Issues in mental health nursing
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Issues Ment Health Nurs · Oct 2000
Comparative StudyPatterns of depressive symptoms in three groups of depressed adults.
This study examined patterns of depressive symptoms experienced by acutely depressed inpatients, previously hospitalized depressed outpatients, and depressed outpatients who had never been hospitalized for depression. The groups' symptom profiles were compared to determine whether the 21 major depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory were similar or different for the three groups. The groups differed significantly on five depressive symptoms that are classified as affective/cognitive symptoms (sadness, guilt, self-blame, indecisiveness, suicidal ideas) and one that is considered a somatic/vegetative symptom of depression (anorexia). Thus, commonly used diagnostic criteria may not reflect the full range or temporal patterning of symptoms experienced by depressed persons at varying levels of acuity or severity and in different treatment settings.
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Issues Ment Health Nurs · Nov 1999
Comparative StudyUse of the cognitive abilities screening instrument to assess elderly persons with schizophrenia in long-term care settings.
This article presents data evaluating the cognitive status of elderly persons with schizophrenia using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI). Comparisons between the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the CASI demonstrate greater specificity of the CASI in determining level of cognitive function. ⋯ Therefore, for this understudied population in nursing homes, CASI is a more useful outcome measure for psychiatric nursing interventions designed to improve cognitive function in elderly residents with schizophrenia. Psychiatric nurses cannot hope to understand and improve what they cannot accurately assess.
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Issues Ment Health Nurs · Mar 1996
Relationships of nurses' critical thinking ability and perceived patient self-disclosure to accuracy in assessment of depression.
This descriptive study examined the relationships of nurses' critical thinking ability and perceived patient self-disclosure to accuracy in nursing assessment of depression in older medical patients. The sample consisted of 120 female nurse-patient dyads. Critical thinking ability was measured by the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal. ⋯ The result showed that nurses' education was not significantly related to accuracy in assessment but related to critical thinking ability (r = .26; p = .004). Nurses' critical thinking ability was significantly related to accuracy in nursing assessment depression (r = -.24; p = .008). Perceived patients self-disclosure was not significantly related to accuracy in nursing assessment of depression.
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This grounded theory study was conducted to develop a conceptual framework of courage in the chronically ill elderly. Theoretical sampling was utilized, and 21 individuals who were 67 to 94 years of age were interviewed. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. ⋯ Problem solving is involved, and it is thought to enable the transformation of struggles into challenges. Courageous behaviors are identifiable, and can be maintained with the help of nursing interventions. Outcomes of being courageous include a sense of equanimity and personal integrity.
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This qualitative study was designed to examine the presence of chronic sorrow in diverse populations of individuals with chronic or life threatening conditions and to identify strategies for coping with feelings of chronic sorrow. Chronic sorrow was defined as a pervasive sadness that is permanent, periodic, and progressive in nature. The sample comprised 5 infertile couples, 10 individuals with long-term cancer, 10 individuals with multiple sclerosis, 6 individuals with Parkinson's disease, and 4 spouse caregivers. ⋯ The audiotapes were transcribed, entered into a computer analysis program, and collaboratively analyzed by the researchers. The findings indicate that 83% of the subjects experienced chronic sorrow. The four coping strategies that were identified by the subjects as being helpful to their situation were categorized by the researchers as interpersonal, emotional, cognitive, and action.