Browsing by Author "Drolet, Julie"

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    After the Fort McMurray wildfire there are significant increases in mental health symptoms in grade 7–12 students compared to controls
    (2019-01-10) Brown, Matthew R G; Agyapong, Vincent; Greenshaw, Andrew J; Cribben, Ivor; Brett-MacLean, Pamela; Drolet, Julie; McDonald-Harker, Caroline; Omeje, Joy; Mankowsi, Monica; Noble, Shannon; Kitching, Deborah; Silverstone, Peter H
    Abstract Background In order to examine the impact of disasters on adolescent mental health, this study compared population mental health survey data from two communities in Alberta, Canada: Fort McMurray, which experienced a major natural disaster, and Red Deer, which did not. Methods Data from 3070 grade 7–12 students from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada (collected in 2017, 18 months after the 2016 wildfire) was compared with data from 2796 grade 7–12 students from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada (collected in 2014). The same measurement scales were used for both surveys. Both of these cities have populations of approximately 100,000, and both cities are located in Alberta, Canada. For this reason, Red Deer is an appropriate non-disaster impacted community to compare to the disaster impacted community of Fort McMurray. Results The results of this comparison demonstrate that mental health symptoms were statistically significantly elevated in the Fort McMurray population when compared to the control population in Red Deer. This occurred for scores consistent with a diagnosis of depression (31% vs. 17%), moderately severe depression (17% vs. 9%), suicidal thinking (16% vs. 4%), and tobacco use (13% vs. 10%). Consistent with there being major mental health impacts from the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, self-esteem scores and quality of life scores were also statistically significantly lower in Fort McMurray. While the rates of anxiety disorder were similar (15% vs. 16%), the mean scores on the anxiety scale were slightly higher, with this difference reaching statistical significance. There were no statistical differences in the rates or scores for alcohol or substance use. Conclusions Our results are consistent with previous findings showing a significant negative impact of disasters on many aspects of adolescent mental, with a particular increase in symptoms related to depression and suicidal thinking. These findings highlight first, the need to identify adolescents most at risk of developing psychiatric symptoms after experiencing the trauma of disaster and second, the importance and necessity of implementing short and long term mental health intervention programs specifically aimed at adolescents, in order to help mitigate the negative effects of disasters on their mental health.
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    Correction to: After the Fort McMurray wildfire there are significant increases in mental health symptoms in grade 7–12 students compared to controls
    (2019-03-26) Brown, Matthew R G; Agyapong, Vincent; Greenshaw, Andrew J; Cribben, Ivor; Brett-MacLean, Pamela; Drolet, Julie; McDonald-Harker, Caroline; Omeje, Joy; Mankowsi, Monica; Noble, Shannon; Kitching, Deborah; Silverstone, Peter H
    .
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    "Knocking on Doors that Never Open": Examining Discourses of Rejected Asylum Seekers from Kosova
    (2017) Kusari, Kaltrina; Walsh, Christine; Drolet, Julie; Chowdhury, Tanvir Turin; Lorenzetti, Liza
    This qualitative study examined the experiences of rejected asylum seekers from Kosova in order to contribute to the paucity of literature on rejected asylum seekers. Grounded in postcolonial theory and through a Critical Discourse Analysis of interviews with rejected asylum seekers and Kosova’s Repatriation Strategy, the study examined dominant discourses which shape the repatriation process in Kosova. The main findings illustrate the European Union (EU)-Kosova power imbalance and the pervasiveness of the EU as ‘exclusive’ discourse is crucial in shaping experiences of repatriation and the identities of rejected asylum seekers. These findings add to the body of existing repatriation literature and provide important implications for reparation policies as well as social work theory, practice, and education.
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    Older People’s Resilience in the Context of Climate-Disasters: A Single Instrumental Case Study of Older Women in Poverty who are Widowed, Head of Household, and Living in a Disaster-Affected Community in the Philippines
    (2018-08-01) Kwan, Crystal; Walsh, Christine Ann; Drolet, Julie; Hirst, Sandra P.; Lenters, Kimberly Ann; Dominelli, Lena
    While disasters are not a new phenomenon, the intensity and frequency of them have increased and are projected to continue to escalate due to climate change, globalization, rapid urbanization, and environmental degradation. Older people living in poverty represent a vulnerable group who require special attention because often their limited access to social, economic, political, and environmental resources increase their risk to the impacts of disasters. The purpose of my study was to identify the key factors and processes (specifically during the mitigation phase of the disaster management cycle or non-disaster times) that shape and influence older people’s resilience within the context of disasters, with a focus on older women living in poverty. My research design was primarily informed by case study methodology, and it included participatory action research (PAR) elements. Purposive sampling was conducted in Apitong, a community in Tacloban City, Philippines that was deeply affected by the 2013 typhoon Haiyan. Four participants were recruited as key informants of the case: a group of older women living in poverty, who are widowed, head of household, and living in a disaster-affected community in the Philippines. The following data collection methods were used: Photovoice (PV)/Videovoice (VV), semi-structured interviews (including one-to-one, focus group, and peer interviews), observation, and document review. The participants were involved in data collection, as they were trained in basic camera use, the PV/VV process, and how to conduct peer interviews. A translator was used in all the interviews, training workshops, and transcriptions. I conducted analysis (using thematic analysis) continuously and recursively, alongside data collection. Utilizing a socio-ecological conceptual framework of resilience, I identified seven environmental and one individual factor and processes that shape and influence the participants’ resilience. My study findings contribute to the paucity of literature regarding older people’s resilience within the context of disasters, specifically the need for more case-specific and context-based knowledge. Additionally, within the discipline of social work, my study informs education, research, and practice in two overlooked but critical areas: green and gerontological social work.