Human Development & Family Science

Permanent URI for this communityhdl:10365/32470

Research from the Department of Human Development & Family Science. The department website may be found at https://www.ndsu.edu/hdfs/

Browse

Browsing Human Development & Family Science by browse.metadata.program "Human Development"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Anticipatory Guidance Provision Related to Driving Safety/Cessation for Older Drivers
    (North Dakota State University, 2014) Huseth-Zosel, Andrea Lynn
    Increasing numbers of older adults continue to drive. Aging-related physical and cognitive changes can impact driving ability. Health care providers (HCPs) are ideally placed in society to provide mobility counseling to older drivers. This research explored the frequency of HCP mobility counseling provision to older drivers; HCP demographic and practice predictors of mobility counseling provision; and rural-urban differences in HCP mobility counseling provision, HCP perceptions of mobility counseling provision, and HCP barriers to mobility counseling provision. Data were collected by surveying HCPs in several upper Midwest states. Two manuscripts were produced as a result of this research. The first article focuses on rural-urban differences in HCP mobility counseling. It was found that rural HCPs were less likely than urban HCPs to provide mobility counseling to patients aged 75 or older. Additionally, rural HCPs were less likely than urban HCPs to feel there are adequate resources, less likely to refer patients if they had questions related to driving issues, and less likely to know where to refer older drivers for driving fitness assessments. The second article focused on HCP demographic and practice predictors of mobility counseling provision. It was found that HCP predictors of mobility counseling provision differed by patient age. HCPs that had personal experience with a motor vehicle crash more often provided mobility counseling to patients aged 65 to 74. For older patients (aged 75 or older), HCPs who practice in rural areas, older HCPs, and HCPs with greater proportions of patients aged 65 or older were more likely to provide mobility counseling. This study is important in laying the groundwork for future research focusing on mobility counseling and older drivers, and emphasizing the significant role of HCPs in this process.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The Association Between the Consumer Nutrition Environments and Free and Reduced School Lunch Rates
    (North Dakota State University, 2012) Randles, Anthony Michael
    This study examined the relationships between neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), measured by free and reduced school lunch rates, the nutrition environment. In the first part of this study trained surveyors used the Nutrition Environment Measure Survey-Stores (NEMS-S) to document availability of healthy food items in sixty retail food stores (96% of total community retail food stores) categorized as `ethnic grocery', `supermarkets', and `convenience'. Community neighborhoods were divided by elementary school district, allowing neighborhood SES to be determined by the percentage of free and reduced price lunch provided to students and are thus grouped as high or low SES neighborhoods. Surveyors also used the NEMS-R to document nutritional availability and promotional signage in 187 restaurants categorized as being full service (n= 93) or fast food (n= 94). Restaurant locations were categorized as low SES, moderate SES, or high SES, based on the number of free and reduced lunch served in neighborhoods public elementary schools. In the second part of this study, Fargo, ND was subdivided by elementary school bounders and free and reduced school lunch rates were collected to categorize schools in to three SES categories. Census block groups were also used to subdivide Fargo and census poverty rates were used to classify SES categories for block groups. To determine access to healthful food choices data from the first part of this study was used to compare between SES indicators (free and reduced lunch rates; census poverty data) and also within groups. Take together; the results from both parts of this study emphasize the need to improve nutrition quality within all communities. This cannot be accomplished without a combination of government policies, consumer involvement, and a change in the food industry system; all are needed to address nutritional availability and access in communities. Governments can set policies to promote good nutrition, incentives to locate food outlets in low income areas and improving zoning laws. Most importantly, governments can work with food outlets to promote healthful eating and nutritional choice making, thereby encouraging the consumer to make the best choice possible for their health.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Childhood Adversity and Successful Aging
    (North Dakota State University, 2017) Danielson, Ramona Ann
    Extant literature offers consensus regarding the long-term impacts of childhood adversity (CA) but its impact on successful aging is not well understood. The Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study – a nationally representative sample including 1,017 adults 55-76 (Ryff et al., 2016) – did not include a measure of CA exposure for use in analyses. Two papers were developed for this dissertation. The first paper, An effective measure of childhood adversity for use with older adults, explored whether a cumulative CA measure that is effective for older adults could be developed using existing MIDUS questions. It provided a rationale for operationalization of CA for researchers and for creating a cumulative score of eight CA types. Distributions of individual items and the CA score were consistent with past studies using similar CA measures. The overall factor structure of the scale was consistent with previous research: 1) household dynamics (did not live with both biological parents until age 16, substance abuse in the home, financial distress, moved three or more times) and 2) child abuse and neglect (sexual assault, emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect). Consistent with the literature, CA score showed a significant negative association with life satisfaction and positive association with number of chronic conditions, and