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Biomedical subjects

S P Heiney

Publications and source records attributed to S P Heiney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Research triangulation to derive meaning-based quality-of-life theory: adolescent resilience model and instrument development.

We describe the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative research methods used to develop and test the Adolescent Resilience Model (ARM). The differences in meaning-based and function-based health-related quality of life (HRQL) are discussed, and method triangulation is presented as a means of developing models of HRQL that represent the perspectives of the adolescent and family. Qualitative methods of phenomenology, simultaneous concept analysis, focus groups and thematic analysis were used to generate the ARM. Quantitative instrumentation and structural equation model development and testing were used to evaluate the ARM. A decision-making process for combining qualitative and quantitative research, so that both approaches are equally valued and used, is also presented. Int. J. Cancer Suppl. 12:125-131, 1999.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Impact of parental anxiety on child emotional adjustment when a parent has cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the relationships among parent anxiety, child anxiety, and emotional adjustment in children who have a parent with cancer. DESIGN: Correlational. SETTING: A large cancer center in the southeastern United States. SAMPLE: Thirty-three child/parent with cancer dyads. METHODS: Research packets were mailed to child/parent dyads who agreed to participate in the study. Parents completed a demographic questionnaire, a Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and a Personality Inventory for Children (PIC). Children completed the child version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Parent anxiety, child anxiety, and child adjustment. FINDINGS: Children who have a parent with cancer and parents who have experienced cancer report significantly higher state and trait anxiety compared to a normed population sample. Parental reports on the PIC indicated that latency-aged children (i.e., 6-12 years) showed significantly greater internalization and somatic symptoms compared to the sample norm. Parent state anxiety was negatively correlated with children's internalization and somatic symptoms. Parental anxiety accounted for the greatest variance in child adjustment. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: These study findings may provide nurses with a better understanding of the vulnerability of children who have a parent with cancer and can build a foundation for the development of supportive interventions for these children.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

A memorial service for families of children who died from cancer and blood disorders.

The grief of staff who work with dying children and the grief of family members after the death of a child has been widely documented. Interventions to facilitate grieving have been extensively developed for parents but less so for siblings and staff. This article describes one approach, a memorial service, for families and staff that has wide applicability for providing support after a death. The memorial service provides families and staff with a healing ritual of remembrance, a source of closure after the death, and a recognition of the relationships established between families and staff. The service particularly legitimizes the staff's grief experience. The organization, implementation, and evaluation of such a program is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The effects of a support group on selected psychosocial outcomes of bereaved parents whose child died from cancer.

Group support for bereaved parents whose child died from cancer has been suggested as a means of helping parents express emotions about their loss and improve their coping. Using a quasi-experimental design, we sought to determine the selected psychosocial effects of participation in a support group for bereaved parents whose child died from cancer. Five bereaved parents completed the Emotions Profile Index, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, and the Social Adjustment Scale Self-Report before and after the seven group sessions. No statistically significant differences were found. Descriptive data were analyzed from the co-therapists' process log and the participants' evaluation forms. The group process log revealed intense pain and grief over the loss of the child and the parents' conscious struggle to adapt to the present and prepare for the future. The discussions poignantly indicated the great extent to which the child's death had changed their lives. Using the group evaluation form parents reported high satisfaction with the group sessions. Tentative conclusions support the value of such a group in providing a forum for some bereaved parents to ventilate feelings and thoughts and validate the normalcy of their reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Developing, implementing, and evaluating a handbook for parents of pediatric hematology/oncology patients.

This article details the development of a parent handbook for pediatric hematology and oncology patients. The planning and content development are discussed. Adult learning principles were incorporated throughout the handbook. Use of the handbook in a pediatric cancer center is described. Both subjective and objective methods were used to evaluate the handbook. Results from the evaluation verify the value of the handbook to parents and give direction for future revisions of the handbook.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Good grieving--an intervention program for grieving children.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe a program for grieving children including the agenda, activities, and logistics of organizing the program. DATA SOURCES: Clinical observations and evaluations from the program; literature review. DATA SYNTHESIS: A series of four seasonal programs were designed to promote a child's normal grieving process and enhance adjustment to the loss. Programs are cyclic, children are grouped by age, and activities are intended to promote expression of feelings, understanding of the loss, and good coping skills. A concurrent program for caregivers facilitates family communication and support. CONCLUSIONS: The program demonstrated positive behavioral changes in grieving children and provides a model for other nurses to use in organizing similar programs. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses should be familiar with key elements of children's grief and incorporate this into their practice, especially when caring for terminally ill patients who have children.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

