Common Misconceptions about the Phonological Deficit Theory of Dyslexia

In this discussion paper, I review a number of common misconceptions about the phonological deficit theory (PDH) of dyslexia. These include the common but mistaken idea that the PDH is simply about phonemic awareness (PA), and, consequently, is a circular “pseudo”-explanation or epiphenomenon of reading difficulties. I argue that PA is only the “tip of the phonological iceberg” and that “deeper” spoken-language phonological impairments among dyslexics appear well before the onset of reading and even at birth. Furthermore, not even reading-specific expressions of phonological deficits—PA or pseudoword naming, can be considered circular if we clearly distinguish between reading proper—real meaning-bearing words, or real text, and the mechanisms (subskills) of reading development (such as phonological recoding). I also explain why an understanding of what constitutes an efficient writing system explains why phonology is necessarily a major source of variability in reading ability and hence a core deficit (or at least one core deficit) among struggling readers whether dyslexic or non-dyslexic. I also address the misguided notion that the PDH has now fallen out of favor because most dyslexia researchers have (largely) ceased studying phonological processing. I emphasize that acceptance of the PDH does not imply repudiation of other non-phonological hypotheses because the PDH does not claim to account for all the variance in reading ability/disability. Finally, I ask where neurobiology enters the picture and suggest that researchers need to exercise more caution in drawing their conclusions.

Does Knowledge about Climate Change Predict Concern? Concern for Climate Change and the Knowledge-Deficit Theory

<p>The knowledge-deficit theory suggests that if people are not concerned about climate change, it is because there is a deficit in their knowledge of climate change—they do not properly comprehend the scientific consensus. So do people with higher levels of knowledge about climate change feel more concerned than those with lower knowledge levels? Existing research has been inconclusive but suggests differences between perceived and actual knowledge. This thesis comprises two studies. Study 1 tests the effect of perceived knowledge on concern for climate change with a nationally representative, randomly selected sample of 269 New Zealanders. Study 2 tests the effect of actual knowledge about climate change on concern with a sample of 452 New Zealanders recruited via snowball sampling. Results supported the knowledge-deficit theory for concern for climate change, but only when actual knowledge was tested. Participants in both Study 1 and Study 2 with high perceived knowledge did not have correspondingly high levels of concern, but Study 2 participants with high actual knowledge of climate change did also have high levels of concern. Other variables tested that consistently predicted high concern for climate change were perceived efficacy (the perception that one's actions will influence group outcomes) and environmental values. Demographic variables were not strong or consistent predictors of concern, but overall, younger female participants tended to display higher levels of concern than older male participants.</p>

Does Knowledge about Climate Change Predict Concern? Concern for Climate Change and the Knowledge-Deficit Theory

<p>The knowledge-deficit theory suggests that if people are not concerned about climate change, it is because there is a deficit in their knowledge of climate change—they do not properly comprehend the scientific consensus. So do people with higher levels of knowledge about climate change feel more concerned than those with lower knowledge levels? Existing research has been inconclusive but suggests differences between perceived and actual knowledge. This thesis comprises two studies. Study 1 tests the effect of perceived knowledge on concern for climate change with a nationally representative, randomly selected sample of 269 New Zealanders. Study 2 tests the effect of actual knowledge about climate change on concern with a sample of 452 New Zealanders recruited via snowball sampling. Results supported the knowledge-deficit theory for concern for climate change, but only when actual knowledge was tested. Participants in both Study 1 and Study 2 with high perceived knowledge did not have correspondingly high levels of concern, but Study 2 participants with high actual knowledge of climate change did also have high levels of concern. Other variables tested that consistently predicted high concern for climate change were perceived efficacy (the perception that one's actions will influence group outcomes) and environmental values. Demographic variables were not strong or consistent predictors of concern, but overall, younger female participants tended to display higher levels of concern than older male participants.</p>

Experience of the patient's success in facing post-stroke urinary incontinence: the patient's perspective

