Kelly P Arbour‐Nicitopoulos
Biographic Data
| ID | 6589345 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kelly P Arbour‐Nicitopoulos |
| GIVEN NAMES | Kelly P |
| FAMILY NAME | Arbour‐Nicitopoulos |
| SIGNATURE | NICITOPOULOS K P A |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Toronto |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1011-3669 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 22 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 4 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 22 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Associations among negative weight‐related experiences, weight bias internalization, and body‐related self‐conscious emotions in adolescents: A daily diary study
INTRODUCTION: The present study examined the between- and within-person associations among negative weight-related experiences, weight bias internalization, and body shame, embarrassment, and pride in adolescents. METHODS: = 15.54, 59.10% girls, 40.86% white) who completed a 5-day daily diary study in 2021. Multilevel models were estimated to examine the between- and within-person associations, as well as the cross-level interactions. RESULTS: Fi…
Consequences of daily self-weighing: A pilot study in higher-weight women with a history of breast cancer
Self-monitoring weight is commonly recommended for higher-weight women with a history of breast cancer, despite evidence demonstrating potentially negative psychological consequences of frequent self-weighing. The extent to which higher-weight women with breast cancer experience emotional and behavioral consequences in response to daily self-weighing is unknown. In this pilot study, women (n = 51) with a history of breast cancer in a behavioral w…
An Exploration of How Parents Did Waiting for Their Child's Transplant: Inpatient, Outpatient, and Home Space-Times
Current evidence shows that waiting for a child's solid organ, stem cell, or bone marrow transplant can cause social, emotional, and psychological suffering for children and their families. Despite waiting being a central theme, little research has investigated what families do while they are waiting in hospital and home settings and what daily life looks like in these contexts. This narrative ethnographic study explored what waiting may look lik…
Parents' experiences of waiting for their child's transplant: A focus on how healthcare providers can impact the waiting process
Waiting for a child transplant is a form of suffering for parents, yet little research has explored how parents experience waiting and how healthcare providers can impact their waiting experiences. The purpose of this article is to investigate how parents experienced the process of waiting for their child's transplant with a specific focus on the impact of healthcare providers on parents' experience of waiting. Six parents from four different fam…
Understanding the experiences of parents of disabled and non-disabled children at playgrounds designed for disability inclusion
Disabled children and their families are often excluded from community play opportunities, including playgrounds. One potential solution is inclusive playgrounds. This study explores the experiences of parents of disabled and non-disabled children at playgrounds inspired by Principles of Universal Design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 parents (16 parents of disabled children) located across four Canadian cities with newly buil…
A pragmatic approach to measuring physical literacy and behavioural outcomes in youth with and without disabilities
This study used a pragmatic measurement approach to examine changes in physical literacy (PL) and physical activity (PA) behaviour outcomes associated with a community-based PL programme for youth with and without disabilities. A single group, pre-post study was conducted with 67 youth (68.7% male; 62.7% with a disability; 12.2 ±1.7 years) participating in a 16-week, inclusive PL programme offered across three community sites. Valid, age-appropri…
The Sensory Experience of Waiting for Parents of Children Awaiting Transplant: A Narrative Ethnography
Despite the senses being a valuable source of knowledge, little research has explored the sensory process of medical experiences. This narrative ethnographic study investigated how the senses shaped parents’ experiences of waiting for their child to receive a solid organ, stem cell, or bone marrow transplant. Six parents from four different families primarily participated in sensory interviews as well as observations that explored the question: H…
Correlates of Physical Activity Participation among Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer: An Application of the Multi-Process Action Control Framework
Reflective processes were associated with PA intention formation, while reflexive processes were associated with PA action control. Behavior change efforts for individuals diagnosed with cancer should extend beyond social-cognitive approaches to include regulatory and reflexive processes of PA behavior (i.e., PA identity)
An evaluation of quality participation experiences in inclusive recreation programming for adults who have an intellectual disability
Individuals who have an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) may benefit physically and psychosocially from engaging in recreation. This qualitative description study focused on the Inclusion Resource Team programme, an inclusive municipal recreation programme for adults who have an IDD, and explored elements that may lead to optimal recreation experiences. Interviews were conducted with 4 participants, 6 caregivers, and 11 staff. G…
Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity programme for individuals with serious mental illness: A case study
Partnering with community agencies to implement physical activity (PA) interventions within the care for individuals with serious mental illness is important for improving the translation of research into practice. As such, a case study was conducted to explore individual participant experiences (N= 5, 60% male) and contextual circumstances that may influence the acceptability and feasibility of a pilot one-on-one 6-week PA intervention, within t…
Children’s Usage of Inclusive Playgrounds: A Naturalistic Observation Study of Play
Inclusive playgrounds that are designed to be physically accessible and welcoming to children with disabilities may provide equal and equitable access to play for all children. Using a naturalistic observational design, this study examines children's use of a playground designed to be accessible and inclusive for all ages and abilities. A modified version of the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities was used to collect child dat…
