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Objective: The aims of this paper were to report on the global psychosocial functioning of 5-year-old DHH children and examine the risk and protective factors that predict outcomes. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of data collected from a prospective, population-based longitudinal study. Study sample: Parents/caregivers of 356 children completed questionnaires on psychosocial development (CDI, SDQ), functional communication (PEACH) and demographic information. Children completed standardized assessments of non-verbal cognitive ability (WNV) and language (PLS-4). Results: On average, global psychosocial functioning was within the range of typically developing children; however, variability was high and 12% of children had scores that were more than 2 SDs below the norm. Non-verbal cognitive ability, presence of additional disabilities, language and functional communication significantly predicted outcomes. In contrast, type of hearing device, severity of hearing loss and age at intervention did not. Conclusion: The global psychosocial functioning of this cohort of 5-year-old DHH children fell within the range of typically developing children. The findings suggest that spoken language ability and functional communication skills are vital for healthy psychosocial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This paper describes the effects of a maternity consumer representative training program on participants' confidence to fulfil this role and engagement in representative activities. Methods. The present study was a descriptive, pre-post evaluation design with a 3-month follow-up. Fifty-eight people completed the program and 55 agreed to participate in the evaluation. Participants completed questionnaires to assess confidence to undertake consumer representative roles and reported on their engagement with consumer activities. Results. Participants' perceived confidence to function in the role of consumer representative differed significantly before and after the workshop (F(2,18) = 7.057, P < 0.001), as did confidence in decision making (F (2,16) = 7.615, P = 0.005), confidence in negotiating outcomes and liaising with key people (F(2,18) = 7.154, P = 0.005), and confidence in making use of relevant networks (F (2,18) = 4.319, P = 0.029). There was a decline in confidence at 3 months, with confidence at this time no longer significantly different from that at the time of recruitment. Engagement with consumer organisations increased by 45% compared with rates at commencement of the project. Conclusions. The program enhanced participants' confidence to fulfil a maternity consumer representative role but was not sustained. Further research is needed as to how to best support maternity consumer representatives and assess their contribution to promoting woman-centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

chaboyer w., ringdal m., aitken l. & kendall e. (2012) Self-care after traumatic injury and the use of the therapeutic self-care scale in trauma populations. Journal of Advanced Nursing 69(2), 286-294 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06005.x. Abstract Aims. To report a correlational study of the relationship between gender, age, severity of injury, length of hospital stay and self-care behaviour in patients with traumatic injuries. Background. This study may provide a foundation for targeted nursing intervention and education programmes to help patients better recover from their injury, which is a fundamental aspect of nursing. Design. A longitudinal cohort study. Method. This study of patients hospitalized for traumatic injury was conducted from May 2006-November 2007. The Therapeutic Self Care Scale along with demographic and clinical data, were completed at 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge. Using data from the 3-month survey, the validity and reliability of the scale was calculated. Multiple regression was used to identify predictors of self-care at 3 and 6 months. Finding. Participants ( n = 125) completed the questionnaire at 3 months and 103 participants completed it at 6 months. Self-care was high on both occasions and high self-care at 3 months was related to high self-care at 6 months. Older participants reported higher self-care at 3 months compared with younger patients. Factor analysis of the scale revealed three clear components; taking medication, recognition and managing symptoms and managing changes in health conditions, which explained a total of 59·8% of the variance. The 10-item revised scale was reliable. Conclusion. The findings indicate that self-care remains fairly high and stable in the first 6 months after trauma. The revised Therapeutic Self Care Scale was valid and reliable in the trauma population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]