Family Studies and Gerontology -- Graduate Theses
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Graduate theses completed in the department of Family Studies and Gerontology.
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- ItemAn Environmental Scan of Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Programs: Reshaping Masculinity(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2023-08) Davis, AlexanderIntimate partner violence (IPV) and toxic masculinities plague our world more now than ever before. IPV is described as a series of violent acts or threats that cause emotional, physical, or sexual trauma to romantic partners (typically women), in both casual and committed relationships (Pereira et al., 2020; Webermann et al., 2022). It often involves coercion, social isolation, and reduction of freedom in the victim’s public and private life, including emotional, financial, and medical control (Pereira et al., 2020). Given that men are the predominant perpetrators (Donovan & Hester, 2008), and most violent tendencies are learned in childhood (via social learning), it is imperative that young adolescent males be educated about violence prevention to support a decrease of IPV in future generations. Through an environmental scan of 55 programs that exist to prevent intimate partner violence from occurring in the first place, and to help reshape masculinity it is clear not only that there are organizations and programs in existence already doing this work effectively. As well these programs often train their participants to become facilitators, thereby securing their sustainability. Programs also seem to be shifting towards a more unified model of education inclusive of sex education, IPV prevention, and redefined masculinities. While this is positive, more programs need to be created that not only meet the needs of their participants but encourage them to seek out new ways of thinking and avenues for positive relational and behavioral change. The overall goal is to reduce and eradicate IPV. When it comes to reshaping masculinity, what is evident is that while there may not be one set definition for what healthy masculinities look like, there is in fact a definition for unhealthy masculinities. The key is in education and curriculum that moves toward the development of masculinities that support and nurture rather than destroy and violate.
- ItemAnalyzing Provincial Supports for Family/Friend Caregivers: A Comparison of the Manitoba Primary Caregiver Tax Credit and the Nova Scotia Caregiver Benefit(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2014-08) O'Hara, Megan; Keefe, JaniceAs Canada’s population continues to age, provincial/territorial governments will increasingly rely on the work and support of family/friend caregivers. Family/friend caregivers often experience financial, emotional physical and social stresses that can be directly related to their role as an unpaid caregiver. The accumulated work of family/friend caregivers can amount to billions of dollars each year, and yet they often receive no financial assistance in return. Manitoba and Nova Scotia are two provinces who have implemented policies meant to recognize the important roles of family/friend caregivers. Through conducting an in-depth policy analysis, key informant interviews with policy experts/creators and caregiver advocates, and a secondary data analysis of the Manitoba Primary Caregiver Tax Credit and the Nova Scotia Caregiver Benefit, it was found that these supports are positive social and economic components of each provincial budget. More people access the Primary Caregiver Tax Credit in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (which contains the province’s largest city) than in the other RHAs combined. In comparison, more people access the Nova Scotia Caregiver Benefit in the combined District Health Authorities of Nova Scotia, than in the DHA that includes the province’s largest city of Halifax. These supports were implemented as a means of recognizing and supporting family/friend caregivers during the duration of their caregiving roles. There is evidence, that such supports can prolong a caregiving relationship by helping the older adult remain in the home. In Nova Scotia specifically, it was found that relationships that receive the caregiver benefit are far less likely to end with the care recipient entering long-term care.This in turn, has the potential to save the provincial government thousands of dollars each year. Future research should consider the individual experiences and perception of caregivers receiving the benefits in each province. This research provides beginning evidence from administrative data about the role policy may play in supporting caregivers. Other provinces might benefit from
