Browsing by Author "Benzies, Karen"
Now showing 1 - 20 of 25
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access A Phenomenological Study on the Experience of Composing Rap Lyrics among ‘at-risk’ Youth(2017) Young, Amber; Nicholas, David; Benzies, Karen; Dimitropoulos, GinaExisting literature exploring the integration of Hip Hop in therapeutic contexts predominately focuses on utilizing the music in a receptive fashion, while a limited amount of literature has explored active techniques (i.e., lyric composition). Utilizing a qualitative phenomenological method, this study explored the experience of composing Hip Hop lyrics of young people who have been labelled ‘at risk’ (N=5). From the participant interviews emerged seven categories related to the experience of composing Hip Hop: (a) Hip Hop as a constant in one’s life, (b) Descriptions of the composing process, (c) Hip Hop song composition is therapeutic, (d) Hip Hop supports expression, (e) Remixing the story: Constructing and living the story we tell of ourselves, (f) Acts of resistance: ‘Each one, teach one’, and (g) Delivery of content: Messages within messages. The findings are discussed in relation to existing literature and implications are offered for the clinical social work context.Item Open Access A qualitative inquiry on pregnant women’s preferences for mental health screening(2017-10-03) Bayrampour, Hamideh; McNeil, Deborah A; Benzies, Karen; Salmon, Charleen; Gelb, Karen; Tough, SuzanneAbstract Background Approaches to screening can influence the acceptance of and comfort with mental health screening. Qualitative evidence on pregnant women’s comfort with different screening approaches and disclosure of mental health concerns is scant. The purpose of this study was to understand women’s perspectives of different mental health screening approaches and the perceived barriers to the communication and disclosure of their mental health concerns during pregnancy. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was undertaken. Fifteen women, with a singleton pregnancy, were recruited from a community maternity clinic and a mental health clinic in Calgary, Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during both the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Preferences for mental health screening approaches varied. Most women with a known mental health issue preferred a communicative approach, while women without a known mental health history who struggled with emotional problems were inclined towards less interactive approaches and reported a reluctance to share their concerns. Barriers to communicating mental health concerns included a lack of emotional literacy (i.e., not recognizing the symptoms, not understanding the emotions), fear of disclosure outcomes (i.e., fear of being judged, fear of the consequences), feeling uncomfortable to be seen vulnerable, perception about the role of prenatal care provider (internal barriers); the lack of continuity of care, depersonalized care, lack of feedback, and unfamiliarity with/uncertainty about the availability of support (structural barriers). Conclusions The overlaps between some themes identified for the reasons behind a preferred screening approach and barriers reported by women to communicate mental health concerns suggest that having options may help women overcome some of the current disclosure barriers and enable them to engage in the process. Furthermore, the continuity of care, clarity around the outcomes of disclosing mental health concerns, and availability of immediate support can help women move from providing “the best answer” to providing an authentic answer.Item Open Access Aboriginal Children and Their Caregivers Living with Low Income: Outcomes from a Two-Generation Preschool Program(Springer Verlag Open Choice, 2010-07-14) Benzies, Karen; Tough, Suzanne; Edwards, Nancy; Mychasiuk, Richelle; Donnelly, CarleneItem Open Access Alberta Family Integrated Care (FICare) and Breastfeeding for Moderate to Late Preterm Infants: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial 2 Month Follow-up(2023-01-02) Moe, Amanda; Benzies, Karen; McNeil, Deborah; Brockway, MeredithIntroduction: Human milk, specifically mothers’ own milk, is the optimal nutrition for infants and has significant protective effects, which are even greater for infants born prematurely. Compared to full-term infants, fewer preterm infants achieve exclusive breastfeeding to age 6 months. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the risks and protective factors associated with breastfeeding at age 2 months in moderate and late preterm infants who received Alberta Family Integrated Care (FICare) versus Standard Care while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Alberta FICare is a novel care model that empowers parents to build their knowledge, skill, and confidence in caring for their preterm infant. Methods: A longitudinal follow-up to the Alberta FICare cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted. Alberta FICare data for 455 infants (n = 204 Alberta FICare; n = 251 Standard Care) and their mothers were linked to feeding type data (exclusive human milk, non-exclusive human milk, or no human milk) collected at the infant’s 2-month public health immunization visit. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with proportions of breastfeeding at age 2 months. Results: After controlling for covariates, there was a significant group difference favoring Standard Care versus Alberta FICare for non-exclusive breastfeeding compared to no breastfeeding at age 2 months. There were no significant group differences in model sub-analyses comparing exclusive breastfeeding versus non-exclusive breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding versus no breastfeeding. Mothers with singletons, higher education, higher parental NICU stress, higher breastfeeding self-efficacy, and feeding exclusively human milk at discharge were more likely to provide exclusive breastfeeding at age 2 months. Conclusion: Infants in the Standard Care group were more likely to receive non-exclusive breastfeeding at age 2 months compared to no breastfeeding. Group (Alberta FICare versus Standard Care) was not significant when comparing exclusive breastfeeding outcomes. Of the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in preterm infants, breastfeeding self-efficacy is a potentially modifiable one that could be targeted for interventions. Further research is required to examine the association between higher parental NICU stress and exclusive breastfeeding.Item Open Access An inquiry into the process of care in the healthcare professional-caregiver relationship(2008) Sigalet, Elaine Lucille; Benzies, KarenItem Open Access Approaches Perceived to Promote Allyship Between Researchers and the Autistic Community(2021-05-06) Orjasaeter, Jesse Daniel; Nicholas, David; McLaughlin, Anne Marie; Benzies, Karen; Nicholas, David; Samson, PatriciaPrevious research regarding autistic people has largely been limited in regards to its meaningful engagement with the autistic community, particularly in terms of determining research priorities and engagement in research planning and processes. This tendency of exclusion in such research opportunities may result in diminished community understanding of autism from the direct perspective of autistic people themselves, and of a potential lack of social and community inclusion overall. This study addressed the question, ‘what are perceived to be optimal approaches of promoting allyship between researchers and the autistic community?’ Research aims were to explore and promote allyship and collaboration between the research and autistic community in (a) identifying perceived means to build allyship in autism research, and (b) demonstrating and exploring an instance of meaningful engagement of autistic adults in research. Two mixed focus groups and an email interview were facilitated with a total of 6 autistic individuals, 4 autism researchers, and 2 individuals who identified as both autistic individuals and researchers. Methodologic decisions were made according to principles of participatory research and guided by a critical theoretical framework. Study results included the identification of approaches for allyship in autism research, including (a) a mediation or advisory group that would serve to ‘bridge’ the autistic community and autism researchers; (b) mentorship opportunities for autistic individuals aiming to access research information and experience, as well as for researchers aiming to inclusively engage with the autistic community; and (c) a partnership between community members and a research or university setting.Item Open Access Childhood Obesity and Crime(2015-10-05) Yates, Morgan; Benzies, KarenChildhood obesity is a significant health problem potentially influenced crime. This study employed secondary analysis of cross-sectional data using Geographic Information Systems for spatial comparison and logistic regression for statistical analysis. This was done to investigate the association between obesity, as measured by Body Mass Index of preschool children, and distance to the nearest instance of different categories of crime. Three covariates were included in the study: median family income, proportion of the population who self-identified as visible minorities, and straight-line distance from the child’s postal code to the closest park or green space. Of the eight categories of crime studied, three categories of person crime (commercial robbery, street robbery and other violence) and one category of property crime (theft of vehicle) predicted childhood obesity. This research is unique, as it separated crime into eight categories for analysis, and measured the straight-line distance to crime, rather than using neighbourhood boundaries.Item Open Access Development and Testing of a Questionnaire to Measure Nurses’ Intent to Practice Patient and Family-Centered Care During Bedside Rounds(2013-01-28) Montgomery, Lara; Benzies, KarenNurses are committed to providing safe patient and family-centered care (PFCC) in part through nurses’ contributions to multidisciplinary, patient, and family-centered bedside rounds. The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure nurses’ intent to practice PFCC during bedside rounds. