Biomedical subjects

Carol H Ott

Publications and source records attributed to Carol H Ott.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Smoking-related health behaviors of employees and readiness to quit: basis for health promotion interventions.

This report describes patterns of cigarette smoking and interest in smoking cessation programs among employees in a public worksite (n = 6,000) and a private worksite (n = 14,000). Of the 622 employees who attended an employee assistance program (EAP) orientation, 110 (18%) were current smokers. A significantly greater proportion of public employees smoked cigarettes, smoked more heavily, and evaluated their health more poorly compared to private employees. Smokers in both sites were over-represented in unskilled positions. Regardless of worksite, respondents who smoked had similar desires to quit or cut down and were annoyed by the comments of others, felt guilty about smoking, awakened with a desire to smoke, and felt they had a smoking problem. Overall, more than one third of individuals were interested in joining a smoking cessation program. Occupational health nurses may use these findings to design and implement smoking cessation interventions in their workplaces.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The impact of an urban outreach teaching project: developing cultural competence.

The purpose of this study was to explore the development of cultural competence in a group of university nursing students in the context of an interactive substance abuse prevention project attached to a health promotion course with 414 racially diverse high school students. The project provided opportunities for contact, interaction, and reflection. A descriptive approach was utilized to elicit the meaning attached to the experience. Data included written content from an exit survey, field notes from onsite debriefings, transcriptions of a focus group interview, and an analysis of theoretical papers. Findings indicate that when university students participate in an urban teaching project under conditions of diminishing anxiety and are given opportunities for reflection, they not only increase cultural competence but they also develop a sense of advocacy. Recommendations are made for building community partnerships to enhance cultural competence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

A collaborative student affairs and faculty health assessment and intervention initiative.

The authors describe a collaborative partnership forged between faculty and student affairs staff to improve student health at a large urban university. They examine skills and reward structures of each constituency and the stages of the collaboration in the context of 2 theoretical models. A comprehensive data collection and dissemination process in the campus community provided goals for the initial stage of the partnership, leading to implementation of campus initiatives that use the reciprocal skills of each stakeholder. Outcomes of the collaboration included (1) a working relationship between faculty and student affairs staff, (2) increased dialogue with high-level administrators, (3) more coordinated campus efforts to decrease high-risk drinking, (4) use of outcome measures for implementing and evaluating health programs, and (5) an opportunity for interdisciplinary research. The authors offer suggestions for implementing the process on other campuses.

Data Collection↗

PubMed2003

The impact of complicated grief on mental and physical health at various points in the bereavement process.

The purpose of this cohort sequential study was to determine whether the presence of complicated grief (CG) measured at various points in the spousal bereavement process is associated with an increase in mental and physical health problems 18 months later. One hundred twelve participants provided data at four points in time. CG was measured with the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), and mental health was measured with the Integra Outpatient Tracking Assessment, Mental Health Index (MHI), and illnesses by self-report. Twenty-nine participants were identified as experiencing CG. Beginning at 6 months after the death, MHI scores were significantly lower for the CG group and those results were persistent. The CG group experienced more additional life stressors, perceived less social support, and achieved less clinically significant change in MHI than the NCG group. Identification of CG at any point at 6 months or later in bereavement indicates a need for professional intervention. Implications for establishing CG as a DSM diagnosis are discussed.

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed2002

Social norms marketing: a prevention strategy to decrease high-risk drinking among college students.

We describe a social-norms marketing approach to moderating college student drinking behaviors and correcting student misperceptions about campus drinking. The intervention has the potential to be applied to other health behaviors where misperceptions abound, such as those related to cigarette smoking, eating disorders, sexual health, and sexual assault. Even though nurses are actively working on alcohol and other drug (AOD) prevention efforts on college campuses, little data based research have been published. Collaborative efforts between faculty from different disciplines, including nursing and nurse health educators, can be an effective combination for preventing alcohol abuse and for initiating sound research-based campus prevention programs.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed2002

Patterns of change in mental health status during the first two years of spousal bereavement.

Patterns of change in mental health were identified for 118 recently widowed participants using the Integra Outpatient Tracking Assessment, Mental Health Index. Change was measured 4 times over the first 2 years of bereavement using a cohort sequential design. It was hypothesized that application of the psychotherapy phase model would have some use in understanding the various ways in which people grieve. The overall pattern of change in mental health was similar to that of the psychotherapy dosage and psychotherapy phase models and indicated a dramatic change in overall mental health, well-being, and symptoms during the beginning phases of bereavement followed by a plateau. At 24 months after the death, participants had not attained the same level of mental health as the general population. Within limitations of the design and sample, 2 conclusions were reached: (a) the overall pattern of change in bereavement was similar to that of distressed patients receiving outpatient mental health services, and (b) the patterns of change for individuals vary, making it important to consider clinical characteristics that might account for individual differences. These findings help establish an empirical model of grief that has use for clinical interventions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development and validation of the College Tobacco Survey.

The authors report on the development and assessment of an instrument to measure baseline campus cigarette use and outcomes from prevention programs, including those using a social norms approach combined with environmental policy change. They administered the 37-item College Tobacco Survey (CTS) to a convenience sample of 1,279 college students in freshmen-level classes at a large urban university. Factor analysis of 15 belief items revealed 3 factors: Peer Environment, Personal Effects, and Campus Policy Endorsement. The findings support the survey's reliability and validity. The authors discuss potential uses of the survey in terms of social norms and environmental prevention programs.

Adolescent↗