Rodwell, C. M. (1996). An analysis of the concept of empowerment. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 23, 305-313.This article dealt with a very important concept of empowerment. The concept of empowerment is multifaceted and we, as health care providers, must truly understand all of the underlying components the concept of empowerment implies. To some, the concept of empowerment implies power, enablement, and choices. Empowerment is a word that we as nurses use freely. But we must truly understand the full impact of the word "empowerment" in order to effectively be able to impart its meaning to our clients to empower themselves. This article offers a theoretical definition of emmpowerment which is as follows: "In a helping partnership it is a process of enabling people to choose to take control over and make decisions about their lives. It is also a process which values all those involved." "The results of empowerment include enhanced self-esteem, the ability to sit and reach goals, and a sense of control over life and the change process. The concept of empowerment relates to every individual, every family, every community, etc. As nurses, we are able to reach many clients and their families. We cannot empower anyone but ourselves, but we can, by truly understanding what empowering means, enable our clients, families, communities, etc. to empower themselves. Beazley, R. P. & Brock, G.C. (1995). Using the Health Belief Model to explain parents' participation in adolescents' at-home sexuality education activities. Journal of School Health, 65 (4), 124-128. Reviewer: Shannon Phelps It has been proven that sex education classes (that are school based) do increase students' knowledge. However, studies and statistics suggest that such classes may not be quite as successful at altering students' sexual behaviors. This article discusses a study that was performed and designed to help explain parents' involvement in adolescents' at-home sexuality education using the framework of the health belief model. The study showed that the parents' involvement and activities with the home sexuality education program, were directly representative of the parents' beliefs about sexuality. Conclusions from the study suffested that parents need more assurance that their children want to talk to them about sex. Also, parents need to become better educated regarding such matters as STD's in order to consider themselves competent to discuss such matters with their children. Such alterations could really help to make at home sex programs very successful, as well as allow parents to provide positve reinforcement for school-based sex education programs. Hahn, E.J. (1993). Parental alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and health beliefs about parent involvement in AOD prevention. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 14, 237-247. Studies have shown that "parent involvement is a critical element of health promotion and risk ereduction problems with young children." However, getting parents involved with preventing their children from using alcohol and other drugs holds to be a true challenge. This study focused on a convenience sample of 200 parents or primary caregivers of preschool children who were enrolled in a Head Start program in 2 counties in Indiana. Subjects were asked whether they used alcohol, tobacco, and/or, illicit drugs. Parents were also asked to identify how much control that they felt, they as parents had with regard to influencing their child's behavior with regard to alcohol, illicit drug and/or tobacco use. Then, based on the parents' responses to such indicated questions, very important findings were denoted. Findings indicated that smokers exemplified a lack of health motivation for early prevention activities. Findings also indicated that parent drug and tobacco users tend to view their children as susceptible to future alcohol and other drug use. Therefore, as nurses, we must take into account parents' beliefs, concerns, and actions when we are trying to establish prevention programs which will best reach these parents, and thus, most positively effect the children.
Reviewer: Shannon Phelps, RN
November 1996
Murphy, Janet L. (1993). Child Sexual Abuse. The Journal of School Nursing, 9(3), 26-36.This article speaks out on the shocking truth and frequent incidence of child abuse. In 1976 in the United States there were approximately 6,000 children reported to the state child protective services because of sexual abuse. In contrast, in 1986 there were approximately 132,000 cases reported. The increase is believed to be due to changes in recognition and reporting rather than true changes in incidence. Delayed reporting is common. Children often report their abuse months to years after it took place. Most often, the child discloses the account once he or she is out of the environment where the abuse happened and feels safe to tell. The children who are at particularly high risk for abuse are those with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities. This is true, mainly because they have a higher level of dependence on their care givers in order to meet their activities of daily living. The article also states that the average age for children who are abused is decreasing. There used to be most identification with school age children. Now, more and more pre-school and preverbal children are identified. The article clearly defines Finkelhor's Model of Sexual Abuse. The first precondition is that a potential offender needs to have some motivation to sexually abuse a child. The second precondition is that the potential offender has to overcome internal inhibitions against acting on the motivation to sexually abuse constitutes socially unacceptable behavior. The third precondition is that the potential offender has to overcome external impediments to committing sexual abuse. Finally, the fourth precondition is that the potential offender or some other factor has to undermine or overcome the child's possible resistance to the sexual abuse. The article discusses the detrimental effects of sexual abuse of children. The effects are mostly psychological and emotional; rarely if there any physical harm. The role of the school nurse is mentioned, but I felt it pertained to a nurse in many settings. Prevention is clearly important. The article stressed teaching children about their bodies, teaching about good touches verses bad and secret touches, and providing information to children about what to do if they encounter potentially unsafe situations. I felt this article was an interesting one on a subject we had discussed in class. It also stresses the key role of nursing is the immediate assessment of a child to determine his or her acute physical and emotional needs.
