Purpose The study aims are to (a) describe nurse practitioners' (NPs') belief in effectiveness, knowledge, referral, and use of complementary/alternative therapies (C/ATs), (b) explore the initiation of C/AT dialogue between NPs and their patients, and (c) examine the relationships between demographic variables and NP C/AT knowledge, beliefs, use, referrals. Data sources A mixed‐method cross‐sectional online survey of licensed NPs (N = 2874) from a Midwestern state was analyzed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and content analysis. Conclusions NPs (n = 410) report the most knowledge about prayer (40%) and mind–body practices (32%). Many NPs (84%) report using vitamins for personal use and 85% refer their patients for massage/bodywork. Most (95%) believe NPs should have knowledge of the most common C/AT and 81% believe C/AT have a legitimate use in allopathic medicine. NPs' knowledge, belief, use, and referral of C/AT are significantly correlated. NPs initiate C/AT dialogue with their patients 54% of the time. Factors that impact the NP and patient C/AT dialogue include patient/family openness, nature of the health problem, NP C/AT knowledge, time, and accessibility. Implications for practice Centralized C/AT sources could help expedite C/AT referrals. Implementing workplace C/AT clinics could help build knowledge, referral, personal use, and acceptance of C/AT.

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Female undergraduates (N = 33) selected for the presence of high sexual guilt were divided into two groups. One group evidenced a high degree of personality development from which it was inferred that they were prone toward (a) the use of repression rather than more primitive defenses and (b) oedipal rather than preoedipal conflict. The second group evidenced a lesser degree of personality development, and hence the above inferences did not apply. The subliminal psychodynamic activation method was used with both groups to investigate the effects on repression of intensifying and diminishing unconscious conflict over sexual wishes. Subjects were exposed to the verbal stimuli "LOVING DADDY IS WRONG" (conflict intensifying), "LOVING DADDY IS OK" (conflict reducing), and "PEOPLE ARE WALKING" (neutral control), each accompanied by a congruent picture both before (in one condition) and after (in another) a recall test of both neutral and sexual material. The conflict-reduction condition did not affect memory of the passages, but the conflict-intensification condition did for the group with the greater degree of personality development, when this condition was presented before the material to be remembered, and for the recall of neutral passages. The special conditions necessary for demonstration of repression are viewed as shedding light on why it has previously been difficult to show evidence of repression in laboratory experiments.

Purpose This study described the use of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) for arthritis management among community‐dwelling older women in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Data sources A descriptive qualitative approach using focus group method was employed. A purposive sample of 50 women ages 66–101 who managed arthritis with CAM participated in eight semistructured focus groups: rural (n = 22), suburban (n = 17), and urban areas (n = 11). Data were transcribed verbatim. Inductive analytic process and computer software were used for data analysis. Conclusions A wide variety of self‐help CAM were reported. Supplements were the most commonly used CAM across all locations; rural participants reported the greatest variety of CAM use. Physical symptoms, dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, perceived safety and convenience of CAM, and a desire for personal control over one's health motivated CAM use. Most participants did not fully disclose their CAM use to their primary healthcare provider (HCP). Implications for practice Results suggest a strong need for primary HCP to purposely dialogue with their clients on CAM use when designing, organizing, and delivering arthritis care. Information on safe CAM use and greater options for effective arthritis management with CAM are needed. The value of group‐based model for treating arthritis deserves further exploration.

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