Digital Commons Network^™

A Picture Of Spirituality In Youth Living With Bipolar Disorder, Michelle S. Solomon

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

There is a paucity of literature concerning how youth living with bipolar disorder understand and experience spirituality. The management of bipolar disorder through psychosocial interventions such as spirituality is critical due to the chronic and complex nature of the illness and the fact that pharmacotherapy has not been found to fully restore mood and quality of life (Michalak et al., 2016; Miller et al., 2014; Sanchez-Moreno et al., 2009; Stroppa & Moreira-Almeida, 2013). Spirituality has been defined as being concerned with the ultimate questions in life; the meaning in life that a person gains in relation to something bigger than …

Developing Youth-Informed And Quality-Aware Spatial Accessibility Measures To Urban Parks Using A Survey-Based 2sfca Method In London, Ontario And Halifax, Nova Scotia, Zhe Chang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Park-related research has gained much attention in recent years, yet not enough studies have focused on the inequity of park accessibility and quality. These are crucial elements that influence youth’s park use, which in turn influence their physical, mental, and social development. Existing literature uses park size as the supply level to examine park accessibility but fails to consider any other park characteristics (e.g., amenities, general condition). This research developed youth-informed and quality-aware measures to consider the influence on park attraction by its quality and size rather than size only. This was implemented by consulting a youth advisory council to …

Feasibility Of Strong In A University Teaching Clinic: Youth Impacts, Parental Perceptions, And Clinician Experiences, Nicole Anne Schilling

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study investigated the feasibility of a resilience focused intervention, Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG), within a university teaching clinic. STRONG aims to enhance resilience, teach coping-skills, and foster a sense of belongingness among newcomer youth. Using a qualitative approach, focus groups were performed with youth (n = 7), parents (n = 5), and clinicians (n = 5) exploring program impacts and implementation experiences. The results support the feasibility, utility, and acceptability of STRONG within this setting. Youth reported to enjoy and benefit from participating in STRONG. Parents reported observed growth in their child as a result of …

Long-Term Behavioural Problems In Youth With Childhood-Onset Epilepsy, Rebecca Grace Couper

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Children with epilepsy are impacted far beyond having seizures, as children with epilepsy often have more psychiatric and behavioural problems than the general population. Whether these problems remain at elevated rates in the long-term is unclear. This study revealed that the prevalence of long-term behavioural problems in youth with childhood-onset epilepsy did not differ significantly from the assessment normative data. Multivariable regression was used to assess associations of baseline and current characteristics with long-term behavioural problems. No associations with baseline characteristics were found, but current attitude towards epilepsy was associated with total, internalizing, and externalizing behavioural problems while seizure control …

Health Concerns Of Adolescents And Adults With Spina Bifida, Jessica A. Starowicz

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The Transitional and Lifelong Care (TLC) program is a multidisciplinary clinical service providing comprehensive, coordinated care to adolescents and adults with spina bifida (SB). This study sought to identify the most common health concerns among this population at initial consultation and identify patient factors related to these concerns to ultimately improve health care delivery. A retrospective chart review was performed. Descriptive analyses were completed and associations between concerns and patient factors were determined using Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients. A multiple linear regression was performed to estimate the relationship between patient factors and total number of concerns reported. Ninety-four patient charts …

Trends In Mental Health Service Use Among Youth And Emerging Adults In Canada, Thipiga Sivayoganathan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Mental disorders among youth (age 12 to 17) and emerging adults (18 to 24) in Canada are common, but few receive mental health (MH) services. We examined trends in patterns and predictors of MH service use in this population. Secondary data analyses were conducted on six cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2011 to 2016). From 2011 to 2016, the prevalence of MH service use increased by 4.3%. In 2016, 85.1% of those with poor self-rated MH accessed services, greater than in previous years; however, this subgroup represents only 1% of the total population. Psychiatrists had the largest provider …

Lina Saadeddin_Supporting Transition Resilience Of Newcomer Groups (Strong) - Examining Impact Of Strong On Youth, Feasibility Of Community Implementation, And Parental Engagement, Lina Saadeddin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study investigated the feasibility of virtual Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG) delivered through a community agency. STRONG is a Tier-2 intervention developed to enhance resilience and coping among newcomer youth. Ten youth participants from two STRONG groups completed pre-and post-surveys and participated in a focus group to describe their experiences. Parent sessions were added to STRONG programming. Five parents completed a satisfaction survey and a focus group to share their feedback. Two clinicians and one community manager provided feedback on the implementation in two focus groups. The study used a mixed-method approach. While there were no significant …

