Ken Fowler

Economic crisis and social capital: The story of two rural fishing communities

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Newfoundland and Labrador groundfish moratorium on the health and social wellness of two communities severely affected by the industry collapse. A qualitative study was conducted involving individual and group interviews with residents from communities in which differences (as indexed primarily by economic and demographic statistics) were observed. Using the concept of social capital and its associated themes of help and support, trust, leadership, and civic engagement, it was observed that the ‘high crisis community’ also demonstrated negative alterations in social and political characteristics which may have compromised its capacity to cope with the crisis and translated into detriments in resident wellness. Among a variety of identified challenges, out-migration appeared to be the greatest threat as it has translated into an assortment of negative realities. The utility of social capital as a framework for understanding community crises is also discussed.

Prevalence and Correlates of Self-Reported ADD/ADHD in a Large National Sample of Canadian Adults

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of self-reported attention deficit disorder (ADD)/ADHD in Canadian adults. Method: Prevalence of self-reported ADD/ADHD was examined in a large national sample of Canadians (n = 16,957). Demographic variables, lifetime, and current psychiatric comorbidities were then compared in a group of adults with self-reported ADD/ADHD (n = 488) and an age- and gender-matched control group (n = 488). Results: The prevalence of self-reported ADD/ADHD was 2.9%. Significantly higher lifetime and current prevalence rates of major depressive disorder, bipolar I and II disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorders were observed in the ADD/ADHD group compared with the control group. Within the ADD/ADHD group, lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were significantly higher in women, whereas lifetime and current rates of some substance use disorders were significantly higher in men. Conclusion: In a national sample of Canadian adults, self-reported ADD/ADHD was associated with significant psychiatric comorbidity. Gender differences were also noted.

Social anxiety disorder in the Canadian population: Exploring gender differences in sociodemographic profile

The present study examined the prevalence and sociodemographic profile of Canadians with social anxiety disorder using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2 (N = 36,984). Social anxiety disorder was assessed using the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview and sociodemographic variables were explored by gender. Results suggested significant gender differences for prevalence, comorbid depression, marital status, living arrangements, employment status in the past 12 months, and self-reported mental health status. These observations suggest that individuals with social anxiety disorder experience life disruption, and that of all socially anxious respondents, females may be experiencing more distress than males.

Empowerment or Dependency? the Religion/Religiosity–Mastery Relationship

Whereas religion/religiosity (R/R) tends to have a positive relationship with psychological well-being in general, the relationship between R/R and Mastery is less clear. Research investigating R/R–mastery has reported a positive, nonsignificant, and negative relationship, and often uses informal composite measures to assess R/R without a substantive discussion surrounding their suitability. The current study used a national Canadian sample (N = 12,930) to investigate the moderating effect of socioeconomic status and religious affiliation on R/R–mastery. Researchers used dual analytical strategies (individual R/R predictors [Model 1], a composite R/R variable [Model 2]) in order to investigate the R/R–mastery relationship. In Model 1, R/R variables were associated with lower Mastery levels and there was support for socioeconomic status moderating the R/R–mastery relationship. In Model 2, R/R was again negatively associated with Mastery, but socioeconomic status did not act as a moderator for the R/R–mastery relationship. Results from Model 2 also suggested that while Christian groups experience R/R negatively, the nonreligious experience R/R nonsignificantly. The discussion noted the importance of choice of R/R measurement, the limited role that R/R had on Mastery, whether structural resources are important in the R/R–mastery relationship, and the need to for researchers to attend to religious affiliation when discussing the R/R–mastery relationship. Alors que le rapport entre la religion/religiosité (R/R) et le bien-être psychologique en général tend à être positif, le rapport entre la R/R et la maîtrise lui, est moins évident. Les travaux de recherche sur le rapport entre la R/R et la maîtrise ont fait état d’un rapport positif, non-significatif et négatif et utilisent régulièrement des mesures composites informelles pour évaluer la R/R sans vraiment discuter à fond de leur pertinence. La présente étude a employé un échantillon national canadien (N _ 12 930) pour examiner l’effet modérateur de la situation socioéconomique et de l’affiliation religieuse sur le rapport R/R-maîtrise. Les chercheurs ont utilisé des stratégies analytiques doubles (indicateurs de R/R individuels [modèle 1], une variable R/R composite [modèle 2]) pour étudier le rapport R/R-maîtrise. Dans le modèle 1, les variables R/R étaient associées à des niveaux de maîtrise inférieurs et tout semblait indiquer que la situation socioéconomique avait un effet modérateur sur le rapport R/R-maîtrise. Dans le modèle 2, la R/R était encore associée négativement à la maîtrise mais la situation socioéconomique n’avait pas d’effet modérateur sur le rapport R/R-maîtrise. Les résultats du modèle 2 suggèrent aussi que les groupes chrétiens ont un rapport négatif avec la R/R alors que les groupes non-religieux ont un rapport non significatif avec la R/R. La discussion a permis de constater l’importance du choix de la mesure R/R, le rôle limité de la R/R sur la maîtrise, le degré de pertinence des ressources structurelles au niveau du rapport R/R-maîtrise et la nécessité pour les chercheurs de porter attention à l’affiliation religieuse lors de débats sur les rapports R/R-maîtrise.

