Search

Resilient families are able to adapt to adversities, but the nature of family resilience is not well understood. This study examines patterns of family functioning that may protect families from the negative impact of alcohol abuse. Naturally occurring patterns of family functioning are identified and associations between these patterns and parenting, current parental alcohol use, recent family stressful events, supportive relationships outside the family, and demographic characteristics are assessed. Cross-sectional data are analyzed from racially diverse American and Canadian families (N = 674) who have at least one parent with an alcohol abuse problem and a child between ages 9 and 12 years. Cluster analyses derived from family functioning indicators are used to identify naturally occurring family patterns. Multivariate assessments evaluated relationships between family functioning clusters and potentially influencing factors. The study results reveal a continuum of family functioning associated with parenting, child's perception of teacher caring, and race. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)

A course module in general chemistry focusing on predicting the products of simple inorganic reactions is described. This component of the course is intended to be presented near the end of the last term of the general chemistry sequence and is designed to afford practice in applying the variety of principles encountered throughout the general chemistry sequence to understanding and predicting chemical reactivity. As such, it is an exercise in critical thinking that attempts to remedy a perceived weakness among general chemistry students, that is, understanding and expressing what happens when simple inorganic substances interact. Data are presented that illustrate the effectiveness of this approach in two chemistry courses taught at the first-year level. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)

The objective of this article is to examine the pathways by which children's physical health status, environmental, family, and child factors affect children's academic performance and prosocial behaviour, using a theoretically-based and empirically-based model of competence development. The model proposes that 3 types of relational processes, dealing with opportunity, support, and skill development through participation, lead to competence. Structural equation modelling was performed on cross-sectional, parent-report data for approximately 10,000 Canadian children aged 6-11 years from the 1994-95 National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. The analyses controlled for family socioeconomic status and child's age and sex, and included 3 groups of children (those with activity-limiting conditions, non-activity-limiting conditions, or no health problems). There was little evidence that children with chronic conditions were at direct risk for poorer outcomes. Children with activity-limiting conditions were at increased indirect risk for academic difficulties through the role played by cognitive functioning. Cognitive functioning and hyperactivity/inattention difficulties were the major predictors of academic performance. Recreational participation and behavioural functioning were the main predictors of prosocial behaviour. The pathways in the model also indicated the importance of family functioning, social support to parents, and neighbourhood cohesion. In conclusion, the findings indicate the utility of the model of competence development in understanding the pathways and processes by which various factors affect children's academic and social outcomes.

This article describes the methodology and program effects of the Secondary Schools Demonstration Project (SSDP) conducted in four Ontario schools. The objective of the study was to evaluate the extent to which a universal program model of three interventions--cooperative learning; classroom management; and peer-helping approaches that included tutoring and mediation--can reduce the prevalence of antisocial behaviour. The study employed a two-group matched comparison before-and-after design. It involved the collection of baseline data on all ninth grade students (average age of 14 years) in four schools, and the selection of a sub-sample for a more detailed follow-up. Of the 13 measures analyzed, the results were statistically significant on four variables: student perception of teacher, student sense of belonging, student attachment to school, and truancy, suspensions, and behaviour problems. The findings of the study are discussed in relation to the methodological issues involved in implementing and evaluating multi-component interventions in secondary schools. Secondary Schools Demonstration Project Outcome Measures are appended. (Contains 4 tables.)

Negative peer attitudes are generally recognised as being a major barrier to full social inclusion at school for children and youth with disabilities. The present study examined the attitudes of 1,872 grade nine high school students in Ontario, Canada toward their peers with disabilities. A bioecological perspective and a structural equation modeling approach were adopted to investigate how various aspects of school culture and student interpersonal factors influenced attitudes. The majority of students (61%) held attitudes toward peers with disabilities that ranged from slightly above neutral to very positive. However, a substantial number (21%) held slightly below neutral to very negative attitudes. Positive student relationships at the school level and a school goal task structure that promoted learning and understanding for all students, rather than social comparison and competition among students, were two aspects of school culture that had both direct associations with positive attitudes and indirect associations through student interpersonal factors. Teacher and student relationships at the school level was an aspect of school culture that had an indirect association with positive attitudes via interpersonal support from teachers. Results support the development of ecologically based programs aimed at promoting aspects of school culture that contribute to positive attitudes of students toward their peers with disabilities.

