Margaret A. Schneider

Seeking control through the determination of diet: a qualitative investigation of women with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

Purpose: The overall objective of this investigation was to study the lived experience, in relation to diet, of women who have been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and/or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This study specifically explored pre-illness and postdiagnosis dietary patterns of participants with an emphasis on the changes, if any, that participants had made to their diet. Methods: This study took place on a university campus in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Eight women between the ages of 18 and 23 years were recruited. Participants completed a consent form, background questionnaire, and a 14-day food diary. Participant also engaged in one-on-one semistructured interviews that consisted of 8 open-ended questions aimed at gaining a thorough understanding of the lived experience of these women, with respect to their dietary practices. Results: The 3 major themes identified included: control; family and friend support; and adverse behaviors. The salient theme of control included the subthemes timing and awareness of surroundings, giving into temptations, and determination of diet. Determining ones diet, the subtheme that is addressed in this article, involved several key elements, including (1) the role of the physician(s), (2) experimentation, (3) seeking information, and (4) food modifications. Conclusions: Diet was the primary behavioral factor manipulated by participants to manage their conditions. The determination of potential trigger foods/beverages, however, entailed an often frustrating process of trial and error, in which few of the women received assistance from primary healthcare professionals. As a result, many of the women sought dietary information from alternate sources, some of which may not provide reliable information. Through experimentation and, for some, the documentation of food intake and symptom production, all participants identified food/beverage items they believed to cause symptom development. Although similar items were identified by many, all participants had individual triggers and sensitivities.

Social support for physical activity and perceptions of control in early Parkinson's disease

Purpose. The purpose of this article is to investigate how social support influences physical activity participation, as perceived by men and women in the early stages of Parkinsons disease (PD). It will also address how this perceived support interacts with perceptions of control to influence this participation. Method. Three women and four men with early PD completed a background questionnaire and participated in individual semi-structured interviews. The World Health Organisations International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model was used as a framework to develop questions related to the environmental factors examined. Phenomenology was employed in the analysis of interview transcripts. Results. Three main types of support (instrumental, emotional, informational) were provided to participants, and each of these had a positive influence on physical activity participation. In addition to this support, participants reported personally participating in exercise as a means to help control the progression of PD. Conclusions. This is believed to be the first study looking at factors influencing physical activity participation in PD. Issues related to support for exercise from physicians and organisational issues of support groups for PD are discussed. Directions for future research are provided, which should aid in the identification of strategies to increase physical activity levels in those with PD.

‘I feel as if my IBS is keeping me hostage!’ Exploring the negative impact of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) upon university‐aged women

The purpose of this article is to describe the negative impact of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and/or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) upon university-aged women. This exploratory study was conducted using phenomenology, with heuristic inquiry as the guiding theoretical orientation. Seven women participated in an email interview and in a semistructured interview. The findings indicate that women with active IBD/IBS commonly experience an anxiety reaction, followed by an attack of illness. This attack then triggers a cascade of impact that negatively influences their emotional and physical well-being, ultimately affecting their overall quality of life. Health-care professionals can play an important role in minimizing the impact of IBD/IBS upon those affected, and possible interventions are suggested.

Examining gender differences in the health behaviors of Canadian university students

The relationship between lifestyle choices and health outcomes has been an area of interest for many health professionals. Gender differences in these choices have also been an area of scrutiny. Aims: The purpose of the present investigation was to examine gender differences in the health and lifestyle behavioral choices of Canadian university students. Methods: A total of 638 (472 female and 166 male) undergraduate students were evaluated. Results: Males and females differed significantly in their responses to appraisals of general state of health, hours/day engaged in social activities, frequency of drinking alcohol, amount of alcohol consumed per session, total number of sexual partners, number of meals eaten per day, participation in physical activity, completion of annual check-ups with doctor, screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and hypertension screening. Generally, men engaged in more risky health behaviors than females (e.g. alcohol use). Conclsion: Results are discussed in terms of cultural comparisons to previous research studies evaluating college health behaviors. Suggestions are made for health professionals to incorporate gender differences in behavioral change programmes geared towards improving awareness of the consequences of lifestyle choices.

