Ratchneewan Ross

Depression, stress, emotional support, and self-esteem among baccalaureate nursing students in Thailand.

Nursing students are valuable human resources. Detection of potential depression among nursing students is crucial since depression can lead to low productivity, minimized quality of life, and suicidal ideas. Identifying factors affecting depression among students can help nursing educators to find ways to decrease depression. The purpose of this study was to examine rates of depression and the associations between depression and stress, emotional support, and self-esteem among baccalaureate nursing students in Thailand. This correlational, cross-sectional study recruited 331 baccalaureate Thai nursing students. Students completed three instruments that had been translated into Thai: The Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Another instrument created in Thai was used to measure emotional support. Results revealed that, when using the standard definition, 50.1% of the students were depressed. Stress was positively related to depression, whereas emotional support and self-esteem were negatively related to depression.

Predictors of Stress and Coping Strategies of US Accelerated vs. Generic Baccalaureate Nursing Students: An Embedded Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND Stress is an inevitable part of life and is especially pervasive in the lives of nursing students. Identifying the predictors of stress as well as coping strategies used can allow for the implementation of appropriate coping interventions to assist in the management of stress in nursing students. Mixed methods research that has been undertaken to gain an understanding about student stress, especially juxtaposing generic versus accelerated nursing students could not be identified. OBJECTIVES (1) Identify predictors of stress between accelerated and generic Baccalaureate Nursing (BSN) students; and (2) Describe stressors and coping strategies used by accelerated students in comparison with generic students. DESIGN Embedded mixed methods study. SETTING Accelerated and generic BSN third- and fourth-year nursing students at two Midwestern universities. PARTICIPANTS 210 participants: accelerated (n=75) and generic (n=135). METHODS A questionnaire packet, including demographics, history of depression, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and open-ended questions were administered to students at the end of a class. Simultaneous multiple regression was used to examine predictors of stress. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS Predictors of stress for both the accelerated and generic groups included history of depression, year in the program, emotional support, and self-esteem. Fear of failure and clinical incompetence, problematic relationships, and time management issues were identified as major stressors. Coping strategies used by both groups included positive thinking and social support. CONCLUSIONS Senior students with a history of depression, low self-esteem, and little social support were more likely to experience high levels of stress. This gives educators the potential to identify at risk students and establish stress reduction programs. Encouraging students to use individualized coping strategies will be beneficial.

Depressive Symptoms Among HIV‐Positive Pregnant Women in Thailand

PURPOSE To examine predictors of depressive symptoms among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive, pregnant women in Thailand. DESIGN Correlational, cross-sectional study. METHODS Data were collected at prenatal clinics in five hospitals in Thailand from January 2004 to January 2006. One hundred twenty-seven HIV-positive pregnant women completed questionnaires in Thai on depressive symptoms, self-esteem, emotional support, physical symptoms, and demographics. Simultaneous multiple regression was used to analyze predictors of depressive symptoms. FINDINGS Seventy-eight percent of the 127 participants reported depressive symptoms to some degree. Physical symptoms (beta= .192, p<.05) were positively associated with depressive symptoms, but self-esteem (beta=-.442, p<.001), emotional support (beta=-.193, p<.01), and financial status (beta=-.209, p<.01) were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The study results have added new knowledge about depressive symptoms and their predictors in HIV-positive pregnant women in Thailand. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Depressive symptoms have been associated with faster progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among HIV-positive individuals. The high rate of depression in our study suggests that HIV-positive pregnant women in Thailand should all be screened for depressive symptoms. Causes of physical symptoms should be identified and treated. Emotional support and self-esteem should be strengthened for HIV-positive pregnant Thai women.

The Lived Experiences of HIV-Positive, Pregnant Women in Thailand

The purpose of our study was to examine the lived experiences of 10 pregnant women in Thailand following their HIV diagnosis. Principles of interpretive phenomenology were applied to guide the study. In-depth interviews with open-ended questions were conducted during 2000–2001. Each participant met with the research team from 5 to 12 times. “Struggle” was the main theme that emerged from participants’ lived experiences, with four subthemes: struggling alone, sharing ones struggling, struggling for the baby, and struggling through ups and downs. Findings from our study resulted in helpful implications for health professionals.

