| 1. |
- Ahlborg, Tone, 1950, et al.
(author)
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Assessing the quality of the dyadic relationship in first-time parents: development of a new instrument.
- 2005
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In: Journal of family nursing. - Thousand Oaks, Calif. : SAGE Publications. - 1074-8407 .- 1552-549X. ; 11:1, s. 19-37
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this research was to psychometrically evaluate the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), modified for use with new, first-time parents by extending the items of communication, sensuality, and sexuality. A total of 820 Swedish respondents, 6 months after the birth of their first child, participated in the study. Psychometric evaluation was conducted with factor analysis. The obtained factor structure was tested with multitrait analysis program. Thirty-three items were found to fit into a five-factor solution, explaining 50% of the total variance. Descriptive data revealed that most new parents were satisfied with their intimate relationship in general, but dissatisfied with their sexual lives. The modified DAS, now called the Quality of Dyadic Relationship Instrument includes 33 items and seems to be a useful, updated measurement for assessing quality of the intimate relationship in new first-time parents.
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| 2. |
- Dellve, Lotta, 1965, et al.
(author)
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“Making it work in the frontline” explains female home care workers´ defining, recognising, communicating and reporting of occupational disorders.
- 2008
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In: Qualitative Studies On Health And Wellbeing. - Abingdon : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-2623 .- 1748-2631. ; 3:3, s. 176-184
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Epidemiological research has so far failed to explain the high incidence of occupational disorders among home care workers (HCWs) and the great differences in organizational incidence rate. A qualitative approach may contribute to a deeper understanding of work group reasoning and handling in a more contextual manner. The aim of this grounded theory study was to gain a deeper understanding of the main concern in the processes of recognizing, communicating and reporting occupational disorders among HCWs. Focus group interviews were conducted with 40 HCWs in 9 focus groups. The selected municipalities represented variations in municipality type and incidence rate of occupational disorders. Making it work in the frontline was identified as the core category explaining that the perceived work situation in home care work was the main concern but interacted with work-group socialising processes as well as with the communicability and derivability of the occupational disorder when defining and reporting occupational disorders. Complex problems could be reformulated and agreed within the workgroup to increase communicability. Described significances for reporting/non-reporting were related to financial compensation, to a part of organizational political game or to an existential uncertainty, i.e. questioning if it belonged to their chosen work and life. Our conclusion is that working situation and work group attitudes have importance for reporting of occupational disorders. To support work-related health for HCWs, integrating communication should be developed about work-related challenges in work situation, as well as about attitudes, culture and efficiency within work-group.
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| 3. |
- Dellve, Lotta, 1965, et al.
(author)
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Stress and well-being among parents of children with rare diseases: a prospective intervention study
- 2006
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In: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - Oxford : Wiley. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 53:4, s. 392-402
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: This paper reports a study to assess stress, well-being and supportive resources experienced by mothers and fathers of children with rare disabilities, and how these variables were affected by an intensive family competence intervention. BACKGROUND: Despite diagnosis-specific studies, little overall knowledge exists about life-consequences for families of children with rare disorders. METHOD: We used a prospective design with baseline data and two follow-ups (at 6 and 12 months) after an intervention. The intervention aimed at empowering parents in managing their child's disability. Parents from all parts of Sweden visiting a national centre for families of children with rare disabilities were consecutively selected (n = 136 mothers, 108 fathers). Instruments of parental stress, social support, self-rated health, optimism and life satisfaction and perceived physical or psychological strain were used. Stratified analyses were carried out for mothers and fathers, and related to parental demands: single mothers, full-time employment, participation in a parent association, child's age and type of disability. RESULTS: We found high parental stress, physical and emotional strain among mothers, especially among single mothers. Fathers showed high stress related to incompetence, which decreased after the intervention. Decreased strain was found among full-time working mothers and fathers after the intervention. Parents' perceived knowledge and active coping and mothers' perceived social support were increased at follow-up. Factors related to parents' overall life satisfaction (57-70% explained variance) changed after the intervention, from being more related to internal demands (perceived strain, incompetence and social isolation) to other conditions, such as problems related to spouse, paid work and social network. CONCLUSION: Parents, especially fathers and full-time working parents, may benefit from an intensive family competence programme.
