The purpose of this study was to examine the trends, characteristics and the superintendent's perceptions in school districts with black superintendents. To accomplish this objective, seven hypothesis statements were used to examine nine variables related to financial and racial data in the selected districts. The population for this study consisted of 83 black superintendents, serving in school districts in 14 states. The participants were asked to provide biographical data and respond to a five-point rating scale that represented their perception on statements related to trends and characteristics in their districts. The demographic data was collected from the United States Census Bureau and the Joint Center for Political Studies. The two-section instrument used in the study was developed by the researcher. The first section collected biographical data used to establish the superintendent's profile. The second part of the instrument consisted of 30 Likert type statements used to establish the superintendents' perceptions. The profile data on the superintendents was analyzed using the statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) frequency distribution and cross-tabulation procedures. The demographic data was analyzed using SPSS frequency distribution, means, cross-tabulation and standard deviation. The Runs Test (at .05 significance level) was used to substantiate data randomness and to examine trends. The findings reveal definite trends and unique conditions in school districts with black superintendents. / Ed. D.

O envelhecimento populacional no Brasil tem sido influenciado pela transição demográfica e epidemiológica. Em consequência, prevalecem as doenças crônicas e ocorre um decréscimo na capacidade funcional do idoso. É quando surge a necessidade do cuidador no contexto das famílias. Os objetivos deste estudo metodológico foram adaptar para uso no Brasil o Questionário de Avaliação da Sobrecarga do Cuidador Informal (QASCI) e analisar as propriedades psicométricas em uma amostra de cuidadores informais de idosos. O QASCI é composto por 32 itens cujas respostas são obtidas em valores que variam de um a cinco e integra sete domínios: Implicações na vida pessoal; Satisfação com o papel e com o familiar; Reações a exigências; Sobrecarga emocional; Apoio familiar; Sobrecarga financeira e Percepção dos mecanismos de eficácia e de controle. O escore total varia de 32 a 160, e quanto maior o valor, maior a sobrecarga. O processo de adaptação seguiu os passos metodológicos, conforme preconizado pela literatura: adaptação semântica, avaliação pelo comitê de juízes, análise semântica dos itens, obtenção da versão final e análise das propriedades psicométricas. Os dados foram coletados mediante entrevistas domiciliares, no período de setembro de 2012 a fevereiro de 2013, nas áreas cadastradas das Equipes de Saúde da Família do município de João Pessoa-PB. Participaram do estudo 132 cuidadores de idosos que apresentavam alguma dependência funcional. A validade de constructo convergente do QASCI foi avaliada com testes de correlação de Pearson entre as medidas de sobrecarga e de constructos correlatos (ansiedade e depressão); análise fatorial confirmatória (dimensionalidade) e teste para comparação de grupos conhecidos (idade, tempo de cuidado, nível de dependência); e a confiabilidade foi avaliada pela consistência interna de seus itens (alfa de Cronbach). O nível de significância adotado foi de 0,05. A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (87,1%), casados (47,7%), com idade média de 50 anos e oito anos de escolaridade. Quanto ao grau de parentesco com o idoso, 63% eram filhos, e 14%, cônjuges. Cerca de 89% dos cuidadores residiam com o idoso, apresentavam média de sete anos de tempo de cuidado, e 39% não contavam com ajuda no cuidado ao idoso. Quanto às propriedades avaliadas, em relação à validade de constructo convergente da versão adaptada do QASCI, obtivemos correlação forte entre as medidas de sobrecarga e de depressão (r=0,61; p=0,001) e correlação moderada entre as medidas de sobrecarga e de ansiedade (r=0,50, p=0,001) (validade convergente). Na comparação das medidas de sobrecarga segundo a idade do cuidador (adultos e idosos) (p=0,046) e classificação da dependência do idoso (p=0,001), confirmamos nossas hipóteses iniciais. A análise fatorial confirmatória evidenciou bom ajuste do modelo de medida advindo da versão adaptada do QASCI e manteve a estrutura fatorial inicialmente assumida no modelo proposto pelos autores da versão original. Quanto à confiabilidade, obtivemos valor adequado para a consistência interna da versão adaptada do QASCI considerando o total dos itens (?= 0,92) e as dimensões (alfas variando de 0,51 a 0,88). Diante dos resultados, concluímos que a versão adaptada do QASCI atendeu aos critérios de validade e confiabilidade na amostra estudada. Sugerem-se novos estudos a fim de testar essas propriedades em outros grupos de cuidadores brasileiros / Demographic aging in Brazil has been influenced by the epidemiological and demographic transition. As a consequence, chronic diseases prevail and the functional capability of the elderly decreases. That is when the presence of a caregiver in the family context becomes necessary. The objectives of this methodological study were to adapt the Questionnaire for Assessment of Informal Caregiver Burden (QAICB) for its use in Brazil and to analyze psychometric properties in a sample of informal caregivers of elderly individuals. The QAICB is comprised of 32 items whose answers are obtained in values ranging from one to five, integrating seven domains: Implications in personal life; Satisfaction with the role and the family member; Reactions to demands; Emotional burden; Family support; Financial burden and Perception of the mechanisms of efficacy and control. The total score varies between 32 and 160, and the higher the score, the greater the burden. The