Michelle Burbage

Children with chronic illnesses: factors influencing family hardiness

The current study assessed factors related to family hardiness in families of children coping with medical procedures related to a chronic illness. Participants were 68 parents of children with chronic illnesses, who were receiving complex medical treatment at a local hospital. Parents completed a scale assessing family hardiness and a semi-structured interview assessing their positive and negative coping strategies and those of their child. A linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between several predictors, including child age, number of medical conditions for the child, family income, number of positive and negative parent and child coping strategies, and family hardiness (outcome variable). Results indicated that parents of older children and children who exhibited negative coping strategies reported lower family hardiness. Older children may have had their chronic illness for a longer period of time, which could be wearing for the children and their families. Results of this study suggested that negative child coping may have deleterious effects on the family, and nurses and other health professionals should provide ideas for positive child coping and consider collaboration with mental health providers when they identify children facing emotional problems.

Implementation of an after-school obesity prevention program: helping young children toward improved health

Obesity prevention programs that are delivered in after-school programs are needed as a focus on curriculum can make it difficult to include this health programming during the school day. The current study examined the implementation of 2 pilot programs in different after-school programs for young children. There were 36 children in the intervention groups and 18 children in comparison groups. Children learned about healthy eating and increasing involvement in physical activity. Lessons were based on the Traffic Light Diet. Results indicated improvement in children’s reports of their eating habits. Activity levels improved in 1 school, but not in the other. Parents and children were satisfied with the program and children demonstrated good knowledge of the interventions to promote healthy eating. Future studies should include larger sample sizes and evaluation of the effectiveness of different components of the intervention. Nurses can play a key role in disseminating information and designing and leading after-school programs to improve child knowledge about healthy eating and exercise. Nursing students may also benefit from assisting with conducting these types of programs to improve their experience in health prevention programming.

Reasons for synthetic THC use among college students.

Synthetic THC, also known as fake marijuana, is used by college students in the United States. The present study examined reasons for recent synthetic THC use among college students (N= 339). Students completed a 3-page survey during regularly scheduled class times. Results indicated students reported using synthetic THC for curiosity, to get high, and the fun of feeling high. No significant differences in reasons for use were found based on sex and grade. College students reported most often obtaining synthetic THC from head shops. Study findings may be beneficial to college health professionals and others working with college students. High rates of lifetime use may suggest that educational and intervention programs are needed.

Correlates to over-the-counter drug use among college students

Abstract Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) drug use is an increasing problem among college students. Purpose: The present study examined correlates to OTC drug use among this population. Methods: After a comprehensive review of the literature, a three-page survey was developed to examine the research questions. Students were surveyed in health, fitness and leisure classes. Results: Results indicated that approximately 16% of students used OTC drugs in their lifetime. No significant differences were found based on sex and grade whereas significant differences were found based on perceived harm and friends’ use of drugs. OTC drug use was also associated with recent use of other substances. Discussion: The present study indicates substantial rates of OTC use among college students. Findings may aid prevention specialists and college health professionals in developing effective prevention and intervention programs.

An evaluation of a juvenile idiopathic arthritis retreat for families

BackgroundThe current study evaluated the support and education families with a child who has Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) received during a weekend family retreat.MethodsThirty-one parents completed surveys at the end of the retreat session. Survey questions examined parent’s perceptions of the family retreat experience including what they learned and how beneficial it was to their family.ResultsResults indicated that the family retreat was beneficial to both the children with JIA and their siblings. Children with JIA had the opportunity to see that other children have this disease as well. At the family retreat, siblings were provided the chance to see that children with JIA are capable of many accomplishments. In addition, the family retreat provided opportunities to learn from other families and offered families reduced isolation.ConclusionsThe family retreat was successful in delivering education and support to families, which might not otherwise be obtained via a clinical setting. Parents learned how to support their child with JIA, develop their child’s pain management skills, and remain positive as a family. Future research should assess if the education and support family retreats provide have long-term improvement to managing and coping with JIA.

Predictors of child functioning and problem behaviors for children diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and externalizing problems

ABSTRACT Posttraumatic stress disorder and behavioral disorders are related to problems in emotional functioning for young children. Factors related to child functioning are important to understand in order to develop interventions and assess their impact. This study examined clinician and parent reports of child functioning and behavior problems and factors related to each of these outcome variables. Results indicated that parental acceptance was inversely related to child behavior problems. Increased parental supervision of the child was related to high total problems scores. Parental acceptance was positively related to child functioning. Future research is needed to examine relations among interventions to improve parental supervision and interactions with the child and child functioning, in terms of both positive and negative behaviors.