A new look at successful aging : exploring a mid-range nursing theory among older adults in a low-income retirement community.

The current view of successful aging excludes elders with disease or disability, limits the potential for success among disadvantaged populations, and fails to consider older adults’ own criteria for success, especially in the existential or spiritual domain. This cross-sectional study was a preliminary investigation of a mid-range nursing theory (Flood, 2005) of successful aging. A random, stratified sample (N= 112) was used. Questionnaires were administered to small groups of non-demented older adults. Relationships among study variables were examined using hierarchical multiple regression. Adaptation and transcendence explained 45.4% of the variance in successful aging, independent of age, income, function, and health. Transcendence accounted for 2.5 times the effect of adaptation

COMPUTATIONAL STUDIES OF CHEMICAL SYSTEMS: I. A THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF CLATHRATE HYDRATESII. CONFORMATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY SURFACE OF TRYPTAMINE

Hydrogen clathrates have recently been discovered and considered as storage medium for H2. Hydrogen forms a Type II clathrate structure, with a small and large cage. Multiple guest hydrogen molecules can occupy both cages (up to two in the small cage and four in the large cage), although the number of hydrogen molecules occupying the small cage has been a source of debate in the literature. The goal of this work has been to develop a polarizable force field for use in molecular dynamics simulations of hydrogen clathrates. The resulting force field has been coded in the DLPOLY package and simulations of the system as a function of the number of guest hydrogen molecules have been performed. The development of the force field, and the results of the simulations are discussed.In order for a clathrate structure to form, a 'guest' molecule must be present under ideal conditions. That is, water does not form a so-called 'self' hydrate. In order to elucidate the factors responsible for clathrate formation, emph{ab initio} calculations were performed on (H2O)$_{21}$ and (H2O)$_{20}$*H2S clusters. The results of these calculations have provided insight into why water does not form a self hydrate.Stimulated emission pumping experiments done by the Zwier group have established bounds on the low energy isomerization barriers between specific minima of tryptamine. In order to identify the low energy isomerization pathways, the Becke3LYP and RI-MP2 methods were used to characterize the low-energy minima and the transition states of tryptamine. In general there is good agreement between theory and experiment, but for a subset of the isomerization processes, the calculations give significantly higher barriers than deduced from experiment. Possible causes of this discrepancy are discussed

Multisite recruitment and data collection among older adults : exploring methods to conserve human and financial resources.

The purpose of this article is to describe strategies that were effective in recruitment and data collection among older adults in 3 quantitative studies while decreasing costs in terms of time and money. Factors effective in reducing use of investigators\u27 time and expenses included limiting exclusion of data because of abnormal Mini-Cog scores by careful initial screening and avoiding repeated reminders or follow-up, collecting data in small groups, collapsing consent, dementia screening, and data collection into single sessions, as well as accommodating for sensory and literacy deficits. The cross-sectional, descriptive studies were conducted among community-dwelling older adults attending senior citizen centers and among older adults in independent or assisted living apartments within continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). 1 In the latest study, a convenience sample (N = 152) was recruited and data collection was completed in 4 weeks at a total cost of less than $5,000. Methods common to qualitative research and those commonly used in community-based research were adapted to reduce time and costs for recruitment, screening, and data collection. Given limited availability of research funding, other nursing researchers may find one or more of these methods useful

The role of transcendence in a holistic view of successful aging : a concept analysis and model of transcendence in maturation and aging.

BACKGROUND: Although successful aging is most often defined by the absence of disease and disability, older adults consistently report aging successfully even in the presence of chronic illness and functional limitations. A more holistic way of looking at old age suggests transcendence may be an important missing criterion for successful aging. AIM: Transcendence, a late life developmental process, appears to have a profound effect within the spiritual domain, but is an abstract, complex and unfamiliar concept. A clear understanding of the meaning of transcendence is necessary to explore the concept’s usefulness as a potential basis for future interventions to increase successful aging. METHODS: Walker and Avant’s (2004) method of concept analysis was adapted to analyze literature from philosophy, theology, developmental psychology, sociology, psychiatry and nursing to gain a thorough understanding of transcendence. RESULTS: Antecedents, attributes, referents and consequences of transcendence were identified then displayed in a conceptual model. A definition of transcendence in relation to successful aging was synthesized from the analysis. CONCLUSION: The concept analysis suggested transcendence may provide a theoretical foundation for development of potentially cost-effective, efficacious interventions to foster a sense of meaning in life, well-being, and life satisfaction. The model under development may prove useful in planning potential interventions

A multidisciplinary concept analysis of empowerment : implications for nursing.

