Nursing research
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Decline in functional ability as a consequence of medical illness or surgery has been associated with the development of depressive symptoms in older patients. Little is known about the influence of psychological variables on the relationship between postoperative functional ability and depressive symptoms in older adults. Inclusion of perceived self-efficacy in a theoretical model of the relationship of functional ability and depressive symptoms would extend knowledge and inform health care providers about specific risk factors for the development of postoperative depressive symptoms in older elective surgery patients. ⋯ The findings suggest that interventions to enhance older patients' perceived self-efficacy while hospitalized after elective total hip replacement surgery may enhance functional ability, which in turn may decrease the likelihood of depressive symptoms postoperatively.
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Prior research has documented the high prevalence of pain in elderly adults and the difficulties associated with properly assessing and treating pain in elders with cognitive impairment. ⋯ The findings highlight the difficulties of assessing pain in cognitively impaired elders and the lack of knowledge among health care providers about effective pain management.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Transmural care of terminal cancer patients: effects on the quality of life of direct caregivers.
The burden of caring for terminal cancer patients has a negative effect on the informal caregivers' quality of life. ⋯ Transmural care forms a significantly positive contribution to the OQOLI of direct caregivers of terminal cancer patients 1 week after the patient's discharge from the hospital and 3 months after the patient's death. Good terminal care also appears to be important for direct caregivers as well, with respect to perceived quality of life.
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Despite the potential benefits of exercise, rates of exercise among older adults remain low. Self-efficacy expectation is the strongest correlate of exercise behavior or exercise behavior change. ⋯ Lifelong leisure exercise exerts its influence on exercise through self-efficacy beliefs, further emphasizing the importance of efficacy. Also important are perceived barriers to exercise. Further research should examine self-efficacy expectations, perceived barriers, and age as predictors of exercise among older adults at different stages of health behavior change.
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The purpose of this study was to test a theoretical model developed to explain family satisfaction among 171 caregivers of elderly parents. Using LISREL to estimate path coefficients, the findings support family satisfaction as directly and indirectly influenced by reciprocity, emotional well-being and family functioning. ⋯ Family satisfaction was also indirectly influenced by positive and negative exchanges received by the parent. Increasing caregivers awareness of the reciprocal nature of their relationships with all family members may be an effective strategy in helping them appreciate their contribution to the well-being of their parents and achieve satisfaction in the caregiving role.