adaptation process followed the methodological steps recommended in literature: semantic adaptation, evaluation by a committee of judges, semantic analyses of the items, obtainment of the final version and analysis of psychometric properties. Data were collected by means of home interviews, between September of 2012 and February of 2013, in the registered areas of the Family Health Teams of João Pessoa, state of Paraíba. Study participants were 132 caregivers of elderly individuals with some functional dependence. The validity of convergent construct of the QAICB was assessed by means of Pearson\'s correlation tests between the measures of burden and correlated constructs (anxiety and depression); confirmatory factor analysis (dimensionality) and test for comparison of known groups (age, time of care, level of dependence); and the reliability was assessed by the internal consistency of the items (Cronbach\'s alpha). The level of significance adopted was 0.05. Most of the participants were women (87.1%), married (47.7%), with a mean age of 50 years and eight years of education. Regarding the relationship of the caregiver to the elderly, 63% were children, and 14% were spouses. Approximately 89% of the caregivers lived with the elderly, presented a mean time of care of seven years, and 39% did not have any help in the care of the elderly. Regarding the properties evaluated, in relation to the validity of the convergent construct of the adapted version of the QAICB, a strong correlation was found between the measures of burden and depression (r=0.61; p=0.001) and a moderate correlation was observed between the measures of burden and anxiety (r=0.50, p=0.001) (convergent validity). In the comparison of the measures of burden as for the age of the caregiver (adults and elderly) (p=0.046) and the classification of the dependence of the elderly (p=0.001), the initial hypotheses of the authors were confirmed. The confirmatory factor analysis evidenced a good adjustment of the measure model originating from the adapted version of the QAICB and the factor structure initially assumed in the model proposed by the authors of the original version was maintained. As for reliability, an adequate value was obtained for the internal consistency of the adapted version of the QAICB, considering the total of the items (?= 0.92) and the dimensions (alpha varying between 0.51 and 0.88). In light of the results, the adapted version of the QAICB showed compliance with the criteria of validity and reliability in the studied sample. New studies are suggested so as to test these properties in other groups of Brazilian caregivers

Durante o cotidiano do trabalho em serviços de saúde, os profissionais de enfermagem podem sentir-se impossibilitados de realizar todos os cuidados que são necessários aos pacientes e, diante de múltiplas demandas e recursos insuficientes, podem abreviar o cuidado, atrasá-lo ou simplesmente omiti-lo. A omissão de cuidados de enfermagem pode apresentar implicações negativas nos resultados assistenciais aos pacientes. Os objetivos deste estudo metodológico foram investigar aspectos dos cuidados de enfermagem e outras razões para a omissão do cuidado, que não estão incluídas na versão norte-americana do instrumento MISSCARE, propor a versão em português brasileiro do instrumento e testar as suas propriedades psicométricas. A pesquisa foi realizada em duas fases. A primeira fase consistiu na avaliação da validade de face e de conteúdo do instrumento em português, cuja validação inicial havia sido feita em estudo anterior em 2012. Os dados foram coletados em fevereiro de 2015, por meio de grupos focais com profissionais de enfermagem: três enfermeiros, um técnico e três auxiliares de enfermagem. Os resultados levaram à construção da versão MISSCARE-BRASIL, a partir do acréscimo ao instrumento original, de quatro novos itens na Parte A e 11 novos itens na Parte B. A segunda fase desta pesquisa foi a análise psicométrica do instrumento MISSCARE-BRASIL, conduzida com uma amostra aleatória de 330 profissionais da grade populacional de 1618 membros da equipe de enfermagem atuantes em hospital público de ensino. Os dados foram coletados entre abril e maio de 2015. Em relação à caracterização dos participantes, houve predomínio de mulheres, entre 25 e 44 anos, com ensino médio e mais de 10 anos de experiência, trabalhando em turnos de 6 horas e mais de 30 horas semanais. Em relação à função, 39,7% eram auxiliares de enfermagem, 33% técnicos em enfermagem, 20,9% enfermeiros e 6,4% enfermeiros com função administrativa. Quanto às propriedades do instrumento, em relação à validade de constructo convergente, obtiveram-se correlações moderadas entre as variáveis da omissão do cuidado do MISSCARE e as variáveis \"Satisfação com o cargo/função\" e \"Satisfação com o trabalho em equipe\". Houve uma correlação fraca entre a variável \"Satisfação com a profissão\" e as variáveis de omissão, onde o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman variou de 0,22 a 0,24. A análise fatorial confirmatória evidenciou bom ajuste do modelo de medida e manteve a estrutura fatorial inicialmente proposta na versão original do MISSCARE. O modelo ampliado do MISSCARE-BRASIL também se apresentou ajustado de modo regular à estrutura dimensional proposta na versão original. Quanto à confiabilidade, as versões MISSCARE e MISSCARE-BRASIL apresentaram valores de alfa de Cronbach maiores que 0,70, considerados aceitáveis para uma boa consistência interna dos itens. Conclui-se que as versões MISSCARE e MISSCARE-BRASIL são válidas e confiáveis na amostra estudada / On nursing services\' everyday work nursing professionals may feel somewhat impaired from delivering all the required care to patients and, in face of multiple demands and insufficient resources, may shorten care, delay it or omit it. Missed nursing care can entail negative implications to care results to patients. The