Browsing by Author "Hewson, Jennifer A."

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    Experiences of body image and social support in physical activity programs among older adult women
    (2019-08-01) Patterson, Michelle C.; McDonough, Meghan; Culos-Reed, Susan Nicole; Hewson, Jennifer A.
    Body image is an emerging area of research for older women as they may experience societal pressures in relation to the body while concurrently experiencing physical decline associated with aging. Social support may impact how one feels about the body in times of coping with difficulties, as well as promoting thriving when feeling positively about the body. Group physical activity programs are an opportunity to address body image through benefits of physical activity on how one views the body as well as providing access to social networks that may positively impact body image. The current study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of body image and social support in physical activity programs. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 women aged 65 and older, who participated in drop in group physical activity classes at a community recreation centre. The study was guided by interpretive description and interview questions pertained to how body image was impacted by social support, and physical activity. The group physical activity context allowed women to make comparisons with others and to engage in discussions with others, that helped to feel positively about the body. Women also discussed the role of the instructor in facilitating participation in activity that allowed them to feel positively about the body. Both support in times of non-adversity and support in times of coping with body difficulties, helped to create a positive experience in physical activity and with the body.
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    Exploring Help-Seeking Behaviours: Perspectives of Adult-Child Caregivers
    (2018-11-16) Samaha, Allegra Sonia; Hewson, Jennifer A.; Lee, Yeonjung; Leslie, Myles; Ferrer, Ilyan
    As life expectancies increase, so does the rate of older adults diagnosed with dementia; most commonly, in the form of Alzheimer’s disease. An Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis not only impacts the person afflicted, but also people around them who take on the role of caregiver. The role of caregiving often falls on the shoulders of adult-children, who are simultaneously balancing their own life commitments with offering high quality, around the clock care. Many elements impact one’s caregiving experience, including sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, occupation and culture. As the formal service sector works to improve access to support, it is critical to understand the help-seeking behaviours of adult-child caregivers; moreover, in a country like Canada with an abundance of diversity, variations in help-seeking behaviours must be recognized. The purpose of this study was to explore the help-seeking behaviours of adult-children, caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease. This qualitative study utilized a multiple case study approach, and was guided by the Anderson Socio-Behavioral Model of Health Service Utilization (1995). Findings from six adult-child caregivers from hyphenated cultural backgrounds suggest that there may be universality to caregiver’s desires and determinants of help-seeking behavior. However, in terms of programs designed for their illness-afflicted parent, themes of linguistic diversity, trauma-sensitivity and culture matching between care providers and service users were presented as important strategies to promote help-seeking behaviours and service utilization. Implications for social work theory, research, practice and policy are presented.
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    Social Support for Physical Activity Among Older Adults: An Examination of Two Populations at Increased Risk of Social Isolation
    (2020-08) Beselt, Lydia Jayne; McDonough, Meghan H.; Din, Cari; Hewson, Jennifer A.; Walsh, Christine Ann
    Older adults are vulnerable to isolation, and certain groups of older adults are more vulnerable than others, including those who live alone and LGBTQI2S+ older adults. Physical activity with other people can serve as an important opportunity for experiencing social connectedness, social support, and social inclusion. Therefore, it is important to understand how these social experiences are fostered within the context of exercising with other people. This thesis aimed to gain a deeper understanding into how two older adult populations who are vulnerable to social isolation experience social support in physical activity contexts. Qualitative studies can provide valuable insight into the experiences of individuals and how their interactions with their world shape these experiences. These studies used single time-point semi-structured interviews for data-collection which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. Physical activity with other people allowed participants to have a place to belong and feel included, as well as provided them with a meaningful place to engage socially. Experiences with social support varied among participants with some being supported by the presence of others and others by more direct interactions (e.g., asking if they went to class, physical contact). Participants also experienced social barriers related to physical activity including experiencing insecurity related to physical ability or being single when around other people and being active. Group physical activity contexts can be designed to foster social inclusion and provide meaningful social relationships and interactions for those at risk of social isolation and exclusion. Understanding how to support older adults to be physically active could inform initiatives and interventions aimed at promoting physical activity and social and mental well-being.
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    Social workers within Canadian public libraries: A multicase study
    (2018-04-30) Schweizer, Elizabeth; Ayala, Jessica; Koltusky, Laura; Burns, Victoria F.; Hewson, Jennifer A.
    This study explored the emerging field of social work practice within Canadian public libraries. This is an interdisciplinary area of practice that has been increasing in prevalence across North America over the last decade. Despite the burgeoning movement that has begun to gain attention within public library circles and the popular media, comparatively little research has been published on library social work practice. There is a particular dearth of research in the area from Canadian social work perspectives. A mixed methods multicase study was utilized, consisting of a preliminary online survey distributed across Canada followed by analysis of four cases in which there are library-based social workers: Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL), Kitchener Public Library (KPL), Mississauga Public Library (MPL), and Edmonton Public Library (EPL). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants, along with document review. Analysis was first performed for each individual case, followed by cross-case analysis. Four library social work models used by the urban public libraries were identified: social service agency partnership, local university partnership, municipal partnership, and full-time social work staff. In addition to the models, the major themes identified are grouped into two categories: public library motivations for including social workers within their operations, and the nature of social work practice in these settings. Primary findings indicate that library social work is an emerging distinct area of interdisciplinary practice that shows promise at individual and systems levels in helping to address social exclusion and improve community-based responses to broader social challenges such as homelessness, housing instability, poverty, mental health concerns, and substance misuse. Implications for social work and public library research and practice are provided.