The Sexuality of Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors

ABSTRACT In this grounded theory study, a theoretical framework that depicts the process by which childhood sexual abuse (CSA) influences the sexuality of women and men survivors was constructed. Data were drawn from interview transcripts of 95 men and women who experienced CSA. Using constant comparison analysis, the researchers determined that the central phenomenon of the data was a process labeled Determining My Sexual Being, in which survivors moved from grappling with questions related to the nature, cause, and sexual effects of the abuse to laying claim to their own sexuality. Clinical implications are discussed.

International collaborations in nursing research Priorities, challenges and rewards

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for dialogue for university-based nursing programmes that are planning and developing international research programmes. Future trends will continue to drive the need for international research due to the globalisation of healthcare issues. Nursing, as one of the main providers of healthcare services, can play a larger role in improving healthcare globally, by leading the way in international collaborative research. A definition of international nursing research is offered, as well as a framework consisting of three broad issues for discussing international work. The three foci of the framework are (a) international nursing research priorities, (b) rewards of international nursing collaborations and (c) challenges of these collaborations. Examples of international collaborative nursing research experiences with nurses in Haiti, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom are examined, along with lessons learned

Depressive Symptoms Among HIV-Positive Postpartum Women in Thailand

Depressive symptoms have been linked to faster progression to AIDS in HIV-positive individuals. The purpose of this correlational, cross-sectional study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among postpartum women in Thailand who are HIV-positive. Data were collected at postpartum outpatient units in four hospitals in Thailand from June 2005 to December 2007. Eighty-five HIV-positive postpartum women completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms, self-esteem, emotional support, physical symptoms, infant health status, and demographics. Results showed that 74.1% of the participants reported depressive symptoms. Self-esteem, infant health status, and education were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Because of the high rates of depression in our study, all HIV-positive postpartum women in Thailand should be screened for depressive symptoms.

Self-esteem, parent-child interaction, emotional support, and self-perception among Thai undergraduate nursing students.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of parent-child interaction on self-esteem as mediated by emotional support and self-perception among undergraduate nursing students in Thailand. This study recruited 307 Thai baccalaureate nursing students who completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Ross Parent-Child Interaction Questionnaire, Emotional Support instrument, and Self-Perception questionnaire. Results revealed that the students reported relatively high self-esteem. A path model demonstrated the positive effect of parent-child interaction on emotional support and self-perception, and the positive effects of emotional support and self-perception on self-esteem. Self esteem was powerfully predicted from emotional support and moderately predicted from self-perception. These variables account for 37% of the variance in self esteem.

HIV Disclosure by Perinatal Women in Thailand

Little is known about HIV disclosure among perinatal women, although we do know that disclosure can facilitate timely initiation of appropriate interventions for infected individuals and their families. This study, therefore, examined predictors of HIV disclosure among perinatal Thai women. Data (N = 207) were extracted from two larger studies of depressive symptoms in HIV-positive pregnant or postpartum women in Thailand in which participants completed questionnaires. Most participants had low socioeconomic status. Logistic regression indicated that significant predictors of disclosure included older age, employment, and high family support. Psychiatric mental health nursing interventions to promote family support are critical during this time.

The Effect of Telephone Support on Depressive Symptoms Among HIV-Infected Pregnant Women in Thailand: An Embedded Mixed Methods Study

&NA; Depressive symptoms negatively impact the lives of HIV‐infected individuals and are correlated with faster progression to AIDS. Our embedded mixed methods study examined and described the effects of telephone support on depressive symptoms in a sample of HIV‐infected pregnant Thai women. HIV‐infected pregnant Thai women (n = 40) were randomly assigned to either the control or the intervention group. A registered nurse provided telephone support to the intervention group. Depressive symptoms were measured at three points in both groups. In‐depth interviews were conducted at Time 2 and Time 3. Results show that depressive symptoms in the intervention group decreased over time. Qualitative results describe how telephone support can work, but also reveal that telephone support did not work for everyone. We recommend that a larger mixed methods study be conducted to examine the effects of telephone support on depressive symptoms among HIV‐infected women, including the costs and benefits of such support.