PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K A Herth

Publications and source records attributed to K A Herth.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Development and implementation of a Hope Intervention Program.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the development and evaluation of the Hope Intervention Program (HIP), designed to enhance hope, based on the Hope Process Framework. DESIGN: Descriptive and evaluative. SETTING: Outpatient oncology clinics of two large hospitals. SAMPLE: Convenience sample--38 adults with first recurrence of cancer. METHODS: Questionnaire completed at end of last HIP session, three months, six months, and nine months. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Helpfulness of the HIP components in maintaining hope. FINDINGS: Participants used intervention strategies that represented all four attributes of hope, with specific strategy use varying across time and individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggested that HIP positively affected the participants' rebuilding and maintenance of hope. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: HIP has the potential to positively influence hope, and it supports the strategic vital role that nurses play in implementing research-based strategies designed to engender hope in their patients and prevent hopelessness.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Long-term care: retention of nurses.

1. A growing nursing shortage and a growing population of older individuals with complex needs have created an unprecedented demand for qualified nurses in long-term care. 2. Nurse retention is associated with the status of salary benefits, paperwork, staffing, and supplies; the quality of relationships with residents, families, and peers; and the extent to which nurses feel autonomous and empowered with the authority to make nursing decisions regarding their patients. 3. Nurse researchers in both clinical and educational settings must place a high priority on developing methods of making long-term care a more attractive and satisfying practice setting.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Humor and the older adult.

This descriptive study explored how older adults view humor. It investigated the influence of place of residence, age, gender, functional ability, and perceived health status on the older adults' definition, regard, and use of humor. Sixty older adults were interviewed and responses were content analyzed. Descriptions of humor were derived and six categories of humor use were identified: connectedness, relaxation, restoration, freedom, joy, and perspective. Preferred sources of humor were identified as comical everyday-life experiences and antics of little children and pets. Receptivity to humor varied according to age, place of residence, level of health, and functional ability, but not gender. The findings provide direction for the development of tools to assess humor and for the development of valid and effective strategies to use humor therapeutically with the older adult.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1989

The root of it all--genograms as a nursing assessment tool.

1. The genogram is a tool that can be used by nurses to provide a comprehensive, holistic picture of the elderly client and his environment. A genogram can serve both as an assessment tool and as an intervention strategy. 2. Information gathered through a genogram can be classified as demographic, functional status/resources, and critical events/dynamic changes. 3. The ability of the elderly client to actively participate in the genogram process gives assessment data about the client's functioning in sensoriperception, memory, functional communication, fine motor skills, and behavioral domains. 4. The genogram provides a highly organized and easily visualized method of gathering, displaying, and communicating information to the elderly client and to other health-care professionals.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new perspective on loneliness in later life.

Loneliness in later life remains a serious problem despite extensive research across the life span. Unfortunately, most studies of loneliness that include older adults focus on individuals who are already lonely; findings suggest interventions dependent upon external factors such as socialization and functional status. Such interventions are not always feasible for older adults, who may have experienced social and functional losses. Nurses must adopt a new perspective in examining loneliness in later life. This new perspective should include a more positive approach that focuses on older adults who are not lonely even though they may have experienced decreased socialization or physical function. Identification of strategies employed by these older individuals may be used to help many elders avoid loneliness and help others cope with the related losses so frequent in later life.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between level of hope and level of coping response and other variables in patients with cancer.

This descriptive study investigated the relationship between hope using the Herth Hope Scale and coping using the Jalowiec Coping Scale in 120 adult patients undergoing chemotherapy in hospital, outpatient, and home settings. Also analyzed were length of time since diagnosis, family and job responsibilities, and religious convictions in relation to the level of hope and coping. The study found a significant relationship (p less than 0.05) between level of hope and level of coping among subjects in all three settings. In addition, strength of religious convictions and performance of family role responsibilities were significantly related to the variables of hope and coping regardless of setting. Length of time since diagnosis and performance of job role responsibilities were not significantly related to either the levels of hope or coping.

Adaptation, Psychological↗