Graduation Date

Spring 5-6-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Programs

Nursing

First Advisor

Dr. Christine Eisenhauer

Second Advisor

Dr. Ann M. Berger

MeSH Headings

Urinary Incontinence, Women, Rural Population

Abstract

Urinary incontinence is experienced by approximately 60% of adult women in the United States and negatively impacts many aspects of physical and psychological health. Many women do not seek care for urinary incontinence due to social stigma. However, those who do seek care do not often receive treatment options that align with clinical guidelines. Urinary incontinence self-management has been used interchangeably in the literature with other terms, like self-care and coping, but no conceptual definition has been delineated. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to describe urinary incontinence self-management in women. To accomplish this, a concept analysis was conducted to define self-management of urinary incontinence in women. Then, an integrative review of the literature was performed to analyze methodologies used in urinary incontinence self-management intervention studies. Finally, a cross-sectional, descriptive, convergent mixed methods study was conducted to examine the factors that influence the approach to UI self-management in rural women. The major findings include the conceptual definition of urinary incontinence self-management in women. The integrative review revealed several methodological inconsistencies and a lack of rigor in urinary incontinence self-management intervention studies. Major findings from the cross-sectional, descriptive, convergent mixed methods study revealed several factors that influence how rural women approach urinary incontinence self-management. This study was the first to specifically focus on rural, midlife women. This dissertation has implications for research, education, practice, and policy. Understanding the factors that influence urinary incontinence self-management provides knowledge needed to create self-management interventions for women with UI. Results show rural women and healthcare providers need more education on urinary incontinence self-management strategies. Screening women for urinary incontinence and providing appropriate treatment options is paramount to the provision of high-quality care. Increasing awareness of urinary incontinence and treatment options should remain a research priority. More studies are needed to examine other factors that influence urinary incontinence self-management in women.

Comments

2023 Copyright, the authors

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