Papers by Hannah Pazderka
Frontiers in psychiatry, Mar 18, 2024
Opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose deaths are a public health crisis. One contributing factor... more Opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose deaths are a public health crisis. One contributing factor is stigma towards people who use opioids. We developed and conducted a public-facing, half-day educational event designed to challenge misperceptions about OUD from a contemporary neuroscience perspective. Participants engaged with three different resources on the neurobiology of addiction, and, at the end of the event, they rated its effectiveness. We also collected and compared pre-and post-event composite OUD stigma scales. Participants rated our approach and the overall event as highly effective. Additionally, OUD stigma scores were lower immediately following the event, and this decrease was primarily driven by decreased internalized stigma. Here, we demonstrate an effective proof-of-concept that an accessible, public-facing, neuroscience education event may reduce OUD stigma in the community.
Frontiers in Public Health, Aug 31, 2023
Background: As children reintegrate with in-person classroom learning after COVID-19, health and ... more Background: As children reintegrate with in-person classroom learning after COVID-19, health and education institutions should remain mindful of students' mental health. There is a paucity of data on changes in students' mental health before, during and after their return to in-person classroom learning. Methods: We collected and analyzed data on self-reported wellbeing, general mental health, perceived stress, and help-seeking attitudes from grade 7-12 students in a Catholic school division in Canada (n = 258 at baseline; n = 132 at follow-up). Outcomes were compared according to demographic differences such as gender, grade level, experience accessing mental health services, and presence of support staff between baseline and follow-up. Effects of time points and each demographic variable on each outcome and on the prediction of students' mental health were also analyzed. Results: No significant differences were apparent for outcomes between baseline and follow-up. However, specific subgroups: junior high students, male students, students who had not accessed mental health services, and students who had access to support-staff had better outcomes than their counterparts. From baseline to follow-up, male students reported mental health decline [
PLOS ONE
Background Difficulties in access to therapy were highlighted by COVID-19 measures restricting in... more Background Difficulties in access to therapy were highlighted by COVID-19 measures restricting in-person gatherings. Additional challenges arise when focusing on caregivers of child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors in particular, which are a population that has been historically difficult to engage with due to issues of stigma and confidentiality. Objectives To present preliminary qualitative results from caregivers of CSA survivors. Methods This study was conducted with caregivers of CSA survivors. Two hybrid webinar/focus groups were conducted using a video conferencing platform in fall of 2021 with two groups of stakeholders (11 caregivers and 5 moderators/clinical staff at Little Warriors, an intensive episodic treatment facility). Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and thematically-analyzed using standard qualitative methodology. Results A total of 11 caregivers contributed to the data. Themes include: (1) Challenges of starting and maintaining treatment (i.e., emotional impact o...
European Psychiatry
IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has produced negative mental health outcomes, which were more p... more IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has produced negative mental health outcomes, which were more prominent in vulnerable communities, such as Fort McMurray (FMM), the community that experienced prior similar disasters.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the likelihood and correlates of anxiety symptoms among FMM residents, during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey questionnaire was applied between 24 April and 2 June 2021, at FMM community to gather a set of data, including sociodemographic, COVID-19, and clinical information. Generalized anxiety disorder was the main outcome of the study, and was measured using GAD-7 scale.ResultsOverall, 186 individuals completed the survey (response rate 74.7%). Most of the respondents were females (159, 85.5%); above 40 years (98, 52.7%); employed (175, 94.1%); and in relationship (132, 71%). The prevalence of moderate-to-severe anxiety was (42.5%, 71) on GAD-7 self-reported scale. Subscribers who reported that they wo...
European Psychiatry
IntroductionThe Fort McMurray wildfire (2016) was one of the most expensive and devastating natur... more IntroductionThe Fort McMurray wildfire (2016) was one of the most expensive and devastating natural disasters that ever happened in the history of Canada. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (2016), the cost of this disaster was estimated at USD 3.6 billion in insured losses. Despite the fundamental role of resilience in the daily functioning of individuals in the form of a protective shield that ameliorates the devastating impact of disasters on their mental well-being, to date, the long-term impact of wildfires on resilience and its associated predictors of low resilience has not been well studied and evaluated.ObjectivesThe study aimed to enhance the understanding of the psychological impact of wildfires through the evaluation of the prevalence and predictors of resilience among the affected residents of Fort McMurray five years after the devastating wildfires.MethodsThis study applied a cross-sectional survey design which was used to gather quantitative data through an o...
