Browsing by Author "McDonald, Sheila"

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    Experiences of Albertan Families with Young Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Descriptive Report
    (2020-11-30) McDonald, Sheila; Edwards, Sarah; Hetherington, Erin; Racine, Nicole; Mueller, Melissa; McArthur, Brae Anne; Madigan, Sheri; Dewey, Deborah; Letourneau, Nicole; Tough, Suzanne; Geisbrecht, Gerald
    This report describes data collected from Albertan families on the COVID-19 Impact Survey implemented in May 2020, which built on a unique collaboration across two longitudinal cohorts in Alberta: The All Our Families study (AOF) and the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition study (APrON). Our objectives were as follows: (1) Describe household infections of COVID-19 in Alberta among families with school-aged children; (2) Describe urban Albertan family experiences of the pandemic within the first 3-4 months of the outbreak across the areas of financial impact, maternal mental health and well-being, school and daily life, and relationships in the home; and (3) Describe associations among key predictor variables (e.g., financial impact) and outcomes (e.g., maternal anxiety, concern for child’s well-being). Study Sample: AOF and APrON Cohort participants reflect families parenting at least one child in between the ages of 8 and 12. While the respondents represent a broad range of income, education and ethnicity, they are typified by adequate income, food and housing security and partnered marital status. Highlighted Results: Physical Impact: At the time of data collection in May, 2020, over 90% of families did not have personal experience with COVID-19, either through personal infection, infection of a child, extended family member or close friend. Vaccine Intentions: Although over 60% of mothers and their children would obtain a COVID-19 vaccine when available, almost 30% are undecided and 8% would not obtain a vaccine. Financial Impact: In 58% of all families, at least one parent experienced job loss, loss of main income source, or reduced employment hours. One in five mothers reported difficulty meeting financial needs for the household, and 5% of families were experiencing food insecurity. Over 40% of respondents reported at least some impact on their ability to meet financial obligations. Mental Health and Wellness Impact: Mothers reported elevated levels of stress (21%), anxiety (25%) and depression (35%). Approximately 26% of mothers reported having limited coping skills. Almost 90% of mothers have undertaken more domestic tasks in the home. Mothers also reported that their children showed increased sadness and behavioural challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound financial and mental health impact on some families. Investment in strategies to alleviate financial stress, provide parenting supports, and alleviate mental health concerns is critical. Suggested Citation: McDonald S, Edwards S, Hetherington E, Racine N, Mueller M, McArthur BA, Madigan S, Dewey D, Geisbrecht G, Letourneau N, Tough S. Experiences of Albertan Families with Young Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Report. Calgary, Alberta: University of Calgary; 2020.
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    Factors Affecting Parental Help seeking for Children with Mental Health Problems
    (2017) Harvalik, Paula; Kingston, Dawn; Arnold, Paul; McDonald, Sheila; Goldsworthy, Sandra
    Background. Childhood mental health problems have an early onset, are highly prevalent, and persistent into adolescents’ and adulthood, and left untreated, mental health problems are exacerbated by comorbid disorders. Early screening and intervention for childhood mental health is key to improved outcomes. Very young children that experience emotional or behavioural problems rely primarily on their parents for help-seeking on their behalf. Parents often do not recognize problematic behaviour that requires further evaluation and treatment. Without parental help-seeking, these children’s mental health problems remain undetected and untreated throughout the lifespan. Understanding what perceived barriers and facilitators exist for parents that have children with problematic behaviours, can inform the development of early intervention programs aimed at very young children (i.e., 5 years old and under). The aim of this thesis by publication was to examine the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for parents with children that have emotional and behavioural problems. Methods. Two published studies of perceived barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for parents of young children were identified through searches using PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL databases. Data was extracted and summarized in tables. Results. Parents reported perceived barriers to be: (a) child’s problems being identified as transient and part of a stage that will go way on their own, (b) not knowing what services were available, and (c) not knowing what sources were available for help. Conclusions. Increased research and development of early screening and intervention programs that target parents of very young children will improve mental health outcomes for children, their families, and communities.
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    Maternal perceptions of childhood vaccination: explanations of reasons for and against vaccination
    (2019-01-10) McNeil, Deborah A; Mueller, Melissa; MacDonald, Shannon; McDonald, Sheila; Saini, Vineet; Kellner, James D; Tough, Suzanne
    Abstract Background Understanding reasons for and against vaccination from the parental perspective is critical for designing vaccination campaigns and informing other interventions to increase vaccination uptake in Canada. The objective of this study was to understand maternal vaccination decision making for children. Methods Mothers participating in a longitudinal community-based pregnancy cohort, the All Our Babies study in Calgary, Alberta, completed open-ended survey questions providing explanations for the vaccination status of their child by 24 months postpartum. Qualitative responses were linked to administrative vaccination records to examine survey responses and recorded child vaccination status. Results There were 1560 open-ended responses available; 89% (n = 1391) provided explanations for vaccinating their children, 5% (n = 79) provided explanations for not vaccinating/delaying, and 6% (n = 90) provided explanations for both. Themes were similar for those vaccinating and not vaccinating/delaying; however, interpretations were different. Two broad themes were identified: Sources of influence and Deliberative Processes. Sources of influence on decision making included personal, family, and external experiences. Deliberative Processes included risk, research, effectiveness, and balancing risks/benefits. Under Deliberative Processes, responsibility was a category for those vaccinating; while choice, instrumental/practical, and health issues were categories for those not vaccinating/delaying. Mothers’ levels of conviction and motivation provided a Context for understanding their decision making perspectives. Conclusions Vaccination decision making is complex and impacted by many factors that are similar but contribute to different decisions depending on mothers’ perspectives. The results of this study indicate the need to examine new intervention approaches to increase uptake that recognize and address feelings of pressure and parental commitment to choice.
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    Mental health outcomes of mothers who conceived using fertility treatment
    (BioMed Central, 2014-02-28) Raguz, Nikolett; McDonald, Sheila; Metcalfe, Amy; O'Quinn, Candace; Tough, Suzanne C
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    The role of feeding practices in the relationship between postpartum depression and child growth: Analysis of the All Our Babies study
    (2017-12-20) Lee, Yoon Shin; Fenton, Tanis; Sauve, Reginald; Rose, Marianne; McDonald, Sheila; Benzies, Karen
    The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among postpartum depression at 4 months of age, feeding practices and child growth at age 2 years. This study used data from 1881 mothers participating in the All Our Babies Study in Calgary. The mothers participated in five surveys between 24 weeks gestation and 2 years of child age. Multivariable regression analysis was done. Postpartum depression was negatively related to exclusive breastfeeding duration (β = -2.30 weeks, 95% CI: -4.39, -0.22). Postpartum depression and feeding practices were unrelated to child growth at age 2 years. We found mothers with postpartum depression at 4 months terminated exclusive breastfeeding earlier (2.3 weeks) than mothers without postpartum depression whose average exclusive breastfeeding duration was 20.2 weeks. The findings suggest a need for breastfeeding support for mothers with postpartum depression to sustain breastfeeding to the recommended duration.