University of Northern British Columbia Institutional Repository

Search results

Search Results

Displaying (1 - 18 of 18)

Title: Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission Disability Management Program
Contributors: Nadine Devereaux (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:13:32.026Z

Title: The effects of traumatic stress on firefighters' world assumptions.
Contributors: Juanita Brower-Berkhoven (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:03:23.677Z

Title: Private health care option in disability management
Contributors: Sylvie Gelinas (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:15:01.411Z

Title: Human Rights and the Duty to Accommodate in Employment: Stakeholders' Knowledge and Attitudes.
Contributors: Daniel Huang (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure the level of knowledge and the type of attitudes of key stakeholders on human rights and the duty to accommodate in employment in Canada. Two survey instruments, a 20 item true or false knowledge questionnaire and a 20 item seven point Likert scale attitudes questionnaire, developed by the researcher based on literature review, were administered to 160 participants. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were utilized for this study. Among all participants, the results indicated a general low level of knowledge with a mean score of 11.20 (SD = 2.317) and slightly positive attitudes with a mean score of 90.17 (SD = 14.098) on human rights and the duty to accommodate. Specifically, analysis indicated participants in the human resource occupation, in higher income brackets, working in larger organizations, in a unionized environment and in the public sector have more knowledge than their counterparts. There was also statistical significance for participants in the higher income brackets and working in a unionized environment demographic on the attitudes questionnaire. With respect to correlation factors, both academic attainment/knowledge level and knowledge/attitudes were slightly positively correlated at a statistically significant level. However, in both cases the coefficient of determination (R²) was relatively low at 0.021 and 0.068 respectively. Therefore, the variability of knowledge based on academic attainment and attitudes based on knowledge share 2.1% and 6.8% respectively. In essence, 97.9% and 93.2% of variability can be accounted for by other variables. --P. ii.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:11:37.974Z

Title: Development and delivery of a distance education disability management course
Contributors: Joanna Noonan (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:15:58.366Z

Title: Assessing occupational stress in the Canadian multicultural workplace.
Contributors: Romana Pasca (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The present thesis examines the interconnected influence of workplace factors, social environment (family, social network), and cultural/ethnic background on work-related stress in Canadian-born in comparison to immigrant non-Canadian-born employees. Little research has compared unique samples such as immigrant, Canadian-born, or other ethnic groups within the context of work. Thus, a comparative analysis, which could specify difference among participants of the Canadian workplace, was employed in determining how work-related stress affects individuals and whether specific groups have different perceptions of work-related stress. The sample examined in this present study comprised professionals working in the field of education, health care, and social work.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:04:02.709Z

Title: Work-life balance for parents with low incomes.
Contributors: Sheila Hamilton (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Work-life balance is an important aspect of individual, family, business and community well-being. This study was undertaken to reveal the subjective experiences of work-life balance for parents from two-parent families with low incomes. There is little existing research regarding work-life balance for this population. Considering that illness and disability are correlated with low income, this is a significant gap in the literature. This study reveals that parents with low incomes share many of the work-life balance concerns and resources of parents with middle and upper incomes. However, there are differences including the impact of distinct child-rearing practices and the importance of community service organization. This study also yielded information not presented in the literature. For example, this study suggests that opportunities for outdoor activities may be an important work-life balance factor for parents with low incomes. Perhaps this is more related to the fact that the majority of the research participants were First Nations. However, participants also discussed the significance of the schedule and routine provided by paid work and this may be a variable that is important for all parents. The study findings suggest a variety of research directions and it appears that all research must address gender expectations and the high priority given work over other domains of life.--P.ii.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:05:29.362Z

Title: Managing employees with mental health issues in the return to work process: focus on the role of line-managers and co-workers
Contributors: Alex U. Iyayi (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:08:38.227Z

Title: An investigation of the rescue personality in firefighter recruits.
Contributors: Alexander Fraess-Phillips (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predispositional nature of the rescue personality' and the mental health of firefighter recruits. This study compared responses to a written set of personality and mental health measures between firefighter recruits and community controls - individually matched based on age, gender, ethnicity, education, and marital status. Data analysis involved statistical one-way analyses of variance in complement with epidemiological paired odds ratio calculations. The results indicated that firefighter recruits are less open to experience, less Type A, and less likely to report posttraumatic stress symptomatology characteristic of PTSD than controls. Recruits do not differ from controls in regards to any subscale of the SCL-90-R, neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, sensation seeking, proactive coping, emotional intelligence, or satisfaction with life. Based on these findings, there is insufficient evidence to support the rescue personality' as a predispositional factor to joining the firefighting service. --Leaf ii.
Discipline: Community Health
Date added: 2017-04-11T21:13:05.635Z

