24733801
Salutogenesis as a framework for child protection: literature review.
AIM
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of salutogenesis in work relating to child protection.


METHODS
A systematic review to explore the links between parenting, social factors and failure to thrive was carried out using 17 CD ROM and online databases using keywords in appropriate medical subject headings (MeSH terms) and Boolean operators refined for the studies. The salutogenic framework was then used as a way of clarifying what benefit particular research findings may have in identifying and using factors which can be associated with protection, safety and well being of children. Cross-referencing the evidence from the systematic review against Antonovsky's generalized resistance resources created a salutogenic matrix.


FINDINGS
Four factors in the systematic review were found crucially important: parent factors; parenting factors; child factors; and social factors. However, it is probable that these are useful within all child protection research and the evidence gathered in particular cases (here failure to thrive) could be plotted against each factor. Application of a salutogenic framework to the results was further illuminating and has utility for both systematic review methodology and other child protection explorations. The matrix created a warp and weft effect that identified gaps in current evidence and practice and was able to disentangle some of the complexities inherent within failure to thrive situations. By beginning to shed understanding on such processes, the concept of salutogenesis added further depth and rigour to the analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The concept of salutogenesis is widely used in some areas of nursing practice and research, and can also be regarded as a theoretical tool that has potential in child care and protection research, development and practice. The paper also illustrates the importance of a sound theoretical framework in ensuring depth and rigour in analyses of literature review findings.
205326823
Practitioner assessments of 'good enough' parenting: factorial survey.
AIM
The aim of this study was to measure health visitors' professional judgements on 'good enough' parenting and identify what factors and combinations of these are important when making such judgements.


BACKGROUND
The relationship between parenting and child health is unclear. Whilst agreement exists that 'good enough' parenting requires boundary setting, consistency and putting the child's needs first, attempting to define 'good enough' parenting in precise terms is complex. When faced with a complex situation, practitioners rely on relatively few factors to form judgements.


DESIGN
Factorial survey methods were employed using vignette techniques.


METHODS
Vignettes were constructed using previous research on those variables, which may influence nurses' judgements, for example, accommodation and child dentition. The level of factors was randomly varied. Two thousand vignettes were administered to a sample of 200 health visitors in two Health Boards who then made a judgement about this scenario.


ANALYSIS
Data were analysed through multiple regression with dummy variables and one-way analysis of variance. Regression equations for both good enough mothering and good enough parenting are reported.


RESULTS
The models used are significant predictors of parenting and mothering. Significant predictors on health visitor judgements' were boundary setting in sleep behaviours, type of housing inhabited and health behaviours. Although parenting and mothering are often conflated, health visitors appear to separate these aspects when making judgements based on type of housing.


CONCLUSIONS
Most professionals can articulate what makes a 'good' parent, equally they may have strong views regarding what constitutes 'poor' parenting. The difficulty is in determining when parenting is 'good enough' to provide a child with a nurturing environment.


RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
This study suggests that practitioners move their thresholds of what is 'good enough' depending on a narrow range of factors. Awareness of the factors, which influence individuals' judgements is important in safeguarding children.
18213491
The smacking controversy: what advice should we be giving parents?
BACKGROUND
Even among countries that have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child there is much disagreement about corporal punishment of children. Last year the Scottish Executive proposed a new law banning the smacking of children under the age of three, becoming the tenth European nation to do so. The proposal, currently abandoned whilst ostensibly still under debate, has raised a wave of controversy in child protection circles. In the nearest neighbouring country, England, a similar proposal was robustly rejected. PURPOSE OF THE PAPER: Given an increasing family and community focus in nursing, the implications of the debate for the profession cannot be ignored. What should we be telling 'ordinary' families about smacking? Thus this paper presents a positional statement on the smacking controversy and outlines some pointers for practice.


DISCUSSION
While for many the legislation proposed does not go far enough, others decry it as a breach of parental rights and, thus, the issue has become hugely controversial. Media opinion and various opposing campaigns dominate both public and professional spheres. Rights, responsibilities, examples from other countries, culture and gender are all used as fodder in the debate. Extreme examples are cited by both sides and used as grist for what are at times tenuous arguments. As there is even a division within child protection arenas, practising professionals may struggle to find a way through the maze of seemingly contradictory findings from research, policy and opinion.


CONCLUSIONS
A wide range of literature suggests that both public and professional opinion is divided on the use of smacking as a form of discipline of young children. Opinion is also divided on the ability of legislation to bring about change in social attitudes and behaviour. Health care professionals need to be in a position to recommend best practice and to do so consistently.
8674073
Children, health and gender: recognition in nursing research?
AIM
This paper examines the hitherto mostly unrecognised relationship between gender, health and children; its significance for nursing practice and how it has been considered in nursing research.


BACKGROUND
Holistic nursing practice with children requires adequate assessment and consideration of all potential influences on children's lives. Socioeconomic disparities have received widespread attention and gender inequalities in adult health have been studied in some depth. The links between gender, health and children, however, have received little consideration. The paper first considers this context in depth; it then applies the context to research in practice.


DESIGN
Systematic review.


METHODS
A systematic literature search was undertaken on four mainstream nursing research journals over 38 months up to February 2007. A total of 567 articles met the key word searches. Duplicates, opinion pieces and articles not focusing on children were removed. The remaining 23 nursing studies relevant to child health were examined for their gender sensitivity.


