PRISM :: Browsing by Author "Exner-Cortens, Deinera"

Browsing by Author "Exner-Cortens, Deinera"

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Open Access
Advancing Healthy and Socially Just Schools and Communities: An Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
(2019-08) Corcoran, Lynn; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Wells, Lana
Advancing Healthy and Socially Just Schools and Communities is a four-course graduate certificate program collaboratively developed by an interdisciplinary team comprised of faculty from the fields of Social Work and Education at a Canadian university. The aim of this program is to facilitate systems-level change through enhancing the knowledge and skills of graduate students from disciplines such as social work, education, and nursing who work with youth in schools and communities. The ultimate goal of this systems-level change is promotion of healthy youth relationships and prevention of violence. The topics for the four courses in the program include the following: promoting healthy relationships and preventing interpersonal violence, recognizing and counteracting oppression and structural violence, addressing trauma and building resilience, and fostering advocacy and community in the context of social justice. The development and pedagogy of the certificate program are described, along with findings from a pilot study designed to examine the utility and feasibility of the initial certificate offering. Experiences with the program to date highlight the potential for improvements in graduate students’ attitudes, beliefs, and confidence regarding what constitutes violence and their role in responding to it.
Open Access
Career-Relationship Intersections for Emerging Adult Women in STEM: An Action Project Method Exploration
(2022-08-10) Warner, Lindsay; Domene, José; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Ciccocioppo, Anna-Lisa
Women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, both in Canada and worldwide. Building on existing literature suggesting potential intersections between career development and romantic relationships, this study addressed the research question “How do emerging adult women in STEM education programs jointly pursue their career plans with their romantic partners?” The Action-Project Method (A-PM) was used to conduct interviews with six emerging adult couples from Western Canada, where there was a woman pursuing STEM-related university education. A consensus-based qualitative analysis strategy was applied both within and across cases, revealing that these couples were focused on projects (i.e., shared goals occurring over time) addressing: (a) the intersection of STEM career goals and other life goals commonly encountered during emerging adulthood and (b) career decision-making for the woman in STEM. Couples’ STEM-related conversations were characterized by high levels of self-disclosure, comfort with sharing their perspectives with each other and, for several couples, warm and collaborative conversational tones. Furthermore, partners provided a variety of supports for the women to persist in their STEM career paths. Additional emergent themes included: (a) experiencing various challenges with pursuing STEM career paths; (b) family of origin expectations in pursuing STEM; (c) the assumption that both members of the couple would be working in the long term; (d) attempting to achieve work-life balance; and (e) discussion of the purpose of work in a person’s life. These findings yielded several implications for counselling psychology practice.
Open Access
Changes in Pre-Service Teacher Personal and Professional Attitudes Following a Comprehensive School Health Course
(Canadian Society for the Study of Education/Société canadienne pour l’étude de l’éducation, 2022-03-20) Nutter, Sarah; Saunders, Jessica F.; Brun, Isabel; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Russell-Mayhew, Shelly
Comprehensive school health (CSH) is a framework that can support teachers in the delivery of health-related content as well as supporting health promotion within the school community. In this study, 222 Bachelor of Education students completed surveys at the beginning and end of a mandatory six-week course on CSH with a body weight-neutral focus. Following the course, participants had significantly positively increased attitudes toward CSH, self-efficacy to teach using CSH, and weight-related attitudes. These results support CSH as a useful framework for teachers in their future practice to improve the wellness of students, teachers, and the broader school community.
Open Access
Characterization of (In)Validation in Adolescent Chronic Pain Care: Pain Intensity, Pain Disability, and Psychological Correlates
(2024-08-28) Li, Queenie Kwan Wing; Noel, Melanie; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Orr, Serena
BACKGROUND. Pediatric chronic pain is associated with significant personal, familial, and societal burden. The dearth of effective treatments for chronic pain in youth suggests that there may be neglected socioenvironmental determinants in its etiology and occurrence. (In)validation (i.e., communicating that an individual’s feelings, thoughts, or actions are [not] understandable or legitimate) during chronic pain treatment is a patient-identified priority; further, individuals with marginalized identities overwhelmingly report experiences of invalidation in healthcare. Research has yet to systematically describe (in)validation in the clinical encounter. This study aimed to: (1) characterize to what extent physicians (in)validate adolescents with chronic pain (AWCP) and their parents during four distinct sections of a clinical encounter; (2) investigate whether (in)validation differs by AWCP sociodemographic factors; and (3) explore preliminary associations between (in)validation during the clinical encounter and pain correlates at followup. METHOD. Video recordings of 39 AWCP and their parents who presented to a tertiary pediatric pain clinic were coded and analyzed. Separate validation and invalidation scores were assigned using a behavioural coding scheme drawn from the psychopathology field. A subset of 24 participants who completed follow-up questionnaires were included in an exploratory analysis of (in)validation and pain correlates. RESULTS. Physicians were most invalidating towards AWCP and their parents at the beginning of the clinical encounter (i.e., history taking) and least validating towards AWCP during physical examination. Boys and their parents were more invalidated throughout the encounter than girls and their parents. Parents of white AWCP were significantly more invalidated during history taking than the rest of the encounter, whereas invalidation towards parents of racialized AWCP did not differ significantly across encounter sections. Finally, invalidation was associated with worse AWCP pain disability at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS. There is opportunity for physicians to be mindful of invalidation towards patients from the outset of their pain treatment. (In)validation towards AWCP and their families differed depending on demographic characteristics, indicating the need for equity considerations to improve clinical encounters. Invalidation was associated with worse pain disability over time; thus, there is early justification for developing interventions that minimize physician invalidation of families seeking chronic pain care.
Open Access
Collective Action Undertaken by Advantaged Group Members: Examining the Potential Role of Cross-Group Friendship
(2023-07) Buliga, Elena; MacInnis, Cara C.; Boon, Susan; Murry, Adam; Exner-Cortens, Deinera
In order to promote social change and improve conditions for disadvantaged social groups it is important for both advantaged and disadvantaged group members to engage in collective action. What motivates heterosexual and cisgender individuals to engage in collective action in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and other sexual orientation and gender identity groups (LGBTQIA+)? I examined intergroup contact (e.g., contact between people belonging to different groups) as a possible motivation using a mixed-method approach. Close intergroup contact, such as cross-group friendship has been found to lead to positive intergroup outcomes and in this mixed-method research, I explored it as a pro-outgroup collective action factor. Study 1 included conducting structured interviews with 22 heterosexual and cisgender university students (21 female, 1 male; Mage = 22.59) who have engaged in pro-LGBTQIA+ collective action. Thematic analysis was used to construct the following themes: 1) being motivated by experienced discrimination, 2) the critical importance of values, 3) driven by their beliefs, 4) feeling a sense of responsibility and 5) having intergroup contact. A focus of this study included understanding how cross-group friendships can motivate collective action engagement. When participants discussed their cross-group friendship experiences, the following subthemes were constructed: 1) becoming aware of group inequality, 2) discussing opposite experiences and plans, 3) learning about and / or witnessing discrimination and prejudice, 4) having a high relationship quality with their cross-group friend, and 6) supporting their cross-group friend. Findings from this qualitative study were used to inform Study 2, a cross-sectional study. Heterosexual and cisgender participants (158 female, 176 male; Mage = 35) completed a survey including a social network questionnaire for assessing cross-group friendships, recognition and condemnation of group inequality, negative emotions toward the ingroup, intergroup attitudes and collective action past engagement and intentions. Mere cross-group friendship (e.g., having any cross-group friends versus no cross-group-friends) was associated with more past engagement in collective action, but not with future intentions. Recognition and condemnation of inequality was expected to moderate the relationship between intergroup contact and collective action, but instead was found to play more of a direct role. Recognition and condemnation of inequality was associated with past and future collective action, both directly and indirectly through more positive intergroup attitudes. Findings from both studies suggest that there are various motivations for engaging in pro-LGBTQIA+ collective action among heterosexual and cisgender individuals, with recognition and condemnation of group inequality being a critical factor in driving pro-outgroup collective action.
Open Access
Commitment and Infidelity: How Do They Relate Across Two Different Cultures?
