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Biomedical subjects

L M Lierman

Publications and source records attributed to L M Lierman.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Using social support to promote breast self-examination performance.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe support strategies used by selected partners and peer partners in a study examining the effects of support on adherence to breast self-examination (BSE). DESIGN: Experimental. SETTING: Large health maintenance organization in the Pacific Northwest. SAMPLE: 175 women (mean age of 61 years) and 53 partners selected by one of the study groups. METHODS: Subjects were assigned to one of three groups: selected-partner support, peer-partner support, and no support. All groups attended a BSE group instructional session consisting of group discussion, a BSE slide presentation, and one-on-one practice of BSE. Members of the selected-partner and peer-partner support groups wrote contracts to provide supportive activities over the subsequent six months to ensure BSE performance. At 6 and 12 months, all participants completed a questionnaire to determine BSE adherence and perceptions of the support experience. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Performance of BSE, supportive activities provided, and perceptions of support. FINDINGS: Selected partner/subject dyads identified nearly three times the total number of support strategies (147 versus 55) and had greater variability in the types of support categories developed. These subjects had significantly more contact from their support partners, were more comfortable with their partners, and indicated greater likelihood of continuing the supportive contact after the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Selected partners demonstrated more involvement and commitment in fulfilling their supportive role than did peer partners. Further research is needed that will allow more reciprocity between selected partner and subject. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses can encourage women to recruit supportive partners who help them incorporate BSE into a health maintenance regimen in a consistent fashion. Partners can benefit from some structured orientation to the support process.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The theory of reasoned action in prediction of breast self-examination: a comparison of two studies.

The purpose of this article is to report the application of the theory of reasoned action (TRA) to predict breast self-examination (BSE) intention and frequency in two studies with middle-aged and older women. The sample in Study 1 consisted of 93 volunteers from church groups; the second sample consisted of 175 randomly selected subscribers to a large health maintenance organization. Questionnaires to measure attitudinal and subjective normative influences relevant to BSE were developed using guidelines specified by Ajzen and Fishbein (1980). The attitudinal components predicted BSE intention in both studies and BSE frequency in Study 1. In contrast, the subjective norm contributed significantly only to the prediction of frequency in Study 1. Findings demonstrate varying degrees of success for the TRA in predicting BSE intention and behavior. Explanations for the inconsistency in the predictive ability of the TRA can be related to differences between the two studies regarding sample and design characteristics.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predicting breast self-examination using the theory of reasoned action.

The personal and normative influences on breast self-examination (BSE) behavior in older women were examined using the Theory of Reasoned Action. The sample consists of 93 volunteers ranging in age from 52 to 90 years. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Direct and indirect measures of attitude and social norm were used to predict intention to perform BSE and BSE frequency. Contrary to the model assumptions, indirect measures accounted for more variance in both intention and behavior, and explained actual behavior better than intention to perform. Both the indirect and direct measures of attitude and social norm explained a significant amount of the variance in intention and BSE frequency. There were significant differences on all the model components (direct and indirect measures of attitude, social norm, and intention) between frequent and infrequent BSE performance groups. Discriminant analysis using the indirect measures of attitude and social norm correctly classified 76% of the women into frequent and infrequent performance groups.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of education and support on breast self-examination in older women.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an educational program and structured support on breast self-examination (BSE) frequency, proficiency, and perceived control in middle-aged and older women at 6 and 12 months after instruction. Women were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (a) no-support control group; (b) peer support group; and (c) selected partner support group. All women received the same instructional program. Women assigned to peer and selected partner support groups received additional reinforcement from their partners to perform BSE for the next 6 months. There were significant differences between the initial interview and 6-month scores on BSE frequency, expert and self-rating of proficiency, and perceived skill. Self and expert ratings of proficiency and perceived skill continued to increase at 12 months postinstruction. No significant differences were found among the three support treatment groups.

Adult↗