objectives of this methodological study were to investigate nursing care aspects and other reasons for missed nursing care that are not included in the North-American version of the MISSCARE instrument; propose the instrument version in Brazilian Portuguese; and, test its psychometric properties. The study was developed in two stages. The first comprised the assessment of the instrument\'s face and content validity in Portuguese, which had been initially validated by a previous study developed in 2012. Data were collected in February 2015, through focus groups with nursing professionals: three nurses, one nursing technician and three nursing aides. Results led to the creation of the MISSCARE-BRASIL version, by adding four new items to Part A and 11 new items to Part B of the instrument. The second phase was the psychometric analysis of the MISSCARE-BRASIL instrument with a random sample of 330 professionals from the population of 1618 members of the nursing team working in a public teaching hospital. Data were collected from April to May 2015. Regarding the characterization of participants, most were women aged between 25 and 44 years old, with secondary education and more than 10 years of experience, working in 6-hour shifts and over 30 hours a week. In relation to their position, 39.7% were nursing aides; 33% nursing technicians; 20.9% nurses; and, 6.4% nurses performing administrative tasks. In relation to the instrument\'s properties, regarding validity of the converging construct, there were moderate correlations between the MISSCARE care neglect and the variables \"Satisfaction with the position/function\" and \"Satisfaction with teamwork\". The correlation between \"Satisfaction with the profession\" and the variables of missed nursing care were weak, where the Spearman\'s correlation coefficient ranged from 0.22 to 0.24. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit to the measurement model, keeping the factor structure initially proposed by the original version of the MISSCARE. The MISSCARE-BRASIL expanded model was also regularly fit to the dimensional structure proposed in the original version. Regarding reliability, the MISSCARE and the MISSCARE-BRASIL versions presented Cronbach\'s alpha values higher than 0.70, being considered acceptable to good internal consistency of items. In conclusion, the MISSCARE and the MISSCARE-BRASIL versions are valid and reliable in the sample studied

O envelhecimento populacional no Brasil tem sido influenciado pela transição demográfica e epidemiológica. Em consequência, prevalecem as doenças crônicas e ocorre um decréscimo na capacidade funcional do idoso. É quando surge a necessidade do cuidador no contexto das famílias. Os objetivos deste estudo metodológico foram adaptar para uso no Brasil o Questionário de Avaliação da Sobrecarga do Cuidador Informal (QASCI) e analisar as propriedades psicométricas em uma amostra de cuidadores informais de idosos. O QASCI é composto por 32 itens cujas respostas são obtidas em valores que variam de um a cinco e integra sete domínios: Implicações na vida pessoal; Satisfação com o papel e com o familiar; Reações a exigências; Sobrecarga emocional; Apoio familiar; Sobrecarga financeira e Percepção dos mecanismos de eficácia e de controle. O escore total varia de 32 a 160, e quanto maior o valor, maior a sobrecarga. O processo de adaptação seguiu os passos metodológicos, conforme preconizado pela literatura: adaptação semântica, avaliação pelo comitê de juízes, análise semântica dos itens, obtenção da versão final e análise das propriedades psicométricas. Os dados foram coletados mediante entrevistas domiciliares, no período de setembro de 2012 a fevereiro de 2013, nas áreas cadastradas das Equipes de Saúde da Família do município de João Pessoa-PB. Participaram do estudo 132 cuidadores de idosos que apresentavam alguma dependência funcional. A validade de constructo convergente do QASCI foi avaliada com testes de correlação de Pearson entre as medidas de sobrecarga e de constructos correlatos (ansiedade e depressão); análise fatorial confirmatória (dimensionalidade) e teste para comparação de grupos conhecidos (idade, tempo de cuidado, nível de dependência); e a confiabilidade foi avaliada pela consistência interna de seus itens (alfa de Cronbach). O nível de significância adotado foi de 0,05. A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (87,1%), casados (47,7%), com idade média de 50 anos e oito anos de escolaridade. Quanto ao grau de parentesco com o idoso, 63% eram filhos, e 14%, cônjuges. Cerca de 89% dos cuidadores residiam com o idoso, apresentavam média de sete anos de tempo de cuidado, e 39% não contavam com ajuda no cuidado ao idoso. Quanto às propriedades avaliadas, em relação à validade de constructo convergente da versão adaptada do QASCI, obtivemos correlação forte entre as medidas de sobrecarga e de depressão (r=0,61; p=0,001) e correlação moderada entre as medidas de sobrecarga e de ansiedade (r=0,50, p=0,001) (validade convergente). Na comparação das medidas de sobrecarga segundo a idade do cuidador (adultos e idosos) (p=0,046) e classificação da dependência do idoso (p=0,001), confirmamos nossas hipóteses iniciais. A análise fatorial confirmatória evidenciou bom ajuste do modelo de medida advindo da versão adaptada do QASCI e manteve a estrutura fatorial inicialmente assumida no modelo proposto pelos autores da versão original. Quanto à confiabilidade, obtivemos valor adequado para a consistência interna da versão adaptada do QASCI considerando o total dos itens (?