PRISM :: Browsing by Author "Bridel, William"

Browsing by Author "Bridel, William"

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Open Access
Afterschool dynamics: The role of peers and the recreational environment in adolescent emotional safety
(2019-08-08) Wong, Janet Bao-Guang; McDonough, Meghan H.; Bridel, William; Culos-Reed, Susan Nicole
Afterschool recreational environments are valued for their contributions to adolescent development, and can be especially beneficial in low-income communities. However, attending a program is not necessarily sufficient for effective development. Afterschool programs can be enhanced by ensuring the spaces are emotionally safe, an attribute valued by adolescents. Social relationships and aspects of the physical environment have the potential to influence feelings of emotional safety; however, most of the existing literature on emotional safety focuses on young children and early adolescents. The purpose of this study was to explore adolescents’ perspectives of their interactions with their peers and the recreational environment, and how these interactions may contribute to their feelings of emotional safety. A qualitative case study was conducted with afterschool programs in low-income neighbourhoods in Calgary, Alberta. Adolescent experiences of emotional safety were explored through interviews with ten 11-15-year-old adolescents, and ten program staff. Adolescents expressed feeling emotionally safe when they and their problems were understood, not attacked, and did not need to be hidden. Youth expressed that the size of, familiarity with, and materials in a space affected their feelings of freedom and their interactions with peers and staff, which had implications for emotional safety. Youth noted that when messages supporting emotional safety were communicated verbally by staff, or displayed throughout the spaces, they supported their emotional safety. Findings suggest the need for youth to have acceptance from their peers, environments that are home-like, and relationships that provide youth an outlet to share. Recommendations are for staff to communicate with youth using language that facilitates trust, having sports and non-sport activities in programming to prevent division and exclusion, and having private areas that allow for youth to separate themselves if needed. These recommendations may also have application in informing development of emotionally safe recreational contexts in communities.
Open Access
Attitudes and Experiences of LGBTQI2S Inclusion in Figure Skating: The Role of Known Intergroup Contact
(2019-08-13) Schnell, Andrew Jonathan; Bridel, William; Godley, Jenny; Paskevich, David M.; Din, Cari; Janoviček, Nancy
The sport landscape has shifted in recent years in relation to LGBTQI2S inclusion by way of greater awareness through academic research and popular publications, increased numbers of publicly “out” athletes, and the development of ally organizations. In an effort to augment academic and practitioner knowledge, this research project explored contemporary attitudes of athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators toward LGBTQI2S persons in figure skating. An online survey with Likert-scale and open-ended questions was made available to current members of Skate Canada, the national governing body for figure skating in Canada. Intergroup contact theory and queer theory were utilized as the theoretical foundations through which to analyse and cogitate data generated from 106 responses. Results from the quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated (1) that attitudes toward LGBTQI2S inclusion in figure skating were mostly positive, albeit with some reservations stemming from concerns about the fair and equal participation of trans persons in sport; (2) that known intergroup contact was significantly connected to attitudes toward LGBTQI2S inclusion, particularly in relation to personal support and advocacy of these persons; (3) that individuals’ underlying (non)heteronormative assumptions regarding gender as essentialist or relativist contributed greatly to the conceptualization of trans inclusion in sport as either fair or unfair; and, (4) that respondents tended to phrase their support of LGBTQI2S persons as a desire or willingness to seek educational and/or advocacy opportunities regarding inclusive practices. The knowledge gained from this research will be used to invoke more inclusive practices within Canadian figure skating specifically, as well as sport more generally. Increased quantity and quality of intergroup contact with LGBTQI2S persons, and improved educational/environmental advocacy for inclusion in figure skating and sport more generally are recommended.
