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DISSERTATION FOR ETD FINAL12-7.pdf (1.33 MB)

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Giving Credence to Symptom Communications: A Middle Range Theory The Effect of Symptom Burden, Comorbidity, and Social Support on Functional Status in Independently Living Older Adults

Baum, Eric
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1544175022119126

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Nursing.
Abstract for the proposed middle range theory: This work presents a middle-range theory of the level of credence attributed by clinicians to the symptom communications of patients. Significant theoretical discussion and empirical study has occurred regarding symptom experiences and symptom management, as well as communication in a medical setting. Little previous theoretical work has concerned itself with the process of the ways symptoms are perceived, weighed, and subsequently acted upon by clinicians. A theoretical model is proposed regarding how symptom communications are understood and evaluated by the clinician, involving a level of credence given to these communications by clinicians. This theory may provide a framework for further inquiry, as well as contribute to nursing practice and education in symptom assessment and management. Abstract for the empirical study: The older adult population is expanding rapidly. Functional status (FS) is an important indicator in this population, as impairments in FS are a key component of quality of life, are correlated with advanced age, and can lead to dependency. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to clarify the relationships among levels of comorbidity, social support (SS), and symptom burden and their associations with the FS of older adults living independently, and to discover if symptom burden mediates the known relationship between comorbidity and FS. The sample consisted of community dwelling elders ≥ 65 (n = 111). FS correlated with comorbidity and total symptom burden, but not SS. Mediation of symptoms on the relationship between comorbidity and FS was not demonstrated. The absence of mediation could be related to inherent difficulties in measuring FS subjectively, the chronology of chronic conditions, or the strategies that older adults use to avoid unpleasant symptoms.
Barbara Daly, PhD (Committee Chair)
Carol Musil, PhD (Committee Member)
Diana Morris, PhD (Committee Member)
Gary Diemling, PhD (Committee Member)
135 p.
Nursing
Middle Range Theory; Symptoms; Older Adults; Functional Status; Comorbidity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Baum, E. (2019). Giving Credence to Symptom Communications: A Middle Range Theory The Effect of Symptom Burden, Comorbidity, and Social Support on Functional Status in Independently Living Older Adults [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1544175022119126

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Baum, Eric. Giving Credence to Symptom Communications: A Middle Range Theory The Effect of Symptom Burden, Comorbidity, and Social Support on Functional Status in Independently Living Older Adults . 2019. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1544175022119126.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Baum, Eric. "Giving Credence to Symptom Communications: A Middle Range Theory The Effect of Symptom Burden, Comorbidity, and Social Support on Functional Status in Independently Living Older Adults ." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1544175022119126

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1544175022119126
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.