Reviewer: Dianne Hudson, RN
November 1996
Gray, P. Allen. (1993). Can Nursing Centers Provide Health Care? Nursing and Health Care, 14(8), 414-418.This article caught my eye, due to the fact it is written by the professor that instructs our Family Health Nursing Course. It is a well organized report in favor of nurses serving as health care providers and clinic managers in nursing centers. To date of this article (1993), there are two nursing centers existing in the United States. These are "community-based centers operated by public or private organizations and academic nursing centers associated with schools of nursing." The author received 86 articles published about academic nursing centers from the 1970s through early 1991 in many different nursing publications. Most of the writers were nurses. As we continue our study in health promotion and prevention, the article re-emphasized what we have discussed numerous times. Nurses already provide what clients are searching--health promotion and disease prevention services. Studies showed that "people in the United States made and estimated 425 million visits to unconventional providers in 1990." This "exceeded the estimated 388 million visits clients made to all general physicians practitioners and specialists combined." This information concluded that the public will seek the type of care nurses can provide. The article suggests nursing must move forward in ways to assist the centers to survive and thrive. Managers must look for ways to identify, document and publish health care in the centers. The article states this information would serve as "powerful tools" for negotiating reimbursement." In today's changing health care, the article is sensible in that quality care at a lesser cost can certainly be a selling point. I feel this may be an opportunity for nurses that we did not have twenty years ago. I like this idea and the article!
Reviewer: Dianne Hudson, RN
November 1996
Levin, N. (1996). Balloon or boulder? Living Smarter, 6-7.While some stress is normal, too much can contribute to emotional and physical illness, bringing misery to ourselves and those near us. Stressors that can cause these problems are a change in marital status and the size of our family, our health, our employment, not living up to expectations, meeting deadlines, minor disagreements, feelings of loneliness, and seething over small irritations. Allowed to fester, stress can be a major contributor to migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other life threatening diseases. The key to handling stress is to know the difference between what you can and can't control. Concentrate on the ones you can do something about. A healthy body can fend off the ravages of stress. Eat well and avoid drugs and alcohol, get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly and slow down. Other tips include acquiring a hobby, remain optimistic, laughter, faith in a spiritual power, or talking with a friend. It is time to get professional help when your stress level interferes with daily life. Turning to counselors or clergy can be a first step in obtaining professional assistance. The ability to adapt to change is important and an individual's ability to adapt is quite remarkable. This was an interesting article. I enjoyed reading it.
Reviewer: Kim Register, RN
November 1996
Heymann, J.S., Earle, A., Egleston, B. (1996). Parent availability for the care of sick children. Pediatrics, 98(2), 226-30.The purpose of this longitudinal study was to determine the availability of parents to care for their sick children. The study provided the statistical information that children whose parents are involved in their care had shorter recovery periods, better vital signs and fewer symptoms. It focused on employed parents (20 hours a week or more), with school aged children. The respondents were determined by multistage, stratified sampling with an oversampling of poor and minority populations. The study consisted of 12,686 people surveyed by the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), and a panel survey of 34,495 people by the National Medical Expenditure Survey (NMES). The study focused on a five year period to determine whether parents (primarily mothers) had consistent sick leave. The study centered on the families having children with one or more of a range of chronic problems such as brain dysfunctions, ADD, ADHD, respiratory disorders, sensory impairments (deafness or blindness), orthopedic impairments, and mental retardation to name a few. The result of this study was that mothers/families who had lower paying jobs were poorer and less likely to have paid time off for illnesses in the family. The study also found that younger families with small children with chronic illnesses were less likely to have sick leave as well. The results of this study were not surprising. The study later recognized the Family Medical Leave Act passed by congress, but pointed out that the act only addresses the care of major illnesses usually requiring hospitalization, not the care of chronically sick. The study later poses a couple of possible solutions, one being to require places of employment to allow all employees paid sick time to care for themselves or family members. The second was to have pediatricians change their office hours to fit the changing demographics of the work schedules of parents. I felt this article had some useful and interesting statistical information. It definitely pointed out a great need for programs to help poorer families with children that are chronically ill, but I don’t feel the study presented any rational solutions or suggestions.
Reviewer: Jennifer Graney, RN
November 1996
Marks, R. (1996). Prevention and control of Melanoma: The public health approach. CA: A Cancer Journal For Clinicians, 46 (4), 199-216.The author approaches the public health problem of increasing incidence and mortality of melanoma with a two-fold technique: Primary prevention and early detection (secondary prevention). Primary prevention is truly the best option if the population is receptive and motivated toward change in behavior and beliefs. One of the largest obstacles being the desire and the status of a dark suntan. Change these behaviors and beliefs and almost totally avoid the disease itself. Early detection is more readily accepted by the population due to it's relative ease and the lack of behavioral change. It's largest obstacle is people's reluctance to seek medical advice early enough, probably due to the "lack of pain" associated with the disease. The author gives great examples of programs and evaluations, signs and symptoms, and successful programs already in place (e.g. Australia's Slip! Slop! Slap! program). The ideas and assumptions presented have been supported by huge amounts of research that the author frequently quotes or makes reference to.
