Journal of Family Nursing current issue

The Family Nursing Unit, University of Calgary: Reflections on 25 Years of Clinical Scholarship (1982-2007) and Closure Announcement

Bell, J. M. — 2008-09-09

Family Intervention Sessions: One Useful Way to Improve Schoolchildren's Mental Health

Clausson, E., Berg, A. — 2008-09-09

This study examines the effectiveness of therapeutic conversations with families (through family sessions) in alleviating health complaints among adolescent girls in a school setting. Four girls with recurrent, subjective health complaints and their families were included in the study. Three sessions were held with each family, using genograms, ecomaps, interventive questions, and other family nursing interventions; practicing school nurses were also present. A therapeutic letter was sent to each family at the end of the sessions. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used as a pre- and posttest measure. Evaluative interviews were carried out with the families and with school nurses. The families reported feeling relief and described positive affective, behavioral, and cognitive changes as a consequence of the interventions. The school nurses experienced the family sessions as time-saving and easy-to-use tools in their work. Involving the family when schoolchildren's recurrent mental health problems are addressed may reduce future suffering.

Changes in Family Life Perceived by Mothers of Young Adult TBI Survivors

Wongvatunyu, S., Porter, E. J. — 2008-09-09

Little is known about changes in family life perceived by mothers of young adult survivors of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A phenomenological method was used to describe the changes that seven mothers of TBI survivors perceived in family life 6 months or more after the TBI. The five basic changes in family life reported by mothers were: getting attention from each other for different reasons now, getting along with each other since the injury, facing new financial hurdles, going our separate ways down this new path, and splitting the family apart against our will. Compared to literature on stress and coping, the findings offered a unique perspective on changes in family life. Nurses can use the findings to initiate therapeutic conversations with mothers about changes in family life after a TBI.

African American Grandparents' and Adolescent Grandchildren's Sexuality Communication

Cornelius, J. B., LeGrand, S., Jemmott, L. — 2008-09-09

This exploratory study uses survey methodology to generate data on grandparent—grandchild sexuality communications and attitudes and feelings about these processes. The sample includes 40 African American grandparent— grandchild dyads for a total of 80 participants recruited from five churches. One open-ended question asks the participants about their willingness to use churches as venues in HIV prevention. Grandparents have more positive attitudes and feelings about sexuality communications than their adolescent grandchildren. Both grandparents and their adolescent grandchildren are receptive to the idea of using churches as venues in HIV prevention and provide recommendations about how a church-based sexuality program could be developed. The role of grandparents is constantly being redefined; therefore, we must continue to examine the needs of this population and the grandchildren they are raising. Nurses can build on the study's findings to develop church-based sexuality programs.

Patterns of Decision Making by Wives of Patients With LifeThreatening Cardiac Disease

Hall, P., Sanford, J. T., Demi, A. S. — 2008-09-09

Implementation of the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) in the United States has transferred decision making from the responsibility of health care professionals to the responsibility of family members. Dilemmas occurring as a result of this responsibility may cause stress and conflict among family members. The purpose of this study is to describe the patterns of decision making by family members of patients with life-threatening cardiac disease. Purposive sampling is used to select 10 wives of patients with life-threatening cardiovascular disease. Data are gathered through unstructured interviews and are analyzed using grounded theory and theory triangulation. Analysis of the data reveal three patterns of decision making: advocacy, acquiescence, and abdication.

The Illness Demands of Diabetes on Couples in Botswana

Sabone, M. B. — 2008-09-09

This report is part of a larger study that investigated the relationships between illness demands, marital support, and psychological adjustment in the context of diabetes mellitus in rural and urban middle-aged marital couples in Botswana. Ninety-six persons experiencing diabetes and 87 of their spouses participated in the study. This report is based on data from 87 diabetic patients and their spouses. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Patients and their spouses were interviewed separately. Three open-ended questions elicited participants' personal experiences of illness demands. The couple participants reported many challenging illness experiences associated with the illness and contextual factors that influenced their perception about the burden of illness and reported that the illness experienced was often a growth-enhancing and maturing process.

New Family and Society Endowed Nursing Faculty Chair and Nursing Institute, Mankato School of Nursing, Mankato, Minnesota, USA

2008-09-09

Calendar

2008-09-09