Sharon M. Ballard

Exploring Parental Perspectives on Parent-Child Sexual Communication

We examined parental perspectives about parent-child sexual communication through four focus groups conducted with 25 parents of young children. Participant comments fell into six areas: 1) personal experience with sexuality education, 2) current sexuality education efforts, 3) comfort and confidence, 4) content and timing, 5) importance of a united front, and 6) future programming. Within each area, specific themes emerged. Overall, the results indicate that the process of sexuality education should be a primary program focus and programs should provide opportunities for parents to share experiences and to develop a system of support.

Camp Golden Treasures: a multidisciplinary weight-loss and a healthy lifestyle camp for adolescent girls.

Camp Golden Treasures, (CGT) the first non-profit weight loss camp for overweight adolescent girls in the nation, was held for six weeks from June 24 to August 3, 2007 at the East Carolina University campus in Greenville, NC. The primary goal was to support campers to lose weight, raise self esteem, and to learn the tools necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle while reducing risks for developing chronic disease or mitigating the effects of existing obesity-related conditions (sleep apnea, insulin resistance, hypertension, lower extremity dysfunction, etc.). While at CGT, campers learned about the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition through workshops, discussion groups and hands-on activities. Additionally campers were taught the necessary tools and strategies needed to make concrete, positive lifestyle changes so they can achieve a healthy weight. Due to the nature of a chronic disease such as obesity, multidisciplinary collaborators including physical therapy, nutrition, health education, management, family therapy, risk management, fundraising, public relations, medical, nursing, and physician coverage were involved in designing, planning, and implementing CGT.

Gender Differences in Body Satisfaction: An Examination of Familial and Individual Level Variables

This study investigated gender differences in body satisfaction in college students. Participants (195 males and 340 females) self-reported weight and height (in order to calculate BMI). In addition, attachment (to mother and father), dieting behaviors, perceived parental control, global self-worth, and body satisfaction were measured and examined in relation to satisfaction with ones body. Lower BMIs were associated with a higher degree of body satisfaction and higher self-worth scores among females, but male scores were not related to BMI. Regression analysis revealed that psychological correlates, such as attachment to mother and father, parental control, and eating attitudes demonstrated a unique association among variables in prediction of body satisfaction for each gender. Implications for clinicians and researchers are discussed.

The clinical, operational, and financial worlds of neonatal palliative care: A focused ethnography

OBJECTIVE Due to multiple issues, integrated interdisciplinary palliative care teams in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may be difficult to access, sometimes fail to be implemented, or provide inconsistent or poorly coordinated care. When implementing an effective institution-specific neonatal palliative care program, it is critical to include stakeholders from the clinical, operational, and financial worlds of healthcare. In this study, researchers sought to gain a multidisciplinary perspective into issues that may impact the implementation of a formal neonatal palliative care program at a tertiary regional academic medical center. METHOD In this focused ethnography, the primary researcher conducted semistructured interviews that explored the perspectives of healthcare administrators, finance officers, and clinicians about neonatal palliative care. The perspectives of 39 study participants informed the identification of institutional, financial, and clinical issues that impact the implementation of neonatal palliative care services at the medical center and the planning process for a formal palliative care program on behalf of neonates and their families. RESULTS Healthcare professionals described experiences that influenced their views on neonatal palliative care. Key themes included: (a) uniqueness of neonatal palliative care, (b) communication and conflict among providers, (c) policy and protocol discrepancies, and (d) lack of administrative support. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS The present study highlighted several areas that are challenging in the provision of neonatal palliative care. Our findings underscored the importance of recognizing and procuring resources needed simultaneously from the clinical, operational, and financial worlds in order to implement and sustain a successful neonatal palliative care program.

