Chun-Ying Chiang

Development and Psychometric Testing of the Suicide Caring Competence Scale (SCCS) for Family Caregivers in Taiwan

Suicide caring competence is important for family caregivers to care their relatives with suicidal tendencies. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Suicide Caring Competence Scale (SCCS) for family caregivers in Taiwan. A 20-item SCCS was tested on 165 family caregivers. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that five subscales with 19 items best fit the data. The Cronbachs α and test-retest reliability of the SCCS was 0.90 and 0.81, respectively. The SCCS demonstrated acceptable construct validity and reliability. Nurses can use the SCCS to assess the suicide caring competence of family caregivers.

Development and Psychometric Testing of the Suicidal Recovery Ability Scale (SRAS) for Assessing Individuals Who Have Attempted Suicide

Abstract Assessing the recovery ability of individuals who have attempted suicide is crucial for psychiatric health nurses. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a psychometric Suicidal Recovery Ability Scale (SRAS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that three subscales with 15 items best fit the data. The global SRAS score showed significant negative correlation with the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) score. The Cronbach’s α and test-retest reliability scores for the global SRAS and the subscales all exceeded 0.70. Nurses can use the SRAS to assess the recovery ability of individuals who have attempted suicide and provide proper care to help them.

The Effects of Muscle Relaxation and Therapeutic Walking on Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Background: The suicide rate of cancer patients is high in Taiwan. Breast cancer has a high incidence rate and is the leading cause of cancer in women. There is a lack of research examining breast cancer–related depression, suicidal ideation, and quality of life. Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of muscle relaxation and therapeutic walking on depression, suicidal ideation, and quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: An experimental approach was adopted. A group of 87 breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned into an experimental group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 43). The subjects in the experimental group received 2 interventions for 3 months. This study used 3 instruments, including (1) the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, (2) the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, and (3) the World Health Organization Questionnaire on Quality of Life. Results: The results showed no significant difference in any outcome variable in the pretest. The results of the posttest indicated that the 2 groups scored significantly differently only on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (U = 638.00, P < .05). The breast cancer patients who participated in the 3 month muscle relaxation and therapeutic walking interventions had a lower level of depression (RE¯ = 37.00) than those who did not (RC¯ = 51.16). Conclusion: The muscle relaxation and therapeutic walking program was effective in the reduction of breast cancer patients’ depression. Implications for Practice: Nursing staff could teach muscle relaxation and therapeutic walking to breast cancer patients to reduce their depression.

Category 3 and 4 Controlled Drugs Users' Perceptions of Participating in Drug-Abuse-Health Prevention Lectures in Taiwan.

Abstract This study was designed to explore Category 3 and 4 controlled drug users’ perceptions of participating in health‐prevention lectures. A phenomenological approach was used. Twelve participants were interviewed after completing the lectures. Findings revealed five themes (1) mixed emotions; (2) self‐development; (3) finding the lectures lacked practicality and relevance; (4) highlighting three stages for discontinuing drug‐usage; and, (5) suggesting tips for the advancement of lectures. These findings could be used as a map to help health professionals understand drug users’ perceptions of attending health prevention lectures and provide insight into how young people might stop using drugs. HighlightsCategory 3 and 4 controlled drugs users experienced fear and helplessness before attending the lectures.Category 3 and 4 controlled drugs users experienced positive growth after attending the lectures.Self‐awareness helps controlled drugs users realize drugs are unhealthy and living in a drug‐free environment is better.It is important for controlled drugs users to find help from diverse sources and support systems.Interactive teaching and learning processes could improve controlled drugs users’ motivation during the lectures.

The Psychological Process of Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Initial Chemotherapy: Rising From the Ashes.

Background: In Taiwan, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Most breast cancer patients are willing to receive chemotherapy and experience adverse effects and suffering during the process of chemotherapy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore patients’ psychological process when receiving initial chemotherapy for breast cancer. Methods: A qualitative grounded theory approach was used. Data were collected through semistructured interviews of 20 patients who were from 1 district teaching hospital during 2012 to 2013. Results: A substantive theory was generated to describe the psychological process experienced by breast cancer patients in their initial treatment. The core category was “rising from the ashes.” Four categories emerged and represented 4 stages of the psychological process experienced by breast cancer patients. They were (1) fear stage: patients are frightened about permanent separation from family, chemotherapy, and the disease getting worse; (2) hardship stage: patients experience physical suffering and mental torment; (3) adjustment stage: patients fight against the disease, find methods for adjustment, and get assistance from supporting systems; (4) relaxation stage: patients were released from both the physical and mental sufferings, and patients accepted the disease-related change in their lives. Conclusion: Each stage is closely related to the other stages, and each is likely to occur repeatedly. It is important to help patients achieve the relaxation stage. Implications for Practice: The results of this study may enhance nurses’ understanding of the psychological process of patients receiving initial chemotherapy for breast cancer, thereby helping nurses to provide appropriate assistance to improve the quality of patient care.