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Affective experiences have been shown to influence attitudes and future behaviors related to physical activity, but no studies have related these experiences to physical literacy or examined affective experiences in quality physical education (QPE). The aim of this study was to describe emotions experienced in a QPE context and relate those emotions to students' physical literacy and self-esteem. A cross-sectional study of 145 4th and 5th grade students was surveyed after a single PE class on their emotional experiences (positive emotions: pride, enjoyment, and relief; negative, emotions: shame, anger, and boredom; aggregate emotional experience as the sum of positive and negative emotions) physical literacy (self-description and movement valuation) and self-esteem. In this QPE context, 73% of students reported only positive emotions, 26% mixed positive and negative emotions and 1% expressed only negative emotions. Pride and enjoyment were strongly co-occurring (89%). Among students expressing mixed emotions, 90% still yielded positive aggregate emotional experiences. Positive emotions have significant (p < 0.001), moderate to strong positive correlations with physical literacy (rho = 0.65 pride, 0.50 enjoyment) and self-esteem (rho = 0.48 pride, 0.38 enjoyment), and negative emotions have significant (p < 0.001), moderate negative correlations with physical literacy (rho = −0.47 shame, −0.30 anger, −0.32 boredom) and self-esteem (rho = −0.33 shame, −0.29 anger, −0.21 boredom). This study reveals strong positive emotional responses by students in a purported QPE context. The presence of mixed emotions with net positive aggregate experiences highlights the importance of consideration of both negative and positive emotions in movement contexts. Affective states have been proposed as key elements of physical literacy, and this study supports this through valence matched associations between both positive/negative affect with physical literacy and self-esteem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several repercussions have been linked to teen dating violence, including self-silencing. Self-silencing refers to an excessive worry about the partner's needs and opinions, which can lead to neglecting one's well-being. However, the mechanisms by which dating violence, especially sexual victimization, affects self-silencing are understudied. Moreover, studies have identified sexual victimization by an intimate partner as one of the most critical factors affecting youth's self-esteem development, which may explain this relationship. The present study aimed to explore the possible mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between sexual teen dating violence and self-silencing. Adolescents were recruited from a one-stage stratified cluster sample of 34 high schools inQuebec, Canada. Adolescents completed measures on sexual dating violence and self-esteem at Wave 1 and self-silencing in their relationship at Wave 2, 6 months later. Analyses were conducted on 2,489 adolescent girls (M = 15.48 years, SD =.95) who participated in Wave 2 and reported being in a dating relationship in the last 6 months. Results of the path analysis indicated that self-esteem acted as a mediator in the relationship between sexual teen dating violence and self-silencing. This study helps better understand the processes underlying self-silencing behaviors in adolescent victims of sexual dating violence. The results highlight a potential target for intervention to inhibit the development of self-silencing in adolescent girls experiencing sexual dating violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research suggests that nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI; the intentional destruction of bodily tissue without suicidal intent) occurs among elementary‐aged children. However, it remains unclear to what extent elementary school educators encounter NSSI among students and how they respond. Therefore, this study investigated cross‐national differences in Canadian and Belgian elementary school educators' knowledge of, and experience with NSSI among students. More specifically, elementary school educators' perceived reasons and supportive needs of students who engage in NSSI, as well as their own professional development needs, were explored. In total, 181 elementary school educators across Canada (n = 63) and Belgium (n = 118) were recruited through teacher association listservs and by school administrators who distributed the study information to school staff. Chi‐square tests revealed that Canadian elementary school educators had more often encountered NSSI among their students than Belgian educators, although Canadian and Belgian school educators' similarly reported feeling ill‐equipped to deal with NSSI among students. Thematic analyses revealed that educators believe elementary‐aged students engage in NSSI because of various intrapersonal (e.g., low self‐esteem) and interpersonal stressors (e.g., bullying). Moreover, the majority of educators would like professional development to more effectively respond to students. Implications for schools and future research are discussed. Practitioner points: The majority of Belgian and Canadian elementary school educators similarly report observing, and interacting with elementary school students who engage in nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI).Cross‐nationally, elementary school educators report lacking skills and training to effectively respond to, and support students engaging in NSSI.Both Belgian and Canadian elementary school educators report wanting professional development to receive training to be able to more effectively respond to, and support their students engaging in NSSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and diverse sexual orientation minorities are disproportionately represented in the prevalence of adverse health conditions, even in Canada, suggested as one of the more progressive countries when it comes to social acceptance and human rights protections. This highlights the inclusion of sexual orientation identity as a point of consideration when providers interact with patients and to consider facilitating sexual orientation identity disclosure when accessing health care. This study explored factors associated with different facets of sexual orientation disclosure to primary care providers. A cross-sectional survey of sexual orientation minority participants, 16 years or older, living, working, or residing in Waterloo Region was distributed (n = 437). Modified Poisson regression methods modelled (a) comfort sharing sexual orientation with their regular primary care provider (RPCP), (b) disclosure of sexual orientation to their RPCP, and (c) talking to their RPCP about health issues related to their sexual orientation. Increasing outness within one's social network was consistently significant across all three outcomes of comfort, disclosure, and talking about health issues related to sexual orientation. Self-esteem was also identified as salient in comfort and when talking to providers. The authors also observed significant associations between sexual orientation identity and relationship status variables. Findings highlight important factors to consider in discussing and disclosing sexual orientation identity and associated health issues with health care providers. Implications for practice include training new health care providers and providing opportunities for continued education for established providers to ensure appropriate care is provided based on sexual orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rapidly rising average age of the older adults has brought various global healthcare challenges. A core challenge is how to enhance their quality of life (QoL). Objective: The objective of the current study was to test the significance of biopsychosocial determinants of quality of life of older adults in Pakistan and Canada. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a conveniently approached purposive sample of 1,005 older adults (Pakistani = 557 and Canadian = 448) of age range between 60 years and 80 years. The data were collected via demographic datasheet, World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Scale, Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Berlin Social Support Scale. Results: The results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that biopsychosocial factors (viz., health and lifestyle, chronic illness, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and social support) significantly predicted (R² = .27, and.68) quality of life of older adults in Pakistan and Canada, respectively, after controlling the demographic variables. Significant differences were found between Pakistani and Canadian older adults on biopsychosocial factors: Canadian older adults scored significantly higher on health and lifestyle, self-efficacy, and quality of life, and older adults in Pakistan scored significantly higher on self-esteem and social support. Conclusion: A significant amount of better QoL of older adults can be achieved through enhancing the biopsychosocial correlates of their QoL, both in Pakistan and Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Black Canadians report experiencing various forms of racial discrimination disproportionately. This study aimed to: (a) examine the association between everyday racial discrimination and self-esteem; (b) test the mediating role of internalized racism and social support in the association between racial discrimination and self-esteem, and (c) test the moderating role of gender and age in this same relationship. Method: A total of 860 participants (76.60% female) aged 15–40 (Mage = 24.96, SD = 6.31) completed questionnaires assessing racial discrimination, self-esteem, internalized racism, and social support. Descriptive and moderated mediation analyses were performed. Results: A total of 65.33% of participants were categorized as endorsing low self-esteem, with no significant difference between males and females (66.67% and 62.20%, respectively; χ2 = 1.56, p =.47). Participants aged 25–40 exhibited a higher prevalence of low self-esteem compared to those aged 15–24 (89.91% and 58.54%, respectively, χ2 = 37.31, p <.001). The results showed a progressive increase in the prevalence of low self-esteem commensurate with increasing levels of reported racial discrimination. Internalized racism (β = −.09, SE =.01, p <.001) and social support (β =.10, SE =.01, p <.001) mediated the association between everyday racial discrimination and self-esteem; whereas gender moderated the latter association (β =.17, SE =.04, p <.001; being a woman). Conclusions: Results indicate a strong association between racial discrimination and low self-esteem. These findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of self-esteem problems among Black individuals in Canada. They also have important relevance for the development of educational and clinical programs for prevention and intervention. Public Significance Statement: The findings of this study reveal that in our sample two out of three Black Canadians experience low self-esteem. This study also shows that low self-esteem among Black Canadians is strongly related to everyday racial discrimination experiences. Results also indicate that internalized racism is a significant risk factor for low self-esteem, whereas social support is a protective factor. Being a woman amplifies the risk of experiencing low self-esteem among Black Canadians who have experienced racial discrimination. These findings are relevant to the development of prevention and intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Little is known about self-concept in adolescents with physical-mental comorbidity. This study investigated whether physical-mental comorbidity was associated with self-concept in adolescents and examined if adolescent age or sex moderated the association between physical-mental comorbidity and self-concept. Methods: Study data were obtained from the Multimorbidity in Youth across the Life-course (MY LIFE), an ongoing Canadian study of adolescents with chronic physical illness who were recruited from outpatient clinics at a pediatric hospital. A total of 116 adolescents aged ≥ 10 years provided self-reports on key measures. Results: Adolescents with comorbidity (n = 48) had lower self-concept scores on the Self-Determination Questionnaire (SDQ; d = 0.62) and Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC; d = 0.53) vs. adolescents without comorbidity (n = 68). An age × comorbidity status interaction was found and age-stratified models were computed to investigate this moderating effect of age. Amongst older adolescents, comorbidity was associated with lower SDQ (B = -2.55, p <.001), but this association was not found among younger adolescents (B = -0.29, p =.680). A similar effect was found for SPPC among older (B = -0.48, p =.001) and younger adolescents (B = 0.03, p =.842). Adolescent sex was not found to be a moderator. Conclusions: Physical-mental comorbidity in adolescence was associated with lower self-concept and this association was moderated by age—differences between adolescents with vs. without comorbidity were greater for older adolescents and were clinically relevant. Opportunities to support positive self-perceptions for adolescents with comorbidity are warranted, especially when planning the transition from pediatric to adult health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines how older adults' self-esteem is shaped by core social statuses and ongoing social relationships. Based on a national survey of Canadian older adults ( N = 4010), analyses show that men have greater self-esteem than women, as do people with higher quality of social relationships and a high degree of educational attainment. Neither gender nor quality of social relationships intersect with education to shape self-esteem, but quality of social relationships is more strongly associated with self-esteem for women. Consequently, strong gender differences are observed at low levels of relationship quality, but these gender differences are negated at high levels of relationship quality. This research shows that social statuses and relationships cohere to shape self-esteem in later-life, but gender differences are not evident in the context of high-quality social relationships. Conversely, educational attainment appears to be a key determinant of high self-esteem, irrespective of gender or quality of social relationships., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The prevalence and correlates of different forms of racial discrimination among Black Canadians are unknown. This article aims to examine the prevalence of different forms of racial discrimination (daily, major and microaggressions) and their association with self-esteem and satisfaction with life among Black Canadians. A convenience sample of 845 Black Canadians aged 15-40 was recruited. We assessed frequencies of everyday and major racial discrimination, and racial microaggressions against Black Canadians and their association with self-esteem and satisfaction with life, controlling for gender, age, job status, education, and matrimonial status. At least 4 out of 10 participants declared having being victims of everyday racial discrimination at least once per week. Between 46.3% and 64.2% of participants declared having been victims of major racial discrimination in various situations including education, job hiring, job dismissal, health services, housing, bank and loans, and police encounters. Significant gender differences were observed for everyday and major racial discrimination with higher frequencies among female participants. A total of 50.2% to 93.8% of participants declared having been victims of at least one episode of racial microaggressions. Results showed a significant negative association between racial discrimination and satisfaction with life (b = -0.26, p = .003), and selfesteem (b = -0.23, p = .009). This study highlights the need to stop colorblind policies in different sectors in Canada, and for a public commitment to combat racism at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Implications are discussed for prevention, research and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Northern communities in Canada experience a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases including mental illness. To mitigate the growing health inequalities, an ongoing Comprehensive School Health program promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and mental health and well-being was expanded to rural and remote northern communities. We report on the program's impact on knowledge, attitudes, lifestyle behaviours (healthy eating, physical activity, screen time), weight status and the mental health and well-being of elementary school students during the first four years of implementation. Methods: Following a repeated cross-sectional design, we surveyed 440, 352 and 384 Grade 4 to 6 students (9--12 years old) from eight schools in 2016, 2018 and 2020/21, respectively. Students were approximately equally represented by girls and boys. Results: Between 2016 and 2018, students reported modest increases in vegetable and fruit consumption and dietary variety; declines in screen time; no changes in physical activity; and declines in attitudes toward healthy lifestyle and in mental health and well-being. Between 2018 and 2020/21, lifestyle behaviours deteriorated substantially, while attitudes and mental health and well-being continued to decline. Conclusions: A program that was successful in socioeconomically disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods had a favourable, though modest, impact on selected lifestyle behaviours, but not on attitudes and mental health and well-being, in rural and remote northern communities. In light of cultural differences and logistical challenges in Canada's North, systematic and proactive adaptations to local contexts, increased intensity, and longer program delivery are essential to facilitate sustainable improvements in lifestyle behaviours and mental health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescents with an immigrant background, whether first-generation (born abroad) or second-generation (at least one parent born abroad), face challenges that could compromise their psychological adjustment compared to their third-plus generation peers. Yet, many are developing positively despite the presence of adversity. To understand what contributes to these adolescents' resilience, it can be useful to study the coping strategies they use.Methods: A total of 1036 Canadian secondary school students participated in this quantitative cross-sectional study (Mage  = 12.9; 56% females; 26% first-generation; 34% second generation; 39% third-plus generation). Coping strategies (coping orientation to problems experienced inventory) were assessed and their differentiated associations with self-esteem, anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders), and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) were analyzed through path analysis and invariance testing.Results: First-generation adolescents reported more acceptance/reinterpretation and substance use than second- and third-plus generation adolescents. First- and second-generation adolescents reported using religion more than third-plus generation adolescents. First-generation adolescents used self-distraction more often than second-generation adolescents, who used it more often than third-plus generation. The use of humor was more prevalent in second-generation adolescents compared with their third-plus generation peers. In addition, some associations between coping strategies and psychological adjustment differed across generations. In first-generation adolescents, behavioral disengagement was significantly associated with fewer anxiety symptoms. The same trend was observed in second-generation adolescents who used self-distraction. These avoidant strategies are generally associated with poor psychological adjustment.Conclusions: This study adds new knowledge about differences across generations in the coping strategies used by adolescents to deal with stress. Further practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the effects of body-focused daily self-compassion and self-esteem expressive writing activities on women's valuation of weight management goals, body appreciation, bulimic symptoms, and healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors. One-hundred twenty-six women, recruited from the community and a university participant pool (M age = 29.3, SD = 13.6), were randomly allocated to one of the three writing conditions: body-focused self-compassion, body-focused self-esteem, or control. Women reflected on a moment within the past 24 hours that made them feel self-conscious about their bodies, eating, or exercise habits (self-compassion and self-esteem conditions) or on a particular situation or feeling that occurred in the past 24 hours (control condition) for 4–7 days. At post-treatment (24 hours after the intervention), women in the self-compassion group demonstrated decreased bulimic symptoms, while women in the self-esteem and control conditions did not. Furthermore, clinically significant changes in bulimic symptoms were associated with being in the self-compassion condition but not in the self-esteem or control conditions. Results suggest that body-focused writing interventions may be more effective in temporarily reducing eating disorder symptoms in women if they focus on harnessing self-compassion. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ 's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843211013465 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: ADHD is subject to stigma from the general population. Exposure to stigma poses the risk of developing self-stigma of youth and parents, but few studies have focused on self-stigma of ADHD. Furthermore, parental factors have been implicated in self-stigma of youth, but no previous research has assessed the association between self-stigma of parents and youth. Therefore, the objective of this study was to better understand the experience of self-stigma of youth and their parents in the context of ADHD., Method: Fifty-five youth with ADHD (aged 8-17) and one parent reporter per youth completed surveys to report their experiences., Results: The results of this study found that both youth and parents reported significantly lower self-stigma scores compared to most previously published research. Parents of boys reported higher self-stigma scores compared to parents of girls. Youth who reported higher self-stigma also reported lower self-esteem. Self-stigma scores in youth were predicted by inattentive symptoms but not hyperactive/impulsive symptoms or parental self-stigma., Conclusion: Results emphasize the importance of understanding self-stigma of ADHD, symptom severity, and the need for interventions for families with ADHD., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

This study examined how family context at age 18 (parent-adolescent conflict, parental support, parent education) predicted between-person variation in subjective well-being (SWB; depressive symptoms and self-esteem) trajectories from age 18 to 50 years. Timing of leaving home, getting married, and becoming a parent were explored as life transitions linking family context to within-person variation in SWB. The sample consisted of 604 participants residing in a western Canadian city at age 18 (50% female; 15% with non-White ethnic origin; 29% had at least one university-educated parent) and tracked for up to 32 years. Results of conditional latent curve models with structured residuals revealed that, amid a general increase in SWB from adolescence into midlife, those with lower parent-adolescent conflict and higher parent support had higher SWB at age 18, a between-person difference largely maintained to age 50. Parents' higher education also predicted higher self-esteem, sustained into midlife. Across analyses, transition timing inconsistently predicted within-person fluctuations in SWB, with on-time transitions associated with better than typical SWB. The most robust predictors of SWB at the within-person level were marital and parental status; getting married and becoming a parent were associated with better than typical SWB at ages 25, 43, and 50 years. Family context variables were generally not associated with transition timing, and there were no indirect associations from family context to within-person variation in SWB. Results suggest that family context influences one's well-being trajectory, but forming one's own family results in positive deviations from that path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents select findings from the quantitative arm of a mixed-method community-based study. The study examines ethnic identity, self-esteem, resilience, and mental health in immigrant and Canadian-born Pakistani youth from a systems perspective. Sixty-one youth aged 18–24 years participated in a survey; among these, 28 completed the survey online and 33 completed the paper-based version. Youth reported on demographics, physical health, mental, and social health, and completed the 4-item Current Self-Esteem Scale (CSE), the 15-item Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM), and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-12). Descriptives' analysis was applied to the numeric items and content analysis was applied to open-ended questions. Among the sample, 34% youth were male and 66% females, 69% were Pakistani-born, and 20% were Canadian-born. About 36% of the youth had been in Canada for 5 years or less, and 10% reported 5–10 years of stay. Eighty percent of youth (n = 46) reported good to excellent mental health, and 74% felt stressed on most days. Scores for self-esteem (CSE) [6.5 (2.13 SD)], Ethnic Identity MEIM [3.14 (0.21 SD)], and resilience (CYRM-12) [4.23 (0.23 SD)] were moderate to high. Academic success and religious and family connectedness were found to have a positive effect on youth sense of self. Higher levels of ethnic identity and higher rating on mental health in our sample suggests the healthy immigrant effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recovery Education Centres (RECs) are increasingly implemented to support the process of recovery for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. However, the evidence on key REC mechanisms and outcomes, particularly for diverse subpopulations or service delivery contexts is scant. This study identified mechanisms and outcomes of an REC focused on adults with mental health challenges transitioning from homelessness.Methods: Qualitative methods were used to explore in-depth the experiences of homeless and unstably housed participants experiencing mental health challenges in Toronto, Canada. Twenty service users participated in semi-structured interviews between July 2017 and June 2018, six to 14 months following REC enrollment. A realist informed interview guide explored participants' perspectives on key REC mechanisms and outcomes. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Investigator triangulation and member checking processes enhanced analytical rigour.Results: Participants perceived that program participation supported the process of recovery through several mechanisms: a judgment-free environment; supportive relationships, mutuality and role modelling; deconstruction of self-stigma; and reclaiming of one's power. Participants described several outcomes at the personal, interpersonal and social levels, including improvements in health and well-being; self-esteem, confidence and identity; sense of empowerment, control and personal responsibility; as well as improvements in interpersonal skills, pro-social behaviours and ability to self-advocate; and increased goal development and future orientation.Conclusions: Findings suggest RECs can support the process of recovery among people transitioning from homelessness and can successfully support subpopulations experiencing mental health challenges and social disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been argued that sport is a way for youth to develop psychosocial skills that lead to holistic development. However, participation itself in sport does not lead to this growth; mechanisms for growth must be intentional, often conducted by coaches. Thus, the purpose of this descriptive study was to understand the integration of positive youth development concepts of citizenship into youth sport organizations. One hundred five coaches from the United States and Canada completed an online survey created by the researchers and comprising preexisting measures and newly devised questions. The coaches most heavily emphasized a mastery climate focusing on effort and having fun and emphasized winning the least. Additionally, coaches perceived their youth athletes to learn respect for others, teamwork, and respect for self at the highest rates through participation in their program. Regarding specific techniques for developing citizenship, participants provided many concrete examples in open responses: creating leadership development opportunities for girls in their organization, having league homework programs, and running food drives. Research has identified time as a major barrier to the implementation of opportunities for the explicit transfer of citizenship skills, and the participants provided several methods of growth that are not time intensive. The practical implications and limitations of the results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health is the property of Canadian Periodical for Community Studies Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present research examined the role of university students' motivation for spending time alone in their adjustment to college life, as well as the parenting correlates of students' healthy motivation for solitude. Two studies were conducted on first-year college students in the United States (n = 147) and Canada (n = 223). In Study 1, data was collected at three different time points, separated by two-week intervals. In Study 2, data was collected at two different time points, separated by a month. The results revealed that, for those who reported perceiving lower social belonging, approaching solitary time for autonomous reasons was linked to greater self-esteem (Study 1), and greater sense of relatedness to others and lower loneliness (Study 2). These findings suggest that endorsing a healthy motivation for solitude is not necessarily indicative of social ill-being. Additionally, students' autonomous motivation for spending time alone was associated with having parents that are autonomy supportive and that promote a sense of independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The nature of the temporal relationship between psychological factors and mood episodes is unclear. The objectives of this study were to determine if temperament and self-esteem predict the onset of mood episodes, and if prior mood episodes influence the stability of these factors over time in high-risk offspring of bipolar parents.Methods: Offspring of a parent with bipolar disorder participating in the Flourish Prospective Offspring Study were clinically assessed repeatedly using semi-structured KSADS-PL/SADS-L format interviews, and completed repeated measures of self-esteem, and temperament. Shared frailty survival models and mixed effects regression models were used to determine if psychological factors predicted incident mood episodes, and whether these factors change over time after the incident mood episode, respectively.Results: Emotionality, shyness and self-esteem were not associated with the hazard of incident major depression; however, increased activity reduced the hazard of this outcome (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.98). Emotionality and shyness scores increased, while sociability, activity and self-esteem scores decreased after the incident major depressive episode (emotionality: mean change [MC]: 0.35, p = 0.0289; shyness: MC: 0.40, p = 0.0196; sociability: MC: -0.49, p = 0.0001, activity: MC: -0.32, p = 0.0001; self-esteem: MC: -0.79, p = 0.001).Limitations: Psychological measures were based on self-report and some models had low numbers limiting the numbers of covariates included as potential confounders.Discussion: Among the assessed temperamental dimensions, activity showed a protective effect for major depressive episode onset suggesting this temperamental characteristic could serve as a protective target in high risk youth. Conversely, all assessed psychological factors shifted towards increased vulnerability after the first depressive episode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This analysis of gambling habits of Canadian university students (ages 18-25) dovetails two recent developments in the field of gambling studies. First, the popularity of latent class analysis to identify heterogeneous classes of gambling patterns in different populations; second, the validation of the Gambling Motives Questionnaire (with financial motives) among university students-specifically to understand both how and why emerging adults gamble. Our results support a four-class model of gambling activity patterns, consisting of female-preponderant casual and chance-based gambling groups, and male-preponderant skill-based and extensive gambling groups. Each class shows a specific combination of motives, underscoring the necessity for nuanced responses to problem gambling among emerging adults. More specifically, gambling for the skill-based group appears primarily to be a source of thrill and a way to cope; for the chance-based group, gambling appears but one symptom of a set of wider issues involving depression, anxiety, substance use, and low self-esteem; while extensive gamblers seem to seek excitement, sociality, and coping, in that order. Only the chance-based group was significantly more likely than casual gamblers to be motivated by financial reasons. Situating our analysis in the literature, we suggest that interventions for the predominantly male subtypes should address gambling directly (e.g. re-focusing excitement seeking into other activities, instilling more productive coping mechanisms) while interventions for predominantly female subtypes should address low self-esteem in conjunction with depression, substance abuse, and problematic levels of gambling. We conclude future research should focus on links between self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, and financial motives for gambling among female emerging adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performing and creative artists have unique occupational and lifestyle stresses and challenges that can negatively affect self-esteem. Low self-esteem not only has serious implications for their psychological and physical health, it can also affect their performance, and creativity. There is a need to establish effective interventions to deal with this issue. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reported studies specific to workshops or interventions on enhancing self-esteem for artists. The Al and Malka Green Artists' Health Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a unique multidisciplinary, and integrative clinic serving the special needs of the artist population. We developed a workshop entitled “Building Confidence and Self Esteem Toolbox Workshop” to address this need. We then designed a single-blind, randomized, prospective, pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of the workshop on enhancing self-esteem in artists, and to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of using the recommended tools in maintaining a healthy self-esteem, as well as maintaining physical and emotional health. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A validated “Self-Esteem Checkup” questionnaire was administered pre- and immediately post workshop, as well as at 2, 6, and 12 months post workshop. Open-ended questions were posed to study participants via email at 2 and 12 months following the workshop, and at 6 months in in-person interviews. Thirty-five professional artists consented to participate in the study, with 26 completing all study visits. Mean scores for all time points, and the individual questionnaire statement mean scores for the five timepoints increased significantly post-workshop and remained statistically significantly improved by the 3rd follow-up 12 months later (p < 0.001). The mean self-esteem rating score increased significantly post-workshop and remained statistically significantly improved by the 3rd follow-up 12 months later (p < 0.01). Qualitative data showed positive feedback on the utilization of the tools learned in the workshop that helped maintain this improvement over a 1-year period. This workshop may be an effective means of addressing the issue of self-esteem in artists. Further controlled studies of larger sample size and longer duration are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex work is assumed to have a negative effect on self-esteem, nearly exclusively expressed as low self-worth, due to its social unacceptability and despite the diversity of persons, positions and roles within the sex industry. In this study, we asked a heterogeneous sample of 218 Canadian sex workers delivering services in various venues about how their work affected their sense of self. Using thematic analysis based on a three-dimensional conception of self-esteem – self-worth (viewing oneself in a favourable light), authenticity (being one’s true self) and self-efficacy (competency) – we shed light on the relationship between involvement in sex work and self-esteem. Findings demonstrate that the relationship between sex work and self-esteem is complex: the majority of participants discussed multiple dimensions of self-esteem and often spoke of how sex work had both positive and negative effects on their sense of self. Social background factors, work location and life events and experiences also had an effect on self-esteem. Future research should take a more complex approach to understanding these issues by considering elements beyond self-worth, such as authenticity and self-efficacy, and examining how sex workers’ backgrounds and individual motivations intersect with these three dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Drawing on data from 405 Canadian adults surveyed as high school seniors (Age 18) and again in midlife (Age 43), the present study examined whether marital timing, a variable rooted in the age norm hypothesis (whether marriage was early, on time, or late in relation to peers), might contribute additional insight into the well-documented association between marital status and subjective well-being (SWB; happiness, symptoms of depression, and self-esteem). The analysis also considered 3 alternative explanations of the marriage-SWB link: the social selection hypothesis, social role theory, and the adaptation perspective. Path analysis results demonstrated marrying on time or late compared with marrying early predicted fewer symptoms of depression in midlife, offering some support for the age norm hypothesis. Little support was found for the social selection hypothesis, but getting married and divorcing were consistently linked with future SWB, in accordance with social role theory. Marrying at an older age predicted higher self-esteem in midlife for men, implying potential adaptation. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As school social workers partner with, or work within, after-school physical activity-based positive youth development (PA-PYD) programs, questions remain regarding how to maximize the impact of these programs on youth outcomes. This mixed-methods study sought to (a) qualitatively explore whether program leaders' perceptions of youth benefits from participation in Girls on the Run (GOTR), a PA-PYD program, align with one particular positive youth development framework, as this has implications for how leaders implement these programs, and (b) quantitatively examine how implementation fidelity and perceived program leader autonomy-support influenced changes in participants' self-esteem across a season. Data were collected through focus groups, site visits, and pre/post surveys. Thirteen leaders and 330 participants from 30 GOTR sites within one GOTR council participated. Qualitative data were deductively analyzed. Quantitative data were analyzed using two-level random intercept linear multilevel models. Leaders' perceptions of GOTR benefits aligned with the five Cs framework. Participants' perceptions of their leader's autonomy-support was a significant predictor of self-esteem (β = .1293, p < .0001). Implementation fidelity was not a significant predictor (β = -0.003, p = .1023). Findings are discussed in relation to how school social workers can maximize the impact of PA-PYD programs on positive youth development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Society & Leisure / Loisir & Société is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Unemployment has career scarring effects for adults, and sometimes for youth, but previous research has not directly demonstrated how this occurs. This 14-year (1985-99) longitudinal study reveals that cumulative unemployment between age 18 and age 32 has a negative effect on both total income and quality of employment at age 32. This scarring effect is not mediated by parallel changes in self-esteem, perceived control or extrinsic work values. Labour market mechanisms, rather than social psychological processes, are likely responsible for the career scarring effect of youth unemployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant number of foreign-trained skilled immigrants are employed in low-skilled service sector jobs in major Canadian cities. However, there is no study to understand their physical and mental health status. We hypothesized that most of these immigrant workers have elevated physical and mental health problems because of lowered self-esteem, job dissatisfaction, and work-related stress. A survey questionnaire containing 49 questions was designed to collect quantitative data (n = 146) from skilled immigrants working as taxi drivers, convenience store workers, and gas station workers in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Analysis of the data involved the use of descriptive as well as inferential statistics to understand the predictors of self-reported health status. Skilled immigrants who are working in an occupation that underutilizes their knowledge, skills, and experience are found to have elevated levels of work-related stress, poor quality of life, and deteriorated physical and mental health. Ethnic origin of the participant, level of education, years spent on current occupation, degree of job satisfaction, level