Research has shown that perceptions of control influence health-related behavior and outcomes. This study explored the influence of the control constructs in the context of the theory of cognitive adaptation to the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among 551 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Portland, Oregon. The majority of these women had high perceptions of cancer control and used one or more types of CAM therapy. Multinomial logistical regression indicated that higher perceptions of control over the course and cause of cancer significantly predicted CAM use. The model combining sociodemographic variables (age, education and type of health insurance) and control variables explained more variation (R(2)=0.23) in predicting CAM use than the model with only sociodemographic variables (R(2)=0.14), indicating that perceptions of control over the cause and the course of cancer had an independent significant influence. It was concluded that the assessment of control constructs from the theory of cognitive adaptation is useful for studying CAM use among women diagnosed with breast cancer and that understanding the meanings that lie behind the decisions to use these therapies are essential for health care providers who are promoting the health and well-being of their patients.
Little is known about the portrayal of asthma in US newspapers. The purpose of the present study was to analyze 7 representative US newspapers to determine the frequency of substantive asthma articles and the occurrence of stigma, challenge, fear, and management frames within the articles. The authors conducted a content analysis of 203 in-depth asthma articles from 2 years in 7 US newspapers and developed a coding instrument to identify framing cues of stigma versus challenge and fear versus management. Research results supported the need for an increase in substantive print news articles about asthma. Fear cues were present in 43% of the articles reviewed, although the majority of them (88%) contained a management solution message. Only 41% of articles contained a positive challenge cue. More than onefourth (28%) contained a stigma cue. Overall, the majority of the articles had a neutral or positive tone, but almost 2 of 10 articles had a negative tone. Recommendations and implications for asthma educators are discussed.
Infants who start receiving immunizations on time are more likely to be up to date at age 2 years. Among 39708 infants aged 3 months covered by the Oregon Health Plan (expanded Medicaid), those who did not have health care coverage within the first month of life were less likely to start receiving immunizations on time. Also at risk were infants in foster care, in subadoptive care, who were blind or disabled, who were Native American or Black, or whose mothers were not covered by the Oregon Health Plan.
Perceptions of control after a cancer diagnosis may have psychological and physical health significance. The control constructs are critical components of the theory of cognitive adaptation. The Cancer Locus of Control scale reflected these theoretical components and was administered to 543 women with a history of breast cancer. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess the measurement factor structure of the Cancer Locus of Control. The results supported a three-factor model of the Cancer Locus of Control scale. Mean scores of beliefs in all three dimensions indicated generally high confidence in cancer control. It was concluded that use of this Cancer Locus of Control scale can provide adequate assessment of the three distinct control dimensions.
Background:The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the perceptions and attitudes about teen pregnancy among high school students in a rural area with high teen pregnancy rates. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted with: (1) females in 9th-10th grades; (2) females in 11th-12th grades; (3) males in 9th-10th grades; (4) males in 11th-12th grades; and (5) pregnant/parenting females in 9th-12th grades. Results: Common themes among the students were that: (1) the number of teen pregnancies was increasing and was a growing concern; (2) financial difficulties and harm to education were associated with teen pregnancies; (3) teen females had many reasons for wanting a baby, but teen males just wanted to have sex; and (4) pregnancy happened by chance, or was simply an inadvertent consequence of having sex. Conclusions: To reduce teen pregnancy, the developmental asset model offers community members, teachers and parents guidelines to work together to develop key assets in youth that may protect against risky sexual behaviours.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.