Examining The Impact Of Social Media On Youth Self-Perceived Mental Health, Chantal Singh

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: The development of social media has altered the lives of individuals worldwide enabling people to connect and share opinions, content, and even life milestones with one another. Further, the use of social media platforms has significantly increased over the past decade, particularly popular among youth. To date, it is estimated that 86% of Ontario youth use social media on a daily, and more than half of today’s youth report utilizing social media platforms multiple times per day. With the rise of social media among youth, questions have begun to emerge whether the use of these communication technologies are …

The Impact Of School Nutrition Policy On Diet Quality Of Children And Youth In Canada, Victoria Gaudin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Improving diet quality is an important public policy initiative targeted to enhance population health worldwide. In this regard, school nutrition policy is an important means to promote healthy diet among children and youth. In Canada, six provinces implemented mandatory school nutrition policies at different times between 2005 and 2011. We investigated the impact of mandatory school nutrition policy on diet quality of Canadian children and youth using a quasi- experimental study design. Using 24-hour dietary recall data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 2.2 and 2015 CCHS-Nutrition, we constructed the Diet Quality Index (DQI). We used multivariable …

Motives Of Caregivers For Children With Fasd To Become Peer Mentors, Lydia Murray

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to identify the motives of peer mentors to caregivers of children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Ten mentors with lived experience raising a dependent with FASD participated in in person or telephone interviews that included the focal question: “Why do you want to be a peer mentor?” Responses were analyzed with a qualitative content analysis procedure. Four themes emerged from the responses. Mentors wanted to provide emotional support as a means of improving mentee wellbeing through therapeutic means and relationship development. They wanted to share lived experience as a means of …

Seeking The Global Generation:A Comparative Case Study Of Youth From Canada, Georgia, And Saudi, Eva Jaberi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study explores how contemporary youth understand their lives under today’s context of globalization. It examines and compares perceptions and practice of high school age (15-18 years old) students from Canada, Georgia, and Saudi; how they think about the world and their place in it, and how they take up their roles as citizens of their local, national, and global communities. The study investigates if there are bases to collectively address these youth as a ‘Global Generation.’ By illuminating the core features of this generation it expounds on the implications of the existence of the Global Generation in relation to …

Science And Theology In Religious Education And Faith Formation With Children And Youth: Towards A Post-Foundationalist Approach, Judy S. Steers

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The intersections of Science and Theology have received a great deal of attention in recent decades. A broad range of approaches and discourse exists within academic environments. Within popular culture, however, the public perception often is that science and theology are in conflict and at odds with one another.

Many authors have attempted to write about science and theology from a dialogical standpoint. Educational projects over the past ten years have attempted to address the supposed conflict between religion and science, and affirm the validity of religious beliefs in a scientific era. Too often, however, scientific concepts are misappropriated as …

Essays On Crime, Education, And Employment, Maria Antonella Mancino

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

My thesis consists of three chapters that are motivated by policy-relevance and contribute to the study of crime choices among young individuals.

Chapter 2 studies the determinants of youth crime using a dynamic discrete choice model of crime and education. We allow past education and criminal activities to affect current crime and educational decisions. We take advantage of a rich panel dataset on serious juvenile offenders, the Pathways to Desistance. Using a series of psychometric tests, we estimate a model of cognitive and social/emotional skills which feed into the crime and education model. This allows us to separately identify the …

Paddling The Biigtig: A Case Study Of Environmental Repossession Through Canoeing, Kathleen Mikraszewicz

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Indigenous communities globally are initiating inspiring ways to practice self-determination over land and cultural practices. For the past few years, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Pic River First Nation) has undertaken canoe trips through its traditional territory along the Biigtig (Pic River). The purpose of the 2017 journey was to rename places (i.e. mountains, rivers, portages) along the route in Nishnaabemoen (Ojibway language) as a means of enacting self-determination in their territory. Supported by volunteers, five youth were hired as Traditional Knowledge Gatherers to complete this unique journey. This thesis qualitatively examined perceptions among canoe journey participants (n=9). Building upon the concept of …

Assessing The Perceptions Of The Use Of A Courthouse Facility Dog Program With Child And Youth Witnesses, Melissa Glazer

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study evaluates the use of a courthouse facility dog program as a testimonial aid for children and youth testifying in court to help reduce secondary trauma. Court officials’ perceptions of the use of a courthouse facility dog program were assessed through a structured interview and a short self-report measure. A total of seven court officials participated in the study. Results indicate that court officials perceive the use of a courthouse facility dog to be beneficial for children and youth who are experiencing challenges testifying in court. In addition, results show that some respondents perceived a degree of bias against …

