The purpose of this study is to test a theory-based intervention program to reverse excess disability of nursing homes elders in Taiwan. The program called the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Enhancement Program (SCSEEP) was derived from Social Cognitive Theory and Theory of Conformity with Nature. The program was tested by an experimental, two-group, pre-post design with forty-two qualified subjects, recruited from the two nursing homes located in the southern Taiwan. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: the experimental group (n = 21) and the comparison group (n = 21). Subjects in the experimental group, who were aged from 73.8 to 94.7, received the SCSEEP. Subjects in the comparison group, who were aged from 71.2 to 95.6, received six-week social visits. Statistical data analysis showed that the following pair-variables were positively correlated: 1) life satisfaction and self-esteem, 2) life satisfaction and motivation, 3) self-esteem and motivation in health behavior, 4) self-esteem and levels of BADL performance, and 5) motivation in health behavior and levels of BADL performance. It also was found that elders receiving the SCSEEP significantly improved in most self-care abilities, after controlling for baseline BADL performance. However, the SCSEEP did not significantly affect elders' life satisfaction, self-esteem, and motivation in health behavior. This study provides a theory-based caring model for Chinese nursing home elders in improving their BADL performance if SCSEEP is provided.

This doctoral portfolio presents two separate but related research study reports on ‘self-care practices of adults with poorly controlled diabetes in Malaysia’. It is comprised of five sections. Section one which is the introduction begins with a general discussion on diabetes mellitus (henceforth referred to as diabetes), a common, growing, serious and costly health problem. The importance of self-care in the management of diabetes and its many disabling long-term complications are emphasised. This is followed by a specific discussion of diabetes in Malaysia - its prevalence, the quality of care, cost and the need for research to uncover new information to improve the care provided to Malaysians with diabetes. Section two is the report on the first research study that investigates the four cornerstones of diabetes self-care practices, namely: dietary intakes, medication adherence, physical activity and self-monitoring of blood glucose in Malaysian adults with poorly controlled diabetes. It also explores the factors that influence these self-care practices. Section three is the report on the second research study that assessed the efficacy of an out-patient diabetes educational program based on a self-efficacy theoretical approach to improve firstly, self-care practices and secondly, clinical outcomes of adults with poorly controlled diabetes in Malaysia. It also identified some of the factors that facilitate or impede such a programme in the Malaysian context. Section four integrates the findings of the two related research studies - the first defining the problem and the second providing possible solutions in the Malaysian context. It points out limited diabetes knowledge on self-care can compromise or create problems regarding self-care practices for Malaysians with poor glycaemic control. It also identifies possible areas of research that can uncover new knowledge that may improve the quality of diabetes care and enhance the quality of life of Malaysian with diabetes. Section five includes publication originating from this work. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1374559 / Thesis (D.Nurs.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009

This doctoral portfolio presents two separate but related research study reports on ‘self-care practices of adults with poorly controlled diabetes in Malaysia’. It is comprised of five sections. Section one which is the introduction begins with a general discussion on diabetes mellitus (henceforth referred to as diabetes), a common, growing, serious and costly health problem. The importance of self-care in the management of diabetes and its many disabling long-term complications are emphasised. This is followed by a specific discussion of diabetes in Malaysia - its prevalence, the quality of care, cost and the need for research to uncover new information to improve the care provided to Malaysians with diabetes. Section two is the report on the first research study that investigates the four cornerstones of diabetes self-care practices, namely: dietary intakes, medication adherence, physical activity and self-monitoring of blood glucose in Malaysian adults with poorly controlled diabetes. It also explores the factors that influence these self-care practices. Section three is the report on the second research study that assessed the efficacy of an out-patient diabetes educational program based on a self-efficacy theoretical approach to improve firstly, self-care practices and secondly, clinical outcomes of adults with poorly controlled diabetes in Malaysia. It also identified some of the factors that facilitate or impede such a programme in the Malaysian context. Section four integrates the findings of the two related research studies - the first defining the problem and the second providing possible solutions in the Malaysian context. It points out limited diabetes knowledge on self-care can compromise or create problems regarding self-care practices for Malaysians with poor glycaemic control. It also identifies possible areas of research that can uncover new knowledge that may improve the quality of diabetes care and enhance the quality of life of Malaysian with diabetes. Section five includes publication originating from this work. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1374559 / Thesis (D.Nurs.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009

Thesis (Ph.D. in Nursing) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-65). Free to UCD affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;