= 0,92) e as dimensões (alfas variando de 0,51 a 0,88). Diante dos resultados, concluímos que a versão adaptada do QASCI atendeu aos critérios de validade e confiabilidade na amostra estudada. Sugerem-se novos estudos a fim de testar essas propriedades em outros grupos de cuidadores brasileiros / Demographic aging in Brazil has been influenced by the epidemiological and demographic transition. As a consequence, chronic diseases prevail and the functional capability of the elderly decreases. That is when the presence of a caregiver in the family context becomes necessary. The objectives of this methodological study were to adapt the Questionnaire for Assessment of Informal Caregiver Burden (QAICB) for its use in Brazil and to analyze psychometric properties in a sample of informal caregivers of elderly individuals. The QAICB is comprised of 32 items whose answers are obtained in values ranging from one to five, integrating seven domains: Implications in personal life; Satisfaction with the role and the family member; Reactions to demands; Emotional burden; Family support; Financial burden and Perception of the mechanisms of efficacy and control. The total score varies between 32 and 160, and the higher the score, the greater the burden. The adaptation process followed the methodological steps recommended in literature: semantic adaptation, evaluation by a committee of judges, semantic analyses of the items, obtainment of the final version and analysis of psychometric properties. Data were collected by means of home interviews, between September of 2012 and February of 2013, in the registered areas of the Family Health Teams of João Pessoa, state of Paraíba. Study participants were 132 caregivers of elderly individuals with some functional dependence. The validity of convergent construct of the QAICB was assessed by means of Pearson\'s correlation tests between the measures of burden and correlated constructs (anxiety and depression); confirmatory factor analysis (dimensionality) and test for comparison of known groups (age, time of care, level of dependence); and the reliability was assessed by the internal consistency of the items (Cronbach\'s alpha). The level of significance adopted was 0.05. Most of the participants were women (87.1%), married (47.7%), with a mean age of 50 years and eight years of education. Regarding the relationship of the caregiver to the elderly, 63% were children, and 14% were spouses. Approximately 89% of the caregivers lived with the elderly, presented a mean time of care of seven years, and 39% did not have any help in the care of the elderly. Regarding the properties evaluated, in relation to the validity of the convergent construct of the adapted version of the QAICB, a strong correlation was found between the measures of burden and depression (r=0.61; p=0.001) and a moderate correlation was observed between the measures of burden and anxiety (r=0.50, p=0.001) (convergent validity). In the comparison of the measures of burden as for the age of the caregiver (adults and elderly) (p=0.046) and the classification of the dependence of the elderly (p=0.001), the initial hypotheses of the authors were confirmed. The confirmatory factor analysis evidenced a good adjustment of the measure model originating from the adapted version of the QAICB and the factor structure initially assumed in the model proposed by the authors of the original version was maintained. As for reliability, an adequate value was obtained for the internal consistency of the adapted version of the QAICB, considering the total of the items (?= 0.92) and the dimensions (alpha varying between 0.51 and 0.88). In light of the results, the adapted version of the QAICB showed compliance with the criteria of validity and reliability in the studied sample. New studies are suggested so as to test these properties in other groups of Brazilian caregivers

Durante o cotidiano do trabalho em serviços de saúde, os profissionais de enfermagem podem sentir-se impossibilitados de realizar todos os cuidados que são necessários aos pacientes e, diante de múltiplas demandas e recursos insuficientes, podem abreviar o cuidado, atrasá-lo ou simplesmente omiti-lo. A omissão de cuidados de enfermagem pode apresentar implicações negativas nos resultados assistenciais aos pacientes. Os objetivos deste estudo metodológico foram investigar aspectos dos cuidados de enfermagem e outras razões para a omissão do cuidado, que não estão incluídas na versão norte-americana do instrumento MISSCARE, propor a versão em português brasileiro do instrumento e testar as suas propriedades psicométricas. A pesquisa foi realizada em duas fases. A primeira fase consistiu na avaliação da validade de face e de conteúdo do instrumento em português, cuja validação inicial havia sido feita em estudo anterior em 2012. Os dados foram coletados em fevereiro de 2015, por meio de grupos focais com profissionais de enfermagem: três enfermeiros, um técnico e três auxiliares de enfermagem. Os resultados levaram à construção da versão MISSCARE-BRASIL, a partir do acréscimo ao instrumento original, de quatro novos itens na Parte A e 11 novos itens na Parte B. A segunda fase desta pesquisa foi a análise psicométrica do instrumento MISSCARE-BRASIL, conduzida com uma amostra aleatória de 330 profissionais da grade populacional de 1618 membros da equipe de enfermagem atuantes em hospital público de ensino. Os dados foram coletados entre abril e maio de 2015. Em relação à caracterização dos participantes, houve predomínio de mulheres, entre 25 e 44 anos, com ensino médio e mais de 10 anos de experiência, trabalhando em turnos de 6 horas e mais de 30 horas semanais. Em relação à função, 39,7% eram auxiliares de enfermagem, 33% técnicos em enfermagem, 20,9% enfermeiros e 6,4% enfermeiros com função administrativa. Quanto às propriedades do instrumento, em relação à validade de constructo convergente, obtiveram-se correlações moderadas entre as variáveis da omissão do cuidado do MISSCARE e as variáveis \"Satisfação com o cargo/função\" e \"Satisfação com o trabalho em equipe\". Houve uma correlação fraca entre a variável \"Satisfação com a profissão\" e as variáveis de omissão, onde o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman variou de 0,22 a 0,24. A análise