(2024-09-03) Salavati, Sara; Boon, Susan; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; FantI, Jeremy
This research aimed to investigate a novel mechanism that could explain how commitment predicts infidelity across diverse cultural contexts. I examined transformation of motivation—a shift from self-centered to relationship- and partner-oriented interests—as a potential mediator. The objectives of Studies 1 and 2 were to explore whether commitment leads to transformation of motivation (Study 1; N = 71) and whether priming transformation of motivation influences monogamy maintenance efforts (Study 2; N = 104). I collected data from undergraduate samples for both studies. The attempt to prime commitment in Study 1 failed, underscoring the need for valid and reliable manipulations given the importance of commitment in interdependence theory. In Study 2, priming transformation of motivation did not impact monogamy maintenance efforts, suggesting that transformation of motivation may not the primary factor driving monogamy maintenance efforts, and other processes, such as cognitive dissonance, may be more influential. In Study 3, using a social media sample, I examined commitment, transformation of motivation, infidelity, and their associations across two cultures: Iran and Canada (N = 142 in Iran; N = 153 in Canada). Satisfaction was the primary predictor of global commitment, and structural commitment, specifically social pressure, was higher in Iran than in Canada. The results comparing markers of transformation of motivation (e.g., willingness to sacrifice, accommodative behaviours, and cognitive interdependence) across cultural samples were inconsistent. Iranian participants reported higher levels of destructive accommodation strategies, such as exit and neglect, but also a greater willingness to sacrifice compared to Canadians. These findings suggest that the hypothesized markers of transformation of motivation do not form a unidimensional construct and may be shaped by distinct cultural factors. Regarding infidelity, Iranian participants reported lower rates of emotional infidelity than Canadians, with no significant differences found for other types of infidelity. The findings have important implications for refining theory concerning transformation of motivation and for developing a more culturally sensitive understanding of commitment—one that extends beyond individual factors to consider the influence of social processes on relationship stability.
Open Access
Cumulative Risk and Mental Health Outcomes in Children Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol
(2019-08-20) Ritter, Chantel M.; McMorris, Carly A.; Badry, Dorothy Eleanor; Exner-Cortens, Deinera
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is caused by exposure to alcohol in utero and is the leading cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. The timing, frequency, and dosage of alcohol consumed during the prenatal period contribute to the heterogeneous presentation of FASD, which includes physical, adaptive, behavioural, and social-emotional difficulties. Difficulties are often solely attributed to the effects of alcohol, yet alcohol is rarely the only explanatory factor for outcomes. Specifically, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) often co-occurs with other substances, as well as other environmental factors such as lack of prenatal care or poverty/malnutrition. Children and youth with FASD often experience adverse experiences postnatally, such as abuse or neglect. These factors may cumulatively interact to alter individual trajectories of children with PAE. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between cumulative risk factors (both prenatally and postnatally) on mental health outcomes of children exposed to alcohol prenatally. Additionally, the study aims to investigate what/if clinical neurocognitive factors further explain the variance associated with mental health outcomes, given the high prevalence of neurocognitive difficulties in this population. Results demonstrate that although PAE frequently co-occurs with a variety of other prenatal factors, in our sample, PAE was the most significant predictor of mental health symptoms, as measured by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia – Present and Lifetime Version (KSADS-PL). Our findings also show that postnatal threat or deprivation occurring after two years of age significantly predicted executive dysfunction. A hierarchical multiple regression was run to determine if the addition of postnatal experiences and EF to PAE significantly predicted symptom count. It was found that postnatal risks and executive functioning abilities better explained total mental health symptom count than PAE alone. The research and practice implications of the present study findings are discussed, in addition to strengths, limitations, and for future research directions.
