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- ItemExploring how migration trajectory conditions intersect to influence the health and well-being of African immigrants with precarious immigration status in southern Alberta(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025-12-22) Moses, Ato; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Kellett, PeterThere has been a significant increase in the number of precarious status migrants in Canada, mainly due to inadequate processes for granting citizenship or permanent residency, as well as the constantly changing immigration policies within the shifting political landscape (Gagnon et al., 2022). Although the study aimed to capture a wide range of experiences among the diverse group of African immigrants with precarious status in southern Alberta, there was a greater representation of international students and temporary foreign workers. The study’s findings indicated that participants’ migration trajectory conditions intersected to influence their health and well-being. Precarious migration status played a significant role because it intersected with other social determinants of health, including age, gender, racism and discrimination, health knowledge, employment, income, religious and cultural beliefs, and social support networks to influence the health outcomes and well-being of the participants. In Southern Alberta, African immigrants with precarious migration status experience challenges such as limited access to health and social services, which adversely impact their sense of belonging, security, stability, and mental and physical health. This exploratory descriptive qualitative research was informed by intersectionality theory as a theoretical framework to analyze the data. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews served as the primary data collection method. Braun and Clarke’s (2006, 2019) reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine the data and identify themes. The study's findings enhanced understanding of the challenges experienced by African immigrants with precarious migration status in Southern Alberta, emphasizing the role of precarious migration status as a social determinant of health and its intersection with other social determinants that significantly influence their health and well-being. Additionally, it could help inform the development of comprehensive policies aimed at improving the health and well-being of African immigrants with precarious migration status and supporting their integration into Canadian society.
- ItemFactors predicting internet gaming disorder: the role of congruent communication(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Chen, Yulin; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Lee, Bonnie K.Previous research has highlighted separate associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), family satisfaction, emotion regulation, psychological distress in relation to Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). However, the role of communication was under-examined. Further, the specific pathways and interactions among relevant variables remain under-explored. This study aims to introduce congruent communication as a new variable and its role in internet gaming disorder and determine its relationship with other salient variables found in earlier studies correlated with IGD. This cross-sectional study recruited 179 Canadian emerging adults (ages 18–29) identified as at risk for IGD who were examined for ACEs, family satisfaction, psychological distress, emotion dysregulation, and congruent communication. Pearson correlation analyses revealed that higher ACE scores were significantly associated with greater emotion dysregulation, psychological distress, congruent communication, and lower family satisfaction. IGD severity (GAS-7) was positively correlated with emotion dysregulation and negatively associated with congruent communication and psychological well-being. Multiple regression analysis showed that the combined model of psychosocial predictors significantly accounted for variance in IGD severity, R² = .094, F (5, 173) = 3.575, p = .004. However, only congruent communication was a significant predictor of IGD severity, suggesting an interactive effect of variables and the importance of congruent communication in predicting IGD. These findings suggest that while ACEs and emotion dysregulation factors are significantly associated with IGD, their predictive power may operate in complex, overlapping ways with family dissatisfaction, psychological distress, and congruent communication. The result of this study indicates that congruent communication is a potentially significant variable for IGD in addiction counselling.
- ItemThe factors associated with suicidality among Canadian youth: a cross-sectional secondary analysis(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Doctor, Jenessa; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Sanders, JamesThe focus of this thesis was to examine the association between vulnerable youth and suicidality. This was done by conducting a secondary analysis on youth aged 15 to 29. A secondary data analysis took place utilizing the Statistics Canada 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey for two separate papers. In the first paper exposure to childhood maltreatment was examined as an exposure variable for the outcome suicidality among the age group 18 to 29. Results indicated that those exposed to childhood maltreatment were more likely to experience suicidality than those not exposed. Additionally, the odds of suicidality increased with the number of maltreatment types experienced, suggesting a potential dose-response relationship. This association showed evidence for being partially mediated by mental health conditions, specifically meeting diagnostic criteria for depression or anxiety. In the second paper, minority status was created as an exposure variable for the outcome suicidality by combining racialized minorities (including Indigenous groups), and sexual identity minorities for the age group 15 to 24. These results showed minorities were more likely to experience suicidality compared to non-minority youth. This association appeared to be partially mediated by childhood maltreatment, which consisted of experiencing any form of maltreatment in the past. Findings from both studies suggest that vulnerable youth are more likely to experience suicidality, placing them at an increased risk for negative health outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of reducing systemic inequalities and developing context specific interventions to support these groups of youth. Policy makers, governments, and the community should aim to use proactive measures for prevention rather than implementing more crisis interventions in the future.
- ItemUnderstanding Indigenous data governance when collaborating with post-secondary institutions(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Shouting, Melissa A.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Vogelsang, Laura; Rice, JackieBackground: The Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH), with support from the Blood Tribe’s Chief and Council, are moving toward self-determination by establishing a collaborative partnership with a local post-secondary institution to create sustainable models of governance. This thesis is a small but essential piece of the work being conducted to determine best practices for developing data collection tools to assess and evaluate the community needs of Kainai Nation while understanding the resources needed for BTDH to enact the Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) Principles of data storage and management. Objective: This scoping review aimed to explore and describe what exists in the current literature on Indigenous Data Governance principles, and how the information is understood and utilized in collaborative health research initiatives. A goal and purpose for this review are to explore and understand the role that Indigenous populations or communities assume in collaborative research with academics and scholars. Methodology: The search was conducted using nine databases from inception until May 2024. Two reviewers independently screened for inclusion and exclusion using the Arksey & O’Malley (2005) scoping review framework. The principal investigator conducted the final review for full-text articles, based on content and findings, with additional criteria added. Results: Fifteen reports were included. Our included reports consisted of qualitative research (n=7), mixed methods approach (n=6), and quantitative studies (n=2). Findings are presented within a framework that discusses IDG in six areas: 1) study characteristics and demographics; 2) study objectives, designs and theoretical frameworks; 3) Indigenous data governance: an overview of community engagement; 4) ethical practices in research and data governance; 5) enacting community collaboration to guide and support Indigenous data governance; 6) limitations. Conclusion: Themes identified related to Indigenous Data Governance (IDG), as well as challenges and barriers to implementing IDG in collaborative health research projects that are situated within universities. A collaborative approach involving stakeholders, culturally competent training and capacity building are approaches to move forward, but the establishment of Indigenous-led research institutes, a source of stable funding, and further collaborative research opportunities focusing on building and supporting IDG through building nation-specific data ecosystems are needed.
- ItemThe effects of generation anxiety on post-secondary mental health outcomes: Implications for service providers and educators(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2025) Tahir, Aleena; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Brenner, Charlotte; Gunn, ThelmaDespite increased access to mental health services, Generation Z reports the highest rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. Guided by Life Course Theory, this study examined how environmental, technological, and socioeconomic conditions influence youth mental health, with a focus on generation-specific anxieties related to climate change, artificial intelligence, and financial concerns. A mixed-methods design was employed, drawing on quantitative data from 586 post-secondary students using standardized mental health and anxiety scales, along with qualitative responses to open-ended questions. Pearson correlations and stepwise linear regressions revealed that financial anxiety was the strongest predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress. Eco-anxiety and AI anxiety also contributed to mental health outcomes in nuanced ways. Although proposed moderators did not significantly alter these relationships, factors such as social isolation, social support, and daily internet use were independently associated with mental health outcomes. Qualitative data reinforced these findings, with students expressing concern about financial insecurity, environmental degradation, and the impact of AI on job security. These findings highlight the need for clinicians, educators, and policymakers to develop targeted supports and policy responses that address the broader structural pressures affecting the psychological well-being of Generation Z.