Stephanie Kelly - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Stephanie Kelly

Journal of Adolescent Health, 2018

Purpose. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the considerations for the process of usi... more Purpose. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the considerations for the process of using state academic standards when developing intervention research in high schools. Background. Academic standards for children educated in high schools are developed at the state level to ensure that the students master the skills needed to be competitive in a global economy. Skills are defined according to requirements for college entrance, workforce training and life skills. At the time this protocol was developed, the goal of comprehensive health education was focused on attainment of health information and its relationship with physical, behavioral and social well being in addition to prevention of health problems. Additionally the goals included accepting responsibility for health decisions and practices, working with others to maintain healthy environments and to become informed consumers. Approach. The academic standards from the Arizona Department of Education were obtained and r...

Aims: The aims of this presentation are to discuss: 1) the importance of measuring treatment fide... more Aims: The aims of this presentation are to discuss: 1) the importance of measuring treatment fidelity, 2) creation of a fidelity tool to assess implementation of an intervention, 3) protocols for implementation of the fidelity measure, and 4) lessons learned. Rationale: Measuring treatment fidelity is essential in any clinical trial to identify if the intervention was implemented as proposed. Treatment fidelity is commonly measured by an observer using a preset questionnaire addressing how closely the interventionist is presenting the treatment and adhering to the prescribed protocol. A thorough, easy to complete measure is necessary to complete a fidelity assessment in the field. Creation of the fidelity tool is commonly an iterative process. Training of team members is vital to ensure inter-rater reliability among observers utilizing the measure. Additionally, it is helpful for several observers to assess each session in order to review similarities and differences in rating the f...

Aims: Estimates indicate approximately 29% of high school American adolescents are overweight or ... more Aims: Estimates indicate approximately 29% of high school American adolescents are overweight or obese. Causes are multi-factorial and include perception of ideal body size, gender and ethnicity. Perception of self as overweight has been associated with depressive symptoms and lower self concept. Ethnicity as a variable affecting a teen’s belief about their ability to live a healthy life style or their attitudes about healthy lifestyle has seldom been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ethnicity, overweight, and attitudes and beliefs about the ability to live a healthy lifestyle. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative descriptive design was used on a convenience sample of 404 adolescents during scheduled classes. Results: The study sample was divided into Caucasian (n=279) and non Caucasian. Non Caucasian youth included Hispanic (n=67), African American (n=13), American Indian (n=12), Asian (n=20) and other (n=28). BMI percentile and knowled...

Aims: Adolescence and young adulthood involve significant growth and development. This transition... more Aims: Adolescence and young adulthood involve significant growth and development. This transitional time in a young person’s life presents opportunities to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, including those targeting mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to describe the relationships among college students’ beliefs, choices, difficulty, and psychological measures of self-concept, depression, anxiety, anger and destructive behavior. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used on baseline data obtained with college freshman (N = 33) (18-19 years old) who participated in a15-week, 3-credit cognitive behavioral skills building course entitled “Freshman Five To Thrive” and those in a control class (N = 16). The course, adapted from the COPE/Healthy Lifestyles TEEN Program, was designed to target knowledge and behavioral skills regarding healthy nutrition, physical activity and the promotion of mental health. Students participated in 2 hours of didactic and 1 ho...

Health education research, 2015

Fidelity in implementing an intervention is critical to accurately determine and interpret the ef... more Fidelity in implementing an intervention is critical to accurately determine and interpret the effects of an intervention. It is important to monitor the manner in which the behavioral intervention is implemented (e.g. adaptations, delivery as intended and dose). Few interventions are implemented with 100% fidelity. In this study, high school health teachers implemented the intervention. To attribute study findings to the intervention, it was vital to know to what degree the intervention was implemented. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to evaluate intervention fidelity and to compare implementation fidelity between the creating opportunities for personal empowerment (COPE) Healthy Lifestyles TEEN (thinking, emotions, exercise, and nutrition) program, the experimental intervention and Healthy Teens, an attention-control intervention, in a randomized controlled trial with 779 adolescents from 11 high schools in the southwest region of the United States. Thirty teachers part...

