Telephone conference networks for training in mental health.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
C M Connell
Publications and source records attributed to C M Connell.
Migration of urbanites to small towns for medical care.
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Delivery of Health Care↗
Illness representations among first-degree relatives of people with Alzheimer disease.
The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes, beliefs, and experiences regarding Alzheimer disease (AD) among patients' first-degree relatives, a group that is at increased AD risk and often involved in health care decision-making for affected family members. Children and siblings (N = 203; age range, 30-92 years; 75% female) of people with AD completed a questionnaire (response rate, 90%) that assessed mental representations of AD, including knowledge, cause and treatment beliefs, distress, and perceived threat. In general, relatives were knowledgeable about AD, had an accurate sense of their disease risk, and endorsed etiologically significant factors as causes. Nonetheless, many participants held misconceptions about AD (e.g., most cases are hereditary) and what may be unrealistic expectations for future treatment developments. Levels of perceived distress and threat were generally high and associated with female gender and younger age. AD represented the foremost health concern of approximately one third of first-degree relatives. Health education efforts are needed to address misconceptions about AD genetics and to disseminate information about the availability of effective treatments. Further research on illness representations is needed to better understand coping and decision-making among those at risk for AD.
Adult↗
Caregivers' attitudes toward their family members' participation in Alzheimer disease research: implications for recruitment and retention.
Current levels of participation in Alzheimer disease (AD) research are inadequate, particularly among nonwhites. This study was conducted to examine caregivers' attitudes toward their family members' participation in AD research. Six focus group interviews were conducted with 38 white and 12 African-American caregivers of participants enrolled in clinical research projects. Both white and African-American families participated in research to help their care recipients and future generations, receive support from the clinical and research staff, and obtain feedback about patient status and research results. Among white caregivers, primary barriers to participation in research included the potential for no direct benefit, problems with the procedures and tests involved, lack of time and resources, and difficulty accepting the diagnosis. Among African-American caregivers, primary barriers included general skepticism about the research process and firmly established attitudes about medical treatment and help seeking that serve as disincentives to research participation. To maximize the perceived benefits of research participation, potential participants should have access to regular personal contact with staff, information about health status changes in the care recipient, and the short-term and long-term results of the research studies in which they are participants. In addition, researchers should be sensitive to the concerns that may serve as barriers to participation, particularly among African Americans.
Adult↗
Psychosocial contexts of diabetes and older adulthood: reciprocal effects.
The present study was conducted to assess the reciprocal effects between the psychosocial contexts of diabetes and older adulthood. Data were collected from 191 community-dwelling adults over the age of 60 with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Results indicate that older adults with diabetes reported higher rates of selected chronic illnesses, lower self-rated physical health, and higher levels of depression than did comparison samples of older adults without diabetes. Compared with younger adults with NIDDM, the present sample of older adults perceived fewer impacts of diabetes, including fewer symptoms of poor metabolic control, less emotional impact, fewer barriers to adherence, and less complex regimens. Overall levels of social support and regimen adherence were high. Older adults in this sample reported wanting minimal help from their family and friends with self-management activities and receiving more help than desired with following a meal plan and taking medications. Implications of the unique context of older adulthood for diabetes self-management are discussed.
Aged↗
How people obtain their health information--a survey in two Pennsylvania counties.
A sample of 182 respondents to a mail survey in two Pennsylvania counties, one rural, one urban, provided information on the sources of their health information. Research questions addressed were from what sources did they obtain their health information, what differences were there in patterns of response between middle-aged and older residents, and how much did various subgroups use health information. Respondents indicated they received most of their health information from printed materials, television, and informal network members, in that order, with little difference between rural and urban respondents. Radio and organizations, such as unions, were less frequently used as health information sources. The amount of information received from printed materials decreased slightly with age for women, but decreased sharply for men. The amount of information received from TV decreased with age, especially for urban residents. The youngest and oldest groups reported receiving the most health information from printed materials. TV was the most common source of health information for middle-aged adults. The findings indicate that persons disseminating health information should target their efforts through printed materials, TV, and informal networks. The most frequently mentioned sources of health information were TV specials, news stories, magazines, news articles, publications, medical books, and physicians. Radio and organizations, used by large segments of the population, are relatively untapped in terms of their potential, and not fully used when available. The urban elderly appear to receive little health information from any source.
Adult↗