Rural Ontario Youth And Mental Wellness, Brad Ross

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Currently, there is a significant lack of knowledge regarding rural Ontario youth and their mental wellness. This study addresses the following research questions: 1) How do rural youth maintain mental wellness? and 2) What factors facilitate or hinder the mental wellness of rural youth from their perspective? Eight rural participants, four male and four female, aged 16-23 provided data via one on one interviews. It was found that many rural youth have adapted to utilize their rural environment, social support, and intrapersonal techniques to maintain their mental wellness. Furthermore, four main themes act as both facilitators and hindrances to their …

Youth Engagement In Artisanal And Small-Scale Mining In The Upper East Region Of Ghana, Lydia Osei

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Youth unemployment remains a prevalent problem in sub-Saharan Africa and many of its governments are grappling with it. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), however, is gaining prominence in generating employment avenues for the youth. In fact, ASM provides jobs for thousands of youth and is considered to be ameliorating hardships in many rural areas. ASM has therefore been broadly acknowledged as a ‘poverty-driven’ activity. Given the sector’s contribution (both legally and illegally) to rural livelihoods, governments and development partners interested in poverty reduction are uncertain of how to deal with the growth of ASM. Policymakers and development partners seem confused …

Socially Marginalized Youths' Experiences With Social Media And Its Impact On Their Relationships, Kira A. Regan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Social media use is prevalent among adolescents and young adults. However, little is known about the role and function of social media in the lives of youth who have experienced social marginalization. These youth face different challenges than their mainstream peers when it comes to the development, maintenance and outcomes of their friendships and relationships. It is unknown whether findings on social media and relationships accurately represent the experiences of youth who have experienced social marginalization, given the different challenges they face in achieving belonging and intimacy. Semi-structured interviews with youth regarding their social media use and its impact on …

Criminal Justice Theories And Variations In Legal Decisions Across Youth Justice Acts, Brenda Kobayashi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Media stories of violent young offenders, while rare events, “signal” to the public that youth crime is on the rise and worse, that today’s youth are capable of horrific crimes. As a result, both the public and politicians call for change – legislation and the courts need to toughen up on youths. The present study, guided by penal populism and focal concerns theory, fills a gap in the literature by examining sentencing decisions of young offenders convicted of violent offences in Ontario, Canada. Three research questions were asked. First, drawing on penal populism is there evidence in Canada, particularly Ontario, …

Domestic Homicide In The Youth Population, Kayla Christine Sapardanis

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Homicide perpetrated by a dating partner is a tragic and disturbing event. Risk factors for domestic homicide have been well established for the adult population; however very little research has been conducted on domestic homicide in the youth population. It is important that this population is explored further as female youth (ages 15-24) are at the highest risk for experiencing dating violence. This study analyzed cases of domestic homicide that occurred in Ontario from 2003-2014. The data for this study was provided by the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC). A total of 18 youth domestic homicide cases (ages …

Social Relationships In Young Offenders: Relevance To Peers, Poverty, And Psychological Adjustment, Victoria Sabo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The increasing influence of peers in adolescence is related to a developing array of skills, aspirations, attitudes, and behaviours. The nature and magnitude of this influence and the potential association of certain youth with deviant peers is among the most prominent risk factors in predicting youth crime. This becomes of greater concern for economically disadvantaged youth, whose neighbourhoods harbour greater susceptibility to negative peer influence. With social affiliations at the forefront of youth development and criminality, research efforts need to further characterize the nature, constitution, and influence of peers on adolescent offending. Two hundred and eighty-one Canadian youth were sampled …

A Mixed Methods Approach To Challenging Stigma At A Faculty Of Education, Melanie-Anne P. Atkins

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation investigates the stigma of mental illness in schools. In today’s Canadian classrooms, at least one in five students is experiencing a mental disorder, which without treatment or support can severely impede students’ academic performance and can reinforce stereotypical beliefs about: (a) these students’ ability to be successful in the classroom, and (b) their teachers’ abilities to meet their needs. While mental health awareness about these issues is steadily increasing, stigmatizing attitudes – which present a major barrier to help-seeking – are not decreasing at a comparable rate. Therefore, I used mixed methods to explore the experience of mental …

Accessibility And Self-Disclosure Of The Journey Through Mental Health: Youth Sharing Their Lived Experience, Caryl-Anne Stordy

