Digital Commons Network^™

Oral Health Inequalities In Adolescents And Young Adults In Ontario, Maria Rahman

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Oral health is consistently linked to physiological, psychological, and social aspects of well-being in adolescents and young adults. In this thesis, I aimed to examine the social determinants of oral health and dental care utilization. First, I conducted a scoping review of the literature, demonstrated the multifaceted nature of oral health and its connections to broader social and economic factors. Then, I conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey which showed a social gradient in oral health and dental care utilization among adolescents and young adults in Ontario. When stratified by age, there was a protective association …

Social Supports For Adolescent And Young Adult Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients: A Scoping Review, Caitlin E. Mungall

Western Libraries Undergraduate Research Awards (WLURAs)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic disorder with negative health consequences for millions of women. The paucity of research regarding interventions targeting the psychosocial symptoms of PCOS for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), susceptible to low self-esteem and depression, warranted this review. This paper provides an overview of research on the social supports currently available for AYAs and identifies areas where further research is required to elucidate their support needs. A scoping review methodology identified 15 studies that met inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that this is an emerging field of research and most included studies originated in North America. …

Describing Healthcare Concerns Of Young People And Adults With Cerebral Palsy, Christina M. Winger

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to identify healthcare concerns of young people and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in the Transitional and Lifelong Care (TLC) program, and determine whether there were patient factors associated with the number of healthcare concerns. A retrospective chart review of initial TLC consultations was completed (n = 241). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to explore and explain patterns in the sample population. The participants reported a high number of concerns of varied nature that were not easily predicted by condition-specific or demographic variables. This study may better healthcare delivery for young people …

Health Concerns Of Adolescents And Adults With Spina Bifida, Jessica Starowicz, Caitlin Cassidy, Laura Brunton

Paediatrics Publications

Due to advancements in medical care, people with spina bifida (SB) are surviving well into adulthood, resulting in a growing number of patients transitioning to an adult sector unequipped to care for people with chronic rehabilitative and medical needs. The Transitional and Lifelong Care (TLC) program is a multidisciplinary clinical service that compensates for this gap, providing comprehensive, coordinated care to adolescents, and adults with SB. As a relatively new clinical service, objective data about the patients using the service and their needs is scant. This study sought to identify the most common health concerns among TLC patients with SB …

Managing Interpersonal Conflict: Adolescents With And Without Intellectual Disabilities, Olivia Faulconbridge

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Social Information Processing (SIP) informs the way we engage in social problem solving, such as conflict management. Although research has shown that adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) struggle more with the components of SIP when compared to typically developing peers, very little research has examined how adolescents with ID experience conflict with peers. This study examines the way adolescents with and without ID report experiencing and responding to conflict with best friends and non-friends utilizing their own rather than hypothetical scenarios. Nineteen adolescents (14 adolescents without ID and 5 with ID) were interviewed about their own real-life conflict experiences with …

Sensory Function And Psychological Factors In Children With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1, Emma E. Truffyn, Massieh Moayedi, Stephen C. Brown, Danielle Ruskin, Emma G. Duerden

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Objective: To assess thermal-sensory thresholds and psychosocial factors in children with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS-I) compared to healthy children. Methods: We conducted quantitative sensory testing on 34 children with CRPS-I and 56 pain-free children. Warm, cool, heat, and cold stimuli were applied to the forearm. Children with CRPS-I had the protocol administered to the pain site and the contralateral-pain site. Participants completed the self-report Behavior Assessment System for Children. Results: Longer pain durations (>5.1 months) were associated with decreased sensitivity to cold pain on the pain site (P =.04). Higher pain-intensity ratings were associated with elevated …

Case 13: From Bench To Classroom: Knowledge Translation In School Mental Health Initiatives, Tess Wishart, Gerald Mckinley