fatorial confirmatória evidenciou bom ajuste do modelo de medida e manteve a estrutura fatorial inicialmente proposta na versão original do MISSCARE. O modelo ampliado do MISSCARE-BRASIL também se apresentou ajustado de modo regular à estrutura dimensional proposta na versão original. Quanto à confiabilidade, as versões MISSCARE e MISSCARE-BRASIL apresentaram valores de alfa de Cronbach maiores que 0,70, considerados aceitáveis para uma boa consistência interna dos itens. Conclui-se que as versões MISSCARE e MISSCARE-BRASIL são válidas e confiáveis na amostra estudada / On nursing services\' everyday work nursing professionals may feel somewhat impaired from delivering all the required care to patients and, in face of multiple demands and insufficient resources, may shorten care, delay it or omit it. Missed nursing care can entail negative implications to care results to patients. The objectives of this methodological study were to investigate nursing care aspects and other reasons for missed nursing care that are not included in the North-American version of the MISSCARE instrument; propose the instrument version in Brazilian Portuguese; and, test its psychometric properties. The study was developed in two stages. The first comprised the assessment of the instrument\'s face and content validity in Portuguese, which had been initially validated by a previous study developed in 2012. Data were collected in February 2015, through focus groups with nursing professionals: three nurses, one nursing technician and three nursing aides. Results led to the creation of the MISSCARE-BRASIL version, by adding four new items to Part A and 11 new items to Part B of the instrument. The second phase was the psychometric analysis of the MISSCARE-BRASIL instrument with a random sample of 330 professionals from the population of 1618 members of the nursing team working in a public teaching hospital. Data were collected from April to May 2015. Regarding the characterization of participants, most were women aged between 25 and 44 years old, with secondary education and more than 10 years of experience, working in 6-hour shifts and over 30 hours a week. In relation to their position, 39.7% were nursing aides; 33% nursing technicians; 20.9% nurses; and, 6.4% nurses performing administrative tasks. In relation to the instrument\'s properties, regarding validity of the converging construct, there were moderate correlations between the MISSCARE care neglect and the variables \"Satisfaction with the position/function\" and \"Satisfaction with teamwork\". The correlation between \"Satisfaction with the profession\" and the variables of missed nursing care were weak, where the Spearman\'s correlation coefficient ranged from 0.22 to 0.24. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit to the measurement model, keeping the factor structure initially proposed by the original version of the MISSCARE. The MISSCARE-BRASIL expanded model was also regularly fit to the dimensional structure proposed in the original version. Regarding reliability, the MISSCARE and the MISSCARE-BRASIL versions presented Cronbach\'s alpha values higher than 0.70, being considered acceptable to good internal consistency of items. In conclusion, the MISSCARE and the MISSCARE-BRASIL versions are valid and reliable in the sample studied

The general aim of the present thesis was to develop a theory on caring and uncaring encounters within nursing and health care from the patient's perspective. Results of an analysis of two phenomenological studies (paper I), as well as research findings from five other phenomenological studies (papers II-VI), were used to develop the theory. Caring and uncaring can be conceptualized on a continuum symbolizing five basic modes of being with another, which, for example, involves a neutral mode of being with another, where the individual is perceived as neither caring nor uncanng. There are two major metaphors in the theory, that of the bridge, symbolizing the openness in communication and the connectedness experienced by the recipient of care in an encounter perceived as caring. The other metaphor is the wall, which symbolizes negative or no communication, detachment and lack of a caring connection, experienced by the recipient in an encounter perceived as uncaring. In the theory the importance of professional caring within nursing and health care is proposed, essentially involving competence, caring, and connection. The above-mentioned 'bridge' is developed through mutual trust and the development of a connection between the professional and the recipient. This connection is a combination of professional intimacy and a comfortable distance of respect and compassion -- professional distance. On the other hand, uncaring involves perceived indifference and incompetence, creating distrust, disconnection and the above-mentioned 'wall' of negative or no communication. The recipient of professional caring is influenced positively. Theconsequences, which are an increased sense of well-being and health, can be summarized as empowerment. Uncaring, however, has the negative consequences of decreased sense of well-being and health, which can be summarized as discouragement. Empowerment and discouragement in this context are defined as subjective experiences of the recipients of care. The importance of seeing the recipient in his or her inner and outer contexts is emphasized in the theory. The inner context involves perceived needs, expectations, previous experiences and sense of self, which in the perspective of the recipient of nursing can be summarized as both a sense of vulnerability and the need for professional caring. The perceived hospital environment comprises the recipient's outer context. It is concluded that nurses and other health professionals can, by theirprofessional caring or lack of it, be powerful sources of empowerment ordiscouragement to those whom they are pledged to serve. / <p>Papers, included in the Ph.D. thesis, are not registered and included in the posts from 1999 and backwards.