European Psychiatry
IntroductionFort McMurray, a city in northern Alberta, Canada, has experienced multiple traumas i... more IntroductionFort McMurray, a city in northern Alberta, Canada, has experienced multiple traumas in the last five years, including the 2016 wildfire, the 2020 floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Eighteen months after the wildfire, major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms were elevated among school board employees in the city.ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare employees of the school board and other employees of Fort McMurray in respect to the impact the 2016 wildfires, the 2019 COVID pandemic, and the 2020 floods had on their mental health.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in Fort McMurray from 24 April to 2 June 2021. Online questionnaires were administered through REDCap and were designed to capture socio-demographic characteristics, clinical as well as wildfire, COVID-19, and flooding-related variables. Mental health outcome variables were captured using self-reported standard...
Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology
International public health strategies indicate a need for equitable resources for wellness in yo... more International public health strategies indicate a need for equitable resources for wellness in younger children and their caregivers. Reflective functioning, a proxy for emotional regulation abilities, is a key area in this domain. As an emerging area, reflective functioning has not been mapped comprehensively and requires systematic investigation. This review examines "what qualitative and quantitative evidence is there for the value of reflective functioning assessment and intervention studies in caregiver-child dyads?" This scoping review focused on data published to September 2021, focusing on caregivers of children ≤36 months of age (including Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were followed. From 5162 initial articles, 608 papers were screened for full text yielding a final 181 papers. Only 69 studies included multiple ethnicities. Seven of the 69 studies included at least 1 Indigenous person. No studies were conducted in low-to middle-income countries, and no studies reported data on gender identity. This review comprises a novel and comprehensive mapping of the reflective functioning literature in terms of both assessment and intervention studies. The present mapping of the reflective functioning literature indicates the importance of health disparities in caregiver-child dyads (these include gaps and needs for future research). In relation to gaps, studies of adverse childhood experience, consideration of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and global mental health are underrepresented. Future research is needed to provide information on the relevance of gender identity and low-to middle-income countries in relation to the impact on reflective functioning in this context.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Dec 2, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Objective: This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of depression following the April 20... more Objective: This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of depression following the April 2020 flooding in Fort McMurray. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design. Questionnaires were self-administered through an anonymous, online survey. Data collected included sociodemographics, flooding-related variables, clinical information, and likely major depressive disorder (MDD) using PHQ-9 scoring. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and logistic regression at P = < 0.05. Results: Of the 186 respondents who completed the survey, 85.5% (159) of the respondents were females, 14.5% (27) were males, 52.7% (98) were above 40 years of age, and 94% (175) were employed. The prevalence of mild to severe depression among the respondents was 53.7% (75). Respondents who reported that they are unemployed are 12 times more likely to have a moderate to severe depression (OR = 12.16; 95% CI: 1.08–136.26). Respondents who had previously received a mental health...
Child Abuse & Neglect
BMC Health Services Research
Background Specialized mental health services for the treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) are g... more Background Specialized mental health services for the treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) are generally expensive and labour intensive. They require a trauma-informed approach that may involve multiple services and therapeutic modalities, provided over the course of several months. That said, given the broad-ranging, long term negative sequelae of CSA, an evaluation of the cost-benefit analysis of treatment is clearly justified. Methods We performed a Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis of data gathered as part of the treatment program at the Be Brave Ranch in Edmonton, Canada to determine the value-for-money of the services provided. We endeavoured to take a conservative, medium-term (5 year) perspective; this is in contrast to short term (1–2 year) effects, which may rapidly dissipate, or long term (15–20 year) effects, which are likely diffuse and difficult to measure. As such, our analysis was based on an average annual intake of 100 children/adolescents (60:40 split) ...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
BackgroundThe flood in Fort McMurray (FMM) which occurred between April 26 and May 2, 2020, is kn... more BackgroundThe flood in Fort McMurray (FMM) which occurred between April 26 and May 2, 2020, is known to have displaced an estimated population of 1,500 people, and destroyed or damaged about 1,230 buildings. In all, it is estimated to have caused about $228 million in losses.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify the prevalence and determinants of likely Generalized Anxiety disorder (GAD) in among respondents 12-months after the 2020 flooding.MethodsData for the study were collected through a cross-sectional survey sent through REDCap and hosted online from the 24th of April to the 2nd of June 2021. The self-administered questionnaire was emailed to respondents using community, government, school, and occupational platforms. Demographic, flooding-related variables, and clinical data were collected. A validated instrument, the GAD-7 was used to collect information on likely GAD. Consent was implied by completing the survey forms, and the University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Com...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: Over 90,000 residents had to be evacuated from Fort McMurray (FMM), Alberta, Canada d... more Background: Over 90,000 residents had to be evacuated from Fort McMurray (FMM), Alberta, Canada due to the wildfire that engulfed the city in May 2016. Overall, about 2400 homes or 10% of the housing stock in Fort McMurray were destroyed. The fire consumed about 200,000 hectors of forest, reaching into Saskatchewan. During major disasters, communities’ infrastructure is disrupted, and psychological, economic, and environmental effects are felt for years afterwards. Objective: Five years after the wildfire disaster, this study assessed the prevalence rate of major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Fort McMurray residents and determined the demographic, clinical, and other risk factors of probable MDD and PTSD. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data through an online questionnaire administered via REDCap between 24 April and 2 June 2021. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the presen...
