Structural violence and gender-based violence in the United States

Three components of the dissertation project examined the relationship between three different constructs of structural violence and women’s experience of different violence types in their lifetime in the United States. The violence types examined in the study included psychological aggression, coercive control and entrapment, physical violence, stalking, sexual violence, and rape. 2010 National Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence Survey with the final sample size of 9,827 was used for all three portions of the study to analyze the association of structural violence with six types of violence. Additional datasets used were Institute for Women’s Policy Research’s Status of Women Project, the American Association of University Women, NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, the Guttmacher Institute, and United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. A survey design was applied, and logistic regression analysis was performed with each violence type for all three parts of the study. The first research component aimed to examine the relationship between women’s status at a state level and violence against women in the United States. The second study focused on the association between women’s reproductive rights’ status at a state level and violence against women in the United States. The third portion of the study examined the association between reproductive health care resources in a state and violence against women. These study results suggest that different types of women experienced by women may be associated with different structural factors. It appears that political, legal and economic dimensions of women’s status are significant factors associated with women’s experience of violence types such as psychological aggression, coercive control and entrapment, and sexual violence in the United States. The study findings also suggest that there is an association between the ability of women to exercise their reproductive rights and the different types of violence experienced by women in those states. It appears that in states where women can exercise their reproductive freedom, they are less likely to report experiencing coercive control and entrapment, sexual violence, physical violence, and rape. Additionally, the study results suggest that non-physical types of violence may be prevalent in the United States, and are strongly associated with structural factors

Study of International Students\u27 Definations of, and Perceptions About, Domestic Violence Against Women

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare definitions of, and perceptions about, domestic violence of international students enrolled in spring semester, 2012 at Minnesota State University, Mankato. These definitions and perceptions were compared according to the presence of domestic violence policies in the international students’ countries of origin as well as their gender and the length of residence in the United States. A quantitative cross-sectional online survey was conducted to collect data regarding participants’ definitions of different types of domestic violence, appropriateness of hitting and yelling in the relationship, and their perceptions about domestic violence. International students from the following countries participated in this study: Nepal, Bangladesh, India, South Korea, Japan, Moldova, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. The survey included four-point Likert type (strongly disagree, disagree, agree, strongly agree) items and dichotomous (yes or no) questions. Analysis of variance was used to compare the students’ definitions of, and perceptions about domestic violence according to the presence of domestic violence policies in the international students’ countries of origin as well as their gender and the length of residence in the United States. Significant differences were noted between participants’ definitions of, and perceptions about, domestic violence. Significant differences were found between the participants’ definitions of domestic violence according to existence of domestic violence legislation in their countries of origin. A significant difference regarding the appropriateness of hitting in the relationship was also revealed according to the existence of domestic violence legislation in participants’ countries of origin. Significant differences related to the participants’ perceptions about domestic violence on four factors scales (healthy relationship, traditional male role, appropriateness of violence in relationships, and individuality in the relationship) were found according to the existence of domestic violence legislation in their countries of origin as well as their gender. Health educators are encouraged to advocate for domestic violence legislation and provide education interventions designed to prevent domestic violence

Underage Drinking in Nebraska

This brief describes the prevalence of underage drinking in Nebraska and its associated outcomes, as well as state policies pertinent to underage drinking and evidence-based strategies that can prevent underage drinking. We defined underage drinking as alcohol consumption by persons younger than 21 years. In 2010, Nebraska’s underage drinking costs, including medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering, totaled more than an estimated $423 million, which translates to a cost of$2,309 per year for each youth in Nebraska or $2.92 per drink. Underage customers consumed about a quarter of all alcohol sold in Nebraska. In a ranking of states based on the alcohol percentage consumed by youth, with 1 being the highest, Nebraska ranked fifth. Nebraska policy makers should strongly consider the following state-level policies: increasing taxes on alcohol products, prohibiting youth exposure to alcohol advertising, limiting access to excessive drinking by maintaining limits on days of sale and hours of sale, maintaining and upholding the integrity of the minimum legal drinking age laws, and expanding dram shop liability laws. Cities should study innovative methods of regulating alcohol outlets that balance commerce and protection of citizens. Both local municipalities and the state government should ensure there are sufficient resources available to enforce existing and new underage drinking laws.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_policy_reports/1004/thumbnail.jp

The Impact of International Doctoral Capstone Experience on Occupational Therapy Clinicians\u27 Current Practice

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of an international doctoral capstone on occupational therapy clinicians’ current practice. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive online survey design with qualitative elements with 26 occupational therapy graduates. All participants identified as female and the majority were 25-34 years old. Participants reported that the international doctorate capstone experience positively impacted their cultural competence and professional growth. Qualitative outcomes supported these findings through three themes on culture, building rapport with patients, and professional growth. This study suggests that an international doctoral capstone experience is an important way for occupational therapy students to be prepared to become culturally competent clinicians and advance their professional skills. Limitations of the study included a convenience sample of occupational therapy alumni who graduated from Creighton University and using a non-validated survey instrument. Future studies need to use a representative sample and examine the cultural competence and professional growth of occupational therapy students who did not complete an international capstone project

The Impact of an Educational Human Trafficking Panel on Occupational Therapy Students’ Knowledge and Self-Efficacy

A rise in attention to and assistance for human trafficking (HT) victims and survivors has resulted in a call to action for occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals. Victims and survivors often seek healthcare services in a variety of settings, yet ill-equipped healthcare professionals lacking training and self-efficacy with this population have left many unidentified needs unaddressed. Occupational therapists possess the skills necessary to support and assist survivors of HT in their reintegration and healing processes. However, little to no specific training for practitioners in this field has been developed. This study explored how an educational panel of OTs and HT experts who have worked with occupational therapists impacted occupational therapists’ knowledge and perceived self-efficacy regarding HT and its intersection with occupational therapy. A 1.5-hour interactive panel was assembled and prepared for a synchronous Zoom meeting by the researchers. Eighty students completed both pre- and post-surveys. Post-panel surveys revealed that students’ knowledge of the intersection between HT and occupational therapy improved, their perceived self-efficacy in assisting victims and survivors of HT increased, and their perspective on the panel format and content was favorable. The survey findings also indicated students’ desire for continued professional education and occupational therapy practice skills focused on the topic of HT. One way to address the gaps in the knowledge and self-efficacy of healthcare providers is to equip them with knowledge and skills on treating HT victims through training during their didactic curriculum and in clinical practice

Clinic Exploration of Care Processes to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural Accountable Care Organization Clinics: A Qualitative Case Study

It is essential to have an effective care process to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening particularly in rural areas. Primary care health care providers may have a significant impact on improving CRC screening rates among rural residents through systematic screening processes in their clinics. In this qualitative study, we aimed to explore the whole clinic processes of recommending and referring CRC screening in the rural accountable care organization (ACO) primary care clinics. We collected qualitative data through 21 semi-structured in-depth interviews with healthcare providers in rural primary care ACO clinics in Nebraska. We audio recorded and transcribed the interviews and analyzed the data using an inductive content analysis approach. The qualitative analyses revealed that ACO clinics are promoting CRC screening through teamwork with enhanced utilization of electronic health records and various other reminder strategies for both providers and patients. Areas for improvement in ACO clinic processes were also identified