Objective Post-stroke urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the sequelae of stroke. This situation affects all aspects of the patient's life – physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. This study aimed to investigate the experience of patients’ success in facing a post-stroke UI. Methods A qualitative study using the Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP) approach was used in this study. Informants were selected using purposive sampling. In-depth interviews with as many as 8 patients who had recovered from post-stroke UI and living in the greater area of Southeast Sulawesi (Indonesia) were conducted. In-depth interviews were also conducted with 8 caregivers and 2 nurses. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach and interpretation of data was based on Humanbecoming theory and Self-care deficit theory of nursing. Results Five successful things the patients experienced during post-stroke UI were identified. The five successes were as follows: they provided information to get to know and understand post-stroke UI, followed the procedures to overcome post-stroke UI, conducted self-control exercises and stayed motivated, performed daily activities independently according to ability, and made use of family support and peers’ attention. Conclusions These findings indicated that persistence, belief, independence, and social support (family and peer) made patients to successfully face their post-stroke UI and improved their quality of life. These findings also became the basis for developing a post-stroke UI management model based on Humanbecoming theory and Self-care deficit theory of nursing.

Self-Administration of Medication in Hospital: A Literature Review

The idea of patients self-administering their medication in hospital is not new; it was first cited in literature in 1959. Up to date, there is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of this approach. In this current state of the literature, self-administration of medication in hospital is positioned in the context of the definition of health as proposed by Huber et al. and Orem’s self-care deficit theory: first identify the concept of medication self-administration, as well as the prevalence, existing procedures, tools, and proven effects of interventions; then the findings should point the way forward for research, practice, and policy.

Patient Care Approach Using Nursing Theories - Comparative Analysis of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory and Henderson’s Model

Nursing theories have been developed to provide guidance in clinical practice, so their knowledge by nurses is mandatory in order to provide advanced nursing care. This paper presents the relationships between the concepts and major assumptions of Henderson’s model and Orem’s theory and then their comparative analysis. Both, Henderson’s model and Orem’s theory of self-care deficit have a major impact, internationally, in education and research, but also in nursing practice, as a result of which their knowledge can open a new perspective on care, especially in countries where they are not well enough known.

Testing the interhemispheric deficit theory of dyslexia using the visual half-field technique

A deficit in interhemispheric transfer has been proposed as a neuropsychological theory of dyslexia. Interactions between the hemispheres during word recognition can be studied using the visual half-field paradigm. The well-established recognition advantage for right visual field (RVF) words over left visual field (LVF) words is thought to reflect the additional processing costs associated with callosal transfer of LVF word representations to the language-specialised left hemisphere. In addition, a further gain in recognition for bilateral presentation of a word has been attributed to cooperative interactions between the hemispheres. These recognition advantages can therefore be seen as behavioural indices of the efficiency of callosal transfer. This study aimed to replicate the finding of an absence of the bilateral advantage in developmental dyslexia, previously reported by Henderson et al. In all, 47 dyslexic and 43 control adult participants were tested, and no significant difference was found in the size of the bilateral advantage between the two groups. Our data did however replicate the previous finding of an increased RVF-LVF difference in dyslexic participants caused by poorer accuracy for LVF words (i.e., a greater LVF cost). This evidence is compatible with the interhemispheric deficit theory of dyslexia, suggesting an impairment in the transfer of visual word information from the right to the left hemisphere during reading.

Self-care deficits in women with leg ulcers and sickle cell disease

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify self-care deficits in women with leg ulcers and sickle cell disease. Method: a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory approach with 14 women. The collection was performed from December 2015 to January 2016, while the analysis was supported by Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory. Results: self-care requirements are not fully met. The following were identified as universal: balance between loneliness and social interaction, rest and proper nutrition; development: inability to perform work, abrupt changes in the environment due to hospitalization, educational deprivation and dropout; health deviations: ulcer recurrences, pain, changes in skin appearance and gait changes. Conclusion: nursing care for women with leg ulcers and sickle cell disease requires planned actions for comprehensive care.