A drug prevention program involving 167 at-risk students in grades 8-10 at 9 Ontario schools resulted in reduced use of and less supportive attitudes toward alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and tranquilizers. Program success is attributed to high attendance and retention, community health professionals' participation, comprehensive approach, strong school support, and emphasis on building life skills. (Contains 53 references.) (TD)

Data from a population survey were used to explore relationships among drinking levels/patterns, alcohol dependence or abuse, and the use of emergency services, hospital admissions, and frequent visits to general practitioners in the past year. For both males and females, self-reported hospital admissions were less common among daily moderate drinkers than among lifetime abstainers. Among males, drinkers with no history of alcohol dependence or abuse were less likely to report being in hospital in the last year than lifetime abstainers. For females, some groups defined by drinking patterns/levels and current drinkers without symptoms of alcohol abuse or dependence were more likely to report using emergency services than lifetime abstainers. Key Words: Alcohol and gender; Alcohol and health; Drinking survey; Health service utilization., INTRODUCTION Many studies have shown that heavy drinking is associated with a variety of health problems, and there is good evidence that heavy drinkers make more use of health services [...]

The comorbidity of substance use disorders with mood, anxiety, conduct and antisocial personality disorders is studied using the resources of the International Consortium in Psychiatric Epidemiology. Results show a strong correlation between psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. A continuum in the magnitude of comorbidity as a function of the spectrum of substance and a link between the number of comorbid disoders and substance abuse severity were also observed.

A study was conducted on the association between the timing of onset of drug use and progression to drug-related problems and the number of geographic moves before the age of 16 in a sample of 3,700 young adults. Positive relationships were found between moving and early initiation of illegal drugs such as hallucinogens, marijuana cocaine and other prescribed drugs. Males who moved around a lot were more likely to engage in early drug use than females.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate Francophone/Anglophone differences in alcohol use/problems and associated risk factors in the province of Ontario, Canada. Method: Estimates are derived from a subsample of 1,127 Francophones and 4,023 Anglophones who completed the self-administered portion of the 1990 Ontario Health Survey, a random probability survey of over 60,000 Ontario residents. Results: Results show that Francophones differ little from Anglophones on a variety of alcohol-related indicators including quantity and frequency of consumption, alcohol-related problems and driving while impaired. However, major differences between both groups are found in terms of the correlates and predictors of use and related problems. Among Francophones, subgroups at greatest risk of developing serious problems are those in the age group 55 to 64, professionals, and members of clubs and organizations. It is of interest that Francophone women are just as likely as men to report problems related to their drinking and to drive while impaired. Among Anglophones, subgroups at greatest risk of developing problems are men, those age 45 to 54, those reporting their health status as fair or poor, those reporting suicidal thoughts and the sexually active. Conclusion: Specific subgroups within Ontario's Francophone population are at risk of serious problems related to their drinking and therefore may be in need of specialized prevention and treatment services. (J. Stud. Alcohol 59: 78-88, 1998), A study was conducted to investigate Francophone and Anglophone differences in alcohol consumption, associated problems, and risk factors in the province of Ontario, Canada. The study found that Francophones who were at a greater risk were 55 to 64 year old professionals. However, Anglophones who were at a greater risk were men between 45 to 54. These individuals were more likely to have health and psychological problems., In Ontario research investigating the prevalence and patterns of alcohol behavior and associated risk factors among Francophones has yet to be conducted on a large scale (Franco-Echanges, 1991). The only [...]

This paper applies the risk factor approach to assess the influence of protection and risk on five measures of substance use: overall involvement in drugs, frequent alcohol use, frequent illegal drug use, frequent drug abuse, and quantity of daily cigarette consumption. For each measure, it was hypothesized that an index of risk factors would serve to increase the likelihood of the occurrence of problem behavior and that an index of protection would result in a reduction. It was also hypothesized that under conditions of high risk the effect of protection would moderate the influence of risk factors more forcefully than under conditions of low risk. Data were obtained from a self-report questionnaire containing over 60 risk and protective measures administered to nearly 400 grade 9 students in 7 high schools located in Toronto, Canada. Measures were tested in a series of regression equations to construct indices of risk and protective factors for each substance measure. Results supported the hypothesis of separate risk and protective factor main effects for all categories of substances. Evidence of moderate to strong interaction effects (i.e., a moderating influence of protection) were also noted. Implications are discussed for methods of identifying high risk youth as well as programs designed to prevent/reduce problem behaviors among this group.

The concept of formal charges may help students understand, remember, and predict chemical behavior. The principle of formal charges builds upon Lewis structures. The formal charge of an ion or atom is determined by subtracting the number of electrons on an atom in a Lewis structure from the number of valence electrons for the neutral atom. Sample applications of the principle of formal charges are provided.

