Resourcefulness in African American and Caucasian American Caregivers of Persons With Dementia: Associations With Perceived Burden, Depression, Anxiety, Positive Cognitions, and Psychological Well-Being

Purpose Providing care to persons with dementia can have negative effects on caregivers\u27 physical and psychological well-being. This secondary analysis explored relationships among perceived burden, depression, anxiety, resourcefulness, and psychological well-being in 28 African American (AA) and 45 Caucasian American (CA) caregivers of persons with dementia. Design and Methods Descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to examine the hypothesized relationships in a sample of 73 caregivers. Findings CAs reported greater burden (t = −3.68, p \u3c .001), more anxiety (t = −2.66, p \u3c .01), depression (t = −2.21, p \u3c .05), and hostility (t = −2.30, p \u3c .05) than AAs. AAs reported higher scores than CAs on resourcefulness, positive cognitions, and psychological well-being. Practice Implications The study findings provided directions for the development of resourcefulness interventions to enhance the psychological well-being among dementia caregivers

The Mediating Effects of Positive Cognitions on Autism Caregivers\u27 Depression and Their Children\u27s Challenging Behaviors

Caregivers of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are prone to depression and psychological problems, which have an impact on their children\u27s challenging behaviors. Positive cognitions include specific positive thinking patterns that enhance one\u27s ability to effectively manage daily activities and promote mental health. The purpose of this research is to test the mediating effects of positive cognitions on the relationship between caregivers\u27 depression and their children\u27s challenging behaviors among 117 caregivers of persons with ASD. Positive cognitions were found to have mediating effects on the relationship between caregiver\u27s depression and their children\u27s challenging behaviors in this sample of caregivers of persons with ASD. Nurses are in a strategic position to include in their interventions those strategies that strengthen positive cognitions in order to improve the caregivers\u27 positive cognitions and well-being, which, in turn will have an impact on their children\u27s challenging behaviors

Positive Thinking Training Intervention for Caregivers of Persons with Autism: Establishing Fidelity

More than 3.5 million in the US are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and caregivers experience stress that adversely affects their well-being. Positive thinking training (PTT) intervention can minimize that stress. However, before testing the effectiveness of PTT, its fidelity must be established. This pilot intervention trial examined fidelity of an online PTT intervention for ASD caregivers with a random assignment of 73 caregivers to either the online PTT intervention or to the control group. Quantitative data [Positive Thinking Skills Scale (PTSS)] and qualitative data (online weekly homework) were collected. The mean scores for the PTSS improved for the intervention group and decreased for the control group post intervention. Evidence for use of PTT was found in caregivers\u27 online weekly homework. The findings provide evidence of the implementation fidelity of PTT intervention and support moving forward to test PTT effectiveness in promoting caregivers\u27 well-being

Online Positive Thinking Training Intervention for Caregivers of Individuals with ASD: Necessity, Acceptability and Feasibility

Background: More than 3.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Caring for children with ASD can be stressful and can be detrimental to the well-being of the caregivers (CGs). However, the adverse effects of caregiving on the well-being of CGs may be avoided with appropriate interventions. CGs of persons with ASD might benefit from a positive thinking training (PTT) intervention to help them cope with the stress of caregiving. However, the necessity, acceptability and feasibility for PTT in ASD CGs have not been studied. Objective: To examine the necessity, acceptability and feasibility of a six-week online PTT intervention designed to improve the well-being of the CGs. Design: Random assignment of ASD CGs to one of two conditions: (1) PTT online intervention or (2) Control group. Results: The mean score on the depressive cognition scale (DCS) was 20, indicating a high need of PTT to all enrolled CGs. High depressive cognitions in ASD CGs were associated with lower positive thinking (r = −.39; p Conclusions: Examination of the fidelity and effectiveness of the PTT are the next steps in the refinement of this intervention

Measuring Use of Resourcefulness Skills: Psychometric Testing of a New Scale

Highly resourceful individuals have been found better able to meet life\u27s challenges and to experience more positive health outcomes. Although psychometrically sound measures of resourcefulness exist and resourcefulness training trials show that the intervention increases adaptive functioning and enhances quality of life, there is no direct measure of intervention fidelity. This study examined the reliability and validity of an 8-item Resourcefulness Skills Scale (RSS), which measures the frequency with which intervention recipients use specific resourcefulness skills. The RSS was found to have acceptable internal consistency (� = .78), criterion-related validity (�\u27s = .50 and .52 with other resourcefulness scales), and construct validity (�\u27s =.38 and .53 with theoretically-related constructs). Factor analysis revealed two factors reflecting personal and social resourcefulness. Because the RSS queries respondents on their use of skills taught during resourcefulness training, it has potential usefulness as a measure for evaluating how well the training is translated into use of the skills in daily life

The Relationship between Positive Thinking, Religion, and Health from the Perspectives of Arab University Students

Background: The population of Arab Americans (AA) in the United States continues to increase in recent decades. The perceptions of AA university students will be of interest as they are younger than any other group in America, but very few studies explore their opinions especially with regards to topics involving religion, health, and mode of thinking as proposed in this study. Researchers have also suggested that a limitation in much of the research that currently exists on the topic of spirituality and religion is that it primarily focuses on Christian samples, and that future studies should include individuals from more diverse faith traditions for researchers to gain a more thorough understanding of the relationship between religion and health. Purpose: Main Purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the relationship between positive thinking, religion, and health from the perspectives of Arab university students. Design and Methods: In this descriptive qualitative study, two focus groups were recruited. Content analysis was used to come up with the categories and subcategories. Findings: Three distinct categories were identified: Positive thinking enhances overall health, Positive influence of religion on way of thinking/health, and negative influence of religion on way of thinking/health. Practice Implications: All the findings will provide insights for health professionals to provide more culturally competent care to their patients accounting for their faith-based health beliefs and ultimately helping to eliminate health disparities

Loneliness: A Concept Analysis

TOPIC. Loneliness is a universal human experience recognized since the dawn of time, yet it is unique for every individual. Loneliness can lead to both depression and low self‐esteem. PURPOSE. This article explicates the concept of loneliness through the examination of its conceptual definition and uses, defining attributes, related concepts, and empirical referents. SOURCES OF INFORMATION. Literature review using hand search and database were used as sources of information. CONCLUSION. Because loneliness is commonly encountered in nursing situations, the information provided will serve as a framework for assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of clients

Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Version of the Depressive Cognition Scale in First-Year Adolescent Egyptian Nursing Students

Background: Identifying depressive cognitions in adolescent nursing students can be an important step to prevent the development of clinical depression, which is positively associated with suicide. Purpose: This study focused on the psychometric testing of the Arabic version of the Depressive Cognition Scale (A-DCS) among 170 first-year adolescent Egyptian nursing students. Methods: The questionnaire was assessed for internal consistency, homogeneity, and construct validity using factor analysis and convergent validity. Results: Cronbach\u27s alpha for (A-DCS) was .86. The homogeneity of the instrument was supported by item-to-total correlations between .30 and .70. Factor extraction generated only one factor with eigenvalues greater than 1, which is consistent with the English version. The (A-DCS) total score had a strong significant correlation with the Alienation Scale scores (r = .51, p \u3c .01), indicating convergent validity. Conclusion: This scale has the potential to become a useful screening tool for depressive cognitions among Egyptian nursing students