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Ten externally funded supporting studies form the foundation of the Center's
research program.
In addition, the Center funds three pilot research studies each year.
Supporting Studies
Pilot Studies
(links open in a new window)
Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren
Campbell, Lenora, DNS, RN
Helping
Women Prisoners Reduce HIV Risk after Release
Fogel, Catherine, PhD, RNC, FAAN
Cardiovascular Health in Children and Youth (CHIC III)
Harrell, Joanne, PhD, RN, FAAN
Physical Activity in Youth - Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
Harrell, Joanne, PhD, RN, FAAN
Nursing
Support Intervention for Mothers of Prematures
Holditch-Davis, Diane, PhD, RN, FAAN and Miles, Margaret, PhD, RN, FAAN
Gender, Migration, and HIV Risks Among Mexicans
McQuiston, Chris, PhD, RN
Younger Breast Cancer Survivors: Managing
Uncertainty
Mishel, Merle, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Germino, Barbara, PhD, RN, FAAN
Cultural
and Demographic Predictors of Interaction with the Health Care System
and Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness
Mishel, Merle, PhD, RN, FAAN
Integrating Qualitative & Quantitative Research Findings
Sandelowski, Margarete, PhD, RN, FAAN, Barroso, Julie, PhD, ANP, APRN, BC and
Voils, Corrine PhD
Symptoms
Focused Diabetes Care for African American Women
Skelly, Anne, PhD, RN, ANP-C
2006 – 2007
Superwoman Schema Emotional Suppression and Stress-Related Overeating in African American Women: Concept Operationalization and Instrument Development
Woods Giscombè, Cheryl L. PhD, RN, Beeber,Linda PhD, RN, and Roland, E. Joyce PhD, RN
Toward Development of a Church-Based Intervention to Increase Regular Breast Health Screening among African American Christian Women
Reddick, Bobbie EdD, MPH, RN, and Miles, Margaret S. PhD, RN
Cardiovascular Health Education for African American College-Aged Students: An Experiential Approach
Holland, Cecil EdD, RN, Berry, Carolyn PhD, Brown, Cynthia PhD, and Carlson, John PhD
A Feasibility Study to Test A Community Based Participatory Research Weight Management Intervention for Latina mothers and Their 3 to 10 Year Old Children
Berry, Diane PhD, CANP, Balderas, Ben BA; Colindres, Melida MPH; McCurley, Mercedes BA
A Faith-Based Program for Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction
Lunsford, Valerie PhD, RN, Matteson, Betty MA, ACSM-ES, and Miller, Paula MD
Physician Partnership-Building Behaviors: Implications in Health Disparities
Wall, Yolanda MSN, RN, BC, OCN, Germino, Barbara PhD, RN, and Mishel, Merle PhD, RN
Psychosocial Adaptation and Maternal Role Activities among Mothers Receiving Hemodialysis for End-stage Renal Disease
Nance, Kimya PhD, MN
Church-Based Health Fairs: A Means of Addressing Health Disparities Among Rural African Americans in North Carolina
Bratcher-Porter, Shelvy J. PhD, RN, CS and Miles, Margaret S. PhD, RN
Associations between race, perceived self-care management support, and diabetes outcomes
Wallace, Andrea PhD, ND, APRN-BC, ADM, Mark, Barbara PhD, RN, FAAN and DeWalt, Darren MD, MPH, and Schillinger, Dean MD
2005 – 2006
Breast Cancer Risk Perception and Lifestyle Behaviors in Women with a Family History of Breast Cancer: An Exploratory Study with White and African American Women
Spector, Denise RN, MSN, Mishel, Merle PhD, RN, and Reddick, Bobbie EdD, RN
A Brief Self-Regulation Intervention to Improve the Illness Representation of Hypertension and Increase Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control in Older Hypertensive Black Women
Mortimer, Mary Kay PhD, RN, and Holland, Cecil EdD, RN
A Stress Reduction and Parenting Intervention to Improve the Well-Being of African American Grandmothers Rearing Grandchildren
Campbell, Lenora DNS, RN, and Miles, Margaret S. PhD, RN
2004 – 2005
Complementary and Alternative Therapy Use During Early
Stage Breast Cancer
Camille, Lambe UNC, Germino, Barbara UNC, and Reddick, Bobbie WSSU
Translating Diabetes Research Findings to Improve Practice
with Diverse Populations
Leeman, Jennifer UNC, Jackson, Beatrice NCCU, and Skelly, Anne UNC
Peer Led Adolescent Weight Reduction Program
McClain, Joanette "Pete" NCCU and McQuiston, Chris, UNC
2003 – 2004
Depression, Cardiovascular Disease Risk, and Diabetes
Self-Management in Middle Age and Older African American Women with Type