A distance-based, randomized controlled trial for reducing sedentary behavior among prostate cancer survivors: A study protocol
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05214937 . Registered January 28, 2022 Protocol version: v.1
The café talk: A discussion of the process of developing a creative non-fiction
Humans are story-telling creatures, and our qualitative research needs to reflect this. In this paper we openly discuss our struggles, progress, and experiences with thematic narrative analysis and creative non-fictions from an interdisciplinary team’s perspective. This messy text is aimed at researchers new to and experienced with creative non-fictions to promote critical thinking around the challenges that arise from using such a methodology. I…
Physical Activity and the Home Environment of Pre-School-Aged Children in Urban Bangladesh
Physical activity (PA) is a key determinant of health and development, yet few studies have examined PA levels and risk factors for low PA among young children in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe the PA and sedentary (SED) behavior levels of preschool-aged children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and to estimate the associations between potential risk factors in the home built environment and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). In…
Adverse Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Movement and Play Behaviours of Children and Youth Living with Disabilities: Findings from the National Physical Activity Measurement (NPAM) Study
All children and youth require ample physical activity (PA), low levels of sedentary behaviour (SB), and adequate sleep to stay healthy. Children and youth living with disabilities (CYWD) tend to have fewer opportunities for participation in PA and outdoor play compared with their typically developing peers. In turn, CYWD are typically less active and more sedentary, on average, compared with their peers. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced opportuniti…
Developing and Disseminating Physical Activity Messages Targeting Parents: A Systematic Scoping Review
Through knowledge synthesis, this research can contribute to a knowledge translation process to inform practice guidelines for the development and dissemination of PA messages targeting parents, while also providing unique considerations for PA messages targeting parents of CWD
Factors Associated with Participation in Physical Activity Among Canadian School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disabil…
We have a limited understanding of the socioenvironmental factors associated with participation in physical activity among school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly regarding how the school environment may influence their participation. Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework, this study examined the effect of body functions and structure, activity, and persona…
Do Incentives Promote Action Planning in a Web-based Walking Intervention
Objective In this study, we examine the effect of providing an incentive for engagement in self-regulatory behaviors (ie, action planning), in inactive, office-based university employees participating in an 11-week, Web-based walking intervention. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to either control (intervention only) or incentive (intervention plus incentive; CAD $5.00 e-gift card delivered weekly for completing action plans over 4 wee…
The Weight Is Even Worse Than the Cancer: Exploring Weight Preoccupation in Women Treated for Breast Cancer
Cancer-related changes in body weight are problematic given that excess weight is associated with an increased risk of cancer reoccurrence and mortality. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of weight-concerned women treated for early-stage breast cancer. A purposeful sample of women were selected based on criteria for high weight and body image concerns ( n = 11; Mage = 65.31 ± 10.96 years). Each participant engag…
The Utility of the Health Action Process Approach Model for Predicting Physical Activity Intentions and Behavior in Schizophrenia
Research is needed to develop evidence-based behavioral interventions for preventing and treating obesity that are specific to the schizophrenia population. This study is the precursor to such intervention research where we examined the utility of the social cognitions outlined within the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model for predicting moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intentions and behavior among individuals with schizoph…
Development and Reliability Testing of a Health Action Process Approach Inventory for Physical Activity Participation among Individuals with Schizophrenia
Individuals with schizophrenia tend to have high levels of cardiovascular disease and lower physical activity (PA) levels than the general population. Research is urgently required in developing evidence-based behavioral interventions for increasing PA in this population. One model that has been increasingly used to understand the mechanisms underlying PA is the health action process approach (HAPA). The purpose of this study was to adapt and pil…
Prevalence of health-risk behaviours among Canadian post-secondary students: Descriptive results from the National College Health Assessment
Overall, findings point to the need for more concentrated health promotion campaigns, specifically targeting sleep, fruit and vegetables intake, and greater participation in physical activity. Given evidence of some institutional variability, future efforts are warranted in exploring how best to increase institutional commitment for collecting surveillance data on Canadian post-secondary students
Understanding the experiences of parents of disabled and non-disabled children at playgrounds designed for disability inclusion
Disabled children and their families are often excluded from community play opportunities, including playgrounds. One potential solution is inclusive playgrounds. This study explores the experiences of parents of disabled and non-disabled children at playgrounds inspired by Principles of Universal Design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 parents (16 parents of disabled children) located across four Canadian cities with newly buil…
Parents' experiences of waiting for their child's transplant: A focus on how healthcare providers can impact the waiting process
