Many people experience the social anxiety of being uncomfortable in certain social situations. But social anxiety can develop into social phobia, a clinical condition characterized by excessive fear related to attention and scrutiny by others that can significantly impair quality of life. Surveys in Asia have shown Asians experience considerably less social phobia than Western populations. But North American studies show Asians report higher levels of social anxiety than Caucasians. Lorena Hsu is examining two possible explanations for this discrepancy: Asians are less impaired by social anxiety and therefore less likely to develop social phobia, or Asians are less likely to openly admit to symptoms of social phobia. Using data collected from questionnaires and interviews of Chinese and European Canadians, Lorena will determine which explanation provides a better account of the discrepancy. This study could help explain how people in different cultures experience and express social anxiety, and contribute to development of culturally appropriate mental health services.
Research Pillar: Population Health
Assessing the role of neighbourhoods in the school readiness of kindergarten children in British Columbia
Research has documented that a child’s 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.
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 adolescents’ 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 adolescents’ 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.
Novel statistical methods for inference of associations between traits and SNP haplotypes in the presence of uncertain haplotype phase
A single gene can be solely responsible for certain genetic disorders. For example, only people who carry two defective copies of the CFTR gene develop cystic fibrosis. By contrast, complex genetic disorders such as cancer and diabetes likely involve a number of genes that increase susceptibility, and act in conjunction with lifestyle and environmental exposures to increase risk for developing disease. Most success in identifying single causative genes has been achieved by studying co-segregation of a trait with genomic regions in families. However, to tackle complex disorders, researchers have turned from family studies to population studies that investigate associations between a disease and variations in DNA sequences known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Blocks of SNPs, known as haplotypes, offer promise for identifying genes contributing to disease risk. For example, SNP haplotypes were used to help identify a predisposing gene for Crohn’s disease. The underlying idea is that similarity among haplotypes of affected individuals will lead to disease associations. Dr. Jinko Graham is developing improved biostatistical methods that account for haplotype uncertainty in analyzing these disease associations. The new techniques will eliminate inaccuracies associated with previous methods and could enable researchers to better evaluate genetic and environmental risks for conditions including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Health Research of Vulnerable Urban Populations
Up to half of all Canadians with HIV also have hepatitis C, with co-infection highest among injection drug users. Dr. Anita Palepu is researching the impact of drug and alcohol use among people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C on their adherence to HIV treatment and on treatment outcomes. Dr. Palepu, who focuses on health and social problems faced by vulnerable urban populations such as drug users and homeless people, is also examining the role of addiction treatment in clinical outcomes. In a related project, she is conducting a quality of life study with vulnerable populations such as injection drug users, homeless people and street youth to assess the effectiveness of interventions intended to improve their lives. Dr. Palepu is also part of a national network of researchers evaluating the effects of programs designed to prevent homelessness, or help people exit homelessness, on the health of those considered “hard to house.” The research could inform health and social policies and ultimately help improve the health of vulnerable urban populations.
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 doesn’t 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 women’s 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 — including midwifery, general physician care and obstetrician care — to assess how some approaches may meet women’s needs better than others. Results from the research could be used to improve post-partum care and the transition to motherhood for BC women.
Beyond PTSD: the influence of culture, community, and socio-economic factors in the health and recovery of three communities affected by the 2003 BC wildfires
Firestorms devastated the BC communities of Kelowna, Barriere and Louis Creek in 2003. The exact impact of the psychological, economic and social disruption of the fires on the health and well-being of these communities is unknown. But research on the health consequences of natural disasters has shown that such events are associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, and also with experiences of social and personal transformation and growth. Robin Cox is studying the disaster recovery processes in these three communities. Her goal is to develop a model of the processes that reflects the complexity of the event, taking into account the influence of public policy, economics, community cohesiveness and community identity on the physical, emotional and social well-being of people affected by natural disasters. The study will address gaps in existing disaster research by exploring the reciprocal relationships between community-level coping, individual coping and health, and by identifying individual and collective responses that foster resiliency and the adaptive capacities of people responding to trauma and stress. The results may also provide valuable information for governments, communities and disaster response agencies attempting to develop relevant and effective policies and services to support individuals and communities recovering from natural disasters.