2 Diabetes
Collins McNeil, Janice APRN, Dixon, Tonya MSN, CNM, Martin, Jucy PhD,
APRN, and Skelly, Anne PhD, FNP
Minority Families Being Screened for and Living with Genetic Conditions
Van Riper, Marcia PhD, RN, and Dowell, Jo MSN, RN, FNP
Latino Adolescents and Sexual Risk Behaviors
Larson, Kim MPH RN, McQuiston, Chris PhD, FNP, and Campbell, Lenora DSN,
RN
2002 – 2003
Experiencing Discrimination: Instrument Development
Esposito, Noreen EdD, RN, and Canzona, Cathy PhD, RN
Mental Health Care for Low-Income African American
Youth
Campbell, Lenora PhD, RN, Miles, Margaret PhD, RN, and Carlson, John MS,
Perceptions and Meanings
of Dementia Among Assisted Living Caregivers
Rasin, Joyce PhD, RN, and Kautz, Donald PhD, RN
Complete Information
2002 – 2003
Experiencing Discrimination:
Instrument Development
Principal Investigator: Noreen Esposito, EdD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
Co-Principal Investigator: Cathy Canzona, PhD, RN, WSSU
Abstract
Everyday social experiences produce stress and some of those stress-producing
experiences are now being linked with negative health outcomes. Of particular
interest are the consequences of those beliefs and behaviors that prey
on people's social vulnerability, specifically, being the target of interpersonal
discrimination. The purpose of this focus group pilot study is to develop
accurate measures of ethnic, racial and gender discrimination from an
emic (participant) view. These measures will become the basis for tailoring
a gender focused, culturally-specific instrument to marginalized groups
in North Carolina, specifically African-Americans and Hispanics. The specific
aims of this pilot are to (1) explore (a) fear of discrimination, (b)
internalized discrimination, and (c) perceptions of being the target (or
knowing of someone who was the target) of discrimination based on race
(African-American women), ethnicity (Spanish-speaking Hispanic women)
and/or gender, and (2) develop culturally appropriate, population-specific,
language survey items on discrimination for African-American and Spanish-speaking
Hispanic women.
Mental Health Care for Low-Income
African American Youth
Principal Investigator: Lenora Campbell, PhD, RN, WSSU
Co-Principal Investigators: Margaret Miles, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
John Carlson, MS, UNC-Chapel Hill
Abstract
Mental health problems among children and adolescents can lead to a lifetime
of difficulties. The effects on families are equally as disturbing, interfering
with implementation of family roles essential to family functioning and
health. Parents are often confused, bewildered, and even despairing as
they try to understand what is occurring and how best to resolve the problem.
Unfortunately, far too few seek help for their children from formal sources
of care such as a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical
nurse specialist, or other mental health provider. In fact, as many as
two-thirds of children who need mental health services are not receiving
care or are receiving inappropriate or insufficient care. Children who
are poor and minorities are especially at risk of not getting such care.
Unfortunately, little is know about why or how families make the decision
to seek or to drop out of mental health treatment for their youth. Most
of the research on mental health service use and premature termination
has focused on examining demographic factors with little understanding
about the reasons that underlie these factors. Understanding mental health
help seeking of parents for their children is essential for addressing
the needs of underserved groups, for empowering parents and youth in their
decision-making about when and where to seek mental health intervention,
and for making referrals acceptable to different groups. The overall aim
of the proposed study is to learn more about patterns of seeking mental
health services and barriers to seeking services for children by low-income
African American parents and to examine the psychometric properties of
the Mental Health Seeking Self-Efficacy Scale. The study will use a community-based
descriptive survey of 200 parents with school-age and adolescent children
residing in low-income, public housing in North Carolina. Data will be
collected via interview using questionnaires and a semi-structured interview.
