Letters From Peplau.

Background: Dr. Hildegard Peplau, considered to be our first modern Nurse theorist and the Mother of Psychiatric Nursing, was a prolific writer, engaging in correspondence with colleagues and students who sought her professional and theoretical expertise. Through these letters, she influenced psychiatric nursing while maintaining a broad international network of professional colleagues.

Ending disruptive behavior: staff nurse recommendations to nurse educators.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to identify educational strategies that can prepare new graduates to manage disruptive behavior (DB) in the workplace. DB is any inappropriate behavior, confrontation, or conflict - ranging from verbal abuse to sexual harassment - that harms or intimidates others to the extent that quality of care or patient safety could be compromised. Individual interviews were conducted with nine staff nurses currently in practice in acute care settings in the United States.

Psychometric properties of three medication adherence scales in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Patient adherence to their health care protocols is important to encourage the best health outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, little attention has been given to assessing the psychometric properties of adherence measures in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of three existing self-report measures of medication adherence in a sample of patients with RA--the compliance-questionnaire-rheumatology (CQR), the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS), and the medication adherence scale (MAS). A cross-sectional study of 108 clinic patients with rheumatoid arthritis was conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the measures.

Successful management of disruptive behavior: a descriptive study.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe techniques nurses use to successfully manage disruptive behavior (DB) of colleagues. DB is any inappropriate behavior, confrontation, or conflict, ranging from verbal abuse to physical and sexual harassment. Nine RNs who had successfully managed DB in a nurse colleague participated in individual interviews.

Psychological outcomes of intimate partner violence experienced by Jordanian working women.

This study aimed at investigating psychological health problems experienced by working women as a result of their experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). One hundred one working women participated in the study. Results indicated that nearly half of the participants reported partner violence.

Cognitive therapy improves three-month outcomes in hospitalized patients with heart failure.

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience depressive symptoms that contribute to poorer outcomes. We tested the effects of a brief cognitive therapy intervention on depressive symptoms, negative thinking, health-related quality of life, and cardiac event-free survival.

Methods And Results: Hospitalized patients with depressive symptoms (n = 41, 66 ± 11 years, 45% female, 81% New York Heart Association Class III/IV) were randomly assigned to control group or a brief, nurse-delivered cognitive therapy intervention, delivered during hospitalization and followed by a 1-week booster phone call.

Developing a shortened measure of negative thinking for use in patients with heart failure.

Objective: Negative thinking is a target for treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure (HF). A brief instrument is needed to measure negative thinking in these patients. The study objective was to shorten the Crandell Cognitions Inventory (CCI) for use in patients with HF.

Postpartum smoking abstinence and smoke-free environments.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe factors that contribute to successful postpartum smoking abstinence among women who quit smoking during pregnancy. Research questions addressed the primary motivators and lifestyle characteristics of women who do not return to postpartum smoking. Participants were recruited from a feasibility study (N = 16) based on their ability to remain smoke free for at least 6 months following delivery.

Living with depressive symptoms: patients with heart failure.

Background: Patients with heart failure often experience depressive symptoms that affect health-related quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Researchers have not described the experience of patients with heart failure living with depressive symptoms. Understanding this experience will help in developing interventions to decrease depressive symptoms.

Patient-provider communication: understanding diabetes management among adult females.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore how adult women manage their diabetes. Recommendations for improving adherence and opportunities to maximize communication between the healthcare provider and individuals who have type 2 diabetes also were described.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative descriptive design was used to describe the experience of living with type 2 diabetes in adult females.

Maternal factors associated with child behavior.

Background: Knowledge of the relative contributions of risk factors in predicting young children's behavior problems may provide insights for the development of preventive interventions.

Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify maternal predictors of children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors in a volunteer sample of 205 low-income, single mothers with children between 2 and 6 years of age.

Method: Data were collected on chronic stressors, self-esteem, negative thinking, depressive symptoms, and child behavior during in-home interviews with the mothers.

Factors influencing medication adherence in patients with heart failure.

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore factors influencing adherence to the prescribed medical regimen in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: A convenience sample of 7 women and 9 men with HF participated in in-depth interviews. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and checked for accuracy.

Testing an intervention to reduce negative thinking, depressive symptoms, and chronic stressors in low-income single mothers.

Purpose: To test the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention in reducing depressive symptoms, negative thinking, and chronic stressors in low-income, single mothers at risk for depression.

Design And Methods: A randomized, controlled prevention trial was conducted with 136 low-income, single mothers with children between the ages of 2 and 6 years. Each participant was screened before enrollment and was determined to be at risk for depression.

Factors related to nonadherence to low sodium diet recommendations in heart failure patients.

Background: A low sodium diet is a cornerstone of nonpharmacologic therapy for heart failure patients. Although nonadherence is common, little is known about why heart failure patients fail to adhere to this diet.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of heart failure patients in following a low sodium diet.

Negative thinking and the mental health of low-income single mothers.

Purpose: To test a conceptual model of predictors of depressive symptoms in low-income single mothers with children from 2 to 6 years of age.

Design: Data were collected from September 2000 to October 2002 as part of the baseline data collection for a larger study in the eastern part of the United States. A volunteer sample of 205 women who were at risk for depression was recruited.

Parental bonding: a key factor for mental health of college women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of parental bonding to the mental health of college women aged 18 to 24 years. A cross-sectional study of a volunteer sample of 246 college women was conducted. Data on depressive symptoms, negative thinking, self-esteem, and parental bonding were collected via self-report.