Introduction: Back pain is very prevalent among all sectors of the population. The prevalence varies according to age, sex, occupation, and so forth. Children are regarded as less vulnerable to suffering this kind of musculoskeletal conditions. However, some studies have shown relatively high prevalence among schoolchildren and adolescents. Previous studies failed to conclude any association between back pain and sedentary lifestyle, which has already been categorized as an important factor by the WHO. A new review is required to incorporate the most up-to-date studies in order to give a more comprehensive view of this topic. Method: Several databases were used to retrieve relevant epidemiological studies, including cross-sectional studies, cohort studies and case-control studies, by using predetermined key words and objective selection criteria. The quality of each study was assessed by using several criteria. Results: A total of 12 studies were included in this review, including 5 high-quality studies. Two out of the 5 high-quality studies provided significant evidence of association between back pain and sedentary lifestyle. In total, 8 studies showed some association. There was thus limited evidence to show the effect of sedentary lifestyle on the development of back pain. Discussion: Different study designs (recall duration, age distribution, data collection and so on) were used in each study included in this review. The conclusion of this new review was consistent with some previous ones. The dose-response relation in these studies was not found. There were still not enough local studies to help the policy modification of back health of local children. Conclusion: There is currently some evidence to illustrate the association between back pain and sedentary lifestyle in school children and adolescents, but it is not conclusive. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

published_or_final_version / Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-63). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-58).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Exercise Sciences, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-158). Also available in print.

This study was designed to investigate the relative contributions of cognitive level, age, and verbal ability to the prediction of children's concepts of health and illness. The rationale for the study was based on the premise that children's cognitive developmental level would have relevance when preparing programs for child health education. The sample consisted of 40 subjects ranging in age from 5 to 13 years who were already participants in the Preadmission Preparation Programs Study, a research project being conducted at B.C.'s Children's Hospital in Vancouver. There were 10 children selected from each of four age groups: 5-6; 7-8; 9-10; and 11-13. The subjects were administered a Health Questionnaire and a battery of Piagetian tasks representing both the concrete operational and formal operational stages of cognitive development. Verbal ability was measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test - Revised (PPVT-R). In a stepwise multiple regression equation, with level of health concept as the criterion variable and cognitive level, age, and verbal ability as the predictor variables, it was hypothesized that, (1) cognitive level would be a stronger predictor of level of health concept than the predictors of age and verbal ability, (2) cognitive level together with age would be a stronger predictor than either index on its own, and (3) verbal ability would account for a significant portion of the variance with regard to level of health concept over and above that already accounted for by cognitive level and age. The expected entry sequence into the prediction equation was cognitive level on step 1, age on step 2, and verbal ability on step 3. The results indicated that all three predictor variables, taken individually, were significantly correlated with the criterion variable; however, the expected entry sequence of variables into the prediction equation and the expected net effect of combined variables were not supported by the data analyses. Age was selected for entry on step 1 and verbal ability was selected for entry on step 2; cognitive level was not selected to enter the prediction equation. When forced into the equation on step 3, cognitive level contributed a negligible additional amount of variance to the efficacy of prediction. Although cognitive level correlates highly with level of concept, when the effects of age are partialed out, the contribution of cognitive level is not significant. Given some of the limitations of the study, small sample size and restricted range of scores for level of health concept and for the Piagetian assessment, it was suggested that in a further study with a greater representation of formal operational thinkers, there may be more support for the hypotheses. Directions for future research were discussed in terms of conducting a similar study with a sample that has a good representation of both concrete and formal operational thinkers so that the prediction strength of cognitive level can be tested within a restricted age limit. Another suggestion was that research focus on the interaction of specific cognitive concepts with health concepts to provide a greater understanding of the developmental sequence of conceptualization of health and illness. Implications for child health education were discussed in terms of knowledge of cognitive developmental level enabling medical personnel to communicate more effectively with children and plan appropriate intervention strategies for them. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Previous studies have shown that a child’s attachment relationship with the mother and the mother’s psychosocial functioning are influential to the child’s psychosocial functioning in terms of the development of psychopathology. The current study aimed to examine the relationships between maternal and child psychosocial functioning in terms of internalizing and externalizing symptoms and sleep problems, as well as child attachment quality. The potential mediating or moderating role of attachment quality in the mother-child psychosocial functioning linkage was investigated. A total of 151 children and their mothers from a local community sample participated in the study. The children reported on their sleep problems and attachment quality. The mothers reported on their sleep problems, their children’s sleep problems, their internalizing symptoms, and their children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Results showed that maternal internalizing symptoms were predictive of child internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Attachment quality was predictive of child externalizing symptoms. The relationships among maternal and child sleep problems and attachment quality were inconclusive. No mediation or moderation effect of attachment quality on the relationship between maternal and child psychosocial functioning was suggested. Implications and future research directions were discussed. / published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

There has been growing research attention on the topic of child anxiety applying the theoretical framework of Attachment Theory, and the results have been encouraging so far with consistent findings on the positive association between insecure attachment and child anxiety. Child anxiety has also been associated with a diminished sense of control with extensive empirical evidences. Nevertheless, despite the rich empirical support on the associations between insecure attachment and child anxiety, and between diminished sense of control and child anxiety, the potential pathways of anxiety transmission remain largely unclear. In their discussion on the development of child anxiety, Chopita and Barlow (1998) proposed a conceptual link between attachment security and sense of control, even though it has not been followed up with empirical studies. Since available empirical evidences have validated the role of attachment security and sense of control in the development of child anxiety, it will be conceptually meaningful to investigate the potential link between attachment security and sense of control, and their respective and interactive roles in the development of child anxiety. The current study also aspires to improve understanding on the relationships between parental anxiety, parent’s and child’s sense of control, and child anxiety within the context of children undergoing elective surgeries. Children of 151 parents were about to receive elective surgeries participated in this study. Among these parents, 59 of them have children reached age 6 or above and all these children also participated in the current study. Information from 144 parents (95.36%) and 51 children (86.44%) was used for subsequent analyses. Information from 7 parents (4.64%) and 8 children (13.56%) was excluded from further analyses as they filled in less than 30% of the questionnaire items. Findings from present study showed children with insecure attachment and/or high external LOC experienced increased anxiety in preoperative period. The findings are consistent with existing literature. Children with insecure attachment were also found to espouse a higher level of external LOC. Besides, regression analyses showed that attachment security moderated the relationships between child’s external LOC and anxiety. Results also support the notion that secure attachment could be a protective factor against child anxiety development. Moreover, mediation analyses indicated child’s LOC mediated the relationship between parental and child anxiety, thereby supporting the mediation model by Chopita and Barlow. From a theoretical standpoint, findings from current study provided initial support on the linkage between attachment security and sense of control. Child’s external LOC as a potential pathway for intergenerational transmission of anxiety was also supported. The findings also bear significant clinical implications. Specifically, early screening and identification of children with insecure attachment and external LOC would allow more effective allocation of resources targeting at anxiety management in preoperative setting. Besides, taking into consideration the impact of parental anxiety, intervention for child anxiety including components for parental anxiety management should be emphasized. / published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Psychology

Over the past few years, attachment theory has taken on increased significance in academic and professional discourse, particularly in the field of child welfare. While this appears to be a relatively new area of interest in social work, the history of attachment theory dates back over five decades. This thesis aims to identify some of the reasons behind the resurgence of attachment theory, in particular, in child welfare practice. This renewed interest in attachment theory is tied to the current social climate and context for social work practice. This context, it is argued, contributes to the tendency for attachment theory to become a tool of social control. The thesis concludes by exploring how attachment theory might be used instead as a means to empower families in relationship-based social work.