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This article describes the family quality of life among families who are raising a young child with autism spectrum disorder. Survey research was conducted with 180 families of children with autism spectrum disorder who were receiving disability-related services in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The principle measure used was the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale to assess five subdomains: family interaction, parenting, emotional well-being, material/physical well-being, and disability-related support. Results indicated that families felt the most satisfied with disability-related support and the least satisfied with the family's emotional well-being. Family income, family type, and the severity level of autism were significantly associated with how satisfied families felt about their quality of life.

A central tenant of early childhood intervention (ECI) is collaboration between professionals and the caregivers of children receiving these services. There are limited studies on caregiver perceptions of collaboration in ECI teams particularly in resource-limited countries. Sixty-four caregivers participated in this study by completing a questionnaire on their perceptions of collaboration in ECI services in South Africa. The questionnaire survey was administered in a group setting by a trained research assistant who was proficient in the Setswana language. The results revealed that caregivers have a good understanding of collaboration in ECI services. However, collaboration, in relation to family-centered practices, appeared to be undervalued by caregivers. These results are discussed and the limitations of the study as well as future recommendations are outlined.

An editorial is presented on positionality in critical feminist scholarship. Topics include considerations and questions focused on positionality to enhance our work as a board and the work of researchers, authors, and reviewers; and positionalities across race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, immigration status, religion, class, age, ability.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between family routines, cognitive appraisal of the impact of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) on the family and family quality of life (FQOL) in families raising children with ASD in South Africa. Methods: A sample of 180 families of young children with ASD who were receiving disability-related services in the Gauteng province of South Africa completed a self-administered survey. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct relationship between the regularity of family routines and FQOL, and the mediating effect of cognitive appraisal on this relationship. Results: The results suggested a direct, positive relationship between the regularity of family routines and families' satisfaction with their FQOL. Furthermore, cognitive appraisal of the impact of ASD on the family mediated this relationship in a partial manner. Conclusion: A higher frequency of regular family routines was strongly associated with a higher satisfaction level of FQOL. Also, cognitive appraisal of the impact of ASD acted as a mechanism through which the regularity of family routines influenced FQOL. We discuss the research and clinical implications of these findings.

The quest to replace the natural heart with an artificial one as a permanent system is among the remaining holy grails in medicine and surgery. Beginning in 1969, when the first total artificial heart (TAH) was implanted into a human, to the present, several types have been developed—the AbioCor was among them. On November 5th, 2001, our team at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania placed the world's fifth AbioCor. Excerpts of that moment in time were recorded and serve as a memorial to the past and a testimony to the present and future quest of this elusive holy grail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: We evaluated the construct validity of the Genetics and Genomics Nursing Practice Survey by investigating the factoral structure, while attempting to account for varied response structures of the items. Methods: Exploratory factor analyses provided insights into item loadings. Confirmatory factor analyses and a version of common methods bias analyses evaluated construct validity while considering the instrument's structural limitations. Structural equation models provided information regarding model fit. Results: The 7-factor model fit these data slightly better (AIC ≈ 169,405; RMSEA =.052) than did the 5-factor model (AIC ≈ 183,599; RMSEA =.063). Neither the CFI or TLI met commonly-accepted thresholds for adequate model fits. Conclusion: The response format of the GGNPS created challenges in evaluating the instrument for construct validity. Nonetheless, these results support the theory-based construct validity of the GGNPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Competitive foods and beverages are available on most US school campuses. States and school districts are adopting nutrition standards to regulate these products, but few studies have reported on the extent to which schools are able to adhere to competitive regulations. The purpose of this study was to describe the extent to which schools in disadvantaged communities were able to implement California competitive food and beverage standards. Methods: Data on the competitive foods (n = 1019) and beverages (n = 572) offered for sale on 19 school campuses were collected in 2005 and 2008. Descriptive statistics were generated on overall adherence rates to school nutrition standards and adherence rates by venue and school level. Logistic regression models tested predictors of adherence by continuous and categorical variables (eg, venue, item selling price). Results: Data show an increase from 2005 to 2008 in average adherence to the California standards. Several predictors had statistically significant associations with adherence or nonadherence. Adherence was higher for competitive foods sold in school stores than foods sold in vending machines. Higher selling price was associated with lower adherence. Competitive foods classified as entrees were more likely to adhere than snack items, and larger total size (in fluid ounces) beverages were associated with higher adherence. Conclusions: Schools have begun to implement competitive food and beverage policies. However, school environments, particularly in secondary schools, are not 100% compliant with school nutrition standards. These findings can inform policymakers and school officials about the feasibility of implementing competitive food standards in schools. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)

Context: Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) play a significant role in providing health services for rural residents across the United States. Purpose: The overall goal of this study was to identify the CAHs that have collaborations with CHCs, as well as to recognize the content of the collaborations and the barriers and facilitators to collaborations. Methods: The target population was CAHs within 60 miles of CHCs. Surveys were mailed to 386 chief executive officers of CAHs in 41 states who met the study criteria. The response rate was 40.9%. A descriptive analysis using chi-square tests compared the status of partnerships along with factors identified as barriers and facilitators to collaboration. Findings: Out of the 161 CAH respondents, 24 (14.9%) reported having a collaborative agreement with a CHC, and 2 indicated that they planned to develop a collaborative agreement. A common reason given for not collaborating was lack of awareness of a CHC within the service area. Other barriers identified were competition with CHCs and organizational differences. External funding to start a collaborating service was the most frequently cited factor to facilitate collaborations. Conclusions: The findings indicate that collaborations between CAHs and CHCs are a largely untapped resource. The rural health care services continuum may benefit from increased collaborations.