Nursing Commons^™

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 …

The Discursive Construction Of Substance Use And Harm Reduction In Canadian Health Policy, Sibel Kusdemir

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Harm reduction as a philosophy has been widely recognized by healthcare professionals in Canada, yet the topic remains controversial in both political and public discourses. Understanding these discourses will allow health care providers to better respond to political and public concerns, as well as ensuring that services are aligned well with public health needs. This study explored the discursive use of the term “harm reduction” in Canadian health care and nursing policy documents’ contexts by using a Foucauldian framework and Bacchi’s ‘what’s the problem represented to be?’ approach. I propose three discursive themes: self-responsible citizen, evidenced-based practice, and what nurses …

Syrian Refugee Women's Experiences With The Ontario Health Care System: A Critical Ethnography Study, Areej Al-Hamad

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

There has been growing interest in migration and refugee research; the vulnerability of Syrian refugee women and how they adapt to their host communities. However, there is limited evidence regarding the pre- and post-migration trauma and its impacts on the health of Syrian refugee women in the Canadian context. The purposes of this critical ethnography using intersectional perspectives were: (1) to explore and describe Syrian refugee women’s experiences and meanings of pre- and post-migration trauma and its impact on their health in the context of repeated displacement and migration from their homes and families; (2) to critically examine how the …

Trends And Factors Associated With Suicide Deaths In Older Adults, Eada Novilla-Surette

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Suicide in older adults is a significant overlooked problem worldwide; particularly in Canada where a national suicide prevention strategy has not yet been established. This population-level study utilized and analyzed linked administrative health care databases (from 2011-2015) that were available at ICES (provincial health care administrative data steward), to build a better understanding of suicide (rate; trends; risks/preventive factors) in older adults living in Ontario, Canada. The findings suggest that suicide remains a persistent cause of death in older adults (with an average annual suicide rate of 0.1 per 1000 people over 5 years; the risks include being male, living …

Exploring The Mental Health Care Experiences Of Youth Transitioning From Paediatric To Adult Psychiatric Services Using The Photovoice Method: A Participatory Analysis Of The Photostream Project, Brianna Jackson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The transition from adolescence to adulthood brings with it many new challenges and stressors that may negatively impact psychosocial wellbeing. Unfortunately, the disjointed progression from paediatric to adult psychiatric services leaves transitional-aged youth (TAY) vulnerable to its deleterious sequelae, including social isolation, self-harm, substance use, and suicidal ideation. As devised, the Canadian mental health sector is ill-equipped to meet the care demands of emerging adults, resulting in undue suffering. Current evidence validates the need for clinical practice reform and policy revision to address this issue, yet the perspectives of young people are consistently underrepresented in conversations regarding youth-oriented psychiatric program …

Searching For Wisdom: A Phenomenological Investigation Of Women's Perspectives Following Participation In An Ovarian Cancer Supportive Care Group, Helen Butlin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study used a novel methodology of hermeneutic-poetic-phenomenology to explore perspectives of women living with ovarian cancer. Each had participated in a supportive care group process Soul-Medicine prior to volunteering. Three women, Beth, Carrie, and Denise contributed to this study. The methodology was grounded in Gaston Bachelard’s philosophy of poetic-phenomenology. Data was analyzed with attention to image-centred knowledge; material imagination; reverie; and horizons of hope to elucidate their implicated aspects of wisdom and the ways participant’s formed their personal wisdom integrating feminist theories of embodiment and bioethics.

