Clarann Weinert

The prq, a social support measure

The Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ) is a two-part measure of the multidimensional characteristics of social support. Part one provides descriptive information about the persons resources, the satisfaction with these resources, and whether or not there is a confidant. Part two contains a 25-item Likert scale developed according to Weisss relational dimensions and a five-item Self-Help Ideology scale. The PRQ was administered as the measure of one of the independent variables in a study of 149 male or female spouses of individuals with multiple sclerosis. Content and face validity procedures were completed previous to the study. An internal consistency reliability coefficient of α = .89 was obtained for the PRQ Part 2. Moderate intercorrelations for the dimensional subscales—intimacy, social integration, worth, and assistance—indicate that there is some overlap of these dimensions. Low intercorrelations between nurturance and the other four subscales suggest that nurturance is an independent scale. Modest predictive validity coefficients were obtained. At the present time the intended use of the PRQ is for research. Plans for tool development include obtaining further construct validity information and test-retest reliability.

A Social Support Measure: PRQ85

The Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ) was developed in 1981 to measure situational and perceived social support. This article presents the history of its development and the latest psychometric evaluation of the tool. Nurturance subscale items were rewritten to reflect a broader context of behaviors toward persons of any age. Content validity was further established by correlations between the PRQ and two mental health measures. Factor analysis indicated that a three-factor structure for the perceived social support scale may be more appropriate than the hypothesized five-subscale structure.

Community-based participatory research: an approach to intervention research with a Native American community

Community-based participatory research (CBPR), with its emphasis on joining with the community as full and equal partners in all phases of the research process, makes it an appealing model for research with vulnerable populations. However, the CBPR approach is not without special challenges relating to ethical, cultural, and scientific issues. In this article, we describe how we managed the challenges we encountered while conducting a CBPR project with a Native American community. We also suggest criteria that will enable evaluation of the project.

Measures of social support: Assessment of validity

The evidence of construct validity that resulted from conjoint testing of two measures of social support, the Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ85) and the Cost and Reciprocity Index (CRI) is presented. Both instruments were used with two samples of adults, 333 who were part of a large health project and 99 who participated in a methodological study. The PRQ85 and CRI appear to tap the construct of support yet are not highly redundant. Both tools demonstrated similar curves of relationships to external criteria. Dissimilar patterns of relationships with negative mood states indicated an area of need for future study.

Influence of a computer intervention on the psychological status of chronically ill rural women: preliminary results.

Background: Adaptation to chronic illness is a lifelong process presenting numerous psychological challenges. It has been shown to be influenced by participating in support groups. Rural women with chronic illness face additional burdens as access to information, healthcare resources, and sources of support are often limited. Developing virtual support groups and testing the effects on psychosocial indicators associated with adaptation to chronic illness may help remove barriers to adaptation. Objective: To examine the effects of a computer-delivered intervention on measures of psychosocial health in chronically ill rural women including social support, self-esteem, empowerment, self-efficacy, depression, loneliness, and stress. Methods: An experimental design was used to test a computer-delivered intervention and examine differences in psychosocial health between women who participated in the intervention (n = 44) and women in a control group (n = 56). Results: Differences between women who participated in the intervention and controls were found for self-esteem, F(1,98) = 5.97, p =.016; social support, F(1,98) = 4.43, p =.038; and empowerment, F(1,98) = 6.06, p =.016. A comparison of means for depression, loneliness, self-efficacy, and stress suggests that differences for other psychosocial variables are possible. Discussion: The computer-based intervention tested appears to result in improved self-esteem, social support, and empowerment among rural women with chronic illness. Descriptive but nonsignificant differences were found for other psychosocial variables (depression, loneliness, self-efficacy, and stress); women who participated in the intervention appeared to improve more than women in the control group.

Telecommunication Support for Rural Women With Diabetes

PURPOSE The Women to Women Diabetes Project tested the use of telecommunication technology to deliver diabetes education and social support to rural women with diabetes. The aims were to (1) test the effects of the computer intervention in providing support, information, and education on selected outcomes, and (2) evaluate the womens attitudes toward and satisfaction with the intervention and the support provided. METHODS Thirty women were randomized into computer and noncomputer groups and participated for 10 months. For 5 months, one group participated in a self-help support and educational group via the computer; the other group continued to use their usual modes of support and communication. Psychosocial well-being scales were administered and attitudes were surveyed. RESULTS Improving health and higher educational levels positively influenced measures of social support and quality of life. Women who were married or who reported greater support had higher scores on the Personal Resource Questionnaire. The women expressed positive effects of the computer-based support group on their lives. CONCLUSIONS The intervention was enthusiastically accepted, and could be conducted effectively in isolated rural areas.

Social support in cyberspace: the next generation.

The goal of the Women to Women Project (WTW) is to help chronically ill rural women to adapt to their long-term illnesses by providing support and health information via computers. The specific aims are to (1) assess the impact of the computer-based intervention on psychosocial health (self-efficacy, self-esteem, empowerment, social support, stress, depression, loneliness), computer literacy skills, and health knowledge; and (2) analyze the computer exchanges for insights to explicate the complex process of adapting to chronic illness within the rural context. Participants are 240 rural women with a chronic illness who reside in rural areas of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Preliminary data analysis suggests that the intervention is helping to improve the womens ability to adapt to their chronic illnesses. The WTW intervention model has the potential to effectively connect these women in a program of support and education.

An evaluation of an online intervention to provide social support and health education.

Managing chronic illness in the isolation of rural environments is challenging for women who lack access to personal sources of social support and health information. The Women to Women project was designed to provide chronically ill rural women access to support and health information via electronic means. This article reports on the acquisition of computer skills, the perceptions of importance of various aspects of the intervention, and an assessment of womens overall satisfaction with participation in the research project. Findings indicate that the womens self-ratings of computer skills improved significantly over the 22-week intervention and that highly interactive features of the project were rated as most important by the participants. Overall, women found the program beneficial in assisting them to better manage their chronic illness.

Ten rural women living with fibromyalgia tell it like it is.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the personal experiences of 10 rural women dealing with fibromyalgia based on the theoretical frameworks of adaptation to chronic illness and social support. The data were gathered from a nursing intervention that provided computer-based peer support and encouragement. The women described themes of pain, fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbances; expressed views on the experience of rural isolation; and shared positive philosophies of dealing with this disease. With this understanding, professionals and significant others can compassionately respond to the needs of sufferers of fibromyalgia.

Health Care Choices Complementary Therapy, Chronic Illness, and Older Rural Dwellers

Purpose: To better understand elderly rural dwellers use of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM), perception of efficacy, and their sources of information. Method: Ten participants between ages 60 and 80 years were interviewed by telephone. Qualitative analysis for content and themes was done. Findings: Self-directed practices such as vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements, taken to compensate for perceived dietary deficiencies, were cited most frequently. Therapies used included biofeedback, massage, chiropractic, and podiatry. Information was obtained from the physician or nurse practitioner and supplemented with material from other sources. Conclusions:Respondents were discriminating users of the products they selected and were satisfied with the results, although they did not always have accurate understanding of the effects of the supplement or therapy. Implications:Health professionals need to have knowledge about CAMand to include questions about use during patient encounters. Providers must take time to answer questions and provide userfriendly information.