Objective Older Muslim immigrants experience multiple vulnerabilities living in Canada. This stud... more Objective Older Muslim immigrants experience multiple vulnerabilities living in Canada. This study explores the experiences of Muslim older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify ways to build community resilience as part of a community-based participatory research partnership with a mosque in Edmonton, Alberta. Methods Using a mixed-methods approach, check-in surveys (n = 88) followed by semi-structured interviews (n = 16) were conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on older adults from the mosque congregation. Quantitative findings were reported through descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis guided the identification of key findings from the interviews using the socio-ecological model. Results Three major themes were identified in consultation with a Muslim community advisory committee: (a) triple jeopardy leading to loneliness, (b) decreased access to resources for connectivity, and (c) organizational struggles to provide support during the pandemic. The findi...
The growing aging population in Canada has multi-faceted psycho-social needs. Social workers are ... more The growing aging population in Canada has multi-faceted psycho-social needs. Social workers are well-positioned to address these needs, despite many challenges. This paper reports findings from the World Café at the Gerontology Symposium in Alberta, Canada, held in 2018. The goal was to learn from social work practitioners, researchers, and educators (N = 49) about current and future needs of gerontological social work in Alberta. There were two research questions: 1) What strategies do social workers need on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to help better serve the growing older adult population in Alberta? (R1) 2) How can social workers promote the value and contribution of gerontological social work within the interprofessional community? (R2) The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Ten R1-related themes emerged: personal traits of a social worker; professional skills; bio-psycho-social needs of older adults; community connections; access to benefits; gerontological social work education; integrated healthcare; aging policy; ageism; and advocacy to strengthen the voice of older adults. The three R2-related themes include strengthening the status of the social work profession; building trust through demonstrated skills; and interprofessional education and practice.
Spousal bereavement poses considerable challenges to adults in late life. Some populations, such ... more Spousal bereavement poses considerable challenges to adults in late life. Some populations, such as older immigrants, may experience heightened negative outcomes as a consequence of spousal bereavement, due to migratory stress and marginalization. Spousal bereavement is also culturally-embedded as it is related to cultural beliefs and attitudes concerning death and family relationships. However, studies on spousal bereavement or widowhood among older immigrant groups are limited. This study aims to fill the gap by exploring, via a phenomenological approach, the lived experiences of widowed older Chinese immigrants in Calgary. This study addressed two main research questions: 1) What are the lived experiences of widowed Chinese older immigrants in coping with their spousal bereavement? and 2) What supports do widowed older Chinese immigrants draw from to cope with their bereavement and to adjust to widowhood? Findings were categorized into four levels, individual, family, community a...
Social work students and faculty are increasingly embracing online education and collaborative te... more Social work students and faculty are increasingly embracing online education and collaborative teaching. Yet models to support these activities have not been adequately developed. This paper describes how a team of instructors developed, delivered, and evaluated an undergraduate gerontological social work course using a collaborative online teaching and learning model. Our findings suggest that the course model served to: facilitate undergraduate students ’ use of higher order learning (reflection, reflexivity and application of knowledge to practice), reduce ageism, and provide gerontology training to undergraduate social work students across a large geographical area. Résumé Les étudiants en travail social et le personnel enseignant adoptent de plus en plus l’enseignement en ligne et l’enseignement collaboratif. Pourtant, les modèles pour soutenir ces activités ne sont pas suffisamment développés. Cet article décrit comment une équipe d’instructeurs a développé, livré, et évalué u...
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2021
This study aimed to address knowledge gaps about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mid-age... more This study aimed to address knowledge gaps about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mid-age and older adults, with particular attention to the relationship of PTSD with nutrition and with ethnicity and immigrant status. Binary logistic regression analysis of weighted comprehensive cohort data from the baseline Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA; n = 27,211) was conducted using the four-item Primary Care-PTSD tool (outcome) and immigrant status by ethnicity (Canadian-born white, Canadian-born minority, immigrant white, immigrant minority). Covariates included various social, economic, nutrition and health-related variables. After controlling for socioeconomic and health variables, immigrants from minority groups had significantly higher odds of PTSD compared to their Canadian-born counterparts, whereas white immigrants had lower odds of PTSD. These relationships were significantly robust across seven cluster-based regression models. After adjusting for ethnicity/immigrant status, the odds of PTSD were higher among those earning lower household incomes, widowed, divorced, or separated respondents, ever smokers, and those who had multi-morbidities, chronic pain, high nutritional risk, or who reported daily consumptions of pastries, pulses and nuts, or chocolate. Conversely, those 55 years and over, who had high waist-to-height ratio, or who consumed 2–3 fiber sources daily had significantly lower odds of PTSD. Interventions aimed at managing PTSD in mid-age and older adults should consider ethnicity, immigrant status, as well as socioeconomic, health, and nutrition status.
