Study of attitudes of smokers and nonsmokers on smoking in work areas

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the attitudes of smokers and nonsmokers regarding smoking in the work areas of Blue Cross and Blue Shield United of Wisconsin, and prepare them for a possible change in policy when A Clean Indoor Air Act is passed in Wisconsin

Workers\u27 reactions to the Post Office.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-07, page: . Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1978

Do historical changes in parent-child relationships explain increases in youth conduct problems?

The coincidence of historical trends in youth antisocial behavior and change in family demographics has led to speculation of a causal link, possibly mediated by declining quality of parenting and parent-child relationships. No study to date has directly assessed whether and how parenting and parent-child relationships have changed. Two national samples of English adolescents aged 16-17 years in 1986 (N = 4,524 adolescents, 7,120 parents) and 2006 (N = 716 adolescents, 734 parents) were compared using identical questionnaire assessments. Youth-reported parental monitoring, expectations, and parent-child quality time increased between 1986 and 2006. Ratings of parental interest did not change. Parenting differences between affluent and disadvantaged families narrowed over time. There was thus little evidence of a decline in quality of parenting for the population as a whole or for disadvantaged subgroups. Parent-reported youth conduct problems showed a modest increase between 1986 and 2006. Findings suggested that the increase in youth conduct problems was largely unrelated to observed change in parent-child relationships

The psychological well-being of children orphaned by AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa

BACKGROUND: An estimated 2 million children are parentally bereaved by AIDS in South Africa. Little is known about mental health outcomes for this group. METHODS: This study aimed to investigate mental health outcomes for urban children living in deprived settlements in Cape Town. 30 orphaned children and 30 matched controls were compared using standardised questionnaires (SDQ) on emotional and behavioural problems, peer and attention difficulties, and prosocial behaviour. The orphan group completed a modified version of a standardised questionnaire (IES-8), measuring Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms. Group differences were tested using t-tests and Pearson's chi-square. RESULTS: Both groups scored highly for peer problems, emotional problems and total scores. However, orphans were more likely to view themselves as having no good friends (p = .002), to have marked concentration difficulties (p = .03), and to report frequent somatic symptoms (p = .05), but were less likely to display anger through loss of temper (p = .03). Orphans were more likely to have constant nightmares (p = .01), and 73% scored above the cut-off for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest important areas for larger-scale research for parentally-bereaved children

Brief Parenting Seminars for Preventing Child Behavioral and Emotional Difficulties:a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Early parenting programs can prevent the development of child behavioral and emotional difficulties. Despite the high prevalence of these difficulties in Greek children aged 2 to 12, no evidence-based parenting programs have been tested in randomized trials in Greece. We pilot-tested the efficacy of a brief parenting intervention for universal prevention of child behavioral and emotional difficulties. Parents from the general population (N = 124) were randomly assigned to receive the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Seminar Series (n = 83), or leaflet information on child health (n = 41). Most participants were highly educated mothers with boys and girls aged 2–12, from middle-income, inner-city households. Participants reported on child behavior, parenting style and parenting adjustment, before and after the intervention and six months later. At post-intervention, parent-reported behavioral problems were reduced in the intervention group, but increased in the control group (p = 0.001); these differences remained at 6-month follow-up. Of those in the clinical range (28%) at baseline, significantly more intervention children than control children moved to normal range six months later. Disrupted parenting practices were reduced more in intervention parents at post-intervention but were not maintained at follow-up. No significant differences were found in secondary child behavioral difficulties, child emotional difficulties, parenting confidence and distress over time. This Seminar Series is a brief, easily replicable and likely cost-effective early intervention leading to significant medium-sized reductions over six months in behavioral difficulties, and improvements in disrupted parenting. These findings broadly support other evidence about effective transportability of parenting interventions across countries

