Rose E. Constantino

EFFECTS OF A SOCIAL SUPPORT INTERVENTION ON HEALTH OUTCOMES IN RESIDENTS OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER: A PILOT STUDY

This pilot study tested the feasibility and effectiveness of a social support intervention with women (n = 24) while they were in a domestic violence shelter. Health outcomes were examined pre and postintervention using a randomized control design. The intervention group had greater improvement (p = .013) in psychological distress symptoms and greater improvement in perceived availability of social support (p = .016) than the control group. The intervention group showed less health care utilization (p = .032) than the control group. Social support interventions for women in shelters are effective in improving health outcomes. Further research should be aimed at testing the effectiveness of different types of interventions on health and abuse outcomes in women who experience interpersonal violence.

Negative Life Experiences Negative Life Experiences, Depression, and Immune Function in Abused and Nonabused Women

Abuse of women by their intimate partner is a staggering national problem. Abused women have a higher number of medically unexplained somatic symptoms, more functional disability, a lower selfrating of general health, and higher health care utilization when compared to nonabused women. The authors’ purpose in this study was to examine differences in occurrences of negative life experiences, level of depression, and T-cell function between abused and nonabused women. The sample consisted of abused women (n = 12) and nonabused women (n = 12). Hypotheses tested were (1) abused women will have more negative life experiences than nonabused women, (2) abused women will have higher levels of depression than nonabused women, and (3) abused women will have reduced T-cell function compared to nonabused women. A cross-sectional cohort design was used to compare differences in negative life experiences, levels of depression, and T-cell function. Independent samplet-tests were performed comparing the abused versus nonabused women on the dependent measures. Significant differences were found between the groups for negative life experiences (LES;t = 2.29,p< 0.05), level of depression (BDI;t= 3.48,p< 0.01), and T-cell function (TMR;t = –5.62,p < 0.01). These findings are descriptive and do not establish causal links. However, this is an inquiry into the psychological and biobehavioral responses of women experiencing abuse and their potential health problems. The study shows that abused women reported more negative life experiences, experienced higher levels of depression, and experienced lower T-cell function when compared with nonabused women.

Use of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) to Guide Intervention Development with Women Experiencing Abuse

Effective intervention strategies for abused women must be developed that match womens perceived needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations among age, race, employment status, education levels, and womens perceptions of social support. Women ( n = 40) from 19 to 68 years of age in a family court setting or domestic violence shelter completed the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), which was used to measure subscales of companionship, self-esteem, emotional support, and instrumental support. Abuse was documented by patient reports and protocols of the referring agencies. Significant associations were found between age and self-esteem (r =. 47, p =. 002) companionship (r =. 29, p =. 07) and emotional support (r =. 27, p =. 09). Also significant were the associations between race and self-esteem (r =. 27, p =. 10) and employment and instrumental support (r = m. 32, p =. 08). These significant findings may aid in the development of interventions for abused women that are matched to their social support needs, particularly if the findings are consistent in larger studies.

Evaluating the Mental Health of Jordanian Women in Relationships with Intimate Partner Abuse

This study evaluated the mental health consequences of abuse among Jordanian women and tested the effectiveness of using cognitive behavioral interventions to change the level of depression and level of stress among Jordanian women experiencing intimate partner abuse (IPA). A mixed methods design using phenomenology and quasi-experimental research data collection and analysis was implemented. The most commonly reported form of abuse was psychological abuse. Prior to cognitive behavioral intervention, participants demonstrated moderate to severe levels of depression, low levels of perceived social support, moderate to high levels of self-efficacy, and used approach coping skills more frequently than avoidance coping. Cognitive behavioral interventions resulted in decreased depression (p = .003) and decreased stress levels, although this finding did not reach significance (p > .05). Cognitive behavioral interventions are effective interventions when working with women experiencing IPA.