Dans cet article, I'auteur reexamine de maniere detaillee les rapports entrc le niveau d'instruction, l'age a la naissance du premier-ne et la descendance finale des femmes au Canada dans les annees 1980, compte tenu des changements en matiere d'options socio-professionnelles pour les femmes qui se sont produits au cours de la derniere generation. Les donnees employees sont tirees de l'Enquete nationale sur la fecondite au Canada de 1984 et concernent les femmes agees de 35 a 49 ans (n= 2083). Les resultats revelent une correlation plus forte entre le niveau d'instruction des femmes et le choix du moment de la premiere grossesse qu'entre le niveau d'instruction et la descendance finale. De plus, cette influence du niveau d'instruction sur le choix du moment de la premiere grossesse semble etre Vun des grands determinants de la tendance generale. Cependant, 1'etude a permis de degager une nouvelle tendance demographique importante: meme si elles ont moins de 20 ans quand elles donnent naissance a lour premier enfant, les femmes de la plus jeune cohorte (agees de 35 a 39 ans) ont eu moins de trois enfants au total. Tout laisse prevoir le maintien chez les femmes canadiennes des tendances recentes au mariage tardif, a une progeniture moins nombreuse, a des niveaux d'instruction plus eieves et a une participation accrue a la population active. The purpose of this paper is to re-examine in some detail the relationship between education, age at first birth and life-time fertility of women in Canada in the 1980s. This re-examination is related to the changes that have taken place in the past generation in life course paths for women. The data in this paper arc developed from the Canadian National Fertility Survey of 1984, focussing on women 35-49 years of age {N = 2,083), The findings show that it is the timing of first birth rather than the number of children ever born that is more related to educational attainment of women. In addition, it appears to be the effect of education on first birth timing rather than lifetime fertility that is of key importance in the overall pattern. However, an important new demographic trend is observable. Even when there is an early first birth (under the age of 20), the youngest cohort of women (age 35-39) had fewer than three children over the reproductive lifetime. It is likely that the recent trends of later marriage, smaller numbers of children, later age at first birth, and increasing levels of education and labour force activity will continue for women in Canada., INTRODUCTION In modern industrial society, the level of completed formal education is probably the single most important predictor of the other major indices of socioeconomic well-being (Statistics Canada, 1983; Trussell [...]

Purpose: This study explored three-year trajectories of social anxiety symptoms among youth with chronic health conditions and investigated factors influencing those trajectories. Methods: Participants (N = 439) were recruited from eight pediatric rehabilitation centers. The Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised measured social anxiety across four time points. Latent Class Growth Analysis was used to study trajectories and logistic regression to identify related factors. Results: A three-class solution was supported: a "high anxiety and stable" group (17.1%), a "moderate anxiety and stable" group (44.4%), and a "low anxiety and stable" group (38.5%). Youth in the "moderate and stable" group were less likely to be male compared to the "low and stable" group. Youth in the "high and stable" group were more likely to have greater cognitive symptoms and less likely to have higher levels of social participation compared to the "low and stable" group. Youth in both the "high and stable" and "moderate and stable" groups were less likely to have high support from classmates or close friends compared to the "low and stable" group. Moreover, both the "high and stable" and "moderate and stable" groups were less likely to have positive family functioning. Conclusion: Youth with chronic conditions belonging to "high and stable" and "moderate and stable" social anxiety trajectories can be distinguished from those in a "low and stable" trajectory using personal, functional, and environmental level variables. Youth with chronic health conditions are at risk of developing and maintaining moderate to high levels of social anxiety symptoms as they move through adolescence. Compared to youth with "low and stable" social anxiety, those with "moderate and stable" social anxiety are less likely to be male, have high peer support or high family functioning. Compared to youth with "low and stable" social anxiety, those with "high and stable" social anxiety are more likely to have greater cognitive symptoms, and less likely to have high social participation, high peer support, or high family functioning. Rehabilitation and other professionals should not only consider factors that are functional in nature; they should also consider personal and environmental level factors when supporting youth with chronic health conditions who experience social anxiety symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the lifetime prevalence of help seeking for alcohol problems among Canadian drinkers; to explore the influence on help seeking of age, gender, education, marital status and the number of life areas where alcohol was felt to have caused harm; and to consider any similarities and differences in the rate of help seeking in Canada and in the U.S. Method: Analyses of data from a survey of 12,155 Canadian adults (response rate 75.6%) conducted in 1994. Use of logistic regression to examine the influence on help seeking of demographic characteristics and perceptions of alcohol-related harm. Results: Two percent (2%) of lifetime drinkers reported seeking help at some time. Help from AA or from addictions agencies was reported by 1.3% and 0.3%, respectively. Logistic regression showed that help seeking was more common among those aged 40-49 years than those in other age groups, and less common among those with no post-secondary education and those who were married. The best predictor of help seeking was the number of life areas where alcohol was felt to have caused harm. Controlling for this variable, the influence of gender on help seeking was negligible. The rate of help seeking was similar to that in the U.S. 15 years earlier but lower than the U.S. rate in 1990. Conclusions: More effort may be required to encourage Canadians with alcohol problems to seek help. Gender does not appear to influence the chances of seeking some form of help when perceptions of harm are controlled. More research is needed to determine why proportionally fewer Canadian than American drinkers report seeking help for alcohol problems. (J. Stud. Alcohol 60: 867-872, 1999), POPULATION STUDIES of the lifetime use of resources to help with drinking are needed to plan new services and to evaluate existing service arrangements. Information on the prevalence of lifetime [...]