How one understands their bicultural identity has implications for how one psychologically reacts to discrimination. The three major goals of this thesis were to explore 1) how young adult, bicultural, ethnic minorities understand their cultural identities; 2) how the individual’s understanding of his or her bicultural identity was associated with reactions to real or imagined experiences of discrimination; and 3) the value of the blended/alternating bicultural distinction in understanding bicultural identity and how that might relate to the association between discrimination and well-being. Young adult undergraduates attending a diverse university campus, mainly of East and South Asian background, were interviewed, asked to complete written questionnaires, or asked to participate in an experimental study concerning cultural identity. Results from the three studies of the thesis suggest common themes in participant descriptions of bicultural identity. Results also demonstrate the direct negative effect of discrimination on mood, and suggest that the distinction between understanding one’s bicultural identity as a stable, cohesive blend of two cultures (Blended Biculturalism) vs. as one that switches between two cultural selves (Alternating Biculturalism), may have implications for differential effects of discrimination on psychological well-being. Alternating biculturals in the discrimination condition reported experiencing more negative mood than alternating biculturals in the non-discrimination condition. Blended biculturals did not show this difference. Alternating biculturals in the discrimination condition also reported experiencing more approach thoughts toward their group than alternating biculturals in the non discrimination condition; blended biculturals did not show this difference either, but rather had high levels of approach thoughts in both conditions. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.

People are living longer and this increases the risk of encountering financial difficulties when trying to make fixed retirement incomes stretch over additional years. Increased life expectancies also increase the likelihood of encountering a health issue including cognitive or functional declines that can affect money management capabilities. There are government entitlement programs available to assist retired Canadians but these programs are under review and new policies are being considered in order to reduce fiscal pressures. At the same time, family roles and structures are changing and informal supports available to previous generations may be reduced. As well, if an older person’s money is poorly managed there will be fewer options for maintaining quality of life in the retirement years. This increases the risk of poverty for older Canadians. The goals of this research are to: understand individual risk factors including demographic, clinical and social support characteristics among Canadians age 55 and over who are experiencing poverty; to understand the predictive characteristics for moving into or exiting from poverty; and, to develop a comprehensive description of those who have great difficulty managing their finances. In order to achieve this, data from the interRAI Home Care (RAI-HC) assessment instrument were used. Three regions, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Nova Scotia and Ontario, were analyzed in order to understand the characteristics of those making economic trade-offs (N=345,678). Data from the province of Ontario was used to understand predictors of poverty transitions (N=47,653) and to develop a profile of those having great difficulty managing their finances (N=321,816). In order to answer each question of interest multivariable logistic regression modeling was used. Results from the analyses found that those most at risk for making economic trade-offs were in the age 55 to 64 group, had three or more depressive symptoms and were separated or divorced. Gender was not a risk factor. Regional differences for poverty risks were also identified showing greater risks for those experiencing mental health issues in WHRA, for those with more clinical indicators in Ontario, and for younger residents (age 55 to 64) in Nova Scotia. The longitudinal analyses on poverty transitions revealed that females who had completed at least a grade eight education were more likely to exit poverty. The younger group (age 55 to 64 years) with three or more depressive symptoms and experiencing unstable health were more likely to enter poverty. Marriage and older age were protective from the risks of entering poverty. Results from the analyses of those likely to have great difficulty with financial management indicated that deficits in cognition, procedural memory and function increased the risk of being unable to manage personal finances. Gender and marital status were not associated with financial management difficulty. The development of a profile of those who are making economic trade-offs and those at risk of having difficulty with financial management provides the opportunity for early intervention. Those who have not reached the traditional retirement age of 65 have an increased risk of poverty. Understanding characteristics of those who exit poverty will help establish policies and programs that will assist older Canadians. These are important issues due to the increased number of post-employment years that Canadians are living and the national focus on fiscal restraints. The management of finances has received minimal scientific research and evidence is needed to understand when changes in capability occur and how these changes may be supported by appropriate levels of assistance and supportive devices.

A variety of statistical models have been developed to examine longitudinal stability and change of individual differences. Kenny and Zautra’s (1995) trait-state-error (TSE) model models stability as a function of stable variance that does not change (trait), moderately stable variance that changes over time (state), and error variance. Applications of this model have been limited to panel studies with repeated observations of the same individual. The present study developed a non-linear regression model to apply the TSE model to retest correlations from different samples. This model was used to compare the stability of measures of personality traits, affective well-being (AWB), cognitive well-being (CWB), and self-esteem. After correcting for differences in reliability, age, gender, and scale length, the amount of trait (vs. state) variance was similar across constructs. Stability of the state component was highest for AWB and CWB, suggesting that situational influences have most enduring effects on these two constructs.