The ultimate goal is to design a larger, community-based study exploring
the mental health seeking experiences of low-income African American parents
for their children and to identify factors including barriers and self-efficacy
for seeking mental health care that may impact on both seeking and remaining
in services.
Perceptions and Meanings
of Dementia Among Assisted Living Caregivers
Principal Investigator: Joyce Rasin, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
Co-Principal Investigator: Donald Kautz, PhD, RN, WSSU
Abstract
Assisted living facilities have become an alternative to nursing homes
for many older persons. Small assisted homes, also known as adult care
homes or board and care homes, provide residential care and supportive
services for activities of daily living in a homelike environment. Because
of economic and health care disparities, many African Americans residing
in these homes are vulnerable and frequently have health impairments,
including those related to the cognitive impairment of dementia. One of
the most difficult issues for caregivers is working with persons with
dementia. Evidenced based practice guidelines have been developed for
professional health care providers who work with persons with dementia.
However, the persons responsible for supervising and providing the direct
care in small assisted living facilities, such as family care home s or
board and care homes, are usually not health care professionals. There
are no practice guidelines available that are responsive to the characteristics
of unlicensed caregivers. The purpose of this study is to take the first
step in developing such guidelines by describing unlicensed caregiver's
perceptions of dementia problems in providing care and desires for information
to facilitate care. Focus groups will be conducted with assisted living
caregivers form small (< 20 beds) assisted living facilities in counties
in NC with large African American populations to: a) describe assisted
living caregiver's beliefs about etiology, progression and treatment of
dementia, b) describe specific problems identified by assisted living
caregivers in caring for persons with dementia, and to c) identify parameters
assisted living caregivers use to seek help or to decide to transfer persons
with dementia. The results of this study will serve as pilot work for
the development of the educational component of an electronically based
care support program for assisted living caregivers to evaluate the impact
of a caregiver support program on elders with dementia and caregiver outcomes.
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2003 – 2004
Depression, Cardiovascular
Disease Risk, and Diabetes Self-Management in Middle Age and Older African
American Women with Type 2 Diabetes
Principal Investigator: Janice Collins McNeil, APRN
Co-Investigators: Tonya Dixon, MSN, CNM, Jucy Martin, PhD, APRN,
and Anne Skelly, PhD, FNP
Abstract
Janice Collins McNeil, APRN, BC is conducting a pilot study exploring
depression and cardiovascular disease in African American women with diabetes.
Ms. McNeil is a PhD candidate at the University of Tennessee Health Science
Center and a faculty member at Winston-Salem State School of Nursing.
Her investigative team includes Tonya Dixon, MSN, CNM, from Winston-Salem
State University, Judy Martin, PhD, APRN, BC, from Memphis & Shelby
County Health Department, and Anne Skelly, PhD, APRN, BC, from the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. African American women with diabetes
have a higher rate of mortality from CVD than do other American women.
The reasons for this disparity are largely unexplored. Depressive symptoms
have been associated with CVD, less active self-care, and poor glycemic
control in individuals with diabetes. The purpose of this study, therefore,
is to explore the relationship between CVD risk characteristic, depression,
and self care practices in a sample of 50 African American women with
type 2 diabetes.
Minority Families Being Screened for and Living with Genetic Conditions
Principal Investigators: Marcia Van Riper, PhD, RN
Co-Principal Investigator: Jo Dowell, MSN, RN, FNP
Abstract
Marcia Van Riper, PhD, RN, is conducting an exploratory study of minority
families’ experience of prenatal genetic screening. Dr. Van Riper
is an Associate Professor on the faculty of the School of Nursing and
the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill. Jo Dowell,
MSN, RN, PNP, CS, FNP, SANE, will serve as a co-investigator on the project.
Ms. Dowell is a doctoral student at UNC-Chapel Hill and a faculty member
at Winston-Salem State University. Genetic screening is becoming an integral
part of routine health care during the perinatal period. We know little
about how minority families make sense of genetic screening results or
how they manage the ethical issues that can emerge during the genetic
screeing experience. We also know little about the how well genetic specialists
and other health care providers are meeting the genetic counseling needs
of these families. Therefore, the primary aim of the proposed study is
to explore how minority families make sense of and use genetic screening
results by obtaining and analyzing narrative accounts from 25 families
in which a family member has undergone genetic screening during the prenatal
or newborn period. The ultimate goal of the research is to facilitate
the development and testing of tailored, culturally sensitive individual
and family-centered interventions for persons undergoing genetic testing.
