International clinical experiences: long-term impact on students.

The realization that international learning experiences can provide an excellent opportunity for nursing students to practice nursing in a cultural system different from their own, gain an increased global perspective, and enhance their cultural competency, has led to the development of international nursing education programs across the globe. The authors explore the long-term impact on students of such an experience in Nicaragua. Graduates report how their knowledge, personal growth, and interpersonal connections were influenced by the experience

Early clinical assessment for harsh child discipline strategies.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationships among four maternal variables: 1) prenatal report of discipline expectant mothers received when they were children, 2) prenatal intentions for disciplining one's own child, 3) report of intended child discipline strategies when infant is 8 months old, and 4) observed maternal role sufficiency behaviors. DESIGN: Replication and extension study; 3-wave prospective longitudinal design. METHODS: The procedure consisted of prenatal clinic interviews in which women (N = 185) reported how their mothers handled specific child behaviors and how they intended to handle the same behaviors with their children. During a home visit when their babies were 8 months old, the mothers (n = 126) were again asked how they intended to handle these behaviors, and observations were made of maternal role sufficiency behaviors. Correlation and regression analyses were performed with data generated from an adaptation of the Ways of Handling Irritating Behavior scale, the NCAST Teaching Scale, and the HOME scale. RESULTS: A significant relationship was found between mothers' prenatal reports of discipline received as a child and prenatal reports of intentions for disciplining their own children. For mothers of infants, reported intentions for future child discipline strategies were predicted by their prenatal reports. Mothers with clinically at-risk scores on the NCAST Teaching Scale and HOME scale reported more intended harsh child discipline strategies than those not at-risk. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Assessment for harsh, nonnurturing child discipline strategies during prenatal and well-baby health maintenance checks may assist in uncovering "red flags" for early intervention to reduce the risk of later child abuse and neglect.