Mentorship has been proposed as a key process for preparing doctoral students as effective educat... more Mentorship has been proposed as a key process for preparing doctoral students as effective educators. However, few models have been described in-depth. To address this challenge, four social work doctoral graduates and one senior faculty member shared their insights drawing on their study on collaborative teaching mentorship, reflecting on their mentorship experiences and inviting feedback from the conference audience in the Conversation Cafe forum. The resultant discussion supported findings from our research and reinforced that more systematic and reflective efforts are needed to adequately prepare doctoral students for future teaching responsibilities. Specific strategies are summarized.
Psychological distress is associated with a range of negative outcomes including lower quality of... more Psychological distress is associated with a range of negative outcomes including lower quality of life and an increased risk of premature all-cause mortality. The prevalence of, and factors associated with, psychological distress among middle-aged and older Canadians are understudied. Using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) baseline data, this study examined factors associated with psychological distress among adults between 45 and 85 years, including refugee status and a wide range of sociodemographic, health-related and social support characteristics. Psychological distress was measured by Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale-K10 scores. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. The prevalence of psychological distress was significantly higher among the 244 refugees (23.8%), compared to 23,149 Canadian-born Canadians (12.8%) and 4,765 non-refugee immigrants (12.6%), despite the fact that the average time the refugees had lived ...
Objectives To examine associations between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and nutrition fa... more Objectives To examine associations between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and nutrition factors among Canadian-born and immigrant adults. Methods The sample included participants of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) (n = 27,211; 45–85 years) categorized by ethnicity (native white, native minority, immigrant white, and immigrant minority). PTSD was measured using the Primary Care PTSD tool. Nutrition factors included nutrition status indicators (anthropometrics, body fat %, handgrip strength, nutrition risk, sarcopenia, bone mineral density, and iron deficiency anemia) and dietary intakes (fiber, pulses and nuts, fat, omega-3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, fruit juice, calcium/vitamin D, salty snacks, pastries, and chocolate bars). Covariates included socioeconomic and health-related variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results Compared to white Canadians born in Canada, immigrant minority groups had a higher likelihood of PTSD (OR =...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
The main purpose of this study was to compare the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders among ... more The main purpose of this study was to compare the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders among foreign-born and Canadian-born adults in middle and later life. Using baseline data of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (2010–2015), multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to investigate anxiety diagnosis and immigrant status, while controlling for socio-economic, health-related, and nutrition covariates. Of 26,991 participants (49.3% men, 82.5% Canadian born, 58.5% aged 45–65 years), the overall prevalence of self-reported physician diagnosis of anxiety disorders was 8.5%, with immigrants being lower than Canadian-born respondents (6.4% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001). After accounting for all covariates, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for anxiety disorders was lower among immigrants (aOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67–0.88) compared to those who were Canadian born. Identified risk factors included: younger age (aORs = 1.79–3.52), being a woman (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07–1.46), sing...
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations among three types of cumulative disadvan... more Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations among three types of cumulative disadvantages: long term poverty, spatial disadvantage, and multiple exclusions using a Cumulative dis/advantage (CDA) and life course perspective. Method: A sample of 419 Chinese adults aged 60 and older from three communities in Shanghai completed a structured questionnaire. Multiple exclusions were measured by variables related to material resources, housing conditions, social relations, civic activities, basic services, and neighbourhood factors. Hierarchical regression was implemented by SPSS 25 and moderation analysis was performed with the SPSS macro PROCESS from Hayes (2013). Results: 39% of respondents reported that they experienced multiple exclusions and one in five respondents report often or most time living in poverty. Regression analysis indicated that experience long-term poverty and length of living in the same neighbourhood is positively associated with multiple exclusions in l...
Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, 2018
Purpose This paper aims to present a thematic analysis investigating the experiences and reflecti... more Purpose This paper aims to present a thematic analysis investigating the experiences and reflections of doctoral students in social work at a Canadian university who were mentored in the development of teaching expertise, including course design, delivery and evaluation, by a senior faculty member. Recommendations to others who are considering engaging in doctoral student teaching mentorship are presented. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines the authors’ reflections on their experiences of doctoral student mentorship through their involvement in collaboratively designing, teaching and evaluating an online undergraduate course. The inquiry used a qualitative approach grounded in Schon’s concept of reflexive learning. Findings Based on the results of the thematic analysis of the mentees’ reflections, this paper presents the collaborative teaching mentorship model and discusses how receiving mentorship in teaching facilitated the mentees’ development as social work educators...
