Biomedical subjects

N M Ryan-Wenger

Publications and source records attributed to N M Ryan-Wenger.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Beyond Campbell and Fiske: assessment of convergent and discriminant validity.

While it is not an innovation in the more established social sciences, the multitrait multimethod (MTMM) technique (Campbell & Fiske, 1959) and additional, more powerful statistical methods of interpreting a MTMM matrix of correlations, have not been used extensively in nursing to assess construct validity of new instruments. This article reviews the Campbell and Fiske method for the assessment of convergent and discriminant validity, reviews the application of the method in the nursing literature, and describes the limitations of the original method. In addition, the procedures, strengths, and limitations of the analysis of variance and confirmatory factor analytic approaches to the quantification of Campbell and Fiske's criteria are described.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

PubMed1992

A taxonomy of children's coping strategies: a step toward theory development.

As a first step in developing a theory specific to children, a synthesis of 16 empirical studies of children's stress coping strategies was undertaken. From it, a natural and nonhierarchical taxonomy of 15 such strategies was inductively constructed, showing a high interrater reliability. Evaluation of the taxonomy is discussed, and directions for subsequent research suggested.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1992

Sources of stress in children with asthma.

Children experience stressors related to self-concept and school, family, and peer relationships. This study of children with asthma determined their perceptions of the frequency and severity of stressors they experience other than their asthma. Children with asthma are similar to peers with regard to perceptions of stressors. Teachers, health professionals, and parents should consider children with asthma as normal children who have an additional source of stress--a chronic illness. Results suggest perceptions of most stressors relate more strongly to gender-role development than to asthma. Children with asthma rated feeling left out of the group and not being good enough at sports as serious stressors. School personnel could be instrumental in encouraging management and prevention of exercise-induced asthma and promote all children's full participation in physical activities. Further examination of the relationship between stress and asthma is needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Physical and psychosocial impact of activation and deactivation on Army Reserve nurses.

Reserve mobilization training focuses on specialty skills and soldiers' common tasks, but does not prepare individuals for the physical and psychological realities of activation. The purpose of this descriptive, multiphasic research was to systematically examine, as it was experienced, the impact of activation and subsequent de-activation on 81 Army Reserve nurses. The variables measured included somatic symptoms, psychosocial effects, stressors, coping strategies, and positive aspects of the experience. Some nurses experienced physical and psychosocial symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder. Lessons learned from this study will help Army Reserve units to be more proactive in mobilization preparation and training.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1991

Measurements of stress and coping among school-aged children with and without recurrent abdominal pain.

Theoretical support, but little empirical evidence confirms recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) as a psychosomatic response of children to stressors in their environment. The differences between children with and without RAP in appraising their own stressors and coping abilities were examined. Of 250 8-12 year olds, 25 (10%) experienced recurrent abdominal pain. An asymptomatic comparison group consisted of 25 children matched for age and gender with the RAP group. Mean total stress scores were significantly higher in the RAP group than the comparison group. Mean coping scores were lower in the RAP group, but not statistically significant. Differences in specific stressors and coping strategies between groups were examined. Prevention and treatment of psychosomatic symptoms requires changing the stressor or changing the methods that children use to cope with stressors that cannot be changed.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Guidelines for critique of a research report.

Before findings reported in a research article are used to change clinical practice, the research must be evaluated for evidence of credibility, integrity, and potential for replication. This paper provides guidelines for use in evaluating deductive, empirical research. The standards presented in this paper are derived from the tenets of the scientific method, measurement theory, statistical principles, and research ethics. The guidelines may be used to evaluate each section of a research report, from the title to the interpretation of findings.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development and psychometric properties of the Schoolagers' Coping Strategies Inventory.

The Schoolagers' Coping Strategies Inventory (SCSI) is a self-report instrument that measures the frequency and effectiveness of children's stress-coping strategies. The SCSI has adequate internal consistency for a new instrument (.79) and moderate test-retest reliability for a changeable construct (.73 to .82). Construct validity was supported by significantly lower coping scores among children with one or more stress-related conditions compared to asymptomatic controls. Factor analysis suggests the SCSI is a one-factor instrument. Low correlations between the SCSI and related but different constructs (stressors and self-esteem) measured by two different methods (self-report and observation) in a multitrait-multimethod matrix showed divergent validity. Convergent validity with the Coping Inventory was not demonstrated.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A nursing process methodology.

A nursing methodology developed by the faculty at The Ohio State University teaches nursing students problem-solving techniques applicable to any nursing situation. It also provides faculty and students with a basis for measuring students progress and ability in applying the nursing process.

Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate↗