Western Journal of Nursing Research

Despite substantial evidence of maternal and infant benefits of breastfeeding, adolescent mothers initiate breastfeeding less often and maintain breastfeeding for shorter durations when compared to their adult counterparts. A randomized controlled trial drawing on the theory of planned behavior and developmental theory was conducted to determine if an education and counseling intervention provided by a lactation consultant—peer counselor team increased breastfeeding initiation and duration up to 6 months postpartum among adolescent mothers. Study participants ( N = 289) enrolled from multiple prenatal clinic and school settings, were 15 to 18 years old, and predominately African American, single, and primiparous. The intervention, which started in the second trimester of pregnancy and extended through 4 weeks postpartum, positively influenced breastfeeding duration (p < .001) within the experimental group, but not breastfeeding initiation or exclusive breastfeeding rates. This education/support intervention was partially effective in enhancing breastfeeding outcomes. Implications for research and practice are described.

Nursing journal peer reviewers (N = 1,675) completed a 69-item online survey that assessed their views on manuscripts’ contributions to nursing, priorities in writing reviews, use of journal impact factor, and other areas related to indicators of quality. They reported using contribution to knowledge or research evidence, topic of current interest, and newly emerging area as indicators of a manuscript’s contribution to nursing. In writing their reviews, research rigor and clinical relevance of the manuscript were high priorities. Those familiar with the concept of impact factor were significantly more often not nurses; not United States residents; involved in research; and most often reviewed for journals that published only research or a scholarly mix of research, reviews, policy, and theory. When judging a paper’s contribution, nursing journal peer reviewers weigh both research and clinical interests. Most reviewers do not use impact factors and place clinical considerations ahead of impact factors.

The objective of this study was to evaluate patterns of change in depressive symptoms and function in ischemic stroke patients 0 to 3 months poststroke. Twenty-three newly diagnosed ischemic stroke patients were enrolled in a study with nonrandomized prospective longitudinal design to assess function and depressive symptoms on admission, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months poststroke in a tertiary care acute rehabilitation center in the Midwest. Participants’ mean age was (69 ± 11.9), Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE ≥ 23), and NIH Stroke Scale (M = 2.8, SD =±2.3), and thus cognitively intact. Results suggest that the dominant pattern emerging for function (Functional Independence Measure) and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) showed significant improvement relative to baseline at 2 weeks poststroke and reached a plateau thereafter. The results may suggest that as stroke survivors gain independence in accomplishing activities of daily living, their moods improve as well.

The aim of this study was to examine the role of cognitive appraisal in predicting psychosocial adjustment during the postradiation treatment transition. A predictive correlational design was used in a convenience sample of 80 patients with breast, lung, and prostate cancer who were receiving radiation therapy. Two weeks prior to completion of treatment, participants completed instruments to measure symptom distress, uncertainty, cognitive appraisal, social support, and self-efficacy for coping. The Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale was administered 1 month after therapy. Adjustment was significantly correlated with all independent variables, age, and comorbidity. Young age and high amounts of threat appraisal, harm/loss appraisal, uncertainty, and symptom distress were significantly associated with poor adjustment. The model predicted 52% of the variability in adjustment. Cognitive appraisal was not a significant explanatory variable for adjustment when controlling for uncertainty, cancer stage, age, and symptom distress. Symptom distress was the only significant predictor of adjustment.

Depression is increasing among Korean college students. Moreover, it is common for depressed individuals to consider attempting suicide. The purpose of this study therefore was to develop and examine the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce suicidal ideation and depression among female college students. Study participants were assigned to either an intervention (n = 27) or control (n = 31) group. The intervention group received a depression-reducing program in eight 1-hr weekly sessions. Measures of suicidal ideation and depression were administered. The program has effects on suicidal ideation and depression among female college students. The findings suggest that the study program may be useful in reducing suicidal ideation and depression among female college students.

Unexpected increases in the teen birth rates have stimulated a renewed focus on the prevention of teen pregnancy. Although many adults believe there are certain costs associated with teen parenting, the attitudes of teens toward the parenting experience are not known. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine teens’ thoughts on how their lives would change if they experienced a teen birth in the areas of relationships, vocation, and life impacts. The Thoughts on Teen Parenting Survey (TTPS), designed to measure demographic variables and perspectives on the costs and rewards of teen parenting, was administered to 695 high school students. The survey yielded a composite score, subscale scores, and aggregate data measuring teen thoughts on the consequences of the teen parenting experience. Findings may be used to identify teens at risk for pregnancy, develop interventions, and evaluate prevention strategies based on the insights of teens.

In the April 2011 issue of Western Journal of Nursing Research, the two grants on pp. 473 and 476 were labeled incorrectly. On p. 473, the Joanne Stevenson Dissertation Research Grant should have been named the Beverly McElmurry Dissertation Research Grant. On p. 476, the Beverly McElmurry Seed Grant should have been named the Joanne Stevenson Seed Grant.