Western Public Health Casebooks

The case outlines the journey of Avery McCann, a researcher at Georgian Bay Health Unit. Avery has been asked to create a knowledge product for the local school board, Georgian Bay District School Board (GBDSB), to teach about adolescent self-harm and how social media may influence this behaviour. Formatted as a decision-making case, four potential options are proposed: a formal literature review report for the Director of Education, PowerPoint presentations, infographics and posters, or educational booklets. The head of the committee in the case details the relative benefits and drawbacks to each possible option because they offer different solutions to …

Social Media As A Predictor Of Depression Rates Among Male Versus Female Adolescents During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kaylee A. Fishback

Undergraduate Honours Theses

Technology use has drastically and progressively increased as the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to unfold. Adolescents are now reliant on technology for their education, in addition to communication with friends and family (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020). With the recency of the pandemic, research on the effects of increased internet and social media use for adolescent mental health is decidedly underdeveloped. This study aimed to fill the research gap by examining how the frequency of male and female adolescents’ social media use is associated with depression rates during the pandemic by using a longitudinal design. Participants for this study included 351 …

There Is More To Snapchat Than Snapping: Examining Active And Passive Snapchat Use As Predictors Of Anxiety In Adolescents, Nicole A. Orlan

Undergraduate Honours Theses

Social media’s adoption in society continues to increase, and past research has found significant relationships between social media use and anxiety in young adolescents. The current research focused solely on Snapchat, as it is currently one of the most popular platforms among adolescents; however, it is also one of the least researched. This research aimed to explore Active and Passive Snapchat Use as predictors of anxiety in adolescents over time. This study focused on what people are actually doing while using Snapchat rather than the amount of use. Adolescents (N = 105, 21.2% male and 78.8% female) from High Schools …

Fatigue In Young People With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Basmah El-Aloul, Kathy N Speechley, Yi Wei, Piotr Wilk, Craig Campbell

Paediatrics Publications

AIM: To describe fatigue in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) from patients' and parents' perspectives and to explore risk factors for fatigue in children and adolescents with DMD.

METHOD: A multicentre, cross-sectional study design was used. Seventy-one patients (all males; median age 12y, age range 5-17y) identified via the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry, and their parents completed questionnaires. Subjective fatigue was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale by child self-report and parent proxy-report.

RESULTS: Patients with DMD across ages and disease stages experienced greater fatigue compared to typically developing controls from published data. Sleep disturbance symptoms …

Effect Of Physical Maturation And Sexual Debut On Hiv Susceptibility In Adolescent Males In Rakai, Uganda, Zhongtian (Eric) Shao, Godfrey Kigozi, Ronald M. Galiwango, Cindy Liu, Rupert Kaul, Aaron Ar Tobian, Jessica Prodger

Africa Western Collaborations Day 2020 Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Child And Adolescent Sleep Disturbances And Psychopathology In A Mental Health Clinic Sample, Aviva Blacher

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Sleep disturbances in children and adolescents (hereafter children) are associated with significant short-term and long-term impairments including more severe psychopathology, reduced cognitive functioning, and poorer general health. We know that children being treated in specialty mental health services are more likely to have sleep disturbances than community samples. We also know that relationships exist between sleep and psychopathology in children with specific disorders (e.g. ADHD, depression, etc.). However, few studies have investigated the relationship between sleep and psychopathology in a broad sample of children seen at mental health agencies. Both child factors and family factors may influence both sleep and …

An Evaluation Of Heart Rate Variability In Female Youth Soccer Players Following Soccer Heading: A Pilot Study, Alexandra B. Harriss, Kolten Abbott, Kurt Kimpinski, Jeffrey D. Holmes, Andrew M. Johnson, David M. Walton, James P. Dickey

Paediatrics Publications

Most head impacts in soccer occur from purposeful heading; however, the link between heading and neurological impairment is unknown. Previous work suggests concussion may result in an uncoupling between the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular system. Accordingly, heart rate variability (HRV) may be a sensitive measure to provide meaningful information regarding repetitive heading in soccer. The purpose of this pilot study assesses the feasibility of measuring HRV to evaluate autonomic function following soccer heading. Sixteen youth female participants underwent heart rate monitoring during a heading and footing condition. Participants completed a five minute resting supine trial at the start and …

Adolescents’ Perceptions And Responses To Peer Mental Health Challenges And Problematic Behaviours Following A Social-Emotional Learning Program, Jessica Sommers

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Vulnerable youth may be more susceptible to developing problematic behaviours and mental health challenges, including anxious and depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, and unhealthy relationships. Social-emotional learning programs like The Healthy Relationships Plus Program (HRPP) can foster positive youth development by including training on mental health literacy, developing skills in help-seeking, and providing opportunities to practice difficult conversations. This study explored youth’s responses to hypothetical challenges faced by peers with a group of sixty-three adolescents who had participated in the HRPP. Responses to four distinct scenarios were collected to examine youths’ perceptions of various challenges and problematic behaviours, including …

Patterns Of Problem Behaviours Among A Representative Sample Of Youth In Ontario, Chantal Williams

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Behavioural addictions among adolescents are becoming a growing public health concern. It is well established that problem behaviours, particularly substance use behaviours, tend to cluster together. Some research indicates that gambling is associated with substance use, aligning with Problem Behaviour Theory, which suggests that problem behaviours stem from an underlying disposition toward deviance. This study sought to assess whether a) behavioural addictions, including gambling, video gaming and technology use, cluster together and with substance use and b) profiles of problem behaviours are associated with age, race, socioeconomic status, grade achievement, school connectedness, and antisocial behaviour in the total sample and …

Gambling And Physical Activity Among Ontario Adolescents, Maryfrances Carton

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Given that physical activity is essential for optimal health, it is important to identify behaviours that may contribute to low levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between gambling and physical activity among adolescents in Ontario using data from the 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Multivariable generalized ordinal logistic regression models were used to examine the association between past-year gambling (status and modality) and past-week physical activity among a representative sample of Grade 7-12 students, while adjusting for covariates. We also tested for multiplicative effect measure modification by sex. …

Training Car Wash Skills To Chinese Adolescents With Intellectual Disability And Autism Spectrum Disorder In The Community, Gabrielle Lee, Yunhuan Pu, Sheng Xu, Michelle W. Lee, Hua Feng

Education Publications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of video modeling and visual task analysis on the acquisition, maintenance, and engagement of washing cars for three Chinese adolescents with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Video-based training was conducted in the conference room of a university-affiliated autism research center in China, and the hands-on training using visual task analysis took place in a local car wash. Three male adolescents (16-19 years old) participated in this study. A multiple-probe across four tasks design was used. Results indicated that the training was effective in increasing independent and accurate responses of …

Six-Month Prevalence Of Mental Disorders And Service Contacts Among Children And Youth In Ontario: Evidence From The 2014 Ontario Child Health Study, Katholiki Georgiades, Laura Duncan, Laura Duncan, Li Wang, Jinette Comeau, Jinette Comeau, Michael H. Boyle, Michael H. Boyle, Tracie O. Afifi, William R. Avison, Graham Reid, Kathryn Bennett, Terry Bennett, Khrista Boylan, Michelle Butt, Charles Cunningham, Eric Duku, Jim Dunn, Stelios Georgiades, Andrea Gonzalez, Geoffrey Hall, Magdalena Janus, Melissa Kimber, Ellen Lipman, Harriet Macmillan, Peter Rosenbaum, Roberto Sassi, Louis Schmidt, Noam Soreni

Paediatrics Publications

Objectives: To present the 6-month prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of mental disorders and mental health–related service contacts in a sample of children (4 to 11 years) and youth (12 to 17 years) in Ontario. Methods: The 2014 Ontario Child Health Study is a provincially representative survey of 6537 families with children aged 4 to 17 years in Ontario. DSM-IV-TR mental disorders were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) and included mood (major depressive episode), anxiety (generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social phobia, specific phobia), and behaviour disorders (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional-defiant disorder, conduct disorder).The MINI-KID was …