Open Access
Barriers, Facilitators, and Experiences with Exercise Among Individuals of South Asian Heritage Living with and Beyond Cancer
(2022-07-08) Bansal, Mannat; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Bridel, William; King-Shier, Kathryn; Chowdhury, Tanvir Turin
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the physical activity (PA) experiences, as well as needs, barriers, and facilitators to exercise, among individuals of South Asian heritage diagnosed with cancer. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used for this study. Individuals of South Asian heritage were recruited via a mix of convenience sampling and purposive sampling, with outreach via radio, posters in community settings, and via participants in current exercise oncology studies. Inclusion criteria included being over the age of 18; diagnosed with any cancer type and stage; pre, during, or post-treatment; able to speak English, Hindi, or Punjabi; and self-identified as South Asian. Data for this study was collected via semi-structured interviews conducted in either Hindi, Punjabi, or English. Interviews were transcribed verbatim in the original language and then analysed using conventional content analysis. The codes created through analysis were then translated and back-translated to ensure accuracy. Codes were then organized into themes and categories. Results: Eight participants were recruited, with 5 interviews in Punjabi and 3 interviews in English. The three themes that were created from the participant interviews include: 1) Culture, 2) Informational Needs, and 3) The Nature of Exercise Oncology Programming. Within these themes, categories included PA needs, barriers, and facilitators. Conclusion: Participants’ perspectives provided insights into the PA experiences, barriers, facilitators, and needs of people of South Asian heritage living with and beyond cancer. The results can be used to inform the tailoring of exercise oncology resources to better support physical activity for this population.
Open Access
Canadian Female Alpine Athletes’ Constructions of Risk and Gender
(2020-11-04) Kelly, Danika; Bridel, William; Din, Cari; McDonough, Meghan H.; Johnston, Dawn
Female alpine athletes’ constructions of gender and risk are poorly addressed in the academic record. The vast majority of publications focus on the reproductive risks inherent in being in a less oxygenated environment and not on the experiences of female alpinists themselves. For my master’s project, I explored the experiences of female athletes in alpine sport. The primary objective was to gain greater understanding of Canadian female athletes’ constructions of gender and risk in alpine environments and in relation to the larger cultural context. Informed largely by Michel Foucault’s concepts of agency and governmentality, as well as Pirkko Markula’s feminist interpretations of Foucault’s perspectives on the (moving) body, and following the tenets of feminist qualitative research methods, I interviewed women alpine athletes living in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Five participants agreed to complete two one-on-one interviews using go-along or moving interviewing techniques; they also agreed to take part in a guided-group-conversation comprised of all five participants and me. The process of analysis was completed, in part, through participant validation between each interview and thus, participant-driven analysis was integral to this project. Participants constructed gender and risk largely through a comparison of doing what they felt they ought, which usually centred on their careers and families, and what they wanted, which centred on the draw that they felt toward the alpine. Valuable insights were also gained on research methods and (the making of) community.
Open Access
Community dance supports older adults’ successful aging, physical literacy, and embodiment: a case study
(2022-07) Paglione, Vanessa; Kenny, Sarah J.; McDonough, Meghan H.; Din, Cari; Bridel, William
Community dance offers a physical, artistic, and social activity led by a dance artist, which encourages participation at any age or skill level. As Canada’s population ages, there is a need to understand programming which may be enjoyable and motivating to participate in and supports numerous aspects of older adults’ lives. Dancing has the potential to support many aspects of health, yet current literature focuses primarily on the physical health benefits of dancing. This thesis examined one specific dance class, striving to gain insight about the holistic benefits related to aging, experiences of physical activity, and embodiment that community dance may offer older adults. The first study included three semi-structured interviews with the dance instructor to explore their perspective on the impact participation in community dance class had on participants, and the pedagogical behaviors used to elicit those benefits when instructing the class. The second study included semi-structured interviews with five older adults to examine their experiences of participating in the community dance class. Collectively, interviews with both the instructor and dancers suggested dancing offered an opportunity for older adults to connect to their own embodiment. Social connection and music were perceived in both studies as essential to the dancing experience. Dance can support feelings of confidence when instructors intentionally strive for participants to experience success. The dance class also offered an opportunity for older adults to connect to their creativity and artistry. Artistry and creativity can positively contribute to one’s psychosocial experiences of physical activity and ability to connect with others. Overall, dancing offers a promising activity that supports older adults in numerous aspects of their lives. Policy that supports funding for and access to facilitates to offer community dance programming is needed.