</p><p>The following papers included in the Ph.D. Thesis are removed due to copyright restrictions.</p><p>Paper I: Halldirsdottir, S. l 991. Five basic modes of being with another. In Gaut, D.A., &amp; Leininger, M.M., (eds) <em>Caring: The compassionate healer</em>. NationalLeague for Nursing, New York, 37-49.</p><p>Paper II: Halldirsdottir, S. &amp; Hamrin, E. 1997. Caring and uncaring encounters'vvithin nursing and health care: From the cancer patient's perspective. <em>Cancer Nursing</em> April, 20(2):120-128.</p><p>Paper III: Halldirsdottir, S. &amp; Hamrin, E. 1996b. Experiencing existentialchanges: The lived experience ofhaving cancer. <em>Cancer Nursing</em>, 19(1), 29-36.</p><p>Paper IV: Halldirsdottir, S. &amp; Karlsd6ttir, S.I. 1996a. Empowerment ordiscouragement: Women's experience of caring and uncaring encounters during childbirth. <em>Health Care for Women lnternational</em>, 17( 4).</p><p>Paper V: Halldirsdottir, S. &amp; Karlsdottir, S.I. i 996b. Journeying through labourand delivery: Perceptions of women who have given birth. <em>Midwifery</em> 12(2).</p><p>Paper VI: Halldirsdottir, S. 1996a. The lived experience of health: Aphenomenological case study. (on the day of the defence date the status of this article was <em>Submitted</em>. <strong>Published later:</strong> Halldorsdottir, S. 2000. Feeling empowered: A phenomenological case study of the lived experience of health.  In B. Fridlund and C. Hildingh (eds),  <em>Qualitative methods in the service of health </em>(pp. 82-96).  Lund: Studentlitteratur.</p>

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2008. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-01, page: . Adviser: Charles E. Begley. Includes bibliographical references.

The study was conducted to investigate whether the use of a wider range of teaching methods can improve the quality of environmental learning in five Zambian primary schools. Nine teachers from five schools were involved in the preliminary stage of answering of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions about the use of dominant teaching methods and new teaching methods; while only four were involved in the observations of four lessons. The study is a contribution to the on‐going debate on the investigation of whether teaching methods used by teachers can be one of the factors that can influence the quality of education. Definitions of quality and educational quality in particular, are not easy to establish and no agreed upon framework for educational quality exists at present. This study reviews the debates on educational quality, and identifies three major paradigms or discourses on educational quality; and considers the human rights, social justice and capabilities approaches and educational quality frameworks as being relevant to environmental learning and education for sustainable development in the Southern African Development Community context. This, together with a review of research on teaching methods in environmental education, provides the theoretical framework for this study. Using action research and an interpretative methodological framework, a series of research activities were undertaken to generate research data because the study was investigating the teachers’ practice with a view to probe change and to analyse the findings. Nine teachers participated in the preliminary stage of answering questionnaires and focus group interviews reflecting on existing teaching methods. In stage two of this study, teachers went through a planning workshop during which they planned lessons using new preferred teaching methods. The third stage was lesson observations of planned lessons. The final stage was the reflection workshop during which the teachers shared their experiences with the use of new teaching methods. The teaching practices of teachers using the new teaching methods were the subject of further analysis. In order to find out how the use of a wide range of teaching methods can improve quality of environmental learning in primary schools nine teachers were observed teaching lessons with new teaching methods. The Nikel and Lowe (2010) fabric of dimensions of educational quality was adapted and used to find out if teachers included dimensions of quality in the teaching process. Additional socio‐cultural and structural quality dimensions, identified through a review of southern African research, were used to find out if teachers included contextualized regional dimensions of educational quality. This was done to investigate whether the process of teaching and learning was relevant to the learners. Teachers involved in the research reflected that when they used a wider range of teaching methods the result was that the learning opportunities for learners were enhanced and that the methods added value to their teaching, improving the quality of their teaching. The use of a wider range of teaching methods showed the presence of several indicators of dimensions of educational quality, as reflected in the quality analysis tool. Teachers indicated that the use of a wider range of teaching methods led them to include the socio‐cultural dimensions such as the use of local languages and structural dimensions such as informal seating arrangements or group work that they would otherwise neglect if they used the traditional narrow range of teaching methods. A wider range of teaching methods provided learners with an enjoyable learning atmosphere during the lesson. The research also identified that this study can be taken further through broader observations, and that the educational quality dimensions tool is useful for different levels of the education system, and that it has potentially productive uses in teacher education, particularly for observations during teaching practice.