This study examined the significance of perceived parent and teacher support for autonomy and responsiveness, along with perceptions of democratic social organization, in the development of conceptions of children’s rights. Relations between these family and school environments and adolescents’ psychological well-being were also examined and a contrast between urban and rural settings within mainland China was included. Current findings suggest that Chinese adolescents display patterns of children’s rights attitudes similar to those found in Western settings. Different possible pathways of family and school environmental impact on children’s rights attitudes are found and explored. Current findings support psychological models that propose that the promotion of autonomy and responsiveness is critical to adolescents’ psychological well-being across cultures. Moreover, these findings provide strong evidence that features of democratic environments (e.g., mutual respect between parents and children, opportunities for children to express their opinions, shared decision making) are relevant to people in non-Western cultures.

This study examined the significance of perceived parent and teacher support for autonomy and responsiveness, along with perceptions of democratic social organization, in the development of conceptions of children’s rights. Relations between these family and school environments and adolescents’ psychological well-being were also examined and a contrast between urban and rural settings within mainland China was included. Current findings suggest that Chinese adolescents display patterns of children’s rights attitudes similar to those found in Western settings. Different possible pathways of family and school environmental impact on children’s rights attitudes are found and explored. Current findings support psychological models that propose that the promotion of autonomy and responsiveness is critical to adolescents’ psychological well-being across cultures. Moreover, these findings provide strong evidence that features of democratic environments (e.g., mutual respect between parents and children, opportunities for children to express their opinions, shared decision making) are relevant to people in non-Western cultures.

Introduction: Cancer poses a substantial burden on the health of Canadians. Although advancements in screening and treatment have reduced, cancer-related morbidity and quality of life remain important concerns throughout cancer treatment and survivorship. <p>Purpose: This study examined the impact of Iyengar yoga on quality of life and other cancer-related symptoms among people with cancer. <p>Methods: All individuals registered for the Fall 2006 and Winter 2007, 10-week Iyengar yoga programs, offered by CancerCare Manitoba through private donations, were invited to participate in the study. Participants were asked to complete standard self-report questionnaires and participant diaries at baseline, week-5, week-10, and 6 weeks following the last class. The interventions impact on study outcomes were determined using repeated measures ANOVAs and paired samples t-tests. Six participant interviews and a review of participant diaries were conducted and analyzed using categorical aggregation and direct interpretation to identify other relevant issues as raised by participants and to document any negative effects of the program.<p>Results: Nineteen female participants completed the yoga intervention. The mean age of the sample was 50 years and the majority self-identified as Caucasian. Approximately one third had breast cancer and 63% were undergoing treatment for cancer at baseline. Results from the questionnaires showed statistically significant improvements in quality of life, mood disturbance, spiritual well-being, anxiety, nausea, pain, participants most bothersome symptom at baseline, and trait anxiety. Results from the interviews and participant diaries showed that participants experienced increases in social support, relaxation, mental concentration, and in flexibility, strength, and mobility in problem areas. Participants also expressed that their Iyengar yoga practice was empowering and supported their need to take an active role in their health and take a holistic approach to care. It was suggested that Iyengar yoga might contribute to the benefits reported through an ability to facilitate the development of coping skills or mindfulness.<p>Conclusions: The Iyengar yoga program for people living with cancer offered by CancerCare Manitoba can be considered a complex, multi-level, multi-modal intervention. Although, due to design limitations, neither causality nor a dose-response relationship between the Iyengar yoga intervention and the improvements in cancer-related outcomes could be inferred, the present study lends support to the assertion that Iyengar yoga is beneficial to the well-being of those living with cancer.

Bakgrund:Varje år drabbas cirka 50 000 personer i Sverigeav cancer. Att vårda människor som drabbats av en obotlig cancersjukdom innebäratt vårda lindrande. Palliativ vård innebär medicinsk behandling och omvårdnadsom är inriktad på symtomlindring och välbefinnande för patienten och dessnärstående. Syfte: Syftet var attbelysa vad som kan främja välbefinnande hos en patient med cancersjukdom i ettpalliativt skede, ur ett patientperspektiv. Metod: En litteraturstudie som inkluderade 18 artiklar, varav 15kvalitativa (därav en fallstudie), samt tre kvantitativa artiklar. Resultat: Delaktighet i beslut ochomvårdnad var av betydelse, samt vikten av att ha sin religiösa tro som hjälptetill att upprätthålla ett hopp i livet. För att uppnå ett välbefinnande vargoda relationer mellan personal och patient betydelsefulla. Även att patientenkände sig sedd och att personalen var engagerad i patienten kunde påverkavälbefinnandet. Då det inte fanns så mycket tid kvar i livet var det avbetydelse att kunna få bo på den plats patienten själv önskade och attsamtidigt känna sig fri från fysisk och psykisk smärta. Resultatdiskussion: Betydelsen av delaktighet och kommunikation varolika för olika patienter. Genom att respektera patientens önskan omdelaktighet kunde patienten uppleva autonomi. Fanns en kommunikation mellansjuksköterska och patient kunde omvårdnadsbehov lättare identifieras. Slutsats: Delar av resultatet somframkommit är faktorer som kunde åtgärdas i vardagen med relativt små medel,men som kunde bli betydelsefullt för patienten. Resultatet kan finnas i åtankenär vårdpersonal behandlar patienter med olika sorters diagnoser. / Background: Every year approximately 50 000 people in Sweden suffers by a cancer diagnosis. Caring for people suffering from incurable cancer means palliative care. Palliative care is a medical treatment and nursing focusing on relieve of symptoms, as well as the well-being of patients and relatives. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to illustrate factors that can promote the well-being of a patient living with cancer, in a palliative phase. The perspective in this study is from a patient’s point of view. Methods: A literature review that containing 18 articles. 14 were qualitative, one was a case study and three were quantitative articles. Results: Involvement in decisions and care was of importance, as well as having their religious beliefs that helped them to maintain hope in life. To achieve well-being, good relationships between staff and patient were important. Because it was little time left in life, it was important to be able to live in a place that the patient felt comfortable, as well as feeling free from physical and mental pain. Discussion: The significance of participation and communication were different for all patients. By respecting a patient's desire for participation, the experience of autonomy could be fulfilled. The communication between nurse and patient was of importance to identify care needs. Conclusion: Part of the result showed that things could be addressed in daily life with relatively small funds, but were of big importance for the patient. The result can be a reminder when health professional treats patients with different types of diagnosis.