Open Access
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Tokyo Olympic Games Postponement: Athlete Resilience and Mental Health
(2021-08-03) Rogers, Morgan Christine; Werthner, Penny; Bridel, William; Paskevich, David; Mudry, Tanya
The COVID-19 global pandemic, at the time of writing this thesis, is creating unprecedented challenges globally. In the world of high-performance sport, as a result of the pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 summer Olympic Games were postponed for one year. Nevertheless, the pandemic, combined with the Olympic postponement, provides a unique opportunity to study athlete experiences using the construct of psychological resilience, which has been associated with performance success and positive mental health outcomes and is defined as an individual’s ability to adapt positively to adversity (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2013). The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of Canadian athletes preparing for the Tokyo summer Olympic Games during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 Canadian athletes who were training for the Olympic games in both individual and team sports. Athletes spoke of how they experienced and managed the pandemic and developed resilience, and their stories highlight the complex nature of managing adversity. In the narrative manuscript, the stories from eight participants are presented to illustrate four narrative types: the critical role of context, the essential nature of social support, the importance of developing multiple identities and being more than an athlete, and the relevance of deeply reflecting on one’s life. An athlete’s personal context, such as Olympic qualification, stage of their career, physical and mental health, and access to resources influenced how they lived their narrative, highlighting the importance of considering both individual and environmental factors in relation to resilience. Current research highlights that the development of resilience can support an athlete’s mental health and the results from the narrative manuscript in this thesis underscore the importance of a high-performance sport environment that not only provides strong social support but is also structured to nurture athlete mental health. Therefore, the second paper builds on this notion of a high-performance sport environment that is psychologically safe and mentally healthy by creating a working definition of a mentally healthy high-performance sport environment and outlining how the sport psychology practitioner can support the coach, athlete, and support staff in ensuring such an environment.
Open Access
Disordered eating attitudes and Orthorexia Nervosa in Canadian elite athlete populations
(2018-01) Ens, Georgia; Paskevich, David; Bridel, William; Dorsch, Kim; Gabriele, Tina
Background: Disordered eating attitudes (DEAs) refer to a continuum of abnormal feeding and eating behaviours (Sundgot-Borgen & Torstviet, 2010). The prevalence of DEAs in elite athletes is greater than that of non-athletes, due in part to sport performance demands. A newly recognized DEA, orthorexia nervosa (ON), may reflect the eating behaviours of some elite athletes (Haman, Barker-Ruchti, Patriksson, & Lindgren, 2015). Objective: The research aims to determine the prevalence of DEAs and ON in Canadian elite athlete populations. In addition, an exploratory factor analysis was performed to understand the validity of the ORTO-15. Methods: 72 male and female athletes were recruited from Canadian Sport Institutes and National Sport Organizations. A demographic survey and two questionnaires, the EAT-26 and the ORTO-15, were completed online via SimpleSurvey. Results: The study found the prevalence of DEAs and ON to be 13.9% and 75% respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of DEAs and ON in the study is considerably high. Findings can be presented to key stakeholders to educate them on the topic. Developing prevention and treatment protocol for DEAs and ON will contribute to the health and performance of Canada’s elite athletes.
Open Access
The Effectiveness of a Psychological Skills Training Intervention for Midget Ice Hockey Goaltenders
(2018-01-08) Vandervies, Benjamin; Paskevich, David; Dorsch, Kim; Gabriele, Tina; Bridel, William; Halliwell, Wayne
The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a six-skill psychological skills intervention on the performance of male midget ice hockey goaltenders. The psychological skills utilized included goal setting, arousal regulation, self-talk, attention, imagery, and pre-competition and in-competition routines. The participants were three male ice hockey goaltenders competing in midget hockey. A single-subject multiple baseline study design was used to evaluate the psychological skills package. The results demonstrated the intervention could be effective for enhancing both subjective and objective performance in midget goaltenders. The social validation results indicated that athletes enjoyed the intervention, felt that their performance improved, and were satisfied with the results attained. As well, it appeared that all athletes benefited from the intervention for different reasons, promoting the package approach to psychological skills training.
Open Access
Engaging community members to ensure culturally specific language is used in research: should I use gay, queer, MSM, or this other new acronym?
