ABSTRACT
Abstract 2: Abstract of an Experiment Background: Adapting to living with chronic conditions is a lifelong psychosocial challenge. Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of a computer intervention on the psychosocial adaptation of rural women with chronic conditions. Methods: A two-group study design was used with 309 middle-aged, rural women who had chronic conditions, randomized into either a computerbased intervention or a control group. Data were collected at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and 6 months later on the psychosocial indicators of
social support, self-esteem, acceptance of illness, stress, depression, and loneliness. Results: The impact of the computer-based intervention was statistically significant for five of six of the psychosocial outcomes measured, with a modest impact on social support. The largest benefits were seen in depression, stress, and acceptance. Discussion: The women-to-women intervention resulted in positive psychosocial responses that have the potential to contribute to successful management of illness and adaptation. Other components of adaptation to be examined are the impact of the intervention on illness management and quality of life and the interrelationships among environmental stimuli, psychosocial response, and illness management. Source Weinert, C., Cudney, S., Comstock, B., & Bansal, A. (2011). Computer intervention impact on psychosocial adaptation of rural women with chronic conditions. Nursing Research, 60, 82-91. Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Notes:
Abstract 3: Abstract of a Program Evaluation Objective: To reduce mental health symptoms
and high-risk behaviors and increase social support and service utilization among street-living youth, the authors conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of the social enterprise intervention (SEI) at a homeless youth agency. Method: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 16 street-living youth from the agency. SEI participants received 7 months of vocational and small-business training and service referrals. A comparison sample of 12 agency youth was used. Results: Findings from in-
ticipants displayed significant improvements at 9 months in life satisfaction, family contact, peer support, and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the SEI was feasible within the agency setting and associated with higher mental health and social outcomes. Source Ferguson, K. M., & Xie, B. (2008). Feasibility study of the social enterprise intervention with homeless youth. Research on Social Work Practice, 18, 5-19. Copyright © 2008 by Sage Publications. Notes:
Abstract 4: Abstract of a Qualitative Study Abstract. Objective: The goal of this study was to identify factors that college students perceived as contributing to healthy and unhealthy eating patterns, physical activity (PA) levels, and weight change. Participants: Forty-nine 18-to 22-year-old students at a Midwestern university participated. Methods: Six focus groups (3 with each gender)
litative software to code and categorize themes and then reduce these to clusters according to commonly practiced methods of qualitative analysis. Results: Eating and PA behaviors appear to be determined by a complex interplay between motivations and self-regulatory skills as well as the unique social and physical environment comprising college life. Moreover, there appear to be gender differences in how these determinants impact behavior. Conclusions: Future research should examine these interactions in the college context in order to further our understanding of potential interventions or environmental modifications that support healthy eating and PA. Source LaCaille, L. J., Dauner, K. N., Krambeer, R. J., & Pedersen, J. (2011). Psychosocial and environmental determinants of eating behaviors, physical activity, and weight change among college students: A qualitative analysis. Journal of American College Health, 59, 531-538. Copyright © 2011 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Notes:
