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We investigated the experiences of research assistants in their dual role as both employees and trainees, when they were employed in a complex, mixed-methods, Canadian study on the everyday experience of living with and managing a chronic condition. A total of 13 research assistants participated in one or more components of this study: a survey (n = 11), focus group interview (n = 7), and/or individual interview (n = 13). Thematic analysis identified two key themes: what faculty mentors should provide to research assistants before they begin their work, and what faculty mentors need to know in order to effectively offer ongoing support to research assistants. Our results provide valuable insights for new and experienced faculty members who employ research assistants and for research assistants employed in funded research projects. Our results can inform the development of regulations to ensure that research assistants have greater protection as both trainees and employees.

Home care is the preferred care option for most people who need support; yet abuse exists in these settings toward both home care workers and clients. There are no existing reviews that assess the scope of current research on abuse in home care, and tangentially related reviews are dated. For these reasons, a scoping review is warranted to map the current state of research on abuse in home care and examine current interventions in this field. Databases selected for searching were Medline and EMBASE on OVID, Scopus, and the following databases in EBSCOhost: Academic Search Complete, AgeLine, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Records were included if: (a) they were written in English; (b) the participants were home care workers or clients age 18 years or older; (c) they were published in journals; (d) they undertook empirical research; and (e) they were published within the last 10-year period. Following Graham et al. (2006), the 52 included articles are categorized as either knowledge inquiry or as intervention studies. We find three themes among knowledge inquiry studies: (1) prevalence and types of abuse in home care, (2) abuse in the context of living with dementia, and (3) working conditions and abuse. Analysis from the intervention studies suggest that not all organizations have specific policies and practices to prevent abuse, and no existing interventions to protect the well-being of clients were identified. Findings from this review can inform up-to-date practice and policymaking to improve the health and well-being of home care clients and workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term care environments in which older persons with dementia live could have an effect on residents and staff. The purpose of this study was to evaluate renovations to a long-term care center for individuals with advanced dementia using a multi-method approach. Renovations included lighting, design elements to reduce noise, and exit-seeking behaviors, along with attempting to create a more home-like environment through smaller dining spaces and other changes. Results revealed that while some aspects of the renovations were rated by staff as being positive, little impact could be found for residents based on in-unit observations or standard assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As qualitative research methodologies continue to evolve and develop, both students and experienced researchers are showing greater interest in learning about and developing new approaches. To meet this need, faculty at the University of Manitoba created the Qualitative Research Group (QRG), a community of practice that utilizes experiential learning in the context of social relationships to nurture social interaction, create opportunities to share knowledge, support knowledge creation, and build collaborations among all disciplines. While many other qualitative research networks such as the QRG may exist, little has been published on their early development or the activities that contribute to the growth and sustainability of active collaboration. To address this gap, the authors of the paper will share the steps taken in developing the QRG, including a needs assessment identifying members' strengths and support needs, regular communication through a listserv, to the successful workshop based on the community of practice concept. Lessons learned during the initial development of the QRG are shared with the intent of contributing ideas for developing and supporting qualitative research in other institutions and prompting further consideration of ways to support and enrich every generation of qualitative researchers. (Contains 2 tables.)

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) have been identified as a health policy target, due to their associations with weight gain. However, fatness or 'obesity' is associated with stigma, and for 'obese' children, mother blame; thus, SSB policies must be evaluated for their potential to reinforce existing forms of stigma. The purpose of this study was to explore discourses mobilized in discussion of SSB consumption and purchasing amongst residents of a middle-upper class neighborhood in Winnipeg, Canada. We conducted a critical discourse analysis of qualitative interviews from 2019, with English-speaking, adult participants using purposive sampling. Eighteen participants were recruited; fifteen were women, all self-identified as white and spoke about (grand)parenting. Considerations of weight stigmatization informed analysis. Participants utilized a personal responsibility discourse to determine the acceptability of SSB purchasing and consumption. Negative emotions, or judgements, shaped discussion of regular SSB consumption, consumption by higher-weight individuals, or consumption in specific contexts, which were unacceptable. Parental responsibility was a discourse applied to children's SSB intake and elicited judgmental language, particularly among mothers. The discourses utilized by dominant social groups are stigmatizing, particularly when directed towards higher-weight individuals, leading to maternal blame. Therefore, the impact of SSB policies on stigma, including weight-based stigma, should be carefully considered prior to implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little research has been conducted on women living with HIV with a focus on caregiving. This paper explores data that emerged in a study examining caregiving networks among people living with HIV in the Prairies in Canada. Photovoice provided a methodology for data collection. The narratives presented suggest that while these women's lives are riddled with risk and violence, there are clear features to which they turn to in order to gain support and strength. Recommendations for future social support conclude the paper.