of work-related stress, Body Mass Index (BMI), and chronic health conditions are good predictors of self-reported health of skilled immigrants working in these occupations. Les immigrants hautement qualifiés et les emplois peu qualifiés : les défis de santé au quotidien Un nombre important d'immigrants qualifiés et formés à l'étranger occupent des emplois exigeant peu de qualifications dans le secteur tertiaire des grandes villes canadiennes. Cependant, aucune étude n'a été menée à ce jour qui aborde la question de leur état de santé physique et mentale. Nous émettons l'hypothèse selon laquelle la plupart de ces travailleurs immigrés souffrent de problèmes de santé physique et mentale sévères en raison de la baisse d'estime de soi, l'insatisfaction de l'emploi, et le stress lié au travail. La conception d'un questionnaire composé de 49 questions avait pour objectif de recueillir des données quantitatives (n = 146) auprès de travailleurs qualifiés issus de l'immigration et travaillant dans la ville d'Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, comme chauffeurs de taxi et préposés dans des dépanneurs ou dans des stations de service. L'analyse des données a reposé sur des statistiques descriptives et inférentielles pour comprendre les facteurs prédictifs de l'état de santé auto-déclaré. Il ressort que les immigrants qualifiés dont l'activité professionnelle valorise peu les connaissances, compétences et expériences ont des niveaux élevés de stress lié au travail, une mauvaise qualité de vie et un état de santé physique et mentale dégradé. L'origine ethnoculturelle, le niveau de scolarité, le nombre d'années à exercer cette activité professionnelle, le degré de satisfaction au travail, le niveau de stress lié au travail, l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC), et les problèmes de santé chroniques constituent des facteurs prédictifs de l'état de santé auto-déclaré des immigrants qualifiés qui exercent ces activités professionnelles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the extreme popularity of video games among older adolescents and emerging adults, the investigation of positive outcomes of video game play during these developmental periods is crucial. An important direction for research in this area is the investigation of a link between sports video game play and involvement in real-life sports among youth. Yet, this association has not been examined in the long-term among older adolescents and emerging adults, and thus represents an exciting new area for discovery. The primary goal of the current study, therefore, was to examine the long-term association between sports video game play and involvement in real-life sports clubs among older adolescents and emerging adults. In addition, we examined whether self-esteem was an underlying mechanism of this longitudinal association. We surveyed older adolescents and emerging adults ( N = 1132; 70.6 % female; M age = 19.06 years, range of 17-25 years at the first assessment) annually over 3 years about their video game play, self-esteem, and involvement in real-life sports. We found a long-term predictive effect of sports video game play on increased involvement in real-life sports over the 3 years. Furthermore, we demonstrated that self-esteem was an underlying mechanism of this long-term association. Our findings make an important contribution to an emerging body of literature on the positive outcomes of video game play, as they suggest that sports video game play may be an effective tool to promote real-life sports participation and physical activity among older adolescents and emerging adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marginalization is often presented as the strategy associated with the worst adjustment for immigrants. This study identifies a critical variable that buffers marginal immigrants from the negative effects of marginalization on adjustment: The need for uniqueness. In three studies, we surveyed immigrants recruited on university campuses (n = 119, n = 116) and in the field (n = 61). Among marginal immigrants, a higher need for uniqueness predicted higher self-esteem (Study 1), affect (Study 2), and life satisfaction (Study 3), and marginally higher happiness (Study 2) and self-esteem (Study 3). No relationship between the need for uniqueness and adjustment was found among nonmarginal immigrants. The adaptive value of the need for uniqueness for marginal immigrants is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Underestimating body size hinders healthy behavior modification needed to prevent obesity. However, initiatives to improve body size misperceptions may have detrimental consequences on self-esteem and self-efficacy. Methods Using sex-specific multiple mixed-effect logistic regression models, we examined the association of underestimating versus accurate body size perceptions with self-esteem and self-efficacy in a provincially representative sample of 5075 grade five school children. Body size perceptions were defined as the standardized difference between the body mass index (BMI, from measured height and weight) and self-perceived body size (Stunkard body rating scale). Self-esteem and self-efficacy for physical activity and healthy eating were self-reported. Results Most of overweight boys and girls (91% and 83%); and most of obese boys and girls (93% and 90%) underestimated body size. Underestimating weight was associated with greater self-efficacy for physical activity and healthy eating among normal-weight children (odds ratio: 1.9 and 1.6 for boys, 1.5 and 1.4 for girls) and greater self-esteem among overweight and obese children (odds ratio: 2.0 and 6.2 for boys, 2.0 and 3.4 for girls). Conclusions Results highlight the importance of developing optimal intervention strategies as part of targeted obesity prevention efforts that de-emphasize the focus on body weight, while improving body size perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Counselling & Psychotherapy / Revue Canadienne de Counseling et de Psychothérapie is the property of Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Positive in-group distinctiveness has been associated with self-esteem increases among adolescents and adults. To examine whether in-group biases are associated with self-esteem enhancement among minority group children, Native Canadian children (N = 414, 209 female) age 6-11 completed each year for 5 years, measures assessing their level of concrete operational thought, racial-ethnic identity, racial-ethnic centrality, implicit and explicit self-esteem, and implicit and explicit in-group attitudes. According to cognitive developmental theory, increases in the level of concrete operational thought will predict increases in racial-ethnic identity, and increases in identity should, in turn, predict more favorable in-group attitudes. Social identity theory predicts that more favorable in-group attitudes should predict increases in self-esteem. Multi-level structural equation modelling revealed support for these hypotheses. Cognitively mature children who identify closely with their group enhanced their level of self-esteem by positively differentiating between group members on dimensions that favor their group. Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future studies are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity and mental health problems are prevalent among indigenous children in Canada and the United States. In this cross-sectional study the associations between adiposity and body size satisfaction, body image and self-concept were examined in indigenous children in grades four to six living in Cree communities in the Province of Quebec (Canada). Methods: Weight status and body mass index (BMI) z-scores were derived from children's measured height and weight using the World Health Organization growth reference. Multivariate regression models that included child's age and sex were used to assess the association between (a) weight status and physical appearance satisfaction using pictorial and verbal body rating measures in 202 of 263 children, and (b) BMI z-score and self-concept measured using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale in a subset of 78 children. Results: Children (10.67 ± 0.98 years) were predominantly overweight (28.2%) or obese (45.0%). Many (40.0%) children had low global self-concept indicating that they had serious doubts about their self-worth and lacked confidence. About one-third (34.7%) of children did not like the way they looked and 46.3% scored low on the physical appearance and attributes domain of self-concept