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| 4. |
- Hallberg, Lillemor R-M, 1942, et al.
(author)
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Facing a moral dilemma--introducing a dental care insurance within the public dental service.
- 2012
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In: Swedish dental journal. - : Swedish dental journal. - 0347-9994. ; 36:3, s. 149-56
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Through the reform entitled "Dental care insurance-dental care at a fixed price", patients are offered a dental insurance, a capitation plan, that ensures that they can visit the dentist regularly during a period of three years at a fixed price per month (Frisktandvård).This insurance may be offered to all patients. The aim of this study was to generate a theory explaining the main concern for the staff at the public dental service when they have to introduce and advocate dental care insurance to patients. Interview data from 17 persons, representing different professions within the public dental service, were collected and analyzed simultaneously in line with guidelines for grounded theory. The results indicated that dentists/dental hygienists experienced several difficult standpoints concerning the implementation of the dental insurance, somewhat of a moral dilemma. The staff generally had a "cautiously positive attitude" to the forthcoming dental care insurance, but had perceptions how and when the patients should be offered the insurance and what that may mean to the clinic.The respondents reflected about the economic aspects for the clinic and how the oral health may be affected over time for the patients.
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| 5. |
- Hallberg, Lillemor R-M, 1942, et al.
(author)
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Psychological general well-being (quality of life) in patients with cochlear implants: importance of social environment and age.
- 2005
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In: International journal of audiology. - London : Informa UK Limited. - 1499-2027 .- 1708-8186. ; 44:12, s. 706-11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to investigate the variables that affect psychological general well-being (quality of life) in patients with cochlear implants (CIs). The study sample consists of 96 adult patients with a CI, aged 24 86 years (Mean = 61.8 yrs; SD = 15.3 yrs). 48 were patients from the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden and 48 were patients from the University of Florida, USA. The Psychological General Well-being Index and the International Outcome Inventory-Cochlear implants were used in collecting data. Possible independent variables were socioeconomic factors such as age, gender, nationality, living arrangement, education, and social support; as well as length of time since implantation, age when hearing loss became a problem, and subjective benefit of the CI. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that 49% of the variance was explained by attitudes from others, restricted social participation, perceived social support and age.
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| 6. |
- Helvik, Anne-Sofie, et al.
(author)
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Activity limitation and participation restriction in adults seeking hearing aid fitting and rehabilitation
- 2006
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - London : Informa Healthcare. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 28:5, s. 281-288
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purposes: We first aimed to describe demographic and audiological characteristics of adults referred to a university hospital for hearing aid (HA) fitting and rehabilitation. Our second aim was to employ an inventory that assesses life consequences of hearing impairment (HI) in terms of perceived activity limitation and participation restriction for the first time in a Norwegian adult outpatient population. A third aim was to study life consequences by audiological and demographic characteristics.Subjects and methods: During one year consecutive patients (n?=?343) were requested to answer the Hearing Disability and Handicap Scale (HDHS) assessing activity limitation and participation restriction in relation to an audiological examination and medical consultation. The mean threshold of hearing (MTH) was ascertained by pure tone thresholds at 0.5?–?1?–?2?–?4 kHz in the better ear.Results: Activity limitation and participation restriction were both higher for HA experienced than HA naïve subjects ( p < 0.01). In a multivariable model, the explained adjusted variance of activity limitation (R2) was 43.4% with MTH, perceived duration, and severity of hearing problems as predictor variables. Correspondingly, the explained adjusted variance of participation restriction was 28.4% for a model with MTH, age, gender and perceived severity of hearing problems as predictors.Conclusions: As a standard supplement to audiometric tests, HDHS may be successfully applied as a clinical tool among similar hearing impaired outpatients in order to assess activity limitation and participation restriction as part of audiological rehabilitation.
