Mary Hampton

WOMEN'S EXPERIENCE OF TRAUMATIC STRESS IN CANCER TREATMENT

In this study we investigated gender differences in the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of cancer patients. Eighty-seven patients (59 women and 28 men) recruited from a local cancer clinic completed measures of individual coping style, social support resources, symptoms of PTSD, and the nature of the trauma associated with these symptoms. PTSD symptoms were more frequently reported by women (27% versus 10%). Predictors of PTSD for women were (1) perceived intensity of cancer treatment; (2) problems with health care professionals; (3) and cognitive avoidant coping style. For men, the sole predictor of elevated PTSD scores was behavioral avoidance. Women reported significantly higher levels of treatment intensity (TI), greater numbers and types of treatment, and more problems with health care professionals. Interpersonal and relational aspects of their illness were reported as most stressful, compared with men who were more concerned with work and finances. These differences may, in part, reflect an androcentric model of cancer treatment, which women experience as particularly stressful.In this study we investigated gender differences in the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of cancer patients. Eighty-seven patients (59 women and 28 men) recruited from a local cancer clinic completed measures of individual coping style, social support resources, symptoms of PTSD, and the nature of the trauma associated with these symptoms. PTSD symptoms were more frequently reported by women (27% versus 10%). Predictors of PTSD for women were (1) perceived intensity of cancer treatment; (2) problems with health care professionals; (3) and cognitive avoidant coping style. For men, the sole predictor of elevated PTSD scores was behavioral avoidance. Women reported significantly higher levels of treatment intensity (TI), greater numbers and types of treatment, and more problems with health care professionals. Interpersonal and relational aspects of their illness were reported as most stressful, compared with men who were more concerned with work and finances. These differences may, in part, reflect an androcentric model of cancer treatment, which women experience as particularly stressful.

Stolen Sisters, Second Class Citizens, Poor Health: The Legacy of Colonization in Canada

This paper examines the multiple oppressions faced by Aboriginal women as a result of Canadas sexist and racist colonial past. We explore the destructive affects of colonization on gender relations and societal structures and argue that Aboriginal women suffer higher rates of poverty, ill-health, violence and sexual exploitation than non-Aboriginal women as a result. The Sisters in Spirit Campaign (2004) and Amnesty Internationals “Stolen Sisters” report (2004) illustrate how violence is a result of the social and economic marginalization of Aboriginal women. Short term solutions focus on serious jail sentences and fines on those who procure, exploit and prepetrate crimes on girls and women while long term solutions must address the elimination of poverty among Aborignal women while simultaneously revaluing Aborignal women and their culture. Unless these underlying causes of poor health for Aboriginal women are addressed there is little chance of improvement.

Recommendations for action on the social determinants of health: a Canadian perspective

we are now well positioned to understand and address health disparities at the global, national, and local levels. The global resurgence of interest in addressing health disparities in the 1990s and 2000s through various movements, such as the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health and their fi nal report with evidence-based recommendations,

Evaluation of the living with hope program for rural women caregivers of persons with advanced cancer

BackgroundHope has been identified as a key psychosocial resource among family caregivers to manage and deal with the caregiver experience. The Living with Hope Program is a self-administered intervention that consists of watching an international award winning Living with Hope film and participating in a two week hope activity (“Stories of the Present”). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Living with Hope Program on self-efficacy [General Self-Efficacy Scale], loss and grief [Non-Death Revised Grief Experience Inventory], hope [Herth Hope Index] and quality of life [Short-Form 12 version 2 (SF-12v2)] in rural women caring for persons with advanced cancer and to model potential mechanisms through which changes occurred.MethodsA time-series embedded mixed method design was used, with quantitative baseline outcome measures repeated at day 7, day 14, and 3, 6 and 12 months. Qualitative data from the hope activity informed the quantitative data. Thirty-six participants agreed to participate with 22 completing all data collection. General estimating equations were used to analyze the data.ResultsHerth Hope Index scores (p=0.05) had increased significantly from baseline at day 7. General Self Efficacy Scale scores were significantly higher than baseline at all data time points. To determine the mechanisms of the Living with Hope Program through which changes occurred, results of the data analysis suggested that as General Self Efficacy Scale scores increased (p<0.001) and Non-death Revised Grief Experience Inventory scores decreased (p=0.01) Herth Hope Index scores increased. In addition as Herth Hope Index scores increased (p<0.001) and Non-death Revised Grief Experience Inventory scores decreased (p=0.01), SF-12v2 mental health summary scores increased. Qualitative data suggested that through the hope activity (Stories of the Present) the participants were able to find positives and hope in their experience.ConclusionsThe Living with Hope Program has potential to increase hope and improve quality of life for rural women caregivers of persons with advanced cancer. The possible mechanisms by which changes in hope and quality of life occur are by decreasing loss and grief and increasing self-efficacy.Trial registrationsRegistration ClinicalTrails.gov, NCT01081301.

