DSpace Repository :: Browsing by Author "Burton, Wanda Martin"

Browsing by Author "Burton, Wanda Martin"

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Addressing the Racial Disparity in Birth Outcomes: Implications for Maternal Racial Identity on Birthweight
(2017) Burton, Wanda Martin; Hernandez-Reif, Maria; Lian, Brad
As a widely used marker of health, birthweight has been a persistent racialized disparity with the low birthweight rate of Blacks in Alabama nearly doubling the national average. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of racial identity and acculturation on birthweight in a sample of Black women living in Alabama. Black women (n=72) in West Alabama were surveyed about the birthweight of their first born child. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Racial identity was the only significant predictor of birthweight. Mothers with a strong racial identity reported having low birthweight babies less often than those who scored lower on racial identity. Further exploration of racial identity revealed self-image as the essential element that predicted birthweight. Birthweight increased 4.2 ounces for each additional degree of self-image. Results also indicated that birthweight decreased as mothers’ age increased, within the widely accepted optimal maternal age range 21 to 35. Results add to the existing body of literature in support of the positive effect racial identity has on health. Findings on age are congruent with the weathering hypothesis, which states that the health of Black women may begin to deteriorate in early adulthood possibly due to the strain of racism.
Challenges to Providing Integrated HIV Prevention in Substance Use Treatment Settings: Frontline Staff Perspectives on HIV and Sex-Related, Education, Communication and Stigma
(Taylor & Francis, 2023-10-11) Jaiswal, Jessica; Griffin, Marybec; LoSchiavo, Caleb; Cox, Amanda; Hascher, Kevin; Dunlap, Kandyce; Walters, Suzan; Burton, Wanda Martin; Grini, Benjamin; Mumba, Merci; Eaton, Ellen
Introduction Substance use treatment settings can play a critical role in ending the HIV epidemic. Community-based methadone clinics are potentially useful sites to offer biomedical HIV prevention, but little is known about how clinicians and other clinic staff communicate with patients about sexual behavior and HIV-related topics. Methods Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted at two methadone clinics in Northern New Jersey. Participants included medical providers (physicians, RNs, DNPs), methadone counselors, intake coordinators, lab technicians, and other auxiliary staff members. Results: Three major themes were identified: (1) HIV education is primarily provided by external organizations, (2) there is limited staff-patient communication around HIV and sexual behaviors, and (3) HIV stigma is prevalent among staff and patients. Conclusion To implement PrEP in methadone treatment settings, clinic staff must be able to engage in non-judgmental communication about HIV and sex with patients. Additionally, federal and state funding for HIV prevention in substance use treatment settings must be prioritized to enable clinics to access the necessary training and resources.
Coping Among Black College Women: A Transformative Study of Gendered Racism
(Wiley, 2024) Burton, Wanda Martin; Ezemenaka, Christina; Jaiswal, Jessica; Guyotte, Kelly W.; Sanders, Angelica M.
Black women in the United States are placed at higher risk for mental health challenges, including distress and depression, due to structural inequities. Black college women enrolled in predominantly White institutions may be particularly exposed to stressors related to gendered racism, but there is limited knowledge about this population's coping strategies. A cross‐sectional survey and focus group were utilized to understand and disrupt participants’ experiences of gendered racism. In phase one, a survey assessing coping strategies and mental health outcomes was conducted with 168 Black women enrolled at a predominantly White institution in the southeastern United States. Logistic regression results indicated that several coping strategies including behavioral disengagement, self‐blame, self‐distraction, denial, and positive reframing were significantly associated with depression and psychological distress, all p< 0.05. Phase two included a single focus group with a subset of the sample from phase one. The focus group findings supplemented the survey results, suggesting education (more accurately consciousness‐raising) as a foundational theme that seemed to create space for humor and social support as coping subthemes and created a transformative space where participants spoke openly about gendered racism. Findings from this study highlight the societal underpinnings that shape Black college women's experiences of gendered racism. College settings should endeavor to provide formal and informal support for Black women to minimize the harms related to gendered racism.
