Search

Search Results

• 1. [Article] The stress process model and physical health outcomes of parent versus adult child caregivers

  As the baby boomer generation ages, and as advanced medical techniques keep people alive longer, the need for family caregivers will grow. Researchers have determined that the health of family caregivers ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The stress process model and physical health outcomes of parent versus adult child caregivers Author: Ourada, Verna E. Zehner As the baby boomer generation ages, and as advanced medical techniques keep people alive longer, the need for family caregivers will grow. Researchers have determined that the health of family caregivers is generally poorer that noncaregivers. Also, the type of family relationship has been determined to influence health outcomes. This study examined how caregiving parents and caregiving adult children compared with regard to caregiving variables and health outcomes. Social support was then assessed to determine if a mediating effect existed between the predictors and health outcomes. Using data from the MIDUS II survey, the health outcomes of self-identified caregiving parents and caregiving adult children was studied in light of the predictor variables of type of relationship, provision of activities of daily living, length of time caregiving, and family demands. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relation between the predictors and health outcomes. Mediation tests were administered to assess if social support mediated between the significant predictors and health outcomes. The type of family relationship influenced health outcomes with caregiving parents demonstrating poorer health than caregiving adult children. Caregiving parents had lower self-rated health and higher numbers of chronic conditions than caregiving adult children. Perceived family demands were associated with increased number of chronic conditions for both caregiving adult children and caregiving parents. No significant influence was found between provision of activities of daily living or length of time caregiving with health outcomes. Similarly, no mediation effect of social support was found between the significant predictor variables and health outcomes. Using the stress process model, this study examined caregiving predictor variables and health outcomes for caregiving parents and caregiving adult children. Caregiving parents were found to demonstrate poorer self-rated health and more chronic health conditions that caregiving adult children. Unlike many previous studies, perceived family demands was found to have a strong association with the number of chronic health conditions for both groups of caregivers. Title: The stress process model and physical health outcomes of parent versus adult child caregivers Author: Ourada, Verna E. Zehner As the baby boomer generation ages, and as advanced medical techniques keep people alive longer, the need for family caregivers will grow. Researchers have determined that the health of family caregivers is generally poorer that noncaregivers. Also, the type of family relationship has been determined to influence health outcomes. This study examined how caregiving parents and caregiving adult children compared with regard to caregiving variables and health outcomes. Social support was then assessed to determine if a mediating effect existed between the predictors and health outcomes. Using data from the MIDUS II survey, the health outcomes of self-identified caregiving parents and caregiving adult children was studied in light of the predictor variables of type of relationship, provision of activities of daily living, length of time caregiving, and family demands. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relation between the predictors and health outcomes. Mediation tests were administered to assess if social support mediated between the significant predictors and health outcomes. The type of family relationship influenced health outcomes with caregiving parents demonstrating poorer health than caregiving adult children. Caregiving parents had lower self-rated health and higher numbers of chronic conditions than caregiving adult children. Perceived family demands were associated with increased number of chronic conditions for both caregiving adult children and caregiving parents. No significant influence was found between provision of activities of daily living or length of time caregiving with health outcomes. Similarly, no mediation effect of social support was found between the significant predictor variables and health outcomes. Using the stress process model, this study examined caregiving predictor variables and health outcomes for caregiving parents and caregiving adult children. Caregiving parents were found to demonstrate poorer self-rated health and more chronic health conditions that caregiving adult children. Unlike many previous studies, perceived family demands was found to have a strong association with the number of chronic health conditions for both groups of caregivers. Close

• 2. [Article] Social and Emotional Learning School Improvement Goal

  Peer-reviewed educational research has consistently demonstrated that a positive school climate is associated with academic achievement, effective risk prevention efforts and positive youth development. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Social and Emotional Learning School Improvement Goal Author: Simmons, Jeff Year: 2010, 2009 Peer-reviewed educational research has consistently demonstrated that a positive school climate is associated with academic achievement, effective risk prevention efforts and positive youth development. The goal of this plan to encourage all students as engaged and active learners who are self-aware, caring, respectful, connected to others, responsible decision makers, and academic achievers. Educators, students, families, and community members work together to support the healthy development of all students. Title: Social and Emotional Learning School Improvement Goal Author: Simmons, Jeff Year: 2010, 2009 Peer-reviewed educational research has consistently demonstrated that a positive school climate is associated with academic achievement, effective risk prevention efforts and positive youth development. The goal of this plan to encourage all students as engaged and active learners who are self-aware, caring, respectful, connected to others, responsible decision makers, and academic achievers. Educators, students, families, and community members work together to support the healthy development of all students. Close