Introdução: A fidelidade das intervenções trata do grau com que as intervenções são oferecidas conforme o planejado. É uma variável que deve ser investigada como uma fonte de dados sobre a validade e a confiabilidade dos resultados obtidos em estudos de intervenção de boa qualidade. Avaliar a fidelidade das intervenções requer a observação dos comportamentos do interventor durante o oferecimento da intervenção, por meio de instrumentos padronizados. Objetivo: Desenvolver um instrumento válido e confiável para mensurar a fidelidade de uma intervenção psicoeducativa oferecida por telefone. Método: Este estudo metodológico foi realizado em sete passos: identificação dos elementos do programa de intervenção, construção dos itens do instrumento, desenvolvimento da escala de mensuração dos itens, identificação das unidades de codificação, teste e revisão dos itens, especificação das qualificações e desenvolvimento do programa de treinamento dos avaliadores, desenvolvimento e execução do teste piloto para verificação da validade e confiabilidade do instrumento. Os materiais usados no desenvolvimento do instrumento foram o Manual do interventor e os 128 áudios das sessões de intervenção de um ensaio clínico controlado randomizado em que se testou a efetividade de uma intervenção psicoeducativa oferecida por telefone a cuidadores familiares. Resultados: O instrumento elaborado foi denominado Nursing Intervention Fidelity Evaluation Tool (NIFE Tool) e foi estruturado em quatro partes: abertura da sessão, apresentação do conteúdo da sessão, encerramento da sessão, avaliação das habilidades na comunicação, empatia, transmissão de confiança e credibilidade, compostas por 49 itens específicos sobre a intervenção testada e por 18 itens comuns às intervenções psicoeducativas. O escore do instrumento pode ser calculado item a item, para o conjunto de itens específicos de cada sessão de intervenção, para o conjunto de itens comuns de cada sessão ou para o conjunto de itens comuns considerando todas as sessões. A validade de conteúdo do instrumento foi estabelecida por 14 expertos. Como indicativos da confiabilidade do instrumento, o alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,51 para o conjunto de itens comuns, e variou entre 0,59 e 0,81 para o conjunto de itens específicos; a concordância interavalidores segundo resultados do Kappa, ficou entre moderada a substancial para 35 específicos e 15 itens comuns. Conclusões: O presente estudo permitiu o desenvolvimento de instrumento para mensurar a fidelidade de intervenção psicoeducativa e os itens comuns do instrumento podem ser usados na avaliação de outras intervenções da mesma natureza oferecidas por telefone. / Introduction: The intervention fidelity involves analyzing in which extent interventions are offered as planned. It is a variable that must be investigated as a source of data on the validity and reliability of the results obtained in good quality intervention studies. Intervention fidelity assessment requires observation of the providers\' behavior during the intervention offer by means of standardized instruments. Objective: To develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure the fidelity of a psychoeducational intervention offered by telephone. Method: This methodological study was conducted in seven steps: identification of the elements of the intervention program, construction of the instrument items, development of items scaling, identification of the units for coding, item testing and review, specification of rater qualifications and development of rater training program, development and completion of the pilot testing to test validity and reliability of the instrument. The material used to develop the instrument were the Intervention Manual and 128 audios of the intervention sessions of a randomized controlled clinical trial in which the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention offered by telephone to family caregivers was tested. Results: The instrument developed was called Nursing Intervention Fidelity Evaluation Tool (NIFE Tool) and was divided into four parts: opening session, presentation of session content, session closure, evaluation of skills in communication, empathy, and thrustiwortiness, with 49 unique items of the tested intervention and by 18 items common to psychoeducational interventions. The instrument score can be calculated item by item, for the set of unique items of each intervention session, for the set of common items of each session or for the set of common items taken in all sessions. The instrument\'s content validity was performed by 14 experts. As indicative of the instrument\'s reliability, Cronbach\'s alpha was 0.51 for the set of common items, and ranged between 0.59 and 0.81 for the set of unique items; inter-raters agreement, according to Kappa coefficients, was moderate to substantial for 35 unique and 15 common items. Conclusion: This study allowed the development of an instrument to measure the fidelity of a psychoeducational intervention and their common items can be used in the evaluation of other interventions of the same nature offered by telephone.

