St.

Paul University Philippines

Tuguegarao City 3500

GRADUATE SCHOOL

AAN201 FOUNDATION OF ADULT NURSING PRACTICE

RESEARCH CRITIQUE

BERME, REMALYN C.

MARCH 2019
RESEARCH MATERIAL

The Relationship Between Stress, Coping Strategies, and Social Support Among Single
Mothers

by Nikitra Yvette Williams

MS, Walden University, 2010

BS, Strayer University, 2006

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

General Educational Psychology

Walden University

April 2016
 Abstract

Researchers have neglected to focus on understanding the relationships between stress,

coping, and social support among single mothers versus mothers who are not single. Knowledge

regarding how single mothers’ lives are affected by stress, social support, and coping is

important, and such information can help readers better understand how effectively single

mothers raise children compared with mothers who are not single. A convenience sample of 173

mothers completed this study. Participants in this study consisted of mothers who were (a)

raising at least one child ages 18 and under who lives in the home and (b) who were between the

ages 20 to 55 years old with a 12th grade education or greater. Participants were classified into

single mothers (those who reported their status as single, to include never married, separated,

divorced, in a committed relationship, and widowed; n= 75) and those who were not single

(those who reported their status as married, n= 98 ). Data were scored based on 3 measurement

scales: (a) the Perceived Stress Scale, (b) the Ways of Coping Questionnaire, (c) and the Social

Support Scale. An independent samples t test determined that mothers who were not single had

higher social support than did single mothers, whereas single mothers had higher perceived stress

than mothers who were not single. There were no significant differences on measures of coping.

An analysis of covariance revealed no significant difference between stress and coping strategies

among the mothers when social support was held constant. This study contributes to social

change by providing awareness of the importance of social support to professionals and for

single mothers. The findings of this quantitative study can thus guide single parenting research

and interventions.

https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3441&context=dissertations
RESEARCH CRITIQUE

Nurses provide the best standards of care for their patients and clients. According to
Freshwater and Bishop, 2003 p23; Hek, 2000 p19, If nurses are to improve their practice, and
apply evidence to improve their clinical and theoretical knowledge and skills, they must be able
to assess the quality of the available research which is relevant to their practice. To see if the
research is useful and of sufficient to be applied to their practice, the nurse must undertake an
evaluation and critical review of research studies (Fink, 2005).
This essay evaluates a quantitative research article which has relevance to nursing
practice entitled “The Relationship Between Stress, Coping Strategies and, Social Support
Among Single Mothers.” The title is concise and describes the focus of the research itself.
Moreover, it shows the relevant and the need to study and that improves nursing practice and add
to the body of nursing knowledge. The Research Hypothesis was stated clearly, described the
variables, and matched to the purpose of the study. On the other hand, the Conceptual
Framework utilized a certain theory. In this section, it gave a brief background on the theory
being used as well as provided a clear rationale why the chosen theory is being utilized in the
study. The concepts of the framework relate to the topic and served as a basis in interpreting the
results. It was also indicated on how the data will be collected. This knowledge will be relevant
to individual scope of practice to provide client-centered nursing care and services.

The Methodology Section or the Nature of the Study stated the choice of a quantitative
approach and the instruments being used. In the Scope and Delimitations, the target population
was specifically identified which will help the nurse if decisions about patients and clinical
problems are relevant. Furthermore, in this section, the data collection procedures and analysis
are described in the study. Threats to validity and the ethical considerations are also discussed
wherein stated at Standards of Practice that one must be ethically accountable. The Literature
Review provides the foundation for the study’s significance and relationship to practice thus, a
thorough literature review allows for credibility of the study. In this study, the literature review
provided an organized comprehensive context for the study. The author and the publication dates
were included. Mostly of the literature review are published within the last 10 years. Literature
reviews demonstrated important changes in knowledge over time. Results of the study are
presented in tables with great detail. Data presentation is summarized in detail but there were
limitations. The authors carried out the statistical analyses using SPSS, which is an established
statistical programme. The following results are being supported in the literature review and can
make change in our nursing practice. Added to that, Study Recommendations stated for further
use in practice as well as the need for further research.
RESEARCH MATERIAL

THE POWER OF NURSING: GUIDING PATIENTS THROUGH A JOURNEY OF

UNCERTAINTY

Hiroko Komatsu. Kaori Yagasaki.

