Browsing by Author "McLuckie, Alan"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    A scoping review of mental health prevention and intervention initiatives for infants and preschoolers at risk for socio-emotional difficulties
    (2019-07-23) McLuckie, Alan; Landers, Ashley L; Curran, Janet A; Cann, Robin; Carrese, Domenica H; Nolan, Alicia; Corrigan, Kim; Carrey, Normand J
    Abstract Background Infant mental health has emerged as a unique area of practice and research distinguished from child and youth sub-specialties by its advocacy for a relational practice framework with an emphasis on parents/caregivers being integral to assessment, treatment, and prevention initiatives. A diverse array of initiatives offered across a broad spectrum of delivery methods is available to clinicians. However, to date, a large-scale mapping of the research evidence regarding these interventions has yet to be completed to help inform clinician’s decisions regarding the best approaches for their clients. To address this knowledge gap, this study aimed to report on the landscape of research pertaining to mental health interventions for infants and preschoolers (0–5 years), and their families at risk for socio-emotional difficulties and negative developmental outcomes. Method A scoping review methodology was used to conduct a large-scale mapping of the intervention research pertaining to infants and preschoolers (0–5) at risk for socio-emotional difficulties. We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, LILACS, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source, World Cat, and ClinicalTrials.gov , from inception to December 31, 2012. We extracted information regarding publication date, geographical location, study design, level of risk, population, key intervention mechanism, and outcome measures. Results We identified 533 potential studies from 1233 title and abstracts after the first round of screening. Full text article review in the second round of screening resulted in a total of 162 included articles for the final analysis. Results indicated that over 50% of interventions evaluated were randomized controlled trials conducted in Westernized countries. Most studies could be subdivided by level of risk within a preventative public health framework including universal, selected, indicated, and direct treatment for children formally diagnosed with a mental disorder. Risk factors experienced by children and their families were heterogeneously defined and numerous outcome measures across included studies. The results of this study are limited to the last search date of 2012. Conclusions Key intervention mechanisms spanned a range of approaches including parenting groups, dyadic, in-home, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and day care-based interventions. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for broad trends and gaps in research and policy for this population.
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    An Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Social Intervention in Relation to Social Skills, Cognition, Motivation, and Awareness in Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder
    (2017) McCarthy, Laura; McCrimmon, Adam; Wilcox, Gabrielle; McLuckie, Alan
    The present study examined social skills, social cognition (SC), social motivation (SM), and social awareness (SA) in teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) following the completion of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS; Laugeson & Frankel, 2010). PEERS is a caregiver-assisted, evidence-based social skills program that teaches adolescents with ASD foundational skills to make and keep friends effectively. Measures of social skills, SC, SM, and SA were examined one week prior to participation in PEERS (i.e., pre- intervention), one week after PEERS (i.e., post-intervention), and 14 weeks after PEERS (i.e., follow-up). Results revealed no significant changes in social skills after PEERS; however, results indicated significant improvements in SC and SA from pre- to post-intervention, as well as significant improvements in SM from pre-intervention to follow-up. Due to the lack of significant findings in social skill change following PEERS, the study could not investigate predictors of change. Implications of these findings are discussed.
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    Examining the Resilience, Attachment Styles, and Relationship Satisfaction of Adult Children of Alcoholics in Intimate Relationships
    (2016) Young, Marley; Cairns, Sharon; Schwartz, Kelly; Zwiers, Michael; McLuckie, Alan; Woodin, Erica
    In conducting research with adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and comparing this population with adult children of non-alcoholics (ACONAs), the majority of studies have identified negative outcomes including increased mood disorders, substance abuse, and significantly more difficulties within interpersonal relationships. Although the majority of extant literature has focused research questions on the deficits that ACOAs manifest, a limited number of studies have found that certain ACOAs are able to adequately cope despite having experienced parental alcoholism. The purpose of the current research was to take a strengths-based approach in examining the resilience, attachment styles, and relationship satisfaction of ACOAs currently in intimate relationships, and gain additional understanding with regard to the resilience levels of ACOAs and their functioning within romantic relationships. Participants were 536 university students who completed a demographic questionnaire along with the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised, Resilience Scale for Adults, and Couples Satisfaction Index. A quantitative research design was employed in order to examine group differences between ACOAs and ACONAs in terms of their levels of resilience, relationship satisfaction, and attachment styles, as well as a more detailed look at which dimensions of resilience may be associated with, and even predict, relationship satisfaction and attachment style. Results indicated that ACOAs reported lower levels of resilience and relationship satisfaction, as well as more insecure attachment styles within intimate relationships, than ACONAs. All resilience subscales were positively correlated with secure attachment and higher relationship satisfaction scores, while ACOAs who reported higher levels of resilience also reported significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction and higher categorization of secure attachment style. Finally, regression analysis determined that the social resources resilience subscale was the only subscale able to predict higher relationship satisfaction scores and secure attachment categorization. Limitations to the study and potential clinical and research implications are discussed, and directions for future research are provided.
