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Several studies have linked specific learning disorders (SLDs) with suicidal ideation, but less is known about the disorders' association with suicide attempts. This gap in the literature is addressed via the 2012 nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey (n = 21,744). The prevalence of lifetime suicide attempts among those with an SLD was much higher than those without (11.1% vs. 2.7%, p < 0.001). In comparison with their peers without SLDs, adults with SLDs had 46% higher odds of having ever attempted suicide, even after adjusting for most known risk factors (e.g., childhood adversities, history of mental illness and substance abuse, sociodemographics; odds ratio = 1.46, 95% CI [1.05, 2.04]). The largest attenuation in the association between SLD and suicidal attempts was accounted for by adverse childhood experiences. Among those with SLDs (n = 745), a history of witnessing chronic parental domestic violence and ever having had a major depressive disorder were associated with substantially higher odds of suicide attempts.

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to provide a framework for understanding the contemporary experience of First Nations grandparents. Fifteen respondents (N = 15) were selected from two demographically different Canadian cities. Seven of the grandparents lived with their child and a grandchild or grandchildren at the time of the interview; an additional four had lived with their grandchildren at some point prior to this investigation. Results revealed that First Nations grandparents had leveraged their own experiences of cultural disruption to reinvest in the cultural health and well-being of their grandchildren. One grandfather described this role as "walking the red road" which entailed a responsibility "to provide wisdom and . . . protection." Identified benefits of rejuvenating traditions and grandparent involvement included cultural healing and joy. (Contains 1 figure and 3 footnotes.)

A regionally representative Canadian sample was used to investigate the gender-specific relationship between childhood physical abuse and lifetime suicidal ideation. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was about five times higher in abused men and women compared with their nonabused counterparts. After controlling for five clusters of potentially confounding factors (adverse childhood conditions, socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, psychosocial stressors/chronic illnesses, and mental health), childhood physical abuse was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (OR[subscript adjusted] women = 4.48, 95% CI = 3.32-6.04; men = 3.57, 95% CI = 2.08-6.14). These findings suggest childhood physical abuse is independently associated with suicidal ideation and highlight the importance of providing preventative treatment to childhood abuse survivors.

This study investigated childhood physical abuse and ulcers in a regionally representative community sample. Age, race and sex were controlled for in addition to five clusters of potentially confounding factors: adverse childhood conditions, adult socioeconomic status, current health behaviors, current stress and marital status, and history of mood/anxiety disorders. Childhood physical abuse is associated with many negative physical and psychological adult health outcomes. Two recent studies demonstrate a potential link between childhood physical abuse and peptic ulcer disease in adulthood. The authors use regional data for the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey. Of the 13,069 respondents with complete data on abuse and ulcers, 7.3% (n = 1,020) report that they had been physically abused as a child by someone close to them and 3.0% (n = 493) report that they had been diagnosed with peptic ulcers by a health professional. The regional response rate is approximately 84%. Findings show that those reporting abuse had more than twice the prevalence of ulcers than did those not reporting abuse (6.6% vs. 2.7%). The fully adjusted odd ratio of peptic ulcers among those who had reported childhood physical abuse is 1.68 (95% CI = 1.22, 2.32). A significant and stable relationship between childhood physical abuse and peptic ulcers is found, even when taking into account five clusters of potentially confounding factors. Prospective studies that apply the biopsychosocial model are likely to be the most effective for identifying the pathways that connect childhood physical abuse and ulcer disease. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)

Objectives: Although, the relationship between childhood physical abuse and adult heart disease has been documented, very few studies have controlled for many of the known risk factors for heart disease. The objective of the current study, therefore, was to investigate the association between childhood physical abuse and adult heart disease while controlling for the following established risk factors: (1) childhood stressors; (2) adult health behaviors; (3) adult stressors; (4) depression; and, (5) high pressure. Methods: Data was obtained from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey. The sample included 13,093 respondents from the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, of whom 7.4% (n = 1025) reported that they had been physically abused as a child by someone close to them and 4.4% (n = 850) reported that they had been diagnosed with heart disease by a health professional. The regional level response rate was 84%. Results: The age-gender-race adjusted odds ratio of heart disease among those who had reported childhood physical abuse was 1.57 (95% CI = 1.12, 2.20). When adjustments were made for all of the established risk factors the odds ratio declined to 1.45 (95% CI = 1.01, 2.08). Conclusions: The relationship between childhood physical abuse and heart disease persists even when controlling for five types of factors previously thought to mediate the relationship. Practice implications: Further research would benefit from a closer analysis of the potential mechanisms linking childhood physical abuse and heart disease. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Introduction: Videoconferencing (VC) is becoming a common method for the delivery of continuing education (CE) to clinicians in remote locations. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness, acceptability, and costs of a full-day training workshop (TW) delivered through two different formats: face-to-face (FTF) and VC. The TW was designed to teach administration and scoring guidelines for the Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment, an outcome measure used by rehabilitation professionals. Methods: The TW was delivered simultaneously in FTF and VC formats to a total of five remote communities on two separate occasions. Participants completed a test of scoring competency at the beginning (pretest) and end (posttest) of the TW as well as a feedback questionnaire. A cost comparison was also undertaken. Results: Forty-four physical and occupational therapists participated. No significant between-group differences were found in posttest scoring competency related to delivery format (FTF or VC): (F[subscript 1,38] = 0.6, MSE = 3.6, p greater than 0.4), or for the two workshops: (F[subscript 1,38] = 1.4, MSE = 3.6, p greater than 0.2). Despite technical difficulties, participant experience was rated as "good" to "excellent." The VC method offered considerable cost savings to participants and their organizations, at a minimum of $7,437 (Canadian). Conclusion: Clinicians participating in the TW via VC performed as well as those in the FTF group on the competency test. Videoconferencing improves access to CE, is well received by participants, and provides a cost-effective method of course delivery. Further evaluation of other CE events delivered through VC is indicated. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)