful predictors can be used in intervention studies aimed at reducing loneliness in adolescents.

Psychometrics of the Laffrey Health Conception Scale for adolescents.

The purposes of this methodological study were to factor analyze the Laffrey Health Conception Scale (LHCS) and to assess construct validity of the instrument with early adolescents. The final sample consisted of 230 early adolescents, aged 12 to 14, who responded to instrument packets in classrooms in an urban middle school. Data obtained on the LHCS were subjected to principal components factor analysis with oblique rotation. A two-factor solution was accepted, which is consistent with early adolescents' conceptions of health. Factor I was labeled Wellness and Factor II was labeled Clinical Health. A higher order factor analysis yielded one factor with 26 items, labeled the LHCS for Early Adolescents. The 26-item LHCS had a coefficient alpha of .95. Construct validity was assessed by testing three theoretical propositions, which significantly linked health conception to social support, self-esteem, and positive health practices. The findings indicate that the LHCS is a reliable and valid measure of health conceptions in early adolescents. Results also offer flexibility to researchers interested in testing theory involving the constructs of the definition of health, wellness, and clinical health in early adolescents.

Happiness as related to gender and health in early adolescents.

The purposes of this study were to examine gender differences in happiness; to examine the relationship between happiness and several health variables, such as perceived health status, clinical health, and wellness, in early adolescents; and to examine further these relationships for boys and girls separately. The final sample consisted of 151 early adolescent boys and girls who were in the seventh and eighth grades of an urban middle school. Students responded to instruments measuring happiness, perceived health status, clinical health, and wellness. Results indicated there were no gender differences in happiness between boys and girls. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between happiness and the health-related variables for the entire sample, with different patterns of relationships when boys and girls were analyzed separately. The application of findings to nursing is discussed.

Social support and positive health practices in early adolescents: a test of mediating variables.

This study examines the relationship between social support and positive health practices in early adolescents and tests two variables, loneliness and hopefulness, that theoretically mediate this relationship. The final sample of the study consisted of 134 adolescents, ages 12 to 14, who responded to instruments measuring social support, loneliness, hopefulness, and positive health practices in classroom settings. Correlational analysis supported the five hypothesized relationships. A series of regression analyses indicated that loneliness and hopefulness each were weak mediators of the relationship between social support and positive health practices. Implications for nursing practice are addressed.