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The growing number of seniors in Canada and worldwide has highlighted the significant role of people providing unpaid care to their loved ones, who are so-called “family caregivers”. A great number of family caregivers are employees working in the paid labor market, who experience additional difficulties as a result of multiple responsibilities in their daily lives. This group of caregivers has to cope with continuous work-related tensions in addition to their daily caregiving burdens. In multicultural nations such as Canada, a great number of caregiver-employees also belong to the immigrant community. While immigrant caregiver-employees (CEs) are faced with extra challenges compared to other CEs, limited research is available for this underrated and overlooked population. This group of CEs have the challenging task of working from home while providing intensive care for their loved one. Therefore, the home environment is an everyday space highly susceptible because of daily spatial and temporal tensions. The current research aims to explore the experience and tensions of Iranian immigrant caregiver-employees in order to assist them in managing their ever-growing responsibilities in the home environment by providing a set of specific home modification strategies. Initially, CEs major tensions and management strategies are identified by in-depth qualitative interviews. A novel Photovoice methodology is implemented to illustrate these tensions exclusively through self-captured photos. Five major themes are identified for the tensions, which are categorized as: (i) personal, (ii) caregiving, (iii) spatial, (iv) family and social, and (v) temporal tensions. The management strategies utilized by caregivers to cope with these tensions are also organized into five additional themes: (i) spatial, (ii) personal, (iii) social, (iv) monitoring and control, and (v) assistive and supportive strategies. Although, these management strategies are effective in resolving some of the tensions, specific tensions remain unmanaged for immigrant CEs’. Unmanaged tensions are analyzed under the therapeutic landscape framework to improve CEs’ health and well-being. A comprehensive list of architectural home modification strategies is proposed to relieve CEs’ tensions in the home environment. Finally, an ideal home is pictured for Iranian immigrant CEs, considering their most significant spatial, natural, symbolic and social requirements. The outcomes of the current research will assist immigrant CEs in managing their daily tensions while performing their working and caregiving responsibilities. The proposed home modification strategies will minimize CEs’ tensions to a large scale, improve their level of mental and physical health, and increase their quality of life. Furthermore, the current research results in increased safety and independence for the care recipients. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

<p dir="ltr">In recent years, employers and business leaders have increasingly discussed the topic of college graduate job readiness. A recent survey found that approximately 60% of employers expressed concerns about college graduates' preparedness for today's workforce and cited issues with work ethic, professionalism, communication skills, and technological skills, particularly among Generation Z graduates (Behbahani, 2023; Daniels, 2023; Heubeck, 2023; Intelligent, 2023; Kelly, 2024). With the rise of generative AI technologies, hiring practices are shifting towards skill-based hiring rather than degree-based hiring. As a result, many college graduates are left wondering whether they are adequately prepared for the constantly evolving workforce (Cengage Group, 2023; Flaherty, 2024; Mowreader, 2023; Nietzel, 2023). With workplace and educational technology constantly changing, higher education institutions and educators should consider providing more support and guidance to better prepare students for working with technology and in fast-paced environments. That being said, innovative approaches should be considered for reforming existing college degree programs and developing new programs. One such approach that can be used for continuous improvement, program assessment, and as a pedagogical intervention in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) classrooms is the participatory action research method, photovoice.</p>

Recent literature suggests that LGBTQ+ women of color are more likely to raise children or have children in the home compared to White LGBTQ+ women (Gates, 2013, 2015). Most of the LGBTQ+ motherhood research has focused narrowly on one domain of queer motherhood, lesbian mothers' experience of mothering (Bible et al., 2018) and centered on the experiences of White, middle-class, cisgender mothers (Brainer et al., 2020; Manley and Ross, 2020; Reczek, 2020). The interlocking nature of multiple marginalized identities places Black queer mothers at a unique intersection of oppression (Crenshaw, 1991). Exploring the complexity of lived experience among Black mothers who identify with a plurisexual identity (i.e., bi, queer, pan, or fluid; Galupo, 2018) provides family scientists and scholar-practitioners an opportunity to analyze the internal, relational, and institutional influences that reinforce or challenge racism, sexism, and homophobia. The present study sought to understand how Black queer mothers experience motherwork as queer mothers, how they build and navigate networks of support, and how they use community resources. The study was guided by intersectionality rooted within the theoretical framework of Black Feminist Thought, as well as an emphasis on motherwork as both a theoretical framework and a concept explored. Using reflexive thematic analysis, semi- structured interviews (Mtime = 79.63 minutes), photovoice submissions, and photovoice interviews (Mtime = 38.32 minutes) were conducted with 10 participants (8 of the 10 participants completed photovoice). Four key themes were identified (a) Attentiveness and Resistance to Discrimination (subtheme: Active Reflectivity in Parenting Strategies); (b) Promoting Openness of Self-Expression in Child(ren) (subtheme: Queer Identity Helps Foster Acceptance and Intentionality); (c) Negotiating Informal Support (three subthemes: Barriers to Support, Desiring Like-Minded Social Groups, and Boundaries in Close Relationships Are Critical); and (d) Emphasis on Finding the "Right" Environment to Meet Family Needs (subtheme: Utilizing Individual or Couples Therapy). Findings have implications for the family science literature by providing an in-depth, Black feminist understanding of how Black queer mothers engage in queer motherwork, navigate informal support, and strategically access community resources. / Doctor of Philosophy / Recent literature suggests that LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) women of color are more likely to raise children or have children in the home compared to White LGBTQ+ women (Gates, 2013, 2015). Most of the LGBTQ+ motherhood research has focused narrowly on one domain of queer motherhood, lesbian mothers' experience of mothering (Bible et al., 2018) and centered on the experiences of White, middle-class, cisgender mothers (Brainer et al., 2020; Manley and Ross, 2020; Reczek, 2020). Exploring the complexity of lived experience among Black mothers who identify with a plurisexual identity (i.e., bi, queer, pan, or fluid; Galupo, 2018) provides researchers and clinicians an opportunity to consider the internal, relational, and institutional influences that reinforce or challenge marginalization. The present study sought to understand how Black queer mothers experience motherwork (e.g., identity, survival, and power) as queer mothers, how they build and navigate networks of support, and how they use community resources. The study was guided by intersectionality rooted within the theoretical framework of Black Feminist Thought, as well as an emphasis on motherwork as both a theoretical framework and a concept explored. I analyzed data from two individual interviews (including a photo-elicited interview) with 10 participants (8 of the 10 participants completed the second interview) (Braun and Clarke, 2022; Wang and Burris, 1997). Four key themes were identified (a) Attentiveness and Resistance to Discrimination (subtheme: Active Reflectivity in Parenting Strategies); (b) Promoting Openness of Self-Expression in Child(ren) (subtheme: Queer Identity Helps Foster Acceptance and Intentionality); (c) Negotiating Informal Support (three subthemes: Barriers to Support, Desiring Like-Minded Social Groups, and Boundaries in Close Relationships Are Critical); and (d) Emphasis on Finding the "Right" Environment to Meet Family Needs (subtheme: Utilizing Individual or Couples Therapy). Findings have research and clinical implications for how Black queer mothers engage in queer motherwork, navigate informal support, and strategically access community resources.

(in English): The aim of this thesis was to explore the current trend and preferred communication channels for social interaction with peers among members of Generation Z during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this thesis, I seek to answer the questions of whether communication channels for social interaction have changed in light of the pandemic, what channels are being substituted and how, and how participants perceive this new experience with respect to their mental health. I open the thesis with a study of the literature and relevant studies regarding the definition of Generation Z, how they use and perceive technology and communication channels, and the impact of the pandemic on Generation Z. The theoretical section is then followed by a comprehensive research section in which I seek to familiarize the reader with the chosen mixed methods methodology, research design, data collection and finally the analysis and results. First of all, the result of my research shows that face-to-face meetings in restaurants, bars or clubs were most often replaced by walking or meeting outside, meeting at flats or playing video games together. Most of the participants perceived this experience of the pandemic and the reduction of social contacts negatively and experienced anxiety because of that.

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