dose-response relationships with cumulative CA. This study demonstrated that CA score, created using existing MIDUS data, was an effective measure for use with older adults. The second paper, The impact of childhood adversity on successful aging for older adults, examined the impact of CA score on successful aging for older adults, operationalized using eight dimensions of wellness. Results showed that CA affected successful aging decades later. Controlling for age and gender, hierarchical multiple regression showed a significant negative association between CA score and emotional, physical, social, financial, environmental, and spiritual wellness as well as the cumulative wellness index, and no significant association with intellectual or occupational wellness. Prevention is the best way to address public health implications of CA. However, the present study provided insight into successful aging and can inform interventions that target adults for whom prevention of CA is not possible.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Exploring the Meaning of a Rural Mind-Body Medicine Group Curriculum from the Perspectives of Community-Based Participants
    (North Dakota State University, 2020) Riegert, JoAnne Marie
    The challenges and stress that are present in our daily lives can be consuming and are often associated with chronic illnesses and mental health concerns. In rural communities, residents may experience greater exposure to a range of potentially traumatic events at both a personal and community level (Handley et al., 2015). Additionally, in many rural areas, the availability of health services is a significant issue. One emerging approach utilized to treat the increasing numbers of chronic illnesses and trauma-related mental health problems in a rural population is the integration of meditation skills presented in a group setting, to counterbalance the effects. This phenomenological study explores seven individuals' perspectives on the impact of participation in a Mind-Body Medicine Group Curriculum, in a rural community. The findings illuminate etic clusters of the impact of worry, the importance of forgiveness, growth of self-love and self-compassion, the benefits of the therapeutic bond in the group experience, and micro and macro healing. Emic themes of self-actualization and the importance of relational connection were discovered. These outcomes suggest that healing in rural communities is obtained in group settings, as an additional alternative to individual therapy. Implications for integrating mindfulness into psychotherapy practice, the impact of group work in rural areas, as well as applications for counselor educators and graduate training programs, are additionally explored.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Impact of a Wellness Coaching Program on Bariatric Surgery Candidates Following Weight Loss
    (North Dakota State University, 2013) Gust, Anita Marie
    A lifestyle approach toward weight loss, encompassing behavior modification strategies, education, and new coping skills may be most effective in adoption of the healthy behaviors necessary for achievement and maintenance of successful weight loss. Limited research exists on the effectiveness of pre-surgery wellness programs on post-surgical health behaviors for bariatric surgery candidates. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a pre-bariatric surgery wellness coaching program on health behaviors, quality of life (HRQoL), and psychosocial factors.A questionnaire containing measures of weight (self-report), dietary and physical activity (PA) (7-day IPAQ-short) behaviors, exercise motivation (BREQ-2), HRQoL (SF-12v2), and open-ended questions evaluating the wellness program, was sent out to all participants who engaged in a 12-week weight loss wellness coaching program and all bariatric surgery patients from 2009-2012 (n=782). From the 118 returned surveys (15.0%), participants (age = 51.46 years ± 12.98, BMI = 30.31 ± 7.70) were placed in either the wellness-coaching only group (n=16), surgery-only group (n=58), or surgery plus wellness coaching group (n=44) based on whether they participated in, and completed, the 12-week program and/or surgery. The wellness-coaching only group was excluded for the first set of analysis where weight loss, PA, dietary factors, exercise motivation and HRQoL were analyzed between a control (surgery only) group and intervention (surgery + wellness coaching) group. Compared to controls, participants in the wellness-coaching group had significantly more weekly vigorous PA, total minutes of MVPA, and total weekly PA. Significant differences were also found for two measures of exercise motivation and vitality scores. The second set of analysis excluded the surgery only group to analyze the impact of the wellness coaching program. Results indicate favorable results for health behaviors. A qualitative analysis found positive results for several psychosocial factors, motivation, and new skills learned. A comprehensive, wellness approach encompassing evidence based strategies toward weight loss had positive results towards health related behaviors and emotional and social well-being. Additionally, participants reported responses consistent with continued engagement in health behaviors and weight loss maintenance.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The Impact of Psychosocial Outcomes in Long-Term Bariatric Patients
    (North Dakota State University, 2015) Geraci, Angela Ann
