Contemp Nurse
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Comparative Study
Comparisons of substance abuse, high-risk sexual behavior and depressive symptoms among homeless youth with and without a history of foster care placement.
The purpose of this study was to compare prevalence of substance use, high-risk sexual behaviors, and depression symptoms between homeless youth with and without a history of foster care placement. ⋯ It is important that nurses, who serve homeless youth populations, conduct a risk assessment profile, in order to ascertain a history of foster care placement, link former foster youth to social service agencies that provide risk reduction/health promotion education, and advocate for stable housing.
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Domestic violence is a major public health issue that influences all aspects of affected women's lives (World Health Organisation, 2010). Women who are subjected to domestic violence seek help from a wide range of professionals within health and social care sectors, and evidence suggests that their experiences tend to be negative. We argue that current approaches are based on responses that are medically informed and provide an alternate lens from which to view women's health care needs. ⋯ The second phase examined how nurses constructed the health and health issues of women affected by domestic violence when women presented for health care. This paper brings together the findings of both phases to argue there is a disconnection in women's experiences and needs and how nurses construct needs and deliver care. Biographical disruption is a new lens from which to view women's experiences and is a framework which highlights how women experience significant dislocation of their sense of self as a result of domestic violence.