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior the questionnaire aimed to capture nurses’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control as predictors of nurses’ intentions. This is part of a larger study that will measure the effect of professional development workshops for healthcare professionals (HCPs) including nurses, physicians and allied health professionals on the family experience of PFCC during bedside rounds, and attitudes and practices of HCPs regarding bedside rounds. Feedback from 20 nurses was used to make revisions to the questionnaire, which will be used as the primary nursing outcome measure in the larger study.Item Open Access Differential Effects of Stress on Maternal and Infant Health Amongst Canadian Ethnic Minorities(2013-10-02) Robinson, Alexandra; Cairns, Sharon; Benzies, KarenThe aim of the present study was to identify specific types of maternal psychosocial stress experienced by women of ethnic minority status (Asian, Arab, Other Asian, African, First Nations and Latino) in relation to pregnancy and infant health. A secondary analysis of variables that may contribute to maternal psychosocial stress was conducted using data from the All Our Babies prospective study where questionnaires were completed at less than 24 weeks of pregnancy, between 34-36 weeks of pregnancy, and at 4 months postpartum. Questionnaires included standardized measures of perceived stress, anxiety, depression, physical and emotional health, and social support. Socio-demographic data included immigration status, language proficiency in English, ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status. Findings from this study indicate that women who identify with an ethnic minority experience greater levels of psychosocial stress during pregnancy and have significantly poorer pregnancy and birth outcomes than those who identify with the dominant culture. Preterm birth, low birth weight, small or large for gestational age, extended hospital stay, and Apgar scores < 7 were used in the outcome assessment. From these findings, counselling interventions that target the most detrimental stressors faced by women of minority status in Canada are also discussed.Item Open Access Discharge Transition and Self-Regulation of Youth Between 15 and 24 Years of Age with Mental Illness(2014-11-14) Collins, Ramona; Benzies, KarenThe consequences for youth with mental illness are particularly acute and many experience crises that precipitate admission to hospital. When these youth are discharged, continuity of care is a key factor in a positive transition experience. Following discharge, youth require a form of social scaffolding to help them transfer their adaptive coping and self-regulation skills from the cool cognition of the hospital to the potentially hot cognition of their community. Recent research on the brain has demonstrated the importance of neuroplasticity during the period between the onset of puberty and adulthood. This period may be viewed as a window of both risk and opportunity. Risk, because the young person’s ability to make rational decisions is often adversely affected by his or her intense emotions. Opportunity, because the rapid growth of the brain during adolescence is strongly affected by the youth’s social environment, and this growth does not wane until after young adulthood. Thus, an understanding of the process of self-regulation of youth with mental illness in the context of discharge is essential for a successful discharge transition program. And yet, literature on the process of self-regulation in the context of discharge from the perspective of youth with mental illness is lacking. Using a grounded theory approach, this research study revealed the challenges and strengths experienced by youth in this process. Potential implications for practice included identifying and implementing strategies for addressing gaps in current programs, and directions for future research were discussed.Item Open Access Effects of a Brief Parenting Education Program on Parenting Knowledge and Social Support in Mothers of Infants(2010) Hooge, Sharon L.; Benzies, KarenItem Open Access Emotion Regulation in Elementary-Age Children: Exploring the Roles of Mothers and Fathers(2016-01-29) Durber, Chelsea; Schwartz, Kelly Dean; Climie, Emma; Benzies, KarenWithin the literature exploring parents’ emotion socialization and meta-emotion philosophy influence on children’s emotion regulation, there is a strong need to assess paternal contributions to children’s emotion regulation. The present study addressed this limitation through its inclusion of both biological mothers and fathers. Correlational and Analysis of Variance methodologies were employed to assess the relationship between mothers’ and fathers’ emotion-related beliefs and practices, how their beliefs and practices relate to children’s emotion regulation, and the impact of parent and child gender, if any, on these interrelations. Although the results revealed minor differences between that mothers’ and fathers’ meta-emotion philosophy and its relation to their emotion socialization practices, they key finding is that mothers and fathers were highly similar across the majority of their emotion-related beliefs and practices. Serving to