The influence of social support on psychological distress in Canadian adults with bipolar disorder

IntroductionIndividuals with bipolar I disorder (BD-I) and bipolar II disorder (BD-II) are at higher risk for experiencing high levels of psychological distress and low levels of social support.ObjectivesThe primary objectives of this study were to examine perceived social support and psychological distress among Canadian adults with self-reported BD-I or BD-II as diagnosed by a health professional and explore the relationship between types of social support and psychological distress within this sample.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional, national datafile, 563 Canadian male and female adults (20–64 years) who reported being diagnosed with BD-I or BD-II were investigated using the Social Provisions Scale (SPS), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10).ResultsIt was observed that while the BD-I or BD-II sample had significantly lower SPS scores and significantly higher K10 scores than the overall Canadian sample, age and support in the form of reassurance of worth and social integration were associated with decreased psychological distress. Further, a diagnosis of BD-I and BD-II was found to moderate the effect of social support on psychological distress.ConclusionsDespite the limitations, which include self-reported diagnosis of BD-I and BD-II and potential exclusion of those who are not diagnosed but have BD-I or BD-II, these findings suggest that reassurance of worth and social integration may act as protective factors for psychological distress among individuals with BD-I or BD-II.

The Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Psychological Distress in Canadian Adults With ADD/ADHD

Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and psychological distress in individuals self-reporting a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADD)/ADHD. Method: This correlational study encompasses cross-sectional data from 488 male and female adults (20-64 years) who reported that they have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Psychological distress was measured with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Results: Adults with ADD/ADHD and high incomes have significantly lower K10 scores than Canadians with ADD/ADHD and low incomes. Income, but not education, was significant in predicting psychological distress among the sample. Canadian adults with ADD/ADHD have an increased risk for developing psychological distress and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: The findings suggest that negative outcomes associated with ADD/ADHD are not necessarily pervasive. High income may serve as a protective factor for psychological distress among adults with ADD/ADHD.

Risk Perception, Safety Behaviour, Employment Precarity and Community Attachment: The Case of Newfoundland and Labrador Fibreglass Boatbuilding Workers

Abstract Fibreglass boat-building and repair plays an important economic and cultural role in Newfoundland and Labrador, and in many cases is one of the few viable businesses in economically depressed rural areas. However, the process of constructing and repairing fibreglass vessels requires the use of styrene, a known neurotoxin, excessive exposure to which can have negative impacts on physical and mental health. Based on the concerns of provincial health and safety regulators who have suggested that workers are not using their personal protective equipment, citing a lack of perceived health risk concerning styrene exposure, the purpose of this study was to assess the attitudinal, cognitive, organisational and economic factors that may have an impact on perceptions of risk and safety behaviours. Given that this industry has never been the subject of previous occupational safety and health inquiry into employee attitudes and behaviour, the research objectives were quite fundamental. Accordingly, an exploratory approach was taken to address the objectives of this study. Questionnaires were distributed to all fibreglass boat-building and repair plants operating in the province, resulting in an 80 per cent response rate (n = 43). Findings suggest that while workers do perceive health risks concerning styrene exposure, they appear to lack specific knowledge about the various types. It was also observed that workers have strong connections to their community, are worried about the viability of their communities, and have notable feelings concerning employment precarity, factors which may play a key role in the degree to which employees perceive risk and engage in safety behaviours. The implications of these findings are discussed, specifically those concerning the roles that social, cultural and economic factors may play in terms of perceptions of risk and safety behaviour.