Title: An enquiry into vocational rehabilitation services provided by WorkSafe BC: Perspective of the injured worker.
Contributors: Julie M. Wessel (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: This study involved the use of descriptive phenomenological methodology in order to explore the lived experience of 26 injured workers who had participated in WorkSafeBC's Vocational Rehabilitation services. The aim of this research was to explore, from the perspective of the worker, vocational rehabilitation programs provided by WorkSafeBC. There is a gap in the vocational rehabilitation literature where evidence has yet to be provided from the perspective of the worker rather than the service provider. This study seeks to contribute understanding of this experience by providing evidence from this unique perspective. Analysis of the interview data revealed the central theme of interpersonal communication in addition to six major themes, each comprised of multiple factors. Interpersonal communication between the injured worker and WorkSafeBC staff was found to be the central factor affecting the worker's perspective of their overall experience. The remaining identified themes were: the human factor, expectations, re-employment considerations, psychological factors, injured workers identification of strengths of vocational rehabilitation services, and injured workers proposed improvements to vocational rehabilitation services. The findings of this study provide insight and useful recommendations not only for WorkSafeBC, but also other service providers of vocational rehabilitation. --P. ii.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:09:45.463Z

Title: Veteran's Affairs Wellness Kit: Discussions with fire fighters.
Contributors: Elizabeth Anne Sommerfeld (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to answer the question What support do firefighters and their partners feel they need for the prevention and treatment of fire rescue occupational stress'? Phase One of the research was a reflexive auto-ethnography of the researcher during presentation of a workshop based on the Veteran Affair's Wellness Kit to the local fire rescue members. Phase Two consisted of personal interviews of the fire rescue members and their partners. The workshop format was positively accepted, and well attended. Interviews revealed findings with positives from the job, issues with safety, stress, technology usage, and training. Training in several areas was suggested for improvement as well as the continuing discussion of behavioural health. A broad holistic view of stress that institutes overall cultural and organizational changes to support stress prevention is recommended. Firefighters and their partners believed the level of support within the fire department sufficient for the prevention and treatment of occupational stress. The literature and the researcher's own experience suggest their recognition of occupational stress is insufficient and discussions with firefighters and their partners regarding behavioural health needs to continue. --P. ii.
Discipline: Community Health
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:10:54.588Z

Title: Coping and post-traumatic stress in male firefighters.
Contributors: Crystal A. Martin (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether emotional intelligence and proactive coping had an effect on firefighters' susceptibility to developing post-traumatic stress. This study compared data from an existing sample of 94 firefighters. Data was split by subscale for the Impact of Events Scale - Revised questionnaire, and was analyzed using regression. The results indicated that firefighters higher in emotional intelligence experienced greater symptoms of avoidance than firefighters lower in emotional intelligence. Additionally, the data supported the hypothesis that firefighters who were higher in proactive coping would experience less anxiety. However, results of the study indicated that emotional intelligence did not influence symptoms of hyperarousal, intrusions, or anxiety, and proactive coping does not predict avoidance, hyperarousal, or intrusions.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:05:07.695Z

Title: Association between acute myocardial infarction and periodontitis: A case-control study with north Indian population.
Contributors: Ramandeep Kaur Sidhu (author), Mamdouh Shubair (Thesis advisor), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of association between periodontitis and acute myocardial infarction among North Indian adults. Literature review indicates major knowledge gaps regarding association between AMI and periodontitis in context of north Indian population. In fact, to researcher's knowledge this study is the first study investigating the possibility of this association among North Indian subjects. This quantitative study utilized 1:1 matched case-control design. The oral health status of 40 cases (AMI patients) was compared with 40 cardiovascular healthy controls (trauma patients). After adjusting for major confounders periodontitis was found to be associated with odds ratio of 6.996. Values of Mann-Whitney U, for DMFT, CPI and LOA scores were as follows: (DMFT Z=-3.825, P=0.000), (CPI Z=-4.634, P=0.000) and (LOA Z=-4.326, P=0.000). Among the north Indian subjects of this study, researcher found strong evidence of association between periodontitis and AMI. --Leaf ii.
Discipline: Community Health
Date added: 2017-04-11T21:13:46.483Z

Title: The role of the physician in disability management: Assessing family physicians' view of discrepancies between practice and Canadian Medical Association guidelines.
Contributors: Christine A. Reynolds (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:01:11.678Z

