Mary Horan

Development and evaluation of the osteoporosis self-efficacy scale

The Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale was developed as a measure of self-efficacy, or confidence, for behaviors related to physical activity and calcium intake. An item pool of 21 statements, responded to on a visual analog self-report format, was reviewed by a panel of expert judges. The revised item stems were tested with a sample of 201 women, ages 35 to 95. Concurrent data on sport, leisure, and exercise activity and calcium in diet and dietary supplements were collected from the respondents. Factor analysis of responses to the self-efficacy items revealed a logical, theoretically meaningful two-factor structure, one for physical activity and one for calcium intake. Internal consistency estimates for each of the two factors were in the .90s. Convergent and discriminant validity analyses as well as hierarchical regression analyses to explain self-reports of physical activity and calcium intake were supportive. The final version of the brief, psychometrically sound scale contains items reflecting initiation, maintenance, and persistence at osteoporosis preventive behaviors; thus, the Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale is a potentially beneficial research instrument.

Data management issues in longitudinal research.

Much of the existing literature about the research process has neglected data management. While design, instrumentation, sampling, and analysis are important parts of the process, paying attention to the issues surrounding data management is crucial to the success of the study. Data entry and analysis are facilitated when the details of data structure and management are decided before data collection begins.

Factors related to maternal employment status following the premature birth of an infant.

A sample of 110 two-parent families whose preterm infants were less than 37 weeks gestation, appropriate for gestational age, and free of major congenital anomalies were recruited from two level-III intensive care nursertes. At 3 months postpartum, 40 mothers (36.4%) were employed, 15 (13.6%) stated they were on a leave of absence, and the remaining 55 mothers (50%) were not employed. Although not significantly different on demographic or infant morbidity variables, employed mothers were significantly more employment-oriented and reported less choice and satisfaction with employment status than nonemployed mothers. In addition, employed mothers were employed more hours prenatally and reported prenatal plans to be employed sooner after the infants birth than nonemployed mothers. Employed mothers also perceived more support from others for their employment and greater financial necessity and availability of child care than nonemployed mothers. Higher scores on employment orientation were correlated with higher maternal education level, fewer children, more hours employed, higher total support for their employment, higher financial necessity, and less choice and satisfaction with employment status.

Maternal employment effects on families and preterm infants at 18 months.

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of maternal employment, maternal employment attitude/behavior consistency, and degree of choice and satisfaction with the employment decision on family functioning and preterm infant development and to describe changes in family functioning over time. Data were collected in the familys home (N = 79) when the infant was3, 9, and 18 months old. Parents in nonemployed-mother families were mow satisfied with their families at 18 months than parents in employed-mother families. Decreases in family cohesion and/or adaptability [mm 9 to 18 months were seen for fathers in employed-mother families, for mothers in nonemployed-mother families, and for mothers in families where the mothers employment attitudes and behaviors were consistent. Degree of choice was positively related to the childs mental development, mothers perception of family cohesion, and mothers and fathers satisfaction with family.

Maternal employment effects on family and preterm infants at three months.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal employment status and the mothers degree of choice and satisfaction regarding her employment status on family functioning and on the preterm infants development at three months chronologic age. Families with pretern infants (N = 110) were categorized as employed, nonemployed, and on leave of absence based on the mothers employment status at three months postpartum. There were no significant differences across employment groups on family functioning and child development. The infants motor development was positively correlated with number of hours employed per week and degree of choice for the employed mother families, but negatively correlated with choice for the nonemployed mother families. These results suggest that maternal employment may not be detrimental for infants born prior to term. Indeed, it may be beneficial, especially if the mother has a choice in the matter.