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Biomedical subjects

S C Gendrop

Publications and source records attributed to S C Gendrop.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Competence and drug use: theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence and measurement.

Statistics show that use of harmful substances (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine) among women of childbearing age is widespread and serious. Numerous theoretical models and empirical studies have attempted to explain the complex factors that lead individuals to use drugs. The Social Stress Model of Substance Abuse [1] is one model developed to explain parameters that influence drug use. According to the model, the likelihood of an individual engaging in drug use is seen as a function of the stress level and the extent to which it is offset by stress modifiers such as social networks, social competencies, and resources. The variables of the denominator are viewed as interacting with each other to buffer the impact of stress [1]. This article focuses on one of the constructs in this model: that of competence. It presents a summary of theoretical and conceptual formulations for the construct of competence, a review of empirical evidence for the association of competence with drug use, and describes the preliminary development of a multi-scale instrument designed to assess drug protective competence among low-income Hispanic childbearing women. Based upon theoretical and empirical studies, eight domains of drug protective competence were identified and conceptually defined. Using subscales from existing instruments with psychometric evidence for their validity and reliability, a multi-scale instrument was developed to assess drug protective competence. Hypothesis testing was used to assess construct validity. Four drug protective competence domains (social influence, sociability, self-worth, and control/responsibility) were found to be statistically associated with drug use behaviors. Although not statistically significant, expected trends were observed between drug use and the other four domains of drug protective competence (intimacy, nurturance, goal directedness, and spiritual directedness). Study limitations and suggestions for further psychometric testing of the instrument are described.

Adolescent↗

A transactional perspective on critical thinking.

The quality of thinking has received much attention within the last decade. The scientific inquiry models introduced by Dewey, Dressel and Mayhew, and Watson-Glaser have been expanded to incorporate such aspects as reflection, development, attitude, skill, and knowledge domain. Dichotomies between critical and creative thinking have been eased. While this scholarship on thinking has been impressive, current pedagogy remains focused on scientific inquiry and on received knowledge. In nursing the learning paradigm has been similarly focused for the past 3 decades on a scientific inquiry model and received knowledge. The major cognitive approach to education and practice has been the nursing process, a linear problem-solving paradigm equivalent to the scientific method. This linear approach does not fully account for how nurses think and make judgments in clinical practice. The Transactional Model of Critical Thinking presented in this paper addresses the complexity of critical thinking in nursing. The model provides an educative and novel vision of thinking based on a transactional view of the individual, personal attributes, and the environment. Components and elements of the model are described and suggestions made for teaching-learning and for evaluation of critical thinking in nursing.

Adult↗

Substance abuse among inner-city Hispanic women: exploring resiliency.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that prevent drug abuse among young Hispanic women living in inner cities and to acquire ideas for preventive strategies. DESIGN: Qualitative interviews of focus group participants to explore perceptions about drug use. SETTING: An urban location adjacent to a neighborhood health clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four young Hispanic women recruited from an inner-city prenatal clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of themes that trigger or deter drug use. Acquisition of preliminary knowledge required for further development of data collection instruments and design of interventions for use with inner-city Hispanic women. RESULTS: Identified six themes through qualitative data analysis of interview narratives. CONCLUSIONS: Compared themes with existing theoretical models and described implications for nursing practice.

Adolescent↗

The social stress model of substance abuse among childbearing-age women: a review of the literature.

The Social Stress Model of Substance Abuse has been derived from numerous psychosocial theories and models. This model suggests that the likelihood of an individual engaging in drug abuse is influenced by the stress level and the extent to which it is offset by stress modifiers such as social networks, social competence and resources. This article synthesizes current empirical evidence for this model. Thirteen primary research studies of women are synthesized and described, with special attention to the four key constructs inherent in the model: stress, social networks, social competencies, and resources. Consistencies and inconsistencies in the findings, a critique of key methodological issues, implications for future research, and implications for clinical policy and practice are provided.

Adolescent↗

Empirical evidence for the Social Stress Model of Substance Abuse.

The Social Stress Model of Substance Abuse builds upon and integrates knowledge from numerous psychosocial theories and models. According to this model, the likelihood of an individual engaging in drug abuse is a function of the stress level and the extent to which it is offset by stress modifiers such as social networks, social competence, and resources. This article synthesizes current empirical evidence for this model. Thirty-five primary research studies are described, with special attention to the four psychosocial constructs inherent in the model: stress, social networks, social competence, and resources. Consistencies and inconsistencies in the findings, a critique of key methodological issues, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Humans↗

A review of the literature on cocaine abuse in pregnancy.

The primary research literature on cocaine abuse in pregnancy from 1982 to 1989 was reviewed. This article is a synthesis of current knowledge regarding the effects of maternal cocaine use during pregnancy on obstetrical, neonatal, and infant health and developmental outcomes. Consistencies and inconsistencies in the findings, a critique of key methodological issues, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Child Development↗