• 3. [Article] Physician Care Patterns and Adherence to Postpartum Glucose Testing after Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Oregon

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Public Library of Science and can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/home.action.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Physician Care Patterns and Adherence to Postpartum Glucose Testing after Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Oregon Author: Hunsberger, Monica L., Lindsay, Karen, Rosenberg, Kenneth D., Donatelle, Rebecca J. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Public Library of Science and can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/home.action. Title: Physician Care Patterns and Adherence to Postpartum Glucose Testing after Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Oregon Author: Hunsberger, Monica L., Lindsay, Karen, Rosenberg, Kenneth D., Donatelle, Rebecca J. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Public Library of Science and can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/home.action. Close

• 4. [Article] Agriculture, Diet, and Empowerment: Understanding the Role of Community Gardens in Improving the Health of Oregon's Urban Latino Community

  Across the United States, organic gardens are being used to improve community development and develop civic agriculture programs for minority populations, including Latinos. Huerto de la Familia (Family ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Agriculture, Diet, and Empowerment: Understanding the Role of Community Gardens in Improving the Health of Oregon's Urban Latino Community Author: Dezendorf, Caroline Year: 2013 Across the United States, organic gardens are being used to improve community development and develop civic agriculture programs for minority populations, including Latinos. Huerto de la Familia (Family Garden), a community agriculture organization based in Eugene, Oregon, aims to improve the food security and well-being of urban Latino immigrants. This study asks the question: how effective is the organization's Organic Gardening program at improving the mental, physical, and nutritional health of urban Latinos? I analyze how participation in the community gardening program empowers the families involved and provides them access to fresh and culturally appropriate foods. Through active participatory research, semi-structured interviews, and the use of photo journals and receipt collections, this study finds that Huerto de la Familia is beneficial in terms of food justice and improving community integration. Title: Agriculture, Diet, and Empowerment: Understanding the Role of Community Gardens in Improving the Health of Oregon's Urban Latino Community Author: Dezendorf, Caroline Year: 2013 Across the United States, organic gardens are being used to improve community development and develop civic agriculture programs for minority populations, including Latinos. Huerto de la Familia (Family Garden), a community agriculture organization based in Eugene, Oregon, aims to improve the food security and well-being of urban Latino immigrants. This study asks the question: how effective is the organization's Organic Gardening program at improving the mental, physical, and nutritional health of urban Latinos? I analyze how participation in the community gardening program empowers the families involved and provides them access to fresh and culturally appropriate foods. Through active participatory research, semi-structured interviews, and the use of photo journals and receipt collections, this study finds that Huerto de la Familia is beneficial in terms of food justice and improving community integration. Close

• 5. [Article] Aging and Disability Resource Connection: Market Testing with Focus Groups

  133 pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Aging and Disability Resource Connection: Market Testing with Focus Groups Author: West, Amanda, Steiner, Bethany, Patricolo, Francesca, Parcell, Serena Year: 2012 133 pages Title: Aging and Disability Resource Connection: Market Testing with Focus Groups Author: West, Amanda, Steiner, Bethany, Patricolo, Francesca, Parcell, Serena Year: 2012 133 pages Close

• 6. [Article] The impact of social networks on mortality, disease incidence, and disease progression