Latino Adolescents and Sexual
Risk Behaviors
Principal Investigator: Kim Larson, MPH, RN
Co-Principal Investigators: Chris McQuiston, PhD, FNP and Lenora Campbell,
DSN, RN
Abstract
The Center has awarded pilot study funding to Kim Larson, MPH, RN, for
her study of Latino adolescents and sexual risk behaviors. Ms. Larson
is Dean of Barton College School of Nursing and a doctoral candidate at
UNC-Chapel Hill. Her research team includes Chris McQuiston, PhD, FNP,
from UNC-Chapel Hill and Lenora Campbell, DSN, RN, from Winston-Salem
State University. The leading cause of death for young adult Latinos is
AIDS, and it is likely that many young adults who develop AIDS contracted
HIV infection during adolescence. Contextual factors may be critical for
understanding the development of Latino adolescent risk behaviors. Using
an ethnographic approach, this study will explore adolescents’ sexual
risk behaviors within the context of migration, cultural and gender norms,
and the school, community and home experience of 7th, 8th, and 9th grade
Latinos. The findings from this study will inform the development of culturally
specific nursing theories and interventions.
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2004 – 2005
Complementary and Alternative Therapy Use During Early Stage Breast Cancer
Principal Investigator: Camille Lambe
Co-Principal Investigators: Barbara Germino, UNC and Bobbie Reddick, WSSU
Abstract
Camille Lambe, a UNC-Chapel Hill doctoral student, has been awarded funding for
her pilot study of "Complementary and Alternative Therapy Use During Early Stage
Breast Cancer." Dr. Barbara Germino from UNC-Chapel Hill and Dr. Bobbie Reddick
from WSSU will work with her on the project. The practice of using complementary
and alternative therapy (CAM) during treatment for breast cancer has been extensively
in White, educated affluent women but is poorly understood in poor, uneducated, rural
and African Americans. The process used to decide whether to use CAM is poorly understood
in both groups. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to describe and compare the
nature and patterns of African American and White women's use of CAM during breast
cancer treatment and to describe the processes and cues both groups of women used
in deciding whether to include CAM in their personal treatment/management.
The study will use focus groups, individual interviews, and quantitative measures with an
equal sample of African American and White women. The information derived from this study
will contribute to the design of interventions that will assist women to incorporate beneficial
CAM therapies with their cancer treatment/management plants.
Translating Diabetes Research Findings to Improve
Practice with Diverse Populations
Principal Investigator: Jennifer Leeman
Co-Principal Investigators: Beatrice Jackson, NCCU and Anne Skelly, UNC
Abstract
The Center awarded Dr. Jennifer Leeman funding to conduct her pilot study on "Translating Diabetes Research
Findings to Improve Practice with Diverse Populations." Dr. Leeman is a Research Assistant Professor
at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her research team includes Ms. Beatrice Jackson from North Carolina Central University
and Dr. Anne Skelly for UNC-Chapel Hill. Although landmark studies have clearly demonstrated that careful
diabetes control can prevent or delay complications, the advances of these studies have not been effectively
translated to practice. The failure to translate research findings into practice is of particular concern
with minority populations who experience a higher burden of illness and distinct contextual barriers to optimal
self management of their diabetes. The present study explores the way intervention research is reported in
journal publications with attention to intervention design, data collection and analysis, and guidance on
implications for practice. We will conduct a content analysis of the extent and nature of the information
research reports provide to support translating the intervention for practice. The analysis will encompass
(1) the design of the intervention relative to its feasibility for implementation in practice,
(2) the data collected and whether analyses address moderating variables across both participants and settings, and
(3) the information provided to guide the use of research findings in practice. Particular attention will be paid
to information specific to adapting interventions to differences in needs, preferences and cultural beliefs across
diverse individuals and populations.
Peer Led Adolescent Weight Reduction Program
Principal Investigator: Joanette "Pete" McClain
Co-Principal Investigators: Chris McQuiston, UNC
Abstract
The Center awarded Dr. Joannette Pete McClain funding for her study
"Peer-led Adolescent Weight Reduction Program." Dr. McClain plans to conduct a participatory research study
partnering with adolescents to develop, implement and evaluate a weight reduction exercise program for minority
teenagers residing in public housing units in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. McClain is a Professor at
Winston-Salem State University. Dr. Chris McQuiston will serve as her co-investigator on the project.