How Do I Cope? Factors Affecting Mothers’ Abilities to Cope With Pediatric Cancer

The overall objective of this exploratory research was to examine the lived experiences of female caregivers of children with cancer during diagnosis, treatment, and the period thereafter. Specifically, the authors examined factors that affected mothers’ abilities to cope with a diagnosis of cancer. The interviews were completed with 9 mothers of children who had been treated for pediatric cancer, in addition to 3 health care workers who provided care for families with children with cancer. From this process, a number of salient issues were identified, one of which was factors that assisted or hindered mothers’ abilities to cope. The subthemes of this theme consisted of: (1) support; (2) faith, positive thinking, and hope; (3) taking care of self; (4) being fearful and protective—keeping family close; and (5) living life— during and after the diagnosis. This research enabled caregivers of children with cancer to express their experiences about provision of care and factors that affected their ability to cope. Health care professionals, particularly pediatric oncology nurses and social workers, are perfectly aligned to help families reduce or manage the turmoil in families that must cope with a diagnosis of pediatric cancer.

Mothers’ Home Health Care Work When Their Children Have Cancer

The lack of research devoted to understanding the specific home health care work that mothers of children with cancer perform necessitates research in the area. This study examines the health care activities that mothers of children with cancer must assume in the home (eg, nursing care such as the administration of medicines, protecting the immune-suppressed child from concurrent illness, watching for side effects, record keeping, scheduling checkups and treatments). The implications for public policy of the extent and nature of home and lay health care in the hospital, clinic, and home are discussed.!

A Preliminary Qualitative Analysis of the Impact of Hope on Stroke Recovery in Women

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived influence of hope on stroke recovery in women who were at least 6 months post stroke. Method: Ten women were recruited from a midsize community in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The main research question was to determine what factors influence hope in the later stages of recovery. Results: These women described hope as an integral factor in fostering optimal recovery beyond 1 year post stroke. Specifically, 3 interconnected factors (ie, external, internal, and personal) worked in conjunction to foster hope in these women post stroke. Conclusion: Understanding the influence of hope in long-term recovery is important for health care practitioners and support systems to foster maximal recovery in survivors of stroke.

Humor as a coping strategy for adult-child caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Guided by a phenomenological theoretical perspective, 6 young adult-child caregivers of individuals with Alzheimers disease were interviewed. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the experiences of young adult-child caregivers, with the key focus being the use of humor as a coping strategy in this caregiving circumstance. Qualitative analysis revealed a unique young adult-child caregiver experience in relation to humor including an acknowledgment of 3 key determinants that must be considered if humor is to be effective as a coping strategy, the identification of 4 factors that influence humor use, and finally a description of the perceived benefits of humor. Moreover, these research findings highlight the potential for the use of humor to be incorporated as a coping strategy for caregivers in the hope of preventing caregiver burnout and optimizing patient care.

Broadening Our Perspective on Spirituality and Coping among Women with Breast Cancer and their Families: Implications for Practice

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the role of spirituality in coping among women with breast cancer and their families. This phenomenological study was guided by family systems theory and the recognition that a family is a complex system whereby family members interact with one another as well as with the outside world. A change in any of these interactions/relationships can affect the rest of the system, and the diagnosis of breast cancer in mothers within the family system is no exception. Five families (five women, five men and six children) comprising a total of 16 participants took part in this study. The women in this study reported using a number of methods to cope with their illness, one of which was utilising their spiritual beliefs. Although they placed a great deal of importance upon their spiritual beliefs, their families did not. The implications of this reality upon nursing practice will be discussed here.

‘One sip won't do any harm . . .’: Temptation among women with inflammatory bowel disease/irritable bowel syndrome to engage in negative dietary behaviours, despite the consequences to their health

The purpose of this research was to explore the dietary lived experiences of university-aged women suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This paper will address the decision-making process used by these women when contemplating the consumption of dietary temptations, despite the associated negative consequences. This phenomenological study was guided by heuristic inquiry. A purposive sample of eight women, between the ages of 18 and 23 years, who were living with IBD or IBS were recruited via postings and word-of-mouth. The findings indicate that these women occasionally felt compelled to give into dietary temptations, despite the consequences to their health. The decision-making process they used when considering these negative health behaviours involved three personally controlled parameters. These three parameters included: assessing the cost-benefit relationship before engaging in these behaviours; having a physical and/or psychological reliance on medications to treat resulting symptoms; and through controlling the timing and surroundings in which they indulged in these negative dietary behaviours. The practical implications for health-care professionals treating patients with IBD or IBS are discussed.