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    "It feels like we are aliens": A narrative inquiry of life stories told by women with ADHD.
    (2023-01-09) Merrick, Jennifer; Boynton, Heather; McLuckie, Alan; Climie, Emma; McLaughlin, Anne-Marie
    There is a dearth of research on women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and women’s voices and experiences of ADHD need to be better heard and understood. This qualitative inquiry aimed to better understand the lived and holistic experiences of women with ADHD in Alberta Canada, and how their experiences impacted identity and sense of self. A holistic perspective was chosen as it considers not only the mind, but the body and spirituality of the individual which are important to understanding self and experience. This study interviewed six adult women from Alberta, Canada using a narrative inquiry methodology. Themes presented from the narratives included 1) ‘feeling like an alien’ and experiences of alienation from self and social worlds; 2) differences in male and female experiences; 3) narratives of self-discovery, acceptance, and redefining success; 4) narratives on the importance of relationships; 5) narratives on identity and ADHD; 6) narratives on a holistic sense of self. This study presented an important perspective and insight into the worlds of women living with ADHD, and additionally exposed several gaps in the literature that would be important for further social work research and informing practice.
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    Outcomes Associated with Participation in a Social Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
    (2018-07-06) Matchullis, Ryan Luke; McCrimmon, Adam W.; Nordstokke, David W.; Carins, Sharon L.; Pei, Jacqueline R.; McLuckie, Alan
    Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and without intellectual impairment face a myriad of social and relational challenges targeted by many social skills training programs (SSTPs). One such program, the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), has an existing evidence base supporting the learning of curricular objectives. However, adolescents with ASD have additional challenges that may impact or be impacted by their social difficulties, including potential mental health problems, executive functioning (i.e., cognitive flexibility and inhibition) impairment, and parent-child relationship challenges. The current study expanded on previous research by examining the above-mentioned factors in adolescents who attended PEERS in a Canadian context. After inclusionary criteria were applied and data quality were examined, the final sample included 42 families (78% male), with adolescents ranging in age from 13 years, 6 months to 18 years, 8 months. Participation was associated with initial significant gains in social skills that were not maintained at follow-up. Though no improvements were seen in adolescent participants’ cognitive flexibility, their inhibitory control was significantly improved and maintained. Contrary to hypotheses, no changes in important markers of adolescent mental health were noted. Examination of parent-child relationships revealed significant positive relations between both attachment and communication and the social skills improvements made by adolescents. The findings from this study have important implications for the ongoing delivery of PEERS and provide insight into the relations between improving social relationships and skills for adolescents with ASD and other important secondary outcomes.
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    Understanding the Experiences of New Professional Social Workers with a History of Mental Health Concerns
    (2016-01-08) Hickey, Jamie Lynn; Ngo, Hieu; McLuckie, Alan; Jubas, Kaela
    Today, for new social work professionals with a history of mental health concerns, the process of professional development and the demands of practice can present several challenges; however, little research exists on how previous mental health experience may impact professional development. This thesis explores the experience of professional identity development of new social work practitioners (N=4) with a history of mental health challenges using Jonathan Smith’s Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results include detailed descriptions of the experience of professional identity development and participant insights into areas where social work practice may be improved. Following the results is a discussion of the research implications, including a proposed framework for professional identity development for new social work practitioners with a history of mental health challenges.