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions among children and adolescents in the United States. The prevalence of
obesity is disproportionately high among minority and low-income populations. Obesity is the result of a complex
variety of social, behavioral, cultural, environmental, physiological, and genetic factors. Participatory research
offers a methodology for developing more effective obesity interventions by partnering with participants to shape
the intervention to their context. Eight adolescents will be identified to serve on the participatory research team.
Together with the investigators, they will design an intervention and then implement it with a broader group of
adolescents who living in public housing.
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2005-2006
Breast Cancer Risk Perception and Lifestyle Behaviors in Women with a Family History of Breast Cancer: An Exploratory Study with White and African American Women
Principal Investigator: Denise Spector, RN, MSN, Doctoral student, UNC-Chapel HIll;
Co-Investigators: Merle Mishel, PhD, RN, advisor, UNC-Chapel Hill; and Bobbie Reddick, EdD, RN, WSSU.
Abstract
The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding about the processes involved in the development of personal breast cancer risk perception and how risk perception relates to lifestyle behaviors in women at high risk for the disease based upon family history. Little information exists regarding perceived susceptibility and healthy lifestyle behaviors in this population, especially among African American women. Thus, the proposed study will explore factors associated with risk perception and lifestyle behaviors in both African American and white women with a family history of breast cancer. The inclusion of African American women may provide valuable information that can be used to develop culturally-sensitive targeted and/or tailored interventions that are aimed towards improving risk perception and motivating women to adopt healthy lifestyles as a means for reducing breast cancer risk.
A Brief Self-Regulation Intervention to Improve the Illness Representation of Hypertension and Increase Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control in Older Hypertensive Black Women
Principal Investigator: Mary Kay Mortimer, PhD, RN, postdoctoral fellow, UNC-Chapel Hilland now faculty member, University of Texas-Corpus Christi
Co-Investigator: Cecil Holland, EdD, RN, WSSU.
Abstract
Older African American women suffer higher death rates from myocardial infarction and stroke than Caucasian females, due in part to the lack of adherence to medications. This pilot project will test the hypothesis that if medication adherence is improved, complications decrease. A brief intervention will be evaluated with African American women who will be recruited from an out-patient setting at a southern University Hospital. Selection criteria includes hypertensive individuals who have medication adherence rates ≤ 80% or who lack an adequate illness perception of hypertension. Study participants will be randomized to a treatment or control group. The treatment group will wear the ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) during two, separate 24 hour periods and will record BP, symptoms, and activity in a diary. After each monitoring period research personnel will initiate a collaborative dialogue with the subject about her cultural view of her illness, interpretation of the BP, medication adherence, and her plan for managing her BP. The control group will receive information on diet and exercise in hypertension and their BP level. The outcomes of illness perception, medication adherence, and BP control will be measured at baseline, after each intervention period, and two follow-up times by a nurse blind to group assignment. A repeated measures design will be used to estimate the effect size of the intervention and the sample size required for a larger randomized controlled trial. Data analysis will include descriptive data, ANOVA, and both frequencies and line by line analysis of feedback used to enhance the cultural feasibility of the intervention for use by African Americans.
A Stress Reduction and Parenting Intervention to Improve the Well-Being of African American Grandmothers Rearing Grandchildren
Principal Investigator: Lenora Campbell, DNS, RN, WSSU
Co-Investigator: Margaret S. Miles, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill.