(2023-09-04) Rubini, Kyle; Al-Bakri, Taim; Bridel, William; Clapperton, Andrew; Greaves, Mark; Hill, Nolan E.; Labrecque, Max; MacDonagh, Richard; Miguel, Glenndl; Orvis, Shane; Osbourne-Sorrell, Will; Randall, Taylor; Reid, Marco; Rosser, Andrew; Presseau, Justin; Vesnaver, Elisabeth
Abstract Researchers often use terminology to define their participant groups that is rooted in a clinical understanding of the group’s shared identity(ies). Such naming often ignores the ways that the individuals who comprise these populations identify themselves. One oft-cited benefit of patient-oriented or community-engaged research is that language is local and relevant to impacted communities. This paper aims to contribute to the literature on how this local and relevant language can best be established. We ask how researchers can identify and implement accurate terminology, even when divergent perspectives exist within the communities involved. We draw from our experience with the Expanding Plasma Donation in Canada study, a community-engaged research study, which explored the views of people impacted by the “men who have sex with men” (MSM) blood donation policies in Canada. We describe the collaborative process through which we came to a consensual naming of this population, the challenges we faced, and a set of guiding principles we used to address them. We did not find an all-encompassing term or acronym that worked for all stages of research. Instead, we offer a set of guiding principles that can aid researchers engaging in a similar process: harm reduction, consent and transparency, collaboration and community involvement, recognition of missing voices, and resisting and/or restructuring oppressive standards.
Open Access
Equity-Deserving Groups, Sport, and Recreation in Calgary: An Analysis of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-Related Policies
(2024-06-10) To, Andy; Bridel, William; Din, Cari Susanne Read; Barrick, Simon John; Clark, Marty; Stowe, Lisa Roxanne
Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) policies play a crucial role in addressing the many reported barriers equity-deserving groups experience in relation to Canadian sport and recreation. Recognizing this, I examined the publicly available EDIA-related policies and statements of 76 multi-sport facilities across Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Drawing on Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, an intersectional anti-oppression framework, and relevant empirical literature, I conducted a critical discourse analysis on the statements and policies found. My analysis led to the creation of three themes for statements: (1) all are welcome, (2) some are welcome, and (3) land acknowledgements, and four themes for policies: (1) codes of conducts, (2) zero tolerance policies, (3) targeted policies, and (4) bylaws. Most statements and policies fell far short of being effective or impactful for equity-deserving groups, particularly (but not only) because they were often absent of specificity and actionable items while also failing to address intersecting systems of oppression. My findings underscore the need for more comprehensive and intersectional anti-oppression EDIA policies in sport and recreational facilities to address systemic inequities and foster true inclusivity.
Open Access
The Feasibility and Impact of a Painted Designs Intervention on School Children’s Physical Activity
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2022-06-16) Wong, Janet B.; McCallum, Kyle S.; Frehlich, Levi; Bridel, William; McDonough, Meghan H.; McCormack, Gavin R.; Fox, Kris; Brunton, Laura; Yardley, Leah; Emery, Carolyn A.; Hagel, Brent
Interventions such as painted designs on school tarmacs may increase children’s physical activity during school hours. This mixed-methods study examined the influence of a painted designs (e.g., traditional games, random circles) intervention on the physical activity experiences of elementary school children. Systematic observations and accelerometer data were collected to evaluate the type and quantity of student physical activity. Interviews were used to explore teacher and student experiences. Observed physical activity was not significantly different between intervention and control schools (t(43) = 0.22, p = 0.83), and children at the intervention schools undertook less physical activity (steps, moderate, vigorous, and combined moderate-to-vigorous activity) as compared with the control school (t = 2.71- 4.35, p < 0.05). Teachers and students commented that the painted designs were confusing but held potential for inclusiveness, physical activity, and learning. Additional resources and instruction may assist in better use of painted designs for physical activity and academic learning.
