Creation of an American Holistic Nurses Association research consultation program.

A goal of the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) Research Committee is to prepare holistic nurses to conduct holistic nursing research. This article describes the creation of a Research Consultation Program and how the knowledge gained from the program will contribute to the development of a formal research mentor program.

A medical-surgical nurse's perceptions of caring for a person with severe mental illness.

Background: When hospitalized for medical conditions, many people with severe mental illness (SMI) have poor outcomes, yet little is known about contributing factors. Studies exploring the care experience from nurses' perspectives described care processes as "difficult." None of these studies were conducted in the United States, and sociocultural contexts significantly affect perceptions of SMI.

Social justice: a framework for culturally competent care.

Nurse scholars with expertise in global health and culturally competent care recently proposed standards of practice for culturally competent nursing care that are founded on social justice as a broad framework. The purpose of this article is to respond to invited dialogue about the standards and to offer commentary on social justice and its relationship with context, advocacy, leadership, and culturally competent care. A model of culturally competent care for vulnerable groups informs this discussion.

Health literacy among older adults: a systematic literature review.

The purpose of this systematic literature review was to describe the empirical findings on health literacy in adults 65 and older. A systematic search for research studies from 1999 to early 2010 was conducted in MEDLINE and CINAHL databases. Articles were analyzed using the following foci: skills and health knowledge, functional health literacy, and health behaviors and health outcomes.

Stress in migrant farmworkers during premigration.

Purpose: This study explored the relationship between migrant farmworker (MFW) stress and salivary cortisol (sC) in a sample of MFWs prior to migration.

Sample: The sample, 40 (N = 14 male, 26 female) adult MFWs residing in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, primarily comprised middle-aged immigrants with a middle-school education.

Design: This pilot feasibility study included a self-report farmworker stress inventory and five serial sC specimens in 24 hr.

Foundations for social justice-based actions in maternal/infant nursing.

The purpose of this article is to discuss health disparities and inequities and their most significant effects on maternal/infant health. A literature background on the social context of justice and distinct ethical theories is provided. Different ethical approaches to guide interventions that can improve the health of mothers and infants are presented.

A situation-specific theory of migration transition for migrant farmworker women.

This article proposes a situation-specific theory of migration transition for migrant farmworker women (MFW). The following themes were identified: (a) migration patterns, (b) awareness of critical markers, (c) time between awareness and engagement, (d) decision making, (e) differences between expected and actual transition experiences, and (f) personal identities. Participants identified conditions that supported and prevented a healthy migration transition including personal identities, family support, faith-based and community health outreach services, immigration/documentation status, and respect.

An insider/outsider team approach in research with migrant farmworker women.

Investigators may encounter multiple and complex challenges in conducting research with underserved and marginalized groups. This article illustrates the benefits of using insider/outsider team research (IOTR) when researchers and their participants differ in gender, sexual orientation, culture, primary language, or social, economic, ethnic, or racial group membership. It also provides examples of how cognitively and experientially different perspectives enhanced understanding of participants' narratives.

The influence of resources on perceived functional limitations among women with multiple sclerosis.

The purpose of this longitudinal investigation was to identify the effects of external resources (i.e., education, marriage, employment, social support, economic status) on the trajectory of perceived functional limitation among women with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Physical activity, social support, and health-related quality of life among persons with HIV disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 800,000 to 900,000 Americans live with HIV disease (HIVD) and that it is transmitted to 40,000 others annually. Biomedical research has focused on finding a cause and cure, including early detection techniques and pharmacologic therapies to extend life. Meanwhile, persons with HIVD continue to face multiple challenges as they live with symptoms and the effects of treatment modalities that affect their quality of life.

Participation in physical activity by persons living with HIV disease.

Physical activity (PA) may offer substantial health benefits for persons with HIV disease. The purpose of this study is to describe and explore physical activity behaviors in a sample of persons living with HIV disease. This descriptive correlational study surveyed 78 persons (n = 70 men; n = 8 women) from two outpatient settings.