Abstract
The overall aims of this project are to develop and test interventions designed to reduce stress, enhance effective parenting and improve health in African American grandmothers rearing grandchildren (custodial grandparents). The purpose of this pilot study is to (a) evaluate the efficacy and cultural relevance and examine health and social outcomes of a stress reduction caregiving intervention (Phase I) and (b) adapt and evaluate the effectiveness of a parenting intervention (Phase II) with a group of 30 custodial grandmothers. The stress reduction intervention to be evaluated in Phase I was adapted from The Powerful Tool for Caregiving series designed to assist caregivers to inventory their caregiving challenges and develop self-care strategies. The parenting intervention to be evaluated in Phase II was adapted from the Incredible Years program designed to enhance the parenting skills of at-risk children. A single group pre-and post design along with process evaluation methods will be used. Data collection focuses on mental and physical health and social support networks for Phase I and parenting stress reduction and parenting self-efficacy in Phase II. Process evaluation involves brief focus groups after each session to assess the relevance and adequacy of the content and the processes involved in conducting the intervention. A final 2-hour focus group will be held after each Phase to focus in more depth on these issues, other issues the grandmothers think they needed, and to evaluate the outcome tools used in the study. The findings from the two interventions evaluated in this proposal will be used to revise the intervention into one integrated intervention protocol to be submitted to NIH to test it with a larger sample from across the state.
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2006-2007
Superwoman Schema Emotional Suppression and Stress-Related Overeating in African American Women: Concept Operationalization and Instrument Development
Principal Investigator: Cheryl L. Woods Giscombè, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
Co-Investigator: Linda Beeber, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
Consulting Investigator: E. Joyce Roland, PhD, RN, NCCU
Abstract
Superwoman Schema Emotional Suppression (SWSS) in African American women involves feeling obligated to remain silent about feelings of stress or vulnerability in order to project an image of strength. This method of responding to stress may be detrimental to the health of African American women as a result of increased psychological distress, a heightened physiological stress response, or through the use of maladaptive coping behaviors (e.g., stress-related overeating) to manage the stressful circumstances that are hidden from others and internalized. There is limited available empirical literature on SWSS in African American women; most of the published work about this phenomenon comes from non-fiction and autobiographical literature. In order to determine how SWSS relates to negative psychological and physiological health outcomes, more effort needs to be placed on clearly conceptualizing this phenomenon. In this proposed study qualitative focus group methodology will be used to identify the critical components and important contextual elements (e.g., sociocultural, historical, economic) of SWSS. The conceptual data generated from the focus groups will be used to develop a theoretical model of SWSS and to identify concepts and preliminary items that will be used in the development of an instrument to measure this phenomenon.
Toward Development of a Church-Based Intervention to Increase Regular Breast Health Screening among African American Christian Women
Principal Investigator: Bobbie Reddick, EdD, MPH, RN, WSSUCo-Investigators: Anne Jenkins, PhD, RN, WSSU and Margaret S. Miles, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
Abstract
The overall aim of the proposed pilot study is to develop a church-based intervention aimed at increasing ongoing breast cancer screening among Christian African American women. Focus groups with African American women attending churches in the Triad region of North Carolina will be asked to delineate barriers and facilitators for regular ongoing breast cancer screening, particularly how spirituality serves as either a barrier or facilitator for breast cancer screening. Related questions are how spirituality and participation in church activities might serve as a support to women, what spiritual practices and beliefs affect participation, and/or delays in seeking evaluation and treatment when a problem is identified. The research team will also explore with Christian African American women and their ministers’ approaches to using spirituality in the development of a church-based intervention aimed at increasing breast cancer screening.
Cardiovascular Health Education for African American College-Aged Students: An Experiential Approach
Principal Investigator: Cecil Holland, EdD, RN, WSSU
Co-Investigators: Carolyn Berry, PhD, WSSU, Cynthia Brown, PhD, WSSU, and John Carlson, PhD, UNC-Chapel Hill
Abstract
The goal of this project is to design a culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate experiential curriculum that includes self- and family assessment to increase awareness of cardiovascular risk of African American college students. Two groups of students, randomly recruited from a historically Black university will participate in six small group experiential workshops focused on reducing cardiovascular risk. This will be followed by a focus group discussion of barriers and benefits to increasing self-efficacy to change behavior. The ultimate goal is to revise the curriculum, incorporate it into college health education courses, and test its short and long term effects.
A Feasibility Study to Test A Community Based Participatory Research Weight Management Intervention for Latina Mothers and Their 3 to 10 Year Old Children
Principal Investigator: Diane Berry, PhD, CANP, UNC-Chapel Hill
Co-Investigators: Ben Balderas, BA, Melida Colindres, MPH, and Mercedes McCurley, BA—all of El Centro Latino, Carrboro, NC
Abstract
The purpose of this community-based participatory research study is two-fold. First, to take weight management educational materials, which have been collaboratively refined over the past year to be culturally specific for recently arrived Latinos in Carrboro and translate them into linguistically appropriate Spanish. Second, continue the partnership with ECL to conduct a feasibility study to further evaluate and refine the intervention’s nutrition, exercise, and coping skills program with 10 Latina mothers with a BMI >25 kg/m2 who have a 3 to 10 year old child living with them.