RESULTS
Full consideration of gender issues was found largely to be absent in nursing research on children. Eight studies gave specific consideration to gender relevance, where boys and girls may have responded differently to care. Only six studies specifically addressed gender sensitivity. Allowing children a voice, however, was a strength in these studies, with 18 reflecting children's views directly.


CONCLUSIONS
Major gaps still exist in research and theorisation relating to children, health and gender. These need to be acknowledged and investigated, particularly in relation to how they might impact on nursing care.


RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
Nursing practice and research needs to account for all potential health issues, of which gender may often be important.
36834793
Experiences of a feasibility study of children with albinism in Zimbabwe: a discussion paper.
BACKGROUND
Feasibility studies are often a helpful prelude to constructing fundable research proposals. Where the intended research is in a foreign country, focuses on a vulnerable population, and is aggravated by political and pragmatic challenges, feasibility studies become essential. Albinism, a genetic condition of reduced melanin synthesis, is a major public health issue in southern Africa. Whilst much is known about the health needs of children with albinism, little is understood about how to address these effectively in low income countries. Further, the child care and protection needs of children with albinism are largely unexplored. Zimbabwe's current political and economic climate presents additional challenges to research on the topic.


METHOD
The technical, economic, legal, collaborative, operational, schedule and political feasibilities (acronym TELCOSP) to undertaking a study on children with albinism in Zimbabwe were explored over a six week period of fieldwork in the country.


RESULTS
Using the TELSCOSP framework allowed a deconstruction of each challenge to provide innovative solutions. The economic and legal feasibility aspects presented some difficulties that will require flexibility and perseverance to overcome.


CONCLUSION
With the assistance of the local communities and people with albinism in Zimbabwe, the obstacles appear surmountable. The feasibility study provided a productive framework for addressing potential challenges in studying the needs of Zimbabwe's children living with albinism.
39760502
Commentary on Kong S and Bernstein K (2009) Childhood trauma as a predictor of eating psychopathology and its mediating variables in patients with eating disorders Journal of Clinical Nursing 18, 1897-1907.
32831734
A Role for Communities in Primary Prevention of Chronic Illness? Case Studies in Regional Australia
In regional Australia “communities of place,” defined as bounded geographic locations with a local society, undertake community-wide primary prevention programs. In helping to prevent chronic illness, communities provide valuable resources to the health system. To understand the role of community–health sector partnerships for primary prevention and the community contextual factors that affect them, we studied eight partnerships. We used an embedded multiple case study design and collected data through interviews, nonparticipant observation, and document analysis. These data were analyzed using a typology of community–health sector partnerships and community interaction theory to frame the key community contextual factors that affected partnerships. The dominant factor affecting all partnerships was the presence of a collective commitment that communities brought to making the community a better place through developing health. We call this a communitarian approach. Additional research to investigate factors influencing a communitarian approach and the role it plays in partnerships is required.
27724235
Avian RNA tumor virus DNA before and after integration into the host genome.
36426650
Development of the Australian Society of Forensic Odontology disaster victim identification forensic odontology guide.
The need for documented procedures and protocols are important in every specialist group to ensure a consistent service to the community. They provide guidance to members of the specialist group about responsibilities and appropriate practices, and confidence to the community that the services are of the highest possible standard. In a Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) incident, by enabling the process to be audited, they also serve to ensure that identifications are reliable. Following the Bali Bombings of 2002 and the 2004 Asian Tsunami the Australian Society of Forensic Odontology recognised the need for a practice guide to assist the management of their members in DVI incidents. 31 members of the Australian Society of Forensic Odontology participated in the development of a guideline document for Disaster Victim Identification using a Delphi based model. The advantage of using the iterative Delphi process is that it encouraged participants to think about the processes used in the forensic odontology aspects of a DVI incident and their expectations of a guiding document. The document developed as a result of this project is comprehensive in coverage and places the Australian Society of Forensic Odontology at the vanguard of professionalism in the forensic odontology and DVI community.
3459683
Quality improvements in resident mobility care: using person- and relationship-centered frameworks.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
Research is needed to demonstrate the application of person- and relationship-centered care to nursing home practice. This article aimed to find a suitable person/relationship-centered framework to assist with mobility care practice improvements in nursing homes.


DESIGN AND METHOD
The authors discuss the task of mobility care, the nature of person- and relationship-centered care, and the significance of such approaches to mobility care. The Senses Framework (Nolan, Davies, Ryan, & Keady, 2008) is employed to develop mobility care practice improvement objectives.


RESULTS
The objectives are used to evaluate outcomes from 2 hypothetical scenarios to illustrate the possible value of the Senses Framework.


IMPLICATIONS
The Senses Framework facilitated development of objectives for mobility care practice improvement that considers the needs of all stakeholders.
42563847
Driving fear and driving skills: comparison between fearful and control samples using standardised on-road assessment.
The present study explores driving skills in a group of 50 media-recruited driving-fearful and 50 control drivers, all of whom were women. Participants completed an on-road practical driving assessment with a professional driving instructor. Diagnostic as well as pre-post self-report and instructor driving assessments were conducted. Fearful drivers made more errors on the driving assessment than controls. However, the pattern of errors was identical for both groups, indicating that fear and anxiety may be associated with the number rather than the type of driving errors made. These differences remained when factors such as driving history, current driving frequency, and diagnosis were controlled using case selection. More research is needed to replicate the findings in more diverse samples. Additional work should also aim to clarify the specific role of driving skills in driving fear, which will facilitate treatment planning for exposure-based treatments and help identify cases where driving skills assessment may be appropriate.