Reviewer: Robert Savage, RN
November 1996
Kumasaka, L., and Miles, A. (1996). "My pain is God's will". American Journal of Nursing, 96(6), 45-47.This is a very interesting article highlighted by two very different backgrounds and approaches. Ms. Kumasaka is a registerd nurse. She began the article with a traditional but narrow approach, failing to identify with the patient and family. She readily tried to force modern medicine approaches on her patient without an appreciation of the patient's belief systems or expectations. After employing a multidisciplinary approach, she changed her behavior and gives the reader much valuable information in dealing with pain and death. Mr. Miles is a reverend and coordinator for hospital ministry. He approaches the issues with much more openness and acceptance, thus providing a much more supportive environment for the patient and family. Mr. Miles also shares great advice to the reader and stimulates one to evaluate not only one's behaviors, but his belief system. Although there was no hard data collection or other formal research performances, numerous cases were cited and a large volume of personal experiences shared. This really is a very stimulating article.
Reviewer: Robert Savage, RN
November 1996
Turner, M., Tomlinson, P., Harbaugh, B. (1990). Parental uncertainty in critical care hospitalization of children. Maternal-Child Nursing Journal, 19(1),45-62.The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the dimensions of uncertainty, including the source, family effect, and parental response of parents whose child was hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit. 13 parents of 8 critically ill children served as subjects using a modified grounded theory method with one to one-and-one-half interviews within 2 to 4 days after admission. Four areas of uncertainty were examined including environmental uncertainty, illness uncertainty, caregiver uncertainty, and family system uncertainty. It demonstrates an aspect of illness uncertainty related to the unique dependent relationships within the child-rearing family. It extends theory to guide practice for nurses in the PICU. This is an easy reading but highly informative study which should be read by all PICU nurses.
Reviewer: Susan Taphous, RN
November 1996
Reinhard, S. (1994). Perspectives on the family's caregiving experience in mental illness. Image: Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 26(1), 70-74.Changes that have allowed mentally ill persons to remain in the community have increased demands of providing care on family members. Collaboration between formal(professionals) and informal(family caregivers) care systems depends on models of "cooperative caring" (Thorne and Robinson, 1988). Caregivers can receive advice about their caregiving responsibilities and management of their own needs to reduce their sense of burden.
Reviewer: Susan Taphous, RN
November 1996
Beazley, R. P. & Brock, G.C. (1995). Using the Health Belief Model to Explain Parents' Participation in Adolescents' At-Home Sexuality Education Activities. Journal of School Health, 65 (4), 124-128.It has been proven that sex education classes (that are school based) do increase students' knowledge. However, studies and statistics suggest that such classes may not be quite as successful at altering students' sexual behaviors. This article discusses a study that was performed and designed to help explain parents' involvement in adolescents' at-home sexuality education using the framework of the health belief model. The study showed that the parents' involvement and activities with the home sexuality education program, were directly representative of the parents' beliefs about sexuality. Conclusions from the study suggested that parents need more assurance that their children want to talk to them about sex. Also, parents need to become better educated regarding such matters as STD's in order to consider themselves competent to discuss such matters with their children. Such alterations could really help to make at home sex programs very successful, as well as allow parents to provide positive reinforcement for school-based sex education programs.
Reviewer: Shannon Phelps
November 1996
Hahn, E.J. (1993). Parental Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Use and Health Beliefs about Parent Involvement in AOD Prevention. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 14, 237-247.Studies have shown that "parent involvement is a critical element of health promotion and risk reduction problems with young children." However, getting parents involved with preventing their children from using alcohol and other drugs holds to be a true challenge. This study focused on a convenience sample of 200 parents or primary caregivers of preschool children who were enrolled in a Head Start program in 2 counties in Indiana. Subjects were asked whether they used alcohol, tobacco, and/or, illicit drugs. Parents were also asked to identify how much control that they felt, they as parents had with regard to influencing their child's behavior with regard to alcohol, illicit drug and/or tobacco use. Then, based on the parents' responses to such indicated questions, very important findings were denoted. Findings indicated that smokers exemplified a lack of health motivation for early prevention activities. Findings also indicated that parent drug and tobacco users tend to view their children as susceptible to future alcohol and other drug use. Therefore, as nurses, we must take into account parents' beliefs, concerns, and actions when we are trying to establish prevention programs which will best reach these parents, and thus, most positively effect the children.
Reviewer: Shannon Phelps
November 1996
Greif, L. Geoffrey. (Summer-Fall 1996). Treating the changing single-parent family: a return to boundaries. Children Today, 24, 19-23.Most government social programs focus on encouraging dysfunctional families to become more productive. However, many such programs neglect the need of children of dysfunctional families, who often find it difficult to cope with the problems of formal schooling. These children who are left out often develop into ill-prepared adults, who only continue this cycle of a dysfunctional life. The government needs to develop programs that would focus on the entire lives of these children. The programs should include education on health issues, and education and social supports that would help prepare the children for normal productive adult lives.
Reviewed by: Bryan Hilbourn, RN
November 1996
Last updated November 25, 1996