While research on men's mental health is increasing, it has not typically focused on the intersections between ageing, masculinity and mental health in a rural context. Given the significant increase not only in our global ageing population, but also our growing awareness of mental health problems in the general population, understanding men as they grow older in relation to mental health is a notable gap in research. In this paper, the authors explore the ageing experiences of male participants over 50 with self-identified mental health problems in rural Manitoba. We draw on semi-structured qualitative interviews from a larger project which focused on the diversity of rural men's perceptions, experiences and expressions of mental health and wellness. Specifically, we explore how these men reflect on their mental health and wellness. Participants in the study described their experiences as a cumulative process of making meaning, developing strategies, resources and a more positive sense of self – but sometimes also simply for survival. Men's sense of time over time – looking back and reflecting on the present and the future – appears to be a critical resource and a positive coping strategy for these men associated with ageing. The main themes include sustaining relationships; work, retirement and volunteering; and reflections on physical and emotional health. Our paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for new research on ageing men's mental health in a rural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigrants represent 28% of the Canadian population over 65, and older immigrants--more of them are women--now comprise the majority of the aging population in Canada's large metropolitan cities. Despite ample research about abuse of older adults in general, few Canadian studies have focused on abuse of older immigrant women. This paper reports policy-relevant findings from a project that aimed to develop a shared program of research to prevent abuse of older immigrant women in Canada. The project involved a review of the literature on elder abuse and immigrant women, local meetings with key stakeholders in seven provinces, a public event in Toronto, and a two-day interdisciplinary symposium with provincial stakeholders. Two significant themes emerged from these activities: the value of bringing together professionals representing multiple disciplines and service sectors as well as older immigrant women and the need for changes in social policies to reduce older immigrant women's vulnerability to abuse and support their resilience. This paper examines relevant social policy contexts and highlights the previously-over-looked implications of the ideology of familism within policies concerning prevention of abuse and the importance of intersectoral collaboration. Les immigrants constituent 28 % de la population canadienne de plus de 65 ans. Les immigrants ages, dont la plupart sont des femmes, representent desormais la majorite de la population vieillissante des grandes metropoles canadiennes. Malgre de multiples recherches sur les violences envers les personnes agees en general, peu d'etudes canadiennes se sont concentrees sur les violences envers les immigrantes agees. Ce document presente les conclusions d'un projet visant a elaborer un programme commun de recherche pour prevenir la violence envers les immigrantes agees au Canada. Ce projet comprenait l'examen des publications existantes sur les violences envers les atnes et les immigrantes, des reunions locales avec les intervenants cles de sept provinces, un evenement public a Toronto et un colloque interdisciplinaire de deux jours avec les intervenants provinciaux. Deux themes majeurs ont emerge au cours de ces activites : d'une part l'interet de rassembler des professionnels representant de multiples disciplines et secteurs de services, et d'autre part les immigrantes agees et la necessite de faire evoluer les politiques sociales afin de reduire la vulnerabilite des immigrantes a la violence et de soutenir leur resilience. Ce document etudie les contextes sociopolitiques pertinents et met en avant les implications auparavant negligees de l'ideologie de la famille dans les politiques relatives a la prevention de la violence, ainsi que l'importance de la collaboration intersectorielle., Introduction Canada's population is becoming older and more diverse. Presently, immigrants comprise 28% of the Canadian population aged 65 years or older, and the proportion of older immigrants is larger [...]

This article discusses the results of a survey administered as part of a study titled, 'Legislation and Service Provision Regarding Abuse and/or Neglect of Older Adults in Manitoba.' Public views of mandatory reporting and knowledge of legislation were investigated in the case where an older adult is living at risk of abuse and/or neglect in Manitoba, Canada. The survey data demonstrate that older respondents stated that mandatory reporting was not always preferable, except when an older adult was clearly diagnosed as incompetent and, even with no evidence, thought to be at risk. With less awareness of the topic in general, and with less contact with older adults, younger adults had much stronger views in support of mandatory reporting in all cases. Little knowledge and awareness of legislation existed in all age groups, although older adults knew more about such abuse and/or neglect than younger adults. Given the projected increase of older adults in Canada in the next 20 years, it is critical that the prevention of abuse and/or neglect and protection of older adults be addressed. KEYWORDS elder abuse, mandatory reporting, legislation, survey results