Transporting Evidence-Based Parenting Programs for Child Problem Behavior (Age 3–10) Between Countries::Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There has been rapid global dissemination of parenting interventions, yet little is known about their effectiveness when transported to countries different from where they originated, or about factors influencing success. This is the first systematic attempt to address this issue, focusing on interventions for reducing child behavior problems. Stage 1 identified evidence-based parenting interventions showing robust effects in systematic reviews; Stage 2 identified trials of these interventions in a new country. Systematic review/meta-analysis of transported programs was followed by subgroup analyses by trial- and country-level cultural, resource, and policy factors. We found 17 transported trials of 4 interventions, originating in United States or Australia, tested in 10 countries in 5 regions, (n = 1,558 children). Effects on child behavior were substantial (SMD −.71) in the (14) randomized trials, but nonsignificant in the (3) nonrandomized trials. Subgroup analyses of randomized trials found no association between effect size and participant or intervention factors (e.g., program brand, staffing). Interventions transported to “western” countries showed comparable effects to trials in origin countries; however, effects were stronger when interventions were transported to culturally more distant regions. Effects were higher in countries with survival-focused family/childrearing values than those ranked more individualistic. There were no differences in effects by country-level policy or resource factors. Contrary to common belief, parenting interventions appear to be at least as effective when transported to countries that are more different culturally, and in service provision, than those in which they were developed. Extensive adaptation did not appear necessary for successful transportation

Different instruments, same content? A systematic comparison of child maltreatment and harsh parenting instruments

Child maltreatment and harsh parenting both include harmful actions by parents towards children that are physical (e.g., spanking, slapping) or emotional (e.g., threatening, yelling). The distinction between these two constructs, in meaning and measurement, is often unclear, leading to inconsistent research and policy. This study systematically identified, reviewed, and compared parent-reported child maltreatment (N = 7) and harsh parenting (N = 18) instruments. The overlap in parenting behaviors was 73%. All physical behaviors that were measured in harsh parenting instruments (e.g., spanking, beating up) were also measured in child maltreatment instruments. Unique physical behaviors measured in maltreatment instruments include twisting body parts and choking. All emotional behaviors in maltreatment instruments were included in harsh parenting instruments, and vice versa. Our findings suggest similar, but not identical, operationalizations of child maltreatment and harsh parenting. Our findings can help guide discussions on definitions, operationalizations, and their consequences for research on violence against children

Clinical Nurse Leaders Within a New Zealand Setting: the Culture of Business and the Profession of Nursing

This thesis reports on an action research project undertaken to explore the role of the Clinical Nurse leader (CNL) in a District Health Board (DHB) in New Zealand. The CNL role has evolved against a backdrop of significant reforms that took place in the country in the 1990s. These reforms altered how public health services were funded, organised and delivered. Nursing leadership positions at both executive and clinical level were challenged in the reforms, as health services were expected to function using a market model. Not surprisingly, this clashed with the humanism of nursing. The action research project involved seven CNLs researching with the principal investigator to explore the role and establish how support afforded the role could be further improved. The research had two phases: Phase One involved each CNL being interviewed one-on-one and Phase Two involved a series of 10 action research meetings and related activities. The findings of the interviews consisted of 24 themes that related to the role of the CNL, the attributes of the CNL, the skills and knowledge requirements of the CNL, and the experience of being a CNL. These themes were presented by the principal researcher at the second action research meeting as the starting point for the group to decide its agenda. After three meetings, the group chose to focus on two themes: the conflict experienced between the leadership and management aspects of the role; and professional development afforded the role. The group identified what was important, agreeing the role was one of leadership and management as well as patient care. Plans for role development for themselves and for the advancement of new CNLs were also created. The project provides an important contribution to our understanding of the work of the CNL. Not only did it produce outcomes related to role, support and scope but it also shed light on the importance of the relationship between the role and its context of the DHB. The culture of business and the profession of nursing and a shared understanding of responsibilities as a way forward were recommended

How Industrial Distributors View Distributor-Supplier Partnership Arrangements

This nationwide survey reports distributors\u27 perspectives of their relationship with a core supplier. The survey reports on elements of partnership, expectations, outcomes, and satisfaction relating to the relationship\u27s position on a continuum between arm\u27s length and close partnership styles