The development and construct validation of a 12‐item career entrenchment measure is reported. Taking a theory‐driven approach, three dimensions comprising career entrenchment were defined: a career investments dimension reflecting accumulated investments in one's career success that would be lost or deemed worthless if one were to pursue a new career, an emotional costs dimension assessing the anticipated emotional costs associated with pursuing a new career, and a limitedness of career alternatives dimension gauging the perceived lack of available options for pursuing a new career. Using a combination of methodological procedures, these three dimensions were investigated in two pilot studies and a field test. Results support the intended measure's reliability and validity. Implications for individuals and their careers are discussed.
Families caring for loved ones with dementia encounter multiple challenges.This study aimed to describe experiences of families seeking diagnosis and subsequent care and treatment for relatives with dementia. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, 14 family caregivers living in diverse areas of Kansas were interviewed regarding their experiences with dementia diagnosis and treatment. Initially uncertain about symptom interpretation, caregivers encountered marked delays in getting a diagnosis once they sought medical care. The diagnostic process often took several years and visits to numerous physicians, required considerable diligence, and ultimately resulted in feelings of mistrust toward the medical community. Caregivers described the physical and emotional strain of providing care, although support groups facilitated access to some educational and community resources. Nurses are in an opportune position to educate families about dementia and caregiving and to ease the considerable challenges they face by providing more active support during the diagnosis and care process.The population structure in the United States is shifting to include a greater percentage of older adults than ever before.
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.