Aimee A. Woda

Shared Care Dyadic Intervention Outcome Patterns for Heart Failure Care Partners

Up to half of heart failure (HF) patients are readmitted to hospitals within 6 months of discharge. Many readmissions are linked to inadequate self-care or family support. To improve care, practitioners may need to intervene with both the HF patient and family caregiver. Despite the recognition that family interventions improve patient outcomes, there is a lack of evidence to support dyadic interventions in HF. Thus, the purpose of this study was to test the Shared Care Dyadic Intervention (SCDI) designed to improve self-care in HF. The theoretical base of the SCDI was a construct called Shared Care. Shared Care represents a system of processes used in family care to exchange support. Key findings were as follows: the SCDI was acceptable to both care partners and the data supported improved shared care for both. For the patient, there were improvements in self-care. For the caregivers, there were improvements in relationship quality and health.

The Influence of Masculinity on Male Latino Adolescents’ Perceptions Regarding Dating Relationships and Dating Violence

In the United States, teen dating violence (TDV) is a concern across ethnic groups. Attitudes and correlates of violence differ by gender, culture, and acculturation. This study used a qualitative interpretive approach. Data were obtained in focus groups with 23 Latino male adolescents. Themes reflected contexts of participants’ lives, and definitions and nature of dating relationships and TDV. Participants described the importance of respecting dating partners, the destructive effects of TDV, and the pressure to display masculinity that can lead some young men to perpetrate TDV. These results may advance culturally relevant interventions to promote healthy relationships and prevent dating violence.

Photovoice: A Research Method and Intervention to Engage Older Adults

The purpose of the current article is to describe the use of photovoice with individuals from vulnerable population groups. Ten African American men and women ages 66 to 72 with heart failure from three different low income public housing facilities were recruited for participation in a qualitative photovoice project. Participants were given 5 weeks to take photographs of images that represented facilitators of and barriers to engaging in self-care behaviors. Each week, participants met as a group to discuss the photographs and their meanings to other participants. The photovoice method was empowering to participants, easy to use, and shown to be appropriate within African American older adults with heart failure. The photovoice method assisted in providing the opportunity for this vulnerable population to share their personal beliefs and perspectives. Use of this method assisted in identification of themes that represented facilitators of and barriers to engaging in self-care and was effective in meeting the specific aims of the research project. Findings from the current study support photovoice as a valuable method to use with vulnerable individuals with chronic conditions. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(7), 43-49.].

Self-Care Behaviors of African Americans Living with Heart Failure

African Americans have a higher risk of developing heart failure (HF) than persons from other ethnic groups. Once diagnosed, they have lower rates of HF self-care and poorer health outcomes. Promoting engagement in HF self-care is amenable to change and represents an important way to improve the health of African Americans with HF. This study used a community-based participatory action research methodology called photovoice to explore the practice of HF self-care among low-income, urban, community dwelling African Americans. Using the photovoice methodology, themes emerged regarding self-care management and self-care maintenance.