- ItemAssessing the physical environment in adult day program for persons with dementia(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2012) Brown, Thea; Keefe, JaniceThis research assesses physical environments in adult day programs in Nova Scotia in terms of their appropriateness for persons with dementia. Researchers have found that when physical environments are well designed, they can significantly compensate for decreased cognitive ability and can impact the behaviour and well being of people with dementia. The Personal Environment Fit Model (Lawton & Nahemow, 1973) is used in this study as it recognizes that behaviour and affect are outcomes of a person’s level of competence interacting with an environment’s level of press. This study reports the reliability and validity tests of an adult day program physical environment assessment tool (ADPPEAT) designed by the author. Additionally, an assessment of the extent to which adult day program environments in Nova Scotia implement the key physical environment design principles follows. All adult day programs (N=27) were included in the cross-sectional design of this study. A sub-sample of four centres were re-assessed for reliability purposes. Descriptive information is presented on characteristics of the programs: type and number of clientele, hours and days of operation, services offered, funding sources and information on support networks. The results of this research indicated significant relationships between different categories of adult day programs and their implementation of the physical environment design principles. Adult day programs that were supported with District Health Authority (DHA) and/or Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) funding were found to have significantly more design features that provide safety and security, opportunity for meaningful activities, opportunity to function independently and space for the staff, than adult day programs that were not supported with DHA/ DHW funding. Adult day programs that were open for a full day and operating 2+ days a week were found to have significantly more design features that provide safety and security and opportunity for meaningful activities, good ‘visual access’ and functional independence within the program for persons with dementia than adult day programs operating 1 day a week; 40.7% of adult day programs operate 1 day a week. The relative importance of the design in creating a dementia friendly physical environment in community-based services is demonstrated in the findings of the research. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that people with dementia do not experience themselves and their physical and social environments as separate. Each element, the personal, physical and social, comprise an integral piece to understanding the experience of the person with dementia. Future research would benefit from incorporating an assessment of the supportive environment (programming, staff-client-family- relationships) in adult day programs to capture a more holistic approach.
- ItemAssessing the Physical Environment in Adult Day Programs for Persons with Dementia(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2012-10) Brown, TheaThis research assesses physical environments in adult day programs in Nova Scotia in terms of their appropriateness for persons with dementia. Researchers have found that when physical environments are well designed, they can significantly compensate for decreased cognitive ability and can impact the behaviour and well being of people with dementia. The Personal Environment Fit Model (Lawton & Nahemow, 1973) is used in this study as it recognizes that behaviour and affect are outcomes of a person’s level of competence interacting with an environment’s level of press. This study reports the reliability and validity tests of an adult day program physical environment assessment tool (ADPPEAT) designed by the author. Additionally, an assessment of the extent to which adult day program environments in Nova Scotia implement the key physical environment design principles follows. All adult day programs (N=27) were included in the cross-sectional design of this study. A sub-sample of four centres were re-assessed for reliability purposes. Descriptive information is presented on characteristics of the programs: type and number of clientele, hours and days of operation, services offered, funding sources and information on support networks. The results of this research indicated significant relationships between different categories of adult day programs and their implementation of the physical environment design principles. Adult day programs that were supported with District Health Authority (DHA) and/or Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) funding were found to have significantly more design features that provide safety and security, opportunity for meaningful activities, opportunity to function independently and space for the staff, than adult day programs that were not supported with DHA/ DHW funding. Adult day programs that were open for a full day and operating 2+ days a week were found to have significantly more design features that provide safety and security and opportunity for meaningful activities, good ‘visual access’ and functional independence within the program for persons with dementia than adult day programs operating 1 day a week; 40.7% of adult day programs operate 1 day a week. The relative importance of the design in creating a dementia friendly physical environment in community-based services is demonstrated in the findings of the research. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that people with dementia do not experience themselves and their physical and social environments as separate. Each element, the personal, physical and social, comprise an integral piece to understanding the experience of the person with dementia. Future research would benefit from incorporating an assessment of the supportive environment (programming, staff-client-family- relationships) in adult day programs to capture a more holistic approach.