Title: Effects of Autistic Spectrum Disorder on parental work outcomes.
Contributors: Michael Watt (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: This study, through nine hypotheses, examined the differences in parental coping ability mental health and stress satisfaction with marriage, life, and job and work interest and quality between parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and parents raising a typical child. Repeated measures analysis of variance and repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyse 28 families comprised of two parents and at least one child. The results indicated that parents of ASD children did not differ from parents of typical children on coping ability, world assumptions, marital satisfaction, satisfaction with life, interest and quality of work, or hours of work missed. The results did however show that parents of ASD children experienced significantly more parental stress and more mental health issues than did parents of typical children. Several conclusions were drawn on the relationship between coping ability, mental health, and work outcomes. --P.ii.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:04:49.896Z

Title: Exploring a child's developmental diagnosis: an interpretive description of parents' experiences in northern British Columbia
Contributors: Tammy Pearson (author), Ian Hartley (Thesis advisor), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), Glen Schmidt (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Arts, Social, and Health Sciences (Degree granting institution), Gerard Bellefeuille (Committee member), Margo Greenwood (Committee member), Angelo Valeo (Committee member)
Abstract: Background: Full parental understanding of a child’s diagnosis of a developmental disability is critical to be able to ensure the best health outcome for their child. Yet factors that parents perceive as influencing their comprehension during the final diagnostic meeting have not been well identified. Method: As part of a qualitative study using interpretive description, 17 parents were interviewed on the basis of their having been referred to, and for having received a child’s developmental diagnosis from a Complex Developmental Behavioural multidisciplinary team located in northern British Columbia. Semi-structured interviews focused on the factors that played a role in facilitating or impeding the parents’ understanding of their child’s diagnosis, and on the identification of factors that influenced the way in which the child’s clinical recommendations were pursued. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was informed by Braun and Clarke’s six phases of thematic analysis. Results: Three overarching themes with twelve subthemes emerged from parents’ reported experiences of receiving their child’s developmental diagnosis. The three overarching themes and twelve subthemes included (a) clinical encounter (including the subthemes structural considerations, professional diversity and new insights, questions regarding the assessment process, validation, and expectations); (b) the manner of the delivery of the diagnosis (impact—emotional and impact on parenting practices, professionalism, professional language, and quantity of information); (c) Where do we go from here? (post disclosure, the final evaluation report, and recommendations). The parents’ accounts established and clarified the positive and negative parental determinants that aided or challenged their ability to understand their child’s developmental diagnosis and identified the influence this had when it came to implementing the clinical recommendations. ...
Discipline: Health Sciences
Date added: 2017-05-15T21:10:44.539Z

Title: The prevalence and contribution of work related issues in Short Term Disability claims.
Contributors: Karen J. Drysdale-Chung (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Disability rates are trending higher over time. This study examined the relationships between types of disability (mental, physical and disease), work related factors (yes, no and classification), gender and length of absence. Clear definitions and use of standard classification for diagnostic categories within actual Short Term Disability (STD) claims data from self-insured workplaces were utilized this approach is, to the knowledge of the author, unique in the literature to date. Data consisted of all claims (N=708) from 2008-2010 for three similar organizations. ANOVAs were used to compare the average duration of absence. Results demonstrated no significant difference in durations of STD claims between gender. When work related factors, or mental health diagnoses were present, the average duration of absence was significantly longer. The impact of work related issues and the confirmation that these issues contribute to longer absence durations, demonstrates the importance of addressing these issues within the workplace, preferably before a disability results. --P. ii.
Discipline: Disability Management
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:10:16.757Z

Title: Associations between sleep duration and indicators of cardio-metabolic disease in Canadian children and adolescents.
Contributors: Larine Sluggett (author), Shannon Wagner (Thesis advisor), Luke Harris (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Canadian children and adolescents have increased rapidly in recent years, so research exploring modifiable risk factors is critical. Partial sleep loss has been linked with deteriorations in indicators of cardio-metabolic health. The objectives of this study were 1) to examine associations among short sleep duration and indicators of cardio-metabolic disease in Canadian children and adolescents, and 2) to identify determinants of short sleep duration. Using the 2007-2009 Canadian Health Measure Survey dataset as a data source, logistics regression models were developed to examine associations among sleep duration and indicators of cardio-metabolic disease and to identify predictors of short sleep duration. Short sleep duration was linked with greater odds of overweight/obesity in boys and adolescents only. Age was a strong predictor of inadequate sleep duration. Interventions designed to address sleep loss should focus on adolescents. --Leaf ii.
Discipline: Community Health
Date added: 2017-03-30T17:12:08.508Z