Purposes/Aims The purposes of this presentation will be to: (1) describe important considerations... more Purposes/Aims The purposes of this presentation will be to: (1) describe important considerations in gaining access to schools for intervention research, and (2) highlight key strategies for success. Rationale/Background Schools are an ideal site to promote the health of children and adolescents as implementing interventions in schools reduces barriers such as transportation or stigma regarding the use of community based mental health services. However, access to conducting research within schools is often limited. Brief Description of the Best Practice Best practices learned in gaining access to schools for the purpose of conducting research will be described. Important considerations that schools entertain when making decisions about whether to allow the conduct of research in their settings will be highlighted. Outcomes Achieved A concise description of the series of intervention studies successfully conducted and in process in high schools by this research team will be described...

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 2013

Despite the increasing prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in adolescents, less than 2... more Despite the increasing prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in adolescents, less than 25% of affected teens receive any treatment. A preexperimental one-group pre- and posttest pilot study design with 4-week follow-up was used to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of the COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) brief-focused manualized seven-session cognitive-behavioral skills building group intervention delivered in two high schools to 16 adolescents referred by a school-based nurse practitioner for depression or elevated anxiety symptoms. Adolescents reported significant decreases in depression and anxiety on the Beck Youth Inventory as well as increases in personal beliefs about managing negative emotions. Evaluations indicated that the group COPE intervention was a positive experience for the teens. COPE is a promising brief-focused cognitive behavioral therapy-based intervention that can be delivered effectively to teens in school settings using a group format.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2013

Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2014

To assess the preliminary effects of a new course entitled Freshman 5 to Thrive/COPE Healthy Life... more To assess the preliminary effects of a new course entitled Freshman 5 to Thrive/COPE Healthy Lifestyles on the cognitive beliefs, knowledge, mental health outcomes, healthy lifestyle choices, physical activity, and retention of college freshmen. Measures included demographics, nutrition knowledge, healthy lifestyle beliefs, healthy lifestyle perceived difficulty, healthy lifestyle choices, Beck Youth Inventories-II (anxiety, depression, anxiety, and destructive behavior), step count via pedometer, and college retention. The experimental COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) group had greater intentions to live a healthy lifestyle (p = .02) versus the comparison group. COPE students also significantly increased their physical activity (p = .003) from baseline to postintervention and had a higher college retention rate than students who did not take the course. In addition, there was a significant decrease in depressive and anxiety symptoms in COPE students whose baseline scores were elevated. The Freshman 5 to Thrive Course is a promising intervention that can be used to enhance healthy lifestyle behaviors and improve mental health outcomes in college freshmen.

Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 2011

PURPOSE. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine whether actual weight, biological sex, ... more PURPOSE. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine whether actual weight, biological sex, and race/ethnicity were related to differences of weight perception, nutrition and activity knowledge, perceived difficulty, attitudes, and choices about living a healthy lifestyle in adolescents; and (b) describe the relationships among these variables. DESIGN AND METHODS. This was a cross-sectional descriptive, correlational design with 404 adolescents. RESULTS. Perception of weight was more accurate in overweight adolescents. Teens who reported difficulty in leading a healthy lifestyle reported less healthy choices, attitudes, and knowledge. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Findings suggest tailored interventions should consider biological sex and race/ethnicity.