Coping at the intersection: a transformative mixed methods study of gendered racism as a root cause of mental health challenges in black college women
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) Burton, Wanda Martin; Birch, David A.; Paschal, Angelia M.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Background. Racism negatively impacts mental health. Racial identity has been suggested as a buffer against the impact of racism. But women of color are exposed to gendered racism; based on intersectionality theory. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of and coping strategies used to deal with gendered racism on the mental health of Black college women. Methods. The mixed methods design included a nonrandom sample of 213 Black college women. Mental health was operationalized as depression (PHQ-9) and psychological distress (K-6). Correlation and regression analyses tested the impact of gendered racism on mental health; examined the role of racial identity; and, explored coping strategies. Through intensity sampling, the qualitative phase included individual interviews (n=12) and a focus group (n=6). Narrative inquiry was used to construct composite counter-narratives, using thematic narrative analysis. Findings. Quantitative results suggested that 84% of the sample require mental health treatment. Gendered racism negatively correlated with mental health; the most significant correlation was between depression and the frequency of gendered racism, r(95) = .405, p ≤ .01. Racial identity was not related to mental health and therefore could not be tested as a mediating factor. The qualitative phase revealed narratives of gendered racism across multiple levels. The institutional level helped to create the normative experience of gendered racism through lack of effective policy; it also impacted the individual and interpersonal levels. Internalized gendered racism resulted in an acceptance of limitations to one's full humanity. The interpersonal level included narratives of sexual assault, being mistaken as ‘the help,’ and assumptions about communication style and educational level. The mixed methods results suggested that effective coping depends on increased education and the deconstruction of gendered racism followed by the use of humor and social support. Discussion. Gendered racism negatively impacts the mental health of Black college women. Interventions should include an emphasis on gendered racism. Narratives revealed how Black college women accept and resist the normative experience of gendered racism. The mixed methods design provided a more nuanced understanding of how Black women cope with gendered racism.
Culture, racial identity and mood effects on birth outcomes of African-American mothers in Alabama
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2012) Burton, Wanda Martin; Hernandez-Reif, Maria; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The purpose of this study was to determine if racial identity, acculturation, depression and or anxiety would predict birthweight in African Americans. Multiple linear regression was conducted and results indicated that racial identity predicted birthweight. African American mothers who identified with having a stronger racial identity reported having low birthweight babies less often than those who scored lower on racial identity. These findings are consistent with those that support other positive effects of racial identity, such as higher self-esteem and less risk-taking behaviors among youth. Further exploration of racial identity revealed self image as the essential element of predicting birthweight. Results also indicated that for African American mothers between the ages of 21 and 35, birthweight decreases as mothers' age increase. This finding is congruent with the weathering hypothesis which states that the health of African-American women may begin to deteriorate in early adulthood; thereby suggesting that the optimal age for childbirth for African Americans may be earlier than most research suggest. More research is needed to explore the effects of racial identity and self image on birthweight among a more diverse group of mothers. Additional research should also compare women from different parts of the country and migration time in the U. S. to re-examine the possible effects of acculturation.
Gendered racial microaggressions and black college women: A cross-sectional study of depression and psychological distress
(Taylor & Francis, 2022-10-13) Burton, Wanda Martin; Paschal, Angelica M.; Jaiswal, Jessica; Leeper, James D.; Birch, David A.
Objective: We assessed the association between gendered racism, the simultaneous experience of sexism and racism, depression, and psychological distress in Black college women using an intersectional instrument, the gendered racial microaggression scale. Participants: Black college women enrolled at a predominantly white institution (PWI) in the southeastern U.S. (N=164, response rate = 77%, mean age 21.67). Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey to explore the impact of stress appraisal and frequency of gendered racial microaggressions on depression and psychological distress using validated scales. Results: 30% reported depression and 54% reported severe psychological distress. Correlations indicate significant relationships between gendered racism, depression and psychological distress, with the strongest relation reported between the frequency of gendered racism to depression. Regression analyses suggest significant relationships between gendered racism, depression and psychological distress. Conclusion: Gendered racism has significant bearing on the mental health of Black college women attending a PWI. Implications for interventions are discussed.
Gendered Racism: A Call for an Intersectional Approach
(Slack Journals, 2022) Burton, Wanda Martin
Inequities in social determinants of health (SDOH) contribute to health disparities that outweigh an individual’s ability to make healthy choices. SDOH refer to environmental conditions that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality of life outcomes and risks. They are complex, interdependent, and often grouped in five categories: economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and the built environment, and social and community con- text. Within the social and community context, discrimination has increasingly received attention since the American Public Health Association established its National Campaign Against Racism (Jones, 2016a,b). Understanding, revealing, and redressing racism as a social and structural determinant of health may help eliminate racialized health disparities. Yet, for those who are at the inter- section of multiple oppressions, focusing on racism alone may not go far enough.
