SHARE
PRINT VERSIONResearch projects
IHI at MR: Building a learning organization of scholarship through: collaborative, applied and community-based research, consultation, policy analysis/development, problem-solving, publication and advocacy.
• Pilot Project: Evaluating the Effects of an Asset Building Program for Young Offenders
• An Environmental Scan of Inclusive Nature Activities for Adults with Disabilities
Pilot Project: Evaluating the Effects of an Asset Building Program for Young Offenders
 | Principal Investigator: Janne Holmgren, PhD
|
Abstract: This pilot project explored the experience and impact of an Asset Building Program, delivered to 6 male youth ages 16‐20 in custody at the Calgary Young Offenders Centre. This project was not a program evaluation; it was an assessment of the impact of the program on the youth’s resiliency development (to build positive personal identities, develop competent social skills and promote positive social values) and their lived experiences as program participants. The study applied a mixed methods design aligned with contemporary resiliency research focus that suggests a strength‐based therapeutic intervention approach affirming that all youth have strengths to build on and demonstrate resilience. It provided a program structure that fostered participant planning in their own treatment program and evaluated its outcomes using quantitative and qualitative measures. Six clients voluntarily consented to be part of the program; four completed the sessions (67%). Based on four post‐program interviews with the clients, five main themes emerged regarding the Asset Building Program. The nature of developing and evaluating a program in a secure facility such as Calgary Young Offenders Centre comes with its own difficulties; however, a few limiting areas could be improved.
Status: In progress
Knowledge transfer activities:
Poster Presentation - Janne Holmgren, Elaine Danelesko, Dawne Clark, Vicki Switzer, Brent Keller, Charlotte MacDonald-Allen, Angela Witmer
Pilot Project: Evaluating the Effects of an Asset Building Program for Young Offenders - Faculty Scholars' Showcase, December 1, 2011 Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB
| Principal Investigator: Dawne Clark, PhD
|
Abstract: In Canada, childhood obesity and physical inactivity are at all‐time levels. Evidence‐based knowledge, public education, and resources that support physical activity and literacy have been the initial steps towards creating a healthier Canadian community (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011). Subsequently, policy change which promotes the importance of physical activity and literacy in the early years of life will support the importance of physical activity in early childhood development and create healthy foundations for future lifestyles. This multi‐year project has focused on three pillars for change: resources, education, and policy development. Research in the first three years of the project resulted in two editions of a resource book, A Hop Skip and Jump for child care providers and a series of workshops introducing the resource book to providers in both centres and family day homes. Research in the fourth year produced a series of brochures for new Canadian parents, written in basic English, to support families engaging in physical activity with their preschool children both indoors and outdoors in all four seasons. This year, the focus of the work has shifted to the third pillar by pulling together a pan‐Alberta Advisory Committee to formally advance policy development through professional association guidelines and accreditation processes.
Status: In Progress
Knowledge Transfer Activities:
Poster Presentation - Clark, D., Danelesko, E., Bratt. D., LeSueur, J., & Armitage, G. Advancing physical literacy/activity in group child care settings through policy development. Mount Royal University Faculty of Health and Community Studies Faculty Scholar’s Showcase, December 1, 2011. Calgary, AB.
Poster Presentation: Advancing physical literacy/activity in group child care settings through policy development. Mount Royal University Student Research Day, March 21, 2012. Calgary, AB.
An Environmental Scan of Inclusive Nature Activities for Adults with Disabilities
 | Principal Investigator: Sonya Jakubec, Associate Professor, Nursing Undergraduate Co-Investigators: Don Carruthers Den Hoed, Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation, Push to Open Nature Society, Calgary,Elaine Danelesko, Director, Integrative Health Institute Undergraduate Research Assistant: Kimberley Durham, Student, School of Nursing |
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to conduct an environmental scan related to inclusive nature programs serving adults with disabilities. According to Choo (2001), environmental scanning facilitates the gathering of information about events, trends and relationships within particular case studies to assist future planning. Further, environmental scanning includes assessing information and searching for it to make observations and assist analysis. Specifically, this scan will lay the foundation for a larger study of the impact of nature on the mental well-being of individuals with disabilities. Literature review, document retrieval and three to six case studies involving in-depth interviews with adults with disabilities will be conducted. Voluntary participants will be invited from our community partner agency, Push to Open Nature Society, which matches persons with disabilities to nature opportunities.
At the centre of this analysis, will be the questions:
- What are the aspirations of individuals with disabilities regarding inclusive experiences in nature?
- What are the facilitators, barriers, characteristics of current and potential inclusive nature opportunities for these participants?
Choo, C.W. (2001). Information management for the intelligent organization: the art of scanning the environment (3rd ed.). Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc.
Status: In Progress
Knowledge Translation Activities:
Poster Presentation - Jakubec, S., Carruthers Den Hoed., D., & Danelesko, E. Upstream mental health promotion – a three phase study of inclusive parks programming. Healthy by Nature Forum, September 20 - 23, 2011. Vancouver, BC.
Jakubec, S., Carruthers Den Hoed., D., Danelesko, E., & Durham, K. Upstream mental health promotion – a three phase study of inclusive parks programming. Mount Royal University Faculty of Health and Community Studies Faculty Scholar’s Showcase, December 1, 2011. Calgary, AB.
| Principal Investigator: Sonya Jakubec, Associate Professor, Nursing Undergraduate Co-Investigators: Don Carruthers Den Hoed, Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation, Push to Open Nature Society, Calgary,Elaine Danelesko, Director, Integrative Health Institute Undergraduate Research Assistant: Kimberley Durham, Student, School of Nursing |
Abstract: Over the past five years, inclusive policy and practice has been addressed by the Alberta government. Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation have implemented new programming in response to these inclusive policies (Active Alberta 2011). One intervention, the Adaptive Kananaskis Challenge, offers anecdotal evidence that this type of experience promotes mental wellbeing (Carruthers 2009). The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the mental health impacts of an adaptive nature experience, Kananaskis Challenge 2012, for participating adults. This study has received funding from the Ministry of Tourism, Parks and Recreation and the Alberta Mental Health Research Partnership Program's Collaborative Research Grants Initiative Ideas Fund. The study will include a pre / post analysis of existing adaptive nature interventions for adults with disabilities and their participating voluntary caregivers. During the interventions, data will also be gathered to understand participants' experiences of day trip or overnight wilderness challenge interventions. This research will employ questionnaires for descriptive statistics, standardized measurements for quality of life and mood, and qualitative content analysis. At the centre of this analysis, will be the questions:
• What are the quality of life outcomes of individuals participating in an adaptive nature experience?
• What effect, if any, does participating in an adaptive nature experience have on an individual's mood and emotional state?
Carruthers Den Hoed, D. (2009). Push to open: the 2008 Alberta parks access challenge. Retrieved from http://www.albertaparks.ca/images/Push2Open/PushToOpen2008.pdf
Status: In Progress
Knowledge Translation Activities:
Poster - Upstream Mental Health Promotion - A Three Phase Study of Inclusive Parks Programming, "Found in Translation" Knowledge Translation Research Showcase, Alberta Mental Health Research Partnership Program, Edmonton, March, 8, 2012; Received Certificate of Recognition Poster Award for Best Ideas Fund Poster
Archive - Completed Projects: 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Integrative Health Institute at Mount Royal | Phone: 403.440.8809
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3E 6K6
403.440.6111