European Journal of Oncology Nursing
Volume 18, Issue 4, August 2014, Pages 419-424
Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462388914000386
Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences of oncology nurses in
patient counseling and support services in the ambulatory care setting.

Methods and sample

A qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory methods. Data were generated through
four focus group interviews with 21 oncology nurses currently providing counseling and support
services for cancer patients in Japan. The content was analyzed based on a constant comparison
approach.

Results

The power of nursing was identified through three themes: connecting with the patient (shared
needs); personalized coordination (shared action); and realizing the patient's potential
(reassurance). Oncology nurses should guide patients through the uncertain cancer trajectory by
identifying patients' true needs based on an established relationship, providing personalized
coordination, and developing their potential. Patient-centered care can be provided in non-
physical care settings such as counseling and support services.

Conclusions Our study describes the uniqueness and significance of nursing, and provides
insights into realizing the full potential of nurses. This conceptual model can be used as a guide
for practice and an educational tool to build professional identity of nurses. Oncology nurses can
take a leadership role in enhancing the visibility of the nurses in multidisciplinary environments.
RESEARCH CRITIQUE

Nurses provide the best standards of care for their patients and clients. According to
Freshwater and Bishop, 2003 p23; Hek, 2000 p19, If nurses are to improve their practice, and
apply evidence to improve their clinical and theoretical knowledge and skills, they must be able
to assess the quality of the available research which is relevant to their practice. To see if the
research is useful and of sufficient to be applied to their practice, the nurse must undertake an
evaluation and critical review of research studies (Fink, 2005).

This essay evaluates a qualitative research article which has relevance to nursing practice

entitled “THE POWER OF NURSING: GUIDING PATIENTS THROUGH A JOURNEY

OF UNCERTAINTY.” The title is concise and describes the focus of the research itself.

Moreover, it shows the relevant and the need to study and that improves nursing practice and add

to the body of nursing knowledge. The problem statement was stated clearly, described the

variables, and matched to the purpose of the study. On the other hand, the Conceptual

Framework utilized a certain theory. In this section, it gave a brief background on the theory

being used as well as provided a clear rationale why the chosen theory is being utilized in the

study. The concepts of the framework relate to the topic and served as a basis in interpreting the

results. It was also indicated on how the data will be collected. This knowledge will be relevant
to individual scope of practice to provide client-centered nursing care and services.

The Methodology Section or the Nature of the Study stated the choice of a qualitative

approach, the instruments being used and the study sample was determined. In the Scope and

Delimitations, the target population was specifically identified through a purposive sampling

which will help the nurse if decisions about patients and clinical problems are relevant.

Furthermore, in this section, the data collection procedures and analysis are described in the

study. Threats to validity and the ethical considerations are also discussed wherein stated at

Standards of Practice that one must be ethically accountable. The Literature Review provides the
foundation for the study’s significance and relationship to practice thus, a thorough literature
review allows for credibility of the study. In this study, the literature review provided an

organized comprehensive context for the study. The author and the publication dates were

included. Mostly of the literature review are published within the last 10 years. Literature

reviews demonstrated important changes in knowledge over time. Results of the study are

presented in tables with great detail. Data presentation is summarized in detail but there were

limitations. The following results are being supported in the literature review and can make

change in our nursing practice. The knowledge will be relevant to the scope of nursing practice

in providing client-centered nursing care and services. Added to that, Study Recommendations
stated for further use in practice as well as the need for further research.