The Disabilities Health Research Network is an integrated, multidisciplinary, and BC-based network that fosters high quality research to better the lives of Canadians with disability. It promotes research that solves real problems for persons with disability, improves clinical practices of relevance to the health of persons with disability, and leads to improved policies of relevance to persons with disability.
Research Pillar: Population Health
Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC
Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC brings together community-and institutional-based researchers in Aboriginal Health across BC. Its goal is to establish a network of researchers in Aboriginal health driven by, and responsive to, Aboriginal community directives and dedicated to capacity building within the communities themselves.
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Women’s Health Research Network
While issues related to the health of women and girls are investigated by researchers across many disciplines and areas, the Women’s Health Research Network (WHRN) is specifically dedicated to expanding focussed women’s health research that will increase the understanding of and capacity for sex and gender-based analyses and for integrating women’s health concerns into other areas of health research.
Puberty, sex and childbirth: Implications of sexual education and early sexual activity on maternal health outcome
As adolescent girls mature into young adults, they experience puberty, menstruation and sexual activity in an environment saturated with information. They learn about social and cultural norms through their social environment, as well as female reproductive health, biological development and sexual health through sexual education. While it is known that many biological and social factors influence women’s health during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum period, less is known about the impact of social and cultural factors on reproductive development and health. Moreover, the link between adolescent development and adulthood in this aspect of health is largely unexplored. Adrienne Bonfonti is studying whether girls’ experiences during this early stage of womanhood have lasting implications for their reproductive health. Adrienne is interviewing first-time mothers to learn how their earlier experiences with education, menstruation, physical development and sexual activity affect their experiences and health during pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. Adrienne’s research should identify which factors have a positive or negative effect on reproductive health outcomes, and what women may be at risk for a turbulent transition into motherhood. This information can be used to improve sexual education or intervention programs for maturing youth in order to further promote healthy development during adolescence and into adulthood.
The construct, structural and predictive validity of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, Youth Version in adolescent females: Informing the assessment of risk for violence in girls
Aggressive and violent behaviour among female youth has emerged as a pressing social issue. Girls are entering the juvenile justice system for violent offenses at substantially higher rates than five or ten years ago. Unfortunately, our ability to gauge risk for violence among female youth is less than optimal, mainly because research has focused on identifying risk factors that predict violence and aggression in boys. Consequently, unique risk factors in girls may go undetected. Psychopathy is a powerful predictor of future violence in adult male prisoners, and is characterized by a callous disregard for others, a lack of empathy, and a propensity to highly impulsive and irresponsible behaviour. Despite the important role of psychopathy in violence risk prediction, little research has examined whether the construct of psychopathy applies to females, and virtually no studies have focused on female adolescents. Stephanie Penney is investigating how well psychopathy predicts future violence in girls compared to boys. Stephanie is examining how development, early socialization and environmental influences converge to create risk for females. This research will identify unique risk factors that predispose girls to aggressive and violent behaviour, and can be used to develop early intervention programs to reduce violence among high-risk girls.
Bringing risk prevention models into the bedroom: Sex appraisals, coping and their roles in condom use consistency
HIV transmission remains a threat in Canada and around the world. Men who have sex with men account for 41 percent of all new cases of HIV in Canada, and continue to be the largest proportion of new cases. However, recent trends suggest nearly 30 percent of new HIV cases occur among heterosexuals following sexual contact. Although new HIV drugs have brought hope to patients, they have also lessened the perception of HIV risk. In fact, new cases of HIV infection increased 17 percent in 2002, compared to 2000. Eli Puterman is developing a new model to predict and understand safe sex practices in two at-risk groups: heterosexuals with multiple partners, and men who have sex with men. While present HIV prevention models can predict the intention to use condoms, they are less successful at predicting whether condom use will actually occur, because they do not consider the uniqueness of each sexual encounter. Instead, Eli is investigating how individuals appraise and respond to HIV risk in different sexual situations over time. This research could provide a new model for HIV prevention strategies both within Canada and other developed countries.
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures: health, body image and aging
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures (chemical peels, botox injections, laser hair removal, injectable fillers) are becoming more common than cosmetic procedures (breast augmentation, face lifts, liposuction). Non-surgical procedures are less expensive than cosmetic procedures and thus accessible to more people. To date, research into the perception and experience of non-surgical procedures, which are often viewed as more acceptable, less intrusive and medically risky, have largely been ignored. Dr. Laura Hurd Clarke is examining the perceptions and experiences of women aged 50+, both users and non-users of non-surgical cosmetic procedures as well as the perspectives of physicians who provide the treatments. She is interested specifically in analyzing the relationship between women’s attitudes towards non-surgical cosmetic procedures and their perceptions of health, healthy living, aging and body image. Results from her research will provide insights into the changing norms and social acceptance of the ‘medicalization’ of age-related appearance and a better understanding of the continued blurring of the relationship between health and beauty in contemporary society.
The nature and extent of genetic discrimination for presymptomatic individuals identified with an increased risk for Huntington's disease
A genetic test predicting onset of Huntington’s Disease (HD) has been available since 1986. Reports of discrimination resulting from genetic test results have been documented in the US and Great Britain and, while there are no published reports of such discrimination in Canada, research suggests that it occurs here as well. Yvonne Bombard is investigating discrimination faced by Canadians who test positive for genetic risk of HD, but have not yet developed outward symptoms. She is assessing the degree of discrimination they experience when trying to obtain extended health coverage, life and disability insurance, and employment, and comparing these findings to discrimination levels in the US and Australia. Results from the research could be used to inform social, legal and health policy related to predictive genetic testing.
Alternative methods for assessing exposure to occupational risk factors for back injury
Back strain is the leading cause of injury among Canadian workers. From 1997 to 2001, the Workers’ Compensation Board of BC received more than 90,000 back strain claims and paid out more than $661 million in compensation. Major occupational risks for back injury include heavy lifting and awkward postures. Rahul Chhokar is comparing different methods for assessing exposure to these risks in five BC industries that account for more than 25 per cent of back claims: forestry, wood and paper products, construction, transportation and warehousing. Direct measurement systems are costly and not always practical to use, but are generally considered the most precise. Rahul is studying whether other, less expensive approaches also provide reliable data on exposure to occupational risks. These include interviewing workers, asking them to fill out questionnaires, and observing workers at job sites. If accurate, these methods could provide a more cost-effective way of identifying potentially harmful work environments and reducing the risk of injury.
Does a counselor's occupational stress impact client outcome in addiction treatment?
Continuous demand for addiction services, ongoing reorganization, staff shortages and gaps in service have created a stressful work environment for B.C.’s addiction service providers over many years. Little research has been conducted on the work environment of addiction counsellors and on the impact that environment has on client outcomes. Annemarie Gockel is studying the level and impact of the occupational stress experienced by addiction counselors in BC. She is investigating whether stress affects counselors’ ability to form effective working relationships with clients, and whether service provider stress affects client outcomes. Results from the research could be used to enhance the effectiveness of addiction treatment and improve workplace quality for addiction service providers.