Open Access
Elucidating Understandings of Problematic Sexual Behaviours in Children and Adolescents through Meta-Analytic Methods and an Exploratory Evaluation of a Clinical Population Receiving Treatment
(2024-09-13) Mori, Camille Misora; Madigan, Sheri; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Dobson, Keith; Adorjan, Michael; Silovsky, Jane
Introduction: Key inquiries into Problematic Sexual Behaviour (PSB) include identifying risk factors and evaluating characteristics and treatment outcomes of PSB populations. Exposure to sexual content is an important risk factor to examine due to ubiquitous access to technology. Regarding treatment, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for PSB (PSB-CBT) is an evidence-informed and developmentally appropriate intervention. Further research is needed to assess outcomes of PSB-CBT and target population characteristics. Objectives: 1) Examine associations between sexual content exposure and PSB; 2) Describe characteristics of a clinical PSB sample; 3) Evaluate treatment outcomes of PSB-CBT offered at a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC); 4) Provide recommendations for ongoing PSB research, prevention, and intervention. Methods: A Developmental-Relational research model was used to develop the goals of this thesis. Study 1 used a systematic review and random-effects meta-analyses conducted on available literature up to September 2021. Results are based on 16,200 participants (71.3% male; Mage = 14.3) and 27 studies. Study 2 used a retrospective case file review of 61 files of children and families who attended a PSB-CBT treatment group at a CYAC between 2015 and 2019 (83.6% male; Mage = 8.9). Results: Study 1: Significant associations were found between exposure to nonviolent sexual content and likelihood of engaging in PSB (OR = 1.82; p < .001; 95 % CI: 1.50–2.21), and between exposure to violent/live sexual content and PSB (OR = 2.52; p < .001; 95 % CI: 1.75–3.61). Sex moderated the association between exposure to nonviolent sexual content and PSB, such that the association was stronger in studies with a greater proportion of females. Study 2: Characteristics and sexual behaviours exhibited by children who attended a PSB-CBT treatment group varied widely. Outcome analyses revealed decreases in child sexual behaviours and parenting stress. Conclusions: Results support the need for future research on risk factors and mechanisms implicated in PSB. Children with PSB and their families could benefit from incorporating education on sexual content exposure into treatment programs. PSB-CBT offered within CYACs is well suited to meet the intervention needs of children with PSB and their families.
Open Access
Fatherhood Involvement Reference Report for No Man Left Behind: How and Why to Include Fathers in Government-Funded Parenting Strategies
(2016-05) Wells, Lana; Exner-Cortens, Deinera
In December 2015, Shift released the Men and Boys Violence Prevention Project: Informing a Government of Alberta Action Plan to Engage Men and Boys to Stop Violence Against Women. One of the key priorities identified within this action plan was the need for new funding and support to increase positive fatherhood involvement as a key prevention strategy for domestic violence. To meet this need, Shift produced No Man Left Behind: How and Why to Include Fathers in Government-Funded Parenting Strategies (to download report, click on PDF below). This report draws on five different research methods to provide findings and recommendations specific to the Government of Alberta. It is our hope that this report will lead to a robust discussion along with policy, practice and investment changes throughout Alberta. For the details of the research that supported the development of this report, please see the Fatherhood Involvement Reference Report. Shift welcomes any feedback and would be pleased to present the research and recommendations to groups throughout Alberta.
Open Access
Frequency and Predictors of Manual Use and Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions Among Clinicians Treating Eating Disorders in British Columbia
(2023-09-21) Bajaj, Deepika; von Ranson, Kristin; McMorris, Carly; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Birnie, Katie
Several evidence-based psychological interventions (EBPIs) exist for eating disorders (EDs). Yet, these interventions and manuals are underutilised in clinical practice. This study described psychological interventions British Columbia (BC) clinicians used to treat EDs and examined factors associated with manual and EBPI use. Participants were recruited from a list of 1,530 potential participants created for this study by identifying clinicians listing online that they treat EDs, as well as through social media advertisement and snowball recruitment. One hundred and twenty-six community counsellors and psychotherapists providing psychological intervention to individuals with EDs across BC described their ED clients, psychological interventions used, and their training. To examine predictors of EBPI and manual use, these participants provided demographic information and completed measures of affect, intolerance of uncertainty, and attitudes toward treatment manuals. Overall, 8% of respondents indicated that they often used manuals in their clinical work. Use of EBPIs by clinicians for treatment of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder ranged from 2%-15%. Logistic regression analyses identified two factors associated with manual use included: negative attitudes toward manuals were associated with infrequent use of manuals, whereas positive attitudes toward manuals were associated with increased likelihood of manual use. Unexpectedly, logistic regression analyses did not identify any factors that significantly predicted of EBPI use. The low uptake of EBPIs for the treatment of EDs suggests that ED client may be receiving suboptimal care, highlighting the need for future work to address barriers to EBPI use. Future research should explore beyond clinician characteristics and investigate how external and intervention factors may impact the adoption and implementation of EBPIs and manuals in ED treatment.