  Several recent longitudinal studies of large community populations have revealed that people with more extensive network resources live longer. However, it is not known whether this occurs because social ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The impact of social networks on mortality, disease incidence, and disease progression Author: Maxwell, Mary Bahner Year: 1985 Several recent longitudinal studies of large community populations have revealed that people with more extensive network resources live longer. However, it is not known whether this occurs because social ties prevent disease or retard its progression once it occurs. The purpose of this research was to: (1) determine the relationship between social network indicators and mortality in an urban sample; (2) extend that knowledge by addressing the relationship between networks and disease incidence and disease progression; (3) delineate which specific network sectors were the strongest predictors of the health related outcomes. This was uniquely possible because measures of the three dependent variables were available within the same data set at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. The research design was longitudinal, based on survey data. The conceptual framework posited that social support delivered via social networks modifies disease states. The setting was the Northwest Region, Kaiser Permanente Health Care Plan, an HMO serving the Portland/Vancouver SMSA. The sample included 2603 adults who participated in a 1970 household interview survey. Their health service utilization data from 1967-73 has been computerized and linked with the survey information. As of 1982, 376 have died. To measure the independent variables, four summary social network indexes (scope, size, frequency of contact, and interaction) were prepared according to a network model based upon the survey questions available, network theory, and prior research. Indexes representing nine relationship domains were constructed. Control variables included age, sex, SES, health status indicators, and health behaviors. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess hypothesis 1 and ordinary regression was used to assess hypotheses 2 and 3. Each of the four summary network measures was a statistically significant predictor of 12 year mortality. Network scope was the strongest predictor. Marital, family, and kin relationships were not predictive of death. Extended ties of close friends, other friends, work associates, and social leisure activities were significant predictors. No relationship was found between network scope, disease incidence, or disease progression, so it is still unclear how social connections act to decrease mortality. Title: The impact of social networks on mortality, disease incidence, and disease progression Author: Maxwell, Mary Bahner Year: 1985 Several recent longitudinal studies of large community populations have revealed that people with more extensive network resources live longer. However, it is not known whether this occurs because social ties prevent disease or retard its progression once it occurs. The purpose of this research was to: (1) determine the relationship between social network indicators and mortality in an urban sample; (2) extend that knowledge by addressing the relationship between networks and disease incidence and disease progression; (3) delineate which specific network sectors were the strongest predictors of the health related outcomes. This was uniquely possible because measures of the three dependent variables were available within the same data set at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. The research design was longitudinal, based on survey data. The conceptual framework posited that social support delivered via social networks modifies disease states. The setting was the Northwest Region, Kaiser Permanente Health Care Plan, an HMO serving the Portland/Vancouver SMSA. The sample included 2603 adults who participated in a 1970 household interview survey. Their health service utilization data from 1967-73 has been computerized and linked with the survey information. As of 1982, 376 have died. To measure the independent variables, four summary social network indexes (scope, size, frequency of contact, and interaction) were prepared according to a network model based upon the survey questions available, network theory, and prior research. Indexes representing nine relationship domains were constructed. Control variables included age, sex, SES, health status indicators, and health behaviors. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess hypothesis 1 and ordinary regression was used to assess hypotheses 2 and 3. Each of the four summary network measures was a statistically significant predictor of 12 year mortality. Network scope was the strongest predictor. Marital, family, and kin relationships were not predictive of death. Extended ties of close friends, other friends, work associates, and social leisure activities were significant predictors. No relationship was found between network scope, disease incidence, or disease progression, so it is still unclear how social connections act to decrease mortality. Close

• 7. [Article] Composition of flavonoid phenolic polymers isolated from red wine during maceration and significance of flavan-3-ols in foods pertaining to biological activity

