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There is a need for intervention studies to address mental health issues with Indigenous youth. The purpose of this work is to: 1) consider calming approaches introduced by Native-American adolescents who described in writing how they manage day-to-day stress; and 2) identify culturally relevant constructs (elements and principles) for development of mental health promotion interventions for use with Indigenous youth. Central ideas shared by Native-American adolescents were merged with existing literature to identify essential elements and guiding principles for intervention development. Three essential elements (talking circles; mindfulness practice; tailored educational content) with associated guiding principles are recommended for intervention development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the feasibility of using a 2-weekend Brief Culturally Tailored Thai Mindfulness intervention (BCTTMi) to affect stress, anxiety, and mindfulness in Thai parents of children with developmental disabilities (DDs), based on eight feasibility study criteria. A BCTTMi was implemented with 22 Thai parents and caregivers of children with DDs with an experimental waitlist control crossover design. All participants were Thai and Buddhist; more than half had practiced meditation. The outcomes (stress, anxiety, mindfulness) were assessed with three Thai translated questionnaires, which had reported acceptable reliabilities. To address the feasibility criteria, data were gathered using virtual engagement, diary recordings, and a pre-, post-test trial. Assessment of the eight qualities of feasibility indicated: 1) acceptability: the BCTTMi appealed to the participants; 2) demand: the participants practiced mindfulness at home; 3) implementation: the mindfulness practitioner was qualified; 4) practicality: anxiety was the only outcome measure sensitive to the BCTTMi (p =.005); 5) adaptation: there was no attrition with the shortened mindfulness intervention; 6) integration: the BCTTMi may be included as part of the participants' routine club meeting; 7) expansion: a home visit and booster sessions may add strength; 8) limited efficacy: future work with 50 participants will allow adequate power when anxiety is the outcome. Further studies testing the BCTTMi are warranted in broader populations and across varied settings. However, it will be important to do preliminary work to identify outcomes measures, other than anxiety, that are sensitive to the BCTTMi. • Caregiver of children with DDs often suffer from psychological distress. • A 2-weekend Brief Culturally Tailored Thai Mindfulness intervention (BCTTMi) is a useful intervention for parental anxiety. • The shortened length of the mindfulness intervention can make mindfulness more accessible and cost-time effective. • The feasibility criteria proposed by Bowen and colleagues (2009) has guided thoughtful evaluation of testing of the BCTTMi. • It affirms the importance of conducting feasibility work to refine future study design to support the mental health needs of caregivers for children with a broader range of chronic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mixed methods approach purposefully combines both quantitative and qualitative techniques, enabling a multi-faceted understanding of nursing phenomena. The purpose of this article is to introduce three mixed methods designs (parallel; sequential; conversion) and highlight interpretive processes that occur with the synthesis of qualitative and quantitative findings. Real world examples of research studies conducted by the authors will demonstrate the processes leading to the merger of data. The examples include: research questions; data collection procedures and analysis with a focus on synthesizing findings. Based on experience with mixed methods studied, the authors introduce two synthesis patterns (complementary; contrasting), considering application for practice and implications for research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This field report describes a community-based project that incorporates game playing to enhance an existing mindfulness-based stress reduction approach for children. The first phase of the project involved content analysis of children's diary recordings their experiences of participating in a mindfulness intervention. In the second phase, focus groups conducted with a group of these children guided the development of a game-playing script that could be used in delivery of a mindfulness program. Significant lessons are offered regarding incorporating game-playing into a mindfulness program that recognizes the voices of children and respects and values their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the implications of the disagreement behavior among older people with dementia in day rehabilitation in Japan. The study focuses on the idea that these people express disagreement behavior when they perceive uncontrollable stimuli and when these stimuli make them anxious. This was conducted to identify the relationship of dementia to aggressive and agitated behaviors. The embodied language was used to identify behavioral messages.

