Lives of Violence and Vengeance: Life Stories of Older Oaxacan Adults.

This qualitative research identifies and analyzes emotions linked to affective experiences and cultural aspects of experiences of violence in 219 older adults of eight Indigenous groups in Oaxaca, Mexico. Life stories are examined from perspectives of cultural gerontology, anthropology of emotions and critical medical anthropology with a gender perspective. Family violence, structural violence in daily life, gendered violence, inter-village and state violence, blood vengeance and the contribution of male alcoholization are examined. An understanding of the experiences of violence in the lives of older adults permits an improved knowledge and understanding of the emotional culture, social problems and the community.

"Something Born of the Heart": Culturally Affiliated Illnesses of Older Adults in Oaxaca.

This qualitative research identifies and analyzes emotions and interventions linked to affective experiences and cultural aspects of health/illness/care processes in 219 older adults of eight Indigenous groups in Oaxaca, Mexico. Life stories are examined from perspectives of cultural gerontology, anthropology of emotions and critical medical anthropology with a gender perspective. Significance and healing of two illnesses of cultural affiliation: tiricia (sadness of the soul) and envidia (rancor against the successful) are examined. Conditions other than diabetes and hypertension are healed by traditional remedies or spiritual cleansings. Examining tiricia and envidia permit improved knowledge and understanding of the emotional culture and the community.

Faith, Work, and Reciprocity: Listening to Mexican Men Caregivers of Elderly Family Members.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the role of Mexican men caregivers of older adults. Studies investigating male caregiving practice in Mexico are lacking. Listening events for older adults and family caregivers were held in six cities, obtaining an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 121 participants-81 older adults and 57 primary caregivers (including 17 older adults). Focus groups discussed end-of-life issues and challenges of care. Discussions were audio recorded and field notes were made. Framework Analysis was used to analyze data. Nationally, 37% of the caregivers were men. In the metropolitan area of Mexico City, 57% of caregivers were men. The men caregivers discussed their roles and experiences. The results were categorized into three themes: (a) reciprocity in family caregiving, (b) a practical work-oriented attitude toward caregiving, and (c) strong religious faith. Caregiving formed an important part of their masculine role. Stereotypes related to gender and care should be reexamined. Further research is needed to explore gender variations in caregiving, evolving gender roles, and needs for support and services.

Terapia grupal con adultos mayores / Nurse-led group therapy for older adults

Resumen

Introducción: en México, recientemente las prácticas en enfermería psiquiátrica y salud mental se están aplicando, como también se está definiendo el papel de liderazgo de las enfermeras en la terapia grupal con adultos mayores. Este artículo es el primer trabajo de terapia de grupo en México dirigido por enfermeras.

Objetivo: examinar los efectos de terapia grupal cognitivo-conductual para adultos mayores deprimidos.

Metodología: implementación de una terapia grupal cognitivo-conductual, una vez a la semana durante 12 semanas. 41 adultos mayores con depresión, con una edad media de 71 años.

Resultados: los participantes experimentaron resultados positivos en el crecimiento personal, cambios de pensamientos negativos y en sus relaciones familiares. Un factor importante terapéutico fue el apoyo de otros miembros del grupo. Las enfermeras líderes experimentaron un crecimiento positivo, profesional y personal. Las dificultades consistieron en la resistencia de los médicos hacia el proyecto y en seguir un modelo rígido de terapia grupal cognitiva-conductual.

Conclusiones: se recomienda una combinación de terapia cognitivo-conductual y terapia grupal de apoyo.

Abstract

Introduction: this is the first study of nurse-led group therapy in México.

Objective: examine the effects of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on depressed older adults.

Methodology: forty-one depressed older adults, with an average age of 71, participated in nurse-led cognitive behavioral group therapy once a week for 12 weeks.

Results: participants experienced positive results in personal growth, changing negative thoughts, and relationships with family. An important therapeutic factor was the support of fellow group members. The nurses experienced positive personal and professional growth. Difficulties included physician resistance and a too-rigid cognitive behavioral group therapy model.

Conclusions: a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and supportive group therapy is recommended.

Pains, joys, and secrets: nurse-led group therapy for older adults with depression.

This is the first study of nurse-led group therapy in Mexico. Forty-one depressed older adults with a median age of 71 participated in nurse-led cognitive behavioral group therapy once a week for 12 weeks. Participants' scores on the Patient Health Questionaire-9 showed mild to moderate improvement. Participants experienced positive results in personal growth, changing negative thoughts, and relationships with family. An important therapeutic factor was the support of fellow group members. The nurses experienced positive personal and professional growth. Difficulties included physician resistance and a too-rigid cognitive behavioral group therapy model. A combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and supportive group therapy is recommended.

En busca de la modernidad: el inicio de la enfermería en México / In search of modernity: the beginnings of nursing in Mexico

Resumen

El proyecto del Dr. Liceaga para instituir el nuevo Hospital General de México a finales del siglo XIX y principios del siglo XX sufrió de varios altibajos. El mayor reto fue conformar una Escuela de Enfermería moderna. Desde la primera profesora estadounidense de enfermería, que llegó en 1897, hasta la inauguración de la escuela en las instalaciones del Hospital General en 1907, la historia de los inicios de la profesión se caracterizó por sus vínculos internacionales, pero también por conflictos derivados del machismo de los médicos mexicanos.

Abstract

Dr. Liceaga’s project to build the new General Hospital of Mexico at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century suffered from various delays. The greatest challenge was to open a modern school of nursing. From the first American professor of nursing in 1897, to the inauguration of the school in the installations of the General Hospital in 1907, the history of the beginnings of the profession were characterized by its international links, and by conflicts derived from the machismo of the mexican doctors.

Adela Vásquez Schiaffino: una enfermera en la Revolución Mexicana / Adela Vásquez Schiaffino: A nurse in the Mexican Revolution

Resumen

Adela Vásquez Schiaffino fue una enfermera mexicana y periodista en 1911, durante la revolución. Fue una de las enfermera de la generación de 1902, escritora para el periódico de la Ciudad de México El Diario, y enfermera voluntaria en El Paso, Texas, atendiendo a los heridos civiles y revolucionarios. Su reportaje sobre la atención a los heridos es una crónica detallada y viva. Pionera de la enfermería mexicana y del periodismo, cien años después, su reportaje es una inspiración y un registro dramático de los costos humano de la Revolución.

Summary

Adela Vásquez Schiaffino was a Mexican nurse and reporter in 1911, during the Mexican Revolution. A nurse who graduated from the class of 1902, a writer for the Mexico City newspaper El Diario, she volunteered as a nurse in El Paso, Texas, caring for the wounded revolutionaries and civilians from Mexico. Her reporting of her nursing of the wounded is immediate, heart-felt, and alive. A pioneer in Mexican nursing and journalism, one hundred years later, her writing is still an inspiration and a dramatic record of the human cost of the Revolution.

Depression, alcohol abuse, and generational differences in Mazahua women in a rural Mexican village.

This first study of depression and alcohol abuse in indigenous women in Mexico focuses on Mazahua women in a rural village. Women between the ages of 15 and 55 were interviewed using the Beck Depression Inventory, an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse survey, and a socioeconomic survey. Unexpected results showed that although alcohol abuse was absent, these women experience depression a generation earlier than the international and national averages for women, with an overall incidence about twice as great. Depression was associated with spouse's emigration, infidelity, or alcoholism. Sharp intergenerational differences were found in identity and socioeconomic status.