A fragilidade pode se manifestar em indivíduos de todas as faixas etárias, incluindo os idosos, porém, não deve ser entendida como sinônimo de velhice. Atualmente a fragilidade vem sendo fortemente considerada como uma síndrome multidimensional que envolve vários fatores: biológicos, físicos, cognitivos, sociais, econômicos e ambientais. É um tipo de síndrome que pode ser evitada, quando identificada precocemente, ou intervindo com base em seus indicadores, pelo menos postergada. Os objetivos desta pesquisa metodológica foram realizar adaptação cultural da Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) para o português do Brasil, bem como analisar suas propriedades psicométricas em uma amostra de idosos de uma comunidade do interior paulista. Esta escala possui 11 itens e sua pontuação máxima é 17 representando o nível mais elevado de fragilidade. Para a adaptação cultural, utilizou-se o referencial da literatura: tradução da EFS para língua portuguesa; obtenção da primeira versão consensual em português; avaliação do item por um comitê de juízes; retrotradução; obtenção de uma versão consensual em inglês e comparação com a versão original; avaliação semântica da EFS; pré-teste da versão em português. A versão adaptada foi aplicada, no período de agosto de 2007 a junho de 2008, em 137 idosos de 65 anos ou mais que viviam na comunidade. A maioria dos participantes 102 (74,5%) era do sexo feminino, viúvos (58; 42,3%) com idade média de 75,33 anos (idade mínima de 65 e máxima de 100 anos), com tempo médio de estudo formal de um a quatro anos (75; 54,8%). Quanto às propriedades psicométricas avaliadas, na validação de grupos conhecidos foram realizadas análises de comparações, empregando-se o teste não-paramétrico de Mann-Whitney, do diagnóstico de fragilidade entre sexo, idade e déficit cognitivo. Obteve-se que idosos mais velhos, mulheres e com déficit cognitivo são mais propensos ao diagnóstico de fragilidade. Todas as comparações foram estatisticamente significativas. Na validade de construto convergente da EFS, com Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF) e Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), houve correlação baixa e negativa, as mesmas foram adequadas com todas as correlações estatisticamente significativas (p< 0,001). A confiabilidade da escala para língua portuguesa foi avaliada através de três entrevistas. Duas avaliações foram realizadas independentemente por dois observadores O1 (T1) e O2 (A1), no mesmo dia (interobservador). Após um período máximo de 15 dias da primeira avaliação, uma segunda entrevista foi feita pelo observador O1 (T2). Na análise dos dados do diagnóstico de fragilidade interobservador, o Kappa foi de 0,81 (IC 0,61-1,00) e para o intra-observador, o Kappa foi de 0,83 (IC 0,72-0,94). O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) do escore bruto de fragilidade foi de 0,87 no interobservador (IC 0,82-0,91, p< 0,001) e de 0,87 no intra-observador (IC 0,81-1,00, p< 0,001). Nas três aplicações da escala, a consistência interna (Alfa de Cronbach) dos 11 itens da EFS foi de T1 = 0,62, A1 = 0,62 e T2 = 0,54. Assim, pôde-se concluir que a versão adaptada da EFS para o português mostrou-se válida e confiável na amostra estudada. Sugerem-se mais estudos para verificar a sensibilidade da escala em idosos / Frailty can manifest itself in individuals of all ages, including the elderly. However, it should not be considered a synonym of old age. Nowadays, frailty is strongly considered as a multidimensional syndrome that involves various factors: biological, physical, cognitive, social, economic and environmental. This type of syndrome can be avoided, when identified early, or at least delayed when intervening based on its indicators. This methodological research aimed at the cross-cultural adaptation of the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) to Brazilian Portuguese, as well as the analysis of its psychometric properties in a sample of elderly persons from a community in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil. This scale comprises 11 items and its maximum score is 17, representing the highest level of frailty. For the crosscultural adaptation, the reference framework from literature was used: translation of the EFS to Portuguese; achievement of the first consensus version in Portuguese; item assessment by an expert committee; back-translation; achievement of a consensus version in English and comparison with the original version; semantic assessment of the EFS; pretest of the Portuguese version. The adapted version was applied to 137 elderly aged 65 years or older who lived in the community, between August 2007 and June 2008. Most of the participants, i.e. 102 (74.5%) were women, widowed (58; 42.3%), with an average age of 75.33 years (minimum age 65 and maximum 100 years) and a mean time of formal education ranging from one to four years (75; 54.8%). As to the assessed psychometric properties, in the knowngroups validation of the diagnosis of frailty between gender, age and cognitive deficit, comparative analyses were made, using Mann-Whitneys non-parametrical test. It was found that elder elderly, women and with a cognitive deficit are more prone to the frailty diagnosis. All comparisons were statistically significant. The construct validity of the EFS with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), low and negative correlation levels were found, with were adequate and statistically significant (p< 0.001). The reliability of the scale for Portuguese was assessed through three interviews. Two assessments were made independently by two observers O1 (T1) and O2 (A1), on the same day (interobserver). Within a maximum period of 15 days after the first assessment, observer O1 (T2) made a second assessment. In the analysis of the interobserver frailty diagnosis data, the Kappa index was 0.81 (CI 0.61-1.00), against 0.83 (CI 0.72-0.94) for intraobserver diagnosis. The intraclass correlation coefficient (CCI) of the gross frailty score was 0.87 for the interobserver (CI 0.82-0.91, p< 0.001) and 0.87 for the intraobserver diagnosis (CI 0.81-1.00, p< 0.001). In the three scale applications, internal consistency (Cronbachs Alpha) of the 11 EFS items was T1 = 0.62, A1 = 0.62 and T2 = 0.54. Hence, it can be concluded that the EFS version adapted to Portuguese was valid and reliable in the study sample. Further research is suggested to check the scale sensitivity in elderly persons with acute diseases, which can interfere in frailty