Antonio P. Gutierrez

The structural relationships between organizational commitment, global job satisfaction, developmental experiences, work values, organizational support, and person‐organization fit among nursing faculty

UNLABELLED GUTIERAIM: The aim of this correlational study was to examine the relations between organizational commitment, perceived organizational support, work values, person-organization fit, developmental experiences, and global job satisfaction among nursing faculty. BACKGROUND The global nursing shortage is well documented. At least 57 countries have reported critical shortages. The lack of faculty is finally being recognized as a major issue directly influencing the ability to admit and graduate adequate numbers of nurses. As efforts increase to both recruit and retain faculty, the concept of organizational commitment and what it means to them is important to consider. DESIGN A cross-sectional correlational design was used. METHODS The present study investigated the underlying structure of various organizational factors using structural equation modelling. Data were collected from a stratified random sample of nurse faculty during the academic year 2006-2007. RESULTS The final model demonstrated that perceived organizational support, developmental experiences, person-organization fit, and global job satisfaction positively predicted nurse facultys organizational commitment to the academic organization. Cross-validation results indicated that the final full SEM is valid and reliable. CONCLUSIONS Nursing faculty administrators able to use mentoring skills are well equipped to build positive relationships with nursing faculty, which in turn, can lead to increased organizational commitment, productivity, job satisfaction, and perceived organizational support, among others.

Survey of generational aspects of nurse faculty organizational commitment

PURPOSE To describe organizational commitment and generational differences in nursing faculty. The study provides new knowledge on generational differences in organizational commitment among nursing faculty with regard to work values, perceived organizational support, perceived person-organization fit, developmental experiences, and global job satisfaction. METHODS A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used with random stratified sampling procedures. Surveys measuring organizational commitment and related constructs were sent electronically to 4886 faculty, yielding a 30% response rate. RESULTS Significant differences were noted between generations of faculty regarding organizational commitment and related measures. RECOMMENDATIONS Include specific strategies for fostering commitment from each generation.

Effects of overweight and obesity on walking characteristics in adolescents.

Child and adolescent obesity is growing at a staggering rate. Associated potential health risks have been acknowledged in the adult population, and similar concerns have been raised for children and adolescents. However, distinguishing locomotor characteristics related to obesity have yet to be clearly identified for adolescents. The aims of the study were to examine the effects of walking velocity and gender on spatio-temporal characteristics of gait between normal weight (NW) and overweight and obese (OWO) adolescents. In addition, we sought to identify characteristics of gait that are related to body mass index percentile (BMI%). Adolescent students in grades 7-10 (N=111) from a charter school participated in the study. All participants walked at two speeds (preferred, fast) over an instrumented walkway (120 Hz). Spatio-temporal characteristics of gait were extracted from four walkway passes and evaluated. Results identified significant (p<.05) differences in velocity, percent double support, percent swing phase, and stance width between groups. Only stance width was different (p<.05) between genders. Models to predict BMI% from kinematic walking parameters were of moderate strength (averaging 43.5% explained variance) and were generally stronger for females versus males. Percent double support was the primary predictor variable of BMI% across speed and gender. It is suggested that OWO adolescents may be challenged with control of movement of the center of mass during the support phase of walking.

Psychosocial and Biological Indicators of Depression in the Caregiving Population.

Estimates suggest that 25–50% of family caregivers experience depression. Recent research has linked psychological stress and depression symptoms to increased cytokine activity. This study was designed to investigate the predictors of high cytokine levels and their influence with personality factors on depression in a caregiving population. The authors examined the relationship between caregiving burden and depression through the influence of sociotropy, autonomy, and cytokine levels in a sample of 106 caregivers who were actively caring for an elderly dependent in the community. Though the authors did not establish a mediation model, they found that the personality sub-factors of sociotropy, predicted tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR1) levels, while burden significantly predicted interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Additionally, burden and TNFR1 levels predicted depression, with greater burden and TNFR1 levels predicting increased depression severity. Study findings point to a need for early interventions for caregivers to prevent increases in stress and cytokine levels and the development of depression.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Filipino-Americans: a cross-sectional study.

AIM The aims of this study are a) to examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Filipino-Americans, b) to compare the rate of metabolic syndrome between Filipino men and women, and c) to examine the prevalence of central adiposity. BACKGROUND Filipino-Americans are the second largest Asian subgroup in the United States and their leading cause of death is coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS This study utilized a descriptive correlational, cross-sectional design that included a convenience sample of 300 Filipino-Americans residing in Southern Nevada. Survey questionnaires were used to collect the samples demographic data and presence of CHD risk factors. Waist circumference measurements were used to examine central adiposity. RESULTS Metabolic syndrome and central adiposity are highly prevalent among Filipino-Americans residing in Southern Nevada. More men than women had the syndrome, but the rate of central adiposity was significantly higher in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS Intensive lifestyle modifications and treatment are indicated to decrease the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the risk of heart disease in this group.

Legislators’ Beliefs on Tobacco Control Policies in Nevada

The purpose of this study was to identify Nevada legislators’ views on comprehensive smoke-free (SF) policy development. The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA) is a weak law that prohibits smoking in most indoor public places, excluding stand-alone bars and casino gaming areas. Nevada’s state senators and assembly members were contacted to participate in the study. A literature review guided modifications of an instrument previously used to measure county-level officials’ policy views in Kentucky. Descriptive statistics were conducted for selected variables, while independent t tests and one-way analysis of variance were used to examine differences between various groups. 23 of 63 legislators participated. Even though the majority of officials recognized smoking as a health hazard and nicotine as addictive, there was not overwhelming support for strengthening the NCIAA, raising cigarette excise taxes or providing cessation benefits to citizens. Officials believed that the NCIAA was having a negative economic impact on smaller gaming businesses, but not on the casino industry. Democrats were more likely than Republicans to agree that raising the excise tax by

Modifying the Diabetes Prevention Program to Adolescents in a School Setting: A Feasibility Study

1 is important for needed state revenues. 63% of legislators believed that they would be persuaded to strengthen the NCIAA regardless of its financial impact on small businesses, if their constituents supported such a move. No other state relies on gaming revenues as much as Nevada. Given that legislators are strongly influenced by their constituents’ views, policy advocates need to establish grassroots support for strengthening the current NCIAA and also tobacco control laws in general.

Latino worker perceptions of construction risks

The growing epidemic of overweight children has led to a higher prevalence of youth being diagnosed with diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. The current study modified the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for use with 7th–10th graders in a school setting. The DPP is an evidence-based lifestyle intervention program that has been translated successfully in various adult settings. Yet the feasibility of modifying the DPP for use with middle and high school students has not been documented. A multidisciplinary university research team collaborated with a local charter school to include a modified DPP as part of the curriculum for one semester. Pre- and posttests included food knowledge, health locus of control, BMI, and performance on the 12-minute Cooper walk/run test. Findings suggest tentatively that the modified DPP was successful at increasing food knowledge and awareness of more rigorous physical activity as well as their association to improved health outcomes. Equally as important, results demonstrate that it is feasible to conduct interventions targeting healthy weight among adolescents in school-based settings by incorporating them in the curriculum.