  Representing the most common flavonoid consumed in the American diet, the flavanols and their polymeric condensation products, the proanthocyanidins, are regarded as functional ingredients in various beverages, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Composition of flavonoid phenolic polymers isolated from red wine during maceration and significance of flavan-3-ols in foods pertaining to biological activity Author: Aron, Patricia M. Representing the most common flavonoid consumed in the American diet, the flavanols and their polymeric condensation products, the proanthocyanidins, are regarded as functional ingredients in various beverages, whole and processed foods, herbal remedies and supplements. Their presence in food affects food quality parameters including astringency, bitterness, sourness, sweetness, salivary viscosity, aroma, and color formation. The ability of flavonoids to aid food functionality has also been established in terms of microbial stability, foamability, oxidative stability, and heat stability. Phenolic polymer material of the flavonoid family is of considerable interest in the study of red wine, as phenolic quantity and structure can significantly affect wine quality. Although a considerable amount of the phenolic polymer material extracted into red wine during fermentation can be accounted for and characterized as known compounds, a substantial portion of the material remains uncharacterized. During this investigation phenolic polymer material extracted during commercial red wine fermentations (Vitis vinifera L.cv Pinot noir) was isolated and analyzed in order to characterize its chemical composition. Phenolic polymer isolates were prepared from samples taken throughout fermentation and isolated by adsorption chromatography. Isolates were subjected to phloroglucinolysis to analyze proanthocyanidin amount as well as subunit composition. Investigation results revealed that known proanthocyanidin content of individual phenolic polymer isolates varied from 27 to 54%. Subsequent analyses were performed in order to quantify material other than known proanthocyanidin subunits. Results of all experiments accounted for up to 82% of the phenolic polymer isolates by mass. Phenolic polymers such as the proanthocyanidins have also become the interest of several investigations due to their potential to provide a variety of health beneficial effects by acting as antioxidant, anticarcinogen, cardiopreventive, antimicrobial, anti-viral, and neuro-protective agents. Such health beneficial effects have been correlated to proanthocyanidin structure-related functionality that allows them to behave as signaling molecules at the molecular level. Consumption of proanthocyanidin rich foods has also reportedly been linked to health detrimental effects including the activation of procarcinogens, reactive oxygen species formation (pro-oxidant activity), hemorrhage formation, hepatotoxicity initiation, pharmacokinetics of therapeutic drug alteration, estrogenic tumor formation, mutagenicity, plasma biochemistry modification, gastroenteritis instigation, antinutritive activity and weight loss. Title: Composition of flavonoid phenolic polymers isolated from red wine during maceration and significance of flavan-3-ols in foods pertaining to biological activity Author: Aron, Patricia M. Representing the most common flavonoid consumed in the American diet, the flavanols and their polymeric condensation products, the proanthocyanidins, are regarded as functional ingredients in various beverages, whole and processed foods, herbal remedies and supplements. Their presence in food affects food quality parameters including astringency, bitterness, sourness, sweetness, salivary viscosity, aroma, and color formation. The ability of flavonoids to aid food functionality has also been established in terms of microbial stability, foamability, oxidative stability, and heat stability. Phenolic polymer material of the flavonoid family is of considerable interest in the study of red wine, as phenolic quantity and structure can significantly affect wine quality. Although a considerable amount of the phenolic polymer material extracted into red wine during fermentation can be accounted for and characterized as known compounds, a substantial portion of the material remains uncharacterized. During this investigation phenolic polymer material extracted during commercial red wine fermentations (Vitis vinifera L.cv Pinot noir) was isolated and analyzed in order to characterize its chemical composition. Phenolic polymer isolates were prepared from samples taken throughout fermentation and isolated by adsorption chromatography. Isolates were subjected to phloroglucinolysis to analyze proanthocyanidin amount as well as subunit composition. Investigation results revealed that known proanthocyanidin content of individual phenolic polymer isolates varied from 27 to 54%. Subsequent analyses were performed in order to quantify material other than known proanthocyanidin subunits. Results of all experiments accounted for up to 82% of the phenolic polymer isolates by mass. Phenolic polymers such as the proanthocyanidins have also become the interest of several investigations due to their potential to provide a variety of health beneficial effects by acting as antioxidant, anticarcinogen, cardiopreventive, antimicrobial, anti-viral, and neuro-protective agents. Such health beneficial effects have been correlated to proanthocyanidin structure-related functionality that allows them to behave as signaling molecules at the molecular level. Consumption of proanthocyanidin rich foods has also reportedly been linked to health detrimental effects including the activation of procarcinogens, reactive oxygen species formation (pro-oxidant activity), hemorrhage formation, hepatotoxicity initiation, pharmacokinetics of therapeutic drug alteration, estrogenic tumor formation, mutagenicity, plasma biochemistry modification, gastroenteritis instigation, antinutritive activity and weight loss. Close

• 8. [Article] Does Disability Severity Matter? The Daily Lives of Parent Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disabilities

