Health Sciences, Faculty of

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Browsing Health Sciences, Faculty of by Subject "Adjustment (Psychology)"

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    Exploring the stressors and coping experiences of healthcare workers in long-term care homes during COVID-19 crisis within Southern Alberta
    (Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2023) Adeosun, Adebayo Olumuyiwa; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Koso, Silvia
    This study aimed to explore the psychological and other stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers (HCWs) in long-term care (LTC) homes in the Southern Alberta region in Canada. A qualitative descriptive research design was used to answer two research questions: (1) What are the psychological stressors of healthcare workers in LTC homes during the COVID-19 public health crisis in Southern Alberta, and (2) What are the coping mechanisms that healthcare workers in LTC homes find helpful in managing the identified stressors? Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected from semi-structured interviews with HCWs. The results revealed that the main pandemic stressors experienced by the HCWs were chronic understaffing, unpredictability and constant change, fear of risking being infected and the unknown, and disruption of work-life balance with an implication on the mental HCWs. The main coping mechanisms identified by the HCWs bordered on behavioural, social, and internal and spiritual coping responses. The findings from this study have implications for the development of effective measures for improving the mental health of HCWs in the LTC setting during a public health crisis and provide information for interventions that may promote the psychological wellbeing of HCWs. The study also offers policy and practice-based recommendations.
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    Immigrants' exposure to natural environments in Canada: associations with integration, settlement satisfaction, physical activity, and wellbeing
    (Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2023) Charles Rodriguez, Ulises; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Larouche, Richard
    Refugees and immigrants dissatisfied with their settlement may experience a significant decline in mental health after arrival. Evidence suggests that nature can positively affect mental health, belonging, and place attachment. The dissertation includes three complementary studies. Our scoping review revealed that being in nature is primarily an embodied experience that can foster new memories, facilitating adaptation and attachment to new environments among immigrants. Our national cross-sectional study suggest that immigrants engage in significantly fewer outdoor activities and outdoor activities are associated with settlement satisfaction. In our evaluation, participants expressed a range of motivations, benefits, challenges, and recommendations for a local community garden project. The scoping review and cross-sectional study identify outcomes and barriers to participation and summarize recommendations for research and practice. Adopting a participatory approach to our evaluation facilitated capacity building and direct use of research findings. Such an approach can catalyze sustainable community action in immigrant communities.