Karran Thorpe

Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the Full and Short Versions of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale

Abstract Over the years, researchers have developed various short versions of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (D. P. Crowne & D. Marlowe, 1960). The authors used confirmatory factor analyses (J. L. Arbuckle, 1997) as well as item and scale analyses to evaluate the adequacy of the full version and various short versions. Overall, the results from 232 Canadian undergraduates showed (a) that all the short versions in the present study are a significant improvement in fit over the 33-item full scale and (b) that W. M. Reynoldss (1982) Forms A and B are the best fitting short versions. No gender differences were found for the full scale or any of the short versions. The results show that the full scale could be improved psychometrically and that the psychometrically sound short versions should be available because they require less administration time than the full scale.

Attitudes Toward Women's Roles in Society: A Replication After 20 Years

In many parts of the world, attitudes towardwomens roles in society have been changing over the pastseveral decades due to changes in laws regarding womenand educational systems among other significant factors. The present study provides a 20-yearreplication, using the full version of Spence andHelmreichs (1972) well-known Attitudes toward WomenScale (AWS) with samples of mainly white undergraduates including nursing undergraduates at WesternCanadian universities in the mid-1970s and mid-1990s.Results based upon the full and subscale scores show asignificant liberalization in attitudes for both genders since the mid-1970s and a narrowing ofthe gender gap in the 1990s. Finally, the utility of theAWS after some 20-odd years is challenged.

The Values Profile of Nursing Undergraduate Students: Implications for Education and Professional Development.

This study examined the values profile of 152 nursing undergraduate students, as measured by the 20 life and work values from the Values Scale, and compared their profiles to those from a comparable sample of 111 management undergraduate students. Results showed that Personal Development and Altruism are the most important values for this sample of nursing students. There also were several significant age effects related to six of the values. The results of the t tests showed that the nursing sample had a significantly higher mean on the Altruism value and lower means on the Life Style, Advancement, Autonomy, Authority, Creativity, Economic, and Risk values, compared to the management sample. Recommendations are offered for nurse educators and managers. Inevitably, values compel individuals to be and to act, both personally and professionally.

Promoting Alcohol Abstinence among Pregnant Women: Potential Social Change Strategies

Abstract Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is one of the most preventable sources of developmental abnormalities, and has a singular cause-alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Estimates for the costs of treatment of a single case of FASD range often above one million dollars. The primary strategy for prevention currently centers on no alcohol consumption during pregnancy. However, a sizeable number of North American women currently drink during pregnancy. A literature review examined the behavior of maternal alcohol consumption in order to understand the rationale associated with drinking. Generally, it appears that pregnant women differ by their alcohol consumption habits and their reasons to drink. In an attempt to eliminate FASD, we review a number of educational, legal, and community-based programs that have been used to promote abstinence and examine where they have been successful. Unfortunately, social marketing strategies have received less attention. Several potential applications of social marketing directed to drinking-during-pregnancy campaigns are suggested, and possible contributions to the overall effort are explained.

Thinking Creatively: From Nursing Education to Practice

Creative thinking is a critical link in the teaching-learning process, one that enhances problem solving in nursing practice. This article describes a conceptualization of creativity based on focus groups with 12 post-RN students and two nurse educators. Inherent within the major theme, striving for balance, were three subthemes-enhancing self-esteem, working within structure, and making time for reflection (i.e., process). When participants achieved balance, both personally and professionally, they experienced increased creative energy that resulted in creative expression, subsequently displayed in educational endeavors and clinical practice (i.e., product). Strategies for fostering creativity and criteria for evaluating creativity are offered, and implications for nurse educators, managers, and practitioners are examined.

Critical-thinking types among nursing and management undergraduates.

Watson and Glaser (1994) developed a short version, Form S, of their long-established Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA), as a quickly administered measure of critical thinking. This exploratory study used scores from the five sub-tests in Form S, with samples from two professional schools, nursing (n=233) and management (n=131) undergraduates, to identify the typology of critical-thinking types. Four clusters were identified, using a two-stage clustering procedure, in both samples. Discriminant analyses showed that 96% of participants were correctly classified using cluster membership and scores from the five sub-tests as discriminating variables. Implications and recommendations for education and training in critical thinking are presented as well as recommendations for future research on critical-thinking types.

A Delphi study forecasting management training and development for first‐line nurse managers

First‐line nurse managers in the Canadian healthcare system are facing many challenges due, in large part, to reduced funding for healthcare since the early 1990s and the accompanying reorganization and downsizing of healthcare organizations that leave nurse managers with greater pressures to do more with less. A two‐round Delphi study was conducted with a panel of 41 Canadian nurse managers selected from hospitals, with at least 100 beds, in the province of Alberta. The Delphi study examined current and future management training and development (MTD) for first‐line nurse managers in light of their challenges and changing roles. The aim was to identify major recommendations for health care administrators and educators to prepare and support first‐line nurse managers effectively in the future. Findings underscored the need for management skills training, especially human resource management and budgeting skills. Given the resource constraints of healthcare organizations, cost‐efficient recommendations are presented for MTD.