Browsing by Subject "naturalistic inquiry"
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Item Internet use among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders(2009-03-11) Nona Fain; Carolyn A. Phillips, RN, PhD; Virginia Niebuhr, PhD; Mary Anne Hanley, RN, PhD; Mary Ann Best, PhD, RN; Elnora P. (\"Nonie\") Mendias, PhD, RNParents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are uniquely stressed by the difficult behaviors of their children which often result in isolation, depression and financial burden. The causes of ASD are not well-understood but are believed to result from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. There is no standard treatment protocol for ASD. Since early intervention is associated with more favorable outcomes for the child, many parents search the Internet hoping to find effective therapies and treatments. This study employed Naturalistic Inquiry methodology, as described by Lincoln and Guba (1985), to explore how parents of children with ASD use the Internet, what kinds of information the parents were seeking and how they located, evaluated and chose to use ASD-related information. Twelve parents of children with ASD were interviewed for the study. Data consisted of bio-demographic information and transcribed interviews. Data was unitized and analyzed inductively; coded descriptively, topically and analytically (Morse & Richards, 2002) in a recursive manner using the constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Rigor and data trustworthiness were enhanced by using data management and analysis strategies to ensure credibility, fittingness and auditability (Lincoln and Guba, 1985; Beck, 1993). Findings revealed that parents searched with intensity and urgency for information about causes, treatments, how to interpret symptoms of ASD and to confirm their child’s diagnosis. They searched in response to unsatisfactory experiences with the healthcare and educational systems. Parents reported that they would like more information online about strategies to handle difficult behaviors, respite care, encouragement for daily living and how to access direct services for their children.\r\n\r\nItem Perceptions of aggression in mental health clients(2008-06-23) Cathy Leigh Hueske; Dr. Kathleen Lucke; Dr. Ruth Levine; Dr. Peggy Landrum; Dr. Elnora Mendias; Dr. Carolyn PhillipsIn mental healthcare identifying factors including those that exist within the client-caregiver alliance is important so that aggression can be eliminated or minimized. The naturalistic inquiry method answered the following research questions: 1) What factors do licensed and unlicensed mental health workers perceive as triggers of aggressive behavior responses in hospitalized mental health clients? and 2) How do licensed and unlicensed mental health workers perceive their actions and behaviors influence the precipitation of aggressive behaviors among hospitalized mental health clients? A purposive sample of 15 mental healthcare workers was necessary to obtain saturation and redundancy. Demographic data were collected from caregivers with an average of 15 years of mental health experience working in nursing and social service departments. The purposes of this study were to: 1) describe the perceptions mental health workers have of the causes of aggressive responses in hospitalized mental health clients, and 2) explore mental health workers perceptions of how their actions and behaviors influence the precipitation of aggressive behaviors among hospitalized mental health clients. Participants interviewed were audiotaped to gather rich thick descriptions of the phenomena understudy. Audiotapes of the interview were transcribed for data analysis. Guided by the theoretical framework of Symbolic Interactionism, the overarching concept of aggression as an interactive process emerged from the participants’ descriptions. The supporting constructs were building, exploding and recovering from aggression. The categories for the constructs were knowing, managing, resulting outcomes and procession aggression emerged from several subcategories and themes. The findings of this study provide direction for further research involving triggers of aggression in the mentally ill and the influence of caregivers’ actions and behaviors on the hospitalized mentally ill.