- ItemAssessing Therapeutic Recreation Attendance and Potentially Inappropriate Antipsychotic Use in Long-Term Care(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2020-06) McKenzie, J. RowenResponsive behaviours are commonly expressed by persons living with dementia (PLWD) in long-term care (LTC) as a way of communicating an unmet need. One commonly reported unmet need amongst PLWD is the need for daytime activity. PLWD in LTC spend much of their time by themselves. Minimal opportunities for engagement or daytime activity in LTC may lead to the expression of responsive behaviours. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are often employed by health care professionals in LTC to mitigate or halt the expression of these behaviours. Despite their known risk of harm and evidence which supports the use of non-pharmacological interventions, antipsychotics continue to be administered to PLWD in LTC. The purpose of this research was to determine whether there was a correlation between therapeutic recreation (TR) attendance and potentially inappropriate antipsychotic (PIA) use in LTC homes in Alberta (AB) and Ontario (ON). It was hypothesized that there would be a negative correlation between TR attendance and PIA use in LTC. This study utilized secondary, aggregate (e.g., institutional level), unidentified data collected with the Resident Assessment Instrument -Minimum Data Set 2.0 (RAI-MDS 2.0) and obtained from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. This data set, titled Continuing Care Reporting System, 2018-2019, reflected RAI-MDS 2.0 assessments from the last fiscal year. Seven nested linear regression models were generated with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to assess for a correlation between PIA use, TR attendance and other variables of interest. Analyses for significant interaction effects were also undertaken. A total of 303 LTC homes were included in this analysis (AB = 131, ON = 172). Within the total sample, the mean proportion of PIA use in a 7-day period was .19; rates of use were similar in AB and ON. The proportion of TR attendance within the total sample was low at .27. On average, TR was attended for 34.98 minutes or 0.73 days in a 7-day period. The mean proportion of TR attendance was significantly lower in ON (.13) than AB (.46). Responsive behaviours were commonly observe in LTC homes in both provinces. The proportion of dementia within the total sample was .50. Findings of the main linear regression model (N = 267) indicated that TR attendance (β = .145, p = .069), home size (medium vs. small [β = -.352, p = .002], large vs. small [β = -.460, p = .001]), and proportion of depression (β = -.208, p = .011) were significant predictors of PIA use in LTC. Several significant interaction effects were observed, including mean Aggressive Behaviour Scale scores and proportion of dementia. Results of this study support further inquiry into PIA use and the provision of social and leisure activities in LTC homes. Three suggestions are made for improving quality of life in LTC: (a) ensure the effective use of allied health professionals; (b) allocate funding for regular social and leisure activities; and (c) improve staffing ratios in smaller homes. These suggestions as well as recommendations for future research and policy implications are discussed.
- ItemChallenges in LGBT Inclusion in Nova Scotia’s Family Resource Centres(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2017-01) Bornemann, SandraLesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) families are increasingly benefiting from legal recognition and social visibility in Canada. However, historic discrimination of and lingering negative societal attitudes towards the LGBT community have led to LGBT families who are typically reluctant to access services. Family resource centres (FRCs) provide family life education (FLE) and services to families in Nova Scotia, and they need to ensure that their services are inclusive of this population. This research explores if and how these centres are attempting to include LGBT families in their FLE programming. This study was guided by the critical paradigm and used both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. First, employees from 15 of the 38 FRCs in Nova Scotia participated in an online questionnaire that explored the current state of inclusion of LGBT families in FRCs through an exploration of existing LGBT resources, organizational policies, and organizational culture. Then, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six FRC employees to explore the roles of FRCs in creating and maintaining LGBT inclusion. Feminist, queer, and conflict theories shaped the research design, data collection, and analysis. Online questionnaires illuminated that some inclusion efforts were actively underway in many centres with respect to resources, policy, and collaboration with LGBT organizations. Five themes were identified in the semi-structured interviews: (a) challenges faced by LGBT families, (b) challenges faced by FRCs in fostering inclusion for LGBT families, (c), whether or not special programming for LGBT families is needed in FRCs, (d) specific support needed for LGBT families to feel welcome in FRCs, and (e) the need for LGBT education within FRCs. These findings have implications for FLE practice within FRCs in fostering LGBT inclusive programming and services.
