This essay presents a critique of an empirical study titled "Resourcefulness and Health Practices of Diabetic Women" published in 2001 by Zauszniewski and Chung in Research in Nursing & Health. What is significant about this empirical study is that the authors are focused on identifying the impact of depressive symptoms in combination with a diagnosis of diabetes on both the health practices of women and their resourcefulness. They found that the effects of depressive symptoms among members of this population can be partially mediated by resourcefulness. The shortcomings and the strengths of the research study are reviewed as well as the central elements of the study and its format.
The purpose of this essay is to provide a comprehensive analysis of an empirical research study on the resourcefulness and health practices of diabetic women that was conducted by Zauszniewski and Chung (2001). The title of the article does indicate its primary focus and the abstract written by the authors clearly identifies the problem they address, its significance, and the central thrust of their research effort and methodology. The problem is placed within the larger framework of interventions targeting the treatment of diabetic women who may also suffer from depression.
Zauszniewski and Chung (2001) presented the problem of their study in the form of a research hypothesis. Specifically, Zauszniewski and Chung (2001, p. 115) hypothesized that "women with more severe psychological and physical symptoms related to diabetes or depression would engage in fewer behaviors to promote their health unless they possessed a repertoire of resourceful coping skills that enabled them to seek optimal health despite the presence of their symptoms." The problem is presented as significant and relevant in that health related coping strategies are positively associated by the authors with the management of Type 2 diabetes whereas comorbidity of depr...