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.
Research Pillar: Population Health
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.
A place to grow old: past experience and present circumstance as motivation for seniors to migrate or to age-in-place
Nearly 25 percent of Canadians will be 65 or older by 2036. With increasing age, most seniors face the difficult decision of where to live. Jennifer Harvey is studying how seniors’ sense of place, emotional ties and experiences in a community influence their decision to move to a new location or to stay in the same place. She is also studying how support networks differ for seniors who stay in place and those who move. Jennifer is examining the experiences of seniors in two small B.C. communities: Parksville, where almost 31 percent of the population were seniors in 2001, and Qualicum Beach, where 38 percent were seniors. These figures are significantly higher than the provincial average of approximately 13 percent. Results from the research could be used to forecast migration patterns among seniors and improve housing, health and social service policies in communities with aging populations.
Punjabi immigrant women’s experiences of breast cancer
Breast cancer affects one in nine Canadian women. In BC’s South Asian community, while the majority of immigrants are Punjabi, little is known about the experiences of Punjabi immigrant women with breast cancer. Fuchsia Howard is studying how cultural, social and life contexts influence Punjabi women’s experiences with breast cancer. She is assessing whether these factors affect accessibility of health services and social supports, and how Punjabi women think about, adjust to and cope with breast cancer. Results from the research could enable health care providers to better understand Punjabi women’s health needs, and provide more culturally appropriate, respectful care. The findings could also be used to develop policies and programs that ensure women of all ethnicities receive optimal cancer care.
Impact of labour market change on community and workplace health in health services
A growing body of evidence indicates that a lack of control over working conditions contributes significantly to poor health and that social networks have a positive impact on health. Amber Louie is building on that research by analyzing the impact of organizational restructuring and changing work conditions on health care workers. Amber is examining the barriers to workers’ control in the health care sector, and the factors that facilitate or serve as incentives for workers’ control. She is also investigating the relative effectiveness of the various forms that workers’ control may take. The research involves interviewing community health workers to assess individual perceptions about social support, participation in decision-making and other factors that affect their working conditions. The study could provide important information for health care practitioners, human resource managers and community developers to use in the design, implementation and evaluation of workplace and community health promotion programs.
Family environment and mental health of youth from biological and adoptive families
Research suggests the family environment plays an important role in youth health and development. For example, youth exposed to more coercive forms of discipline, higher family stress, and less parental care seem to be at higher risk of developing alcohol problems. However, other research suggests genetic factors may influence both risk behaviours and family factors, such as parenting. Ming Ao is studying both biological and adoptive families to determine if the family environment influences mental health and risk behaviours in youth. Ming is assessing how family environment affects young people’s emotional well-being, social skills and competence. The findings from this study could improve understanding of family influence on youth mental health and be used to develop youth health services for biological and adoptive families.