Open Access
Informing a Government of Alberta Action Plan to Engage Men and Boys to Stop Violence Against Women
(2015-12-29) Wells, Lana; Dozois, Elizabeth; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Cooper, Merrill; Esina, Elena; Froese, Ken; Boutillier, Sophia
At this moment in Alberta, Canada, we all have an opportunity to better support men and boys to play a positive role in the movement to end violence against women. For this reason, we have proposed recommendations specific to the Government of Alberta to inform the development of their Action Plan to positively engage men and boys to advance gender equality and promote healthy masculinities in order to stop violence against women. However, we envision this report as an interim strategy because once men have been invited into the movement in positive ways and they become true allies and leaders in stopping violence against women, they can then be included in a more general strategy to engage all genders in violence prevention. In this sense, engaging men and boys is a bit like preferential hiring or reverse discrimination policies – that is, something that is needed for a period of time to redress a particular oversight or injustice, but is relinquished once that issue has been addressed. As a result, this report was written with the following assumptions in mind: • That the work with men and boys must be done in partnership with women’s organizations. All genders must be engaged to achieve gender equality and stop violence against women. • Funds must not be taken away or diverted from existing women’s organizations in order to advance an engaging men and boys strategy. New funds and resources must be found. • Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation. As such, this work must be informed by a human rights based approach in order to empower all genders to claim their rights and to ensure accountability of individuals and institutions who are responsible for respecting, protecting and fulfilling rights. • Experiences of masculinity are affected by class, location, ethnicity, cultural background, sexuality and many other factors. We need to reflect this intersectionality in our analysis, funding, program design and evaluation strategies. • We live in a patriarchy that reinforces structural inequities and reinforces violence against women. We therefore must work towards dismantling the existing structures and norms that breed men’s sense of entitlement and maintain their privilege, power and control over women. • Gender equality is in the best interest of everyone. This report is written with the intention of: 1) changing the discourse on men and boys from perpetrators to allies and violence disrupters: 2) promoting the inclusion of men and boys in efforts from which they have been largely absent, and 3) promoting the use of research and evidence to inform our violence prevention approach. Shift believes that working with men and boys can have a positive, transformative impact, not only on the lives of women and girls, but also on the lives of men and boys. Shift is committed to advancing this area of research and invites you to contact us to continue the dialogue and learning. Lana Wells, Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary (lmwells@ucalgary.ca)
Open Access
Men and Boys Violence Prevention Project: Informing a Government of Alberta Action Plan to Engage Men and Boys to Stop Violence Against Women
(2015-12-29) Wells, Lana; Dozois, Elizabeth; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Cooper, Merrill; Esina, Elena; Froese, Ken; Boutillier, Sophia
Shift believes that working with men and boys can have a positive, transformative impact, not only on the lives of women and girls, but also on the lives of men and boys. As a result, we have been working over the past five years to advance this area of research, and in 2014 partnered with the Family and Community Safety Branch within the Ministry of Human Services-Government of Alberta (GOA) to build the first comprehensive government plan to engage men and boys in violence prevention. (This was undertaken as part of the GOA’s Family Violence Prevention Framework). Our research team (Lana Wells, Elizabeth Dozois, Deinera Exner-Cortens, Merrill Cooper, Sophia Boutillier, Elena Esina, and Ken Froese) conducted a literature review, consulted with leaders throughout Alberta and completed a provincial e-scan to understand both the evidence and current efforts in Alberta to advance a primary prevention approach with men and boys. From this, we identified specific recommendations to inform the Government of Alberta on an Action Plan to engage men and boys in violence prevention to advance gender equality and stop violence against women. These recommendations were compiled in the following report that was submitted to the Family and Community Safety Branch within Human Services in December 2015. The report is currently being reviewed by cross-ministry partners to explore opportunities to advance the findings. Follow the download link below to access a full report.
