Comparison of different methods of screening to identify intimate partner violence: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Screening for intimate partner violence in the home is often challenging due to the lack of privacy. The aim of this study was to compare two different screening methods (paper-pencil vs. tablet) for identifying intimate partner violence during perinatal home visits. DESIGN: Randomized control trial. SAMPLE: Pregnant women (N = 416) in perinatal home visiting programs were randomized to either paper-pencil or computer assisted, intimate partner violence screening. MEASUREMENTS: The Abuse Assessment Screen was used to screen for physical and sexual IPV and Women's Experiences with Battering for emotional intimate partner violence. RESULTS: No significant differences in prevalence were found between the screening methods. Intimate partner violence prevalence rates for the year before and/or during pregnancy using paper-pencil was 21.8% versus 24.5% using tablets (p = .507). There were significant differences in prevalence among the three race/ethnic groups (Caucasian, 36.9%; African American, 26.7%; Hispanics, 10.6%; p < .001) and significant differences in rates across three geographical areas: urban 16.0%; rural 27.6%, suburban women 32.3% (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that both methods are useful for identifying intimate partner violence during perinatal home visits.

Differences in Coping Among African American Women With Breast Cancer and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine differences in psychological distress, symptoms, coping capacity, and coping abilities among African American (AA) women with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC and to explore differences in relationships among these variables.
. DESIGN: A prospective, descriptive, comparative, and correlational design.
. SETTING: Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
. SAMPLE: 30 AA women with breast cancer.
. METHODS: Patients completed questionnaires during chemotherapy. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping was used to guide the research.
. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Psychological distress, symptoms, coping capacity, and coping ability.
. FINDINGS: Patients with non-TNBC reported more intense present total pain, nausea and vomiting, better emotional functioning, lower cognitive functioning, use of significantly more prayer and hope, and more coping self-statements. A lower coping capacity score was associated with psychological distress in the TNBC group at midpoint and in both groups at completion of chemotherapy treatment. Patients in both groups used a higher level of positive religious coping.
. CONCLUSIONS: AA women with TNBC and non-TNBC might benefit (reduced psychological distress and improved coping skills) from receiving a comprehensive psychological care program. The findings can be incorporated and tested in a comprehensive coping strategy program.
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses should work closely with AA women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy to help them identify and consciously use coping strategies associated with increased coping capacity.

The Effects of Symptoms on Quality of Life during Chemotherapy in African-American Women with Breast Cancer.

Little is known about the effects of burdensome symptoms dur- ing chemotherapy treatment in African-American women. This study explored the symptom burden occurring during chemotherapy treatment and how these symptoms impacted functional well-being and quality of life (QOL). A sample of 30 African-American women with breast cancer (BC) completed a battery of questionnaires that were used to collect the data at baseline, midpoint, and at the completion of chemotherapy. There were significant differences in the severity of symptoms for worse pain, pain inteiference with activities of daily living (ADLs), present fatigue and history offatigue, present nausea and history of nausea and insomnia as well as lower intensity of QOL measures over the course of chemotherapy treatment. All symptoms had greater intensity at midpoint and completion than at baseline. Worst pain had a significant negative effect on functional well-being. Both pain and depression each had significant negative effects on QOL.