Jamie S. Carney

Assessing Spirituality: The Relationship Between Spirituality and Mental Health

This research study investigated the possible relationship between two spirituality variables (religious coping styles and spiritual well-being) and two psychological variables (anxiety and depression). Also studied were differences between those who self-disclosed a spiritual/religious identify and those who did not. Although a relationship was not noted between religious coping styles and the psychological variables, significance was reported in the relationship between spiritual well-being and both psychological variables. Overall, this study finds that individuals reporting higher levels of religiosity and spiritual well-being may also experience a reduction in mental and emotional illness.

The Impact of an HIV/AIDS Training Course for Baccalaureate Nursing Students

This study focuses on the impact of a specialized course to train baccalaureate nursing students to work with individuals with HIV disease. The overall goals of the course were to increase general and specific knowledge while improving beliefs regarding individuals with HIV disease. The course outline included components to increase knowledge in the areas of epidemiology, medical considerations, treatment, ethical and legal issues, and psychosocial issues. Pretests and posttests were given to participants and to a comparison group which had not received educational training. Results indicated the training significantly increased HIV/AIDS knowledge, and participants reported more positive beliefs about individuals with HIV disease.

Understanding the Implications of HIV Disease in Women.

Recently, greater attention has been focused on the implications of HIV disease for women. This is coupled with a greater awareness that women are impacted in different ways physically, psychologically, and socially by HIV infection or AIDS in comparison to men. In this article, counselors are urged to become knowledgeable about the many issues and stressors that women with HIV disease face. This article provides an overview of such concerns, including disease characteristics, progression, and symptoms. In addition, psychological, social, and relationship concerns are identified in relation to parenting, intimate relations with partners, and family and friendship support.

Creating a Culture of Tolerance in Schools: Everyday Actions to Prevent Hate-Motivated Violent Incidents

Abstract The purposes of this article are to establish the relationships be tween prejudice or intolerance and hate-motivated school violence; to describe the aspects of school climate or culture that foster prejudice, stereotyping, and scapegoating; and, to provide examples of interventions educators might use, both individually and systemically, to create a school culture of tolerance and re spect for individual and group differences as a means for preventing bias motivated violent incidents.

Actions Against Poverty: The Impact of Career Technical Education

There is clear and convincing evidence that students with disabilities living in poverty are facing the double jeopardy of dealing with issues associated with their disability, as well as the challenges of living in minimal conditions. Improving outcomes for this population requires the identification and implementation of effective programs. This study analyzed program factors and post-school outcomes of 500 former students with disabilities to determine to what extent predictions regarding employment for these students can be determined. Findings suggest that in high-relative poverty areas, participation in career technical education is associated with higher rates of employment during and after high school.

AIDS-Related Knowledge and Beliefs among Incarcerated Adolescent Males

This study examined AIDS-related knowledge and beliefs among 64 incarcerated adolescent males. Residents of a correctional facility for adolescents were surveyed concerning their general knowledge about AIDS and beliefs about preventing AIDS. The results indicated that significant gaps in knowledge existed, frequently centering on the risk of casual contact and modes of transmission. However, the participants were knowledgeable about selecting safer behavioral alternatives. There was little perceived peer or social support for safer sex practices, such as latex condom use. Implications of the findings and recommendations for future research and educational strategies are discussed.