Browsing by Author "Brantley, Caroline Michelle"

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    The association between serum vitamin d status, bone mineral density, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Brantley, Caroline Michelle; Lawrence, Jeannine C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Cystic fibrosis (CF) currently affects around 30,000 individuals in the United States. Mucus obstructing the pancreas affects the production of digestive pancreatic enzymes causing pancreatic insufficiency, which leads to malabsorption, specifically of fat-soluble vitamins. New complications such as CF-related bone disease have also increased. Poor bone health is associated with malnutrition, inflammation, and vitamin D deficiency. CF patients generally have inadequate levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Insufficient vitamin D status is linked with decreased bone mass, increased inflammation, decreased immunity, and is also believed to contribute to respiratory failure. The purpose of this research is to examine the associations between serum vitamin D, bone mineral density (BMD) and lung function within the pediatric CF population. It is hypothesized that there will be a positive association between serum vitamin D and bone mineral density. It is further hypothesized there will be a positive association between serum vitamin D and lung function. A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate the association of serum vitamin D by assessing pre and post serum vitamin D concentrations, BMD, and pulmonary function in 30 CF pediatric patients ages 8-18. Data was subjected to descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and multiple linear regression to examine potential relationships between serum vitamin D levels with forced expiratory volume (FEV1) at baseline and with both BMD and FEV1 after 2 years of maximum dose supplementation. Independent t tests were ran to compare differences in groups regarding supplementation doses. No significant associations were found in serum vitamin D and BMD except in the baseline model. Furthermore, no significant associations were found between serum vitamin D and FEV1 values of lung function. Significant associations were seen in BMD and lean body mass at baseline and 2 years. Results also showed no significant differences between groups receiving either 2000 IU or 3000 IU vitamin D supplementation. While there were no consistent associations with serum vitamin D and BMD, baseline associations show a link between low serum levels and BMD. Future research should focus on interventions for preventative care of maintaining adequate vitamin D serum levels and diets rich in calcium for optimal bone health.
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    Parental Stress and Coping Behaviors Among Caregivers of Children with and without Down Syndrome: an Application of the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2023) Brantley, Caroline Michelle; Knol, Linda L
    Background: Stress is perceived when demands exceed one's ability to cope, which may lead to stress-related eating. Mindful eating may help reduce stress-related eating. Purpose: Explore caregivers' stressors and resources to cope, develop a caregiver-report child mindful eating questionnaire, and assess the relationship between child emotional overeating and caregiver attributes.Methods: In Phase 1, a qualitative study was completed to identify stressors among caregivers of children with Down syndrome. In Phase 2, a questionnaire measuring caregiver-reported child mindful eating was developed and tested for validity and reliability. For Phase 3, caregivers of children with and without Down syndrome completed the newly developed Parent-report of Child Mindfulness and Emotional Eating Scales, Perceived Stress Scale, Appraisal of Resources and Ability to Cope Questionnaire, Salzburg Stress Eating Scale (SSES), Child Feeding Questionnaire, Parenting Styles and Dimensions, and Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ). A regression analysis was used to assess predictors of child emotional overeating. Results: Phase 1 included 15 caregivers of children with Down syndrome. Caregivers identified caring for a child with Down syndrome as a substantial stressor. Phase 2 included 667 caregivers of typically developing children and children with Down syndrome. Factor analysis of the Parent-report of Child Mindfulness Scale indicated low internal consistencies (α=.48-.71). Factor analysis of the Parent-report of Child Emotional Eating Scale indicated two scales: Positive Emotions (α=.62, .44) and Negative Emotions (α=.81, .79). Test-retest analysis of both scales among both groups of caregivers indicated low reliability. In phase 3, among 337 caregivers of typically developing children, SSES, Authoritative Parenting, Authoritarian Parenting, and Concern about Child Weight explained 32.5% of the variance in child emotional overeating (β=.102, P=.037; β=.141, P=.012; β=.224, P<.001; β=.287, P<.001, respectively). Among 255 caregivers of children with Down syndrome, SSES, Appraisal of Ability and Resources to Cope, Authoritarian Parenting, Permissive Parenting, Concern about Child Weight, Monitoring, and MEQ explained 42.7% of the variance in child emotional overeating (β=.165, P=0.04; β=-.154, P=.012; β=.249, P<.001; β=.142, P=.040; β=.155, P=.004; β=.192; β=-.152, P=.010, respectively).Conclusions: More research is needed to explore mindfulness behaviors among children. Information from this study may be used in the development of future population-specific interventions.