UBC School of Nursing

Heightened food worries linked to worse mental health during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns may have worsened worries over food insecurity among many Canadians and negatively impacted their mental health, according to a nationwide survey conducted during the first wave.

Sep 23, 2021

New book helps readers spot online health scams

Internet health scams have increased in recent years, often spread through social media and causing untold harm, according to a new book by UBC nursing professor, Dr. Bernie Garrett.

Jul 28, 2021

Strong school and family ties buffer gender-diverse teens from bullying and hostility

B.C.’s gender-diverse youth continue to face significant bullying and harassment, but a new report by UBC and McCreary Centre Society underlines how social supports like strong school and family relationships make a significant impact on their well-being.

May 31, 2021

COVID-19 survey shows almost eight out of 10 adults are worried, bored, stressed, lonely or sad

The pandemic continues to take an emotional toll on people in Canada, with 77 per cent of adults reporting negative emotions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest mental health survey by UBC researchers, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

May 3, 2021

Premature baby resting on Calmer in the NICU at BC Children's Hospital. Photo credit: Liisa Holsti

Therapeutic bed can help keep preterm newborns’ brain oxygen levels stable

A medical device that has been shown to manage pain among babies born preterm can also help keep their brain oxygen levels steady during medical procedures, finds new analysis by researchers at UBC.

Mar 25, 2021

New national survey finds Canadians’ mental health eroding as pandemic continues

The second wave of the pandemic has intensified feelings of stress and anxiety, causing alarming levels of despair, suicidal thoughts and hopelessness in the Canadian population.

Dec 3, 2020

Online supports for COVID-19 stress are there—but Canadians aren’t accessing them

Many Canadians are not making use of virtual resources that could help them cope with the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new analysis by researchers at UBC, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Nov 10, 2020

New survey shows links between COVID-19 pandemic and B.C. nurses’ mental health

B.C. nurses working in the front lines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of emotional exhaustion, depression and anxiety, finds a new survey by UBC nursing researchers and the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU).

Sep 29, 2020

‘Wobble room’ provides time-out for COVID-19 frontliners

Working in a busy, major hospital can be incredibly demanding and stressful. But the COVID-19 pandemic brought on a different kind of stress for staff at the Vancouver General Hospital emergency department—one that they had never encountered before.

Jun 8, 2020

Paying attention to complaints can protect nurses from violence

Complaints from patients and their family members could signal future violence against nurses and should not be ignored, suggests new research from the University of British Columbia.

Feb 20, 2020

Eight tips for promoting men’s health

Successful men’s health programs are the ones that recognize and adapt to social forces that uniquely affect men, UBC research shows.

Nov 7, 2019

Gay-straight alliances contribute to a safer school climate long-term

Gay-straight alliances (GSAs) help make schools safer for students the longer they are in place, even among straight students, finds new research from the Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre at the University of British Columbia.

Feb 5, 2019

Inclusive primary care improves people’s health, finds UBC-Western study

Respectful, inclusive practices in primary care clinics can significantly improve the health of low-income, marginalized people who may have previously experienced trauma or discrimination, a new study from the University of British Columbia and Western University has found.

Dec 18, 2018

Good sleep helps set kids up for success in school: UBC expert

With back to school just a few weeks away, parents are looking to get their children back into more regular sleep schedules to ensure they’re ready for the start of classes.

Aug 22, 2018

Researchers found that feelings of powerlessness, a mismatch between reality and expectations of motherhood, and unmet expectations of support contributed to anger in the context of postpartum depression.

Anger overlooked as feature of postnatal mood disorders: UBC study

Women in the postpartum period should be screened for anger in addition to depression and anxiety, new research from the University of British Columbia suggests.

Jun 26, 2018

The study showed that asking men to describe their experiences of grief and loss through photographs and storytelling could be therapeutic.

Self-care and social ties can help men recover from the suicide of a loved one

Recovering from the suicide of a friend, partner or family member can be emotionally challenging for men, largely due to masculine ideals that dictate men should remain stoic and keep their feelings bottled up.

Jun 20, 2018

Workers used strategies to hide, improvise or use self-defence tools to deal with potential assaults.

Sex workers need workplace regulations to improve safety: study

Canada’s sex workers, many of whom work indoors, are enterprising and vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves against exploitation, assault or robbery. They set a relaxing atmosphere, insist on a no-drugs rule, keep self-defence tools at the ready and maintain good relationships with landlords in order to avoid eviction.

Mar 21, 2018

New moms need better support easing back into exercise after birth

Getting enough exercise is crucial to the health of new moms, yet most programs designed to increase postnatal physical activity are only somewhat effective.

Mar 8, 2018

The top three reasons cited for screen time included needing time to complete household chores, coping with a busy workday, and the belief that it helped with their child's speech and language development. Credit: Richard Leeming/Flickr

Toddlers getting screen time, despite guidelines to the contrary

More than half of Vancouver parents surveyed in a new study reported allowing their children to use electronic devices like smartphones and tablets, despite guidelines from the Canadian Pediatric Society recommending against screen time for children aged two and under.

Feb 14, 2018

The study highlights the need for more inclusive sex ed, says UBC nursing professor Elizabeth Saewyc.

Sex education doesn’t reflect real-life realities of lesbian and bisexual girls

Most lesbian and bisexual girls don’t know they can get sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from other girls, because sex education is mostly designed for their straight peers.

Jan 10, 2018