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

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

The Effect of a Resourcefulness Training Intervention on Relocation Adjustment and Adaptive Functioning among Older Adults in Retirement Communities

The population of older adults is increasing rapidly and is expected to reach 83.7 million by the year 2050. Previous research demonstrates that greater resourcefulness is associated with better quality of life and life satisfaction. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of a resourcefulness training intervention on positive cognitions, resourcefulness, relocation adjustment, and adaptive functioning among older adults who have relocated to retirement communities. Resourcefulness theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. Forty older adults who relocated to three retirement communities in Milwaukee, WI were randomly assigned to either a diversional activity group or to a resourcefulness training (RT) intervention group. Two older adults dropped out of the study (one from the diversional activity group and one from the RT group), leaving 38 elders. The results of the study indicated that there were slight increases (a trend) in the mean of positive cognitions, relocation adjustment, adaptive functioning, and personal resourcefulness in the expected direction for the RT intervention group as compared to the diversional group. Recommendations for future research include the use of larger and more diverse samples over a longer periods of time (6 weeks and 12 weeks post-intervention) as well as the use of cut scores on the resourcefulness scale so that the RT training intervention is taught to those who need it

Methodological Triangulation: An Approach to Understanding Data

Aim: To (describe the use of methodological triangulation in a study of how people who had moved to retirement communities were adjusting. Background: Methodological triangulation involves using more than one kind of method to study a phenomenon. It has been found to be beneficial in providing confirmation of findings, more comprehensive data, increased validity and enhanced understanding of studied phenomena. While many researchers have used this well-established technique, there are few published examples of its use. Data sources: The authors used methodological triangulation in their study of people who had moved to retirement communities in Ohio, US. Review methods A blended qualitative and quantitative approach was used. Discussion The collected qualitative data, complemented and clarified the quantitative findings, by helping to Identify common themes. Qualitative data also helped in understanding interventions for promoting \u27pulling\u27 factors and for overcoming \u27pushing\u27 factors of participants. The authors used focused research questions to reflect the research\u27s purpose and four evaluative criteria - \u27truth value\u27, \u27applicability\u27, \u27consistency\u27 and \u27neutrality\u27 – to ensure rigour. Conclusion: This paper provides an example of how methodological triangulation can be used in nursing research. It identifies challenges associated with methodological triangulation, recommends strategies for overcoming them, provides a rationale for using triangulation and explains how to maintain rigour. Implications for research/practice: Methodological triangulation can be used to enhance the analysis and the interpretation of findings. As data are drawn from multiple sources, it broadens the researcher\u27s insight into the different issues underlying the phenomena being studied

Sense of Coherence and Quality of Life in Women Family Members of the Seriously Mentally Ill

Providing care to a family member with serious mental illness (SMI) can reduce a family\u27s quality of life. Quality of life, however, can be positively influenced by the caregiver\u27s sense of coherence (SOC). Antonovsky\u27s Salutogenic Health Model was examined in this secondary analysis of data from 60 women family members of adults with SMI. The results indicated that greater perceived stress decreased SOC and QoL, greater SOC enhanced QoL, and SOC partially mediated the effects of perceived stress on QoL. The findings suggest the need for reducing stress and strengthening SOC to promote optimal QoL for family members of adults with SMI

Cultural Comparison of Chronic Conditions, Functional Status, and Acceptance in Older African-American and White Adults

Acceptance of functional decline accompanying chronic illness is challenging for all elders, and even more so for African-American elders. This study examined functional status and the number, types, and acceptance of chronic conditions in 16 African-American and 46 White elders. African-American elders reported better functioning but resembled Whites in number of chronic conditions and acceptance. All African-Americans reported hypertension; 76% of Whites reported arthritis. Greater acceptance was correlated with fewer chronic conditions (r = -.23, p \u3c .05) and better functioning (r = -.59, p \u3c .01). Poorer functioning (i.e., functional disability) was correlated with more chronic conditions (r = .27, p \u3c .05). Culturally sensitive interventions are needed to enhance elders\u27 acceptance of chronic conditions and to improve their functioning

Factors Associated With Perceived Burden, Resourcefulness, and Quality of Life in Female Family Members of Adults With Serious Mental Illness

BACKGROUND: Each year, 54 million American adults are affected by serious mental illness. Most of these persons depend on female family members for support or assistance, and unless these women are resourceful, they may experience considerable burden, stigma by association, depressive thoughts, and poor quality of life. OBJECTIVE:In this study, we examined the associations between characteristics of female family members (age, race, education), adults with serious mental illness (age, diagnosis), and the family situation (relationship, living arrangements, care provided) and caregivers\u27 burden, stigma, depressive cognitions, resourcefulness, and quality of life.STUDY DESIGN:In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 60 female relatives of adults with serious mental illness provided demographic information and completed established measures of the study variables.RESULTS:We discuss associations between contextual variables and process regulators, resourcefulness, and quality of life.CONCLUSIONS:The results highlight the importance of targeting interventions for caregivers of adults with serious mental illness who are parents, caregivers of younger seriously mentally ill persons in earlier stages of diagnosis, and caregivers of persons who have bipolar disorde

Psychometric Properties of a Measure of Acceptance of Long-Standing Health Problems

Acceptance of chronic illness is important for health promotion and for improving the quality of life of elders with chronic conditions. Thus, a reliable and valid measure of acceptance is needed for this population. Currently available measures of acceptance do not focus specifically on accepting chronic conditions. This study of 176 elders with chronic conditions examined the psychometric properties of an adapted measure of acceptance—the Ideas About Long-Standing Health Problems (IALHP) questionnaire. Although the findings provided beginning evidence for internal reliability and construct validity to support its potential usefulness in elders, further scale development is recommended

Relationships Among Perceived Burden, Depressive Cognitions, Resourcefulness, and Quality of Life in Female Relatives of Seriously Mentally Ill Adults

Providing care and support to a seriously mentally ill (SMI) family member can have deleterious effects on one\u27s health and quality of life. This study explored relationships among perceived burden, depressive cognitions, resourcefulness, and quality of life in 60 African-American and Caucasian women family members of SMI adults. Caucasians reported greater burden than African-Americans; the groups were similar in depressive cognitions, resourcefulness, and quality of life. In Caucasians and African-Americans, burden correlated with depressive cognitions and both correlated with poorer mental health. In African-Americans, burden also correlated with lower personal resourcefulness and both correlated with poorer mental health. The findings suggest a mediating role by depressive cognitions for both groups and by resourcefulness in African-Americans. Thus, both groups of women may benefit from positive thinking while African-Americans also may benefit from learning personal resourcefulness skills