Open Access
Head and Neck Cancer Survivors' Exercise Preferences and Barriers Before and After Participation in an Exercise Intervention
(2016) Jackson, Colleen; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Lau, Harold; Bridel, William; Pelletier, Guy; Moules, Nancy
Purpose: This study examined the exercise preferences and barriers of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors in relation to exercise experience. Methodology: Participants from the ENHANCE trial (n=22) completed questionnaires on exercise preferences and barriers, which were further explored in semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants (n=17). Results: Before participation in the ENHANCE program, lack of interest and time were the primary exercise barriers. After participation, there was a significant decrease in typical barriers including lack of interest (p=.008)), exercise not a priority (p=.039), and not in routine (p=.004). Participants also reported significant increases in preferences for engaging in exercise at a cancer centre (p=.031), and with other survivors (p=.016). Four higher-order themes emerged from interview data analysis pertaining to preferences (exercise types, company, supervision, and logistics), and three higher-order themes regarding barriers (physical, psychological and external). Significance: The results identify key factors for effective HNC exercise program design.
Open Access
Immigration, Integration, and Intersectoral Partnership: A Critical Examination of Introductory Winter Sport Programmes for Newcomers to Canada
(2022-07-14) Barrick, Simon John; Bridel, William; Paskevich, David; Culos-Reed, Nicole; Ferber, Reed; Wong, Lloyd; Rich, Kyle
Sport participation is popularly constructed as a key aspect of integration for newcomers into their new countries of residence. These claims, however, are critiqued by sport and migration researchers. While newcomer sport participation is receiving increasing scholarly interest, lived experiences of newcomers in introductory winter sport programmes and the (in)efficacy of such programmes remains underexplored. Winter sports hold a central place within Canadian culture and identity, making the intersection between winter sport, immigration, integration, and Canadian identity a timely topic of investigation. I approached this research from a relativist ontological as well as interpretivist and social constructionist epistemological perspectives. The overarching purpose was to explore the realities of designing and implementing introductory winter sport programmes as well as the lived experiences of newcomer participants. First, six Canadian Intro to Sport programmes involving newcomers were examined using an interpretivist, qualitative research design. Results from this study were incorporated into designing the WinSport Newcomers Programme (WNP), an intersectoral community partnership comprising sport administrators, settlement service practitioners from three separate organizations, and me. I adopted a qualitative case study research design to explore the lived experiences of WNP participants and their parents as well as the (in)efficacy of the WNP as an intersectoral community partnership. Results illuminated the value of winter sport participation for newcomers to Canada as well as various challenges facing the sustainability of newcomer winter sport participation. The WNP represents a maturing intersectoral community partnership that has excelled at introducing newcomers to Canadian winter sports. Yet, various weaknesses (e.g., collaborators negotiating job-related time pressures) are obstructing the collaboration’s effectiveness. Together, the results critique and identify shortcomings in newcomer introductory winter sport programmes, while also offering important insights into how newcomer introductory winter sport programmes may be designed to foster positive outcomes.
Open Access
Improved access yet inequitable experience: gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men’s views of more inclusive criteria for source plasma donation
(2023-04-25) Vesnaver, Elisabeth; Butler-Foster, Terrie; Goldman, Mindy; Gibson, Emily; Palumbo, Amelia; Lapierre, Don; Hill, Nolan E.; MacDonagh, Richard; Rubini, Kyle A.; Bridel, William; Miguel, Glenndl; Rosser, Andrew; MacPherson, Paul; Randall, Taylor; Osbourne-Sorrell, William; O’Brien, Sheila F.; Otis, Joanne; Greaves, Mark; Al-Bakri, Taim B.; Germain, Marc; Orvis, Shane; Clapperton, Andrew T.; Reid, Marco; Labrecque, Maximilian; Devine, Dana; Presseau, Justin
Abstract Background Canada has incrementally reduced restrictions to blood and plasma donation that impact men who have sex with men, gay, bisexual, and queer men, and some Two Spirit, transgender and non-binary individuals (MSM/2SGBTQ+). Prior to the launch of a pilot program in 2021 enabling some MSM/2SGBTQ + to donate source plasma, we explored the acceptability of the program among individuals who could become eligible to donate in the program. Methods We invited men identifying as MSM/2SGBTQ + to participate in two consecutive semi-structured interviews to explore their views on blood and plasma donation policy, plasma donation, and the proposed Canadian plasma donation program. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically and acceptability-related themes were mapped onto the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Results Twenty-seven men identifying as having sex with men participated in 53 interviews. Eighteen themes were mapped onto the seven construct domains of the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Underlying all aspects of acceptability was a tension between four primary values influencing participants’ views: altruism, equity, supply sufficiency, and evidence-based policy. The program was viewed as welcome progress on a discriminatory policy, with many excited to participate, yet tension with inequitable aspects of the program undermined support for the program and interest to contribute to it. The high demands of the program are unique for MSM/2SGBTQ + and are only tolerable as part of a program that is an incremental and instrumental step to more equitable donation policies. Conclusion Findings highlight past experiences of exclusion in Canada as a unique and critical part of the context of the donation experience among MSM/2SGBTQ+. Despite the program’s goals of greater inclusivity of MSM/2SGBTQ + individuals, the anticipated experience of the program included continued stigmatization and inequities. Future research should seek to understand the experienced views of MSM/2SGBTQ + donors to ensure that as policies change, policies are implemented equitably.