Open Access
Methodological Meeting of the Minds (M3): A Teaching & Learning Series
(2019-04-30) Burns, Victoria; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Walsh, Christine; Badry, Dorothy; Jenney, Angelique; King, Regine; Lorenzetti, Liza; Sitter, Kathleen
Open Access
Neurobiological Correlates of Anxiety and Comorbid Social Phobia in Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder: A Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Trial
(2018-10-03) Worth, Madelyn Reid; Schwartz, Kelly Dean; MacMaster, Frank P.; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; McMorris, Carly A.; Schwartz, Kelly Dean; MacMaster, Frank P.
This study examined repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for adolescents with major depressive disorder. The study was exploratory, considering the potential influence of comorbid anxiety on treatment response and neurobiological correlates. Adolescents underwent a three-week rTMS clinical trial. Depression and anxiety symptoms were compared pre- and post-treatment to determine treatment response. As well fMRI scans were reviewed, identifying functional connectivity differences based upon comorbid anxiety. Findings indicated a significant relation between depressive symptom response and comorbid social phobia symptoms such that participants without social phobia symptoms were more likely to show a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Neurobiological differences in terms of functional connectivity were found, based upon anxiety severity, comorbid social phobia symptoms, and anxiety symptom treatment response. These findings indicate that the presence of comorbid anxiety is associated with neurobiological differences that may in turn influence rTMS treatment response. Discussions of these findings are included in this document.
Open Access
No Man Left Behind: How and Why to Include Fathers in Government-Funded Parenting Strategies
(2016-04) Dozois, Elizabeth; Wells, Lana; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Esina, Elena
In December 2015, Shift released the Men and Boys Violence Prevention Project: Informing a Government of Alberta Action Plan to Engage Men and Boys to Stop Violence Against Women. One of the key priorities identified within this action plan was the need for new funding and support to increase positive fatherhood involvement as a key prevention strategy for domestic violence. To meet this need, Shift produced No Man Left Behind: How and Why to Include Fathers in Government-Funded Parenting Strategies (to download report, click on PDF below). This report draws on five different research methods to provide findings and recommendations specific to the Government of Alberta. It is our hope that this report will lead to a robust discussion along with policy, practice and investment changes throughout Alberta. For the details of the research that supported the development of this report, please see the Fatherhood Involvement Reference Report. Shift welcomes any feedback and would be pleased to present the research and recommendations to groups throughout Alberta.
Open Access
Predictors of Healthy Youth Relationships Program Implementation in a Sample of Canadian Middle School Teachers
(2019-06) Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Spiric, Vanja; Crooks, Claire V.; Syeda, Maisha M.; Wells, Lana
Implementation of evidence-based, Tier 1 social-emotional learning (SEL) programming that supports healthy relationships skills is recognized as a key mental health promotion and violence prevention strategy for youth. However, work specifically exploring how to support the high-quality implementation of such programming with Canadian teachers and schools is just beginning to emerge. Drawing on implementation frameworks that emphasize the importance of setting, provider and implementation process characteristics for understanding program implementation outcomes, this prospective, longitudinal study explores implementation of the Fourth R, a SEL-based healthy relationships program, in a Western Canadian province using a sample of middle-school teachers. The aim of this mixed-methods study was to illuminate relationships among teachers’ attitudes towards evidence-based programming, perceptions of organizational climate and training experience with program implementation outcomes (dosage, quality, fidelity). Findings of this exploratory study identified that these characteristics influenced implementation dosage, quality and fidelity in differential ways. Qualitative data drawn from teacher interviews supported quantitative findings, and highlighted the importance of organizational support for high-quality implementation. We discuss areas for further study, given that there are significant gaps in knowledge about teachers’ attitudes towards evidence-based programming, school climate and other systemic factors in the Canadian context, as well as relevance of study findings to the field of school psychology.