A process model of Depo-Provera use in Canadian women.

This study investigated women’s experiences with the long-acting, injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera. Fourteen women were interviewed and 57 charts of clients at a Canadian Sexual Health Centre were reviewed to generate a theory of use. A three-stage process model describes women’s choice of this contraceptive and decision to continue or discontinue use. This model suggests that women’s use of Depo-Provera is determined by a complex interaction of individual cognition, relational processes, and sociocultural contexts.

Responding to intimate partner violence: challenges faced among service providers in northern communities

The current study examined the needs of women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in a profiled northern community in Saskatchewan, Canada. A focus group was conducted with eight knowledgeable and experienced service providers to gain an increased understanding of the needs of women IPV survivors in northern regions of Canada. The discussion was guided by the question of “What do you see as the needs of women coming through your services with regard to intimate partner violence?” Qualitative analyses highlighted important findings pertaining to the unique needs of women experiencing IPV and the challenges service providers face in northern regions. Suggestions for improvement among resources and services were discussed. The findings will enhance the ability of government representatives and community service providers to decipher the effectiveness of support services and resources for women living in geographically diverse areas.

A Web of Disheartenment With Hope on the Horizon: Intimate Partner Violence in Rural and Northern Communities

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has become a worldwide epidemic, yet little is known about the experiences of women survivors living in rural and Northern Canadian communities. Existing statistics suggest that women living in rural areas of the Canadian Prairie Provinces and Northwest Territories (NWT) are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing IPV. To better understand the experiences of IPV in these regions, qualitative interviews were conducted with service providers, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Victims Services, Shelter Services, counselors, and others (e.g., physicians). In total, 122 participants were interviewed. These interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach where the data/results were transformed into a pictorial matrix that documents the struggles that service providers endure. The matrix/results highlight how social issues, such as isolation and poverty, contribute to social oppressions, such as lack of resources, transportation, and/or services. As service providers struggle against these forces, they begin to develop feelings of disheartenment. Yet, they continue to fight because there are opposing forces, such as Emergency Intervention Orders, police transportation, and Victim Services, that demonstrate how societal response is improving the lives and increasing safety in rural and Northern communities. Ultimately, the results suggest that to reduce the incidences of IPV, we must go beyond the violent acts and deal with the social contexts in which IPV resides.

The Complexities of Intimate Partner Violence: Mental Health, Disabilities, and Child Abuse History for White, Indigenous, and Other Visible Minority Canadian Women

This research examines how mental health issues associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) relate to womens intersecting identities of race/ethnicity, disability status, and child abuse history. Data ( N = 595) from a Canadian triprovincial study included women who were White ( n = 263, 44.8%), Indigenous ( n = 292, 49.7%), or visible minority ( n = 32, 5.5%). Few demographic differences were found. None of the mental health measures (Symptom Checklist-Short Form [SCL-10], Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression [CES-D-10], Posttraumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] Checklist) were in the clinical ranges. In a MANCOVA on the mental health scales, with IPV severity, racial group, disability status, and child abuse history as variables, only disability was significantly associated with more mental health symptoms.

Perspectives on Regional Differences and Intimate Partner Violence in Canada: A Qualitative Examination

Few studies have examined the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) within rural and northern communities. The current study addressed gaps within the literature by gathering perspectives from community service providers and academic researchers in order to increase understanding about the unique needs of IPV survivors within geographically diverse regions. Interviews were conducted with ten participants from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and Northwest Territories. Interviews focused on the unique needs of IPV survivors within each region, gaps that exist in meeting those needs, as well as questions pertaining to a larger research study entitled, Rural and Northern Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence. Results revealed several core themes relating to the unique challenges faced by IPV survivors within each region, as well as barriers to accessing services within rural and remote communities. Results also highlighted important considerations for future researchers, such as challenges that can arise when conducting research within geographically remote locations. Findings may help inform future development and implementation of services for IPV survivors residing in geographically diverse locations across Canada.