both substantiate several extant trends and highlight important maternal and paternal differences, this study offers unique contributions to the parenting literature.Item Open Access Gauging knowledge of developmental milestones among Albertan adults: a cross-sectional survey(BioMed Central, 2010-04-08) Rikhy, Shivani; Tough, Suzanne C.; Trute, Barry; Benzies, Karen; Kehler, Heather; Johnston, David W.Item Open Access Mentorship in Nursing Academia: A Mixed Methods Study(2017) Nowell, Lorelli; White, Deborah; Benzies, Karen; Rosenau, PatriciaNursing educators globally have called for mentorship to help address the nursing faculty shortage. Mentorship is perceived as vital to maintaining high-quality education programs. While there is emerging evidence to support the value of mentorship in other disciplines, the extant state of the evidence for mentorship in nursing academia is not well-established. Little is known about the current state of mentorship or the barriers and facilitators for implementing mentorship programs in Canadian nursing schools. The overarching aim of this dissertation was to explore the current state of mentorship in nursing academia. Three methodologies were employed to examine this phenomenon: 1. A systematic review of the evidence. 2. A cross sectional survey of nursing faculty. 3. Semi-structured interviews with nursing faculty members from across Canada. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data. The results of all three phases were integrated to develop a more robust and meaningful picture of mentorship. Within the literature there is no clear differentiation and operationalization of program and individual outcomes of mentorship nor is there discussion of the role of formal (matched) and informal (self-selected) mentorship within schools that identify mentorship programs. While generally, in the literature at an individual level, mentorship is reported to positively impact behavioural, career, attitudinal, relational, and motivational outcomes; it is important to note that the methodological quality of the mentorship studies is weak. Additionally, while outcomes can be categorized as noted above, it is also apparent that whether academics seek out their own mentors through informal and established networks or are matched with mentors in a formalized program it is difficult to untangle whether the outcomes are a result of the formal program or individual efforts. The survey and interview data revealed that the majority of Canadian nursing schools lack formal mentorship programs and those that exist are largely informal, vary in scope and components, and lack common definitions or goals. Individual perceptions of factors influencing mentorship program implementation include (a) training and guidelines; (b) quality of relationships; (c) choice and availability of mentors; (d) organizational support; (e) time and competing priorities; (f) culture of the institution; and, (g) evaluation of mentorship outcomes. Dyad, peer, group, constellation, and distance mentorship models are present and components include guidelines, training, professional development workshops, purposeful linking of mentors and mentees, and mentorship coordinators. Evaluation of mentorship, where it exists, remains mostly descriptive, anecdotal, and lacks common evaluative metrics. The results from this study confirm lack of formalized mentorship programs in Canadian schools of nursing. To ensure success in developing mentorship programs, academic leaders need to consider multiple barriers, facilitators, models and components to meet their specific needs. Further rigorous evaluation of mentorship programs and components is needed to identify if mentorship programs are achieving specified goals.Item Open Access Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Design and its Effect on Infant Health and Development and Parent Psychosocial Health(2022-04-21) Clapperton, Michelle; Benzies, Karen; McNeil, Debbie; Hayden, K. AlixBACKGROUND: In the past four decades, there has been an increasing interest in designing neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to create a healing environment with beneficial effects on the caregiving process, health and development of infants, and family comfort. However, the effects of single-family rooms (SFRs) on infant and parental outcomes, parental involvement, and hospital length of stay remain unclear. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review comparing NICU design and its influence on infants’ health and development up to 2 years of age. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Web of Science with English language limitations and no time limit. In addition, we conducted a review of reviews. RESULTS: SFRs were associated with increased parental presence, earlier initiation and longer duration of skin-to-skin care, more frequent infant caregiving activities, greater sustained exclusive breastfeeding up to 4 months corrected age, and reduced overall direct care costs. Infants had earlier experience with their mother's milk and oral feeding. Differences in infant rate of weight gain and weight at discharge were mediated by increased maternal involvement and developmental support. In SFRs, parents reported more privacy, greater comfort, satisfaction with family centered care, and a sense of control/ownership. Increased opportunity to participate in rounds and shared decision made them feel more emotionally supported. Parental stress results were mixed; however, parents reported less stress related to sights and sounds with SFRs. In SFRs versus open designs, length of stay ranged from 4 days longer to 3.4 to 15 days shorter. Regardless of NICU design, infant stress, pain, medical procedures, and infant attention were mediated by increased maternal involvement. Maternal involvement and greater human milk feeding were associated with a decreased length of stay irrespective of NICU design. Skin to skin care and maternal care, but not NICU design, were the most significant predictors of neurodevelopmental at 18 months. CONCLUSION: NICU designs and policies that facilitate parental presence benefit everyone. Consistent with family integrated care, parents need to feel welcomed and supported to be present. An environment that addresses the medical, developmental, educational, emotional, and social needs of the infants, families, and staff is essential for improved outcomes.Item Open Access NICU Nurses’ Experiences of Learning to Provide Palliative Care: An Interpretive Description(2023-04-17) St Louis, Julia; Sinclair, Shane; Benzies, Karen; Raffin-Bouchal, ShelleyAbstract Background: More children die in the neonatal period than any other period of childhood. These infants often live their short lives in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and receive palliative care. NICU nurses who provide quality, family-centred palliative care can help alleviate family and patient suffering. Nurses have identified insufficient education as a barrier to providing palliative care in the NICU. No known studies have explored how NICU nurses learn to provide palliative care without formal educational resources. It is important to identify and assess how nurses learn to provide palliative care in the NICU. Research Aim: The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of nurses in learning to provide palliative care in the NICU. The research questions for this study were: (a) What are NICU nurses' experiences of learning to provide neonatal palliative care?; and (b) What learning experiences do NICU nurses want to provide optimal neonatal palliative care? Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using interpretive description. Participants were purposively recruited through social media and nursing associations. Inclusion criteria were NICU nurses with one year’s experience who had provided palliative care to at least one infant. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis occurred inductively through data immersion, inductive coding, reflective memoing and thematic analysis. Findings: The nine participants in this study received little or no formal education in neonatal palliative care. They learned to provide neonatal palliative care largely through observation and experience. Three themes emerged from the data: meaning-making in neonatal palliative care, challenges in learning and providing neonatal palliative care, and learning to provide neonatal palliative care. Discussion: Most positive learning experiences identified in this study resulted from nurses being in the right place at the right time to observe a skilled colleague providing neonatal palliative care. A standardized curriculum on neonatal palliative care is recommended, as well as evaluating practice and knowledge outcomes in research assessing future education. Keywords: neonatal, NICU, palliative care, nursing educationItem Open Access Postpartum nurses' perceptions of barriers to screening for intimate partner violence(2010) Guillery, Margaret Ellen; Evans, Sheila; Benzies, KarenItem Open Access Postpartum nurses' perceptions of barriers to screening for intimate partner violence: a cross-sectional survey(BioMed Central, 2012-02-20) Benzies, Karen; Guillery, Margaret E.; Mannion, Cynthia; Evans, SheilaItem Open Access Processes of Care for Medically Fragile Infants on an Inpatient Pediatric Unit: A Grounded Theory Study(2019-08-16) MacKay, Lyndsay Jerusha; Benzies, Karen; Raffin Bouchal, Shelley; Barnard, ChantelleToday, increasing numbers of Medically Fragile Infants (MFI) born with severe, life-threatening illnesses are surviving the neonatal period due to medical and technological advancements in care. Such infants require long-term hospitalization and remain dependent on technology for survival. MFI are defined as preterm or full-term infants who (a) have a life-threatening chronic medical illness that require technology for survival, (b) remain hospitalized for several weeks to months, and (c) are expected to be discharged with a chronic health problem. Parenting MFI is typified by frequent health setbacks and uncertainty, which adds complexity, impediments, and complications to becoming a parent. Also, parents of MFI have higher than average rates of anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The literature reflects that outcomes for MFI and their parents are poor. The aim of