The aftermath of bone marrow transplant for parents of pediatric patients: a post-traumatic stress disorder.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of a child's bone marrow transplant (BMT) experience that may precipitate a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the parent. DATA SOURCES: Published articles, books, and the authors' clinical experience. DATA SYNTHESIS: When viewed from the PTSD framework, parental reactions to a child's BMT offer striking parallels that include assessment of the event as traumatic, re-experiencing the event, intrusive thoughts, and a variety of emotional and cognitive responses. Interventions based on PTSD research can be implemented in clinical settings to diminish and treat these responses. CONCLUSIONS: The PTSD framework holds promise for healthcare providers in devising strategies to help families of children undergoing BMT to cope with the experience. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses can use orientation, education, coaching, and peer support to help families before BMT and debriefing and counseling after BMT.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1993

Cancer in adolescents and young adults. Psychosocial concerns, coping strategies, and interventions.

Adolescent cancer patients present a unique challenge to health care professionals because of the impact of the disease and its treatment on the successful acquisition of age-appropriate developmental milestones, as well as the psychosocial concerns raised by the illness itself. Understanding normal adolescent development provides a framework for identifying psychosocial concerns, predicting problems, and developing appropriate interventional strategies for adolescents with cancer. A comprehensive support program with specific goals of promoting adjustment to the illness and providing a basis for community reentry by strengthening recognized coping strategies based on identified psychosocial concerns is described as a model.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1993

The effects of group therapy on bereaved extended family of children with cancer.

The impact of the death of a child from cancer and subsequent grief on the extended family members has not been documented. Additionally, the effect of a support group for these individuals has not been explored. Therefore, this one group pretest/post-test study sought to determine the effects of participation in a support group for bereaved extended family members whose child died from cancer. Extended family members completed the Emotions Profile Index before and after the group sessions. Descriptive data were collected from the cotherapists' process log and the participants' evaluation. No significant differences were found between pretest and post-test scores for any emotional state. However, the group process log showed significant clinical data related to the intensity of the grief experienced and ways of coping with the loss. The Bereaved Extended Family Group Evaluation demonstrated the usefulness of the group experience. Tentative conclusions support the value of such a group in providing a forum for the bereaved extended family to ventilate feelings of anger and sadness and find ways to cope with the future.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1993

A trajectory approach for education of the child/adolescent with cancer.

Survival in childhood cancer has improved, but the child's learning capability and psychosocial adjustment are affected by intense therapy, the side effects, and psychosocial issues. The resulting problems of school attendance and performance need to be addressed by pediatric oncology nurses. This article describes an education intervention program that is based on a treatment trajectory with interventions that occur from diagnosis through long-term survival and are directed toward the patient/parent, school personnel, and classmates. Both anecdotal and empirical evaluations of the program are being completed. This program provides pediatric oncology nurses with a model for program development and resource materials.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Developing and implementing a bereavement program for a children's hospital.

The grief of parents after the loss of a child is well recognized. However, the concept of grief in children after the loss of a sibling or a parent has been accepted only recently. This paper describes the development and implementation of a bereavement program for staff and families in a children's hospital. The program is unique in that support is provided to both staff and families. Data gathering, goals of the program, the phases of implementation, and the specific components of support for each group are described. Initial efforts in evaluating the program and implications for the future are discussed.

Bereavement↗
PubMed1992

Storytelling as a therapeutic technique in a group for school-aged oncology patients.

Storytelling in a support group may be a useful technique for helping children with chronic illness resolve psychological conflicts related to their illness. This paper will describe the author's experiences with two open-ended groups for children with cancer. Significant stories that demonstrate the technique and its usefulness will be discussed. Implications of such a technique will be given. The technique is adaptable to many settings and with many different diagnoses.

Child↗
PubMed1991

Sibling grief: a case report.

The intensity of sibling grief and the significance of sibling mourning are described in research studies. Yet, nurses caring for dying children may be unaware of these findings and may not offer adequate support to assist siblings in working through grief. This article details one child's perceptions of the loss of a brother and provides rich clinical material for understanding typical sibling responses. The description of the therapy sessions provides a model for working with siblings and demonstrates the value of art as a therapeutic medium. These strategies are useful for nurses working with grieving siblings and may be applicable to other situations in which children experience a significant loss.

Adaptation, Psychological↗