Waiting for a child transplant is a form of suffering for parents, yet little research has explored how parents experience waiting and how healthcare providers can impact their waiting experiences. The purpose of this article is to investigate how parents experienced the process of waiting for their child's transplant with a specific focus on the impact of healthcare providers on parents' experience of waiting. Six parents from four different fam…
The Weight Is Even Worse Than the Cancer: Exploring Weight Preoccupation in Women Treated for Breast Cancer
Cancer-related changes in body weight are problematic given that excess weight is associated with an increased risk of cancer reoccurrence and mortality. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of weight-concerned women treated for early-stage breast cancer. A purposeful sample of women were selected based on criteria for high weight and body image concerns ( n = 11; Mage = 65.31 ± 10.96 years). Each participant engag…
Prevalence of health-risk behaviours among Canadian post-secondary students: Descriptive results from the National College Health Assessment
Overall, findings point to the need for more concentrated health promotion campaigns, specifically targeting sleep, fruit and vegetables intake, and greater participation in physical activity. Given evidence of some institutional variability, future efforts are warranted in exploring how best to increase institutional commitment for collecting surveillance data on Canadian post-secondary students
Development and Reliability Testing of a Health Action Process Approach Inventory for Physical Activity Participation among Individuals with Schizophrenia
Individuals with schizophrenia tend to have high levels of cardiovascular disease and lower physical activity (PA) levels than the general population. Research is urgently required in developing evidence-based behavioral interventions for increasing PA in this population. One model that has been increasingly used to understand the mechanisms underlying PA is the health action process approach (HAPA). The purpose of this study was to adapt and pil…
The Utility of the Health Action Process Approach Model for Predicting Physical Activity Intentions and Behavior in Schizophrenia
Research is needed to develop evidence-based behavioral interventions for preventing and treating obesity that are specific to the schizophrenia population. This study is the precursor to such intervention research where we examined the utility of the social cognitions outlined within the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model for predicting moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intentions and behavior among individuals with schizoph…
Do Incentives Promote Action Planning in a Web-based Walking Intervention
Objective In this study, we examine the effect of providing an incentive for engagement in self-regulatory behaviors (ie, action planning), in inactive, office-based university employees participating in an 11-week, Web-based walking intervention. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to either control (intervention only) or incentive (intervention plus incentive; CAD $5.00 e-gift card delivered weekly for completing action plans over 4 wee…
The Weight Is Even Worse Than the Cancer: Exploring Weight Preoccupation in Women Treated for Breast Cancer
Cancer-related changes in body weight are problematic given that excess weight is associated with an increased risk of cancer reoccurrence and mortality. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of weight-concerned women treated for early-stage breast cancer. A purposeful sample of women were selected based on criteria for high weight and body image concerns ( n = 11; Mage = 65.31 ± 10.96 years). Each participant engag…
Factors Associated with Participation in Physical Activity Among Canadian School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disabil…
We have a limited understanding of the socioenvironmental factors associated with participation in physical activity among school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly regarding how the school environment may influence their participation. Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework, this study examined the effect of body functions and structure, activity, and persona…
The café talk: A discussion of the process of developing a creative non-fiction
Humans are story-telling creatures, and our qualitative research needs to reflect this. In this paper we openly discuss our struggles, progress, and experiences with thematic narrative analysis and creative non-fictions from an interdisciplinary team’s perspective. This messy text is aimed at researchers new to and experienced with creative non-fictions to promote critical thinking around the challenges that arise from using such a methodology. I…
Physical Activity and the Home Environment of Pre-School-Aged Children in Urban Bangladesh
Physical activity (PA) is a key determinant of health and development, yet few studies have examined PA levels and risk factors for low PA among young children in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe the PA and sedentary (SED) behavior levels of preschool-aged children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and to estimate the associations between potential risk factors in the home built environment and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). In…
Adverse Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Movement and Play Behaviours of Children and Youth Living with Disabilities: Findings from the National Physical Activity Measurement (NPAM) Study
All children and youth require ample physical activity (PA), low levels of sedentary behaviour (SB), and adequate sleep to stay healthy. Children and youth living with disabilities (CYWD) tend to have fewer opportunities for participation in PA and outdoor play compared with their typically developing peers. In turn, CYWD are typically less active and more sedentary, on average, compared with their peers. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced opportuniti…
Developing and Disseminating Physical Activity Messages Targeting Parents: A Systematic Scoping Review
Through knowledge synthesis, this research can contribute to a knowledge translation process to inform practice guidelines for the development and dissemination of PA messages targeting parents, while also providing unique considerations for PA messages targeting parents of CWD
An evaluation of quality participation experiences in inclusive recreation programming for adults who have an intellectual disability