  Individuals with disabilities and their parents, even within specific disability diagnoses, have diverse life experiences and trajectories. The current study focuses on parents of individuals with developmental ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Does Disability Severity Matter? The Daily Lives of Parent Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disabilities Author: Fenn, Meghann L. Individuals with disabilities and their parents, even within specific disability diagnoses, have diverse life experiences and trajectories. The current study focuses on parents of individuals with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities (DD) are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions evident at birth or acquired during childhood that affect major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living; and include conditions such as Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, and general developmental delays. This study builds on previous literature concerning stress, caregiving, and disability by examining the daily lives, experiences, and wellbeing of parents of children with DD. The majority of health and wellbeing research being done in this area focuses on overall or global wellbeing. Comparatively little research has examined the daily lives, experiences, and wellbeing of these parents, who exist within extremely fluid contexts that change daily. Furthermore, this study also aims to build on previous research by considering the severity of the child’s disability, in order to further contextualize and understand the complex levels of influence within these parents’ daily lives. Using data from the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), the daily diary project of the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), this study examined these topics further by answering three specific research questions; First, to what extent does the association between daily stressors and same-day positive and negative affect differ for parents of children with and without DD? Second, to what extent does the association between daily positive events and same-day positive and negative affect differ for parents of children with and without DD? And lastly, are these associations further moderated by the severity of the child’s disability? A total of 82 participants (Mean Age = 57.4; 59% female, 96% non-Hispanic White, 79% married, Mean Education = 14 years) were identified as parents of children with DD. A sample of 82 individuals who were parents of typically developing children were identified and matched as a comparison group based on: parent gender, parent age, number of children in the household, child age, whether the target child lives with the parent, parent marital status, and parent educational attainment. Participants completed 8 nightly telephone interviews, which included assessments of their daily stressors and positive events, as well as positive and negative affect. Results from the current study found that the daily lives of individuals with disabilities and their parents are diverse and complex. Compared to their matched counterparts, parents of children with DD experienced significantly greater increases in negative affect associated with the experience of daily stressors. In contract, parents of children with DD exhibited comparable increases in daily positive affect associated with the daily positive experiences. With respect to severity of disability, the longevity of the child’s disability diagnosis, the number of comorbid disability diagnoses, and the number of comorbid mental health diagnoses, did selectively moderate daily experience-wellbeing associations, but not in a symmetric fashion across indicators. Taken together, the daily experiences and daily wellbeing of parents caring for a child with a disability cannot be understood and defined merely by knowing their child’s disability status. Parents of children with DD may be vulnerable because of the chronic stress context of caring for a child with a disability, and they show more reactive patterns of daily wellbeing when experiencing daily stressors, however, they also show resiliency in their daily wellbeing when experiencing daily positive events. The current study attempted to better contextualize and understand the daily lives of caregiving parents by moving beyond a binary definition of disability (yes/no a disability is present), and findings suggest that severity of disability is a complex phenomenon in need of continued empirical investigation. Title: Does Disability Severity Matter? The Daily Lives of Parent Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disabilities Author: Fenn, Meghann L. Individuals with disabilities and their parents, even within specific disability diagnoses, have diverse life experiences and trajectories. The current study focuses on parents of individuals with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities (DD) are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions evident at birth or acquired during childhood that affect major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living; and include conditions such as Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, and general developmental delays. This study builds on previous literature concerning stress, caregiving, and disability by examining the daily lives, experiences, and wellbeing of parents of children with DD. The majority of health and wellbeing research being done in this area focuses on overall or global wellbeing. Comparatively little research has examined the daily lives, experiences, and wellbeing of these parents, who exist within extremely fluid contexts that change daily. Furthermore, this study also aims to build on previous research by considering the severity of the child’s disability, in order to further contextualize and understand the complex levels of influence within these parents’ daily lives. Using data from the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), the daily diary project of the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), this study examined these topics further by answering three specific research questions; First, to what extent does the association between daily stressors and same-day positive and negative affect differ for parents of children with and without DD? Second, to what extent does the association between daily positive events and same-day positive and negative affect differ for parents of children with and without DD? And lastly, are these associations further moderated by the severity of the child’s disability? A total of 82 participants (Mean Age = 57.4; 59% female, 96% non-Hispanic White, 79% married, Mean Education = 14 years) were identified as parents of children with DD. A sample of 82 individuals who were parents of typically developing children were identified and matched as a comparison group based on: parent gender, parent age, number of children in the household, child age, whether the target child lives with the parent, parent marital status, and parent educational attainment. Participants completed 8 nightly telephone interviews, which included assessments of their daily stressors and positive events, as well as positive and negative affect. Results from the current study found that the daily lives of individuals with disabilities and their parents are diverse and complex. Compared to their matched counterparts, parents of children with DD experienced significantly greater increases in negative affect associated with the experience of daily stressors. In contract, parents of children with DD exhibited comparable increases in daily positive affect associated with the daily positive experiences. With respect to severity of disability, the longevity of the child’s disability diagnosis, the number of comorbid disability diagnoses, and the number of comorbid mental health diagnoses, did selectively moderate daily experience-wellbeing associations, but not in a symmetric fashion across indicators. Taken together, the daily experiences and daily wellbeing of parents caring for a child with a disability cannot be understood and defined merely by knowing their child’s disability status. Parents of children with DD may be vulnerable because of the chronic stress context of caring for a child with a disability, and they show more reactive patterns of daily wellbeing when experiencing daily stressors, however, they also show resiliency in their daily wellbeing when experiencing daily positive events. The current study attempted to better contextualize and understand the daily lives of caregiving parents by moving beyond a binary definition of disability (yes/no a disability is present), and findings suggest that severity of disability is a complex phenomenon in need of continued empirical investigation. Close