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Biomedical subjects

Angela Frederick Amar

Publications and source records attributed to Angela Frederick Amar.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

College women's experience of stalking: mental health symptoms and changes in routines.

BACKGROUND: Stalking is a serious public health and societal concern affecting many college women. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore college women's experiences of stalking. The specific aims were to compare victims and nonvictims on physical and mental health indicators and to identify lifestyle changes made in response to being stalked. METHODS: In this cross-sectional design, 601 women from two universities completed a stalking questionnaire, a mental health screening tool, and an injury checklist. Data analysis included frequencies, multivariate analysis of variance, analysis of variance, and chi(2) analysis. RESULTS: A quarter of the sample reported experiencing stalking, most often by an intimate or dating partner. Individuals who reported experiencing stalking reported significantly more mental health symptoms and lower perceived physical health status than individuals who did not. Victims reported changing routines, behaviors, and activities. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric nurses must be knowledgeable about stalking and its impact on health. Nurses can provide support, services, and community referrals.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Intimate partner violence: implications for critical care nursing.

IPV presents a serious health risk to many women. Emergency and critical care nurses are in a prime position for identification of and intervention with these women. Careful assessment and recognition of symptoms and conditions associated with IPV helps nurses to identify victims and potential victims. Building a trusting and supportive environment, where women feel comfortable disclosing abuse, precedes effective intervention. Nursing practice can incorporate the myriad resources and successful programs to provide victims with quality care. Before discharge from the critical care unit or ED, nurses can help women to identify their risk and plan for safety. Effective nursing care in IPV combines the traditional critical care nursing skills synergistically with provision for the biopsychosocial needs of patients.

Accidental Falls↗

Prevalence estimates of violence in the dating experiences of college women.

Young women are vulnerable to experiencing psychological, physical, and sexual violence and stalking through dating experiences. This study used a correlational design to report prevalence estimates of psychological, physical, and sexual violence and stalking that occur within the dating experiences of college women. This study also compared prevalence estimates of violence between African-American and White college women. A convenience sample of 863 (N = 863) women between 18 and 25 years of age from a private, historically African-American college in the south and a private, historically primarily White college in the mid-Atlantic completed the Abuse Assessment Screen, and a background data sheet. All participants had the option of completing a narrative note. Data analysis consisted of frequencies, and chi2. Almost half of the total sample 48% (n = 412) reported the experience of violence and of these, 39% (n = 160) reported more than one form of violence. Specific prevalence was as follows: psychological violence 22% (n = 190), stalking or harassment 31% (n = 266), physical violence 12% (n = 99), and all unwanted sexual activity 9% (n = 80). Prevalence estimates were consistent for African-American and White college students in all types of violence except in reporting threats of physical violence and threats plus actual physical violence. Study findings highlight the need for nurses to routinely screen and assess all young women for psychological, physical, and sexual violence and stalking Surveillance efforts will help identify victims and potential victims so that appropriate referrals for treatment and support can be made.

Adolescent↗

Dating violence in college women: associated physical injury, healthcare usage, and mental health symptoms.

BACKGROUND: College-aged women report experiencing violence from a partner within the dating experience. OBJECTIVES: This study used a correlational design, to report physical injury, mental health symptoms, and healthcare associated with violence in the dating experiences of college women. METHODS: A convenience sample of 863 college women between 18 and 25 years of age from a private, historically Black university in the South, and a private college in the mid-Atlantic completed the Abuse Assessment Screen, a physical injury checklist, and the Symptom Checklist-R-90. Data analysis consisted of frequencies, ANOVA, and MANOVA. RESULTS: Almost half (48%) (n = 412) reported violence and, of these, 39% (n = 160) reported more than one form of violence. The most commonly reported injuries were scratches, bruises, welts, black eyes, swelling, or busted lip; and sore muscles, sprains, or pulls. Victims had significantly higher scores on depression, anxiety, somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, and global severity index than nonvictims. Victims of multiple forms of violence had significantly higher mental health scores and reported greater numbers of injuries than victims of a single form of violence. Less than half of those injured sought healthcare for injuries and less than 3% saw a mental health professional. DISCUSSION: Study findings suggest the importance of screening and identification of victims of violence. Knowledge of physical and mental health effects of violence can guide intervention, prevention, and health promotion strategies. Future research is needed to describe barriers to seeking healthcare, screening practices of college health programs, and programs to identify victims.

Adolescent↗

"Dissed" by dating violence.

PROBLEM: This study describes the impact of the experience of dating violence on the daily lives of college women. METHODS: Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze transcribed responses from an open-ended question about the impact of dating violence. FINDINGS: Eight thematic categories emerged: emotional distress, distrust and using extra precautions, disconnected and distant in relationships, self-discontentment, disclaiming the experience, feeling disenfranchised, life disruption, and turning a situation from disempowering to empowering. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the perspective of dating violence victims assists the advanced practice psychiatric nurse (APPN) with planning effective care. Routine screening about past and present experiences of violence must occur with all young women. Providers must be knowledgeable about available resources for victims.

Adolescent↗