Olsen, Gayle

One in eight children in the United States grows up in a household with parental substance use disorder (SUD). The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of children and kinship caregivers affected by SUD, as perceived by 23 professionals who interact with these families. A community-based participatory research approach with exploratory and descriptive qualitative methods was utilized. Results indicated that (a) children need relationships and connections, stability, emotional and health care support, and protection from risks associated with SUD; (b) caregivers need community resource and navigation supports, skills development, and understanding of the caregiver’s role; and (c) there is a lack of existing comprehensive resources and services to support families affected by SUD. This study adds to existing literature by identifying key professionals’ perceptions and examining various types of kin relationships. Future research and practice implications are discussed.

PURPOSE. The study aims to identify Minnesota nurses' perceptions regarding nursing diagnoses and to examine how these perceptions have changed over time. METHODS. Five hundred sixty-four out of 2,000 randomly selected registered nurses in Minnesota responded to the Perceptions of Nursing Diagnosis Survey. FINDINGS. Nurses have neutral to slightly negative perceptions of nursing diagnoses. These results differ slightly from the results of the original study which demonstrated neutral to slightly positive perceptions. IMPLICATIONS. After 30 years of use, it is concerning that more than half of nurses surveyed have a negative perception of nursing diagnosis. Consideration should be given to methods that facilitate the use of nursing diagnoses in practice, improvement of diagnostic language, or a more accepted method of planning patient care.

The families of 16 male staff physicians and 26 male residents were studied. All spouses completed the Abidin Parenting Stress Index (PSI) prior to a well-child visit. Home interviews were conducted to identify factors contributing to stress. PSI scores were similar in both groups. The interviews suggested that physician fathers had limited time and energy for parenting. Resident fathers were twice as likely as staff fathers to participate in child care when home. Parenting stress tended to stay the same in 25% of families or increased in 50% of families after residency training.