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Using the lived experiences of youth in Southwestern Ontario, the current project explores the decision of youth to self-disclose their status of mental illness and disability. To explore the process of disclosure, three research questions were asked: (1) what are the youth’s expectations of disclosing their story to others?; (2) what is the experience of youth with mental illness and disabilities in choosing to disclose their story to others?; and (3) what is important to youth about the decision to disclose or choosing to make their experiences public? Participants' experience of disclosing was documented over four group sessions, one team …

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder And Youth Education: Caregiver Perspectives, Kyle Cleversey

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to identify caregivers’ needs in helping youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) succeed in school, and services that caregivers believe would help youth with FASD succeed in school. Thirty-two caregivers raising a youth with FASD participated in telephone interviews that included two questions: “What do caregivers need to help youth be successful in school?” and “What services would help youth be successful in school?” Participants then sorted responses to these questions into piles they believed to be a conceptual fit with one another, and the data was analyzed using multi-dimensional scaling and cluster …

The Cultural Connectedness Scale And Its Relation To Positive Mental Health Among First Nations Youth, Angela Snowshoe

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The mental health and wellbeing of youth is one of the most urgent concerns affecting many First Nations communities across Canada. Despite a growing recognition that cultural connectedness (i.e., the extent to which an individual is integrated within his or her First Nations culture) is an important factor for promoting the mental health of First Nations youth, there remains a clear need for a conceptual model that organizes, explains, and leads to an understanding of the resiliency mechanisms underlying this construct. Study 1 involved the development of the Cultural Connectedness Scale (CCS) with a sample of 319 First Nations, Métis, …

A Phenomenological Study Of Prescription Drug Abuse Among Children And Youth, Eric A. Collins

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Prescription drugs ranked as the third highest substance used/abused among Canadian youth (Health Canada, 2014). This research is a retrospective phenomenological study on child and youth prescription drug abuse. Currently, there is a lack of qualitative research in this area. The primary goal of this study is to understand the lived experiences of child and youth prescription drug abuse in order to provide greater depth and breadth into the complexities of this behaviour. Based on the aim of this study, I developed the following research question: what are the lived experiences of prescription drug abuse during childhood and adolescence? Six …

Navigating Life With Hiv: The Lived Experiences Of Youth Living With Hiv, Tamara M M Landry

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Youth and young adults living with HIV, between the ages of 15 and 29 represent one-quarter of the new infection rates in Canada, but little is known about the safer sex practices, HIV disclosure processes and coping mechanisms used by this important but often neglected group to manage the every day realities of living with HIV. The primary objectives of this study were to gather qualitative data about the lived experiences of Canadian youth who are living with HIV and enhance our understanding of their experiences of becoming HIV-positive, navigating issues related to safer sex and HIV disclosure, and managing …

A Case Study Mapping Literacy Learning Opportunities And Identity Construction Among African Immigrant Youth In A Canadian Secondary School, Wambui J. Gichuru

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Studies with immigrant and refugee youth highlight challenges, school failure and early push-out rates (Anisef, 2008; James, 2012; Roessingh, 2010). There is limited research about how immigrant students especially from continental Africa negotiate their identity at school for positive outcomes. The goal of this qualitative case study was to explore literacy learning opportunities afforded by the school for African youth who were learning to become literate in English as an additional language in a Canadian secondary school and the implications for the students’ communicative and identity options.

The study utilized ethnographic tools, i.e., interview, classroom observation, mapping literacy activities and …

Understanding What Would Make Children Want To Attend A Bicycle Safety Training Program, Cassandra L. Ellis

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This qualitative study targeted a heterogeneous sample of 9 to 12 year olds in the London, Ontario, Canada area. The purpose of this study was to understand children's’s perspectives in regards to bicycle safety and risk perception. Gender differences of these perceptions were compared. Five semi-structured focus groups (n=14, 10 boys and 4 girls) and six interviews (n=6, 3 boys and 3 girls) were conducted (n=23; 16 boys and 7 girls). Ongoing thematic analysis was used during data collection to review and interpret the collected discussions. As a result, this study determined that girls take fewer unnecessary risks and are …

Abortion And Crime In Canada: A Test Of The Bmdl Hypothesis, Timothy Kang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Donohue and Levitt (2001) argued that the legalization of abortion in the US during the 1970s contributed to 50 percent of the dramatic decline in crime that occurred in the 1990s. Although a lengthy debate in the literature has proliferated and remains inconclusive, this controversial theory has been popularized by the Freakonomics (2005) franchise. The liberalization of abortion services that occurred in Canada in 1988 offers an improved focal intervention to perform an empirical test of this theory. The methods that have emerged from the debate are reviewed. The most promising strategies, namely time-series plots of crime, “effective abortion rate” …