According to the Institute of Medicine, nursing has failed to effectively shape the health care system and to advocate successfully for patients. Empowerment may be a potent tool to fulfill these responsibilities, yet nurses have not benefited from considering application of the concept to the continuum of health care advocacy in their communities, in their relationships with clients, and in their professional roles within health care organizations. This paper uses concept analysis to examine the attributes, characteristics, and uses of empowerment within diverse disciplines to clarify its meaning and explore its potential application to nursing\u27s challenges that cross settings, disciplines, and time

Successful aging in the United States and China : a theoretical basis to guide nursing research, practice, and policy.

Successful aging is an idea gaining increasing attention given the exponential growth in the older adult population. Criteria and definitions within multiple disciplines vary greatly in Western literature, with no consensus on its meaning. Moreover, sociocultural, economic and political differences between the Western view of successful aging and its use in China – with the world’s largest older adult population – add to the confusion. Similarities and differences in the meaning of successful aging in the United States and China are examined and the potential for a common definition that is useful to nursing in both countries is explored. Using the process of concept analysis, shared criteria for successful aging were: decreased or delayed incidence of disease and disability, life satisfaction, a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and the ability to cope effectively to achieve goals based on personal values and priorities. A comprehensive, multidimensional definition of successful aging for nursing, and a mid-range nursing theory of Theory of Successful Aging, were identified and may be useful to guide nursing research, practice and development of aging policy and programs

Assessing the Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health (PATH) program : an intervention to foster self-transcendence and well-being in community-dwelling older adults.

The late-life developmental process of self-transcendence shapes elders’ perspectives on self, others, the nature of this world, and of a dimension beyond the here and now. This qualitative pilot study evaluated the Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health (PATH) Program, a psychoeducational intervention to promote self-transcendence and well-being in community-dwelling women at a senior center. The intervention involved eight weekly group sessions using group processes, mindfulness practices, creative experiences, and independent at-home practice. The findings supported the underlying theory-based structure and content of the intervention and indicated the intervention may empower elders to attend to self-care, develop acceptance, and learn new skills associated with health and well-being, thus merits further study. Based on insights gained from facilitators’ and participants’ experiences and perceptions, the intervention will be revised and strengthened

The role of self-transcendence : a missing variable in the pursuit of successful aging?

While successful aging is often defined as the absence of disease and disability or as life satisfaction, self-transcendence may also play an important role. The objective of this research was to test a nursing theory of successful aging proposing that transcendence and adaptation predict successful aging. In this cross-sectional exploratory study, a convenience sample of older adults (N = 152) were surveyed about self-transcendence, proactive coping, and successful aging. Using hierarchical multiple regression, self-transcendence, proactive coping, and all control variables (i.e., sex, race, perceived health, place of residence) together explained 50% of the variance in successful aging (p \u3c 0.001). However, proactive coping alone was not a significant predictor of successful aging. Thus, this study did not support the theory that both self-transcendence and proactive coping predict successful aging. Self-transcendence was the only significant contributor to this multidimensional view of successful aging. Self-transcendence is an important variable in the pursuit of successful aging, which merits further investigation

Psychosocial determinants of physical activity in children attending afterschool programs : a path analysis.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is important for controlling childhood obesity, but a comprehensive PA model for school-aged children is lacking. Objectives: Guided by the youth PA promotion (YPAP) model, this study estimated the direct and indirect effects of self-efficacy, enjoyment, parental influence, and environment on self-reported PA and pedometer steps. A secondary purpose was to explore the association between self-reported PA and pedometer steps. Methods: An observational and prospective study was conducted among 133 children, aged 8–11 years old, from 10 elementary schools with afterschool programs in a Midwestern U.S. school district from August through October 2013. PA was assessed by a 7-day recall scale and pedometers. Other variables were assessed by validated questionnaires. Results: Approximately 65 (49%) children were overweight or obese—only 17 (13%) met national PA recommendations—and body mass index z score was negatively correlated with pedometer steps (r = .18, p = .042). A path analysis showed that self-efficacy had a direct effect on self-reported PA and pedometer steps, enjoyment had only a direct effect on self-reported PA, and parental influence had a direct effect on pedometer steps and an indirect effect on self-reported PA through self-efficacy and enjoyment. The association between self-reported PA and pedometer steps was not significant. Discussion: Because this study only partially supports the YPAP model, studies with a larger sample size and longitudinal design are essential to further examine this model. The nonsignificant relationship of self-reported PA with pedometer steps may be due to the systematic error resulted from a common method artifact of self-report. Given the importance of parental influence, enjoyment, and self-efficacy, targeting these three determinants in future interventions to increase PA among children is recommended