Open Access
The role of community-based organizations in school-based violence prevention programming: An action research project
(Cogent Social Sciences, 2016-09-28) Claussen, Caroline; Wells, Lana; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Abboud, Rida; Turner, Alina
Research suggests limited attention has been paid to the role played by non-profit community-based organizations in offering violence prevention programming within school settings. This action research project emerged from the desire of researchers, community-based organizations, school systems and funders to explore the specific challenges and opportunities faced by local non-profit communitybased organizations when offering school-based violence prevention programming for children and youth. Data revealed challenges in the delivery of violence prevention programming, including lack of consistency and coordination with schools and lack of programming for diverse children and youth. Opportunities for improvement and steps toward action are discussed.
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Secondary and Tertiary Prevention for Adolescent Dating Violence: A Systematic Review
(2023-07) Camacho Soto, Jeniffer Nicole; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Morris, Carly; Madigan, Sheri
Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a pervasive public health issue associated with numerous mental, social, psychological, and physical health consequences. Thus, prevention programs have been implemented to prevent this violence and promote healthy relationships. Although there is a growing body of literature on primary ADV prevention strategies, little is known about secondary and tertiary ADV prevention approaches. Thus, this systematic review, guided by Cochrane Review methodology, summarizes available evidence on secondary and tertiary ADV prevention programs. The search with no date restriction was conducted in 8 databases in November 2022. Studies published in English and/or Spanish were included if they described the development, adaptation, implementation, and/or evaluation of a secondary and/or tertiary preventive intervention for ADV. After screening the title and abstract of 3645 articles, 31 articles were included in this study, which report on 14 secondary and 1 tertiary intervention. The included studies suggest that these secondary interventions are somewhat effective in preventing ADV victimization and perpetration, and that the effects may be strongest for teens with a higher risk of being involved in an abusive relationship. The only included study that reported on a tertiary intervention was a developmental study. Based on the lack of tertiary intervention implemented in our communities, clinical-focused interventions focusing on treating and reducing negative symptoms of ADV are needed.
Open Access
State of the Science Brief: Programmatic Approaches to Sexual Violence Prevention and Risk Reduction in Post-Secondary Settings
(2017-04) Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Wells, Lana
The authors of this paper and Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence believe that sexual assault is NEVER the victim’s fault. Further, we wish to emphasize that research on risk reduction should not be taken to imply that victims are responsible for protecting themselves from assault. For too long, survivors have been blamed by individuals and systems for sexual assault, and thus we must whole-heartedly resist any discourse that blames and shames victims. However, we have found through the research that effective rape resistance programs within a specific context may impact the experience of sexual violence, and so we chose to present that research here. To that end, readers should only consider the presented research and findings within the context of the post-secondary environment, as this is the setting where all reported research was conducted: the post-secondary environment is a unique setting and we thus discourage the generalization of findings to other settings and age groups. It is our hope that this report leads to a robust discussion of these findings, and what they mean for sexual violence prevention in Alberta.
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Understanding Men's Responses to Sexual Violence: An Exploration of the Role of Empathy & Moral Disengagement
(2023-09-14) McConnell, Ceilidh; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; Jenney, Angelique; Szeto, Andrew
Sexual violence (SV) in the post-secondary setting in Canada is an ongoing concern with the potential for long-lasting negative mental health outcomes. Therefore, institutions across the country have implemented prevention strategies, many of which include the use of bystander intervention programming. The goal of bystander intervention programming is to provide participants with the skills and education necessary to engage in behaviours that stop and/or prevent SV in the post-secondary setting. But, bystander intervention programming has shown limited success in eliciting intervening behaviour among men specifically. Therefore, there is need to explore novel factors that could be impacting bystander intervention among men in this context to inform improvements to future programming. The present study explored how empathy and moral disengagement might be associated with bystander behaviour, bystander intentions, and bystander self-efficacy among a sample of 205 undergraduate men at a Western Canadian university. The results of this study indicate that empathetic concern component of empathy was positively related to bystander behaviour, bystander intentions, and bystander self-efficacy while moral disengagement was negatively related to bystander intentions and bystander self-efficacy. Further, the empathetic concern component of empathy acted as a protective factor on the negative association between high moral disengagement and bystander intervention behaviours in this sample. These results suggest that future research on bystander intervention program modifications should prioritize understanding how to promote empathetic concern among undergraduate men witnessing SV in the post-secondary setting.