A variety of statistical models have been developed to examine longitudinal stability and change of individual differences. Kenny and Zautra’s (1995) trait-state-error (TSE) model models stability as a function of stable variance that does not change (trait), moderately stable variance that changes over time (state), and error variance. Applications of this model have been limited to panel studies with repeated observations of the same individual. The present study developed a non-linear regression model to apply the TSE model to retest correlations from different samples. This model was used to compare the stability of measures of personality traits, affective well-being (AWB), cognitive well-being (CWB), and self-esteem. After correcting for differences in reliability, age, gender, and scale length, the amount of trait (vs. state) variance was similar across constructs. Stability of the state component was highest for AWB and CWB, suggesting that situational influences have most enduring effects on these two constructs.

Background: Self-rated health (SRH) is among the most frequently assessed health perceptions in epidemiological research. While the predominant focus has been the predictive relevance of SRH, there is increasing interest in understanding the nature of SRH. Recently a conceptual interpretation of SRH was proposed. Purpose: To assess the tenability of the recently proposed distinctions of self-rated health, as a spontaneous assessment of overall health, or as an enduring self-concept, or both, and to determine the significance of mental well-being, physical and social health for SRH. Methods: A cohort of individuals undergoing total joint replacement (TJR) for hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) was followed over 6 months of recovery. Participants (n=449) completed (pre-surgery, 3 and 6 months post-surgery) measures associated with physical health: pain, physical function, sports/recreation, fatigue; mental well-being: anxiety, depression; and social health: social participation, passive/active recreation, community access. Using structural equation modeling, confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) investigated 3 latent health variables, and the responsiveness of SRH to current and changing health status, as well as its predictive significance for future health status was investigated. Results: CFA analyses confirmed relationships between observed health measures and hypothesized latent health dimensions. SRH was responsive to current and changing mental well-being. The effects of physical and social health were mediated through mental well-being. SRH was a strong predictor of future SRH and future health status. Conclusion: SRH displayed features of both an enduring self-concept and spontaneous assessment of health status; evidence is provided that both operate simultaneously. While aspects of physical health have always been perceived as the major determinants of SRH, these findings indicate that mental and social health explain much of the relationship between physical health and SRH. These results are particularly unexpected since this is a sample of individuals undergoing TJR surgery, for which pain and restricted physical function are primary indicators. Since SRH is a significant predictor of health status, TJR outcomes, health care utilization and mortality, this study suggests that health research and care, treatment and management modalities should consider a broad range of health dimensions, not only physical aspects of health, and SRH.

How one understands their bicultural identity has implications for how one psychologically reacts to discrimination. The three major goals of this thesis were to explore 1) how young adult, bicultural, ethnic minorities understand their cultural identities; 2) how the individual’s understanding of his or her bicultural identity was associated with reactions to real or imagined experiences of discrimination; and 3) the value of the blended/alternating bicultural distinction in understanding bicultural identity and how that might relate to the association between discrimination and well-being. Young adult undergraduates attending a diverse university campus, mainly of East and South Asian background, were interviewed, asked to complete written questionnaires, or asked to participate in an experimental study concerning cultural identity. Results from the three studies of the thesis suggest common themes in participant descriptions of bicultural identity. Results also demonstrate the direct negative effect of discrimination on mood, and suggest that the distinction between understanding one’s bicultural identity as a stable, cohesive blend of two cultures (Blended Biculturalism) vs. as one that switches between two cultural selves (Alternating Biculturalism), may have implications for differential effects of discrimination on psychological well-being. Alternating biculturals in the discrimination condition reported experiencing more negative mood than alternating biculturals in the non-discrimination condition. Blended biculturals did not show this difference. Alternating biculturals in the discrimination condition also reported experiencing more approach thoughts toward their group than alternating biculturals in the non discrimination condition; blended biculturals did not show this difference either, but rather had high levels of approach thoughts in both conditions. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.