    The disease of obesity is a serious and significant public health epidemic affecting more than 78 million Americans. The increase in human life expectancy also increases the chance of reduced quality of life and well-being by those suffering from obesity. Obesity–related factors may mean years of physical and psychosocial discomfort, lack of mobility, and chronic ill health. This study analyzed long-term bariatric patient outcomes, specifically, factors regarding postprocedure weight regain, surgeon follow-up, and psychosocial issues related to quality of life (i.e. self-concept and obesity discrimination). The overarching research design for this study employed survey methods, using a cross-sectional, self-reported questionnaire and enlisted both a combined quantitative and qualitative approach to analyze data. Participants over the age of 18 and at least 18-months post-procedure were recruited either from public bariatric support forums (n = 133) or through a regional weight management center in the Midwest (n = 534), which specializes in bariatric surgery. Results suggests that although some weight regain after surgery is likely, weight regain decreases as a patient continues to maintain adherence to the recommended post-operative diet, as well as the importance of bariatric follow-up and support. Additional results revealed that different aspects regarding the ‘self’ such as body image, the continued struggle to develop alternative coping strategies to eating, and obesity stigma have an impact for a multitude of years post-bariatric surgery, and therefore can overshadow the benefits of surgery. It is recommended that a critical key to success for long-term bariatric patients is having access and care of multidisciplinary teams including a bariatric surgeon, gastro-intestinal specialist, endocrinologist, nutritionist, and psychiatrist at minimum. Finally, there is also a significant need for long-term bariatric research in the future.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Physical Activity of Preschool Aged Children during Childcare: Examination of Seasonal Changes and an Evaluation of a Dance-Based Intervention
    (North Dakota State University, 2012) Schuna, John Micheal
    The purpose of this dissertation was to prospectively track preschoolers' physical activity (PA) during childcare while investigating for seasonal differences in accelerometer measured PA between the fall and winter months in Fargo, North Dakota. This dissertation also evaluated the feasibility of a novel dance-based intervention for increasing PA and reducing sedentary (SED) time in childcare using short activity breaks (< 10 min) interspersed throughout the childcare day. Two studies were conducted as part of this dissertation. The first study (Paper 1) examined for seasonal differences in preschoolers' PA. The second study (Paper 2) evaluated the feasibility of a novel dance-based intervention for increasing PA and reducing SED time during childcare. Preschool aged children (3-5 years) were recruited from four childcare centers in Fargo, North Dakota, to participate in both studies. Children (N = 59) in study one wore an accelerometer during childcare for 5 days in October/November 2011 (fall) and for 5 days in January/February 2012 (winter). Significant decreases in all intensities of PA were observed from fall to winter. Levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) decreased by 17% (p < .01), while SED time increased by 3.2% (p < .01). Children averaged 6.1 min/hr of MVPA across the two assessment periods. Levels of MVPA among preschool children from this study fell within the range of estimates reported in the current literature. Findings from study one suggest that preschoolers' PA levels can substantially change across seasons. For study two, four childcare centers were randomly assigned (cluster randomized design) to take part in a novel dance-based PA intervention or to serve as a control site. Preschoolers (N = 61; intervention group [n = 30], control group [n = 31]) wore an accelerometer while at childcare for 5 days at baseline in January 2012 and for 5 days during the intervention in February 2012. No significant differences between groups in baseline to intervention period changes for MVPA or SED time were observed. Results from study two indicate that adding an additional 15-20 min of dance to preschoolers' childcare day did not significantly increase MVPA or reduce SED time.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Weight-Related Health Behaviors and Body Mass: Associations between Young Adults and their Parents, Moderated by Parenting Styles
    (North Dakota State University, 2011) Niemeier, Brandi Shea
    The incidence of overweight conditions among children and adolescents is a growing national concern. Although current literature suggests that parental health behaviors could influence health behaviors of children, studies have not explored the actual predictive relationships of parents' and their children's weight statuses and weight-related behaviors. In addition, current studies have not tested the influence of parental authority, family communication, or demographic characteristics on the relationships. This study first examines factors that contribute to overweight conditions among children and adolescents and the associated costs. Studies of interventions that target children's and adolescents' weight-related health are then reviewed and provide evidence that parental involvement contributes to intervention success. The theory of planned behavior, social cognitive theory, social action theory, and systems theory are discussed and support the notion that parental influences contribute to the development of children's weight-related health behaviors. To test the relationships, 151 young adults and their parents were recruited and completed a series of questionnaires to describe their weight statuses, dietary behaviors, and physical activity behaviors. In addition, the young adult participants completed questionnaires to further describe their parents' parental authorities and their family communication environments during childhood and adolescence. Comparisons of body mass index, average daily energy consumption, average weekly energy expenditure, and physical activity enjoyment of young adult participants and their parents were conducted with correlation analyses and paired-samples t-tests. Further, multiple regression analyses were used to explore the influence of parental authority and family communication, and demographic characteristics were also considered. The empirical results of the current study indicate that, overall, parents' weight statuses and dietary behaviors help predict weight statuses and dietary behaviors of their young adult children. Further, parental authority scales interact with the relationships. At high levels of authoritarian and permissive parental authorities, young adults tend to have weight statuses that are opposite to those of their parents; at high levels of authoritarian parenting, young adults also tend to follow opposite dietary consumption patterns. The findings in this study have implications for professional practice, parenting practices, and the design of intervention activities. Recommendations for future research are provided.