Findings are framed through three images of a uniquely formed inner ‘wisdom-compass’, an …

Exploring Harm Reduction Among Canadian Veterans Experiencing Homelessness, Olivia Marsella

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

BACKGROUND: The use of substances is substantially higher among people experiencing homelessness than the general population (Podymow, Turnbull, Coyle, Yetisir, & Wells, 2006). In Canada, veteran homelessness is an increasing concern and it is estimated that there are 2,950 veterans experiencing homelessness (Gaetz et al., 2016). Furthermore, veterans often use substances, particularly alcohol, to cope with the transition from the military to civilian life (Ray & Forchuk, 2011). A strategy that has been shown to reduce the negative harms of substance use and facilitate housing stability is harm reduction (MacNeil & Pauly, 2010). Exploring how veterans who have experienced homelessness …

The Relationship Between Elements Of Health And Social Systems And Substance Use Severity For Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, Sommer Froats

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Canadians experiencing homelessness often live with severe substance use (Aubry et al., 2015; Khandor & Mason, 2007). Health challenges related to severe substance use contribute to the early mortality experienced by homeless Canadians (Hwang, Wilkins, Tjepkema, O’Campo & Dunn, 2009). This population also experience health and social system disadvantages. Using General Systems Theory, relationships between substance use severity and access to health care, housing stability, therapeutic relationship and quality of family and friends relationships were explored as elements of health and social systems. A correlational secondary analysis examined this in a sample of 65 individuals accessing housing first. Relationships were …

Exploring The Mobile Phone Digital Divide Among Individuals Experiencing Mental Illness: A Secondary Analysis, Jefferey R. Reed

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

ABSTRACT

Aim: To test van Dijk’s (2005) Framework for Understanding the Digital Divide. This framework examines social inequalities that influence the phenomenon of the digital divide and the implications it has upon social participation for individuals with mental illness.

Background: Mental illness is the second leading cause of disability and premature death, and constitutes more than 15% of the burden of disease in Canada (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2012). Mobile phones may be useful in promoting health and social wellness among this population. It is unclear whether these individuals face disparities in the access to and use of …

The Influence Of Areas Of Worklife And Compassion Satisfaction On Burnout Of Mental Health Nurses, Michelle Corinne Fredette-Carragher

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The prevalence of burnout among nurses is linked to sub-optimal wellbeing and is reflected in higher than average rates of illness and absenteeism (Canadian Institute for Health Information, [CIHI], 2007). Additionally, there are consequences for clients including increased staff related errors and poor patient satisfaction. An improved person-job match in the six areas of worklife and higher compassion satisfaction may result in a workforce that is more engaged and able to achieve positive client outcomes. This study explores the relationship between person-job match and both compassion satisfaction and the emotional exhaustion component of burnout of mental health nurses through a …

Youth Homelessness: The Impact Of Supportive Relationships On Recovery, Sara Gasior

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract

AIM: To test a model based on Peplau’s theory of Interpersonal Relations, which examines the influence of a network of service providers, perceptions of social supports and perceptions of family relations on a homeless youth’s perceptions of recovery.

BACKGROUND: Homeless youth comprise an extremely disenfranchised group and have been recognized as one of the fastest growing sub-groups within the homeless population. Homeless youth face impaired access to health and social services. They are often left unsupported and lack social and familial support or relationships with service providers. Homeless youth left unsupported frequently sink into a cycle of homelessness that …

Comparison Of Housed And Homeless Patients With An Orthopedic Diagnosis, Susan M. Williams

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Studies on homelessness have shown that people who are homeless are admitted to hospital more frequently, for longer periods of time, and at a younger age than people who are housed. Once admitted to hospital, discharge planning is difficult and resource intensive, often leading to discharge back to the streets or a shelter. This puts this population at risk for complications and readmission. Although people who are homeless are prone to orthopedic injuries, there is no research on the outcomes of patients who are homeless with orthopedic injuries. This retrospective, case control study, based on the social determinants of health, …

The Lived Experience Of Anxiety Among Adolescents During High School, Diana R. Leone

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this research study was to gain an understanding of the lived experience of everyday anxiety among adolescents during high school. An interpretative phenomenological approach as articulated by Merleau-Ponty (1962) and Van Manen (1998) was utilized for this study. A purposive sample of 8 adolescent males and females were interviewed. Data analysis was undertaken throughout the research study by utilizing a thematic analysis of text in which themes emerged to document and understand the lived experience of everyday anxiety among adolescents during high school. The study revealed themes reflective of the lived body in time, space and in …