Objective Older Muslim immigrants experience multiple vulnerabilities living in Canada. This stud... more Objective Older Muslim immigrants experience multiple vulnerabilities living in Canada. This study explores the experiences of Muslim older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify ways to build community resilience as part of a community-based participatory research partnership with a mosque in Edmonton, Alberta. Methods Using a mixed-methods approach, check-in surveys (n = 88) followed by semi-structured interviews (n = 16) were conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on older adults from the mosque congregation. Quantitative findings were reported through descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis guided the identification of key findings from the interviews using the socio-ecological model. Results Three major themes were identified in consultation with a Muslim community advisory committee: (a) triple jeopardy leading to loneliness, (b) decreased access to resources for connectivity, and (c) organizational struggles to provide support during the pandemic. The findi...
The growing aging population in Canada has multi-faceted psycho-social needs. Social workers are ... more The growing aging population in Canada has multi-faceted psycho-social needs. Social workers are well-positioned to address these needs, despite many challenges. This paper reports findings from the World Café at the Gerontology Symposium in Alberta, Canada, held in 2018. The goal was to learn from social work practitioners, researchers, and educators (N = 49) about current and future needs of gerontological social work in Alberta. There were two research questions: 1) What strategies do social workers need on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to help better serve the growing older adult population in Alberta? (R1) 2) How can social workers promote the value and contribution of gerontological social work within the interprofessional community? (R2) The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Ten R1-related themes emerged: personal traits of a social worker; professional skills; bio-psycho-social needs of older adults; community connections; access to benefits; gerontological social work education; integrated healthcare; aging policy; ageism; and advocacy to strengthen the voice of older adults. The three R2-related themes include strengthening the status of the social work profession; building trust through demonstrated skills; and interprofessional education and practice.
Spousal bereavement poses considerable challenges to adults in late life. Some populations, such ... more Spousal bereavement poses considerable challenges to adults in late life. Some populations, such as older immigrants, may experience heightened negative outcomes as a consequence of spousal bereavement, due to migratory stress and marginalization. Spousal bereavement is also culturally-embedded as it is related to cultural beliefs and attitudes concerning death and family relationships. However, studies on spousal bereavement or widowhood among older immigrant groups are limited. This study aims to fill the gap by exploring, via a phenomenological approach, the lived experiences of widowed older Chinese immigrants in Calgary. This study addressed two main research questions: 1) What are the lived experiences of widowed Chinese older immigrants in coping with their spousal bereavement? and 2) What supports do widowed older Chinese immigrants draw from to cope with their bereavement and to adjust to widowhood? Findings were categorized into four levels, individual, family, community a...
Social work students and faculty are increasingly embracing online education and collaborative te... more Social work students and faculty are increasingly embracing online education and collaborative teaching. Yet models to support these activities have not been adequately developed. This paper describes how a team of instructors developed, delivered, and evaluated an undergraduate gerontological social work course using a collaborative online teaching and learning model. Our findings suggest that the course model served to: facilitate undergraduate students ’ use of higher order learning (reflection, reflexivity and application of knowledge to practice), reduce ageism, and provide gerontology training to undergraduate social work students across a large geographical area. Résumé Les étudiants en travail social et le personnel enseignant adoptent de plus en plus l’enseignement en ligne et l’enseignement collaboratif. Pourtant, les modèles pour soutenir ces activités ne sont pas suffisamment développés. Cet article décrit comment une équipe d’instructeurs a développé, livré, et évalué u...
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2021
This study aimed to address knowledge gaps about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mid-age... more This study aimed to address knowledge gaps about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mid-age and older adults, with particular attention to the relationship of PTSD with nutrition and with ethnicity and immigrant status. Binary logistic regression analysis of weighted comprehensive cohort data from the baseline Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA; n = 27,211) was conducted using the four-item Primary Care-PTSD tool (outcome) and immigrant status by ethnicity (Canadian-born white, Canadian-born minority, immigrant white, immigrant minority). Covariates included various social, economic, nutrition and health-related variables. After controlling for socioeconomic and health variables, immigrants from minority groups had significantly higher odds of PTSD compared to their Canadian-born counterparts, whereas white immigrants had lower odds of PTSD. These relationships were significantly robust across seven cluster-based regression models. After adjusting for ethnicity/immigrant status, the odds of PTSD were higher among those earning lower household incomes, widowed, divorced, or separated respondents, ever smokers, and those who had multi-morbidities, chronic pain, high nutritional risk, or who reported daily consumptions of pastries, pulses and nuts, or chocolate. Conversely, those 55 years and over, who had high waist-to-height ratio, or who consumed 2–3 fiber sources daily had significantly lower odds of PTSD. Interventions aimed at managing PTSD in mid-age and older adults should consider ethnicity, immigrant status, as well as socioeconomic, health, and nutrition status.
