Stigmatization Behavior of Pre-Registration Nurses: Do the Self-Determined Psychological Needs Influence This?

Background/problem: Stigma and stigmatization are important concepts in the area of mental health and illness. Nursing and nurse education are continuously examining ways to understand and address the stigma toward people with a lived experience of mental illness. While the negative influence of stigma is understood, the variables that influence these behaviors are emerging. An area may provide insight into aspects that influence stigmatization of pre-registration nurses is motivation. Previous research has illustrated that individual motivation can significantly predict and influence work-related behaviors and actions across a range of work settings. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the predictive influence that the motivational needs, as espoused by Self-Determination Theory, play in the stigmatization of pre-registration nurse toward people with a lived experience of mental illness. Approach: A total of 168 pre-registration nurses completed two surveys that measured support for their psychological needs and their stigmatization of people with a lived experience of mental illness. Outcomes/conclusions: Using a regression analysis, some psychological needs significantly influenced the stigmatization of pre-registration nurses. Results illustrate the potential importance of psychological needs in the training of the future nursing workforce.     

Patient and staff perceptions of caring: review and replication

The present study identified patient (n = 86) and nursing staff (n = 73) perceptions of most and least important caring behaviours. Using a Swedish version of the CARE-Q instrument or a free rating scale, patients ranked items concerned with giving honest and clear information and competent clinical expertise as most important. The nursing staff ranked expressive/affective behaviours as most important. There were significant differences between the two groups in the ranking of 14-30 out of 50 specific behaviours and in 3-5 out of 6 subscales. Patient and staff ratings did not differ appreciably between the methods used, with the exception that staff gave much higher ratings to most items in the free response format. Patients were more discriminating in the importance they assigned to the various items.     

The Contributions of Dickoff and James to Theory Development in Nursing

This paper is an analysis of a number of articles on nursing by lames Dickoff and Patricia James. The analysis includes their speech given at the Nurse Educators Conference in 1978. Three major content areas are identified: (a) theory as a practice discipline, (b)the role of research, and (c) beliefs and values. There is discussion of how these ideas have changed and developed over time. Other characteristic themes are addressed as well. It is concluded that the greatest contribution of Dickoff and lames to theory development in nursing has been to generate controversy and equilibrium     

Elderly women's experiences of living with fall risk in a fragile body: a reflective lifeworld approach

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experience of fall risk from a lifeworld perspective in elderly women with previous fragility fractures. Thirteen elderly women with a high risk of fall and fracture, aged 76–86, living in their own homes in rural areas, were recruited from a voluntary fracture prevention programme. All women had a history of fragility fractures and were interviewed in their homes from spring to autumn 2004. A phenomenological reflective lifeworld approach was chosen to analyse in-depth interview data. The study was conducted within an interdisciplinary research group inspired by dialogical research. Elderly women's life space has been narrowed due to advanced age, physical injury or by efforts to prevent new injuries leading to changes in self-perception. However, the women seek strategies to challenge limitations and insecurity, and strive to retain mobility and daily life routines. The four major constituents of the phenomenon 'elderly women's experiences of fall risk' emerged in this study: a changing body, living with precaution, ambiguous dependency and influence and need for understanding. Employing the women's thoughts and resources in trust-based dialogues with caregivers may strengthen their concord and the prospects to continue an active life. Elderly women seek strategies to challenge limitations and feelings of insecurity, and strive to maintain mobility and daily life routines. A trust-based care respecting the preferences of the women seemed to stimulate behavioural change in maintaining an active life.