Research has documented that a childâs immediate surroundings affect early development. Neighborhood variables such as socioeconomic status, cohesion, safety, and access to community resources (e.g. childcare, libraries) are amongst those factors that can affect child health and development. However, there is little Canadian research that addresses this connection. Vanessa Lapointe wants to fill that gap by studying how neighbourhood conditions affect the developmental health of British Columbian kindergarten children across five developmental categories: physical health and well-being; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive development; and communication skills and general knowledge. This research will be helpful in designing early intervention programs to assist children who may otherwise lack the developmental foundation needed to be successful as they begin school.
Program: Trainee
The role of peer relationships in physical activity motivation and participation among young adolescents
Physical activity provides numerous health benefits, but most Canadian youth are not active enough to receive these benefits. The growing trend of inactivity has serious health implications for youth now and into adulthood. A number of theories on motivation suggest that peer relationships influence adolescentsâ motivations and behaviour, but little research has explored the influence of peers on physical activity. Meghan McDonough is surveying 500 high school students to determine the role of peer relationships in physical activity motivation and behaviour. She also aims to identify specific elements of peer relationships that are key influences of physical activity motivation and behaviour. Results from the research could contribute to development of programs that motivate youth to participate in physical activity.
An analysis of the structure of life satisfaction as an indicator of adolescent quality of life in context of health
Quality of life has become an important outcome of health care practice and research. Quality of life measurements are increasingly being used to determine the appropriateness of various treatment approaches. However, quality of life research has focused primarily on adult and senior populations, with little research examining quality of life among adolescents. In a study targeting adolescents aged 13 to 19 who attend BC high schools, Richard Sawatzky is researching the effectiveness of the Multidimensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale in measuring adolescent quality of life. Using data obtained with the scale, he is examining how differences in perceived and observed physical and psychological health affect adolescentsâ perceptions of family life, friendships, school life, living environment and themselves. Health professionals could use findings from the research to develop health promotion initiatives and treatments that address the particular needs of adolescents.
Identification of the roles played by NIMA-related kinases in flagellar, microtubule, and cell cycle regulation and signalling in Chlamydomonas
NIMA-related kinases are a diverse family of proteins found in virtually all eukaryotic cells. Single-celled eukaryotes, such as yeast, have a single NIMA family member that helps regulate cell division. A recent discovery that Chlamydomonas, a single-celled green algae, has at least seven family members strikingly contrasts with other unicellular organisms. What sets Chlamydomonas apart from the other unicellular eukaryotes studied to date is the presence of cilia. Mutations in some NIMA kinsases can produce kidney cysts, as do mutations in the proteins essential for assembling cilia, short, hair-like structures that protrude from cell walls and sweep mucus up and out of lungs. In earlier research, Brian Bradley helped identify six new genes in Chlamydomonas. These algae are found all over the world, and are often used for research in cell and molecular biology. Now Brian is using the algae to study the assembly and function of cilia. Brianâs research could help explain the role of NIMA-related kinases in development of kidney disease.
Effects of acute and chronic exercise on mental health, sexual functioning and hormone level in premenopausal women
Regular aerobic exercise can significantly improve physical and mental health. Exercise helps prevent and treat heart disease, hypertension and stroke. It also alleviates stress, anxiety and depression. Yet little research has been undertaken to access the impact of exercise on sexual functioning in women, even though sexual health is increasingly recognized as an important part of overall well-being and quality of life. Research involving men suggests regular aerobic exercise can enhance sexual desire, frequency and satisfaction. Amanda LaMarre is investigating how short-term and regular aerobic exercise affects sexual arousal and functioning in women, with a focus on physical, hormonal and psychological changes created by exercise. The results could help women with satisfactory sexual functioning and those experiencing sexual difficulties learn how to enhance their sexual, physical and emotional health.
Examining day-to-day stress and coping among individuals with spinal cord injury: effects on mood, functional ability and health status
Spinal cord injuries lead to a variety of outcomes because of the unique nature of such injuries. Although the level of injury accounts for many of the differences in recovery among people with spinal cord injuries, it doesnât fully explain differences in functional ability and adaptation to life after an injury. Evidence suggests the way people cope with a life-altering spinal injury may be as important to their recovery and health status as the extent of their injury or the care received. Sharon Lee is studying the impact of different coping behaviours on rates and extent of physical and mental recovery from spinal injury. Through face-to-face and telephone interviews, Sharon is investigating the relationship between stress, coping strategies and social support in people with spinal cord injuries. Results from the research could be used to develop therapies that help newly injured individuals cope and readjust to life with the best possible health status.
Cognitive, emotional and social aspects of work goals as determinants of employee health
Numerous studies show stress can play a significant role in physical and mental health. Workplace stress has been linked to psychological distress, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, workplace injuries and reduced immune function. Yet workplace stress is preventable, and stress in the workplace does not inevitably lead to illness. Evidence suggests that attaining personally meaningful goals at work may help prevent illness. Dr. Georgia Pomaki is researching how the pursuit of personal goals can decrease workplace stress and improve physical and emotional health. She is examining the relationship between goal pursuit and stress at work and also as it applies to the home environment. The findings could help identify people who have difficulty achieving goals and are at increased risk for physical illness and emotional distress. The research could also suggest strategies to help employees attain work goals and positively impact their health.
Social determinants of health and their impact on post partum morbidity among midwifery, physician and obstetrician clients in British Columbia
After giving birth, some women have difficulty adjusting to their new role as a mother. Some problems can be attributed to injuries from childbirth, while others, such as depression, fatigue and long-term pain, are not as easily understood. Using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, Dr. Rachel Westfall is investigating how womenâs income, education and support networks affect their recovery from pregnancy and childbirth and the adjustment to being a parent. Dr. Westfall is also looking at the different types of post-partum care available in BC â including midwifery, general physician care and obstetrician care â to assess how some approaches may meet womenâs needs better than others. Results from the research could be used to improve post-partum care and the transition to motherhood for BC women.
Associations among decreased planum temporale asymmetry, functional laterality during semantic processing, and severity of thought disorder in Schizophrenia
Most language processing occurs in the left hemisphere of the brain. In schizophrenia, language is disturbed on several levels: from abnormal anatomy in essential regions of the left hemisphere to deficits in comprehension and expression. Studies suggest genetic and environmental factors interact to cause abnormal anatomical development in the left hemisphere, resulting in abnormal functions that lead to schizophrenia symptoms. Sara Weinstein is investigating how abnormal brain structure and brain functions relate to a deviation in linguistic processing and expression that results in thought disorder, which is a primary symptom of schizophrenia. The research could help explain what causes schizophrenia symptoms â the first step toward developing more effective treatments.
Prevelance of gonococcal/chlamydial infections in an Inuit community; identifying gender differences in social networks, risk perception and health services utilization
When Audrey Steenbeek worked as a community health nurse in Baffin Island, Nunavut, she was concerned by the high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). That experience inspired her to pursue doctoral studies in health care and epidemiology. She is currently researching transmission patterns of chlamydia and gonorrhea among Inuit living in remote and isolated communities in Baffin Island. Audreyâs aims are to measure the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea in these communities, characterize core groups and individuals who are most vulnerable to STD infections, describe STD-related, high-risk behaviours and risk perception and, analyze the role of social networks and use of health services. These results could help decrease incidence and prevalence of STDs among remote Aboriginal populations through improved access to STD screening and treatment, improved contact tracing and partner notification procedures, and more culturally appropriate health promotion and disease prevention strategies.