Biomedical subjects

Shawn M Kneipp

Publications and source records attributed to Shawn M Kneipp.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Complex sampling designs and statistical issues in secondary analysis.

Conducting secondary analysis using large national survey data sets to answer pressing research questions is gaining acceptance in the nursing science community. There are, however, challenges confronted by researchers who wish to apply secondary analysis to large data sets due to the incorporation of complex sampling designs. This article presents sampling design issues inherent in many large national surveys and explains the rationale for applying sample and variance estimation weights when conducting statistical analyses. In addition, the rationale for using statistical software packages capable of analyzing data derived from complex sampling designs is described. Examples of differences in statistical outcomes with and without weights using Stata and SPSS are provided using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Based on the example analyses, the implications of the statistical outcome differences for study findings are discussed.

Data Collection↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Problems with parsimony in research on socioeconomic determinants of health.

Despite growing evidence that social and economic factors are important determinants of health disparities, there is a lack of understanding of how these factors operate in relation to health. This article explores 3 conceptual and methodological issues impeding nursing research in this area: (1) ambiguity surrounding socioeconomic status (SES), both conceptually and as a scientific indicator; (2) the narrow focus on biological and behavioral risks for chronic disease development; and (3) the persistent centrality of individual behavior in studies examining SES-health contextual relationships. A brief overview of emerging approaches for enhancing nursing science in the area of SES and health disparities is presented.

Health Status Indicators↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Informal caregiving burden: an overlooked aspect of the lives and health of women transitioning from welfare to employment?

Informal caregiving occurs among communities in all socioeconomic strata and is largely provided by women. Although an extensive amount of research focusing on caregiver burden has been conducted within nursing, little is known about informal caregiving among low-income women, particularly within the context of welfare reform. This study examined the extent of informal caregiver burden in low-income women transitioning off welfare and the relationship between informal caregiving and maintaining employment. A random sample of 32 adults who had recently received welfare was obtained (n = 31 women), although there was significant difficulty locating potential subjects. Sixty-three percent of participants were providing nonparental forms of informal caregiving. Caregiver burden scores among this group were highest in the time-dependence dimension of caregiving. Over 30% of participants reported having to leave a job within the past year because of their caregiving responsibilities. These findings suggest that the informal caregiving responsibilities of low-income women may be an overlooked aspect of welfare reform policy. Given the emphasis on case management and policy advocacy in their roles, public health nurses are uniquely positioned to partner with local welfare-to-work organizations, educate program staff, and further develop existing assessment processes to better address caregiving responsibilities within low-income families.

Adult↗