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| 7. |
- Sällfors, Christina, et al.
(author)
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Well-being in children with juvenile chronic arthritis
- 2004
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In: Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. - Pisa : Pacini. - 0392-856X .- 1593-098X. ; 22:1, s. 125-130
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe a model for predicting well-being in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). METHODS: 125 children (43 boys) (median age 14.1 yrs; range 10.3-17.8) rated disability and discomfort (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire). Pain control, pain reduction and fatigue were evaluated (visual analogue scales). In addition, variation of pain intensity was rated by a pain intensity scale. Analysis by the stepwise regression technique was used to explain the variability in well-being. Eight independent variables were included as possible predictors in the model (p < 0.1). RESULTS: The analyses indicated that well-being in children with JCA is related to three clusters of variables; pain "as it normally is", number of pain-free days and attending physical education classes. The analysis explained a substantial portion of the total variance in the children's well-being (55.1%). CONCLUSION: Pain is a robust predictor of well-being in children with JCA. This supports the concept of the benefits of reducing chronic joint pain as a major goal in caring of these children.
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| 8. |
- Wennström, Berith, et al.
(author)
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Use of perioperative dialogues with children undergoing day surgery.
- 2008
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In: Journal of advanced nursing. - Oxford : Wiley. - 1365-2648 .- 0309-2402. ; 62:1, s. 96-106
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: This paper is a report of a study to explore what it means for children to attend hospital for day surgery. BACKGROUND: Hospitalization is a major stressor for children. Fear of separation, unfamiliar routines, anaesthetic/operation expectations/experiences and pain and needles are sources of children's negative reactions. METHOD: A grounded theory study was carried out during 2005-2006 with 15 boys and five girls (aged 6-9 years) scheduled for elective day surgery. Data were collected using tape-recorded interviews that included a perioperative dialogue, participant observations and pre- and postoperative drawings. FINDINGS: A conceptual model was generated on the basis of the core category 'enduring inflicted hospital distress', showing that the main problem for children having day surgery is that they are forced into an unpredictable and distressful situation. Pre-operatively, the children do not know what to expect, as described in the category 'facing an unknown reality'. Additional categories show that they perceive a 'breaking away from daily routines' and that they are 'trying to gain control' over the situation. During the perioperative period, the categories 'losing control' and 'co-operating despite fear and pain' are present and intertwined. Post-operatively, the categories 'breathing a sigh of relief' and 'regaining normality in life' emerged. CONCLUSION: The perioperative dialogue used in our study, if translated into clinical practice, might therefore minimize distress and prepare children for the 'unknown' stressor that hospital care often presents. Further research is needed to compare anxiety and stress levels in children undergoing day surgery involving the perioperative dialogue and those having 'traditional' anaesthetic care.
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| 9. |
- Wentz, Kerstin, 1958, et al.
(author)
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Psychological functioning in women with fibromyalgia: a grounded theory study.
- 2004
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In: Health care for women international. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0739-9332 .- 1096-4665. ; 25:8, s. 702-29
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to elucidate psychological functioning and psychological processes in women with fibromyalgia. Twenty-one females with fibromyalgia (aged 26-72 years) were interviewed in-depth. The interviews were analysed in line with grounded theory. A core concept, "unprotected self," mirroring childhood conditions and adult psychological functioning, was identified. Intense activity or hypomanic helpfulness often was used as self-regulation in adult life. Later an increased exposure to mental load is accompanied by reduction of cognitive functioning and generalised pain. The phase of persistence of fibromyalgia is marked by reduction of cognitive functions, unprotected psychological functioning, and increased mental load as from crisis and somatic symptoms.
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