Nursing Research: Analyzing Health Interventions for Deaf Adults

This nursing assignment critically evaluates a research study focused on the effectiveness of the Deaf Heart Health Intervention (DHHI) in improving self-efficacy among deaf adults. The analysis highlights the use of the health behavior change model, derived from social cognitive theory, as the theoretical framework guiding the intervention. The assignment discusses the quasi-experimental design employed in the study, including participant recruitment, data collection methods using the Self-Rated Abilities Scale for Health Practices (SRAHP), and the importance of establishing the validity and reliability of research tools. The report emphasizes the relevance of the SRAHP tool for individuals with disabilities and its limitations for use in general adult populations. Ultimately, the assignment provides a comprehensive overview of the research, its methodology, and the implications for developing tailored health interventions for culturally deaf adults.

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Nursing assignment
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Author’s note

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Answer 2
Yes, a theoretical framework or model guided the research study. This can be said
because the main focus of the quasi-experimental study was to test the effectiveness of the Deaf
Heart Health Intervention (DHHI) tool on culturally deaf people and the intervention was based
on the principle of health behavior change in social cognitive theory (Jones, Renger & Kang,
2007). Hence, the health behavior change model was the theoretical framework used in the
research. The health behavior change concept is a part of the broader social learning theory given
by Bandura. The principle of health behavior change mainly explains rational for behavioral
change. The theory mainly suggests that health behavior change is triggered by knowledge,
beliefs, self-regulation skills and improvement in social facilitation in an individual (Ryan,
2009). Hence, by the use of this theory, person centered interventions can be tested to see how
they increase knowledge, beliefs and self-regulation skill in patients.
Jones, Renger & Kang, (2007) used principle of health behavior change as a framework
to test the efficacy of the DHHI intervention on improving self-efficacy of the deaf adults. This
intervention is also a person centered intervention as it aimed to teach participants regarding
modifiable CVD risk factors and activites to improve self-efficacy in skill building and
knowledge building. The theoretical framework supported designing the intervention for deaf
patients and using it on participants during the research. Hence, the use of health behavioral
change theory helped in explaining and understanding the phenomenon of health behavioral
change in deaf people (Marshall & Rossman, 2014).
Answer 4

2NURSING ASSIGNMENT
The research by Jones, Renger & Kang, (2007) focused on evaluating the effectiveness of
Deaf Heart Health Intervention (DHHI) on increasing self-efficacy for health-related behaviors
among deaf adults. To get answer to the research question, a quasi-experimental research design
was used and participants were recruited by means of advertisement on website and contacting
deaf community. The data collection was done at two interval- time 1 and time 2. The
intervention group received 8 weeks DHHI and the comparison group received alternative
treatment. The data was collected by means of evaluation form and the Self-Rated Abilities
Scale for Health Practices (SRAHP) tool. This tool was a 28-item self-report questionnaire that
measured self-efficacy of participants in the area of stress management, nutrition, physical
activity and responsible health practices by using subscales.
While using questionnaire like SRAHP or research tools to collect data, it is necessary for
researchers too report about the validity and reliability of the tool. This is necessary to ensure
that correct data is collected and the validity of research finding is maintained. Jones, Renger &
Kang, (2007) also paid attention to this by describing about the use of SRAHP scale in previous
studies done on people with disabilities. The internal consistency of the tool was established.
Besides comparison of the performance of the scale in past studies, the researcher also tested the
psychometric soundness of the tool by testing in larger sample size. Hence, this form of reporting
gives idea about the reliability and validity of the tool. Hutchison et al.(2016) has showed that
the SRAHP tool tool is reliable and valid only if it is applied to person with disabilities.
Therefore, such tools should not be used in normal adults as the data will have a ceiling effect
and reliable results cannot be obtained.

3NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Reference
Hutchison, S. L., Terhorst, L., Murtaugh, S., Gross, S., Kogan, J. N., & Shaffer, S. L. (2016).
Effectiveness of a Staff Promoted Wellness Program to Improve Health in Residents of a
Mental Health Long-Term Care Facility. Issues in mental health nursing, 37(4), 257-264.
Jones, E. G., Renger, R., & Kang, Y. (2007). Self‐efficacy for health‐related behaviors among
deaf adults. Research in nursing & health, 30(2), 185-192.
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2014). Designing qualitative research. Sage publications.
Ryan, P. (2009). Integrated theory of health behavior change: background and intervention
development. Clinical nurse specialist CNS, 23(3), 161.