Transformation through grieving: art and the bereaved.

The literature on grief has focused primarily on the grieving process and individual manifestations of grief. Little has been written, however, about the transformative or growth potential of grief. The article focuses on the use of art therapy in an adult bereavement group and the potential benefits of using expressive art therapy in bereavement work. The art therapy activities provided the group members with occasions to express a full range of feelings and opportunities for them to reflect on their individual views of themselves

Who Will Speak for Me? Advocating for Pregnant Women in Prison

The 1999 publication of a report by Amnesty International on the use of shackles and restraints with pregnant incarcerated women by correctional facilities in the United States was an attempt to highlight this ongoing practice. Despite the initial outrage expressed in many professional arenas, it continues in many states. This commentary provides a snapshot of incarcerated pregnant women and briefly discusses the risks associated with the use of shackles and restraints. Specific strategies describing how to advocate for this invisible and vulnerable population are provided with the hope that more nurses will be the voice for these women in correctional institutions, hospitals and in state government. © The Author(s) 2011

Health care of pregnant women in U.S. state prisons

Background. Although standards for pregnancy-related health care in correctional facilities have been established, there is no mandatory accreditation that requires adherence to these standards. Furthermore, this information has been difficult to access from correctional facilities across the country. Methods. To examine the health care practices of pregnant women in state prisons, a survey with 62 multiple choice questions and four open-ended questions was developed. Wardens of 50 women\u27s state correctional facilities were contacted to describe the study and request participation. Nineteen facilities completed the survey, for a 38% response rate. Results. The findings of this study provide further evidence of the substandard care that pregnant incarcerated women receive in correctional facilities. In many state prisons, nutritional recommendations for a healthy pregnancy are not met, adequate rest is compromised and lower bunks are not required. Psychosocial support and education are minimal at best. The use of restraints, which can compromise the health and safety of the woman and her baby, continues as a matter of procedure in many facilities even during labor and delivery. Conclusions. The providers of health care for pregnant women fail to use best practices and established standards in many women\u27s state prisons. A concerted effort is urgently needed to address the unmet health care needs of this marginalized population and support legislation to limit the use of restraints with pregnant incarcerated women in all states. © Meharry Medical College

Navigating the challenges of prison research with women

Despite the healthcare needs of an increasing number of incarcerated women in the United States, few researchers access this underserved population. The authors provide practical information to help novice researchers navigate potential institutional challenges including obtaining institutional review board approval, gaining entry, complying with rules and regulations, recruiting and retaining participants, and collecting data. Copyright © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

The “Voice” and perspectives of adolescents participating in a short-term psychotherapy group

Group psychotherapy is an ideal choice for adolescents who engage in mental health treatment. It is considered a “natural” fit, as adolescents are focused on their peer group. This research study presents the effectiveness of an adolescent psychotherapy group with an interpersonal approach, using their “voices” and perspectives. A qualitative descriptive design was selected. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with eight adolescents who attended a process-oriented psychotherapy group for a period of three months. The data were analyzed using manifest content analysis. All eight participants described their experiences and the meaning of their experiences. A number of therapeutic factors emerged from the data consistent with Yalom’s theoretical framework. The participants also described a number of benefits and identified several recommendations for group therapists

Suicide assessment by psychiatric nurses: A phenomenographic study

Although suicide assessment has been researched, nurses haven\u27t been included in studies nor has this been explored from a phenomenographic perspective. Suicide assessment by nurses was investigated using a phenomenographic design. Data were collected through observations, vignettes, and interviews. Phenomenographic analysis discovered four qualitative differences in suicide assessment among nurse participants: reliance on (1) examples of other suicide cases, (2) intuition, (3) others\u27 assessments, and (4) prior experience. The categories were classified into a three dimensional theoretical structure of suicide assessment: (a) Knowledge, (b) Method, and (c) Reference. Variability in participants\u27 assessments established a structure of suicide assessment that furthers understanding of how nurses assess suicide and provides implications for practice. © 2010 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc

Nurse researchers in corrections: A qualitative study

The United States has more people, per capita, in prisons and jails than any other country in the world. Because the prison population is largely composed of people who have been economically and socially disadvantaged, a very high percentage enter correctional facilities in poor health. Because of the large concentrated numbers of women, men, and youth in prisons and jails, an exceptional opportunity exists for nurses and other researchers to conduct creative and innovative research to improve the health care of this hard-to-reach population. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of nurse researchers who have been successful in conducting studies in different correctional settings. A qualitative descriptive design was used, and telephone interviews with 16 participants were completed. The participants described how they established credibility, the challenges they faced, and the unexpected personal and professional rewards they received. Recommendations for potential researchers will hopefully lead to an increase in research with this invisible population. © 2013 International Association of Forensic Nurses