Changes In Depression And Positive Mental Health Among Youth In A Healthy Relationships Program, Natalia Lapshina, Claire Crooks, Amanda Kerry

Journal Articles

Mental health promotion programming in schools and community settings is an important part of a comprehensive mental health strategy. The goal of this study was to identify and explore meaningful classes of youth based on their pre- and post-intervention depression symptoms scores with 722 youth involved in a 15-week healthy relationships and mental health promotion program. We utilized latent class growth analysis to identify depression class trajectories, controlling for group clustering effects. A three-class solution identified high decreasing, moderate stable, and low stable trajectories. Gender, age, and reported experience of bullying victimization predicted trajectory class membership. The low stable class …

Descriptive Report Of The Impact Of Fatigue And Current Management Strategies In Cerebral Palsy., Laura K Brunton

Physical Therapy Publications

Purpose: Describe the impact of fatigue and self-management practices for adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Survey of 124 people with CP with the Fatigue Impact and Severity Self-Assessment (FISSA).

Results: People in GMFCS Level I experienced little impact of fatigue with high proportions of this group disagreeing to statements about fatigue impacting their general activities, mobility and social activities. People in GMFCS Levels II-V reported impact of fatigue on activities. Differences between groups were evident in questions related to fatigue interference with length of time for physical activity and with motivations to participate in social …

Exploring The Relationship Between Early Severity Of Epilepsy And Depressive Symptoms In Youth Ten Years After Diagnosis, Samanpreet Brar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study assessed the association between early severity of epilepsy and subsequent depressive symptoms in youth and the extent to which family and clinical factors mediated this relationship. Data were obtained from the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study, a multi-centre prospective study of children with new-onset epilepsy. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed severity of epilepsy 2 years post-diagnosis to be positively associated with depressive symptoms 10 years post-diagnosis (b=2.10, 95%CI:0.42,3.79). The results of generalized estimating equation models found family functioning, family resources, parental depressive symptoms, and antiepileptic drug use to not be mediators. Five-year seizure …

The Mediating Effect Of Depressive Symptoms On The Relationship Between Bullying Victimization And Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Adolescents: Findings From Community And Inpatient Mental Health Settings In Ontario, Canada, Philip Baiden, Shannon L. Stewart, Barbara Fallon

Paediatrics Publications

Although bullying victimization has been linked to a number of behavioral and emotional problems among adolescents, few studies have investigate the mechanism through which bullying victimization affect non-suicidal self-injury. The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of bullying victimization on non-suicidal self-injury and the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between bullying victimization and non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents. Data for this study came from the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health dataset. A total of 1650 adolescents aged 12–18 years (M =14.56; SD =1.79; 54.2% males) were analyzed. Binary logistic and Poisson regression models were …

The Role Of Adverse Childhood Experiences As Determinants Of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Children And Adolescents Referred To Community And Inpatient Mental Health Settings, Philip Baiden, Shannon L. Stewart, Barbara Fallon

Paediatrics Publications

The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of, and determine the effect of adverse childhood experiences on non-suicidal self-injury among children and adolescents referred to community and inpatient mental health settings. Data for this study were obtained from the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health dataset. A total of 2038 children and adolescents aged 8–18 years (M = 12.49; SD = 2.88, 61.1% males) were analyzed. Binary logistic regression was fitted to identify predictors of non-suicidal self-injury as a function of adverse childhood experiences, depression, and social support while simultaneously controlling for age, gender, type of patient, …

Fatigue In Children And Adolescents With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Basmah El-Aloul

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Fatigue was recently reported to be the largest predictor of poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The objectives of this thesis were to describe fatigue from patients’ and parents’ perspectives and to explore associations of patient characteristics with fatigue in children and adolescents with DMD using a multicentre cross-sectional study design. Eligible patients and their parents were identified via the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry and received mailed paper questionnaires. Children and adolescents with DMD experienced greater fatigue compared to healthy controls from published data. Fatigue was a significant issue in children …