Memories of adult survivors of childhood cancer
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2018) Hinton, Tori Allison; Burns-Nader, Sherwood; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Childhood cancer is a long and intense journey, with many physical and psychological reactions throughout. Childhood cancer survivors recount positive and negative memories about their cancer, including the importance of coping. Coping during childhood cancer has been shown to relate to quality of life after cancer. In this exploratory, qualitative study, we looked more in depth at adult childhood cancer survivors’ memories, specifically in relation to diagnosis, coping and life effects of cancer. Participants (n=27) were recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and answered a demographic questionnaire and a qualitative survey containing questions about their memories of experiencing childhood cancer. For this study, the questions of interest were: 1: What are adult survivors of childhood cancer memories of initial reactions to cancer?; 2: What are adult survivors of childhood cancer memories of coping during cancer?; and 3: What are adult survivors of childhood cancer reflections of the effects of cancer on the person they are today? Text data were then analyzed using a thematic analysis. In the participants’ memories of diagnosis, some important themes emerged, such as a lack of understanding, psychological reactions, a diagnosis story, physical symptoms, and other’s reactions. Participants’ memories of coping also brought about many common themes, such as maintaining function, support, faith, distraction, and avoidance. Cancer also positively impacted their lives at present, such as being stronger and/or resilient, having a different life outlook and/or attitude, and motivation. These findings indicate that adult survivors of childhood cancer do have strong memories about their cancer diagnosis and coping during their cancer experience, as well as that cancer has an ongoing influence in their life post-recovery. Keywords: childhood cancer, coping, effects, memories, survivors
Memories of adult survivors of childhood cancer: Diagnosis, coping, and long-term influence of cancer
(Taylor & Francis, 2022-02-03) Hinton, Tori; Burns-Nader, Sherwood; Casper, Deborah; Burton, Wanda Martin
Purpose: This study examines adult childhood cancer survivors’ memories about diagnosis, coping, and life effects of cancer.Research approach: This qualitative study used inductive content analysis to analyze open-ended responses completed in a survey conducted in 2018.Participants: 27 adult survivors (15 male, 12 female) of childhood cancer, ranging in age from 20–39, who were at least 5 years post treatment.Methods: Participants recruited through Amazon MechanicalTurk responded to a survey which included open-ended questions about experiencing childhood cancer to examine their:(1) memories of initial reactions to cancer; (2) memories of coping during cancer; and (3) reflections of the cancer experience on who they are today.Findings: Inductive content analysis was performed to reveal categories related to the stories shared by participants regarding their memories of childhood cancer experiences. Participants’memories of diagnosis reflected categories such as psychological reactions and family support. Memories of coping reflected themes of family support and distraction. Participants’ reported strength and resilience as impacts of cancer on their present lives. Implications for Psychosocial Providers: These findings indicate that survivors of childhood cancer have strong, specific memories about diagnosis and coping during cancer and highlight the potential long-term implications of having cancer. The findings also illustrate the importance of appropriate psycho-social support for childhood cancer patients and survivors.
Nursing Faculty Workforce Development Project
(Wolters Kluwer, 2024) Welch, Susan; Acker, Kristi; Burton, Wanda Martin; Cheshire, Michelle; Sartain, Andrea; Wedgeworth, Monika; Welch, Teresa
A proposed nursing faculty workforce development project by a college of nursing within a research-intensive institution will increase the number of nurse faculty from the current population of BSN-prepared nurses from underserved communities in a state to earn a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree with a nursing education specialty. This project will be accomplished through partnerships between a college of nursing and academic institutions with large nursing student populations from underserved communities. In addition, the project will incorporate the employment of MSN students at academic partner institutions within a clinical nurse faculty role. The proposed project will continue after an initial federally funded grant to continue the project and address the nurse faculty shortage from diverse populations and advance health equity and culturally congruent health care in the state. The project will also enhance partnership building with stakeholders, such as statewide academic institutions, to impact underserved communities.
Race as a Structural Determinant of Mental Health
(Slack Journals, 2024) Burton, Wanda Martin; Mumba, Mercy Ngosa
In the United States, one in five adults (52.9 million) were living with a mental health disorder in 2020 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). According to the CDC (2023), mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Although higher prevalence rates of mental disorders are not typically reported in racialized minority groups due in part to imperfect racial categorizations and measurements, researchers contend that complex social and structural factors, including inequities in the social determinants of health (SDOH), contribute to Black American individuals’ stress and mental health concerns (Burton et al., 2023; Kim & Bostwick, 2020; Millet et al., 2020). In addition, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black adults are less likely to receive routine treatment for mental health disorders due to several factors, including lack of access to treatment, mistrust, and stigma (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2023). Moreover, people with mental health disorders o􀅌en receive mental health care in emergency departments (EDs) when routine care is lacking. National data from 2018 to 2020 show that mental health-related ED visits were highest among Black American individuals for substance use, anxiety, and mood disorders compared to Hispanic and non-Hispanic White ED patients (Peters et al., 2023).

Browsing by Author "Burton, Wanda Martin"

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