Open Access
The Life and Politics of Passing: Gender, Professionalism and the Queer Teacher
(2020-04-20) Anderson, Jamie Lyle; Callaghan, Tonya D.; Bridel, William; Hanson, Aubrey Jean
There is a dearth of research that considers how discourses of professionalism intersect with gender and sexual diversity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) teachers in a Canadian context. The Alberta Teachers’ Association released its first resource aimed to support LGBTI teachers in early 2018, suggesting that gender and sexually diverse teachers are just starting to gain visibility within their professional organization. Through autoethnography, Institutional Ethnography, and Critical Discourse Analysis, this thesis examines how LGBTI teachers experience and perform their gender in response to conceptualizations of teacher professionalism that dictate queerness—particularly “visible” queerness—as contrarian to the neutral subjectivity that teachers are expected to uphold. With the growing relevance of queer-affirming spaces in school, such as Gay-Straight or Queer-Straight Alliances, it is necessary to examine possibilities of a queer professionalism and changing expectations for professional practice in queer spaces. LGBTI teachers in Alberta need more than recognition from their professional organization and this research begins to conceptualize a queer professionalism for teachers that breaks the bounds of heteronormativity in order to support and celebrate gender and sexual diversity broadly within Canadian schools.
Open Access
Living with/in a hypermasculine moral paradox: Examining adolescent White male athlete disengagement in school
(2020-04-23) Fowler, Teresa Anne; Kehler, Michael; Lowan-Trudeau, Gregory; Simmons, Marlon; Steinberg, Shirley R.; Bridel, William; Nelson, Joseph Derrick
This dissertation examined White male student athletes as a way to explore the impact of disengagement on boys’ education and to explicate the intersections that constituted their masculinity. The study’s five participants were members of an elite hockey team who attended school at a specialized sports academy intended to cater to their athletic needs and support their potential to become professional hockey players. Through a qualitative methodology, the boys revealed not only the implications of the “boys will be boys” narrative within the school but also how their hypermasculine identity resulted in a masculine moral paradox. Participants found themselves in tension between benefiting from their identities as White athletic boys and alienation from students who were not members of their team. This exclusivity does little to dismantle barriers of gender equity in schools and has consequences for those who see hockey players as cultural symbols embodying national identity and a narrow vision of masculinity. Schools must not only hold young men accountable for complicit masculinity and educate them on the outcomes of patriarchal power but also consider their own role in entrenching the “boys will be boys” narrative and find sites of intervention to move schooling toward a relational balance of gender equity.
Open Access
Navigating the Invisible: Elite Athletes’ Experience of Sports-Related Concussions
(2017) Kintzel, Franziska; Robertson, Sharon; Zwiers, Michael; Bridel, William
Sports-related concussions and their impact on athletes have been recognized as a pressing concern, as their hidden severity is often underestimated. Despite extensive research on the neurocognitive impact of sports-related concussions, little has been done in terms of understanding athletes’ sense-making of their experiences with and adjustment to such injuries. In this study, I examined how elite athletes made sense of their lived experiences following a sports-related concussion, how they coped, and what they found helpful or hindering during their recovery. Semi-structured interviews with six former elite athletes were conducted and analyzed by utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four overarching themes emerged: (a) The Context of Sports Culture, (b) The Impact of Concussion, (c) Navigating the Injury, and (d) Transitioning. Findings are discussed in the context of relevant scholarly literature, and implications are presented for counselling professionals and educators, as well as future research.