Abstract: This study examined the blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect of adding story-centered care (i.e., carefully attending to another''s narrative) to standard lifestyle intervention (i.e., exercise training and nutrition counseling) for people with Stage 1 hypertension. The subjects (N = 24), who were university and hospital employees, were unmedicated and received standard lifestyle intervention; half were randomly assigned to story-centered care. Their 24-hour BP was measured four times at 8-week intervals, twice before and twice after the intervention. Subjects who received story-centered care had greater decreases (p < .05) in awake systolic BP over the 6-month study period. Neither systolic nor diastolic sleep BP was significantly affected. Story-centered care showed promise for contributing to the BP-lowering effect of lifestyle intervention. Approaches for integrating story-centered care into the treatment of people with hypertension are challenging but warrant further attention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Stories are a fundamental dimension of human experience and nursing practice. Story theory describes a narrative happening that occurs through intentional nurse-person dialogue. Seven inquiry phases are associated with story theory, including gathering the story, reconstructing the story, connecting it to the literature, naming the complicating health challenge, describing the story plot, identifying movement toward resolving, and gathering additional stories. This article describes the use of story theory to advance nursing practice scholarship in both academic and everyday nursing practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a qualitative research method that weds the cyberspace technology of e-mail with a phenomenological research approach. Examples are provided from 2 separate data sets. One data set explored the meaning of health for Japanese elders; the second explored Chinese nurses' experience of taking care of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome. Lessons learned while using the cyberspace method are discussed, including guidance for organizing a long-distance research team, the central place of trust, and the time when e-mail communication demands to be supplemented with face-to-face interaction. The potential for bridging distance and culture with this cyberspace method is introduced for consideration and critique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nurses are often interested in measuring outcomes like calmness or ease. • Ease is usually measured in the context of stress with low scores assumed to be a measure of ease. • There is not a self-report measure of ease but such a measure could be useful to nurse researchers. • Content validity assessment and beginning reliability are reported for a 20-item measure of ease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foundation of middle range theory reported during the past decade was described and analyzed. A CINAHL search revealed 22 middle range theories that met selected criteria. This foundation is a firm base for new millennium theorizing. Recommendations for future theorizing include: clear articulation of theory names and approaches for generating theories; clarification of concept linkages with inclusion of diagrammed models; deliberate attention to research-practice connections of theories; creation of theories in concert with the disciplinary perspective; and, movement of middle range theories to the front lines of nursing research and practice for further analysis, critique, and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary purpose of this analysis was to learn how therapeutic community (TC) residents describe Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) delivered as part of their substance use recovery experience. A secondary purpose was to develop focus group questions guided by TC residents'' descriptions. Two researchers independently analyzed 38 written stories about stress in the TC. The researchers used conventional content analysis; independent analysis was followed by consensus dialogue to identify key words and code definitions. Three themes emerged from the content analysis: utility, portability, and sustainability. Participants talked about MBSR as a tool which helped them “manage” their recovery, noting that they used MBSR techniques in the TC and off-site. They believed they could use MBSR even after exiting the TC. Three focus group questions were formulated, one for each theme. Content analysis of stories of stress provided substantive guidance for formulating focus group questions which incorporated the voice of participants through familiar terms and friendly language. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This preliminary study aimed to describe approaches used to resolve the health challenge of abrupt widowhood when one's spouse was killed in the socio-political conflict areas in South Thailand. A story theory was used to guide content analysis from an interview of a middle-aged Muslim widow. Four main approaches were identified including accepting support from close friends and family, connecting with her Muslim faith, holding on to concern for her children's well-being, and reaching out to other widows. The findings could be used to guide an appropriate intervention for improving mental health outcomes for Thai widows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an abstract of the paper "Approaches for Practicing the Art of Story-Gathering," by Patricia Liehr, to be presented at the 27th Conference of the International Association for Human Caring on June 15-18, 2005 at Lake Tahoe, California. Goals of the paper; Description of story-gathering approaches; Information on two case examples; Relevance of the art of story-gathering to nursing practice.