Journal of Pediatric Health Care

Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing

Cyberbullying is a new risk factor for the well-being of pediatric populations. Consequences of c... more Cyberbullying is a new risk factor for the well-being of pediatric populations. Consequences of cyberbullying include both physical and mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and somatic concerns. Adolescents who have been victims of cyberbullying and developed secondary symptoms are often recommended to visit a healthcare provider to obtain effective, evidence-based treatment. To date, no interventions exist in the healthcare setting for adolescents who are victims of cyberbullying. The purpose of this project is to review interventional studies on cyberbullying that have components for adolescents who have been involved with cyberbullying and their parents and to provide recommendations on effective intervention components with the goal of guiding clinical practice. A systematic review was conducted using the Institute of Medicine guidelines. A comprehensive electronic literature search was completed targeting interventions of cyberbullying in any setting. No date limits were used. Literature was searched in MEDLINE, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Communication and Mass Media Complete, Education Information Resource Center (ERIC), and PsycINFO databases. The following search terms were applied &amp;amp;amp;quot;cyberbullying&amp;amp;amp;quot; + &amp;amp;amp;quot;intervention&amp;amp;amp;quot; or &amp;amp;amp;quot;treatment&amp;amp;amp;quot; or &amp;amp;amp;quot;therapy&amp;amp;amp;quot; or &amp;amp;amp;quot;program.&amp;amp;amp;quot; Only articles with a pediatric population were selected for review. Seventeen cyberbullying intervention programs in 23 articles were found to meet the search criteria. The most frequently used intervention components included education on cyberbullying for the adolescent, coping skills, empathy training, communication and social skills, and digital citizenship. Parent education on cyberbullying was also found to be important and was included in programs with significant outcomes. As youth present to healthcare providers with symptoms related to cyberbullying, effective interventions are needed to guide evidence-based practice. This review supports educating the individual youth and parent on cyberbullying and teaching the youth skills in communication and social, empathy, coping with cyberbullying, and digital citizenship.

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the use of cognitive and behaviora... more Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the use of cognitive and behavioral skill building techniques in adolescents to increase physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake. Background: Physical activity and F&V intake are important aspects of a healthy lifestyle. National data indicates that only 18.4% of youth in 9-12th grades were physically active at least 60 minutes per day. Additionally, only 22.3% of teens reported eating five fruits or vegetables a day. When adolescents do not meet recommendations for one health behavior, other health behavior recommendations are often not met as well. For example, in a study of 878 teens ages 11-15 years, 80% had several risk behaviors. Cognitive behavioral skills building (CBSB) is a method used to promote physical and mental health. Positive findings have been associated with teens in studies involving depression, anxiety and obesity. Cognitive behavioral skills building is a promising technique to e...

Aims: Research findings indicate that the majority of adolescents do not have healthy lifestyle b... more Aims: Research findings indicate that the majority of adolescents do not have healthy lifestyle behaviors (physical activity and nutrition). Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, sedentary behavior and consumption of calorie dense foods have been associated with obesity. Although numerous determinants of lifestyle behaviors have been identified, the relationship between determinants and lifestyle behaviors has not been well explicated. Few theories have been tested in adolescents to explicate lifestyle behaviors with none being highly predictive. The purpose of this study was to determine if the Information, Motivation, Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model could predict fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents. Methods: The IMB Model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). Questionnaires were administered to 404 adolescents at two high schools during a health/PE course in the southwest at two time points. Results: While many of the theoretical relationships predicted by the IMB mode...

Aims: Although overweight in adolescents is a major public health problem in the U.S., there is a... more Aims: Although overweight in adolescents is a major public health problem in the U.S., there is a paucity of studies that have measured underlying factors to explain healthy lifestyle behaviors leading to overweight in teens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of a new healthy lifestyle beliefs scale for adolescents, a 16 item Likert measure based on cognitive behavior theory that taps beliefs about living a healthy lifestyle. Methods: The sample included 404 adolescents attending health education courses in two high schools located in a large Southwest city. The adolescents ranged in age from 13 to 18 years with a mean age of 15.1 years. Face validity was established with 10 teens and content validity was established with 8 adolescent specialists. Findings: Cronbach’s alpha for the scale was .94. Principal axis factoring yielded two factors. The first factor had an eigenvalue of 8.3 that explained 52 percent of the variance and the second ...

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the preliminary efficacy of a 3-credit ... more Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the preliminary efficacy of a 3-credit course entitled Freshman 5 to Thrive/COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) Healthy Lifestyles on the mental health and healthy lifestyle behaviors of college freshman. Background: Approximately 34 percent of adolescents and young adults are overweight, with nearly two-thirds participating in less than three days/week of vigorous or moderate physical activity. There also is a decrease in physical activity in college from high school, with an average rate of weight gain more than .7 kg per year over a span of 10 years. In addition, according to the latest American College Health Assessment, approximately 30 percent of college students report that they feel overwhelmed by all they have to do and nearly 11 percent report feeling very sad. Methods: A pre- and post-test experimental design was used with 33 of 70 (47%) students in three sections who were taking the 3-credit sem...

Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 2012