indicating poor self-esteem in relation to their body image and physical strength, feeling unattractive, or being bothered by specific aspects of their physical appearance. Compared to normal weight children, overweight and obese children were more likely to desire being smaller (OR=4.3 and 19.8, respectively), say their body size was too big (OR=7.7 and 30.6, respectively) and not liking the way they looked (OR=2.4 and 7.8, respectively). Higher BMI z-score was associated with lower scores for global self-concept (β=-1.3), intellectual and school status (β=-1.5) and physical appearance and attributes (β=-1.3) indicating negative self-evaluations in these areas. Despite comparable weight status to boys, girls were more likely to have lower scores for global self-concept (β=-3.8), physical appearance and attributes (β=-4.2), desiring to be smaller (OR=4.3) and not liking the way they looked (OR=2.3). Conclusions: The psychosocial correlates of obesity are important considerations for indigenous children, particularly girls, given that poor self-concept and body size dissatisfaction negatively impact mental and emotional qualities of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Material deprivation is an important determinant of health inequalities in adults but there remains debate about the extent of its importance for adolescent wellbeing. Research has found limited evidence for an association between adolescent health and socio-economic status, leading authors to suggest that there is an ‘equalisation’ of health across socio-economic groups during the adolescent stage of the life-course. This paper explores this ‘equalisation’ hypothesis for adolescent psychological wellbeing from a geographical perspective by investigating associations between neighbourhood deprivation and self-esteem in Britain and Canada. Data from the British Youth Panel (BYP) and the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) on adolescents aged 11–15 for the time period 1994–2004 were used to estimate variations in low self-esteem between neighbourhoods using multilevel logistic regression. Models were extended to estimate associations between self-esteem and neighbourhood deprivation before and after adjustment for individual and family level covariates. Moderation by age, sex, urban/rural status, household income and family structure was investigated. There were no significant differences in self-esteem between the most deprived and most affluent neighbourhoods (Canada unadjusted OR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.76, 1.33; Britain unadjusted OR = 1.25, 95% CI 0.74, 2.13). The prevalence of low self-esteem was higher (in Canada) for boys in the least deprived neighbourhoods compared to other neighbourhoods. No other interactions were observed. The results presented here offer some (limited) support for the socio-economic equalisation in youth hypothesis from a geographical perspective: with specific reference to equalisation of the relationship between neighbourhood deprivation and self-esteem and psychological health in early adolescence. This contrasts with previous research in the United States but supports related work from Britain. The lack of interactions with key social and economic variables suggests that findings might apply across a range of family circumstances and different communities in Britain and Canada. Policy implications are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, given their increased socialization needs during this developmental period. This prospective study examined the potential changes in adolescents' well-being from before to during the pandemic, and the moderating role of a history of child maltreatment (CM), COVID-19-related distress, and gender among 1,802 adolescents (55.5% participants identified as boy, 42.2% as girl, and 1.5% as nonbinary; M age 14.74 years). Another aim was to determine whether COVID-19-related distress mediated the relationship between CM and well-being. Results revealed that COVID-19-related distress was associated with lower well-being (i.e., higher levels of internalized and externalized behaviors, and lower levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction). Boys experienced a greater decrease in life satisfaction and self-esteem than girls. A history of CM had a moderation effect, with the pandemic having a lesser impact on the outcomes of adolescents with such a history. However, it was also associated with more COVID-19-related distress, which in turn was associated with lower levels of internalized and externalized behaviors, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. These unexpected results with regard to CM might indicate that the social restrictions during the pandemic could have had a relieving effect on adolescents with particular challenges associated with CM.

This study examined the moderating role of Canadian workers' personality traits between work organization conditions and prescribed psychotropic drug use. Longitudinal data were derived from Statistics Canada's National Population Health Survey. Controlling for several cofounding variables, the multilevel analysis revealed that self-esteem, internal locus of control, as well as sense of coherence decreased prescribed psychotropic drug use by 4%, 9%, and 3%, respectively. The results indicated that a worker's personality traits do not moderate the association between work organization conditions and prescribed psychotropic drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has suggested that individuals lower in self-esteem restrain from fully valuing romantic relationships because of relatively low confidence in positive regard from their partners (i.e., positive reflected appraisals). MacDonald and Jessica (2006) provided evidence that in Indonesia, where family plays an important role in mate selection, low self-esteem also leads to doubts regarding family approval of the relationship that, in turn, places an additional constraint on fully valuing a romantic relationship. In the current research, Study 1 replicated these findings, showing that the positive relationship between self-esteem and value placed on a romantic relationship was mediated by both reflected appraisals and approval from a partner’s family in Indonesia but only reflected appraisals in Canada. In Study 2, the relationship between self-esteem and relationship value was mediated by reflected appraisals and approval from own, but not partner’s, family in Japan whereas only reflected appraisals played a mediating role in Australia. These data suggest that in cultures involving family in mate selection, placing full value on romantic relationships may be contingent on confidence in both reflected appraisals and family approval of the relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute's (University Health Network) Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program (SCRP) Cottage Program, which is a unique outdoor experiential therapy (OET) intervention for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The outcomes illustrate the evolution of a therapeutic recreation (TR) program, and the development and implementation of a program evaluation framework. Over time, the SCRP Cottage Program has evolved from a small, one-day TR unstructured program to a large four-day structured inter-professional OET. For the evaluation component, a pre-posttest survey design was employed with participants with SCI who attended the cottage program (n = 14) and with a control group (n = 7). Cottage participants completed surveys on their goals and satisfaction with the program, while both groups completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale and the Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale. Positive affect and self-efficacy increased over time in cottage participants, but not for controls. Overall, participants were highly satisfied with the cottage program. The findings provide a model for the development and evaluation of an OET aimed at improving well-being following SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of First Peoples Child & Family Review is the property of First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study examined if women with Turner Syndrome ( n = 24) differed from women without Turner Syndrome ( n = 63) in self-esteem and body image. Women with Turner Syndrome were recruited through the Turner Syndrome Society of Canada and from Turner Syndrome Facebook groups, while the comparison group was comprised of undergraduate university students. Questionnaire measures included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg ), the State Self-Esteem Scale (Heatherton and Polivy ), and the Body-Esteem Scale (Mendelson and White ). It was hypothesized that women with Turner Syndrome, who tend to be short in stature, would have lower self-esteem and poorer body image than women without Turner Syndrome. While women with Turner Syndrome scored significantly lower on body esteem and on general, social, and appearance-related self-esteem, it is notable that they did not differ from women without Turner Syndrome on performance-related self-esteem. Implications related to the promotion of positive body image and self-esteem in girls and young women with Turner Syndrome are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports on the feedback and assessment practices of Canadian grades 4–8 teachers; the data are drawn from a national study of the teaching of writing at the middle grades in all ten Canadian provinces and two (of three) territories. Respondents were 216 grades 4–8 teachers from rural and urban schools. Data sources were audio-recorded telephone interviews analyzed using a constant comparative method. Participating teachers were mindful that feedback is important for student self-esteem; they valued peer editing and viewed feedback as essential for fostering students’ writing development; they strove to be what they considered “objective” while adhering to criteria for standardized exams. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Across Canada pre-adolescent girls are not meeting the recommended 60-90 minutes of daily physical activity. As these girls grow older many will face health problems that could easily be prevented by establishing a healthy, active lifestyle early in life and maintaining it. Given the number of hours that children spend in school each year , that environment could provide opportunity for such healthy development to begin. This project's purpose was to develop a near-peer mentoring program at school, similar to the already established 'Reading Buddies', called 'Play Pals' which would promote positive attitudes towards, and increase the physical activity behaviours of, pre-adolescent girls. Ten girls aged 11 and 12 were teamed with five girls aged seven and eight. Two focus groups were held with the pre-adolescent girls to discuss the importance of healthy, active living and to provide the opportunity to learn and model new physically, active games. The pre-adolescent girls met twice with the younger girls to play these games and read about healthy, active lifestyles. Findings suggested that placing the pre-adolescents in the position of mentor caused their self-efficacy, self-esteem, and attitudes towards healthy, active living to improve. The practical implications of girls' near-peer mentoring of healthy lifestyles in elementary schools will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents in many industrialized countries. We report evidence from a mediation model linking greater youth activity engagement, spanning behavioral and psychological components, with lower suicide risk through five hypothesized intrapersonal and interpersonal mediating factors. Self-report survey data (15% French, 85% English) were gathered from a community sample of 5,015 Canadian adolescents participating in a mental health promotion program. Youth ( Mage = 15.77, SD = 1.42, 50% female) were from two urban centers in southern Ontario, Canada. Youth engagement (youth’s most important type of activity, frequency of involvement, and psychological engagement), suicide risk predictive factors (self-esteem, current concerns, depressive symptoms, coping ability, and connections with others), and suicide risk (ideation and attempts) were assessed. Consistent with the hypothesized mediation model, enjoyment and stress in youth’s most important activity and various activity types were associated with the various hypothesized suicide risk predictive factors, which in turn were related to suicide risk. Implications for conceptualizations of youth engagement as a multidimensional construct and for suicide risk prevention efforts are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has suggested that implicit self-esteem might be universally positive. In the present study implicit self-esteem, as measured by the implicit association test (IAT), was found to be positive in both Japanese and Canadian participants. However, contrary to prior research, Japanese participants were found to have significantly lower implicit self-esteem than Canadians. Japanese participants also had lower scores on an exploratory measure of collective implicit self-esteem. In general, the results of the present study point to the complexities in the study of implicit self-esteem across cultures. Inconsistencies between the present and previous research might reflect divergent methodologies used in the IAT. The applicability of the IAT in a cross-cultural setting is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The consequences of overweight in childhood for physical health have received considerable attention, but relatively little research has examined the mental healer consequences, This article examines longitudinal relationships between body weight and serf-esteem in a nationally representative probability sample of Canadian children, Data and methods The data are from cycles 1, 2 end 3 of the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, Logistic regression analysis using weighted data examined whether body weight at baseline predicted self-esteem two and four years later. Results When baseline self-esteem and other potential confounders were taken into account, children who were obese at baseline had almost twice the odds of reporting low self-esteem four years later, compared with children of normal body weight. Ancillary analyses indicated that baseline serf-esteem was not associated with body weight status two or four years later. Interpretation The current childhood obesity epidemic may trigger an increase in the population prevalence of low self-esteem in the future. According to other research, low serf-esteem predicts poor mental health. The current childhood obesity epidemic may increase the prevalence of not only chronic diseases, but also poor mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This cross-sectional study explored differences in the impact of self-reported coping style, self-esteem and perceived support on the psychological adjustment of homeless and housed female youth. Method: Data were obtained from homeless female youth (n = 72, M = 17.5 years) accessing an emergency shelter in a large Canadian urban centre and a comparison group of housed females (n = 102 ; M = 17.2 years) from local high schools who had never resided in a shelter. Results: Homeless youth reported lower self-worth, increased suicidal behaviour, less perceived parental support and higher levels of depressive symptoms and both internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems than housed youth. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that disengagement coping was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms and both internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems in homeless and housed youth. Conclusions: Findings reflect the merit of considering coping style, parental support and self-worth in the presentation of depressive symptoms and behaviour problems in homeless and housed female youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the "Campaign for Real Beauty" of Dove Inc., a personal beauty brand, in Canada. According to Dove's campaign, real beauty means various shapes and sizes, which is the key to rebranding, rebuilding women's self-esteem and redefining beauty standards. It explores Dove's presentation of beauty and women's reactions to it from a beauty as performance frame. It outlines the processes of interpretation and finds that expressing one's beauty and self requires elements of performance.

This paper examines the link made on occasion between the concept of dignity and substantive equality; it is further noted that dignity can have very different meanings in different contexts. While the notion of dignity does not often play a substantive role in the resolution of decisions, sometimes the underlying understanding of dignity does matter. However, in all cases, judges should avoid the temptation to rely on unarticulated value judgments or subjective notions of dignity. When judges make reference to dignity, they should articulate the values underpinning their conception of it. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]