this grounded theory study was to create a deeper understanding of the processes of care provided to MFI from the perspectives of parents and Health Care Professionals (HCP). Specifically, I explored what it was like for parents to provide care to hospitalized MFI, and why some struggled. Also, I explored why caring for MFI was stressful for HCP, and why frustrating encounters often transpired between parents and HCP. I used Charmaz’ approach to grounded theory to gain this understanding. The findings suggest that parents and HCP have different yet interconnected experiences of caring for MFI within the inpatient pediatric unit. Parents experienced grief and multiple stressors, and they utilized internal and external coping mechanism to manage their grief and stressors. When they were unable to cope with grief and stressors, they experienced difficulty in their parental role and mental health difficulties. HCP experienced stress and burnout due to the complexity of MFI and the complex parental experience of today. HCP aimed at developing trust with parents so they could establish a supportive relationship. The relationship was a means to educate and empower parents to care for their hospitalized infant and work collaboratively with parents in the planning and delivery of care. However, HCP encountered multiple frustrating encounters with parents that were barriers to the development of a therapeutic relationship because of the complexity and high demands of MFI’ care needs and parental ability, or lack thereof, to cope with their grief and stressors. The parent and HCP’ experiences were compared and contrasted; areas where concepts and themes overlapped were identified and the grounded theory emerged: “Journeying Along Side One Another”. The space where parental and HCP’ different, yet interconnected, experiences came together was in the liminal space between their experiences, where parents and HCP interacted with one another. When key factors were present beneficial interactions transpired between HCP and parents, and supportive relationships built on trust were established; experiences and interactions became shared and interconnected, and parents and HCP journeyed together. When the key factors were absent, parents and HCP did not engage in mutually beneficial interactions, and supportive relationships built on trust were not established; difficult interactions transpired between parents and HCP, and they did not journey together. Parental and HCP’ characteristics impacted beneficial interactions in conjunction with key factors.Item Open Access Quality improvement interventions to prevent unplanned extubations in pediatric critical care: a systematic review(2022-12-02) Wollny, Krista; Cui, Sara; McNeil, Deborah; Benzies, Karen; Parsons, Simon J.; Sajobi, Tolulope; Metcalfe, AmyAbstract Background An unplanned extubation is the uncontrolled and accidental removal of a breathing tube and is an important quality indicator in pediatric critical care. The objective of this review was to comprehensively synthesize literature published on quality improvement (QI) practices implemented to reduce the rate of unplanned extubations in critically ill children. Methods We included original, primary research on quality improvement interventions to reduce the rate of unplanned extubations in pediatric critical care. A search was conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, and CINAHL from inception through April 29, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened citations in duplicate using pre-determined eligibility criteria. Data from included studies were abstracted using a tool created by the authors, and QI interventions were categorized using the Behavior Change Wheel. Vote counting based on the direct of effect was used to describe the effectiveness of quality improvement interventions. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set (QI-MQCS). Results were presented as descriptive statistics and narrative syntheses. Results Thirteen studies were included in the final review. Eleven described primary QI projects; two were sustainability studies that followed up on previously described QI interventions. Under half of the included studies were rated as high-quality. The median number of QI interventions described by each study was 5 [IQR 4–5], with a focus on guidelines, environmental restructuring, education, training, and communication. Ten studies reported decreased unplanned extubation rates after the QI intervention; of these, seven had statistically significant reductions. Both sustainability studies observed increased rates that were not statistically significant. Conclusions This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of QI interventions to reduce unplanned extubation. With only half the studies achieving a high-quality rating, there is room for improvement when conducting and reporting research in this area. Findings from this review can be used to support clinical recommendations to prevent unplanned extubations, and support patient safety in pediatric critical care. Systematic review registration This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021252233) prior to data extraction.