Mentorship has been proposed as a key process for preparing doctoral students as effective educat... more Mentorship has been proposed as a key process for preparing doctoral students as effective educators. However, few models have been described in-depth. To address this challenge, four social work doctoral graduates and one senior faculty member shared their insights drawing on their study on collaborative teaching mentorship, reflecting on their mentorship experiences and inviting feedback from the conference audience in the Conversation Cafe forum. The resultant discussion supported findings from our research and reinforced that more systematic and reflective efforts are needed to adequately prepare doctoral students for future teaching responsibilities. Specific strategies are summarized.
Psychological distress is associated with a range of negative outcomes including lower quality of... more Psychological distress is associated with a range of negative outcomes including lower quality of life and an increased risk of premature all-cause mortality. The prevalence of, and factors associated with, psychological distress among middle-aged and older Canadians are understudied. Using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) baseline data, this study examined factors associated with psychological distress among adults between 45 and 85 years, including refugee status and a wide range of sociodemographic, health-related and social support characteristics. Psychological distress was measured by Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale-K10 scores. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. The prevalence of psychological distress was significantly higher among the 244 refugees (23.8%), compared to 23,149 Canadian-born Canadians (12.8%) and 4,765 non-refugee immigrants (12.6%), despite the fact that the average time the refugees had lived ...
Objectives To examine associations between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and nutrition fa... more Objectives To examine associations between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and nutrition factors among Canadian-born and immigrant adults. Methods The sample included participants of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) (n = 27,211; 45–85 years) categorized by ethnicity (native white, native minority, immigrant white, and immigrant minority). PTSD was measured using the Primary Care PTSD tool. Nutrition factors included nutrition status indicators (anthropometrics, body fat %, handgrip strength, nutrition risk, sarcopenia, bone mineral density, and iron deficiency anemia) and dietary intakes (fiber, pulses and nuts, fat, omega-3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, fruit juice, calcium/vitamin D, salty snacks, pastries, and chocolate bars). Covariates included socioeconomic and health-related variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results Compared to white Canadians born in Canada, immigrant minority groups had a higher likelihood of PTSD (OR =...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
The main purpose of this study was to compare the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders among ... more The main purpose of this study was to compare the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders among foreign-born and Canadian-born adults in middle and later life. Using baseline data of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (2010–2015), multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to investigate anxiety diagnosis and immigrant status, while controlling for socio-economic, health-related, and nutrition covariates. Of 26,991 participants (49.3% men, 82.5% Canadian born, 58.5% aged 45–65 years), the overall prevalence of self-reported physician diagnosis of anxiety disorders was 8.5%, with immigrants being lower than Canadian-born respondents (6.4% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001). After accounting for all covariates, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for anxiety disorders was lower among immigrants (aOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67–0.88) compared to those who were Canadian born. Identified risk factors included: younger age (aORs = 1.79–3.52), being a woman (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07–1.46), sing...
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations among three types of cumulative disadvan... more Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations among three types of cumulative disadvantages: long term poverty, spatial disadvantage, and multiple exclusions using a Cumulative dis/advantage (CDA) and life course perspective. Method: A sample of 419 Chinese adults aged 60 and older from three communities in Shanghai completed a structured questionnaire. Multiple exclusions were measured by variables related to material resources, housing conditions, social relations, civic activities, basic services, and neighbourhood factors. Hierarchical regression was implemented by SPSS 25 and moderation analysis was performed with the SPSS macro PROCESS from Hayes (2013). Results: 39% of respondents reported that they experienced multiple exclusions and one in five respondents report often or most time living in poverty. Regression analysis indicated that experience long-term poverty and length of living in the same neighbourhood is positively associated with multiple exclusions in l...
Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, 2018
Purpose This paper aims to present a thematic analysis investigating the experiences and reflecti... more Purpose This paper aims to present a thematic analysis investigating the experiences and reflections of doctoral students in social work at a Canadian university who were mentored in the development of teaching expertise, including course design, delivery and evaluation, by a senior faculty member. Recommendations to others who are considering engaging in doctoral student teaching mentorship are presented. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines the authors’ reflections on their experiences of doctoral student mentorship through their involvement in collaboratively designing, teaching and evaluating an online undergraduate course. The inquiry used a qualitative approach grounded in Schon’s concept of reflexive learning. Findings Based on the results of the thematic analysis of the mentees’ reflections, this paper presents the collaborative teaching mentorship model and discusses how receiving mentorship in teaching facilitated the mentees’ development as social work educators...
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