Athletic identity and psychiatric symptoms following retirement from varsity sports.

Background: Despite evidence identifying adjustment difficulties among retiring athletes, research investigating factors that contribute to post-retirement complications is limited. Athletic identity may be an important determinant of adverse adaptation to sport retirement.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to address the influence of athletic identity on post-retirement depression and anxiety symptoms among varsity athletes.

A Qualitative Investigation of the Significance of Companion Dogs.

Using a qualitative design, the purpose of this study was to examine how people describe their relationship with their dog and what they do that suggest this bond represents a meaningful relationship. Dog owners (N = 27) aged 19 years and older were invited to participate in one of seven focus group discussions. A qualitative content analysis revealed the presence of three themes: (a) the impact of dogs on interpersonal relationships, (b) dogs as subjective beings, and (c) psychological and health benefits of dogs.

Rural hospital nurse's stressors and coping strategies: a survey.

A survey was undertaken to identify stressful situations of rural hospital nurses and to examine their stress level in relation to coping strategies, particularly social support. Eighty-seven nurses, aged 25-65 years, from rural hospitals completed the survey. Results indicated that while the stressors were similar to those identified in the literature for urban nurses and urban nursing students the frequency and importance differed.

Stress and coping of Canadian rural nurses caring for trauma patients who are transferred out.

Introduction: The present study investigated acute stress and coping among rural nurses who work with transfer trauma patients.

Methods: Nineteen rural nurses ages 34 to 53 years participated in 4 focus groups. Each group was asked to identify a specific stressful situation involving transfer of trauma/accident patients and to share their experience of the situation.