BACKGROUND Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a key health area that needs new and innov... more BACKGROUND Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a key health area that needs new and innovative treatment options for both caregivers and children. Although there are few existing treatment options for the CSA survivors, there have been studies targeting inventions for children’s mental health issues as well as for caregiver-child dyads. For CSA survivors, there is some recent evidence for the effectiveness of multimodal treatment. However, no prior study has identified long term findings over the full year of programming in a multimodal program and there has been no analysis of the role of caregivers in treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex multimodal treatment program for child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. The secondary aim was to qualitatively evaluate the attitudes and opinions of caregivers. METHODS Methods: Children (CSA survivors) completed quantitative self-report surveys before and after each of...
The SAGE Handbook of Social Science Methodology
International Journal of Psychophysiology, 2004
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has an estimated prevalence between 0.5% and 3%, yet its diagnosis... more Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has an estimated prevalence between 0.5% and 3%, yet its diagnosis remains contentious. CFS is characterized by subjective symptoms that can be difficult to verify; moreover, depression is a commonly reported CFS complaint, whereas fatigue is a common symptom of depression. Our primary goal was dissociation of these disorders using psychophysiological methods. As previous research has implicated the autonomic nervous system in CFS, we conducted what we believe to be the first analysis of bilateral electrodermal and skin temperature responses of dextral females in a cross-modal orienting task, to investigate differences between these two patient groups and controls. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) examining three measures of electrodermal activity revealed prestimulus tonic skin conductance levels (SCLs) were markedly lower for the CFS group, with no difference between controls and depressives. Concurrent skin temperature levels were higher for the CFS group than the other two groups. These findings indicate that, despite overtly similar cognitive and symptom profiles, depression and CFS patients can be differentiated with psychophysiological measures. This study adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that CFS and depression have distinct neurobiological profiles, consistent with unique aetiologies.
Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 2003
... Leslie Hayduk, Greta Cummings, Rainer Stratkotter, Melanie Nimmo, Kostyantyn Grygoryev, Donna... more ... Leslie Hayduk, Greta Cummings, Rainer Stratkotter, Melanie Nimmo, Kostyantyn Grygoryev, Donna Dosman, Michael ... Requests for reprints should be sent to Leslie A. Hayduk, Department of Sociology ... or separation following introduction of specific controls (Pearl, 2000, p. 16). ...
Behavioral sciences, Mar 30, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022
ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic represents an instance of collective trauma across the globe; as ... more ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic represents an instance of collective trauma across the globe; as such, it is unique to our lifetimes. COVID-19 has made clear systemic disparities in terms of access to healthcare and economic precarity. Our objective was to examine the mental health repercussions of COVID-19 on adult females living in Fort McMurray, Canada in light of their unique circumstances and challenges.MethodTo investigate this issue, we analyzed responses gathered from an anonymous cross-section of online survey questionnaire responses gathered from females living in the Fort McMurray area (n = 159) during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 24–June 2, 2021). This included relevant demographic, mental health history, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as COVID-19 data. Chi-squared analysis was used to determine outcome relevance, and binary logistic regression was employed to generate a model of susceptibility to PTSD.Results159 females completed the survey. The prev...
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Papers by Hannah Pazderka