- ItemA critical discovery analysis of gendered language in online parenting education(2013-09) Cameron, Christina A.; Norris, DeborahParenting education resources offer concrete skills, information, and support to increase individuals’ competence as parents (Krafchick, Zimmerman, Haddock, & Banning, 2005). Increasingly parents are beginning to supplement and even replace print resources with online material. The internet offers convenience, anonymity to users, and an alternative method for family life educators to deliver information (Daneback & Plantin, 2009; Duncan & Steimle, 2004). Given this centrality in parenting education practice, it is important to consider what information is being presented to parents online. More specifically, how are ideologies concerning gender and the family reflected in the language of parenting education websites? This study examined at how gender is embodied in online parenting education through doing a critical discourse analysis of selected websites. Implications for the practice of critical FLE were developed through analysis. The analysis of four parenting education websites found that two of the websites analyzed (Pampers and Ask. Dr. Sears) presented gender-neutral information and two of the websites (Parents Connect and Families Online Magazine) presented gender-specific information to parents. Findings indicated that gender messages were directly mostly at mothers, whereas there was a lack of information directed at fathers. Overall the website evaluations indicated that all four parenting websites presented gender-specific messages in one or more of the following areas: website images, videos, titles, website authors, and marketing. Analyzing how gender is presented in parenting education is important because gender is a critical variable in the socialization of children and in the organization of family relationships. In turn, through informing parents on the process and outcomes of gender socialization parents are equipped with the knowledge that allows them to be aware when raising their children, critically analyze gender expectations, and help them in making informed choices concerning how to deal with these expectations.
- ItemDiffusion of innovations in the long-term care sector: The role of motivation(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2017) MacEachern, LaurenAs Canada continues to experience an advancing need for long-term care (LTC) services and an increasing complexity of residents, dissemination of best practices and innovations that improve the quality of care within the LTC sector is paramount. The presence or absence of decision-maker motivation greatly influences the implementation of innovative practices. Research investigating the motivational characteristics of opinion leaders (OL) within the Canadian LTC sector would lead to an increased ability to tailor implementation strategies and achieve care quality improvements within this sector. My research focused on characteristics of motivation, capability, and opportunity from the perspective of OLs identified within the social network analysis study titled, Advice Seeking Networks in Long Term Care (Dearing et al., 2017). The aim of this study was to determine how the presence or absence of opinion leader motivation, with consideration for associated factors of capability and opportunity, impacts the diffusion and/or implementation of advice within the Canadian long-term care sector. To determine this impact, the following questions were addressed: What are the drivers of capability, opportunity, and motivation for opinion leaders within the interpersonal adviceseeking networks of this sector? What are the potential outcomes of having motivated opinion leaders within the long-term care sector with respect to the diffusion and implementation of innovations? Data for this secondary analysis research were collected through semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews with 13 OLs and 13 advice-seekers of OLs. The theoretical frameworks used to guide this research were diffusion of innovation theory and the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior) framework. While previous research identified motivation as one of the characteristics of an OL in the long-term care sector, it was unclear from where this motivation was derived. Findings suggest that OLs in this sector are motivated by a combination of factors, including: obligations of the position, value of education, ‘systemness’, relationships, supportiveness, passion, and caring nature. While these themes were identified from interviews with OLs, statements from advice-seekers supported these findings from an alternative perspective. Motivational factors were presented on a sliding motivational scale ranging from professional motivators to prosocial motivators. Obligation of the position was the dominant motivator for OLs in this sector, however a desire to improve care quality was found to be intertwined within many themes across the scale. Prosocial motivation was represented most clearly in the factors of supportiveness, passion, and caring nature. This research confirmed that OLs in the long-term care sector are motivated individuals, and that they are using this motivation as a driver to create change and improve care practices. Specific outcomes associated with this motivational presence includes the diffusion and implementation of innovations, an increased sense of community within the network, and increased readiness for the future of the long-term care sector. This research has important implications for policy and practice due to the nature of resource availability in the long-term care sector and the challenges for implementation of innovations that arise from this issue. OLs play a key role in ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively, as they are invested in seeking out and sharing information pertaining to innovations that are evidence-based and will improve care quality.