Open Access
The Role of Exercise on Masculinity, Body Image, and Quality of Life in Men with Prostate Cancer. A Mixed Methods Study.
(2018-12-19) Langelier, David Michael; Culos-Reed, Susan Nicole; Bridel, William; Cormie, Prue; Grant, Christopher; Reuther, J. Dean
Early research supports exercise in its role to improve masculinity and body image changes that may result from treatment; however, studies to date have largely examined limited treatment groups (i.e., those receiving androgen deprivation therapy) and did not include men from across the exercise spectrum. Following a systematic review of the literature, we implemented a mixed methodology approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative information surrounding men’s sense of masculinity, body image and quality of life in prostate cancer survivors with analysis based on degree of exercise participation. Participants included prostate cancer patients undergoing more diverse treatment protocols and aimed to include men from across the exercise spectrum, from active to inactive. Males completed a set of psychosocial surveys with a sub-selection of men from both groups participating in semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with the primary author. Aerobically active men demonstrated higher masculinity, and quality of life scores regardless of prior androgen deprivation treatment. Emergent themes relating to masculinity and exercise could be classified based upon the primary coping mechanisms of competition, control, rationalization, social connectedness, acceptance, optimism, and withdrawal. The results of these studies support the benefit of exercise on masculinity and quality of life regardless of their prior treatment; however, there did appear to be differences in the coping strategies and motivational factors behind the coping strategies based on exercise level. By understanding the relative value men place on masculinity and body image based on their activity level and the degree to which men feel exercise influences these traits, clinician-researchers may be able to individualize exercise programming and provide education to increase exercise participation amongst both groups.
Open Access
The role of peers and the recreational environment in adolescent emotional safety
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2022-03-04) Wong, Janet B.; McDonough, Meghan H.; Bridel, William; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
Emotional safety is important for facilitating positive outcomes in afterschool programs. Emotional safety is not clearly conceptualized, and participants’ understandings of, and experiences with how the social and built environment contribute to emotional safety in afterschool programs is not well established. This qualitative case study examined early and middle adolescents’ experiences with their peers and the program environment, and how those experiences contributed to their feelings of emotional safety, from the perspective of both youth and staff working in afterschool recreational programs. Ten adolescents between the ages of 11 and 15 along with 10 staff at two afterschool programs in low-income urban neighbourhoods were interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Adolescents described emotional safety as being understood and not feeling like they had to hide their authentic selves. Youth felt emotionally safe among trusted peers and staff who would protect them, when they felt free and had choices, and when they were in spaces where they felt comfortable. Findings have implications for youth afterschool programming and among staff who work with youth.
Open Access
The role of social support in physical activity for cancer survivors: A systematic review
(Wiley, 2019-10-28) McDonough, Meghan H; Beselt, L Jayne; Daun, Julia T; Shank, Jena; Culos-Reed, S Nicole; Kronlund, Liam J; Bridel, William
Social support is conceptualized and operationalized in many ways, making it challenging to understand what types of support best predict physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors. This review examined associations between social support and PA among cancer survivors. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched eight databases for studies that reported an association between social support and PA among adult cancer survivors. We conducted an appraisal and a narrative synthesis of the findings from quantitative studies. Results: N=50 studies representing 28,366 participants were included. Studies collectively included concepts addressing the presence of relationships, others’ PA behavior, perceptions of being supported, and function/quality. Findings were mixed in suggesting a positive or null association with PA. Conclusions: While results are not definitive, this review takes a step toward mapping the social support literature in PA for cancer survivors. Limitations include the homogeneity of the participants in extant studies, and the secondary focus on testing the effects of social support on outcomes. Future research systematically testing the effects of social support is important for facilitating PA in this population.