Page 525 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

492 n STROKe

been conducted regarding strategies and also essential that the researcher incorporate
approaches designed to manage stress. manipulation checks into the methodology
S Study results indicated that acknowledge- to verify that the intervention “took.” For
ment of stress, and related causes, serve as example, when using a progressive muscle
the initial step in the process of managing relaxation or autogenic relaxation strategy,
stress. Approaches to stress management it is important to verify that the participant
ranged from holistic and alternative meth- experienced a sense of “relaxation.” likewise
ods to avoidance or elimination of stressors. it is equally important for the researcher to
not all interventions were clearly defined, verify that participants implement coping
consistent in design, and few of the studies strategies correctly following a psychoedu-
would be able to be replicated. The following cational intervention. Results must be able
themes emerge from the studies reviewed: to demonstrate that the intervention actu-
(a) subjects must identify the stressor(s) and ally altered the target variable as proposed
examine which variables are controllable or in the theoretical formulation. Furthermore,
manageable; (b) individualized strategies research designed to contribute to knowl-
are designed to counteract the effects of the edge generation offers little meaning if the
stressor(s); (c) one or more coping strategies researcher does not reflect on the meaning of
are implemented, which may include medita- the findings in relation to proposed theoreti-
tion, physical activity, creative outlets which cal formulations.
offer diversion during periods of high stress, Current developments in testing “ABC”
massage, removing oneself from a stressful codes (Alternative link, 2004) representing
situation; and (d) assess whether or a not a nonpharmacological interventions and com-
stressor can be accepted and therefore no plementary and alternative therapies offer
longer be viewed as a stressor. nursing the opportunity to demonstrate
A new theoretical model relative to the effectiveness of stress management interven-
management of stress evolved from the work tions in assisting patients to achieve desired
of zander and hutton (2009). The theoreti- health-related outcomes (lyon, 2000). The
cal model of effective coping illustrates the latter half of this decade will offer unprec-
interrelatedness of the concepts of mean- edented opportunities for nurse scientists
ing, interventions and strategies, and com- to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of
mitment. The idea expressed is that the stress management interventions in nursing
combination of meaning in one’s effort, a practice.
commitment to one’s efforts, and purpose-
ful stress management strategies will result Kimberly B. Hall
in effective coping abilities. The authors con-
tinue to actively test this theory.
Future directions for nursing research
should focus on identifying patterns of Stroke
appraisal, emotions, and coping that result
in health-related outcomes. Additionally, for
the discipline’s research efforts to meaning- Stroke, also known as cerebrovascular acci-
fully contribute to knowledge generation, it dent or apoplexy, is a sudden loss of con-
is imperative that nurse researchers clearly sciousness due to either a loss of blood flow to
define and delineate stress management the brain or a sudden rupture of a blood ves-
interventions and offer testable theoretical sel in or near the brain. There are two main
formulations that explain how the interven- types of strokes. An ischemic stroke is caused
tions affect outcome variables within speci- by thrombus formation due to narrowing of
fied person and environment contexts. It is the arteries from arteriosclerosis, an embolus