- ItemDimensions of Housing Insecurity for Older Women Living with a Low Income(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2019-04-18) O’Neil, KellyDimensions of Housing Insecurity for Older Women Living with a Low-Income Housing is recognized as an important social determinant of health, and the links between secure housing and health are well established. Limited attention in the current housing literature is given to the experiences of insecure housing among older women living with a low income, who, evidence suggests, are especially at risk. A feminist perspective, applied in this study, attributes the marginalized presence of older women in the literature to a pervasive invalidation of aging women within ageist and sexist social contexts. This qualitative study contributes to knowledge about the interrelationships of housing insecurity, health, and wellbeing among older women (age 50+) living with a low income in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). The overarching questions influencing this study were, “What are older low income women’s perceptions of their experiences of insecure housing? How do they understand the relationship between their housing and their health?” The research questions were explored through a cross-sectional study employing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 11 older women and a thematic analysis of the collected data. The findings from this study point to an array of factors influencing women’s experiences of housing insecurity that are inseparable from the fundamental problem of living in housing they cannot afford. These factors encompass the quality of relationships they experience with those in close proximity to their housing—especially relationships with male partners, landlords and neighbours. Also influencing women’s perceptions of housing insecurity are their emotional responses to the places where they live, which sometimes stand in apparent contrast to perceived levels of housing precarity. A lack of privacy, autonomy, limited housing options, or access to information about housing supports may also help perpetuate housing precarity. Safety and comfort emerge as important concepts in being securely housed, as do the strategies women use to help them feel safe and comfortable within environments that may be perceived as less than secure. Also arising in the discussion of housing and health was the function of neighborhoods as extensions of the home that can support women’s wellbeing through meaningful community attachment. Other insights to emerge in this research described women’s understanding of the ways in which other social determinants of health like income, gender, and childhood experiences may influence their experience of housing precarity. Conversations with women in this study also helped problematize constructs of “resilience” as a means of deflecting attention from systemic barriers in place for older women in accessing secure housing. The findings presented here can help fill current knowledge gaps about the experience of housing precarity among older socioeconomically disadvantaged women. Creating space for women to talk about their experiences has the potential to create greater awareness of the broader social contexts within which housing insecurity occurs. The research also provides deeper insight for health and housing service providers and policy makers into the lived realities, influencing factors, and effects of insecure housing on the health and wellbeing of older women.
- ItemAn Ecological Examination of Housing Situations and Preferences of Atlantic Canadian Senior Aboriginals, Individuals with Disabilities, and Persons of Ethnic Minority Status(2012-04-19) Nesto, SueThere are a growing number of seniors in the general population, and a portion of those older adults are considered vulnerable. This research specifically examines housing issues of Atlantic Canadian Aboriginal Elders, seniors with a disability and older individuals of ethnic minority status whose needs differ from that of the Canadian senior population. Secondary data provided a sample of 1,702 seniors randomly selected from the Atlantic Canadian population who completed a survey and 123 focus group participants considered to be vulnerable. Using a mixed methods approach, an ecological perspective was applied to the data to determine the characteristics, situations, and preferences of vulnerable older adults in Atlantic Canada, and the linkages between housing choices and environment. Qualitative results of the study indicated that many vulnerable seniors felt disrespected by society, and were fearful with regards to the future. Current homes were inappropriate and many vulnerable seniors desired an affordable, spacious, accessible, and energy-efficient home, in an attractive environment, and close to services. Support of family, friends and neighbours, and having adequate finances were found key to allowing seniors to age in place. Furthermore, the availability of services can positively or negatively affect the ability of vulnerable senior to remain independent and age in place. Quantitative data showed that the majority of vulnerable seniors investigated have an affordability problem since they require repairs to their home, and spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs. It was further discovered that a significant portion of Aboriginal Elders and persons with a disability spend 40% or more on housing costs. Seniors’ Housing iii While some findings were consistent with that of previous research, two unique findings for these susceptible groups were forced relocation and the effect of events in the exosystem such as: government regulated policies, programs, grants and fixed incomes; community organizations and services; advocacy for seniors; and safety in the community. Research findings and subsequent recommendations can be used to develop appropriate, suitable and affordable housing in future years.