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A Faith-Based Program for Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction
Principal Investigator: Valerie Lunsford, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
Co-Investigator: Betty Matteson, MA, ACSM-ES, UNC-Chapel Hill and Paula Miller, MD, UNC Hospitals Cardiac Rehabilitation
Abstract
The goal of this research is to partner with three culturally diverse churches to develop and eventually pilot test culturally appropriate, faith-based CVD risk reduction programs. The program will include the intervention components of structured physical activity, nutrition education and demonstration, and risk factor screening to address the CV risks of obesity, physical inactivity, and less than optimal nutrition. The intervention will be based on the literature and on information from focus groups with members of the three churches.
Physician Partnership-Building Behaviors: Implications in Health Disparities
Principal Investigator: Yolanda Wall, MSN, RN, BC, OCN, Doctoral student, UNC-Chapel Hill
Co-Investigator: Barbara Germino, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill and Merle Mishel, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify how often and under what kind of situations does the physician’s use of partnership behavior vary with the race of the patient, controlling for age, and educational level. This study has the potential to increase our knowledge about the processes of health care encounters of minority patients with cancer and their physicians. This information is important to nursing, in that such information can focus the attention of nurses who work in cancer-related settings to identify ways to increase the patient’s participation during the medical visit.
Psychosocial Adaptation and Maternal Role Activities among Mothers Receiving Hemodialysis for End-stage Renal Disease
Principal Investigator: Kimya Nance, MN, PhD Candidate, Hampton University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to describe the psychosocial adaptation of mothers receiving hemodialysis for end-state renal disease and factors influencing their adaptation. In addition the project will explore the maternal role experiences of these mothers.
Church-Based Health Fairs: A Means of Addressing Health Disparities Among Rural African Americans in North Carolina
Principal Investigator: Shelvy J. Bratcher-Porter, PhD, RN, CS, NCCU
Consulting Investigator: Margaret S. Miles, PhD, RN, UNC-Chapel Hill
Abstract
The overall aim of this project is to develop a model for conducting church-based health fairs geared toward rural African Americans. This model will incorporate a focus on both prevention and management of chronic disease and other health problems by providing sound informational material, approaches to health assessment that can be conducted at a health fairs to detect potential health problems, activities that reinforce information about prevention, and resources for both prevention and management of chronic health problems. The model will be based on a review of the literature and focus groups held with pastors from rural areas of North Carolina.
Associations between race, perceived self-care management support, and diabetes outcomes
Principal Investigator: Andrea Wallace PhD, ND, APRN-BC, ADM, Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Consulting Investigators: Barbara Mark, PhD, RN, FAAN, Darren DeWalt, MD, MPH, UNC- Chapel Hill, and Dean Schillinger, MD, University of California at San Francisco
Abstract
It is widely recognized that health system interventions, such as the Chronic Care Model (CCM), improve the quality of chronic illness care. Yet, for patients with diabetes, a chronic illness for which health care interventions clearly prevent or delay the deleterious outcomes associated with the disease, even high quality care leaves many with glycemic, lipid and hypertension levels above targeted goals. However, little is known about why such variability in patient outcomes occurs, particularly within systems modeled after the CCM. A possible explanation for outcome variability within CCM systems may rest with differences in how patients experience self care management support (e.g. decision support, counseling, coordination, communication), which may result in differences in self-care processes (confidence in ability to perform health related tasks [self-efficacy] and engagement in self-care activities) which, in turn, affect diabetes outcomes. These differences may be particularly relevant for minorities, those with low health literacy, and the uninsured, all of whom experience poorer health outcomes. Using data previously collected from a randomized control trial exploring the effectiveness of self-care management interventions, the specific aims this study are to 1) determine whether patients’ experiences of self-care management support vary according to race/ethnicity, language, literacy and insurance status, and 2) explore associations between patients’ perceptions of their self-care management support process, self-efficacy, and self-care activities, and 3) determine how these variables are associated with functional and clinical outcomes.
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