Nursing Postvention for Spousal Survivors of Suicide

There is a scarcity of information available with respect to postbereavement outcomes for survivors of the suicide of a loved one. Few studies have focused on postvention therapies for the bereaved, particularly the bereaved survivors of suicide. The major aim of this study as to compare the effects of two theoretically derived nursing postventions, Bereavement Group Postvention (BGP) and Social Group Postvention (SGP), among the widowed whose spouses died of suicide. The findings suggest that both groups experienced an overall reduction in depression and distress. Although participants in the SGP generally showed significant improvement in social adjustment, they tended to be less well adjusted with respect to their parental roles at the end of the 8-week postvention sessions. Comparison of the psychoemotional correlates of grief varied such that there were no significant differences between the postvention groups for social isolation, loss of control, somatization, or death anxiety. The BGP participants experienced significantly reduced levels of anger/hostility and guilt; however, feelings of anger/hostility actually increased for those receiving the SGP. There was a significant reduction in feelings of despair, rumination, and depersonalization for both groups. Although social isolation was not significantly reduced for participants in either group, those receiving the BGP tended to experience a reduction in social isolation and those receiving the SGP showed no changes.

Root cause analysis and nursing management responsibilities in wrong-site surgery.

The most fundamental reason for the failure or inefficiency of a process, in any work setting, is referred to as a root cause. Root cause analysis is the process of learning from consequences wherein healthcare providers take a step back and gain knowledge from near-misses, adverse events, or sentinel events in the operating room and all areas of healthcare. This article discusses root cause analysis and nursing management responsibilities as they relate to wrong-site surgery.

An Ethnographic–Feminist Study of Jordanian Women's Experiences of Domestic Violence and Process of Resolution

We interviewed 12 Jordanian women who had experienced domestic violence (DV) and were receiving assistance at the Jordanian Womens Union (JWU). Our aim was to explore the history and factors supporting attainment of freedom from DV. Narratives revealed themes of DV toward girls; forced marriage; physical, psychological, or sexual abuse before and during marriage; and escalation and enduring DV. Escaping from DV required family and JWU support. In the context of a strongly patriarchal, religious society, we observed a process of resolution by shifting cultural values and themes of empowerment, with an undercurrent of suffering blamed on inequalities in the legal process.

The right to pain treatment: a reminder for nurses.

Critical care units are frequently the setting for the delivery of end-of-life care. A case study describing pain management for a terminally ill woman in an intensive care unit is used to illustrate conflicts that may be experienced by critical care nurses. The application of standards of professional organizations and regulatory bodies is described, as well as the ethical principles of autonomy, veracity, beneficence, nonmalfeasance, and double effect. Important legal and sociocultural considerations are included.

Comparing Online with Face-to-Face HELPP Intervention in Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health problem. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the HELPP (Health, Education on Safety, and Legal Support and Resources in IPV Participant Preferred) intervention among IPV survivors. A sequential, transformative mixed-methods design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three study groups: Online (ONL), Face-to-Face (FTF), and Waitlist Control (WLC). The HELPP intervention was offered to 32 adult female participants who were 45.2% Asian, 32.3% White, and 22.5% Black. Outcome measures were anxiety, depression, anger, personal, and social support. In total, 64% (n = 20) of the participants reported having experienced IPV before the age of 18. The anger mean score pre-test to post-test difference was significant for ONL (p < 0.001) and WLC (p = 0.01). The personal and social support pre-test to post-test mean score differences were significant for ONL (p < 0.001; p < 0.001) and WLC (p = 0.01; p = 0.006), respectively. The HELPP intervention (1) decreased anxiety, depression, anger, and (2) increased personal and social support in the ONL group. The HELPP information and intervention was shown to be feasible, acceptable, and effective among IPV survivors compared with participants in the WLC group. The WLC participants displayed (1) increased levels of anxiety, depression, and anger and (2) decreased levels of personal and social support, post-intervention. Further research could be conducted to determine if e-mail alone or e-mail plus mobile devices are more useful modes of delivering interventions.

Evaluating the psychosocial and mental health consequences of abuse among Jordanian women

This cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study evaluated the mental health consequences of abuse among Jordanian women. Standard tools were used to collect data from 93 abused women seeking help at a welfare centre in relation to forms of abuse, depression, coping, suicidal ideation, substance use, social support and self-efficacy. The most commonly reported form of abuse was psychological abuse. Applying the Beck Depression Inventory showed that 38.7% of the abused women had moderate to severe levels of depression. Although half the women had a low level of perceived social support, abused Jordanian women reported moderate to very high levels of self-efficacy and used approach coping more frequently than avoidance coping strategies. Using the Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation, 15.7% of the women reported that the desire for death was stronger than the desire for life. Abused women in Jordan face mental health and psychosocial risks that could compromise their quality of life.