Impaired Dynamic Cerebrovascular Autoregulation In Adolescent Concussion, Marcy Erin Moir

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Although cerebrovascular impairments are believed to contribute to concussion symptoms, little information exists regarding brain vasomotor control in adolescent concussion, particularly during changes in arterial blood pressure (ABP). This research tested the hypothesis that adolescent concussion is marked by impaired dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA). Thirty concussed adolescents and thirty healthy controls completed two sit-to-stand trials. Cerebral blood flow velocity and ABP were measured continuously. Cerebrovascular resistance (CVR) was calculated and the rate of drop in CVR relative to the change in ABP provided the rate of regulation (RoR). The concussed adolescents were followed through rehabilitation for up to 12-weeks. At …

Understanding The Adjustment Experiences Of Recent Muslim Immigrant Youth, Sharlini Yogasingam

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Immigration is a controversial issue in Canada. With the negative attitudes regarding Islamic cultures, Muslim immigrants to Canada may be most at risk of experiencing discrimination. Guided by the bi-dimensional frameworks of acculturation and cultural identity, this qualitative study aimed to understand the adjustment experience for Muslim immigrant adolescents. Data was collected through one-hour, semi-structured interviews with six Muslim adolescent youth between the ages of 16 and 20, who were living in Canada for up to five years. Participants were recruited through local community agencies, a post-secondary institution and residential neighbourhood advertisements. Data was transcribed and thematic analysis was used …

Strategies For The Social Inclusion Of Peers With Learning Difficulties: Perspectives Of Adolescents In Various Birth Order Positions, Sarah Lynne Breckenridge

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

While inclusive education has become common practice, adolescents with learning difficulties still tend to be socially excluded by their peers. Whether sibling birth order affects the way adolescents include students with learning difficulties is a limited area of research. By conducting semi-structured interviews with high school students, the present study aimed to explore beliefs about how peers with learning difficulties may be socially included, examining accounts from oldest, youngest and middle siblings. Through content analysis, 4 main themes were identified: (a) academic interventions, (b) group events and activities, (c) student-driven initiatives, and (d) creating awareness (about learning difficulties). Chi square …

Profiles Of Fatigue Severity And Variability Among Adolescents And Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy, Laura K. Brunton, Doreen J. Bartlett

Physical Therapy Publications

Background: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) experience progressive changes in functional status with the development of secondary impairments such as fatigue. Detailed accounts of the fatigue experience in CP are lacking.

Purpose: This study describes the severity and variability of fatigue in CP using the Fatigue Impact and Severity Self-Assessment.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study surveying 130 (61 males) individuals (mean age 18 years, 11 months; SD four years, six months) with CP. Analyses comprised comparisons between two groups (Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I and II-V), frequency counts and proportions.

Results: Significant differences exist between GMFCS …

An Extension Of The Dimensional Comparison Theory: A Test Of Emotional Intelligence Self-Concepts., Caitlin J. Spencer

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

According to the Dimensional Comparison Theory (DCT), individuals’ self-concepts of abilities are influenced not only by external sources of evaluation within the same domain, but also internal comparisons of abilities across different domains, resulting in negative contrast effects for self-concepts in dissimilar domains and positive assimilation effects for self-concepts in similar domains. These dimensional comparisons have been primarily tested with academic domains to date, yet social-emotional learning is an important complement to academic learning. The present study sought to extend the DCT to Emotional Intelligence (EI) self-concepts in a sample of 1,069 Canadian children and adolescents, aged 9-18 years. Using …

Is Social Competence Achievable In Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder?, Monica Caldeira

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

A review of existing literature pertaining to the social skills of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder provides a mixed picture: some researchers argue that social skills are altogether lacking, while others indicate that, in some instances, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder possess the same social skills as their typically developed peers. The purpose of this study was to examine the social competence of adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as the factors that contributed to or hindered adolescents’ social competence. A sample of 17 adolescents, with varying degrees of autism severity, together with their parents and teachers took part …