Individuals who have an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) may benefit physically and psychosocially from engaging in recreation. This qualitative description study focused on the Inclusion Resource Team programme, an inclusive municipal recreation programme for adults who have an IDD, and explored elements that may lead to optimal recreation experiences. Interviews were conducted with 4 participants, 6 caregivers, and 11 staff. G…
Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity programme for individuals with serious mental illness: A case study
Partnering with community agencies to implement physical activity (PA) interventions within the care for individuals with serious mental illness is important for improving the translation of research into practice. As such, a case study was conducted to explore individual participant experiences (N= 5, 60% male) and contextual circumstances that may influence the acceptability and feasibility of a pilot one-on-one 6-week PA intervention, within t…
Children’s Usage of Inclusive Playgrounds: A Naturalistic Observation Study of Play
Inclusive playgrounds that are designed to be physically accessible and welcoming to children with disabilities may provide equal and equitable access to play for all children. Using a naturalistic observational design, this study examines children's use of a playground designed to be accessible and inclusive for all ages and abilities. A modified version of the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities was used to collect child dat…
A distance-based, randomized controlled trial for reducing sedentary behavior among prostate cancer survivors: A study protocol
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05214937 . Registered January 28, 2022 Protocol version: v.1
A pragmatic approach to measuring physical literacy and behavioural outcomes in youth with and without disabilities
This study used a pragmatic measurement approach to examine changes in physical literacy (PL) and physical activity (PA) behaviour outcomes associated with a community-based PL programme for youth with and without disabilities. A single group, pre-post study was conducted with 67 youth (68.7% male; 62.7% with a disability; 12.2 ±1.7 years) participating in a 16-week, inclusive PL programme offered across three community sites. Valid, age-appropri…
The Sensory Experience of Waiting for Parents of Children Awaiting Transplant: A Narrative Ethnography
Despite the senses being a valuable source of knowledge, little research has explored the sensory process of medical experiences. This narrative ethnographic study investigated how the senses shaped parents’ experiences of waiting for their child to receive a solid organ, stem cell, or bone marrow transplant. Six parents from four different families primarily participated in sensory interviews as well as observations that explored the question: H…
Correlates of Physical Activity Participation among Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer: An Application of the Multi-Process Action Control Framework
Reflective processes were associated with PA intention formation, while reflexive processes were associated with PA action control. Behavior change efforts for individuals diagnosed with cancer should extend beyond social-cognitive approaches to include regulatory and reflexive processes of PA behavior (i.e., PA identity)
Understanding the experiences of parents of disabled and non-disabled children at playgrounds designed for disability inclusion
Disabled children and their families are often excluded from community play opportunities, including playgrounds. One potential solution is inclusive playgrounds. This study explores the experiences of parents of disabled and non-disabled children at playgrounds inspired by Principles of Universal Design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 parents (16 parents of disabled children) located across four Canadian cities with newly buil…
Associations among negative weight‐related experiences, weight bias internalization, and body‐related self‐conscious emotions in adolescents: A daily diary study
INTRODUCTION: The present study examined the between- and within-person associations among negative weight-related experiences, weight bias internalization, and body shame, embarrassment, and pride in adolescents. METHODS: = 15.54, 59.10% girls, 40.86% white) who completed a 5-day daily diary study in 2021. Multilevel models were estimated to examine the between- and within-person associations, as well as the cross-level interactions. RESULTS: Fi…
Consequences of daily self-weighing: A pilot study in higher-weight women with a history of breast cancer
Self-monitoring weight is commonly recommended for higher-weight women with a history of breast cancer, despite evidence demonstrating potentially negative psychological consequences of frequent self-weighing. The extent to which higher-weight women with breast cancer experience emotional and behavioral consequences in response to daily self-weighing is unknown. In this pilot study, women (n = 51) with a history of breast cancer in a behavioral w…
An Exploration of How Parents Did Waiting for Their Child's Transplant: Inpatient, Outpatient, and Home Space-Times
Current evidence shows that waiting for a child's solid organ, stem cell, or bone marrow transplant can cause social, emotional, and psychological suffering for children and their families. Despite waiting being a central theme, little research has investigated what families do while they are waiting in hospital and home settings and what daily life looks like in these contexts. This narrative ethnographic study explored what waiting may look lik…
Parents' experiences of waiting for their child's transplant: A focus on how healthcare providers can impact the waiting process
Waiting for a child transplant is a form of suffering for parents, yet little research has explored how parents experience waiting and how healthcare providers can impact their waiting experiences. The purpose of this article is to investigate how parents experienced the process of waiting for their child's transplant with a specific focus on the impact of healthcare providers on parents' experience of waiting. Six parents from four different fam…
Medicine (17 works) · Psychology (17 works) · Clinical Psychology (8 works) · Social Psychology (8 works) · Developmental psychology (7 works) · Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport (7 works) · Sociology (6 works) · Behavioral Health and Interventions (5 works) · Internal Medicine (5 works) · Physical therapy (5 works)