Paediatric palliative care: a review of needs, obstacles and the future

AIM This literature review offers a response to the current paediatric palliative care literature that will punctuate the need for a framework (i.e. the three world view) that can serve as an evaluative lens for nurse managers who are in the planning or evaluative stages of paediatric palliative care programmes. BACKGROUND The complexities in providing paediatric palliative care extend beyond clinical practices to operational policies and financial barriers that exist in the continuum of services for patients. EVALUATION This article offers a review of the literature and a framework in order to view best clinical practices, operational/policy standards and financial feasibility when considering the development and sustainability of paediatric palliative care programmes. KEY ASPECTS Fifty-four articles were selected as representative of the current state of the literature as it pertains to the three world view (i.e. clinical, operational and financial factors) involved in providing paediatric palliative care. CONCLUSION In developing efficient paediatric palliative care services, clinical, operational and financial resources and barriers need to be identified and addressed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Nursing management plays a crucial role in addressing the clinical, operational and financial needs and concerns that are grounded in paediatric palliative care literature.

Family Life Education in the United States

Family life education (FLE) is a growing area of family practice in the United States. This chapter provides a broad overview of FLE in the United States including demographic and societal trends that shape FLE programs. Program content, family life educator qualifications, and program implementation including approaches, settings, and modes of delivery are discussed. Examples of FLE programs are included throughout the chapter to illustrate the breadth of FLE programs and practices in the United States.

Early childhood administrators’ attitudes and experiences in working with gay- and lesbian-parented families

ABSTRACT This study examined the attitudes, preparation, and comfort of early childhood administrators in working with gay and lesbian (GL) parented families and the use of GL inclusive practices within centers. Data were gathered from 203 participants in the state of North Carolina using an online survey. Overall, administrators held a positive attitude towards GLs. Specifically, administrators with higher levels of education held a more positive attitude towards lesbians than gay men. Attitudes also correlated highly with administrator’s comfort in working with GL parented families and use of inclusive practices within their center; however, it did not correlate with preparation or training in the field. Participants who identified themselves as very religious had lower scores on all measures used within the study, compared to administrators who were somewhat religious or not religious. Finally, most of the inclusive strategies implemented within centers were perfunctory, which required minimal change and effort by administrators.

Balancing Work and Family: A Pilot Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Parenting Education Program

In balancing family and work demands, there is an ever-increasing need for programming for working parents that increases their effectiveness in both domains. More evidence is needed in order to substantiate the delivery of such programs in the workplace. This study measured the effectiveness of an evidence-based parenting intervention, with pre- and postassessments of parenting experience, workplace outcomes, and child behavior. In all, 49 participants completed a 5-week pilot study of the adapted Level 3 Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. Participants reported increased positive parenting experiences and improved work engagement. Results provide evidence to support the delivery of short-term parenting interventions in the workplace, as well as evidence that these interventions can produce positive outcomes both at home and work.

Understanding preservice teachers’ perceived preparedness to work with chronically ill young children

ABSTRACT Many young children in the United States are faced with chronic illnesses that cause them unique challenges. It is imperative that all members of children’s support systems feel prepared to help meet those challenges. One integral component of this support team for children are their teachers. The purpose of this study was to assess preservice early childhood teachers’ perceived preparedness to work with chronically ill children. Additionally, the study explored preservice teachers’ ideas about the resources needed to effectively work with chronically ill children. Data were gathered from 32 preservice teachers pursuing a degree and licensure in Birth through Kindergarten (BK) education within a southeastern state university. A survey encompassing closed and open-ended questions related to perceived preparedness was utilized for the study. Results indicated that preservice BK teachers do not feel highly prepared to care for children who are chronically ill in their classroom. Preservice BK teachers suggested that additional classes, seminars, and experiences with chronically ill children would improve their feelings of preparedness. Implications regarding teacher education are discussed.

Effectively Placing Family Studies Majors at Internship Sites: The ECU-LINCS Match Process

The authors discuss internships as a high-impact practice and the elements that contribute to that status. They also discuss the internship program at East Carolina University and the in house developed process to match students and internship sites called ECU-LINCS. The process is comprised of ten steps: internship orientation, internship fair, contacting potential agencies, updating the resume, site visits and interviews, ECU-LINCS rank form, matchmaking, announcement gathering, assignment acceptance, and begin internship, and the process for each step is described. The authors also discuss the findings in a preliminary evaluation of the process.