Joanne Daciuk

Cyber Bullying Behaviors Among Middle and High School Students

Little research has been conducted that comprehensively examines cyber bullying with a large and diverse sample. The present study examines the prevalence, impact, and differential experience of cyber bullying among a large and diverse sample of middle and high school students (N = 2,186) from a large urban center. The survey examined technology use, cyber bullying behaviors, and the psychosocial impact of bullying and being bullied. About half (49.5%) of students indicated they had been bullied online and 33.7% indicated they had bullied others online. Most bullying was perpetrated by and to friends and participants generally did not tell anyone about the bullying. Participants reported feeling angry, sad, and depressed after being bullied online. Participants bullied others online because it made them feel as though they were funny, popular, and powerful, although many indicated feeling guilty afterward. Greater attention is required to understand and reduce cyber bullying within childrens social worlds and with the support of educators and parents.

Older parents' expectations for filial support

A measure of general filial obligation expectations is presented. With data from a representative sample aged 70 and older, we show that generalized expectations for support from adult children are not patterned systematically by sociodemographic factors or by health needs of the older respondents. A typology is presented which relates expectations for help to judgments of the level received. This typology is meaningfully related to social indicators presumably related to need such as marital status and socioeconomic status. Whether one is dissatisfied, satisfied, or pleasantly surprised by the assistance one receives is associated with evaluative judgments of children. The parent-child bond is affected not only by exchange patterns but by the fit between expectations and exchange patterns.

Health concerns as a deterrent to seasonal migration of elderly Canadians

Each year, thousands of older Canadians seasonally migrate to warmer climates to spend the coldest winter months. Generally in good health, these older Canadians face the possibility of becoming ill during their long stays outside the country. This paper investigates health incidents and health concerns of 2046 Canadians aged 65 and older who spent part of the 1985–6 winter in Florida. Respondents had completed a mailed questionnaire sent to subscribers to a weekly newspaper targeted at the Canadian audience.Forty-six percent reported a health problem that bothered them now, and 14% said they had experienced a medical emergency requiring doctor or hospital care on this trip to Florida. Another 41% reported having had such a medical emergency on a previous trip. Although most respondents were habitual seasonal visitors to Florida, 5% said they had anticipated they would not return next year because of a health condition.We investigate the deterrence effect of health status and concerns on seasonal migration. Implications for demand for health services of seasonal migrants, in both Canada and Florida, are drawn.

Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics of Anglophone Canadian and U.S. Snowbirds

Data from a survey of anglophone Canadian snowbirds wintering in Florida and one of U.S. snowbirds in the Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley are used to compare the two groups in terms of sociodemographics, chronic health conditions, and use of health services. The Canadians were younger and reported fewer chronic problems than did the U.S. snowbirds; Canadians aged 65 and over had a lower reported prevalence for four of five chronic conditions than did persons of the same age in the Canadian population. In contrast, the U.S. snowbirds had higher reports on four of the conditions than did U.S. Whites aged 65 and over. Hypotheses are suggested for future research, and methodological issues are discussed.

Prevalence, motivations, and social, mental health and health consequences of cyberbullying among school-aged children and youth: protocol of a longitudinal and multi-perspective mixed method study

Background While the online environment may promote important developmental and social benefits, it also enables the serious and rapidly growing issue of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying constitutes an increasing public health problem – victimized children and youth experience a range of health and mental health concerns, including emotional and psychosomatic problems, maladaptive behaviors, and increased suicidality. Perpetrators demonstrate a lack of empathy, and may also struggle with health and mental health issues. Objective This paper describes the protocols applied in a longitudinal and multi-perspective mixed-methods study with five objectives: (1) to explore children/youth’s experiences, and children/youth’s, parents’, and teachers’ conceptions, definitions, and understanding of cyberbullying; (2) to explore how children/youth view the underlying motivations for cyberbullying; (3) to document the shifting prevalence rates of cyberbullying victimization, witnessing, and perpetration; (4) to identify risk and protective factors for cyberbullying involvement; and (5) to explore social, mental health, and health consequences of cyberbullying. Methods Quantitative survey data were collected over three years (2012-2014) from a stratified random baseline sample of fourth (n=160), seventh (n=243), and tenth (n=267) grade children/youth, their parents (n=246), and their teachers (n=103). Quantitative data were collected from students and teachers during in-person school visits, and from parents via mail-in surveys. Student, parent, and teacher surveys included questions regarding: student experiences with bullying/cyberbullying; student health, mental health, and social and behavioral issues; socio-demographics; and information and communication technology use. In-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted twice with a sub-sample of students (n=57), purposively selected based on socio-demographics and cyberbullying experience, twice with their parents (n=50), and once with their teachers (n=30). Results Data collection for this study is complete. Planned analyses include transition probabilities and repeated measures analyses to determine involvement in cyberbullying. Repeated measures analyses, including between-subject factors (eg, socio-demographics), will be utilized to determine factors that protect or increase risk of involvement in cyberbullying. Qualitative analysis utilizing grounded theory is planned, to permit rich understanding of participant experiences and perspectives. Results will be reported in 2016 and 2017. Conclusions This study will offer insight into the contemporary phenomenon of cyberbullying while also informing interventions to curb cyberbullying and address its pervasive social, mental health, and health consequences. Knowledge mobilization strategies and implications for research and practice are discussed.

Putting your mind at ease: findings from the Mindfulness Ambassador Council programme in Toronto area schools

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain understanding of the benefits and limitations of mindfulness training among secondary school students and teachers in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Design/methodology/approach – Using a case study methodology, the authors analysed programme evaluation forms and conducted thematic analyses of focus groups with Catholic secondary school teachers and students that participated in the Mindfulness Ambassador Council programme. Findings – The findings suggest that mindfulness training may provide participants with opportunities for personal growth, specifically in the areas of stress reduction, relaxation, social awareness, self-discovery and relationship building. Research limitations/implications – This study confirms existing literature that training in mindfulness practice may be beneficial in strengthening relationships, reducing stress and anxiety and promoting inner well-being and social-emotional learning in youth. To test these findings empirically, future res...